Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Is your neighborhood near Rochester’s newly targeted Superfund contamination site?
Make time for Mantorville Farmer's and Artisan's Market on the Rochester Patch calendar
Good morning Rochester! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Is your neighborhood near Rochester’s newly targeted Superfund contamination site?
- Could Rochester lose its sales tax funding over the sports complex?
- How one slang-filled email disrupted learning across Rochester schools
Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (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.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 30 and low of 4 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Sunday: Sunny to partly cloudy, temps: high: 26, low: 22.
- Monday: A bit of ice in the morning, with a high of 37 and low of 29 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Rochester Site Added to State Contamination Priority List (wjon.com) — A former dry-cleaning site on North Broadway near downtown Rochester is slated for Minnesota’s Superfund contamination priority list, and state officials are taking public comments through January 15, 2026. Testing has found toxic dry-cleaning chemicals in soil and potential vapor risks to nearby buildings, with groundwater impacts still unknown. Nearby residents and businesses have been notified as investigations continue. 
2. Local Democrat Lawmakers Threaten Funding For Rochester Regional Sports Complex Project (krocnews.com) — Rochester’s planned Regional Sports Complex faces a new hurdle as local Democratic legislators say they’ll seek to revoke the city’s local option sales tax authority if the City Council overrides Mayor Kim Norton’s veto of the construction contract. They argue the current design no longer matches what Rochester voters approved for indoor recreation needs and urge councilors to revise the plan or return it to the ballot.
3. Rochester Public Schools says the 'inappropriate email' a student sent didn't contain any explicit content (postbulletin.com) — Rochester Public Schools is clarifying that a mass email a student sent to classmates contained no explicit or violent content but still caused major disruption. Officials say the message, tied to a teen slang phrase, triggered a wave of vulgar replies and is being treated as a Level 2 offense. District leaders emphasize consequences can include suspension while focusing on helping the student understand the mistake.
4. Rochester Public Works issues reminder to treat icy sidewalks (kaaltv.com) — Rochester residents are being urged to quickly clear icy sidewalks after this week’s winter weather, with city rules requiring snow and ice removal within 24 hours. Public Works is offering free salt/sand mix at two pickup spots, and seniors or residents with disabilities can arrange sidewalk help through Family Service Rochester. Keeping walkways safe is emphasized as freeze-thaw cycles continue.
5. Historic oak tree removed from Pill Hill neighborhood (kttc.com) — A centuries-old bur oak in Rochester’s historic Pill Hill neighborhood was removed Friday after a root rot fungus made the massive tree too unstable to safely stand near a home. Arborists used cranes for the all-day takedown, and even the tree service staff who had climbed and cared for it said they were saddened to see this neighborhood landmark go.
📸 Around Rochester
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📣 Rochester Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- Mantorville Farmer’s and Artisan’s Market
Mantorville Welcome Center · Mantorville , MN , Pine Island
10:00 am - Holiday Market at Forager Brewery
Forager Brewery · Rochester , MN , Pine Island
10:00 am - Rochester MN Wedding Show
Mayo Civic Center · Rochester , MN , Pine Island
11:00 am - World Juniors Hockey Pre-Tournament Series Rochester
Rochester Recreation Center , 21 Elton Hills Dr NW , Rochester
4:00 pm - SOUNDS OF THE SEASON
Mayo Civic Center · Rochester , MN , Pine Island
7:30 pm - SAIL – Chatfield
Groen Park , 3rd St SW , Chatfield
9:00 am - Public Services Committee Meeting
Thurber Community Center , 21 2nd St SE , Chatfield
4:30 pm - Pine Island High School vs. Chatfield High School
Pine Island Public School (5 - 12) , 223 1st Ave SE #7518 , Pine Island
5:00 pm - Pine Island High School vs. Zumbrota-Mazeppa High...
Pine Island Public School (5 - 12) · Pine Island , MN , Pine Island
5:45 pm - Pine Island High School vs. Lourdes High School
Pine Island Public School (5 - 12) · Pine Island , MN , Pine Island
5:45 pm - Shortened Hours for Christmas Eve
Plainview Public Library , 345 1st Avenue NW , Plainview
10:00 am - Central Livestock Association
Central Livestock Association , 44326 County 6 Blvd , Zumbrota
2:00 pm
Sunday December 21
Monday December 22
Tuesday December 23
Wednesday December 24
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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🪧 Patch Classifieds
- Pet Service Franchise Opportunity in Rochester, MN 🐾
A Pet Butler franchise is now available for resale in the Rochester area, offering a local foothold in the rapidly growing $24 billion pet service... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- ***FREE and USED
Anybody in need, I have the following for girls size 6. (First come first serve) USED!!!! There are zero stains. Kids size 6 : Carter fleece… (Nextdoor East Side Pioneers) - Scammers want to say "Merry Christmas" to themselves.
I received an email supposedly from Amazon telling me to renew my membership today to avoid shipping delays. First of all, I am not a member. … (Nextdoor Northwest Rochester)
- Ed Napleton Automotive Group posted a job opening for Porter in Rochester. Apply here.
- Reyes Coca Cola Bottling, LLC posted a job opening for Merchandiser 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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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