🌱 Main Street Mason City's 'Shop Our Back Door' + No Dogs At Pet Walk

Hello all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Rochester-Mason City Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Mostly cloudy, showers around. High: 71 Low: 54.
• Saturday: A.M. showers; mostly cloudy. High: 66 Low: 55.

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

1. Main Street Mason City launched a campaign called 'Shop Our Back Door' due to the ongoing sidewalk and road closures from the Kirk Apartments fire. The campaign aims to remind people that the downtown stores are still open, but shoppers must use the back doors if the sidewalks are closed leading to the front doors. (ABC 6 News KAAL TV)
2. Paws and Claws Humane Society announced a big change to its annual Pet Walk in Rochester, one of the biggest fundraisers for the society. Due to the canine influenza outbreak in the Twin Cities, dogs will not be allowed at the Pet Walk on Saturday, May 6, at Cook Park. (KROC-AM)
3. A large crowd is expected to gather in downtown Rochester on Friday, May 5, for the first major outdoor party of the year, the 10th Annual Tap House Beer Street Social. The huge block party, which happens to fall on Cinco de Mayo, will feature tacos, beer, and live music by the bands Incognito and Avey Grouws Band. Everyone is invited to attend the free event, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on 3rd Street in downtown Rochester. (106.9 KROC)

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Today and tomorrow in Rochester-Mason City:

Friday, May 5

• The 10th Annual Tap House Beer Street Social At 3rd Street in Downtown Rochester (5:00 PM)

Saturday, May 6

• Free Family Showing Of Sing 2 At CineMagic Hollywood 12 in Rochester (10:00 AM)
• Spring Fling Patio Party At Forager Brewery in Rochester (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• A groundbreaking ceremony for the historic Rochester Clock Tower has been scheduled for May 16! The ceremony will be held in the afternoon near the clock's original location at Fire Station 1. Learn more about the ceremony and how to support the project at RochClockTower.org. (KROC-AM)
• Mason City fire officials thanked all the firefighters and the community for helping during and after the the Kirk Apartments fire. A statement read, "To those that are generously helping their neighbors, thank you for reminding us that this is north Iowa…..where working together to help others in need is an everyday occurrence in our great rural Iowa community." (KIMT 3)
• Zachary Leroy Jensen, 33 of Mason City, is scheduled to stand trial on Jul. 18 for second-degree theft and possession of methamphetamine, his third possession offense. Jensen has pleaded not guilty after he was arrested for allegedly driving a stolen motorcycle with meth in his pocket in the 900 block of N. Adams Avenue on Apr. 5. (KIMT 3)

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll be back in your inbox soon with a new 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.