Local and regional news

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Mount Washington Observatory Extends Thanks To All That Supported a Virtual Seek The Peak Hike-A-Thon Fundraiser

The 20th anniversary of Seek the Peak a success amongst challenging times 

 North Conway, NH –  The non-profit Mount Washington Observatory celebrated its 20th anniversary Seek the Peak(STP) hike-a-thon with over 300 hikers participating virtually around the country raising nearly $110,000 in pledges.  The events’ proceeds benefit the Observatory’s summit operations where observers take hourly weather observations 24/7 continuing in 87-plus year data set used in forecasting, education and science.  

Participants were encouraged to hike from anywhere between July 1-20, 2020 and to share their hikes on the Seek the Peak Facebook group page to continue to inspire the Seek the Peak community and to ultimately be included in a video bringing together the STP participants in a virtual format. Additionally, participants were asked to send along a story/prayer flag reflecting their hike of choice and years of participation to be included in a collection of flags from participants spanning the 20-year event with a plan to ultimately fly from the summit tower on Mount Washington in celebration of 20 years of STP. 

Hikers took the challenge to heart, trekking up peaks beyond Mount Washington. Some chose different massive mountains in the Presidential Range while others stuck closer to home in town forests, woodlands, and state parks. Long time participants the Nowicki family went up and down hills in their neighborhood to equal the elevation of the Ammonoosuc Trail. To keep their STP experience authentic they had candy and gifts sent from North Conway’s iconic shops Zeb’s and The Penguin to share after their outing. Robin Hirsch who has been involved with Seek the Peak since the beginning opted to finish her Sleeping Giant Mountain (CT) Master  certificate, totaling 50 miles of trail over several months, to round out her virtual STP event.  

“It was truly amazing to see the Seek the Peak community come together virtually through the Facebook Group and with emails to share their hikes and experiences and to inspire each other,” said Brand Manager Krissy Fraser. “We are so thankful for our participants and sponsors for continuing to make this event incredibly special and a successful critical fundraising event in support of the Observatory.”

Participants who reached a $200 fundraising goal were awarded with an exclusive Cotopaxi backpack provided by presenting sponsors Eastern Mountain Sports.  Leading fundraisers were awarded special prizes. Chris Nichols was the top fundraiser raising over $8,000 with 20-year participant Lee Eckhardt close behind raising a clever $6,288—that’s the elevation of Mount Washington.  Other 20-year Seek the Peak hikers Brad Griswold, and Pat and Brenda Daly were recognized for their dedication.  A special Brad Bradstreet Award recognizing a love and enthusiasm for STP and the Observatory was awarded to longtime volunteer coordinators of the event and 2020 participants Hank and Linda Dresch. 

You can view the both the 20 year celebration video and the STP 2020 virtual hike videos on YouTube.  Donations are still being accepted and the option to earn the exclusive Cotopaxi pack will be available through the end of July. Visit www.seekthepeak.org to support the event and visit www.mountwashington.org for the  information on additional Observatory programs including a free virtual Science in the Mountains lecture series slated to launch on Tuesday, July 28, 2020.  

Seek the Peak is made possible with support from presenting sponsors Oboz Footwear, Eastern Mountain Sports with additional support from The Mount Washington Auto Rd., Martini Northern, First Light, White Mountain Oil, Mason & Mason Insurance, Delta Dental and WMWV 93.5FM.  

About Mount Washington Observatory:

Mount Washington Observatory is a private, nonprofit, member-supported institution with a mission to advance understanding of the natural systems that create the Earth’s weather and climate. Since 1932, the Observatory has been monitoring the elements from its weather station on the summit of Mount Washington, using this unique site for scientific research and educational outreach. For more information, call (800) 706-0432 or visit MountWashington.org.

 

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Test Capacity Increased, Non-virus Patients Allowed 1 Person

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire’s health commissioner says the state is entering into a partnership with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for it to take over surveillance testing for the coronavirus at long-term care facilities, to help increase the state’s testing capacity and control costs. Lori Shibinette says the transition will begin next week. She said as the national picture of COVID changes, it impacts turnaround times at the national labs. Right now, their resources are going into different areas of the country. Shibinette also said that patients going into the hospital for non-coronavirus reasons can now have a designated person at their bedside.

For more information click here.

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Bill Would Expand Burial Eligibility in Veterans Cemeteries

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Legislation that would expand eligibility for state veterans cemeteries to allow for the interring of National Guard members and Reservists has been introduced by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire, both Democrats. Under current law, in order to receive Department of Veterans Affairs grant money for improvements, state veteran cemeteries are barred from interring Guard members and Reservists due to rules requiring active service. The legislation would allow state cemeteries to decide whether to inter an honorably discharged Guard member, Reservist, or their spouse without jeopardizing the grants. U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, also a Democrat, is a bill co-sponsor.

For more information click here.

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US Labs Buckle Amid Testing Surge; World Virus Cases Top 15M

WASHINGTON (AP) — Laboratories across the U.S. are buckling under a surge of coronavirus tests, creating long processing delays that experts say are actually undercutting the pandemic response. The bottlenecks are creating problems for workers kept off the job while awaiting results, nursing homes struggling to keep the virus out and for the labs themselves, dealing with a crushing workload. That comes as cases are rising in most U.S. states, with particular hot spots developing across the South and West. Worldwide, the count of people infected with the coronavirus passed a staggering 15 million people, with some 618,000 killed by the pandemic.

For more information click here.

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SAU 9 is Holding Zoom Listening Sessions to Gather Input from Parents

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A survey that guided work on the reopening of New Hampshire schools shows considerable differences between parents and teachers when it comes to confidence in complying with safety measures. The state’s reopening task force heard from more than 56,000 respondents, including nearly 42,000 parents, as it developed the guidance published last week. According to results released Monday, just 8% of teachers said students would be able to maintain new restrictions such as social distancing, compared to more than 20% of parents. About 80% of parents said their children were eager to return, though parents and teachers were split on whether that should happen.

Locally, SAU 9 Administrators will be holding Zoom Listening Sessions over the next two weeks to give parents an opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns regarding the current draft plans for reopening. For that complete schedule click here.

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Snow Formation Collapses on Hiker in White Mountains

GORHAM, N.H. (AP) — Officials say a hiker had to be assisted down a trail and taken to a hospital after a snow formation collapsed on him in the White Mountains. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department says 28-year-old Alphonse Riang, of Quincy, Massachusetts, had gone off the trail and under the Tuckerman snow arch to take a video when the arch collapsed, crushing him. Other hikers helped remove the large ice and snow blocks and moved him to safety. When rescue crews arrived they determined that Riang had suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Raing was assisted down the trail to a shelter where he was then taken by ATV to a parking lot. He was then loaded into an ambulance and taken to Androscoggin Valley Hospital.

 

 

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Governor Sununu Signs 1 Pandemic-Related Bill, Vetoes Another

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Republican Governor Chris Sununu has signed a bill easing the absentee voting process during the coronavirus pandemic but vetoed another aimed at protecting workers. The bill signed Friday will allow voters to use one application to receive absentee ballots for both the Sept. 8th state primary and the Nov. 3rd general election, and will create a new box to check that specifies the virus as the reason. He vetoed a bill that would have provided unpaid leave for those affected by the virus and waived insurance cost-sharing for testing and treatment. Among other issues, he said provisions related to unemployment benefits would have been out of compliance with federal law and jeopardized millions in federal funding. 

For more information click here.