After extensive renovation work, Sparkasse Langen-Seligenstadt opens its regional centre in Jügesheim. The branch at Ludwigstraße 29 is almost unrecognisable: Bright, modern and with a feel-good factor for customers and employees alike. Among other things, the self-service area has been completely redesigned and enlarged.
The Asklepios Clinic Rodgau continues to motivate people to take part in the "Get off the sofa" health run, which is becoming increasingly popular. 865 runners take part in the Asklepios Heart District Run - a new record. With 187 participants, the Wilhelm Busch School is the largest group and receives a prize of 1122 euros. The Georg Büchner School followed in next place with 612 euros and the Carl Orff School with 510 euros in prize money. Manfred Ballüer, Deputy Chairman of the Board, is delighted with the large sums of money that will go to the Friends' Association. He is aiming for 1111 participants next year.
346 volunteers support the rescue service through the "advance helpers" project run by the Offenbach District Rescue Service (ERD). They are alerted via an app when a medical emergency is reported in their neighbourhood and provide first aid until the rescue service arrives. One of them is Dr Maike Reutter, a doctor of anaesthesia and intensive care medicine, who is also a volunteer. She helps with cardiac arrests or serious accidents in order to bridge valuable minutes. The project has significantly improved the chances of survival and is growing steadily: more and more people are being trained and the next training course for new first aiders will start soon.
The Rodgau public library also takes users' wishes into account when making new acquisitions. Approximately every 20th book comes from such a suggestion. Sequels to existing book series are particularly popular. In some cases, readers even submit their suggestions before the books are officially published, especially during the book fair. Last year, 211 acquisition proposals were made, of which 154 were realised, 41 were rejected and 16 are still under review. Every year, the library buys between 3,000 and 4,000 items and discards a similar number.
The wood auction has been organised by the Germania choral society for 30 years and once again has a lively accompanying programme. Fireplaces are lit everywhere to keep visitors' feet and hands warm. Drinks such as hot apple or mulled wine, orange juice and coffee fortify the guests, while children bake bread on a stick by the fire. The face of the event is Emily Lehr, the new Edelholz Queen, who takes over the title from Maxi Marie Seibel.
The team of municipal cleaners in Rodgau is once again generously collecting donations for Malteser Kinder- und Jugendhospizbegleitung: this year's Tilly fundraising campaign raised 2,350 euros. The proceeds come from monthly donations in the Tilly donation box, proceeds from cake sales at the Jügesheim Advent market and donations from employees in municipal facilities and kindergartens.
VSR-Gewässerschutz notes that nitrate levels in well water in Rodgau are not falling as hoped despite numerous regulations on fertiliser quantities and timing. The association analyses 46 water samples and calls for more support for tree strips on fields, as such agroforestry systems have been proven to reduce nitrate levels without reducing yields. Physicist Harald Gülzow analyses the samples and finds a value above the limit of 50 milligrams per litre in every sixth sample. The water in Dudenhofen showed particularly high levels at 112 mg per litre, in Hainhausen at 99 mg per litre, in Nieder-Roden at 75 mg per litre and in Weiskirchen at 65 mg per litre. In Jügesheim, the value of 57 mg/l is only slightly above the limit value.
As part of the "Democracy" project week, pupils from Georg Büchner School take part in an interactive reading in the Nieder-Roden public library. Actress and author Maja Nielsen reads from her current young adult novel "Der Tunnelbauer". The book is based on a true story and focuses on the legendary tunnel escapes from the GDR. Maja Nielsen tells the gripping life story of the tunneller and escape helper Joachim Neumann. The young listeners listen with interest to the impressive text passages and Nielsen's explanations of German-German history.
The traditional New Year's party organised by IGEMO Hainhausen at the forest recreation area is a great time: A good soup, a crackling campfire and a look back at the past year make up the programme. Ralf Kunert summarises a successful year with numerous events. He is grateful that many "healthy" clubs in Hainhausen still organise such events. For IGEMO, the year marks a particularly significant time: the association has now been in existence for 50 years.
The free Baby Info Box has been available to Rodgau families with newborn babies since the beginning of the year. In co-operation with Daniela Kambor from mykidssafe, the concept is being implemented to make it easier for young families to start family life together and to welcome them to Rodgau. The box is lovingly packed by hand and contains useful and informative content relating to babies and parenthood. One focus is on an overview of the services offered by the town of Rodgau, including childcare facilities, services offered by the family centre and the town library. Thanks to the support of 20 Rodgau businesses, the box contains a wealth of information, vouchers and gifts. There are also contributions from supra-regional companies. The current value of the Baby Info Box is around 280 euros.
The road authority Hessen Mobil is temporarily closing two car parks between Ober- and Nieder-Roden. For years, rubbish has been dumped there and whole lorry loads of household goods have been left on the roadside of the B45. The measure is temporary, as it is not only lorry drivers who rely on these parking spaces. Hessen Mobil is also investigating whether video surveillance is feasible.
Germany's show jumping elite are realising a project with great appeal in Rodgau. Richard Vogel (27, currently ranked No. 1 in Germany and No. 9 worldwide) and David Will (No. 8 in Germany, No. 70 worldwide), together with Vogel & Will Equestrian GmbH, are planning to transform the Katharinenhof in Nieder-Roden into a modern equestrian centre. Stadtwerke Rodgau originally wanted to build a solar park there. Instead, an agricultural facility for breeding, stallion keeping and training is to be built on the neighbouring land. In spring, the two will start the concrete planning for the equestrian centre in Nieder-Roden. All ideas for the new location at the old Katharinenhof must be presented to the approval authorities and developed further together.
There was an overwhelming crowd at the opening of "Gucken, was passt" in the Rodgau Gallery. Head of Cultural Affairs Winno Sahm welcomed the 140 or so guests, who came from Frankfurt, Cologne and Bad Homburg, among other places. The exhibition of paintings and sculptures by Sabine Gaiser-Koch and Andreas Gundermann, both from Frankfurt, will be opened with a reading by Wolfram Koch. Koch is an actor at Schauspiel Frankfurt and other theatres in Hamburg, Berlin and Zurich. Until the end of last year, he was part of the investigative team in Frankfurt's "Tatort". Due to the great interest, Wolfram Koch will spontaneously read twice this afternoon.
Andreas Ernst is celebrating a remarkable career anniversary these days. He has been working for the city of Rodgau for 40 years and has made a significant contribution to the development of the city in various positions during this time. He began his career as a carpenter at the building yard before moving to the tax department of the city administration, where he trained as an administrative assistant. In the tax department of the municipal utilities, Ernst was instrumental in setting up the billing system for water, wastewater and rainwater. He was also a valuable support in the customer service department at Stadtwerke. In the communications and marketing department of Stadtwerke Rodgau, he was responsible for the public image of the municipal utility company and has been responsible for supporting Rodgau companies in the agency for business development and city marketing for several years. Andreas Ernst is also responsible for the local citizen and customer card - the Rodgaucard.
In 2002, the German Child Protection Foundation Hänsel+ Gretel launched the Emergency Island project, an initiative to provide children in emergency and dangerous situations as well as everyday minor problems with places to go in their town, community and neighbourhood. Since September last year, there have been a large number of so-called emergency islands for children in Rodgau, as in many places throughout Germany. Project manager Jennifer Jäger from the Agency for Economic Development and City Marketing has now succeeded in recruiting all of the city's daycare centres as "emergency islands".
The 29th Rodgau Education Fair opens its doors under the motto: "Shape your future" and invites all interested parties to discover the many opportunities for training, further education and advanced training. Around 120 exhibitors from a wide range of sectors and educational fields will be presenting themselves in the Wiesbadener Straße sports hall, the associated outdoor area and in the foyer of the Heinrich Böll School. For young people who are just finishing their school education, students looking for further qualifications or professionals who want to continue their education - the Rodgau Education Fair offers the right information and inspiration for everyone. Companies, universities, further education institutions and advice centres will be on hand to present their programmes and offers and answer individual questions. The education fair is a unique opportunity to obtain comprehensive information about the various educational paths and to make valuable contacts.
