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The city of Rochester experienced two very different news events within days of each other: a community-focused fundraiser and a tense law enforcement confrontation. On Saturday, March 28, 2026, patrons gathered at The Old Toad on Alexander Street where Scott Hetsko from 13WHAM volunteered behind the bar to support the American Heart Association. The evening was organized to spotlight heart disease among women and to gather donations for research and outreach. That same week, an incident on Clifford Avenue resulted in arrests after police say a 33-year-old man and his 14-year-old son assaulted officers during an attempted arrest on March 23, 2026. Both stories drew attention to public health and public safety concerns in the community.
Charity night at The Old Toad raises awareness and funds
The event at The Old Toad paired local visibility with a clear health message. Jennifer Hetsko, who organized the evening and was recognized as one of four “women of impact” by the American Heart Association, used the gathering to stress that heart disease remains a top killer of women in the United States, accounting for about one in five female deaths. Volunteers, donors and media personalities worked the bar in a format often called celebrity bartending, where familiar faces serve drinks to attract attention and contributions. Organizers framed the night as both a fundraiser and an educational opportunity to encourage healthier choices and to boost support for more research and prevention programs.
Why the message matters
Organizers emphasized prevention and funding as central goals. The American Heart Association statistics presented at the fundraiser were intended to shift how women prioritize cardiovascular care and screening. Jennifer Hetsko told attendees that heightened research and public awareness can reduce the toll of heart disease over time. The event also served as a reminder that small community gatherings can amplify health messaging: donations collected and conversations started at places like The Old Toad can help sustain local outreach efforts and support the broader mission of reducing mortality linked to cardiovascular disease.
Clifford Avenue confrontation results in arrests and questions about police resources
Police activity on March 23, 2026, began with a response to what was described as family trouble on Clifford Avenue near Spiegel Park and Manitou Street. The Rochester Police Department says officers were attempting to arrest Elio-Enrique Azuaje-Hasma, 33, who allegedly punched a family member and had an outstanding warrant for aggravated harassment. When officers moved to take him into custody he allegedly resisted, and the department reports that his 14-year-old son joined the altercation, repeatedly striking officers. Video clips circulating on social platforms show only brief moments of the encounter, which police caution do not capture the full context.
Aftermath, charges and staffing concerns
Following the confrontation, officers arrested both the adult and the teenager. The 33-year-old was charged with two counts of assault, resisting arrest and the outstanding warrant, held at the Monroe County Jail on $20,000 bail with a court appearance scheduled for Friday. The 14-year-old was charged with assault and resisting arrest and issued an appearance ticket. One officer sustained an ankle injury and has been placed on medical leave “for the foreseeable future.” Police Chief David Smith used the incident to highlight broader staffing shortages, noting the department is currently about 116 officers short, a gap that officials say complicates responses to both routine calls and escalated incidents.
Community implications and next steps
These back-to-back stories — a heart-health fundraiser and a neighborhood arrest — underscore the multiple challenges facing Rochester residents: promoting public health while maintaining safety and trust. The fundraiser showcased local engagement with preventive health and charity, while the Clifford Avenue case raised questions about domestic situations, youth involvement in confrontations, and police capacity. Community leaders, health advocates and law enforcement will likely continue to press for resources: the former to fund research and education about heart disease, and the latter to address recruitment and retention to ensure officers can respond safely and effectively to complex calls.
For those interested in supporting the health effort, the American Heart Association remains the primary channel for donations and information. Meanwhile, police say they will proceed with the legal process in the Clifford Avenue matter and review the incident as part of normal procedures. Both stories offer a snapshot of how civic engagement and public safety intersect in a city managing care, concern and accountability in real time.