Few Hospital Beds + Homeless Out + TikTok Vandals + Kid's Pfizer

Good morning, Bedford! Let's get you started this Wednesday with everything you need to know going on in town today.

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First, today's weather:

Showers early. High 76. Chance of rain 50 percent. Wednesday night, mostly cloudy. Low 63.

Here are the top stories today in Bedford:

1. The recent increase in hospitalizations has put a strain on local hospitals, some health care officials have said. Emergency rooms are filling up. Not all patients had COVID-19 symptoms, but the increase means that some patients have been waiting for beds. Solution Health officials said that Southern New Hampshire Center patients in the emergency room have had to wait for staffed beds, and the Elliot Hospital has been facing a similar situation. Dave Carey of Bedford, who recently tested positive for COVID-19, believes that the Moderna vaccination he received last spring kept him out of the hospital. Carey said that one of his friends died from COVID-19. (WMUR)
2. Many New Hampshire doctors are welcoming the news that authorization for the Pfizer vaccine for children 5-11 years old is one step closer. Once the FDA receives the needed data from Pfizer, they hope to decide if the vaccine is "safe and effective" within a few weeks. Bedford parent Jennifer Delisle, the mother of a 9-year-old and 11-year-old who attend Bedford schools, said she sees the Pfizer vaccine as "another tool" to protect them. Delisle said that her children are involved in sports and other activities, and are in classrooms where as many as half of the students are not wearing masks. (WMUR Manchester)
3. A homeless encampment, located next to the Exit 4 on-ramp on the Merrimack River in Manchester, has been removed by State Police, the New Hampshire DOT, and a bio-hazard clean-up company. Authorities had informed about 40 camp residents that they had until Sept. 14 to leave. The Manchester Health Department and state of New Hampshire personnel said the camp was shut down citing dangerous conditions. Several drivers complained that they almost hit the pedestrians using the Exit 4 on-ramp to access the camp. (Patch)
4. A TikTok trend has led to vandalism in some New Hampshire schools that could lead to punishment and charges, according to school officials. The TikTok "Devious Licks" challenge on the social media app "challenges" children to steal or deface school property, such as school soap dispensers and bathroom mirrors, as well as vandalizing school property. Bedford School Superintendent Mike Fournier said that a few Bedford schools have had incidents, and some principals were sending messages to families so they will "be aware" of the TikTok pranks. TikTok said on their website that they "do not allow content that promotes or enables criminal activities." (WMUR)

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Today in Bedford:

• Senior Picture Make Up Day - Bedford High School. (8 a.m.)
• Planned Giving With Donor-Advised Funds. (11 a.m.)
• Jack-o-Lanterns Workshop. (6:30 p.m.)

Bedford Patch Notebook

• Animal Rescue League of NH: "Londonderry Visitors and Residents: Is this your cat? She was just helping herself to the goods behind the Domino's on Nashua Road in Londonderry." (Facebook)
• Bedford NH Police Department: "Join us this Thursday, along with the Bedford Fire Department, NH for our Open House, Sept. 23 from 5-7 p.m.!" (Facebook)
• Bedford NH Police Department: "Bedford Police is currently looking for assistance in identifying the pictured individual and vehicle regarding a theft case." (Facebook)

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Events:

• The Basics of Bankruptcy Webinar (September 23)
• We're Back! 150 local performers - Benefit for the Nashua Soup Kitchen (September 25)
• NH State Home Show (September 25)
• BAE Retirement Planning Dinner (September 30)
• BAE Retirement Planning Seminar (October 1)
• Howl-O-Ween 5k to Benefit the Animal Rescue League of NH (October 16)
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You're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another update! If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Paula Constance

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Bedford Daily? Reach out anytime to paula.constance.patch@gmail.com.