The "Rodgau 16plus" youth vocational assistance project is refurbishing the book cell in Jügesheim: Despite adverse conditions such as cold temperatures, which made the work and drying of the paints difficult, as well as missing seals and Plexiglas panes, the project participants and their instructors have achieved an impressive result with great commitment and craftsmanship. The new old book box is now back in its familiar place at the town hall and is waiting to be filled again. Citizens can now borrow, swap or donate books free of charge and thus make a contribution to promoting reading and cultural exchange in the city.
Women's football in Rodgau: SKG Rodgau plans to start a women's team in the summer. From the E- to the B-youth, almost 100 girls play every week at SKG in all-girl teams. The ambitious B-junior girls even play in the association league. As, unlike the boys, there are no A-youth teams, this means that the girls aged 17 and over either have to leave their team and travel further or give up their hobby altogether. By founding a women's team, the club now wants to offer the juniors a long-term perspective in their own club.
Games day in Jügesheim: The Jügesheim Emmaus parish offers more than 200 parlour games. Up to 120 participants of all ages stay in the rooms on Berliner Straße until late into the night. In the afternoon, many families with children come to the meeting place, and as dusk falls, couples and young adults flock to the tables. Some bring their own games and invite others to join in. The organising team is on hand with tips and advice. There are now five games days a year.
Star parents meet in Weiskirchen: "Forever in our hearts" is the motto of the new star parents' meeting place in Weiskirchen. Inga and Thomas Weber want to give parents of star children a safe space to talk about everything that moves them. It doesn't matter whether the pain is recent or the loss was a long time ago. The meetings take place on the second Thursday of every month at 7 pm in the Dietrich Bonhoeffer House of the Protestant Trinitatis parish.
Rodgau's jesters storm the town hall with confetti cannons and tear down the doors. Despite fierce resistance, the mayor and councillors finally hand over the town keys, which are not returned until Ash Wednesday. Under the regency of the prince and princess couple Tim I and Wiebke I and the youth prince and princess couple Yannis I and Lenna I, the intruders succeed in seizing power in the town hall in Jügesheim.
At the Easter market in the Nieder-Roden community centre, 40 hobby artists sell hand-painted Easter eggs, Easter egg decorations, flowers and other spring items. A highlight is the cafeteria of the SOS Helferkreis, which offers home-baked cakes, savoury soups and sandwiches. The proceeds totalling 1,350 euros will go to the SOS Helferkreis, which uses the money to support various SOS Children's Villages.
The third Rodgau gastro breakfast takes place in the relaxed atmosphere of "No. 1 by Journal". Ten restaurateurs accept the invitation. The breakfast in a relaxed atmosphere offers an excellent opportunity to discuss current topics such as closing times for events due to night-time quiet, the parking situation in Rodgau and trade tax. Mayor Max Breitenbach is also present and actively participates in the dialogue. "With the gastro breakfast, we are fulfilling the wish of Rodgau's restaurateurs to offer a round table. The aim is to discuss current issues, develop possible joint strategies and engage in informal dialogue," emphasises Mayor Max Breitenbach.
The "SMART LIGHTING" project in Rodgau is being funded by the Hessian Ministry for Digitalisation and Innovation with around 1.3 million euros. The centrepiece is the Open Urban Data Platform, which collects sensor data on traffic volume, pedestrian frequency and road conditions. This data enables needs-based control of street lighting via an intelligent analysis model that automatically transmits the luminaire settings to the lighting control system. The lighting is only fully active where it is actually needed, which saves energy and reduces light pollution. In the long term, Rodgau is planning further steps, such as the integration of traffic data to optimise traffic flow and the implementation of a smart parking guidance system. These measures will be implemented step by step in order to develop Rodgau into a modern, networked and sustainably smart city.
"Alea Village" replaces Reisebüro Keller after 40 years: The "Alea Village", a new café in the Rodau Passage, is aimed particularly at families with small children. Here, parents can drink coffee and enjoy homemade cakes in a relaxed atmosphere while their children play in the integrated play area. Owner Ajmal Scharifi has created a place where adults and children alike feel at home. The interior is modern, bright and designed with many loving details - from child-friendly furniture to a colourful play corner. The menu includes breakfast options, small dishes and snacks that are also suitable for children. Creative activities such as craft afternoons and themed events are also planned to strengthen the sense of community.
Vito Guadagno is handing over his ice cream parlour "Buon Gelato" in Weiskirchen to Laura Wayda, the operator of the ice cream parlour "Ciao Ciao". The business will continue as a new branch under her management, while Guadagno himself will open a new ice cream parlour in Seligenstadt and make a fresh start there. The decision to hand over the business was spontaneous, as Guadagno wanted to change career direction. Thanks to the cooperation with Wayda, the succession is quickly organised. The ice cream parlour continues to offer 23 different flavours, several of which change regularly. The ice cream remains homemade and the tried-and-tested concept is supplemented with new ideas.
Six years in prison for knifeman: A 22-year-old man from Nieder-Röder has been sentenced to six years in prison for attempted manslaughter and grievous bodily harm. The jury chamber of the Darmstadt Regional Court thus follows the request of the public prosecutor and the joint plaintiff. In July 2024, the convicted man stabbed a pupil from Hainhausen, four years his junior, in the neck during the wine festival.
On the bathing lake in Nieder-Roden, Kaspar Weiss GmbH & Co. KG now operates a floating photovoltaic system on the lake in Nieder-Roden. The system has an area of around one hectare and an output of 2.1 megawatts, partially covers the energy requirements of the sand and gravel works and increases independence from strongly fluctuating electricity prices. The installation took around nine months and comprises floating platforms on which the solar modules are mounted. A cable connects the system to the transformer station on the shore, where the electricity generated is fed directly back into the company grid. An important advantage is the utilisation of the water surface, as the natural cooling of the water improves the output. Ecological research is still being carried out: experts point out that possible effects on water quality, wildlife and evaporation need to be investigated, as the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation emphasises.
The Easter holiday games in Dudenhofen are opened. 10-year-old Katarina has the honour of ringing the bell with First City Councillor Janika Martin and giving the starting signal. 53 children take part and can look forward to a varied programme. The children can let off steam in sporting, creative or playful projects of their choice. The community is also strengthened with lots of group games. The main aim is to have a good time together. There are also excursions to a sports Olympics in the sports hall of the Claus-von-Stauffenberg School and to the Dudenhofen forest leisure centre.
Free Comic Book Day at the public library: a colourful range of the comic book world awaits comic fans young and old. German-language comic publishers are contributing 22 different comics for children aged between 6 and 14. The Nieder-Roden public library is offering visitors an exciting programme of events to accompany the Free Comic Book Day. Each child can choose two comics to take home free of charge. There will also be a creative hands-on station where children can make their own personalised souvenir. As last year, manga artist Leonie Droege will be a guest at the library. She will draw the attendees, who can take her manga-style portrait with them afterwards.
48 young people from Rodgau experience a sporty Easter holiday in the snow at the SnowCamp organised by the town of Rodgau, this time under the motto "Time for heroic deeds: The ultimate SuperHero summit!". To their great delight, the young superhero squad will be blessed with pure sunshine and perfect piste conditions in the Wildkogelarena ski resort all day long, so that everyone can really let off steam on their skis or snowboards. The teamers also organise a whole host of creative programme items, where teams have to find as many superbugs as possible throughout the trip to boost their superpowers.
Mutual consideration on country lanes: The pictograms with tractors, cyclists and pedestrians on field and farm tracks around Rodgau are getting a fresh coat of paint. Two years ago, around 46 of these signs were sprayed in places where farmers and their vehicles meet people and where things can sometimes get pretty tight. To resolve such situations without complications, understanding and friendliness are needed on both sides. The markings can only be found on the outskirts of Rodgau. They are placed on paths that are primarily built for agricultural traffic, even though they are of course ideal for walking and cycling. It is not always possible to avoid them with large vehicles, as the edges of the field paths are not designed for the weight of tractors.
