🌱 Marijuana Passes, Stalls + Cavanaugh Exodus + New Open Seats

Hey, Bedford! It's me again, Paula Constance, your host of the Bedford Daily.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and not as cold today. High: 41 Low: 33.

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Here are the top stories in Bedford today:

1. A bill supporting recreational use of marijuana passed the New Hampshire House but lost steam in the House Ways and Means Committee Thursday. $14 million in state funding was requested for start-up costs by Rep. Daryl Abbas, R-Salem, who said it would be repaid with sales of $260 to $360 million. Bedford Police Chief John Bryfonski and the police association said the bill would "significantly increase costs" at a time when law enforcement is already understaffed. He also cited problems in Canada, Colorado and other states with legalized recreational marijuana. New Hampshire also does not have an intoxication limit for THC levels, he noted, making it impossible to prosecute. He added, “You can’t put dollars and cents above the cost of human life.” You can read the full story here: (InDepthNH.org)
2. John Cavanaugh, originally from Bedford, escaped to Poland eight days after Russian military forces attacked the country. As Russia rains destruction on Ukraine, the 61 year old, who moved to Portsmouth in 1982 after graduating from college, traveled to Ukraine to visit friends in Kyiv after getting his COVID-19 vaccine and loved the country so much, he moved to Kyiv indefinitely. Cavanaugh found himself in the middle of Russia’s war on Ukraine, an independent country since 1991. Cavanaugh shared a picture of the border crossing into Poland, showing a sea of other evacuees waiting for their chance to cross to safety. You can read the full story here: (Seacoastonline.com)
3. It's time to volunteer, Bedford! The Bedford Town Council is looking for resident volunteers to serve on the Town's boards, committees, and commissions, from the Planning and Zoning Board to the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee, the BCTV Board, and other town positions. If you are interested in getting more involved, please submit an application by March 25 to the Town Manager, 24 N. Amherst Road, Bedford, NH 03110, or email to dboufford@bedfordnh.org. Applications are available on the Town website and at the Town Office. Check out all of the open positions here: (Press Release Desk)

From my notebook:

• Bedford Fire Department, N.H.: "Congratulations to call firefighter John Ackerson on his retirement from the department. John started with the Bedford Fire Department in January 1996 and has served the community as a call member since." (Facebook)
• Bedford Hockey: "Quarter final game versus BG, this Saturday at 4 p.m., at Sullivan Arena (St. Anselms)." (Facebook)

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You're officially in the know today! See you tomorrow for your next update.

— Paula Constance

About me: I am a freelance writer, author, and media producer. I am committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place.