Beth Adams

After a COVID-19 vaccination, a person's underarm lymph nodes may become swollen on the same side of the body where they had the injection.

That's normal. In fact, it's a sign that the immune system is responding to the vaccine.

The swelling may show up on mammogram images; breast imaging experts aren't surprised when it does.

"We've seen it before with other vaccines, such as the shingles vaccine (or) the flu vaccine," says Dr. Stamatia Destounis, a radiologist at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care in Rochester.

A Monroe County legislator is calling for a ban on the sale of sparklers, a type of fireworks device that produces a shower of sparks, sometimes a colored flame, and a crackling or whistling noise.

Democrat Rachel Barnhart said the devices are dangerous and have led to an "anything goes" culture when it comes to fireworks.

"There was no issue that prompted more phone calls to me than fireworks," said Barnhart, who represents the 21st Legislative District.

Open Door Mission is embarking on a new venture.

The nearly 70-year-old organization, which provides emergency shelter and services for homeless individuals, is planning to offer individual, supportive adult housing units in about a year.

"We have some units designated for victims of domestic violence, some for youth aging out of foster care, and some for chronically homeless as well as some for folks who are dealing with substance abuse disorder," said executive director Anna Valeria-Iseman.

Local climate activists are launching a new campaign to educate people about the advantages of heat pump systems as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.

The HeatSmart Monroe campaign is an expansion of the Sustainable Rochester Homes program, which has been underway for over a year.

Last May, after George Floyd was killed in police custody and nationwide protests for social justice began, East High School Superintendent Shaun Nelms challenged his colleagues across Monroe County to teach students about Rochester's history of segregation and disparity.

"I would also say that the death of Daniel Prude in Rochester was also a reminder that this work is critically important," Nelms added, referring to the man who died last March after Rochester police restrained him. 

Lollypop Farm is celebrating a milestone.

The Humane Society of Greater Rochester says it has achieved a 91.5% save rate.

That means less than 9% of the animals that came to the shelter in the past year were euthanized. 

The other pets were either returned to their owners, found new homes, or transferred to other rescue organizations. The rate is based on a 365-day rolling average.

CEO Alice Calabrese said this reflects a dramatic shift in animal sheltering in the last couple of decades.