NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — After a record year in 2025, the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station said that in under two weeks there have been more than 200 reported tick bites. 

“I do not know whether this trend will continue or slow down,” Connecticut Tick Surveillance Program Director Dr. Goudarz Molaei said. “I suspect that it will continue and will get worse.”

In 2025, there were more than 6,000 reported bites, which is double the average. 

It would be a mistake to think that this winter’s cold weather killed the ticks. In fact, many ticks were saved by this winter’s snow. 

“It’s like a warm blanket for ticks,” Dr. Molaei said. “They hide underneath the snow and they are protected.”

These early ticks are almost exclusively blacklegged ticks. Research shows more than 50% are carrying Lyme Disease. Come this spring, four more tick species will arrive in Connecticut, with each breed carrying different diseases. 

Ticks in Connecticut usually live in the woods. But not just in trees or in the grass, they could also be in leaves on the ground. 

“Even though it looks goofy, I always make sure I have a thick sock and that it covers the lower half of your calf,” Ji Xue, who runs in East Rock Park, said.

Experts say you should spray on a pesticide before going outside. Upon returning, thoroughly check the body and put all clothes in the wash. 

“I actually had Lyme Disease as a kid because I grew up in upstate New York,” Sean Cohen, a father of two young boys, said. “We are just extra aware of it, especially because the kids have very thick, dark hair. We just try to be on top of checking out for it.” 

“I know some people who already refuse to take their dogs on hikes anymore because they are so scared,” Xue said. 

Most importantly, if a tick bites you, either send it in for testing or keep the tick. If you get sick, the doctors need to know what kind of tick infected you.

ATHENS. Ga. – A University of Georgia student from Georgia has died after falling during a hike in Connecticut, according to UGA’s Red & Black. 

What we know:

Police identified the victim as 23-year-old William Cooper Gatch of Statesboro. Gatch was a senior majoring in agricultural education at the University of Georgia and was set to graduate in May.

Investigators say Gatch was hiking with his sister at Sleeping Giant State Park when he fell along an unmarked trail. He was later located in a wooded area and died from his injuries.

Officials with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Environmental Conservation Police are investigating the incident. Early findings suggest the fall was accidental.

What they’re saying:

According to his obituary, Gatch was known for his curiosity and compassion, qualities that shaped his interest in agricultural education and mentoring others. During his final semester, he was completing his student teaching at Madison County High School.

His obituary describes him as someone who was deeply loved by those around him.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said the sale of Aquarion needs to be reconsidered following a ‘massive math error.’

Tong and the consumer counsel said that the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) missed out on nearly $500 million in potential rate increases.

Aquarion, Eversource’s water company, was to be sold to the South Central Connecticut Water Authority back in November 2025. But a judge ordered PURA to reconsider, which led to another approval in March. Aquarion is the state’s largest water supplier, servicing hundreds of thousands of people across 60 municipalities.

But now, Tong and Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman said PURA missed out on just under $500 million in additional rate increases needed to pay for the sale. PURA was reviewing a compressed spreadsheet that omitted information about rate hikes after 2035, according to Tong.

That number could add an estimated $19 million a year over 25 years to customers’ water bills.

“These aren’t new numbers; this is a bombshell,” Tong said on Wednesday. “A deal breaker.”

This will be the third time PURA would have to take another look at Eversource’s plan to sell off Aquarion.

“$500 million more in rate increases pushes it off the knife’s edge and makes it clear this deal is terrible for rate payers,” Tong said.

The top Republican in Connecticut’s House of Representatives agrees that PURA should take another look, but said the sale is in the best interest of consumers.

“At this point, I question anything that the attorney general really has to say about this deal,” said Rep. Vincent Candelora (R-Minority Leader). “He’s cried wolf about this deal. He’s been against this deal since day one, and he’ll clearly do everything in his power to stop it.”

Other lawmakers oppose the sale and continue to push for legislation that would maintain PURA’s authority over rates, even if Aquarion becomes quasi-public.

“The same oversight that we require for any natural monopoly in almost all gases, in electricity, in water, in many utilities,” said Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich).

NBC Connecticut has not heard from PURA on when they may take up the petition, nor has it received a response from Eversource and Aquarion.