The Rodgau Spring Market transforms the centre of Jügesheim into a colourful hive of activity. Music, dance, arts and crafts and culinary delights fill the air. Two stages provide a variety of performances, while artisans present their handmade products and offer unique treasures for spring decorations or personalised gifts. Visitors can enjoy savoury and sweet food on offer at the stalls, with something for every palate. In addition, the shops around the town hall, in the Rodgaupassage and in Hegelstraße open their doors and invite you to take a relaxed Sunday stroll.
The towns of Neu-Isenburg, Dreieich, Dietzenbach, Rodgau, Seligenstadt, the district of Offenbach and the FrankfurtRhine-Main Regional Association have signed a co-operation agreement for the planning and construction of the FRM9. The aim is to close gaps in the cycle network and create a tangential connection to the airport. The route will be around 38 kilometres long and involve an investment volume of 39.2 million euros. The state of Hesse is expected to provide up to 80 per cent funding for planning and construction. The planned route runs from Seligenstadt via Rodgau, Dietzenbach, Dreieich Götzenhain, Neu-Isenburg to the airport and offers connections to the Gateway Garden and Terminals 1 and 2. The next step will be to submit an application for funding for the first planning section along K173/K174 in the second half of 2025 at the earliest. Planning is expected to begin in 2026 and construction is not expected to start until 2027 at the earliest. Around 30,000 local residents and around 35,000 jobs in the development area will benefit from the improved cycle traffic.
16 talented children and young people from the ranks of the Freie Musikschule Rodgau (FMR) are looking for a challenge and will take their instruments to the jury of the FMR Talent Promotion Prize. They will be accompanied by their teachers during an intensive rehearsal period. The young instrumentalists also need a lot of courage for the audition. The jury is made up of musicians from the local area as well as the head of cultural affairs, Winfried Sahm, who judge the performance together with headmistress Stephanie Schick. Johanna Butte (guitar), Johannes Schüttler (euphonium), Dorian Safran and Leon Lösch (electric guitar), Carlo Jiang (piano) and the saxophone ensemble under the direction of Christian Massoth won first prize. Second and third prizes were awarded to Lara Su Alici (saxophone), Gina Cimiotti (vocals), Leonie Merle (piano) and Emir Al (violin) for their musical performances.
To mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the former Rollwald labour camp, city councillor Winno Sahm invites you to a tour that focuses on central locations of the former camp site. The invitation is aimed at current participants in the municipal vocational qualification project Rodgau 16plus as part of political education work. The aim is to raise historical awareness of the events of the Nazi era and to convey the importance of remembrance for the present. Stops on the tour include the so-called Erbhöfe, the former guards' barracks and the former camp cemetery. Here, particular attention is paid to the memorial stone, the steles with stylised barbed wire as a symbol of the fencing of the former camp and the information boards documenting the history of the site. The participants follow the event with great interest and reflect on the consequences of injustice, forced labour and dictatorship.
A cellar fire on Obere Marktstraße in Nieder-Roden triggers a major fire brigade operation. Nine people have to temporarily leave their flats in the three-storey residential and commercial building. Some are rescued from the second floor using the turntable ladder because the stairwell is full of smoke. According to initial findings by the police, a bicycle battery could be the source of the fire. The Rodgau fire brigade deploys around 60 firefighters and 15 vehicles to extinguish the fire.
The city of Rodgau celebrates the opening of the first city-wide "Babbelbank" in Hainhausen. Mayor Max Breitenbach and First City Councillor Janika Martin emphasise that the benches are intended to signal a willingness to talk and create places for people to meet. In these fast-moving times, the aim is to create space for spontaneous contact and neighbourly togetherness. The benches can be used by all generations and are intended to encourage new residents, older people and anyone who longs to socialise to engage in conversation. The Senior Citizens Department and the Green Spaces and Forestry Department invite you to the opening ceremony and look forward to lively participation and initial discussions at the new bench.
In Weiskirchen, young conservationists from NABU Rodgau are working to protect amphibians during their migration to spawning grounds. They set up protective fences along the roads and help toads, frogs and newts to cross the road safely. This year, they saved more than 7200 animals. The helpers check the fences every day and carry the animals across the road in buckets. This prevents the amphibians from being run over when crossing the tarmac. Compared to the previous year, the number of animals rescued is slightly lower, but the volunteers are satisfied because the toad population is recovering after several bad years. Those involved are pleased that their work is proving successful and hope that the amphibian population will continue to increase.
The company outing for Rodgau childminders with the management team from the childminder's office marks the end of this year's nationwide childminding campaign week. The municipal childminder's office has come up with lots of ideas for this special week: Introductory meetings, information events, a specialist lecture and an open day will present child day care from all angles. The crowning glory is the joint team excursion to the small town of Alzenau. There, there is an informative guided tour of the castle and a tasting of the delicious "castle wine". The focus is also on pedagogy - with discussions and a walk through the beautiful "Generation Park". A delicious dinner rounds off a successful day.
17 pupils from the final year of Heinrich-Böll-Schule Nieder Roden act as learning mentors for the young people in the intensive classes. Headmistress Barbara Streb thanks them for their social commitment in their free time. They help to integrate the children, most of whom are foreign refugees, into the classroom. For weeks on end, the learning mentors help the children with their homework and support them in learning German. As a thank you for this support, each pupil receives a certificate.
The book cell in Nieder-Roden will be restored in time for the town festival. The young people from the Rodgau 16 Plus orientation project, a subsidised project of the European Social Fund and the state of Hesse, worked painstakingly on it. First they cleaned the cabin and rinsed it under high pressure, then they repainted it and installed a new door and a glazed front. The new glass required was specially ordered and cut to size. Their commitment has met with great approval from the citizens, passers-by are delighted and offer their help. After the restoration, the town of Rodgau calls on people to fill the book cell with reading material again, as the existing books have become unusable due to the fire and fire-fighting work.
This year, the town festival on Puiseauxplatz will once again be a major event in cooperation with the "Zuhause im Zentrum" funding programme. The Rodgau public library organises the festival together with the Department of Culture, Sport and Volunteering, which is attended by many visitors from Rodgau and the surrounding area. Boris Meinzer will be performing his new comedy programme on Friday evening. Drinks will be donated to the Hospice am Wasserturm. On Saturday, the festival starts with a varied stage programme of music, dance and hands-on activities - a live band ensures a good atmosphere. There will be food and drink from clubs and institutions on the club mile. For children there is a bouncy castle, wheels of fortune and Kamishibai in the library. The library welcomes bookworms of all ages. Clubs present themselves with information stands. On Sunday, the festival continues with a morning pint and ends later in the afternoon.
Wine is being served again at the weekly market in Nieder-Roden. Behind the sales trolley is Volker Kosancic from Hainhausen. Enjoying wine is his hobby: his small business on Puiseauxplatz on Fridays offers him a balance to his job as an engineer in transport planning. Guests can choose from 21 varieties at the folding tables. What makes Kosancic special is that he knows all the winegrowers personally. He has even worked with some of them in the vineyard.
Dudenhofen celebrates two anniversaries and an inauguration: the town twinning with Nieuwpoort celebrates its 50th anniversary and the workers' choir "Volkschor" Dudenhofen turns 100 years old. Several choirs and groups perform at the festival on the Dalles, including Polyhymnia Nieder-Roden, the Dudenhofen men's choir, the women's choir from "Frohsinn" Ober-Roden, the "Germania" from Obertshausen, the GLS choir from Groß-Umstadt, a mixed choir from Hassenroth, the Dudenhofen music association, children's dance groups, unicyclists, a flamenco dance group and the square dance club. The official inauguration of the remodelled Ludwig-Erhard-Platz and the Dalles takes place in the afternoon. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, there will be guided tours of the square and information on public participation in Nieuwpoorter Strasse. Clubs and organisations will provide refreshments such as Belgian cherry beer and Kotlovina. The evening is organised by the band "Frisco" with a good atmosphere.
