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U.S. Customs and Border Protection raid downtown sparks unrest amongst Rochesterians
A roof-top showdown between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and immigrant construction workers was watched by more than 100 Rochester community members. The confrontation took place Tuesday, Sept. 9, on Westminster Road near the corner of East Avenue.
That morning, CBP agents visited a house to target a group of three men conducting roof-work, according to eyewitness Pat Tobin, who lives on the block.
“There were a few men here going to work, paying their taxes, supporting their families,” Tobin said. “And yet this federal government says, you know what, we’re going to use our resources to come target you and kidnap you.”…
From the Campus Times
‘A brand is not just a logo’: University leadership explain new marketing strategy
The University announced a new set of logos and other branding elements as part of an overhaul of their branding and marketing strategies Oct. 2.
Since 2023, the University has been planning a new marketing campaign as part of the “Boundless Possibility” strategic plan, aimed at elevating and building the University’s profile on a national scale.
While the new logos have been met with some mixed reviews from students on campus, Page Hetzel, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, explained that this campaign is more than just logos.
“A brand is not just a logo,” she said. “It’s actually more than that. It’s the strategy. It’s the story of who we are.”…
From the Campus times
‘Wanted’ posters accusing University affiliates displayed throughout campus
Posters describing University affiliates as ‘wanted’ for involvement in the Israel-Palestine conflict were displayed throughout campus late Sunday night into early Monday morning.
Plastered in Wilson Commons, as well as campus academic buildings, residence halls, tunnels, elevators, and bathrooms, each poster featured an image of a University-associated individual, a set of targeted allegations, and an accompanying description.
Thirteen individuals were identified on the posters, including University employees, administrators, and members of the Board of Trustees. Each listed a number of attributed offenses — ranging from ties to Israeli institutions to claims of excessive force against student protestors…
From the Campus times
Affordable housing plan approved in Chatham Borough
The Planning Board approved an affordable housing plan to build 22 units in a few locations around town to satisfy the borough’s fourth-round “unmet need” as well as the prospective 206 unit “overlay zone,” Wednesday, June 18.
The packed meeting, which went on for more than four hours and had standing room only, involved Borough Planner Kendra Lelie giving a multi-slide presentation which explained key elements of the plan as well as gave an overview of the prospective project…
From the chatham Courier
Alumni set to lose access to their UR emails, graduates displeased
All alumni University of Rochester Google Gmail accounts will be deactivated effective Nov. 4 2025, as announced in an email sent out to alumni Oct. 8.
All students are assigned a University-managed email account when they matriculate into the University. In addition to providing students with a rochester.edu email address, this also allows them access to Google’s suite of services, including Google Drive.
Historically, graduates had retained access to their student email after leaving the University, albeit with less storage space.
Now however, alumni will lose access to materials such as Google Docs, files, and email associated with their student account, though they can request an alumni email to retain an email affiliated with the University…
From the Campus times
Transit museums transport visitors through local history
Unbeknownst to many, Rochester has two transit museums that celebrate the many trains and trolleys that once zig-zagged across Western New York.
The New York Museum of Transportation and the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum, located just two miles apart and connected by a train track, come together once a year during the Rush Fall Festival to highlight the region’s transit history to festival-goers. This year’s festival took place on Sept. 27.
During the festivities, the two museums partner to transport tourists from one museum to another, with attendees switching from a trolley to a train in the middle as only half of the track’s distance is electrified…
From the Rochester Beacon
Massage parlor's activities questioned by Roxbury residents
The Tuesday, May 21 Township Council meeting erupted in debate as local residents grilled the mayor and council over a massage parlor, “Spa 51,” on Main Street Succasunna, on the corner of Kenvil Avenue, which is in a residential neighborhood.
The issue arose because of a Facebook post which sparked dissent amongst residents. The post raised questions about illegal activities, including prostitution, taking place there.
The post was made by resident Tom Seretis. It encouraged residents to attend the council meeting to tell the council “which of several massage parlors in town was their favorite.”
Despite the Mayor Jacqueline Albrecht pointing out that the matter was not appropriate for discussion at a council meeting, the issue involving the local massage parlor proved a heated debate at the meeting…
From the Roxbury Register
Norah O’Donnell’s take on life: The quality of relationships
Outgoing “CBS Evening News” anchor and Emmy award-winning journalist Norah O’Donnell thinks she has the secret to life: forging quality relationships.
The renowned journalist told an audience at UR about her three guiding points for life during a keynote address over Meliora Weekend, the annual homecoming celebration.
“The quality of your life is built on the quality of your relationships,” she said, adding that the most important relationships are those with yourself, friends and family, and the world. “That’s my simple thesis of life. That’s how to be Meliora, or ever better. Work on your relationships.”
In her 20-minute speech, O’Donnell covered many topics but honed in on her “Thesis to Life” interpretation of the word…
From the Campus Times
'It just clanked:' Chester Fireman's Carnival ride malfunction disputed by riders, officials
For many, the smell of funnel cake and the sound of gleeful laughter coming from the rides highlighted their time at the 61st Chester Fireman’s Carnival in Chubb Park – but apparently not for all.
Some who attended the event alleged that on the carnival’s inaugural night there was a problem with the popular “Zipper” ride. Zipper riders enter a small cage attached to a large arm that lifts them into the air and spins them around. According to some, the ride stopped while it was supposed to be in motion.
A week after the popular event ended, however, officials dispute whether the popular ride had malfunctioned – or had just been acting its usual, noisy self.
The carnival, with its usual complement of rides, food and fun, ran from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. daily on Tuesday, June 24 through Saturday, June 28, with the ever-popular fireworks drawing hundreds to the spectacle on Friday, June 27. Cullen Snellings of Mendham said he was in the Zipper ride when it broke down, although “It started working after like, 10 minutes.”
He recalled hearing the ride operators inspecting the machine while he was stuck inside. “I heard them, like, bolting it in … or like hammering.” Snellings noted that he was not scared during the experience…
From the observer-Tribune