Good morning, Rochester.

Rochester is hosting its third annual free Snow Summit on Saturday, Oct.

24, at the new City of Rochester Maintenance Center (580 Forty-Fourth Street Northeast); the event will run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and let families explore exhibits on snow removal, winter operations and ice safety.

Rochester Rotary Clubs partner with Braver Angels to offer three free workshops on civil discourse at the RCTC Heintz Center on Oct.

13. Participants can explore the LAP model (listen, acknowledge, pivot) while officials attend a session on managing difficult conversations at Rochester Public Utilities from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Bamber Elementary School hosted Walk to School Day on Oct.

7 as part of a nationwide event that encouraged students to walk to school. The school celebrated community health and active living during the event.

James McCormick — a business teacher at Mayo High School — was named a distinguished educator by Next Gen Personal Finance, which recognized his six finance certifications and his leadership of a finance camp for more than 350 students around Rochester.

John Adams Middle School staff are using programs like WEBB (Where Everybody Belongs) and BIONIC to bolster student relationships during National Bullying Prevention Month; the school reports improved attendance and lower discipline referrals while urging students to reach out to trusted adults for help.

The Rochester School Board approved a preliminary tax levy for 2027 with a 1.31% increase from last year that may keep taxes steady if property values do not rise.

A public hearing will be held (Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Edison boardroom) to review the proposal.

New farmers across 51 counties have received a total of $723,200 in grants from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to buy equipment and upgrade their operations.

Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000 and require matching funds for amounts above $2,000 (including several southeastern recipients).

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a Mayo Clinic Health System doctor in Rochester said women should discuss their family history of breast cancer to help doctors spot risks early — he recommended women start regular screenings at age 40 and talk openly with family members.

Rochester’s sports complex was renamed Altra Sportsplex on Oct.

7 as officials aimed to boost community sports and pride. The rebranding (endorsed by local board members) marks a push to upgrade the facility.