In Jügesheim, people remember the senior citizens' club in the old school in Ludwigstraße. Since 1987, weekly coffee afternoons have been held there in a convivial atmosphere. In 2015, the city of Rodgau converted the old school for a different use, which meant that all users had to find new rooms. As there was no suitable alternative for the senior citizens' club, the activities were discontinued. Now the town of Rodgau has found new premises for the meetings: A room is available for the senior citizens of Jügesheim in the Haus der Begegnung in Vordergasse. Twice a week - on Tuesdays and Thursdays - from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., senior citizens' groups can reserve the room, meet, chat, drink coffee and much more. There is also a small outdoor area for nice summer days.
This year's neighbourhood festival in Seestraße in Nieder-Roden is a complete success. Numerous neighbourhood residents gather in perfect weather. The Nieder Roden neighbourhood office and the Seestraße day-care centre attract associations, institutions and initiatives to work together. They transform the large car park into a colourful fairground with children playing, culinary delights, attractions and lots of encounters. The aim of the event is to activate the neighbourhood and revitalise the area. Information stands for adults and hands-on stations for children from Caritas with refugee counselling and sports coaches, the Child Protection Association, WISA e. V., the Diversity and Education Office and the neighbourhood office create great moments of encounter and exchange. König Martial Arts will be putting on a self-defence performance in which children can take part and learn techniques for themselves. At the Rodgau adventure apiary, interested visitors can gain an insight into the life of wild bees. On the grounds of the Terrace House, a storyteller complements the programme with interactive stories. All the stands are linked by a chain of pennants from the "Chain of pennants for Rodgau" project.
After a long dry spell, the mini golf course in Dudenhofen has a new tenant. The facility has been lying idle since the coronavirus pandemic, as the previous operator had to stop for health reasons. Planners and politicians have been examining various utilisation options since 2021. A public consultation in 2022 produced many ideas, but ultimately the course remained a mini golf course. The new leaseholder comes from Gelnhausen, is the managing director of a property company and runs other businesses, including amusement arcades and betting shops. He plans to renovate the course at his own expense so that operations can probably start in spring 2026.
The city of Rodgau shows its commitment to young talent with the 12th JugendArt at the youth centre in Dudenhofen. The event offers a platform for creative young artists from the region. On Saturday, the up-and-coming bands "Crazy Sky" and "Fjums" from the Rodgau Free Music School will provide musical entertainment. Works by seven artists and three schools will be on display: the Geschwister Scholl School, the Georg Büchner School and the Claus von Stauffenberg School. The "set to music" Rodgau Monotones figure, which the Claus von Stauffenberg School created from clay, is particularly noteworthy. The exhibition shows works by young artists aged ten and over.
24 running enthusiasts from the town of Rodgau take part in the JP Morgen Corporate Challenge in Frankfurt am Main. The city of Rodgau has been taking part with a running team since 2005. On the 5.6 km course, the focus is on having fun and being together away from everyday working life. The motto "Team Rodgau: We run for our town!" fits perfectly with the basic idea of the running event. The highly motivated runners are photographed in the town hall courtyard before setting off for Frankfurt and then it's off. It takes about 1.5 hours until all 64,000 runners have set off. After all the runners from Rodgau are reunited in front of the Alte Oper, the runners can enjoy refreshments at the food and drink stands before travelling back on the S-Bahn, satisfied with their own performance. Everyone agrees that it was a great team event and the town of Rodgau will definitely be taking part again next year.
A volunteer initiative has been set up in Nieder-Roden to facilitate encounters at the new cemetery in Römerstraße. The cemetery is a place of dignity, mourning and remembrance and offers a non-binding opportunity to linger in this peaceful atmosphere. The cemetery café starts in June and takes place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 3 to 5 pm, organised by volunteers. The organising team led by Dr Elke Spahn and Margit Müller-Ollech offers coffee and homemade cakes. The offer is aimed at all visitors to the cemetery. It does not include professional grief counselling. Dr Elke Spahn finds the helpers mainly among her former classmates. Margit Müller-Ollech clarifies the framework conditions with the support of the municipal administration, in particular Christina Breuninger. On café day, the meeting place is set up with a cake table, coffee, cups, napkins and a few cushions.
Around 1,200 cyclists, twelve routes, five enjoyment stations and beaming faces in perfect weather: the Sportfreunde cycling tour day and the subsequent Father's Day festival around the EVO sports factory attracted more participants on Thursday than for a long time. The routes range from 25 to 240 kilometres. A total of 220 helpers ensure the success of the event. The twelve routes also include guided leisure tours. Live music awaits the cyclists and many other guests in the festival area at the Sportfabrik. The youngest visitors will have fun on the balance bike course.
Two more Spanish specialists have been supporting municipal daycare centres since the beginning of April: Rosa Arques Rodes at Kita 2 and Miriam de la O Gonzalez at Kita 15. Both specialists are starting their accreditation here, which is provided by the Hessian Ministry of Labour, Integration, Youth and Social Affairs. The new colleagues are supported by a mentor in the daycare centres to ensure that they settle in and familiarise themselves well. The responsible specialist service 6 offers a German language course for the Spanish specialists through the adult education centre. Special training courses on the Hessian education and upbringing plan are offered and carried out by the specialist daycare centre advisors Antje Scholz and Christin Müller. At the onboarding session with First City Councillor Janika Martin, Head of Department Julia Spahn and Deputy Head Sandra Nassauer, the Spanish specialists who have been working in Rodgau for some time are also present alongside the two specialist advisors. So Rosa and Miriam still have a little "old home" feeling in their new home.
This year, SKG Rodgau is hosting the gymnastics district festivals of the Offenbach-Hanau gymnastics district and is organising them together with the Frankfurt gymnastics district to mark the 150th anniversaries of the gymnastics districts. In addition to the apparatus gymnastics competitions, there are also competitions in athletics, rope skipping and mini trampoline. In the so-called elective competitions, the participants mix disciplines from the various sports areas and thus prove their diversity. As a special highlight, there will be a duo competition as well as rubber boot tapping. Over 600 athletes will be in attendance over the two days. In addition to the many athletes, praise is also due to the judges, who work tirelessly despite the midsummer temperatures. SU Mühlheim is the most successful club at the Gaukinderurnfest, followed by the host SKG Rodgau in second place and TV Hausen in third place. A total of 25 clubs were delighted to win at least one medal.
Rodgau Adult Education Centre celebrates several lecturer anniversaries. Eva Roth is celebrating her 25th anniversary. She leads exercise courses, holds a B licence as a sports instructor for prevention and as a specialist fitness and health instructor. She specialises in fitness and gymnastics courses for older people. Ingrid Verstraeten-Funk has been a permanent fixture in Italian lessons for 33 years. She teaches language skills, creates long-standing friendships in the courses and organises the lessons in a motivating and varied way. Gertrud Stemper has been enriching the arts and crafts programme for 10 years. Originally from Banat, she teaches soapstone techniques and encourages creative development. Rüdiger Wagner has been teaching movement courses for 10 years. He has sales experience and numerous qualifications, has been offering functional training since 2018 and emphasises further training and innovative course content. He is particularly committed to helping people with disabilities. His course is open to all participants. Angelika Hob is celebrating her 5th anniversary as a lecturer for movement courses. She brings a talent for organisation, dynamism and stamina. She also holds a DOSB C licence for popular sports and further training in fitness.
As part of the "At home in the centre" project of the "Sustainable inner cities and centres" funding programme, a design competition is being held for the Nieder-Roden district centre. The aim is to create a modern new building that opens up into the urban space, retains functions, is barrier-free and offers a mix of uses for all age groups. The centrepiece is to be an expanded city library with a larger exhibition area, especially for children's media, as well as an area for children and young people. In addition, multifunctional rooms for adult education courses and other educational programmes are to be created. In addition, workstations for employees and offices for the management of the library and adult education centre are planned. In the area of neighbourhood work, the community work office will be supplemented by a youth centre. The final competition was awarded to 14 architectural firms. The jury of expert judges, consultants and guests will assess the designs and award prizes. Once the realisation competition has been completed, one of the prize-winning offices is to be awarded the further necessary planning services in stages - subject to budgetary approvals.
