Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Where is Rochester’s refinery contamination going after demolition wraps up?

Make time for Cultural Connections on the Rochester Patch calendar

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Tuesday December 23rd Patch AM
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Morning Rochester! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Where is Rochester’s refinery contamination going after demolition wraps up?
  • How bad is Rochester’s reading crisis—and what’s changing in classrooms?
  • Want your Rochester holiday lights featured on the community map?

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Breezy with a bit of snow, with a high of 38 and low of 33 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 35, low: 28.
  • Thursday: Low clouds, with a high of 38 and low of 31 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Good Question: As crews clean up Rochester's old refinery, where will the contaminated dirt go? (whec.com) — Demolition of the old Vacuum Oil refinery along Rochester’s Genesee River is wrapping up, and the contaminated soil will be hauled to a state-approved landfill, likely outside the city. The Genesee Riverway Trail near the site has fully reopened, and the city plans to backfill the area with clean soil starting in late spring as part of a broader riverfront cleanup.
   

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

2. Why can't so many students read well? Exploring today's literacy crisis (mycentraljersey.com) — Rochester and other Monroe County districts are grappling with low reading proficiency, with less than 40% of local students reading at grade level and RCSD adopting new curricula like Amplify to respond. Local educators and parent advocates from the University of Rochester to Dyslexia Allies of WNY describe shifting from balanced literacy toward science-of-reading approaches, stressing early language exposure, better teacher training, and stronger school-family partnerships to close gaps.
   

3. Looking for holiday lights near Rochester? Our map powered by Generac helps (democratandchronicle.com) — Rochester-area families are invited to explore a growing map of standout holiday light displays and even add their own favorites. You can submit a photo and address of any local display to be included, with clear instructions provided. It’s a simple way to turn an evening drive into a festive tour of Rochester’s brightest neighborhoods.
   

4. Winter break activities in the Rochester region: See the list (democratandchronicle.com) — Families in the Rochester region can fill winter break with local adventures, from Roc Holiday Village’s free skating at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park to special tours at Seneca Park Zoo. The guide also highlights goat playtime and yoga at Eastview Mall, open skating in Canandaigua, and skiing at Bristol Mountain, with prices and booking details included.
   

5. Rochester nurses deliver life-saving gift to those in need overseas (spectrumlocalnews.com) — Rochester nurses at Highland Hospital are repurposing old cystic fibrosis equipment to help patients in Croatia and Bosnia who otherwise couldn’t access this life-saving therapy. Working from a small conference room, they collect donated vests and machines, ship them overseas, and stay in touch with families they’ve helped, including a former patient who now coordinates new recipients.
   

📸 Around Rochester

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Rochester

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    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!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Finn is still missing.
    Could be in the Norton And Echo street area. Please call if you see Finn. Please do not chase him. He is very scared. Don’t call for him. Just call… (Nextdoor Ridgemont Dr)
  • Hi I'm Rex The Owner of Krampus.
    We had him recently but unfortunately he escaped through the AC window around 5am yesterday. Please help me find him because everyday it's getting… (Nextdoor Edgerton)
  • TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for American Airlines Ramp Agent in Rochester. Apply here.
  • Staples, Inc. posted a job opening for Warehouse Shipping Full Time 2nd Shift 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 find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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