The Buzz Online

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning that the coronavirus outbreak is providing opportunities for scammers. First, it was fake masks, then fake government grants, and now it’s fake COVID-19 tests. BBB.org/ScamTracker has received complaints about phony text messages claiming to be from a government agency that link to phony mandatory online COVID-19 tests. There is no online test. Other fake texts have urged recipients to complete a fake online census or to fill out an online application to receive their stimulus check.

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The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation’s 2020 Community Matters More grant program drew 45,000 votes this round. The top two programs received a $5,000 grant while 33 other organizations each received $1,000. In all, $143,000 was awarded to 55 nonprofit organizations including a food pantry, a hospice house, a summer camp for children with life-threatening illnesses.

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Oreste “Rusty” Mosca, CPA, of Nathan Wechsler & Company in Concord was reappointed as treasurer for the NH and Vermont Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors.

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The YMCA of Greater Nashua named Kelli Wholey, owner of Lumina Portraits in Nashua, to its board of directors.

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Volunteer NH in Concord named Steve Epstein as chair of its board of directors. Epstein retired from USDA Rural Development. Justin Kates was named as vice-chair. Kates has been director of emergency management for Nashua since 2011.

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Habitat for Humanity Upper Valley promoted Eva Loomis to executive director. Over the past year, she assumed leadership over fundraising and volunteer engagement efforts as well as securing significant grant awards.

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The NH College & University Council moved its April 15 Summit for Higher Education online. This virtual opportunity will run from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Keynote presenter, Robert King, will lead a virtual session, which is free to all attendees. 

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GasBuddy, the travel and navigation app, reports that the U.S. national average for gasoline has fallen to $1.99 per gallon, the first time since 2016. The national average could even dip to $1.49 by mid-April, the lowest since 2004, with potentially hundreds of stations pushing their price to 99 cents per gallon. Prices have been dropping since Feb. 20 as the coronavirus crushes the demand for oil and lockdowns have reduced as driving as Americans stay home.

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According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 39% of contractors report that project owners have halted or canceled construction projects.

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Ohm Lifestyle Center, an organic spa, beauty and wellness center in Wolfeboro, is expanding its subscription program by creating specialized boxes with tips, tools, and products that customers can use to recreate massages and facials in their own homes.