The summer holiday games in Jügesheim get underway. Seven-year-old Charlotte rings the bell together with First Councillor Janika Martin, signalling the start of the games. 120 children take part and look forward to a varied programme. The theme of the holiday games in Jügesheim is "Space". As is the case every year, the children will be able to get involved in sporting, creative or playful projects of their choice. In addition to many fun projects, there are various excursions to neighbouring forest leisure facilities, the zoo in Frankfurt and the Lochmühle. The community is also strengthened through many group games and free play phases.
Rodgau lido celebrates a special milestone: the 100,000th swimmer of the season is welcomed. This proves once again that the bathing lake attracts and delights thousands of visitors this summer. This year, the honour goes to Norbert Döbler. Döbler, who has been a regular visitor to the Rodgau lido for ten years, is delighted with the unexpected welcome. Head of Cultural Affairs Winno Sahm presents him with an annual pass for the coming season as a thank you and to show his appreciation. In addition, Kim Leimeroth, Head of Sport and Culture, gives him two tickets for the cabaret series at the Rodgau Theatre. Head of Department Thomas Dursun presents a deckchair and parasol for that special beach feeling - sponsored by the Klein family, who run the kiosk.
Jürgen Kaiser receives the Cross of Merit on Ribbon for his many years of commitment in politics, education and voluntary work. District Administrator Oliver Quilling presents the Rodgau native with the Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his ongoing work for the good of the community. The retired senior teacher has been involved in various areas of local politics for almost four decades. In the city council and in the magistrate's office, he is committed to matters that directly affect his home town and the district of Offenbach. These include urban development, infrastructure, new residential and commercial areas, leisure facilities and club funding - often the subject of lively debate. He worked in the city parliament from 1989 onwards, spent two years on the municipal council, temporarily headed the building and transport committee and led the SPD parliamentary group for six years. He also contributes to discussions in the district council, provides impetus thanks to his expertise and implements projects, which he has been doing for around 32 years. He has been a member of the supervisory board of Kreisverkehrsgesellschaft Offenbach (KVgOF) for three decades. He is also a member of the operating committee of the company's own rescue service (ERD). As an experienced local politician, his opinion carries weight in the Rodgau SPD. Until 1993, Kaiser served as secretary on the board of the Dudenhofen local SPD association for six years and was deputy chairman until 2013.
Certificate and flowers for ten new integration guides: After five intensive training sessions, First City Councillor Janika Martin and Beate Koudelka offer their warmest congratulations. The basic qualification is organised and carried out by Teresa Hannig from the City of Rodgau's Diversity and Education Office in collaboration with Caritas Refugee Counselling. It is part of the Hessian state programme WIR, which promotes the integration and participation of immigrants. The graduates have their own experience of migration and therefore have empathy and intercultural understanding. They are now volunteering to support people with a migrant background in order to make their arrival in Rodgau easier.
After 80 years, Friedrich Henkel Feinmechanik KG in Weiskirchen is closing its doors for good - around 100 employees will continue to work there until the end of August. Some of the machines and customers will be transferred to a new owner, and the factory premises will be converted into residential space from the autumn. The factory buildings are expected to be demolished in the autumn. The property has already been sold. Residential buildings will be built on the approximately 22,000 square metres. It has been clear since the end of 2024 that the plant will be wound down. Since then, many employees have managed to find new employment. The trainees have found work in other companies.
Large numbers of dead fish are found in the Rodau. The locations confirmed by the city are in Jügesheim, Dudenhofen and Nieder-Roden. One day later, dead fish are also found in Hainhausen. Both neighbouring municipalities and the lower water authority are informed. A cause for the death of the fish has not yet been determined. Samples are taken from the water and from the dead fish. The laboratory analyses may take longer. The dead fish will be recovered from the Rodau if they can be found.
The volunteer fire brigade has put a new drone unit into operation to provide even more effective assistance during operations. The DJI Matrice 30T drone provides valuable information from the air with wide-angle, thermal imaging and zoom cameras. It helps to find hidden pockets of embers during fires, supports the search for people even in the dark or in confusing terrain thanks to its thermal imaging camera and enables missing persons to be located more quickly. In the event of hazardous goods operations or in rough terrain, the drone can investigate the situation from a safe distance and transmit live images to the incident command centre to improve coordination and decision-making. The drone determines the size of a hazardous area, monitors exclusion zones and visualises liquid spills, gas developments or leaks. It creates 360° images and photo documentation for post-processing. The acquisition costs amount to around €23,000, with additional annual maintenance costs of €1,216 for the DJI Care package. Eight crew members from the North site are currently trained to use the drone. The drone is stored and operated at the Rodgau North site.
The city of Rodgau has given the all-clear for the Rodau. Following the water pollution at the end of July, current test results confirm that the water is no longer polluted by surfactants. The substances, which are found in detergents and cleaning agents, are no longer detectable. The surfactants probably entered the stream near the Nieder-Roden industrial estate. The discharge led to a massive fish kill, almost completely destroying the fish population. The clean-up work, during which the dead fish were recovered, has now been completed. The investigation into the cause of the contamination is continuing.
Clubs, associations, companies and institutions will be presenting themselves at the 16th Rodgau Seniors' Day. The focus is on information opportunities, socialising and a varied programme, including stands on health, care, IT assistance, senior sports, mobility, culture and leisure. Visitors can find out about topics such as fitness, health, barrier-free living, digitalisation and social interaction. There will be fashion shows, shopping opportunities with jewellery, culinary offerings, a cake buffet and live music. Once again, the event offers space for socialising, networking and meeting within the Rodgau senior citizens' community.
The remodelling of Wilhelm-Leuschner-Straße in Hainhausen continues to be delayed. The reason for this is that the funding decision from the road authority Hessen Mobil is still pending. The town will only be able to award the contract for the construction work once Wiesbaden has given its approval. After that, preparatory work is still necessary. This includes drawing up the construction schedule and planning the necessary diversions. The approximately 370 metre long section between the Südtrasse roundabout and the town centre has been in need of renovation for years. Since 2002, this road has been carrying the through traffic that used to flow over the railway crossing. The construction costs amount to around two million euros. The town is expecting a state subsidy of up to 60 per cent.
The Maximal Kulturinitiative's Sommerwiesen concerts kick off perfectly: a big name and summery temperatures attract a full house on the very first evening. Andreas Kümmert's voice and mix of blues, soul and rock drew enthusiastic applause. His interpretations of well-known hits round off the evening. His name and voice became famous in 2013 when Andreas Kümmert won the third season of "The Voice of Germany". There is a lot of excitement when he cancels his performance for the ESC.
In Dudenhofen, the holiday games have started in the fifth week of the Hessian holiday - albeit in typically changeable holiday weather. However, the rain at the start does not dampen the mood, and the week of games is loudly heralded in by Jacopo and Mayor Max Breitenbach despite the cool wet weather. This is the starting signal for this year's motto "Circus", which is the theme of various games and the closing event. As rain is known to be followed by sunshine, there are also some great excursions on the programme - including a visit to the Lochmühle.
A modern indoor tennis centre is being built for TC Nieder-Roden. The Offenbach district is subsidising the project with 10,000 euros. The main purpose of the measures is to improve the club's energy efficiency: The roof gables are to be renewed in order to reduce energy consumption and ensure the preservation of the building fabric. The club is also taking precautions to reduce solar radiation in the club's own hall. The aim is to create a better indoor climate to improve the playing conditions. The tennis club also receives funding from the state, with the rest being covered by the club.
