🌱 Virtual Urgent Care + Sidewalk 'Bot' Laws + Red Ribbon Week

Happy Thursday, Bedford! Here's what's going on in our area today.

First, today's weather:

Sunshine and warm. High: 77 Low: 60. It's a beautiful day! Get out and enjoy the warm fall weather.

Here are the top stories in Bedford today:

1. Would you login to a virtual medical visit for treatment rather than walking into an urgent care clinic? It may be the future of urgent care, some leaders say. Over the past ten years, several urgent care clinics have opened in Bedford and across New Hampshire. Company leaders say that the region is "reaching its saturation point." ConvenientMD President and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Mark Pundt, MD, says that urgent care clinics have spread quickly across the region because they can easily adjust to the shifting health care landscape. President and CMO Marcus Hampers of ClearChoiceMD, another urgent care company, says that urgent care centers provide patients with lower-cost options, and hospital emergency departments are "over capacity" with cases that can be treated in a different setting. With the expansion of urgent care clinics reaching their limit, many see virtual urgent care as the way forward. Before long, you may have the option of an online medical appointment for urgent care. (Manchester Ink Link)
2. Bots (robots) traveling on sidewalks and roadways may be the future of package and cargo delivery to consumers and businesses. A House panel is considering whether to legalize delivery bots statewide after seeing a bot called Roxo developed by Bedford inventor Dean Kamen's company DEKA Research & Development Corp. and FedEx. Supporters presented an amendment Tuesday that would allow delivery devices like Roxo to travel up to 12 mph on sidewalks and up to 20 mph on roadways in New Hampshire. The bot would have to be controlled by an operator on-site or monitored by someone at all times. The legislation would create a class of "mobile carriers" that would only travel on sidewalks and crosswalks that would weigh no more than 80 pounds, travel no faster than 12.5 mph, and must remain within 25 feet of the owner. You can read more here: (Yahoo! Voices)
3. Red ribbons and red lights for a drug-free community. Bedford Police Chief, John Bryfonski, is asking the community for their help to support an effort to keep the community drug-free by displaying red lights, bows, and ribbons outside their residences and businesses on Oct. 23-31 for national Red Ribbon Week. The Bedford Police Department joined forces with BeBOLD, a Bedford-based non-profit drug awareness and education initiative. Bryfonski said, as first responders they often see the tragic consequences that alcohol and drug use has on individuals and families. Red ribbons and red lights will be available for free at local businesses while supplies last. (John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC)

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Today in Bedford:

• Sunflower Wood Pallet Painting. (6:30 p.m.)

Bedford Patch Notebook

• 2021 Halloween Trick-or-Treating: Dates and times in New Hampshire. (WMUR Manchester)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

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• Tiger Warrior Dojo — Commitment to Excellence (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• An evening with Carrie Newcomer and pianist Gary Walters (October 14)
• Children's Trick or Treat (October 16)
• NH Philharmonic Orchestra - From Darkness to Hope (October 16)
• Children's Trick or Treat (October 17)
• NH Philharmonic Orchestra - From Darkness to Hope (October 17)
• Meet a Professional Athlete! (October 18)
• Special Needs Trust Webinar (October 21)
• Ghouls, goblins, and creatures of the night; join us for Halloween food, drinks, and finance! (October 28)
• Halloween an Interactive NightLife Experience (October 30)
• Add your event

Job listings:

• Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNAs) – Virtual Career Event (Details)
• Add your job listing

Now you're up to date and ready to head out the door on Thursday! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with a new update. If you like these free newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Bedford Daily? You can email me at paula.constance.patch@gmail.com.