Good morning, Ithaca.

The Ithaca SPCA is seeking barn homes for 27 feral and semi-feral cats after an eviction and needs volunteers to foster dogs from its full adoption center — neighbors can email the shelter to help.

On May 7, Amber Rawn, a longtime teacher aide from Newfield, was fatally struck on Van Kirk Road while removing a dead cat - residents now urge lower speed limits and safety upgrades amid longstanding concerns over hazardous driving conditions.

Cornell researchers have developed a method to reduce ad skew by including overlooked groups such as nonbinary + low-income users and will present their study at FAccT ’26 in Montreal.

The approach helps online advertisers and government agencies tailor equitable campaigns.

Groton High School Drama Club’s production of Oliver! won the Theatre as Education award and multiple trophies at regional contests, highlighting the show’s focus on child trafficking awareness.

Directed by Annette Twitchell, the group will stage The Hunchback of Notre Dame from March 18–20 at 7 p.m.

Communities in Tompkins County marked America's 250th birthday with historic tours and community festivities when Lansing (celebrated on June 13) held a day of music and reflection while Ulysses, Trumansburg, Caroline, and Freeville will host declaration readings, reenactments, and fireworks later this month.

ICSD will run a bookmobile offering free books every Wednesday from July 8 to Aug.

26. It stops at Brooktondale Camp at 12:20 p.m., Enfield Community Center at 1:15 p.m., Sandy Creek Village at 2:00 p.m. and West Village Apartments at 2:45 p.m. with no library card needed.

Ithaca College President La Jerne Terry Cornish (Board chair John Neeson ’84 announced Tuesday) will step down on June 30, 2027 as the college begins a national search for her successor with input from students, faculty, and alumni to secure its future.

Doctoral student Mehrnaz Sabet at Cornell tests Project Orion today, a system that coordinates drones using real-time simulation and hardware testing to prove safe airspace operations.

The project has received support from NASA & federal agencies.

Trumansburg teachers will update Spanish and French classes to meet new state language standards by 2028 as presented on June 16 to the Board of Education.

The changes will focus on communication and cultural awareness to help students become fluent in modern world languages.

More than 17,000 residents signed a petition opposing TeraWulf’s AI data center at the former Cayuga Power Plant; the petition, delivered on June 17 to the Lansing Town Board, raises concerns over water use and rising utility costs.

TeraWulf must now submit a complete application for site plan review.

Lansing’s Ava Kobylarz won the Class C state pole vault title at Webster Schroeder High School on June 13—14 after clearing 11 feet on her first attempt and setting a personal record at 12 feet 3 inches while thanking coach Matt Scheffler for his support.

Local high school athletes and coaches were recognized at ESPN Ithaca’s 13th annual Night of Champions awards ceremony on June 18 at the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center.

Honorees from cross country, hockey, tennis and lacrosse were celebrated for achievements during the 2025-26 season.

Ithaca College has hired Jess Smith as an assistant coach for its women's basketball team.

Smith coached at Haverford College last season and played four seasons at Bryn Mawr College, scoring 1125 career points.

One Night With You

7-9 p.m. — K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub — Enjoy dinner with Elvis singing classic tunes.

Ithaca Reggae Fest 2026

Live Music — June 26-28 — Stewart Park — Tickets available — Experience the vibrant rhythms of The Skatalites and other reggae artists at this lively festival.

Beginnings Summer Concert Series

5-8 p.m. — Bernie Milton Pavilion — Free entry — Enjoy free live music in the heart of Downtown Ithaca every Thursday evening.