ROCHESTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A Vision Board Workshop will be held on Saturday, February 14, from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm in the Community Room at the Rochester Public Library. The event will begin with a guided meditation to help participants reflect on their goals for the year, followed by a creative session building personalized vision boards. All supplies…
The City of Rochester is pleased to announce the successful closing and execution of a redevelopment agreement for 16 Bridge Street, formerly known as Saint Elizabeth Seton/Holy Rosary High School. Finalized on January 22, 2026, the agreement is between the City of Rochester and 16 Bridge Street Development, LLC, led by local developer Steven K….
Winter Festival will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 1–3 p.m. at Rochester Common (139 S. Main Street). The free, family-friendly event includes music, hot cocoa, s’mores, a touch-a-truck, and ice skating. Attendees are encouraged to bring food donations for the Raider Station Food Pantry at Spaulding High School. The event is hosted…
The Rochester Police and Fire Departments will host Skate with a First Responder on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Rochester Ice Arena, located at 63 Lowell Street. The community skate will run from 12:00–1:30 p.m., followed by Rochester’s Annual Guns & Hoses Hockey Tournament from 1:30–6:00 p.m., featuring Rochester and Dover fire and police…
An update from Rochester Recreation & Arena: We might be right in the middle of winter, but, at the Rec Dept, we’re already dreaming of spring! This spring, we’re planning lots of opportunities for fun and fitness for people of all ages! You can view the full program guide here: 2026 Spring Program Guide Highlights:…
A message from the Rochester Mental Health Alliance: Join our Strafford County Addiction Task Force for this annual conference aimed at bringing information, evidence-based programs and best-practices related to the prevention, treatment, recovery and reduction of harm from substance use and mental health to our partners in Strafford County & beyond!
A Downtown Parking Ban will be in effect from Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am on January 30, 2026. During this time, no vehicles without an exemption permit may be parked on City streets or in municipal parking lots. For general inquiries and concerns, contact the Department of Public Works at…
The Rochester Public Library Teen Room invites teens to enjoy a variety of events and activities throughout the month of February. The Teen Winter/Spring Reading Program is going strong! Raffle prizes are awarded at the end of the program, including an art kit, water bottles, reading baskets, Pokémon cards, games, and more! Teens can sign…
Cornerstone VNA proudly recognizes and celebrates the remarkable 37-year career of Janice Howard, Life Care Director, as she retires from the organization, and announces Katie Michaud, MS, OTR/L, as the new Community and Life Care Director, effective January 5, 2026. Janice began her career with Cornerstone VNA in 1988 as a Certified Nursing Assistant with…
A Downtown Parking Ban will be in effect from Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 11:00pm to 7:00am on January 29, 2026. During this time, no vehicles without an exemption permit may be parked on City streets or in municipal parking lots. For general inquires and concerns, contact the Department of Public Works at (603) 332-4096….
A message from the Rochester Opera House, a local 501c3 nonprofit organization: 2026 Takes Center Stage Here at The Rochester Opera House! It’s the 25th anniversary of the Murder Mystery here at the Rochester Opera House, and we’re celebrating! With previous themes such as dancing competitions, shows, circus, campgrounds, and puppets, we now bring you…
Ward 5 School Board members Sam Oliver III and Erik White will be hosting a community engagement session on Monday, February 2, starting at 6:00 pm, in the Community Room at the Rochester Public Library. The informal event is open to all Ward 5 residents to ask questions, discuss recent school board activities, and raise…
Due to the winter storm and hazardous road conditions, the decision has been made to suspend all services on Monday, January 26, 2026. “The prediction of 18-24” of snow means travel on the roads will be very challenging on Monday, including for customers travelling to and from bus stops. We feel this is the most…
For Immediate Release and DistributionWaste Management, Turnkey Landfill & Residential Drop-OffWeather Closure Notice Due to the impending inclement weather, Waste Management will close the Turnkey Landfill and Residential Drop-Off on Monday, January 26, 2026. This decision is being made to ensure the safety of both our employees and the public. Closing the site will allow…
The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that it will hold its Annual Meeting Breakfast on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. The event, underwritten by Eversource and hosted and catered by Frisbie Memorial Hospital, will take place at the Frisbie Memorial Hospital Community Education & Conference Center. 2025–2026…
UPDATE: The Winter Festival, previously scheduled for Saturday, January 24, has been postponed due to the forecasted cold weather. Recreation staff and event partners agree that the low temperatures would pose a danger to both participants and volunteers. A new date will be announced shortly. We hope everyone stays warm this weekend, and we look…
The Franklin Gallery will host a February exhibit entitled Wicky – Wacky – Woo…and Some Wild Artworks Too!, a peculiar assemblage of mix-and-match images. One never knows what will erupt from the volcanic mind of Berwick Arts Multiple Ross Alan Bachelder, and yet he clearly likes it that way. Throughout the month of February, visitors…
