Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Which child care bills is Bedford’s senator pushing in Concord?
And check out Open Studio on the Bedford Patch calendar
Hi Bedford! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Which child care bills is Bedford’s senator pushing in Concord?
- How Bedford’s voice factors into the state’s school voucher power struggle
- How Bedford firefighters helped in Manchester’s deadly New Year’s blaze
Also on today's calendar: Open Studio and 2 more events.
Find out what's happening in Bedfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Bedfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Sun and some clouds, with a high of 27 and low of 15 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Saturday: Sunshine and some clouds, temps: high: 29, low: 17.
- Sunday: A little snow in the morning, with a high of 27 and low of 6 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• As a new session approaches, here are the early childhood education bills in the pipeline (ledgertranscript.com) — Bedford residents are represented directly in these child care debates, with Sen. Denise Ricciardi backing a bill to create a pooled insurance program for day care centers and foster homes. Lawmakers are also weighing new funding, tax credits, zoning changes, and scholarship expansions that could reshape child care access and costs for families and providers across New Hampshire. 
• Democrat forced out as chair of EFA oversight panel (unionleader.com) — A Bedford lawmaker, Rep. Kristin Noble, now sits in the Republican majority that removed Democrat Sen. Suzanne Prentiss as chair of New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account Oversight Committee. The shake-up comes amid partisan tension over how nearly $100 million in state-funded education vouchers are monitored and reported, with Democrats questioning transparency and accountability in the program’s management.
• 1 killed, at least 7 seriously hurt in Manchester blaze (unionleader.com) — Bedford fire crews were among many departments rushing to help Manchester firefighters battle a devastating New Year’s apartment blaze that killed one person, critically injured a child, and displaced about 50 residents. Local church members nearby opened their doors as an impromptu shelter while investigators work to determine how the third-floor fire started.
📸 Around Bedford
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Bedford
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Open Studio
The Canvas Roadshow , 25 S River Rd , Bedford
11:00 am - Planning Board Meeting
Bedford, NH Calendar , Town Meeting Room - BCTV 10 Meetinghouse Road , Bedford
6:30 pm - Historic District Commission
Bedford, NH Calendar , Town Meeting Room - BCTV 10 Meetinghouse Road , Bedford
6:30 pm - CANCELLED - Poles & Wires Committee
Bedford, NH Calendar , Town Meeting Room - BCTV 10 Meetinghouse Road , Bedford
9:00 am - Planning Board Meeting
Bedford, NH Calendar , Town Meeting Room - BCTV 10 Meetinghouse Road , Bedford
6:30 pm
Saturday January 3
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
Thursday January 8
Monday January 12
📣 Bedford Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Little Art Makers
Amherst Town Library , 14 Main Street , Amherst
3:30 pm - D-I Basketball at Hillside
Merrimack Middle School , 31 Madeline Bennett Lane , Merrimack
4:00 pm - Planning Board Meeting
Litchfield, NH Calendar , 2 Liberty Way , Litchfield
7:00 pm - Spelling Bee
Hillside Middle School Manchester, NH 03104
8:15 am - Admissions Open House
The Founders Academy Charter School Manchester, NH 03103
5:30 pm - School Board Meeting
Litchfield, NH Calendar , 2 Liberty Way , Litchfield
5:30 pm - Derryfield School Admission Open House
Derryfield School , 2108 River Road , Manchester
6:00 pm
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
Wednesday January 7
Thursday January 8
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Bedford PatchAM possible:
- FloorMe! — (603) 886-9129
Your Local Flooring Experts in Nashua, NH - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - New England Roller Sports — (603) 952-1477
Roller Sports Skating School "Come Train With Us" - HB Supply — (603) 424-4608
Free Local Delivery, Loyalty Discounts & Best Pricing - Blackdog Design/Build/Remodel — (603) 898-0868
Making Your Dream Home a Reality Since 1989 - Auria Wellness
Yoga Studio and Wellness Center
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- A third alarm fire at a four-story occupied apartment building on Union Street in Manchester, NH, resulted in multiple rescues and numerous injured civilians transported to area hospitals.
12:49AM on Jan 1: All hands are working a fire in a three-story wood residential building on Union Street in Manchester, NH, with smoke showing and… (Nextdoor ) - A vehicle fire on South River Road in Bedford, NH, was reported, with fire knocked down and overhauling in progress.
8:13AM on Dec 31: A vehicle fire on South River Road in Bedford, NH, is being handled by Engine 1 with no reported extension or exposures. (Nextdoor )
- FedEx posted a job opening for Material Handler - Part Time (Warehouse like) in Manchester. Apply here.
- Trego-Dugan Aviation, Inc. posted a job opening for FT Cargo Ramp Agent, KMHT in Manchester. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bedford here.
🗞 Nearby News
Manchester
- The year ahead: Five NH events to mark on your calendar in 2026 (unionleader.com)
- New year, new habits: Fitness and dry January trends on the rise (wmur.com)
- The Weekly Dish 26/01/01 (hippopress.com)
Merrimack
- NH Democrats respond to rumors about plans for an ICE processing facility in Merrimack (newenglandnewspress.com)
- Flu cases continue to rise across New Hampshire (nhpr.org)
Nashua
Ok Bedford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I just lost interest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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