Rochester
Morning News
Thursday, October 23rd, 2025
Good morning, Rochester. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 23rd of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Wayne County officials have identified the remains of Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. John A. Pagliuso—who was killed in action on or around Oct. 5, 1942 during a bombing mission over Papua New Guinea—by using DNA from his niece, and they are planning a burial with full military honors. A public procession and funeral service will be held on Friday, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. at Old Elmwood Cemetery in Lyons. Spectrum News
- ➤ Foodlink partnered again with Wegmans — at 21 local stores — to launch the 32nd annual Check Out Hunger campaign that began yesterday and will run through Nov. 30 to support those facing rising food insecurity in our region. A recent report showed that food insecurity has grown from 9% in 2021 to nearly 13%, with some neighborhoods seeing over 30% of residents struggle to put food on the table. News 10
- ➤ Uniting and Healing Through Hope of Monroe County has partnered with Tops for its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, where residents can drop off food at six locations—Greece, Henrietta, Brighton, Penfield, Irondequoit, and West Avenue—to help tackle food insecurity, with donations accepted through Nov. 17. News 10
- ➤ Local organizers announced that the 128th Lilac Festival at Highland Park will run from May 8th through May 17th, 2026—expected to draw over 500,000 visitors and offer events like a parade, local farmers market, and 5K/10K run. ABC 13
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ On Oct. 22, ten photonics startups competed in Rochester for $2M in funding through Luminate’s accelerator program (in its eighth year) that gives companies six months to refine their ideas. The contest showed Rochester as a growing center for advanced optics. ABC 13
- ➤ Avelo Airlines announced that it will add mid-week nonstop flights from Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport to Lakeland International Airport starting Dec. 3—introductory one-way fares begin at $57 after its twice-weekly service on Fridays and Mondays was restored following a seasonal break. The carrier will use Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft for the route and continues to offer affordable travel options. Democrat & Chronicle
- ➤ Tops Friendly Markets upgraded its website and mobile app on October 22 to make online shopping easier by improving cart management, search speed, and checkout options—features that include loyalty rewards and expanded payment methods. The redesign supports the chain’s growing e-commerce effort and is accessible on major app platforms. Democrat & Chronicle
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ George Demott & Friends Scholarship Concert will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Monday, Oct. 27 at Penfield High School Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free as the event supports young vocalists chasing their dreams. ABC 13
- ➤ A historic church on East Avenue and Meigs Street in Rochester’s East End will restore its exterior stone, bell tower, and roof using a $100,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation — part of its National Fund for Sacred Places program. The grant is one of $8.73 million provided to 29 churches and one synagogue nationwide. News 10
- ➤ The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is preparing for its first Beethoven Festival — a multi-concert celebration of Beethoven’s famous and rarely heard symphonies. Music Director Andreas Delfs has curated the lineup and the event will take place on October 23, 25, 30, and November 1 at Kodak Hall in the Eastman Theatre — offering a new series of concerts for local music fans. ABC 13
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ At a Rochester City School District board meeting last week, a discussion about the newsletter turned into a heated debate over Oracle payroll errors that caused delays in employee paychecks—board members voted 4—2 to drop the Commissioner’s Corner, with one commissioner saying it lost transparency while the teachers union filed a lawsuit and planned a speakers’ forum on Oct. 30. Rochester Beacon
- ➤ Governor Kathy Hochul announced a framework plan for creating High Falls State Park in downtown Rochester at an open house at Monroe Community College Tuesday as part of the ROC The Riverway initiative. The plan outlines a 40-acre park with nine gateways, trails along the Genesee River gorge, and phased construction beginning in late 2026—pending environmental cleanup and funding. City of Rochester
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Dean Obernesser, a 64-year-old who had waited four years for a liver transplant because his liver was failing, received 70% of his liver from his cousin Andrew in late April (his health improved greatly after the transplant). Spectrum News
- ➤ Lollypop Farm is launching a mobile veterinary clinic that will give dogs and cats vaccinations, surgeries, and general care at community sites — the service is funded by a $250,000 grant and extends support from the Klingenstein Veterinary Clinic. News 10
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ At Tuesday night’s meeting, the Rochester City Council approved a plan to transform the former Hotel Cadillac into the Fine Arts Loft Building - a project that will create 42 low-income apartments, free internet and an artist’s studio. The $21 million renovation will be funded through a $350,000 ESL grant, $750,000 in county funding, $2.4 million from New York State, over $3 million in federal funds, more than $13 million in federal and state tax credit equity and a $1.1 million city loan to Cain Properties. News 10
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The Musical Box: Tribute to Genesis
8-11 p.m. — Temple Theater — Tickets on sale August 15th — Experience the stunning tribute to Genesis with theatrical flair and precision musicianship.
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Tony D's Halloween Ball
6:00-11:59 p.m. — Tony D's — Ticket required — Experience Rochester's largest Halloween costume party with buffet, live DJs, and costume contests.
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I Love the 90s Tour
12-3 p.m. — Rochester Community Sports Complex — Tickets from $44.52 — Celebrate the 90s with hit performances from Vanilla Ice, Rob Base, and more!
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Retroween Bash
8-11 p.m. — Montage Music Hall — $20 — Dance the night away at the ultimate Halloween retro party featuring 80s and 90s music.
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Josh Ritter Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Rose Marie and John Beston Hall — Ticket pricing varies — Experience a night of captivating melodies from one of America's greatest living songwriters.
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State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine - Swan Lake
7:00-8:30 p.m. — West Herr Auditorium Theatre / RBTL — Ticket prices vary — Experience the enchanting performance of Swan Lake by the acclaimed State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine.
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Rochester Americans vs Syracuse Crunch
7:05-8:35 p.m. — Blue Cross Arena — Check FloHockey for streaming options — Exciting hockey showdown between two fierce rivals in the AHL.
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Housing 101: Patio Building Workshop
5:30-6:30 p.m. — Abundance Food Co-op — Free entry — Learn how to construct a patio with expert guidance from a local housing manager.
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JAWS IN CONCERT
7:00-8:30 p.m. — West Herr Auditorium Theatre / RBTL — Tickets available — Experience the legendary film JAWS with a live orchestra performing its iconic score.
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Hiking Event with Dogs at North Ponds Park
10:00 – 11:30 AM — North Ponds Apartments & Townhomes — Free entry — Explore the scenic Bird Sanctuary and Chiyoda Trails with your furry friends or solo.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The only way to become excellent is to be endlessly fascinated by doing the same thing over and over.
~ Ryan Holiday
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