🌱 Rochester Man Faces Child Pornography Charges + New NW Development

Good morning, hello. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Rochester-Mason City Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Times of sun and clouds. High: 49 Low: 34.
• Tuesday: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm. High: 45 Low: 39.

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

1. A man in Rochester will face child pornography charges after an investigation that has taken place all last month. The case against Kevin James Hammell was filed in court Friday, Mar. 31 following an arrest and search of his home the day before. The tip came to the police from Adobe who reported there may be images of child pornography in his possession. After the search of his home, investigators found multiple USB devices and Hammell later admitted to using search engines that make it hard for authorities to track website data and searches. He is scheduled to make his court appearance on Apr. 18. (KROC-AM)
2. A development agreement originally made in 2016 seeks to renew efforts for northwest Rochester housing and commercial development. The city will be asked to authorize the development in the area south of The Homestead at Rochester, 1900 Ballington Boulevard NW, tonight at 7 p.m. Applications for the development project show several updates and changes that reflect the city's new regulations and requirements and more in the process of being worked out. If approved, this project would bring various private and public areas to the development location. (Rochester Post Bulletin)
3. Paul Schollmeier is asking cities and government officials all over Minnesota to support two transportation funding bills. These bills will help develop more passenger railways that will connect various cities, such as Duluth to Minneapolis and Chicago to St. Paul. but also help with local in-state lines. The support of these bills will also make use of extra funds used from taxes on car repairs and gas tax to repair and update transportation infrastructure across the state including more rural areas. (Rochester Post Bulletin)

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Today in Rochester-Mason City:

• 2023 Community Kickoff, Fundraiser And Social at K2 Brothers Brewing (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Officer Erick Christensen was recognized by the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety for keeping Rochester roads safe with 92 DWI arrests this year. Christensen was given two hockey sticks and pucks for performing two "hat tricks" which is arresting three drunk drivers in a single night, much like a hockey player scoring three goals in a hockey game. (Rochester Police Department via Facebook)
• Rochester City Government would like to inform everyone that April is National Arab American Month. (City of Rochester, MN Government Via Facebook)
• Forager Brewery will hold an Easter Brunch Buffet on Apr. 9th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be 15+ brunch items to choose from; tickets will be required and can be found here. (Forager Brewery)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday! 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.