Daily
Ithaca
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 18th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Dryden Center for Community representatives completed buying the former Dryden United Methodist Church on Feb. 11 using local funds to create an arts space for all ages. The village library will host a Paws to Read event with Cornell Canine Companions on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ Rural towns in Tompkins County can apply for $10,000 in matching grants to boost beautification projects such as plantings, murals, benches, and signs. Applications are due March 1 and winners will be notified in April (final reports are due by Oct. 31). Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ Lite Rock 97.3 will host its 13th annual Wine & Dine radiothon Friday, where a 13‑hour broadcast aims to raise funds for United Way of Tompkins County; organizers say the funds will support local education, financial stability and health services. WENY
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Bram Govaerts will kick off Cornell’s A.D. White Professors-at-Large visits with two talks on agri-food research (Feb. 24 at 12:20 p.m. and Feb. 25 at 12:30 p.m. at Warren Hall, Room 401) while other speakers will present sessions on campus later this spring. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Five Cornell faculty members received the 2026 Sloan Research Fellowships from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which supports early-career researchers with research funding ($75,000 over two years). Their awards recognize achievements in fields like computer science, physics, neurobiology, communications, and mathematics. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Emerson DeMeester-Lane takes over as director at Tompkins County Public Library, holding his first meeting with area librarians this week while other branches plan space expansions, partnerships, and summer reading programs for 2026 (with community input encouraged) to boost engagement. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ A Teagle Foundation grant will help Cornell faculty launch a pilot civic education program for high school students this summer — students from six local schools will visit campus for two weeks of classes and mentorship, opening pathways to higher education. Cornell Chronicle
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ During American Heart Month, Dr. Amit Singh at Cayuga Medical Center urges residents to exercise, eat well, and learn CPR to lower heart risks. He recommends 30 minutes of moderate activity (most days) and proper sleep to ease heart stress. WENY
- ➤ At Cayuga Health’s Heart and Vascular Center in Ithaca, doctors treat heart emergencies using a cardiac catheterization lab that uses live imaging (fluoroscopy) for precise procedures. The lab’s advanced tools help reduce radiation exposure and support faster patient recovery. The Ithaca Voice
- ➤ At Cayuga Medical Center on Jan. 31, two babies were born in Ithaca; one weighed a record 13 pounds and the other 4 pounds, showing that every birth is unique. Ithaca Journal
- ➤ Ayshwarya Subramanian (assistant professor at the College of Arts and Sciences) received the NIH-supported NDRI Pilot Award to fund her diabetic kidney disease research. The award covers project-specific biospecimen services for two years (through mid-2028) to help her build preliminary data for future grant applications. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ The Food and Drug Administration recalled more than 20,000 peanut butter products sold in local stores after inspectors discovered possible plastic contamination in the manufacturing process. Consumers are advised to check labels and follow retailer guidance to return or dispose of the items. Ithaca Journal
- ➤ Cornell researchers found that the FDA-approved drug AMD3100 may help immunotherapy fight fibrolamellar carcinoma by stopping the tumor from sequestering T cells; the study published Feb. 17 seeks liver cancer specialists for upcoming clinical trials. Cornell Chronicle
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Mutts Gone Nuts
7-10 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticketed event — Experience a hilarious dog variety show that’s sure to entertain all ages.
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Richmond Spiders vs. Cornell Big Red Men's Lacrosse
12-2 p.m. — Schoellkopf Field — Ticket prices vary — Experience a thrilling NCAA lacrosse showdown between the Richmond Spiders and Cornell Big Red.
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Richard Daria Clarinet Faculty Recital
1 p.m. — Hockett Family Recital Hall — Free entry — Enjoy a delightful performance featuring clarinet, oboe, and bass clarinet by talented faculty members.
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Sheng Wang Stand-Up Comedy
7-10 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets required — Enjoy an evening of laughter with comedian Sheng Wang during his extensive stand-up tour.
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Brown University Bears vs Cornell Big Red Men's Lacrosse
12-1 p.m. — Schoellkopf Field — VIP tickets available — Experience top-tier college lacrosse action with exclusive perks and amenities.
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The Music of Hans Zimmer
8-11 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Cost info not provided — Experience unforgettable iconic scores led by a pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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