Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How is URMC using AI without losing the human touch?

Coming up: SHAKEDOWN CITI - TERRAPIN QUEST BINGO NIGHT - Flour City Station on the Rochester Patch calendar

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Saturday December 20th Patch AM
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Greetings Rochester! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How is URMC using AI without losing the human touch?
  • Can your to-go coffee cup finally go in the blue bin?
  • How Rochester plans to fight the federal challenge to its sanctuary policy

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in Rochesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Rochesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Cloudy; breezy this afternoon, with a high of 43 and low of 29 degrees.
  • Sunday: Windy; afternoon snow showers, temps: high: 34, low: 22.
  • Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 34 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 'We really focus on the patient': An inside look at how technology is being used in URMC (whec.com) — Rochester patients are seeing more technology, including artificial intelligence, woven into care at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Strong Memorial, but leaders stress it will support—not replace—doctors and nurses. Local hospital executives describe how AI tools, training programs, and career ladders aim to tackle staffing shortages while keeping care highly personal for the community.
   

2. Monroe County expands recycling initiative to help avoid landfills (13wham.com) — Monroe County is expanding its curbside recycling program so Rochester-area residents can now toss empty paper and plastic to-go cups directly into their recycling carts. Officials say the change aims to keep more waste out of landfills and turn it into new products. Deputy Mayor Mike Burns urges residents to see this as an easy, everyday environmental action.
   

3. Rochester vows to fight federal lawsuit over sanctuary city policy (rochesterfirst.com) — Rochester city officials say they’ll vigorously defend the city’s long-standing Sanctuary City policy after the U.S. Department of Justice refiled its lawsuit just before a court deadline. Mayor Malik Evans argues the rules are constitutional under the Tenth Amendment and stress local focus on public safety, not federal immigration enforcement. The case will play out in federal court in Western New York.
   

4. DEVELOPING: Large police presence on Chili Avenue near Thurston Road (wysl1040.com) — A large police response is unfolding right now on Chili Avenue near Thurston Road in Rochester, with city police, Monroe County deputies, firefighters, and state troopers all on scene and crime tape going up. Helicopters have been spotted overhead, and officers plan to brief the media soon, with News10NBC livestreaming updates as the situation develops.
   

5. Fact Check: Federal tax relief on tips, overtime starts 2025, NY not conforming (whec.com) — Rochester workers who rely on tips or overtime should know that new federal tax breaks start with the 2025 tax year, but New York State is not currently matching them. Local servers like one at Jines Restaurant could deduct thousands federally, yet will still owe state income tax unless Albany passes stalled legislation.
   

📸 Around Rochester

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Rochester

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

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Other local events
    Friday December 19
  • Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
    Temple Theater , 50 Liberty Pole Way , Rochester
    7:00 pm
    • Saturday December 20
  • Black Out Rave
    Photo City Music Hall , 543 Atlantic Ave #2 , Rochester
    8:00 pm
    • Sunday December 21
  • Mimosa Fest
    Photo City Music Hall , 543 Atlantic Ave #2 , Rochester
    12:00 pm
    • Monday December 22
  • Wired for Opportunity - Intro to Computers
    Chili Public Library , Chili - Conference Room , Chili
    10:00 am
    • Tuesday December 23
  • Wired for Opportunity - Intro to Computers - Veterans ONLY
    Veterans Outreach Center , 115 South Avenue , Rochester
    1:00 pm
    • Saturday December 27
  • Cultural Connections
    Children's Center, Central Library Central -
    2:00 pm
    • Monday December 29
  • Storytime Safari
    Kate Gleason Auditorium, Central Library Central -
    11:00 am
  • Fencing Demo with Rochester Fencing Club
    Kate Gleason Auditorium, Central Library Central -
    3:00 pm

📣 Rochester Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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

  • Saw a beautiful fox in my back yard this morning.
    Too bad I was on the phone or I would have taken a pic. Nice & healthy looking. Walking like it was taking a morning stroll. I love nature!! (Nextdoor Smith Creek)
  • 2 Lost Huskies found on Beach Ave.
    Came from Lake Shore CC area. Inside our fence right now. My wife is heading out to find owners. (Nextdoor Charlotte North)
  • Coastal Staffing, Inc. posted a job opening for Shipping and Receiving in Rochester. Apply here.
  • L3Harris Technologies posted a job opening for Assembly C 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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