Daily
Ithaca
Wednesday, March 4th, 2026
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 4th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Seasonal memberships for the Ellis Hollow Community Center Pool are on sale with early bird discounts until the end of March, offering household+individual plans for up to six people. The pool will open on Memorial Day and run through Labor Day. 607 News Now
- ➤ During Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, advocates in Tompkins County say service gaps, low wages, and a shortage of affordable housing hamper local support. The subcommittee is planning a resource fair in May + publishing a roadmap to guide families through available services. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ The 28th annual Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off will bring community members together to sample meaty, veggie, and vegan chilis on Saturday, Mar. 7 from noon to 4 at the Commons plus nearby blocks. Early bird tickets and VIP packages are available and events include live karaoke and a beard contest. 14850
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Oven Fresh Jobs is hosting a job fair at the Shops at Ithaca Mall today from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.—job seekers can meet local employers, including Ithaca City School District, to explore new career opportunities. 607 News Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Cornell students are adjusting to digital dating this winter as apps like Hinge and UMatch offer new ways to meet, though some miss in-person connections due to a tight-knit campus community (which can limit fresh interactions) and heavy coursework. The Cornell Daily Sun
- ➤ Cornell professor Robert Shepherd is exploring a new kind of robotics built from living tissues and 3D-printed materials in a recent Research Matters episode. His work spans hospital wards and crop fields and aims to create flexible, safe machines — part of a future in biohybrid engineering. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Cornell is recognizing 14 faculty and staff (one from each college plus Student and Campus Life) for community-engaged innovation with awards from the David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement, highlighting projects in health, agriculture and education that link local and global communities. Cornell Chronicle
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Tompkins County officials alert that new SNAP changes require adults without dependents to work 30 hours per week or earn $217.50 weekly, though many qualify for exemptions; residents can check their eligibility using an online screening tool or call DSS at (607) 274-5680 to avoid losing food assistance. 14850
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Cayuga Health and the YMCA of Ithaca (Tompkins County) reopened the Community Cupboards program on Tuesday in Cayuga Park, where patients, employees, and community members can access free farm-fresh food and perishables, with services alternating weekly between Cayuga Park and the Ithaca Mall from 11:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. WENY
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Six local wrestlers competed at the state championships in Albany (Feb. 26 to 28). Freshman Carmen Bishop reached a state title match despite a broken thumb, and her teammates recorded historic milestones in their seasons. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ Freshmen Kyla Mustapha and Jah-Mel Bruce of TC3 in Dryden have been named All-Region by the NJCAA. Mustapha, who led women in scoring (21.9 points per game), was named to the second team while Bruce made the first team for leading men in steals. 607 News Now
- ➤ Local indoor track and field athletes prepare for state championships at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on Staten Island from March 6-7. Tompkins County competitors including undefeated Newfield’s Maddie White and strong Ithaca athletes will race in events ranging from the 1,500-meter racewalk to the relay, seeking to set new records. Tompkins Weekly
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Raclette for Lunch
12-4 p.m. — South Hill Cider — Cost varies — Enjoy a cheesy alpine tradition paired with refreshing cider at this popular local event.
-
Paint & Sip with Bob Ross
4-6 p.m. — South Hill Cider — 2 drink minimum — Enjoy painting along with Bob Ross while sipping cider on a Saturday afternoon.
-
Skunk Cabbage Classic Half Marathon
Time not specified — Barton Hall — Registration fee applicable — Participate in Ithaca’s iconic spring tradition featuring 10K and half-marathon courses through the scenic Cornell campus.
-
The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring Screening
6:00 – 11:59 PM — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket information not provided — Experience the epic journey of a meek Hobbit and his companions to save Middle-earth.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Everyone you admire started as a version of themselves that they didn't admire.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Ithaca
Welcome to the Daily Ithaca, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Ithaca, New York community. If you like the Daily Ithaca, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Ithaca.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Ithaca and across New York. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Ithaca
A free Ithaca community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyithaca.com/sitemap