Good morning, Rochester.

The Fire Department highlighted safe charging and working smoke alarms during Fire Prevention Week by teaching residents how to prevent battery hazards and testing fire escape plans.

Open houses were held at all five stations on Tuesday, Oct.-6.

Channel One Regional Food Bank is preparing for an Empty Bowls fundraiser to bring local residents together and support hunger relief efforts.

The event is scheduled for a future date, and more details on time and location are expected to be announced.

A Rochester inventor gave a presentation on his new system that alerts drivers when an Amish buggy is on the road in Fillmore County.

The demonstration showed how local technology aims to boost road safety.

The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce supported the planned Google data center project, Project Skyway, in Pine Island today.

The project is expected to create over 700 skilled trades jobs + boost tax revenue, though legal challenges have placed its timeline on hold.

Celebrity chef Alton Brown will host An Evening of Alton Brown on Friday, Nov.

6 at 7:30 p.m. at the CH Mayo Presentation Hall (Mayo Civic Center), where he will feature live demos, storytelling, and music.

A section of 3rd Ave SW in downtown Rochester will close permanently to traffic at 7 p.m. today as construction alters travel routes.

The change ends access for Mayo Clinic patients at the Gonda Building’s west entrance — drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders should allow extra time.

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton will host three Community Walks in October to connect residents & promote health with a new smart ring wellness program.

The walks are set at the RCTC Sports Center on Oct. 9 and Oct. 24 and at Silver Lake Three Links Shelter on Oct. 10.

Westbound I-90 will detour drivers from the off-ramp to northbound Highway 52 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. today as crews paint new road striping; the rebuilt bridge over Highway 52 will open to traffic Thursday (this update will remove the remaining detours at the interchange).

DFL lawmakers voiced concerns today over planned hospital mergers involving Sanford and North Memorial — Allina Health and Sutter Health — Essentia Health and Health Partners, noting that the consolidations may reshape regional healthcare delivery.

Bakery Flats, a new apartment complex — named for the old Wonder Bread factory — will open in spring at a site along 11th Ave NW near Civic Center Drive in Kutzky Park by the Cascade Creek trail and Walgreens.

Signs are up to officially announce the project.