Hey there, Rochester! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Around The World Camp and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Rochester City Council to Vote on Bid for Silver Lake Dam Project Monday (krocnews.com) — Rochester officials are poised to approve an $18.9 million bid Monday night to overhaul the Silver Lake Dam, with total project costs expected to exceed $21 million. Backed by state funds, utility money and flood control dollars, the plan would replace the dam with cascading pools, add new trails and a pedestrian bridge, and could start construction as soon as October 12.
2. Rochester sports complex construction on target, despite recent rain (postbulletin.com) — Construction of Rochester's new Altra Sportsplex in southeast Rochester is on schedule despite recent rain, with one full-size turf field already installed and utilities nearly finished. The 160-acre complex, funded partly by a voter-approved sales tax extension and naming-rights deals, will open in phases starting in 2027 and is expected to serve local and regional teams.
3. Four Rochester Businesses Close as City Weighs $500,000 Lifeline During Massive Downtown Construction (town.news) — Rochester leaders are weighing whether to add $500,000 to the Business Forward program to help Second Street businesses struggling through Link bus rapid transit and Destination Medical Center construction, after four closures this year. The City Council's decision Monday could shape how much support remains focused on marketing and access help versus any push for more direct financial relief.
4. 2026 Fall Seminar (mn.gov) — Building officials, inspectors, and plumbers in Rochester can earn seven continuing education credits at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's Fall Seminar stop at Willow Creek Golf Course on Sept. 30, 2026. The full-day session covers key changes to the Minnesota State Building Code, commercial plumbing pitfalls, and new radon provisions, with lunch included in the $125 fee.
5. Minnesota bishop gets personal audience with Pope Leo at Vatican (duluthnewstribune.com) — Winona-Rochester Bishop Robert Barron, who recently expanded his Word on Fire ministry into a southwest Rochester hub, has just met privately with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. During his Rome visit, he ordained American seminarians, spoke about renewed religious interest in the U.S., and highlighted how an American pope may influence faith life back home.
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Ok Rochester! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I ?" — Footsteps (Thank you Patty G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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