Good day Rochester! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Jay Medal Soirée and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a belt made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Rochester in Focus: Aug. 30, 2026 (whec.com) — Rochester residents can hear from local changemakers tackling litter, health equity, and disability care, plus meet the owner of a new downtown juice bar across from the Federal Building. The show spotlights Walking For Rochester's cleanup work, Black maternal health with Highland Hospital doctors, and specialized training at the Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing.
2. Rochester police investigate murder on Hague Street on Sunday (whec.com) — Rochester police are investigating a deadly shooting after a man in his 60s was found fatally wounded in the backyard of a vacant home at 371 Hague Street Sunday afternoon. The Major Crimes Homicide Unit is leading the case and urges anyone with information to contact 911, Major Crimes, or Crime Stoppers.
3. Warren C. Hammersla (villages-news.com) — Rochester and Webster friends are mourning Warren C. Hammersla, a Rochester-born three-sport athlete who later raised his family in Webster and spent years golfing at Midvale Country Club. The 79-year-old died in Florida after a long illness, and his family plans a celebration of life this fall, asking that memorial gifts support the PKD Foundation.
4. Woman taken to hospital for evaluation after Portland Avenue crash (13wham.com) — A late-night crash at Portland Avenue and Norton Street in Rochester sent a 33-year-old woman to the hospital for precautionary evaluation and temporarily closed part of the road while crews fixed a downed utility pole. Police say the woman is expected to be treated and released, while the other driver fled the scene and the investigation remains ongoing.
5. Lake Ontario now called Lake America on Google Maps (democratandchronicle.com) — New Yorkers will soon see "Lake America" instead of "Lake Ontario" on Google Maps after a federal name change, but Rochester officials aren't following suit. Rochester City Council has voted to keep using "Lake Ontario" in local government, even as federal databases and U.S.-based apps adopt the new name around the Great Lake's shoreline communities.
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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: A waist of time (Thank you Kourtney Z. for sending it in!)
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