Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What sentence did a Rochester child sex offender just receive?
Spotted on the Rochester calendar: Cowboy church
Hello Rochester! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What sentence did a Rochester child sex offender just receive?
- How will $2.5M in grants transform Rochester and county parks?
- What Rochester buildings now run on trash power versus geothermal energy?
Also on today's calendar: Cowboy church and 1 more event.
Find out what's happening in Rochester-Mason Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did the alien say to the puzzle? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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Find out what's happening in Rochester-Mason Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Cloudy, flurries; colder, with a high of 25 and low of 5 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Thursday: Snow and flurries at times, temps: high: 20, low: 15.
- Friday: Cold, a.m. flurries; cloudy, with a high of 20 and low of -7 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Rochester Man Sent to Prison For Child Sexual Assault Convictions (krocnews.com) — A Rochester man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison, plus 10 years of conditional release, for sexually assaulting a young child, and must register as a predatory offender. The case, tried in Olmsted County, underscores ongoing concerns about child safety in the Rochester area and comes as authorities continue searching for missing children across Minnesota. 
2. Rochester, Olmsted County Parks Awarded $2.5M in Legacy Grants (wjon.com) — Rochester and Olmsted County parks are in line for more than $2.5 million in state Legacy grants, pending legislative approval, with Gamehaven Regional Park alone set to receive over $575,000. Planned upgrades include new ADA-compliant bridges at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo, plus a mountain biking skills area, jump park, and snowmaking power at Gamehaven.
3. Is there an expansion in store for Olmsted County's Waste-to-Energy facility? (postbulletin.com) — Olmsted County isn’t expanding its Waste-to-Energy Facility itself, but is adding a $60 million materials recovery plant while continuing to burn trash to power more than 20 Rochester buildings. Downtown government and cultural sites, including City Hall and the Mayo Civic Center, have shifted to a new geothermal network, making this a major change in how Rochester heats and cools key facilities.
4. Rochester launches phase two of thermal energy network (kaaltv.com) — Rochester is moving into phase two of its groundbreaking thermal energy network, now connecting the Mayo Civic Center, Rochester Art Center, Rochester Civic Theatre, and Rochester Public Library. City officials say the multi-phase project will cut carbon emissions, lower utility costs, and eventually expand to serve private developments as Rochester pursues 100% net renewable electricity by 2030.
5. Chatfield Man Convicted For 'Aggressively' Targeting Mayo One With Laser (krocnews.com) — A Chatfield man has been convicted of a gross misdemeanor for aiming a green laser at a Mayo One helicopter as it returned to Rochester, forcing the crew to track the source near a rural trailer. He entered an Alford plea in Fillmore County Court, received a stayed one-year jail sentence, one year of probation, and a $150 fine.
📸 Around Rochester
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Rochester
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- RPS Drumline Showcase-Century, John Marshall, Mayo Drumlines
John Marshall High School Gymnasium
8:00 pm - Willow Creek 7th & 8th Chorus Concert
Willow Creek Middle School , 2425 11th Ave SE , Rochester
6:30 pm - Cowboy church
901 8th Ave NW , Kasson
5:30 pm - Mayo High School Choir Concert
MHS Auditorium , 1420 11th Ave SE , Rochester
7:00 pm
Wednesday December 10
Thursday December 11
Sunday December 14
Monday December 15
📣 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!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Spelling Bee: school-wide
Byron Middle School Byron, MN 55920
8:00 am - Yoga: The Peaceful Path to Resilience
1001 14th St NW , Rochester
3:30 pm - Sip & Savor: Cabernet Sauvignon!
Pereira's Wine and Whiskey Lounge , 121 N Broadway Ave , Rochester
6:30 pm - Jim Brickman
Mayo Civic Center , 30 Civic Center Dr SE , Rochester
7:30 pm - Rochester Chapter 2025 Christmas Party
Bleu Duck Kitchen , 14 4th St SW , Rochester
6:00 pm - Pine Island High School vs. Triton Senior High School
Pine Island Public School (5 - 12) , 223 1st Ave SE #7518 , Pine Island
5:45 pm - Pine Island High School vs. Kasson-Mantorville High School
Kaats Gymnastics , 191 County Rd 11 NW , Pine Island
6:00 pm - Stewartville Tigers vs Lourdes Eagles
Stewartville High School , 440 6th Ave SW , Stewartville
7:15 pm
Wednesday December 10
Thursday December 11
Friday December 12
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Today was my first day leaving the house without the cam boots on!
Just to Gonda and back, nothing fancy, but YAYYY!!! (Nextdoor Kutzky Park) - Recycling Reminder: Got big boxes?
Break them down so they fit inside your curbside recycling cart. If your curbside cart is full, bring corrugated cardboard (please flatten) to the… (Nextdoor )
- Final Touch posted a job opening for Full Time - Experienced High Rise Window Cleaner, Rochester, MN in Rochester. Apply here.
- CK HUTCHISON HOLDINGS LIMITED posted a job opening for Merchandise Processing 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: I come in peace. You come in pieces.
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