MANCHESTER: For the month of August, Belletetes, a lumber and building supply company, in collaboration with the NH Retail Lumber Association (NHRLA) will be hosting a food drive at all 10 of its locations to support the NH Food Bank. Belletetes and participating NHRLA retailers will place collection bins in their stores for patrons and community members to drop off non-perishable, non-glass goods. Since 2023, Belletetes has collected and donated a combined 84,436 pounds of food to the NH Food Bank through this annual drive, helping provide more than 70,363 meals to Granite Staters experiencing hunger.
NASHUA: Governor Kelly Ayotte signed into law Senate Bill 245, which is the region’s first law banning ground ambulance balance billing, which has left patients with high out of-pocket costs. Under the new law, patients will only be responsible for standard copays, coinsurance or deductible amounts; all NH ambulance providers will be paid at least 3.25 times the Medicare rate for the next two years to ensure fair reimbursement; patients will be fully protected from balance billing; and all ambulance providers are expected to start the process of being in-network with commercial insurers. SB 245 takes effect January 2026, thanks to strong advocating from the NH Association of Fire Chiefs, American Medical Response and the NH Ambulance Association.
LINCOLN: HomeToGo has identified Franconia Notch State Park as the No. 3 nature-forward getaway this summer and fall as part of its 2025 State Park Index. By evaluating various categories, including price, solitude, wildlife, and more, HomeToGo found Franconia Notch State Park to have some of the best features overall. The park earned a 9.69/10 in the “Scenic Score” category for having some of New England’s most awe-inspiring peaks and waterfalls. HomeToGo notes how, based on an internal travel survey, one-third of Americans want to explore natural wonders in 2025, with many prioritizing affordability and avoiding crowds.
NORTH CONWAY: Late last month, hundreds of hikers participated in the Mt. Washington Observatory’s (MWOBS) 25th annual Seek the Peak Hike-a-Thon, which raised more than $290,000 to support MWOBS operations, forecasting, research and educational programs. Following the hike, MWOBS hosted an Après Hike Expo at Great Glen Trails, featuring live music, giveaways, a BBQ-style feast provided by Chef Joe’s Catering, Tuckerman Brewing Company’s beer garden, industry-leading gear brands, and activities for kids.
CONCORD: Eastern Bank has been recognized for the second year in a row by Disability:IN as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion on the 2025 Disability Index. Among other initiatives, Eastern leads an Employee Resource Group “disAbility Advocacy Alliance” to organize workplace practices as well as events that foster awareness and inclusion for people with disabilities and provide resources for their caregivers and allies. This included co-hosting a recent screening of “The 17 Percent,” a short film about Collette Divitto, a neurodiverse business owner and Eastern customer, to highlight the experiences of successful entrepreneurs with disabilities.
