Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What changes are coming to Rochester’s Silver Lake dam and park?
Also check out Kurt Allen Band at Charlie's Eatery in Rochester, MN on the Rochester Patch calendar

Good morning Rochester! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What changes are coming to Rochester's Silver Lake dam and park?
- Fire damages southeast Rochester garage but spares nearby homes and residents
- Rochester teen earns top DNR award for creative bat conservation work
Also on today's calendar: Grandparent's Day and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: I'm a rock group with 4 members; one member was assassinated. What am I? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Rochester Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Rochester Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Rochester.
- Friday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 80 and low of 63 degrees.
- Saturday: A thunderstorm in spots, temps: high: 75, low: 53.
- Sunday: Thunderstorms, with a high of 69 and low of 54 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Rochester's Silver Lake Dam Project Moves Forward (kroc.com) — Rochester's Silver Lake dam overhaul is moving ahead after the City Council voted 5-1 to reject an appeal challenging the project's historic-preservation review. With bidding underway, work could start later this year, adding new bike and walking paths, a bridge east of North Broadway, and shoreline changes that will alter about five acres of the lake.
![]()
2. Structure fire damages detached garage in southeast Rochester (postbulletin.com) — A detached garage in southeast Rochester's 1100 block of Seventh Avenue Southeast was heavily damaged when fire broke out Thursday afternoon, though no injuries were reported. Rochester Fire Department crews quickly cut through the garage door, contained the flames to the structure, and ventilated smoke, with police, Mayo Clinic Ambulance, and fire marshals also responding.
![]()
3. Grand Rapids student receives DNR conservation award (hometownsource.com) — A Rochester 4-H member, Molly Carlin, has been honored with the Minnesota DNR Commissioner's 4-H Youth Award for her conservation work. Her project researched bat habitats, built and donated bat boxes to Oxbow Park, and partnered with Rochester Public Utilities to raise awareness about white-nose syndrome affecting Minnesota's bat populations.
![]()
4. 6 INSIDE: A deeper look into how officer-involved shootings are investigated (kaaltv.com) — Rochester residents get a detailed look at how the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Olmsted County Attorney handle investigations when local officers use deadly force, including the recent case involving Cleavon White. The piece walks through evidence collection, legal standards, charging decisions, and potential outcomes so community members better understand what happens after a critical incident.
![]()
5. How Minnesota's Drought Could Change Fall Colors This Year (kroc.com) — Rochester-area leaf peepers may see fall colors arrive a bit earlier this year because ongoing drought conditions can speed up leaf drop and color change. The Minnesota DNR expects southeast Minnesota's peak to fall between late September and mid-October, and residents are encouraged to plan outings sooner and track conditions using the DNR's Fall Color Finder tool.
![]()
📸 Around Rochester
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Rochester
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Kurt Allen Band at Charlie's Eatery in Rochester, MN →
Charlie's Eatery, 1654 Hwy 52 North, Rochester
7:00 pm
Friday September 11
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Second Saturday Divorce Workshop - Rochester, MN →
3900 Fairway Pl NW, Rochester - BOOST'D for the Gift of Life 5k →
Rochester MN - Inspiration Stations with the Bakken Museum →
Rochester MN
10:30 am - Fascinating Lives Book Club →
Rochester MN
11:00 am - Lego® Ramped Up: Vehicle Build-a-Thon →
Rochester MN
2:30 pm - Grandparent's Day →
Boundless Playspace and Activity Center, 3825 Superior Dr NW, Rochester
9:00 am - Baby Gym →
Rochester MN
10:30 am - LWV Candidate Forum - MN Representative 20B →
Rochester MN
6:30 pm - Driftless Drummer Wet Hop IPA Launch Party and Birds and Brew Event →
The Forager Brewery, 1005 6th Street NW, Rochester
6:30 pm - Board & Beyond: Magic The Gathering →
Boundless Playspace and Activity Center, 3825 Superior Dr NW, Rochester
4:00 pm - Inclusive Video Gaming Event →
Boundless Playspace and Activity Center, 3825 Superior Dr NW, Rochester
12:00 pm
Saturday September 12
Sunday September 13
Monday September 14
Friday September 18
Saturday September 19
📣 Rochester Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hello everyone!
Are there any interesting places around here that are good for a weekend outing? (Nextdoor North District) - Country Club Manor self serve cake pop stand!
4213 1st St NW -cookies n' cream - cosmic brownie -Funfetti -Reese's Also jams/jellies from Ellanson berry farm out in Manorville. (Nextdoor Country Club Manor)
- Benedictine Health System posted a job opening for Wellness Assistant/Activity Assistant in Rochester. Apply here.
- Cadence Education, Inc. posted a job opening for Preschool Director 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: Mount Rushmore (Thank you J.J. W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.