Rochester
Morning News
Thursday, January 15th, 2026
Good morning, Rochester. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 15th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Greater Rochester MLK Commission is holding its annual celebration at Kodak Hall at the Eastman School of Music on Monday at 10:30 a.m. The free event features keynote speaker Rev. Courtney Clayton Jenkins and community performances (theme: From Me to We: Changing Our Souls, Creating Beloved Community). WXXI News
- ➤ Veterans Outreach Center in Rochester opened Otto’s Phoenix House nearly a year ago to support homeless female veterans by offering wellness programs and job training. The center now serves about 100 women each year in Monroe County (per its records). Spectrum News
- ➤ Canandaigua and Chili were named New York State Towns of Excellence with gold honors on Jan. 14 for their strong community leadership and resident engagement; officials said the towns will display the badge and be featured at the Association of Towns annual meeting (full details pending). Democrat & Chronicle
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ GreenPal (a nationwide app for snow removal) is expanding its services to Rochester. Homeowners can list their service needs and choose from pre-screened local workers based on reviews and price, with payment completed securely through the app. News 10
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Rochester City School District faces a $53 million funding gap in its preliminary 2026-27 budget, a steeper shortfall than last year's, and CFO Robert McDow said the district will review spending and staffing ahead of budget presentations starting in February — with final decisions expected mid-May. Rochester Beacon
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ State officials have outlined a toxic cleanup plan for Carlson Park (home to Radio Social) after detecting TCE and other contaminants at the Stromberg plant site, with further cleanup details expected soon. Democrat & Chronicle
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Federal, state and municipal offices, along with banks and the Post Office, will close on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 19 — although grocery stores such as Wegmans, Tops and Walmart will stay open for holiday errands. ATMs and Priority Mail Express will be available. Democrat & Chronicle
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Flu cases in Monroe County have dropped significantly since peaking near Christmas, with positive tests falling from 2,351 to 1,055 and hospitalizations at Strong Memorial dropping from 71 on New Year's Eve to 25 this week. The number of acute or intensive care patients remains steady across local hospitals. WXXI News
- ➤ Monroe County recorded more deaths than births for the first time in local records as Highland Hospital welcomed newborn Tatum Barbaccia two days ago. Health officials (planning to release 2023 data within the next three months) hope the figures will guide community support policies. News 10
- ➤ Advanced Healthcare takes over management at Waterview Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on Beach Avenue to address ongoing quality issues with new staff training and revised protocols. The change will not affect current jobs, and improvements are expected to be underway. ABC 13
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Monroe High School football team was honored on the floor of Congress when Rep. Joe Morelle recognized them after they won a state championship by defeating Sleepy Hollow 34-0 at the JMA Wireless Dome. The team also received certificates at City Hall from Mayor Malik Evans and the School Board. News 10
- ➤ Special Olympics will host its Winter Games across local venues starting Feb. 20. Nearly 1,000 athletes will compete in events such as alpine skiing and figure skating at locations including Floreano Riverside Convention Center and Town of Henrietta Recreation Center - organizers are recruiting volunteers for 350 positions. ABC 13
-
Coming Down, Jordan Moss, The Rogues Concert
9 PM - 11:55 PM — Bug Jar — Tickets starting at $6.65 — Experience an eclectic mix of punk and indie rock performances in a local favorite venue.
-
In the Zone Card Show
Mall hours — In The Zone — Free entry — Explore a wide variety of cards at this exciting two-day event perfect for collectors.
-
G. Love and Special Sauce Live
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Rose Marie and John Beston Hall — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of alternative hip-hop vibes from this Philadelphia band inspired by the Beastie Boys.
-
School of Rock Seasonal Show: New Wave, Classic Metal, and Pop Legends
5-7:30 p.m. — Lovin' Cup — Free entry — Experience a vibrant showcase of talented young musicians performing classic rock anthems and modern hits.
-
Wood Flower Centerpiece Class at Blue Barn Cidery
6:30-8:30 p.m. — Blue Barn Cidery — Includes one complimentary drink — Unleash your creativity in this hands-on class to craft a stunning wood flower centerpiece.
-
Lynne Hanson: Canada’s Queen of Americana
7-8 p.m. — Abilene Bar & Lounge — $15 at the door — Experience gripping Americana from a singer-songwriter celebrated for her high energy and heartfelt connection with audiences.
-
Disney's Pixar's Up in Concert
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Eastman Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the beloved film 'Up' accompanied by a live orchestra for a magical evening.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Rochester Morning News
Welcome to the Rochester Morning News, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Rochester, New York community. If you like the Rochester Morning News, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Rochester.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Rochester and across New York. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Rochester Morning News
A free Rochester community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://rochestermorning.com/sitemap