🌱 Mason City Sculpture Walk + Mason City Police Found Missing Man

Good morning, neighbors! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Keep reading for everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Breezy in the morning. High: 54 Low: 42.
• Saturday: Sunny and warmer. High: 68 Low: 52.

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Here are the top three stories in Rochester-Mason City today:

1. Mason City has installed the 2023 “River City Sculptures on Parade” in the downtown area. The sculpture walk gives artists the opportunity to create and present their sculptures in a public art setting and maybe even make a sale. The city provides stipends for some artists to travel and present their sculptures. The sculpture parade has been a big hit and continues to grow each year, giving families an event that they all can enjoy while getting exercise in the nice spring weather. (Radio Iowa)
2. Minnesota Health Officials are warning Minnesotans of a fatal fentanyl-tranquilizer drug combination. Xylazine an animal tranquilizer has been seen in recent months mixed with fentanyl that is spreading rapidly through the country. While Minnesota has seen fewer cases than other states involving this drug combination, Rochester Police Captain Casey Moilanen says it's only a matter of time before it becomes more prevalent in Minnesota, just like fentanyl. The state has already seen 70 overdoses related to Xylazine from 2019 to 2022, 34 of which were reported last year. Olmstead County is one of 12 Minnesota counties that have reported at least one death due to this drug combination. (KROC-AM)
3. Mason City police say a man who has been missing for months was found. Elijah Kamish has been located in Iowa after his family and friends took to social media when they hadn't heard from him in three months. Kamish was said to be homeless and hadn't been seen since February. Police forwarded his information to shelters in hopes of locating him. Mason City Police Captain Mike McKelvey expressed thanks to all the individuals and organizations that spread the word to help authorities locate him. (KIMT 3)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Rochester-Mason City:

Friday, May 19

• Women's Roundtable At Rochester Chamber Of Commerce Conference Room (7:30 AM)
• Ravensfire (Live Music) At Kinney Creek Brewery (7:00 PM)

Saturday, May 20

• Frequency One Spring Festival At Pond View Barn, Pine Island (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• There will be a shift in public transit this Saturday that affects the Downtown Transit Center. All stops for routes 21 - 26 will be located to 2 Street NW, on the south end of Central Park. (City of Rochester, MN Government via Facebook)
• Today is Bike to Work Day in Rochester! The event promotes carbon-neutral transportation options to help keep our planet green. There will be free beverage and food stations around the city for bikers. Click here to learn more. (City of Rochester, MN Government via Facebook)
• Rochester First Responders are having a Battle of the Badges Blood Drive. This year the fire department will be holding a blood drive event on Jun. 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and they are competing against other local first responders to see which team can bring in the most donations. To schedule an appointment to donate, call 507-284-4475. (Rochester, MN Fire Department via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. See you all soon for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.