A message from Rochester Main Street: Attention Spaulding High School seniors: the Rochester Main Street Downtown Scholarship will be opening soon. Students will apply through Guidance using the SHS Local Scholarship Application. This single, easy application is used for dozens of local scholarships, including ours. To be eligible for the Rochester Main Street Downtown Scholarship,…
The Rochester Public Library will host a Pet Pantry on January 24, 2026, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The purpose of the Pet Food Pantry is to help local families keep their dogs and cats healthy and well-fed during tough times. Community members are welcome to stop by to pick up dog or cat…
The Rochester Public Library’s Teen Room is pleased to announce the success of its 2025 Teen Fall Reading Program. This four-month-long program resulted in a total of 200,643 minutes of reading. To celebrate reading this fall, teens were awarded 44 scavenger hunt prizes, 20 reading prizes, and enjoyed 53 programs and activities. Programs included Wednesday…
The City of Rochester has executed two agreements related to ongoing development within the Granite Ridge Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District. Farmington Associates Properties, LLC, and Farmington Associates Properties Ground Tenant, LLC have signed the Fourth Amended and Restated Development Agreement for Phase II of The Ridge project. The agreement updates and restates prior development…
The East Rochester Library has been added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places. “This is exciting news!” said John McLain, President of the East Rochester Library Association. “The process of obtaining this status has been a long and difficult one, with hours upon hours of research and documentation by our volunteers.” In…
Winter Festival will take place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 1–3 p.m. at Rochester Common (139 S. Main Street). The free, family-friendly event includes music, hot cocoa, s’mores, a touch-a-truck, and ice skating. Attendees are encouraged to bring food donations for the Raider Station Food Pantry at Spaulding High School. The event is hosted…
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the City of Rochester celebrated the inauguration of the Mayor, City Council, School Board, Police Commission, and Election Officials. Following the swearing-in of elected officials, Councilor David E. Walker (Ward 4/Seat A) was unanimously chosen to serve as Deputy Mayor. Click here to watch online. Mayor Chuck Grassie delivered the…
Due to the winter storm predicted to arrive later tonight and continue through Wednesday morning, and the potentially hazardous road conditions, the decision has been made to delay the start of all services on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. “The prediction of up to 0.3 inches of ice and freezing rain makes it likely travel will…
The Commission for Arts & Culture for the City of Rochester is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the annual Rochester Arts Awards. These awards honor all forms of art and the individuals and organizations that support and promote artistic activity throughout Rochester. The Arts Awards recognize candidates whose work: Highlights Rochester’s…
The nonprofit Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation, more commonly known as COAST, recently released its FY25 Annual Impact Report. According to the report, demand and ridership across both its fixed-route and demand-response services increased in FY25. Results from the 2025 customer survey further highlight the growing importance riders place on access to COAST’s transit services…
Gather, the anti-hunger nonprofit, is recruiting participants for its new “Fresh Start” Culinary Workforce Training Program, scheduled to launch in February. The free, 12-week program will help community members who face hurdles finding a job gain the skills necessary for a career in the restaurant industry. There is no cost to participate thanks to the…
The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts is pleased to announce Seasons, an art exhibition featuring works by Madison Albanese in the Carnegie Gallery at the Rochester Public Library, beginning December 8, 2025. Madison Albanese is a mixed media artist from Rhode Island. She holds a BFA from the University of New Hampshire, where she was the…
Submitted by Rochester Opera House: Featuring eleven hilariously talented actors, Rochester’s annual Murder Mystery opens January 23, 2026, and runs for five weeks only! Returning as the infamous Dixon DaCooter is our very own Artistic Director, Anthony Ejarque. It’s opening night at Strafford County’s newest and largest family amusement park. Tension runs deep as city…
Due to a winter storm predicted to arrive later tonight and continue through Monday evening, along with potentially hazardous road conditions, the decision has been made to suspend all services on Monday, December 29, 2025. “The prediction of notable ice and freezing rain makes it appear like travel will potentially be very unsafe Monday. We…
Cornerstone VNA is proud to announce the expansion of its Hospice Care program to include two new specialty services aimed at enhancing comfort and emotional support for patients and their families: Reiki therapy and aromatherapy using essential oils. These holistic services complement Cornerstone VNA’s expert clinical care by addressing the emotional, spiritual, and sensory needs…
The R.W. Creteau Technology Center is pleased to announce that National Gypsum’s Gold Bond Building facility in Portsmouth, NH, has generously donated $27,500 in support of the Center’s Engineering, Precision Machining, and Advanced Manufacturing programs. Each year, National Gypsum invests in local initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for students pursuing careers in STEM fields. Their…