🌱 Bed, Bath & Beyond Files For Bankruptcy + Two-Year Budget Meeting

Hi there, Rochester-Mason City. I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Partly sunny and warmer. High: 53 Low: 30.
• Tuesday: Sunshine and patchy clouds. High: 50 Low: 31.

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Here are the top three stories in Rochester-Mason City today:

1. On Sunday morning, Rochester Fire Department was dispatched to Marion Township for a fire that spread from an outbuilding to an adjacent building. Engine 16 was the first to respond to the scene and firefighters were able to quickly contain and extinguish the flame before it got too out of control. No human injuries were reported; however, 10 chickens were lost in the flame and there was an estimated $25,000 of damage to a steel shed. In addition to Rochester Fire, Olmstead County Sheriff's Office and Eyota Fire Department assisted in containing the fire. (ABC 6 News KAAL TV)
2. This past Sunday, Bed, Bath, & Beyond officially filed for bankruptcy and will continue to wind down operations as they wait for buyers to buy all or some of the remaining assets. There are only four remaining locations in Minnesota: Apple Valley, Maple Groove, and Woodbury, as well as a BuyBuy Baby remaining in Woodbury. It was announced back in February that the Rochester, Minnetonka, and Roseville locations would be closing closely on the heels of a few 2022 closures. When the Wall Street Journey asked co-founder Warren Eisenberg what contributed to the chain's challenges, he simply replied, "We missed the boat on the internet." (Bring Me The News)
3. The Rochester City Council will begin discussing the next two-year city budget today at its council meeting, they will receive a refresher on the current budget and what factors can influence the 2024-2025 spending plan. This session will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m., following a special strengths-based leadership session at 3:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the Government Center. The goal is to have a baseline budget and infrastructure project lists for review by June and a recommended budget to be developed through August and September. (Rochester Post Bulletin)

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Today and tomorrow in Rochester-Mason City:

Monday, April 24

• Third Annual Business Expo - Saint Mary's University Of MN - Cascade Meadows (9:00 AM)
• Clearance Tour - Schmitt Music Rochester (3:00 PM)
• 100 Women United For Change - Fat Hill Brewing (5:00 PM)

Tuesday, April 25

• 2023 Local Government Connect - Rochester Golf and Country Club (7:30 AM)
• Friends Chat - First Congregational Church (10:00 AM)
• Oliver - Stebens Children's Theatre (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Last week, the Rochester Police Department's Honor Guard assisted in service for two WI officers who were killed in the line of duty. This past Saturday they assisted in a funeral for a Pope County officer who was killed in the line of duty; the department's heart is with the families of those lost. (City of Rochester, MN Police Department via Facebook)
• Earth Day was this past weekend and Rochester's Public Schools wants to remind everyone now is the perfect time to invest in the planet we call home. Protect and preserve the health, families, and livelihoods of all around and enjoy celebrating this wonderful planet every day. (Rochester Public Schools via Facebook)
• National Crime Victims' Rights Week will be observed this week until Apr. 29. The weeklong initiative will call on the communities to create an environment where survivors will feel confident and welcomed and supported. (Mason City Police Department via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all soon for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.