Good morning, Rochester.

After a car accident on Aug.

11 in Mower County, Kasson native and St. Cloud State wrestler Dominic Mann has received over $8,000 via a GoFundMe—far exceeding his $5,000 goal—and donations will continue to support his recovery.

Oronoco Gold Rush Days returns for its 54th year on Friday through Sunday, featuring nearly 400 vendors, 25 food trucks, antiques, a classic car show, parade, live music, and family activities in Oronoco.

Proceeds support local programs (youth groups, sports, age-friendly initiatives) in the community.

Forté Living is hosting its annual United Way rummage sale in Rochester today; Tracie Reider, owner of Circle of Friends Signing School, is bringing friends from the Deaf community to connect and learn ASL.

Paragon Theaters is set to renovate the former CMX Chateau Theater at 3450 E Circle Drive NE with luxury upgrades including heated reclining seats & dine-in service.

The company, which previously operated the theater from 2011 to 2017, will open the revamped venue late October.

CES Family acquired Southeast Mechanical on July 24 at its Chatfield headquarters, adding repair and installation services to its food equipment and supply offerings.

The deal pairs Southeast Mechanical with Total Restaurant Supply to create a one-stop shop for local commercial kitchens + streamline service.

Sumner Elementary School was named a Minnesota School of Excellence for 2026 on Friday, Aug.

14 after state officials recognized its strong academics and community spirit. The award shows the school’s ongoing commitment to quality education in our community.

Tracie Reider, owner of Circle of Friends Signing School, led an event yesterday where members of the Deaf community met to share opportunities and learn ASL.

The series aims to build connections and expand learning in our neighborhood.

Olmsted County completed four solar energy installations at Chester Woods and Oxbow Park (at the Caretaker Houses, Main Office, and Nature Center) to supply up to 120% of each building's annual electricity needs.

The projects, partly funded by the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s Solar on Public Buildings Program, are part of the county’s broader Climate Action Plan to reduce long-term energy costs.

The Minnesota DNR released 132 pages of fall 2026 deer hunting regulations today online — hard copies may be available early this weekend.

The rules include a new electronic licensing system and mandatory CWD testing for deer 1 year or older in the southeast quadrant during the firearms season opening weekend in Central Minnesota.

Construction on Rochester’s Link Bus Rapid Transit system is halfway complete on a 2.8-mile route from the old Kmart site to Cascade Park—serving stops at Mayo Clinic and St. Mary’s Hospital—and fare-free rides will start in fall next year.

State health officials issued an advisory after a bat that tested positive for rabies was found near Lanesboro Elementary School on Aug.

5. Anyone who touched the bat or whose pet may have had contact is urged to call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-5414.

Data from over 500,000 pet insurance records shows Minnesota dog owners favored Bella, Luna and Max as the most popular names in 2026, reflecting a shared trend among local households that keep pets.