🌱PFAS: Comment Now + Open Christmas Eve + Rapid Test

Happy Wednesday, Bedford! Let's start today off on an informed note. I'm happy to let you know that our Daily is helping us build a stronger community. Thank you, everyone, for your positive notes, feedback, and event posts. We're better together! Here are the most important things happening in our community today.

First, today's weather:

Roads may be icy in the morning, with 1 to 2 inches of snow possible. High: 38. Low: 23.

Shoutout to our premier local sponsor:

Have you stopped by T-BONES Great American Eatery off River Road lately? If you buy a $25 gift card from now through New Year's, you'll get another $5 thrown in for free. Learn more here.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Here are the top stories today in Bedford:

1. Now is your chance to comment on a new report about PFAS exposure from drinking water Merrimack. Officials said that the public comment period is now open for a new health report on the PFAS contamination in Merrimack by the the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The report concerns the Saint Gobain Performance Plastics plant that contaminated groundwater and wells in Merrimack, Bedford, and Litchfield with "forever" PFAS chemicals that never break down in nature. The wells were closed when unsafe levels of PFAS chemicals were found in the water in 2016. The report says drinking private well water before 2016 could increase the risk for harmful health effects, and those continuing drinking untreated well water may still have increased risk. The report said that PFAS exposure could increase the risk of high blood pressure, developmental problems in infants, and high cholesterol levels. PFAS contaminants have also been linked to kidney cancer and other health problems. You can find out more about how to comment here: (NHPR)
2. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, with a dusting of wintry white snow and chilly temperatures. If you are planning to have Christmas Eve dinner at a Bedford restaurant this year, and you missed the listing here a few days ago of restaurants that plan to be open Christmas Eve, here are a few places to consider: Carrabas Italian Grille in Bedford will be open on Christmas Eve from 4 to 10 p.m. and T-Bones in Bedford will be open on Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Carrabas and T-Bones will be closed on Christmas Day. The Copper Door in Bedford will be open on Christmas Eve, with the last reservation at 8 p.m. and closing at 10 p.m. The Copper Door will not be open on Christmas Day. The Bedford Village Inn restaurant will be open Christmas Eve for lunch and dinner but will be closed on Christmas Day. Reservations are highly recommended for most restaurants on Christmas Eve. Be sure to call ahead before you finalize your plans. (Patch)
3. Where can you find a rapid home test kit for COVID-19? That's a question everyone seems to be asking as the omicron variant is infecting large numbers of people and filling emergency rooms across the country. Labs are doing their best to keep up, but with the high volume of tests, there are often long wait times for test results. A rapid home antigen test can deliver results in 15 to 30 minutes. Rapid antigen tests are not the PCR tests you receive at Urgent Care or a mobile testing site, but health officials say they can tell you if you have been infected with COVID-19, especially if you are showing symptoms of the virus. The state of New Hampshire is offering a limited amount of free test kits through their website https://www.covid19.nh.gov/ (click on the "free test" icon).. If you can't find a rapid test online, the best place to find a COVID-19 home test kit in stock is at your local pharmacy. Health officials add that booster shots are still the best defense to help prevent serious illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that unvaccinated people are six times more likely to die from COVID-19 than people who have received a COVID-19 booster shot. You can read more here: (WMUR)

Today's Bedford Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at GoodRx — the best way to save money on your prescriptions. GoodRx helps you locate the lowest prices for medications at local pharmacies, so you're not overpaying. Works for pet medications too! To see how much you can save, go to GoodRx.com.

Today in Bedford:

• The Craftworkers' Guild Annual Holiday Fair. (10 a.m.)
• Pick Your Project. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Animal Rescue League of N.H.: "Wilton residents and visitors, are you missing this handsome boy? Found on 101 near Island Street. No microchip or identification." (Facebook)

• Bedford N.H. Police Department: "We have so much appreciation for the handmade ornaments we received from this thoughtful Girl Scout!" (Facebook)
• Bedford Hockey: "Pictures from Sunday night Boys Junior Varsity game vs Hanover, win 3-0." (Facebook)
• Bedford N.H. Public Library: "The Bedford Public Library is proud home to a great large print book collection, including mysteries and suspense, nonfiction, romance, historical fiction and best-sellers by authors like James Patterson, Nora Roberts." (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Healthy Buffalo — (Visit website)
• RD1 Fitness — (Visit Website)
• Tiger Warrior Dojo — (Visit website)
• MJ'S Market, Inc — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Save 15 Percent On FTD’s Christmas Collection (Dec. 25)
• The Secret Science Behind The Nutcracker Ballet (Dec. 29)
• New Year's Eve — Interactive NightLife Experience (Dec. 31)
• Add your event

If you love the Bedford Daily and want to help us be better together, here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe for free
• Get your local business showcased in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at paula.constance.patch@gmail.com

You're officially in the know for today! See you tomorrow with 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.