Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Rochester’s “Good Sam” clinic grew from curtains to full care

Coming up on the Rochester Patch calendar: Park of Cottage Grove vs Kasson-Mantorville

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What's up Rochester! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Rochester's "Good Sam" clinic grew from curtains to full care
  • Heading downtown? Here's what to know before visiting Rochester's Greek Fest
  • Rochester officers earn statewide recognition at upcoming Minnesota Twins game

Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 80 and low of 68 degrees.
  • Sunday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, temps: high: 87, low: 71. 🌶 Hot!
  • Monday: A thunderstorm in spots, with a high of 88 and low of 67 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Good Samaritan (salvationarmyusa.org) — A long-running Salvation Army medical clinic in downtown Rochester is now serving up to 4,000 uninsured patients a year, powered by Mayo Clinic physicians, students, and donated medications. The Good Samaritan Health Clinic has evolved from makeshift curtain "exam rooms" into a full specialty clinic, and organizers are honoring its three Rochester founders while inviting community support to keep it growing.
   

2. Greek Fest kicks off in Rochester (kaaltv.com) — Greek Fest is underway this weekend at Holy Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church on Center Street in Rochester, offering homemade Greek food, a drive-thru option, and traditional dancers starting Saturday. The festival runs until 8 p.m. Friday and resumes at 11 a.m. Saturday, giving residents multiple chances to enjoy Greek culture, rain or shine.
   

3. Local officers among 'DWI Enforcer All-Stars' to be honored at Minnesota Twins game (kaaltv.com) — Several Rochester Police Department officers are being honored as "DWI Enforcer All-Stars" at Sunday's Minnesota Twins game for their 2025 efforts to stop impaired driving. Alongside colleagues from nearby counties, they're among nearly 60 officers statewide recognized by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for thousands of DWI arrests. It's a notable statewide spotlight on local enforcement work.
   

4. 52-year-old man ID'd in fatal Centre County crash. How to contribute to his GoFundMe (centredaily.com) — A Rochester man, 52-year-old Fowsi Hassan, has been identified as the victim of a multi-vehicle crash and fire on Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania, leaving behind his wife and daughters. Friends describe him as a beloved member of the Rochester community, and a GoFundMe has been launched to help support his family after the tragedy.
   

5. Mary Jane (Syverson) Shelstad (wanamingomn.com) — Family and friends are remembering Mary Jane Shelstad, who once lived and worked in Rochester before settling in Wanamingo, with thanks to Madonna Towers in Rochester for her later care. Services are being held this weekend in Wanamingo, and loved ones are invited to honor her long life of family devotion, community involvement, and cherished friendships.
   

📸 Around Rochester

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I have to compliment Rochester on their library.
    I moved from Edmond, OK , a larger well off community. I thought they had a great library but you all blow their doors off! Been spending a lot of… (Nextdoor East Side Pioneers)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
    Skye was lost on August 28, 2026 in Rochester, MN 55901 near 12th Avenue NW Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor North District)
  • TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for United Airlines Ramp Service Employee in Rochester. Apply here.
  • Premium Retail Services, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Walmart Merchandiser 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: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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