🌱 Rochester Native On Survivor + Free School Lunch Bill Passed In MN

Hey, neighbors! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Follow along for everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Flurries; windy, colder. High: 22 Low: 10.
• Saturday: Low clouds may break; cold. High: 23 Low: 10.

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

1. The 44th season of Survivor has some Rochester ties via contestant and Rochester local Sara Wade. Wade was called with the news while she was at a work dinner, she reportedly had to keep her composure as she received what she described as some of the biggest news in her life. The 44th season started on Mar. 1 and airs a new episode every Wednesday. (KIMT 3)
2. A bill has been passed in Minnesota that will give free school meals to all students regardless of family income, and one senator's statement is receiving national attention. Rochester GOP Sen. Steve Drazkowski stated, "I have yet to meet a person in Minnesota that is hungry and now he has yet to meet a person that they don't have access to enough food to eat." About 275,000 students will now get free or reduced lunch which will cost the state about $400 million in a two-year budget period, and some changes in the language of the bill will be made before heading to Governor Walz. (KVRR)
3. It only took one day for a jury to reach a verdict to convict Jacob Monroe Cullum of Mason City for purposely crashing into a law enforcement vehicle. On Dec. 29, 2022, Cullum was arrested early in the morning after leading an officer on a high-speed chase and backing into the officer's car before he was captured. Cullum was charged with second-degree criminal mischief, driving while barred, and eluding while participating in a public offense, and he will receive his sentence in Cerro Gordo County District Court on May 22. (KIMT 3)

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Today and tomorrow in Rochester-Mason City:

Friday, March 17

• Women's Roundtable At Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce (7:30 AM)
• St. Patrick's Day Blues At Brother's Bar & Grill (11:00 AM)
• Tim Dallman Music At One Discovery Square (11:00 AM)
• Live Music: Fernando Ufret At Fat Hill Brewing (7:00 PM)
• The Mercury 3 Shamrockabilly Party At Brix Wine & Whiskey (8:00 PM)

Saturday, March 18

• North Iowa Cowboy Ball At North Iowa Events Center Olson Building (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Rochester Police is asking the public for assistance with identifying a suspect involved in a robbery at Casey's General Store. The robbery happened Monday night, and the suspect took an undisclosed amount of money from the register. Please contact the police with any tips. (City of Rochester, MN Police via Facebook)
• Last Friday, the Mason City Fire Department and the city's government swore in three new firefighters and EMTs. Ethan, Nick, and Connar joined the force at the end of January and have been training nonstop to make it to today. (Mason City Fire Department via Facebook)
• Mason City is looking for volunteers to assist in keeping up the historic display of the Friends of the 457. You can sign up once or for scheduled times when available. For more information, come to the meeting on Mar. 25 at the public library. (City of Mason City, Government)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox soon with your next 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.