In Weiskirchen, the town of Rodgau is trialling a new wastewater treatment process. Activated carbon is to be used to remove trace substances such as pharmaceuticals, hormones and plasticisers from the wastewater. Up to now, the water has been purified biologically and chemically; the activated carbon forms a possible fourth purification stage. The new stage would be very expensive - around 8.5 million euros in investment costs and annual operating costs of around one million euros. For this reason, a pilot test is initially being carried out, which is being scientifically monitored by TU Darmstadt. The activated carbon is added to the wastewater as a fine black powder and binds pollutants. The substances then settle and can be removed. The aim is to remove 80 per cent of the trace substances. Mayor Max Breitenbach is optimistic that the method will work. The first results are expected this year and the trial is expected to last up to two years.
In Jügesheim, the Schlimbach organ in the Catholic church of St Nicholas is being renovated at a cost of 80,000 euros. The organ dates back to 1904 and is a valuable historical instrument. During concerts and church services, it becomes apparent that the organ often "loses its breath", which is why a comprehensive renovation is necessary. Around 60 per cent of the costs are being borne by the parish, with the remainder coming from funding from the State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments and the Sparkassen-Kulturstiftung Hessen-Thüringen. They are supporting the project with 16,000 euros. Organist Björn Simon emphasises that the restoration is important in order to preserve the tonal quality and historical substance. The organ will be mechanically and technically overhauled so that it functions reliably again. The congregation is also organising fundraising campaigns, such as the sale of organ pipes and sponsorships, to finance its own contribution. The aim is to preserve the instrument in the long term and restore the organ's warm, romantic sound to its full potential.
The city of Rodgau congratulates Birgit Matthes on her 25th anniversary of service. Birgit Matthes, who currently works as an educator at the municipal daycare centre 5 in Römerstraße, is being honoured for her many years of commitment to childcare. Birgit Matthes began her professional career with a recognised internship at the Hainstadt childcare centre, where she subsequently also worked as a nursery teacher. In September 2003, she moved to Kita 5 in Rodgau, where she still works today. Over the past 25 years, Birgit Matthes has helped shape the development of countless children and has been a committed and reliable carer for the families.
More space to play, run around and discover: The outdoor area at daycare centre 14 in Dudenhofen has been successfully extended. From now on, the children have a larger area to develop freely. As the number of children in the daycare centre has increased in recent years, the need for space is growing. In order to provide the children with the recommended free space, the outdoor area is being extended by 60 m2. A green oasis is being created where cars used to park. The redesign brings new, exciting elements to the outdoor area: a fresh lawn replaces the gravel car park, a construction trailer playhouse invites children to role-play and hide-and-seek and the new maple tree will provide shade on hot days. The covered seating area provides space for breaks, small picnics or story time outdoors. Special thanks go to the Rodgau 16Plus project. The team led by master carpenter Andre Thieme lovingly built the covered seating area themselves, contributing creative ideas in the process. The total cost of the extension is around 58,000 euros.
The municipal youth work centre in Rodgau has opened a new meeting place for children and young people in Nieder-Roden. On the premises of the Protestant parish hall at Puiseauxplatz 4, the new youth centre now offers a permanent meeting point for leisure activities, encounters and exchanges. The centre is aimed at all children and young people aged 9 and over and takes place every Wednesday from 3 to 7 pm. The premises are equipped with numerous options for leisure activities. A pool table and a table tennis table invite you to play sporting matches, while a Nintendo Switch and a sound system provide entertainment. There is also an exercise room, a creative area for painting and handicrafts and a large selection of board games. Parallel to the open meeting, cooking is organised every Wednesday in the integrated kitchen. This part of the programme offers young people the opportunity to get active together and exchange ideas in an informal atmosphere.
The Rodgau Open Industry Festival (ROIF) returns for its third edition. Local companies initiate it in cooperation with the city of Rodgau to support the promotion of young talent, recruitment of skilled labour and employer presentation. ROIF is designed as a festival-style recruiting event and sets itself apart from traditional career fairs. In a relaxed festival atmosphere, pupils, career starters, skilled workers and families meet 21 regional companies. Music acts, culinary offerings, hands-on activities and information stands create a unique experience. The aim of the festival is to bring companies and potential applicants into contact in an uncomplicated and authentic way.
The 44th edition of the 24-hour run in the Maingau-Energie-Stadion sets a new record for donations: Lothar Mark, Chairman of the "Gemeinsam mit Behinderten" (GmB) board of trustees, announces the figures towards the end of the event with a new record of 190,227 euros. This beats the previous records from previous years, including around 350,000 marks from 2001 and 180,000 euros from 2012. Despite a rainy night, the conclusion is largely positive. The "Cyborgs" team once again ran the most laps. The charity run moved from Dudenhofen to Jügesheim this year after more than 40 years.
Construction work begins on the comprehensive expansion and modernisation of the Rodgau recycling centre. The project will optimise the disposal of recyclables for citizens and significantly expand the range of services. The extension will take place on the neighbouring meadow area. This will increase the acceptance area from around 1,100 m2 to around 3,000 m2. The construction work is expected to be completed in spring 2026. The modernisation will bring numerous improvements: with the expanded range of recyclables, materials such as used tyres, outdoor wood and bulky waste can be handed in for a fee in future. In addition, a raised level in the new area will allow recyclables to be dropped directly from above into the containers below. A separate entrance and exit as well as additional parking areas on the new site on Philipp-Reis-Strasse are intended to prevent tailbacks.
The district of Offenbach is planning to demolish the shared accommodation on Borsigstraße because the three-storey modular building has structural damage and long-term water damage. Ursula Luh, the press spokeswoman, explains this as an economic decision, as the condition of the building is problematic and refurbishment does not appear to make sense. Structural damage and mould infestation have been known since mid-2018, but the residents still had to pay the full usage fee. The yellow building behind the Nieder-Roden community centre has existed since 2015, consists of 33 modules and cost 2.4 million euros. There are currently still 19 people living there, who are being moved to other accommodation.
As part of a redesign, the route of the playground in Lutherpark is being adapted. The aim of this measure is to significantly increase safety for the youngest citizens and minimise dangerous situations caused by bicycle traffic on the site. The details of the new planning provide for the following adjustments: The eastern path, which currently runs alongside the circular sandpit, will be renewed. To this end, the circular sandpit and play equipment as well as the benches positioned along the path will be removed to make room for a continuous path. At the same time, the western path, which currently separates the toddler area from the large climbing frame, will be completely removed and converted into a grass area. The play equipment and benches affected by these construction measures will not simply be disposed of, but will be adapted to the new situation and redesigned. This will ensure that the play value of Lutherpark is maintained while road safety is improved.
In Nieder-Roden, three sections of road will be transformed into cycle lanes during the autumn holidays: Wiesbadener Straße, Otzberg Straße and Krümmlingsweg. The aim is to increase safety, bundle cycle traffic and create a better quality of life around Puiseauxplatz. Bicycles have priority in the new cycle lanes. Residential traffic remains permitted. Markings and pictograms make the change clearly visible, especially at junctions.
Autumn holiday games in Dudenhofen. 12-year-old Layla has the honour of ringing the bell together with First Councillor Janika Martin to symbolically kick off the event. A colourful programme with all facets of autumn awaits the children in the coming days. From kite making and creative pumpkin painting to an exciting scavenger hunt, there will be plenty of fun and variety. Of course, Halloween is not forgotten either - it's time to celebrate in spooky style. Thanks to the great commitment of many carers, the participating children can experience a carefree, creative and active holiday time.
Paula Schatte from Jügesheim wins the German pump track championship in the elite class of the German Cycling Federation on the Day of German Unity in Groß-Bieberau. She won the final by 11.201 seconds against Anika Psyk (Erlangen) with a lead of 0.13 seconds. Pump track riding involves building up speed on a tarmac circuit with waves and steep bends by deliberately pushing the body up and down - so-called "pumping". Pedalling is not permitted; propulsion is generated solely through movement. The elite class is the highest category. Paula shows an impressively consistent performance, winning all preliminary and elimination rounds. Her next goal is to qualify for the World Championships.
