Rochester
Morning News
Friday, December 5th, 2025
Good morning, Rochester. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 5th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Lollypop Farm and the Humane Society of Greater Rochester partnered with Petcademy to launch a 30-day free service that offers videos and step-by-step guides for new pet adopters. The program, launched this fall, aims to help pets adjust to their new homes. WXXI News
- ➤ Residents can donate coats and winter wear via local drives — Evergreen Place in Brockport collects coats through Monday, Dec. 15 while hosting its Winter Marketplace on Saturday, Dec. 13 — and M and T Bank with Tops run the Gift of Warmth Drive until Jan. 9. News 10
- ➤ United Way’s Roc the Day event raised $938,138 from 5,982 donations during its 24-hour online fundraiser on Dec. 2 (Giving Tuesday) by over 500 nonprofits from Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes, nearly meeting its $1 million goal. Democrat & Chronicle
- ➤ On Thursday, Dec. 4, the Beachwood Neighborhood Coalition hosted its annual dinner to honor nearly 40 local first responders, including police, firefighters, and community advocates (honoring the memory of Ernestine Coleman and Victor Saunders). The event brought neighbors together in a warm show of local spirit. ABC 13
- ➤ Pirate Toy Fund Toy Drive has collected over 17,000 toys toward its goal of 30,000 as drop-offs continue at various local sites (including Aquinas Institute). The drive will run until Dec. 6. ABC 13
- ➤ Genesee Crossroads Park, a one-acre park along the Genesee River, will get a $5 million makeover in spring 2026 to improve trail access, add gathering spaces, and update views (including restoring historic pink granite and a Wendell Castle sculpture) as part of a larger downtown redevelopment near Andrews Terrace apartments. WXXI News
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Kodak completed its pension reversion, freeing over $1 billion to pay down a $500 million loan and launch a new Kodak Cash Balance Plan for U.S. employees, and it pre-paid $312 million to reduce its loan balance to $200 million, holding a net-positive cash position (over $300 million). News 10
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Deaf Santa Claus documentary film will premiere at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Dryden Theatre at 900 East Ave with ASL interpreters and open captions available; RIT graduate Evan Winegard + founder of the Deaf Santa Claus Foundation will host a post-film discussion. WXXI News
- ➤ CenterStage Theatre is set to present End of the Rainbow, a production about Judy Garland, from Dec. 6 to Dec. 21. Actors Jasmin Singer and Daniel Mejak lead the show at the theater. ABC 13
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The former Vacuum Oil building at 5 Flint St. was torn down on Dec. 4 as part of the state Brownfield Cleanup Program to restore the riverfront with dust control measures and concrete crushing, causing temporary closures of parts of the Genesee River Trail (alternate routes have been posted). Democrat & Chronicle
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Gov. Hochul signed a law on Thursday that lowers costs for lung cancer screening in the state; the measure now requires insurers to cover follow-up tests and removes cost-sharing for diagnostics. The change is expected to ease financial burdens for patients. News 10
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Flu cases spiked in Monroe County with 254 new cases and 13 hospitalizations for the week ending Saturday, Nov. 22 — unvaccinated health care workers are now required to wear masks around patients. Local doctors urge everyone to get a flu shot, wash hands often, and stay home when sick. News 10
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Winter Faire
10 AM – 4 PM — The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa — Free entry — Experience a whimsical holiday celebration with local artisans and festive activities across two distinct markets.
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& Juliet
& Juliet — 7:30-9:00 p.m. — West Herr Performing Arts Center — Tickets starting at $78 — Experience a unique twist on the classic story of Romeo and Juliet with this vibrant musical.
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Lehigh Valley Phantoms vs. Rochester Americans
5:05-6:35 PM — Blue Cross Arena — Stream online for FloHockey subscribers — Don't miss out on this exciting AHL showdown between two competitive teams.
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Samantha Fish Live
7-10 p.m. — Temple Theater — Ticket prices vary — Experience an unforgettable night of blues and rock 'n' roll with Grammy-nominated artists blending tradition and innovation.
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Rochester Americans vs Utica Comets
7:05-8:35 p.m. — Blue Cross Arena — Check local listings for pricing — Catch the Utica Comets face off against the Rochester Americans live on FloHockey.
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Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
7:30 p.m. — OFC Creations Theatre Center — Tickets available — Enjoy a whimsical musical adaptation of the classic holiday tale of the Grinch who stole Christmas.
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Belleville Senators vs. Rochester Americans
7:05-8:35 p.m. — Blue Cross Arena — Ticket info available online — Catch the exciting showdown on the ice between the Senators and Americans.
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Candlelight Christmas Carols on Strings
7-7:59 p.m. — Temple Theater — Ticketed event — Experience the magic of Christmas Carols performed by a string quartet under candlelight.
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3HB's Ugly Sweater Party
7-10:30 p.m. — Three Heads Brewing — $10 entry — Groove to funky tunes at a jam-filled ugly sweater extravaganza with local band Calabash.
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Cleveland Monsters vs. Rochester Americans
5:05-6:35 p.m. — Blue Cross Arena — Check for ticket prices — Watch the exciting matchup as the Monsters take on the Americans on the ice.
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
The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it, but the way those atoms are put together.
~ Carl Sagan
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