Saturday, May 17th, 2025

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Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 17th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ At the 12th annual Foodnet Mac ’n Cheese Bowl held last Wednesday in Ithaca, competitors cooked inventive mac recipes to raise funds for Foodnet Meals on Wheels—a non-profit that provides meals and support to local seniors. GreenStar earned two wins and Ithaca College Dining and Eatery was recognized for its creative entry while the contest featured options including gluten-free and vegan recipes. 14850
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ A student at Tompkins Seneca Tioga BOCES used a vape that was later found to have fentanyl and collapsed, needing multiple doses of NARCAN and hospital care—an incident the sheriff’s office is investigating after it was discovered the vape was sold at an unlicensed store—prompting school officials to warn families about the risks of using unverified vape products. 14850
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Ithaca City School District and Ithaca Teachers Association have met for weeks on a new contract, agreeing on pay raises in principle but not on the amount. Leaders will continue live-streamed talks over the next several weeks — further updates are expected as negotiations progress. 607 News Now
- ➤ The Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at Cornell announced its 2025 summer student fellowships, naming one W.E.B. Du Bois Fellow plus three Andrew Kohut Fellows to study public opinion using data from its Roper iPoll archive. The fellows will research topics such as racial justice — immigration attitudes, workplace issues and housing policy this summer. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ New Yorkers ages 25 to 55 can earn free associate degrees in 12 high-demand fields through the SUNY Reconnect program at schools including Corning Community College and Tompkins Cortland Community College—covering tuition, fees, and books. An information session will be held on Tuesday, June 3 at TC3’s campus in Dryden from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and applications for the fall semester are now open. WENY
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Cayuga Lake in Ithaca is flooding and a river flood warning remains in effect even as water levels drop slightly—The National Weather Service reported the lake was at 383.7 feet as of 1 a.m. Friday and said the warning will stay until levels fall below the 383.5-foot flood stage. 607 News Now
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ City officials in Ithaca discussed a plan to add a small unit of unarmed responders who may begin hiring by the end of this year if the next budget approves the funds— the proposal calls for 3-4 officers, builds on community input, and compares practices in other cities. Further questions about protocols and alternative options are still being weighed as the council gathers more feedback. The Ithaca Voice
- ➤ Ithaca Common Council debated a proposal to pause historic district expansion on May 14 — some council members argued that preservation rules raise costs and delay essential repairs in a housing crisis — while Mayor Cantelmo asked staff to gather more data, and members will meet next month to further review the ordinance. The proposal would stop new historic designations until the next comprehensive plan or five years, according to the discussion. Ithaca.com
SHOP NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR We never have to worry about dead batteries and missed calls thanks to this portable power bank that can charge up to five devices at once. The Buy
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Ithaca.
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Jazz Mondays with Dave Davies RhythmMakers
5:30-8:30 p.m. — South Hill Cider — $5 suggested donation — Enjoy live jazz with local musicians while sipping on cider and enjoying food.
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Cielle On Solid Ground
6-9 p.m. — La Tourelle Hotel & Spa — Cost not listed — Experience an evening of Blues/Rock surrounded by the scenic beauty of Ithaca.
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Nonprofit Budget Basics & Financial Planning Workshop
1:30-3:30 p.m. — Tompkins County Public Library — Check website for details — Enhance your financial acumen to make informed decisions for your organization.
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Cayuga Trails 50 Mile Ultra Marathon
6 a.m. — Cayuga Trail Parking — Entry Fee $163 — Experience breathtaking trails with aid stations and a chance to win prizes while running through stunning natural landscapes.
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The Evergreen Social: Vintage Goods Market
2-6 p.m. — South Hill Cider — Free entry — Explore unique vintage finds while enjoying tasty cider and live music from DJ Dou.
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Gorges Ithaca Half Marathon
7:30-11:30 a.m. — Black Diamond Trail Trailhead — Registration fees apply — Participate in the 10th annual half marathon that traces a beautiful course from Trumansburg to Cass Park.
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Twilight 5K Run
7-8 p.m. — Cass Park — Register for a fee — Participate in an annual 5K event organized by the Finger Lakes Running Club.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.

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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The only way out is through.
~ Robert Frost
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