Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Rochester has only one-third of the homes it needs
Be sure to catch SAIL – Chatfield on the Rochester Patch calendar
Hey there, Rochester! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Rochester has only one-third of the homes it needs
- Rochester-raised firefighter’s family receives life-changing mortgage relief
Today's riddle: What did the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Rochester-Mason Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
From our Partner
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Find out what's happening in Rochester-Mason Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Partly sunny and not as cold, with a high of 28 and low of 18 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Tuesday: Freezing fog in the morning, temps: high: 40, low: 21.
- Wednesday: Mainly cloudy, with a high of 35 and low of 29 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Severe Inventory Shortage Hits Rochester as Demand Surges From Clinic Expansion (bakercityherald.com) — Rochester’s housing market is squeezed, with only about 330 homes for sale where roughly 1,100 would be needed for balance, pushing prices up for local buyers. A local agent links the shortage to Mayo Clinic’s expansion, low mortgage lock-in, and lagging new construction, and expects tight conditions to persist as the clinic keeps growing. 
• Foundation pays mortgage of fallen Burnsville firefighter (startribune.com) — Rochester readers may feel a special connection to fallen firefighter and paramedic Adam Finseth, who grew up in the city before serving in Iraq and later joining the Burnsville Fire Department. A national nonprofit has now paid off his family’s mortgage, easing financial strain on his widow and two young children and helping them focus on honoring his legacy.
📸 Around Rochester
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📣 Rochester Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- SAIL – Chatfield
Groen Park , 3rd St SW , Chatfield
9:00 am - Economic Development Authority (EDA)
Dodge Center Community Center , 35 E Main St , Dodge Center
5:00 pm - WR: Jr. High
Jackson County Central High School
5:00 pm - SAIL – St. Charles
St. Charles City Hall , 830 Whitewater Ave , St Charles
4:00 pm - Pine Island Panthers vs Austin and Waseca
Pine Island Public School (5 - 12) , 223 1st Ave SE #7518 , Pine Island
5:00 pm - vs. Cannon Falls
Stewartville High School , 440 6th Ave SW , Stewartville
5:45 pm - BMS winter Band concert
Byron Middle School Byron, MN 55920
6:00 pm - 7-8 Band Concert
K-M High School - PAC101 Minnesota Wi-Fi Performing Arts Center
7:00 pm - Family Storytime
Plainview Public Library , 345 1st Ave NW , Plainview
10:30 am - Central Livestock Association
Central Livestock Association , 44326 County 6 Blvd , Zumbrota
2:00 pm - 5-8 Choir Concert
K-M High School - PAC101 Minnesota Wi-Fi Performing Arts Center
6:00 pm - Airport Advisory Board
Dodge Center Community Center , 35 E Main St , Dodge Center
6:30 pm
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
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
- This dog was in my driveway.
He is now safely inside my home. Found on the corner of 7th Ave and 7th st se If you know him please reach out. 5037507051 (Nextdoor Slatterly Park) - So I contacted HFH yesterday, wanting to go back to volunteering, they do have sit-down positions as cashier , so I'm going to start back on January 2nd.
I'm so excited! No sooner had I talked to them and registered and what not that I came across an ad out, actually that they are needing cashier… (Nextdoor Kutzky Park)
- Molly Maid posted a job opening for House Cleaner / Housekeeper / Maid Hiring Now in Rochester. Apply here.
- Premium Retail Services, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Walmart Merchandiser in Rochester. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rochester here.
🗞 Nearby News
Byron
- Wrestling results for Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 (postbulletin.com)
- Byron's BrrrFest rolls on despite extreme cold (kaaltv.com)
Kasson
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 don’t know either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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