Daily
Ithaca
Friday, August 29th, 2025
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 29th of August.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Tompkins County Workers Center will host its annual Labor Day Picnic at the main pavilion in Stewart Park on Sept. 1, offering free food, live music, and awards to honor local labor organizers—Director Pete Meyers said turnout is expected to exceed 300 as growing labor concerns boost support for the event. Ithaca.com
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Two men were arrested on Aug. 26 in Ithaca during a joint law enforcement operation on Conifer Circle — Heath Phillips and William Ellison were charged following a hand-to-hand drug sale that led to a seizure of drugs and cash and they were held without bail pending arraignment. Ithaca.com
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ A new exhibit titled 'Odyssea Americana' opens Sept. 4 at The Soil Factory in Ithaca, where French scholar-artists including Cornell’s Laurent Dubreuil reenacted Odysseus’ journey across North America using photos, drawings, maps, calligraphy, and audio recordings. The event runs from 6–8 p.m.—an artist talk begins at 6:30 p.m. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Nicole v. basta was named Tompkins County’s new poet laureate by the Community Arts Partnership—chosen at a meeting on Aug. 5—and will serve until the end of 2026. She succeeded Dan Rosenberg and plans to bring local poets, including those from Cornell, together. Ithaca.com
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Waterloom Productions provided Ithaca College students a hands-on film production opportunity on set in Ithaca on August 28th; the program allowed them to learn key skills + gain practical experience for future projects. The Ithacan
- ➤ Tompkins Cortland Community College reported a 13.3% jump in core enrollment on Monday — its largest increase in 12 years — due in part to the new SUNY Reconnect program that offers free tuition for selected fields. The program is available to residents aged 25 to 55 without a degree and aims to boost the local workforce in fields such as nursing and computer science. The Ithaca Voice
- ➤ Ithaca College is restructuring its divisions to align faculty and staff with a lower enrollment target of 4,500 and to reduce costs as it works to close a growing budget deficit by FY 28 — the changes follow a study that showed missed enrollment targets and evolving student support needs. Administrators may cut positions and adjust expense reduction targets for fiscal years 2026, 2027 and 2028 to meet these financial goals. The Ithacan
- ➤ Ithaca College students who attended in-person classes in Spring 2020 will be able to claim part of a $1.5 million settlement and an $800 tuition credit for graduate school after a class action suit settled in summer — eligible students must file their claims by Oct. 5 and may attend a fairness hearing on Oct. 28 — while the college maintains it delivered the promised services. The Ithacan
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Cornell researchers are testing crops planted between rows of solar panels on a farm near Albany owned by Greenbacker to see how fall radishes and radicchio are affected by morning and afternoon shade—results show that reduced sunlight and lower leaf temperature slow growth. The team will use these findings to plan spring plantings and guide future dual land use in solar farms. Cornell Chronicle
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Unintentional overdose deaths fell in Tompkins County with only three deaths reported from January through June—a 77% drop from last year. Local health officials distributed 5,700 Narcan kits and trained over 7,000 residents and will work to lower future accidental overdoses. 607 News Now
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Kajuneji Live at South Hill Cider
6 PM – 12 AM — South Hill Cider — Free entry — Experience the vibrant sounds of Kajuneji with a unique blend of world music and funk every Thursday night.
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AIDS Ride for Life
6 AM — Cass Park — Registration Required — Celebrate community spirit while cycling through beautiful routes to support a great cause.
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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 delicious ciders.
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Selling Local Foods to St. Lawrence Health
9 a.m.-6 p.m. — Cornell University — Cost info not specified — Connect local farmers and food producers with healthcare providers interested in local produce.
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2025 Tompkins County Airport Day & Preparedness Expo
All day — Ithaca Tompkins International Airport — Free entry — Celebrate aviation and community preparedness with fun activities and exhibits.
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X Ambassadors Concert
8:00-9:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket prices vary — Experience the electrifying sounds of X Ambassadors on their North American tour.
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X Ambassadors Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets from $58 — Experience an electrifying evening with X Ambassadors at this iconic venue.
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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 and uplifting vibes while sipping on local cider.
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Celtic Thunder: An Evening of Music
7:30-9 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket information not specified — Experience the greatest songs of Celtic Thunder with a heartfelt reunion.
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Apple Harvest Festival
Sep 26-28 — Downtown Ithaca Alliance Office — Free entry — Celebrate the fall with locally grown apples, crafts, food, and entertainment at this beloved community festival.
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Great opportunity for contractors and investors! Selling as-is.
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