From January 2026, the rodgaucard will replace the previous authorisation card for access to the recycling centre and composting facility. The rodgaucard will thus receive a further add-on and act as a multifunctional citizen card. The waste guide remains available online and the waste calendar can still be found digitally in the RodauApp. For those who prefer paper copies, printed copies will also be available next year at the customer and citizen service centre and at known contact points in the city area.
The Rodgau/Rödermark Lions Club has announced its Advent calendar as the "bestseller of the Advent season". The calendar with 24 little doors is being published for the seventh time. Children from the Münchhausen School in Hainhausen have designed it. Gingerbread houses covered in snow and a Christmas tree adorn the front. Each calendar has a number and takes part in a prize draw. Almost 480 cash and non-cash prizes totalling around 18,000 euros are up for grabs. The edition of the Advent calendar is limited to 3000 copies. The main prizes are 1000 and 250 euros in cash and a smartphone worth 360 euros. The campaign also benefits social projects. According to the Lions, all proceeds from the sale of the calendars will go to the hospice at the Jügesheim water tower as well as to the children's and youth work and the work of the Lions Club in Rodgau and Rödermark for the elderly and disabled.
The district centre around Puiseauxplatz is becoming greener. Construction work to redesign and upgrade the square will begin in October as part of the "At home in the centre" funding programme. The construction work will take around four weeks and is expected to finish at the end of November: the plan is to extend existing green areas and create new planting beds. In total, the measure will unseal an area of around 140 m2. New trees will also be planted and seating and rubbish bins installed. During the planning phase, care was taken to find a balanced solution that would do justice to the many different uses of the square: Weekly market, regular events and the desire for more greenery. The redesign will enhance the appearance of the square and improve the climate in the area. This will not only make the square more functional, but also more attractive as a place to relax and socialise.
Karin Wagner receives the Federal Cross of Merit for her more than 20 years of commitment to culture and politics. She has been active in the Rodgau city parliament since 2006 and in the Offenbach district council since 2011, contributing her expertise to various committees and leading the Green parliamentary group in Rodgau since 2019. She is also a member of the water supply association, the main and finance committee, the committee for agriculture and forestry, environment, energy and transport and the advisory board of the Lower Monument Protection Authority. She has been supporting the Maximal cultural initiative for years, taking over the chairmanship of the association in 2014 and coordinating around 70 events per year, including 60 concerts, on a voluntary and professional basis. Her cultural work includes programme planning, artist bookings, press work and newsletters. The city of Rodgau already honoured her commitment in 2022 with the silver badge of honour.
The parents' council of the Rodgau daycare centres has elected its new board: Janina Kratz (Kita 18) remains chairwoman, supported by the new deputy chairwoman Laura Roloff (Kita 18) and secretary Sarah May (Kita 3). First City Councillor Janika Martin informs the meeting of the Parents' Council about the current daycare landscape, in particular about the new building at Kita 20/Quartierszentrum and the change of provider at the Catholic Church. The good space situation in Rodgau, where there is only a small waiting list despite the increasing number of children with special needs, is particularly emphasised. Close coordination should prevent parents from booking unnecessarily large childcare models for safety reasons and thus tying up staff. The staffing levels at the municipal daycare centres are rated as good across the board. Currently, only one group in one centre is unfilled due to a lack of staff. Nevertheless, waves of illness can lead to temporary disruptions.
The Stellantis automotive group is looking for a new operator for its automotive test centre in Dudenhofen. The insolvent Segula Technologies GmbH (STG) has not found a new investor and is closing its test centres in Rodgau-Dudenhofen and Rüsselsheim. 287 employees will be made redundant at the end of the month; a small team is to handle the plants until the end of the year. A transfer company will be set up for 82 employees at the Dudenhofen site, most of whom have been with the company for many years, in order to open up new career prospects for them. The transfer company is intended to protect employees from unemployment and open up new opportunities for them - this approach has proven successful in previous Segula restructurings. Most of those affected find new employment in this way. The test centre of the former Opel testing and development site was built in 1966 in the forest between Dudenhofen and Babenhausen and comprises a circular high-speed track with a diameter of 1.6 kilometres as well as tracks for bump, handling and hill climb tests; in total, the site has around 60 kilometres of test tracks.
A variety of art can be marvelled at in the Nieder-Roden community centre. Rodgau-ART presents painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, graphics, digital art and much more. 76 artists will be exhibiting their works and are looking forward to a lively exchange. First City Councillor Janika Martin and Head of Cultural Affairs Winno Sahm welcome visitors to the vernissage. Stephan Langer on bass and Georg Göb on piano will accompany the drinks reception. Winno Sahm will guide visitors through the exhibition on Saturday and Sunday to introduce them to the art in an undogmatic way. In the hall, visitors will discover surprisingly small-format works, while mythical photography and unusual ceramic forms take centre stage in the foyer. Tattoo sketches and digital art stand next to classical paintings, wooden artworks next to abstract paintings. The exhibition promises a wide range and variety for every taste. The SOS-Helferkreis will provide cakes and savoury treats. The proceeds will go to SOS Children's Villages.
The city of Rodgau's new chatbot, TOWNy, is now in operation on the websites of the city administration and the municipal utilities. TOWNy is an AI-supported chatbot that helps citizens to find information about municipal services quickly and easily. Questions can be asked in 37 different languages. Answers can also be given in plain language. Whether by text input or speech, TOWNy understands complete sentences and responds in the same way as in a real conversation. However, as with any artificial intelligence, answers may be incomplete or incorrect. As with any AI bot, users are therefore encouraged to critically scrutinise the answers. In order to improve the results in the long term, the integrated rating function allows users to give feedback with a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down".
At separate general meetings, the members of the Dudenhofen and Rodgau-Süd fire brigade associations decide to move forward together as one association. After the two departments of the Dudenhofen and Nieder-Roden fire brigades moved into the new fire station in 2010, they soon joined forces to form a single team for training and operations. The Rodgau-Süd fire brigade association takes over the members of the Dudenhofen association. After the two chairmen Hans Gerschner (Rodgau-Süd) and Gerhard Weitz (Dudenhofen) sign the deeds, the association is entered in the register of associations. A joint board is to be elected at a general meeting next year, as is the new name of the merged association.
Remembrance Day is an important part of the culture of remembrance for the dead and victims of war and tyranny. In Rodgau, the central commemoration ceremony takes place in Hainhausen at the cemetery. It begins in the mourning hall and ends at the memorial with a wreath-laying ceremony. For many years, the municipal event has spanned the past, present and future. This year, the focus is on the end of the Second World War 80 years ago. The soldiers from the formerly independent municipalities who fell during the war are especially honoured. They thus once again come to the attention of the town of Rodgau today. The total number of 541 known dead and around 200 missing, most of whose fates are unknown, is shockingly high. Every single one of them had family, friends or professional contacts in Nieder-Roden, Dudenhofen, Jügesheim, Hainhausen or Weiskirchen. Many of them have descendants who still live here today. The memorial service on Remembrance Day once again brings the memory of these men into the present.
New bicycle parking facilities at the railway stations: cyclists can now park their bikes even more conveniently and protected from the weather at both Nieder-Roden and Dudenhofen stations. In Dudenhofen, 14 double-decker bicycle boxes are available for hire. The lower ones are equipped with sockets for charging e-bikes and pedelecs. The same applies to the bicycle boxes at the S-Bahn station in Nieder-Roden. Here, additional covered parking spaces are being created with 8 bike racks for special bikes such as cargo bikes or trailers and 26 parking spaces for conventional bikes. The boxes can be booked via www.bikeanridebox.de. They cost from 1 euro per day, the exact price information can be found on the website. In total, the innovations cost around 300,000 euros. The project is financially supported by funds from the Hesse state guideline for the promotion of local mobility.
