Daily
Ithaca
Friday, January 2nd, 2026
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 2nd of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Residents can boost their resolutions by entering the 'New Year, New You' contest before Jan. 9 to win a prize package that includes $50 gift cards, a gym membership, spa treatment and car detailing from local businesses. One winner will be chosen at random when the contest closes. 607 News Now
- ➤ Ithaca Chill Challenge took place at the Ithaca Yacht Club with participants taking a polar plunge in Cayuga Lake to raise money for Ithaca Community Recovery * donations will be accepted through Jan. 5 to support those recovering from addiction, officials said. WENY
- ➤ Over a thousand people joined the annual First Day Hike at Taughannock Falls State Park on Jan. 1, 2026 to experience the park's icy trails. A 90-minute guided hike was offered and the 1000th visitor received a commemorative glass compass (from the Corning Museum of Glass). WENY
- ➤ U.S. News & World Report ranked Ithaca No.20 for best places to live and No.25 for best places to retire in New York based on local surveys of cost of living, safety and job market conditions. Ithaca Journal
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Antique and vintage shop Found will open its new store on January 10 at 620 South Aurora Street after a soft holiday preview event. It will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Mondays and Tuesdays (buildout will take months). 607 News Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Tompkins County native Katie Bruno has a small speaking role as a nurse in the final season of Stranger Things, which ended on New Year's Eve. The Lansing grad (who also appeared in Holland on Amazon Prime) shows local talent in the popular Netflix series. 607 News Now
- ➤ Local artist Monica Franciscus transforms repurposed plastic car bumpers into sculptures on loan at SUNY Oswego until 2027 and at Sage Community Art Center in Sheridan, Wyoming through next year — her recycled work comments on climate change and car culture while reusing materials from an Ithaca auto body shop. Tompkins Weekly
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ In Ithaca, flu cases have already outpaced last year’s counts while local COVID figures dropped slightly from last week (RSV data is current only through Dec. 5). Residents may consider checking the Sleep Cycle app to see how local cough activity is trending. 14850
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Ithaca’s Coral Street, a rower at Cascadilla Boat Club since 8th grade, signed her National Letter of Intent last month to row with the University of Alabama. She will join the Crimson Tide eight-person crew and bring her experience to build a competitive program. Tompkins Weekly
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Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks at Cornell Big Red Men's Hockey
7-8:30 p.m. — Lynah Rink — Tickets starting at $15 — Catch an exciting NCAA hockey matchup as the Nanooks take on the Big Red in Ithaca.
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Live Music – The Soul Benders
6-8 p.m. — Hopshire Farm and Brewery — Free entry — Experience powerful blues and rock from the acclaimed Ithaca-based band The Soul Benders.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Ithaca
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