Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: See what’s changing at Rochester’s MLK Park before it reopens

And on the Rochester Patch calendar - Developing Your Inner Artist Homeschool Class (Interactive Online)

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Tuesday August 25th Patch AM
Tuesday August 25th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi Rochester! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • See what's changing at Rochester's MLK Park before it reopens
  • How close is Rochester transit to its financial "Doomsday Clock"?
  • Why Rochester was picked to launch a new national autism safety alert

Also on today's calendar: Developing Your Inner Artist Homeschool Class (Interactive Online).

Today's riddle: What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Clouds and sun with a t-storm, with a high of 79 and low of 63 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and nice, temps: high: 77, low: 60.
  • Thursday: Pleasant with plenty of sun, with a high of 79 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Rochester park upgrades on track for November finish (kimt.com) — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Rochester is on track to reopen with major upgrades largely finished by November 13, including a new restroom building, splash pad, and playground. Additional work this fall will add community gardens, parking lot resurfacing, security cameras, and sidewalk improvements along Second Street Southeast, aiming to make the park more accessible and welcoming for all ages.
   

2. Rochester Public Transit seeks reliability solutions for dropping ridership (kaaltv.com) — Rochester Public Transit is warning reserves could run out by 2030 unless ridership and reliability improve, potentially forcing major service cuts. A new operator, Via Transportation, takes over Sept. 1, while the massive Link project reshapes downtown routes and construction, aiming to boost dependable service between a future West Transit Village and the downtown waterfront.
   

3. New federal autism safety initiative strengthens coordination (johnsoncitypress.com) — Rochester, Minn., was chosen as the launch site for a new federal alert system to help locate missing autistic individuals, recognizing local success with the Project Lifesaver tracking program. Federal agencies say the initiative will tighten coordination among law enforcement, emergency managers, and health officials nationwide, while building best practices to prevent injuries and deaths when vulnerable people wander.
   

4. Criminal complaint: Dog found frozen to death in Rochester (kaaltv.com) — Prosecutors have charged a Waseca man after a dog was reportedly found frozen to death in a kennel at a southwest Rochester residence. A witness told investigators the animal appeared to have suffered before dying, and the defendant is scheduled for a first court appearance in early November, drawing attention to animal welfare concerns in the city.
   

📸 Around Rochester

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • anyone's boy??
    7th st nw, drooling has an apparent medical issue, will scan for chip and share w/ Camp Companion (Nextdoor Country Club Manor)
  • Hey neighbor!
    Cul-De-Sac Snack Shack I'm open today. Jalapeno and cheddar sourdough bread. Sourdough bread. Strawberry sweet rolls. Maple pecan sweet rolls… (Nextdoor North District)
  • Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce posted a job opening for Housekeeping Attendant in Rochester. Apply here.
  • Minnesota Jobs posted a job opening for Customer Service Associate 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: If you weren't so sweet, we wouldn't be in this jam! (Thank you Patti F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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