Boston, Our Thoughts and Prayers Are With You

1. First things first. We at Patch would like to offer our thoughts and condolences to the runners and spectators and their families and friends who we affected by yesterday's tragic bombing at the 117th Boston Marathon. As far as we know all five of Merrimack's runners made it home safely. Only three of the five made it to the finish line. We hope that you'll join us in sending up a prayer to the victims who lost their lives and were injured.

2. Planning board meets. The Merrimack Planning Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the Matthew Thornton Room tonight for a regularly-scheduled meeting. On the agenda is a discussion about subdividing a lot of land into two at 63 Turkey Hill Road. Get the full agenda online.

3. The buzz about ombre. Merrimack Patch blogger Michele Hennas has posted a new blog about the buzz surrounding the latest in hair coloring trends that has people buzzing – that root to tip gradient look called ombre. Read her latest post "Ole to the Ombre." 

4. Fundraising success. The following is a message from the Merrimack Public Library on Facebook: "Thank you to everyone who came out this weekend to support the Library at our April Book Sale! We raised $1,667.31, which will go towards refurbishing the Lowell Room!"

5. Weather watch. Let the sun shine today. The National Weather Service is calling for partly sunny skies with a high near 66. Light south wind increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Tonight, a chance of showers, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.