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🌱 Patch AM: How firefighters pulled off Monday night’s Silver Lake wall rescue

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Wednesday October 7th Patch AM
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Hey hey Rochester! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How firefighters pulled off Monday night's Silver Lake wall rescue
  • Worker dies after roof fall at northeast Rochester home
  • How much will Rochester's 2027 school tax levy really rise?

Also on today's calendar: Cowboy Church and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Sunny, nice and warm, with a high of 74 and low of 46 degrees.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny and comfortable, temps: high: 67, low: 48.
  • Friday: A stray thunderstorm, with a high of 72 and low of 61 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Person Falls from Silver Lake Retaining Wall in Rochester, MN (kroc.com) — Emergency crews in Rochester rescued a person who fell about 12 feet from a retaining wall near the Silver Lake Dam on Monday night, then transported them by ambulance. Responders from the Rochester Fire Department, Rochester Police, and Mayo Clinic Ambulance used a low-angle rope operation along the lakeshore, though officials have not yet released the person's identity or condition.
   

2. 39-Year-Old Man Dies After Falling from Roof of Rochester Home (wjon.com) — A 39-year-old worker died after falling from the roof of a northeast Rochester home in the 2800 block of Oakview Dr. NE on Monday morning. He was taken by Mayo Clinic Ambulance to a hospital, where he later died, and police say he had recently moved to Rochester from out of state, though his name has not yet been released.
   

3. Rochester Public Schools adjusts 2027 levy by $400,000 following initial projection (postbulletin.com) — Rochester Public Schools has approved a 2027 property tax levy of $105.84 million, about $1.37 million more than 2026, for a 1.31% increase affecting taxpayers across the district. Finance staff say this is the smallest levy hike since 2022, with final approval coming at the Truth in Taxation hearing on December 15.
   

4. Two motorcyclists sent to the hospital after collision with deer in Fillmore County (kttc.com) — Two 21-year-old motorcyclists were hospitalized at Mayo Clinic Saint Marys in Rochester with non-life-threatening injuries after hitting a deer just after midnight near Le Roy in Fillmore County. The Minnesota State Patrol says both riders were traveling west on Highway 56 when they struck the animal and ended up in the ditch, and it's still unclear whether they were wearing helmets.
   

5. Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Throws Its Support Behind Pine Island Data Center Project (krocnews.com) — Rochester-area businesses, through the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, are backing the massive Project Skyway Google data center planned in nearby Pine Island, highlighting potential jobs, school funding, and tax revenue for the region. While the project promises hundreds of construction and permanent positions plus major tax benefits, it remains paused amid legal challenges and vocal opposition from some Pine Island residents.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • It's almost Halloween, and we're ready for you!
    We're going all in with full-size treats, we're offering some non-candy options as well, treats will be out early for the little ones, treats will be… (Nextdoor Slatterly Park)
  • Who can replace an electric ceiling fan w/ heater from a sun room & replace w/ a new one?
    I want to purchase a new one online from Home Depot but they don't know who can install it. (Nextdoor Country Club Manor)
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Forklift Driver in Rochester. Apply here.
  • FedEx Corporation posted a job opening for Material Handler (Warehouse like) in Rochester. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rochester here.

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: "What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly?" — Stationary (Thank you David H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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