Federal Cross of Merit 1st Class for Lothar Mark: Lothar Mark has been involved in sport, social and cultural activities for decades. For his services, District Administrator Oliver Quilling presents him with the Cross of Merit 1st Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany at the district hall in Dietzenbach. Lothar Mark was instrumental in the merger of various Rodgau sports clubs to form today's SKG. As chairman of the SKG Rodgau family club, which offers around 50 sports programmes, he takes responsibility for the largest sports club in the Offenbach district. In 2009, when the social structure atlas of the Offenbach district showed a significant increase in poverty in Rodgau, Lothar Mark reacted and implemented the "Tante Emma Rodgau" food distribution centre with a concept, structure and clear goal. The fact that people are at the centre of his voluntary work is particularly evident in his co-founding of the Rotary Club Rodgau and in his heartfelt cause, the Hospice am Wasserturm.
After this year's Rodgau ART art exhibition, the City of Rodgau's Department 8 handed over a donation of 1,607 euros to SOS Helferkreis e.V. The sum collected is a sign of the commitment and solidarity of the participating artists. It is made up of a portion of the stand fees and individual donations from the exhibitors. This includes the highest regular individual donation, which was made by an artist with Syrian roots who has lived in Rodgau since 2015. With this gesture, he would like to thank the community that welcomed and supported him so warmly back then. The SOS Helferkreis e.V. itself was able to raise a further considerable amount of around 4,000 euros through sales in the cafeteria operated during the art exhibition. The total sum will benefit four different SOS Children's Villages. A particular focus is on an SOS Children's Village in Poland, which has recently taken in an SOS Village from Ukraine to offer refugee children and families protection and support during this difficult time.
Pre-Christmas magic at the Rodgau Advent Market: when the smell of mulled wine, hot chestnuts and potato pancakes wafts through Jügesheim, it's that time again: in the last week of November, the area around the town hall and St Nicholas' Church is transformed into an atmospheric Christmas village. With festive lighting, lovingly decorated stalls and Christmas music to stroll around and enjoy, visitors can experience a wide range of products and services. Over 30 market exhibitors from businesses, clubs, school classes and aid organisations present culinary specialities, handmade decorations and Christmas gift ideas.
The Carl Orff School has achieved a great result in the truest sense of the word in the nationwide "School Cycling" competition. It maintained its position in the "most active primary school cyclist" category and once again took second place with 30,691 kilometres. At the same time, the school impresses with 117 per cent participation in relation to the total number of pupils, securing third place in the "largest team" category. The school was honoured for this achievement by Transport Minister Kaweh Mansoori at the State House in Wiesbaden. Mayor Max Breitenbach travelled to Wiesbaden especially to support the dedicated school at the award ceremony. This year, more than 29,000 pupils from 421 schools in Hesse are taking part, setting a new record with around 3.2 million kilometres cycled.
360 children take part in the Rodgau primary schools' Advent run. Sportfreunde Rodgau and Wanderclub Edelweiß Dudenhofen are organising the run together for the fourth time and are preparing two routes in the forest. The third and fourth graders run a distance of 2.1 km, while the first and second graders run a shorter distance of about 1 km. The warm-up programme is organised by the Sportfreunde youth team and there are various stations with games of skill. After the run, all children will receive commemorative medals. With 75 children, the Wilhelm Busch School is the school with the most participants and will receive a prize of 250 euros from the Lions Club.
The OF-40 city bus route is getting a very special new feature: children's voices will now be heard at bus stops near schools. This creative idea, which was an immediate hit, was put forward by the Freiherr vom Stein School in Dudenhofen. The school's suggestion managed to arouse the interest of the transport company, which is responsible for realising it.
The hospice is delighted to receive an early Christmas present: the Emma-und-Wilhelm-Spahn-Stiftung from Obertshausen has donated 60,000 euros to the Hospiz am Wasserturm. During a visit to the hospice, Hubert Gerhards and Thomas Picard from the foundation's board and Managing Director Martin Fornauf see for themselves that the donation is money well spent. Hospice director Claudia Bauer-Herzog emphasises how important it is for supporters of the facility to see that the donations are being put to good use.
The city of Rodgau's pre-Christmas celebrations for senior citizens aged 70 and over are once again held in the city's neighbourhoods. Around 1000 guests accept the town's invitation and enjoy cosy hours with coffee, cake and Christmas treats in festively decorated community centres and in the EVO sports factory. In all parts of the city, well-known Christmas carols, which are sung together, create a festive atmosphere and bring back many fond memories. Diverse stage programmes with cheerful children's dance and choir groups, festive brass ensembles and atmospheric solo entertainers make for an enjoyable and entertaining afternoon. The organisation is once again supported by local clubs and associations, who make a significant contribution to the success of the events.
The number of stray cats in Rodgau has risen sharply in recent years, leading to an ever-increasing burden on animal welfare organisations. In 2023, 33 free-roaming or picked-up cats were registered, in 2024 there were already 57 and by October 2025 there were already 107 animals. These figures reflect an annual increase of around 80 per cent. Forecasts predict that the number of stray cats could rise to around 190 in 2026 and even to over 340 in 2027.
To counteract this trend and control the number of stray cats, the town of Rodgau has now introduced a cat protection ordinance. This means that all outdoor cats must be neutered, chipped and registered with immediate effect. Exceptions only apply to breeding animals or if anaesthesia is not possible for medical reasons. Over the past two years, the animal welfare organisation Seligenstadt und Umgebung has already caught and cared for more than 30 feral cats in Rodgau. The new regulation should now help to reduce the number of stray cats in the long term and relieve the burden on animal welfare work.
Rodgau continues to actively support the reforestation of the municipal forest. This also includes the "Schulwäldchen" campaign organised by the city of Rodgau together with Rodgau's primary schools, in the course of which around 1,800 trees have already been planted. In mid-December, all pupils at the Carl Orff School took part in a planting campaign. With dedication and concentration, each child planted one of a total of 300 elm trees in the fenced-in forest area, which is already planted with oaks, cherries and sweet chestnuts. This tree species is particularly well suited to sites with loamy soil and alternately moist conditions. The fluttering elm expands the diversity of tree species and supports the establishment of a climate-appropriate mixed forest. Since the start of the reforestation concept, the city of Rodgau has introduced a total of around 95,000 new trees into the city forest.
The renovation of Wilhelm-Leuschner-Straße is imminent: the town of Rodgau has received the funding decision that will enable the renovation of one of the most heavily used sections of road in Hainhausen. The tendering process will start at the beginning of the new year and construction work is scheduled to begin in the spring. The state of Hesse is supporting the upgrade with 828,600 euros, while the total cost is around 1.8 million euros. The planned changes include a narrower carriageway, more space for pedestrians and cyclists and improved bus stops. A continuous footpath and cycle path will be created on the east side. The car parks will be relocated to the west side and surrounded by green spaces and trees. In addition, the traffic light crossing on August-Neuhäusel-Straße will be converted into a mini-roundabout. The bus stops will be made barrier-free and new bus shelters, display cases and benches will be installed. As soon as the planning and time frame have been determined, the city will organise a residents' meeting and a "construction event". The aim is to inform residents clearly and in good time about diversions, changes to bus services and possible restrictions.
The municipal daycare centre 18 is delighted to receive numerous gifts before Christmas. It has received a donation from the Piepenbrock family business, which is active in technical, infrastructural and commercial facility management. The company is generously expanding the daycare centre's range of games with a sewing machine, a workbench, a dark tent with illuminated cubes and a sand table. There is also a supply of crayons, chalk, jelly babies and chocolate Santas.
From mid-January, a long-standing gap in care will be closed in Rodgau. Dr Abdel Salam Hariri is opening an ophthalmology practice in the medical centre in Jügesheim. This means that for the first time there will be an ophthalmologist for the almost 50,000 inhabitants. Dr Hariri is already well-known in the region, having run a large ophthalmology practice in Langen for many years. The doctor, who came to Germany from Syria in 2001, has been a specialist in ophthalmology for over 20 years and set up his own practice in 2013. He has been running his practice in Langen since 2020, where he employs several doctors as well as an experienced team of medical assistants, operating theatre staff and specialists for paediatric examinations. In future, a total of up to six doctors will work in both practices. The new practice will open on the first floor of the medical centre in Hintergasse. It is modernly equipped, digitally organised and equipped with the latest diagnostic devices.
