Wednesday, September 24th, 2025
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 24th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Todd Nau, manager of Finger Lakes ReUse’s Triphammer location and co-owner of 15 Steps, was honored with the Hometown Heroes Award for his creative leadership and community impact—he improved the store layout and boosted staff morale while promoting sustainable practices. Tompkins Weekly
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ A new bicycle shop named Old Steel opened on Sept. 19 in downtown Ithaca and offers new and used bikes plus repair services at its small storefront on S. Cayuga St. Owner Sebastian Desystemizer said the shop promotes circularity by repairing and reusing steel bikes—supporting sustainable transit for the community. The Ithaca Voice
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ A former Asteri employee in Ithaca alleges wage theft by Vecino — he quit in late August after receiving incorrect pay and a notice demanding back rent — and now plans to sue the company. Three other former workers have reported similar issues at the troubled building. The Ithaca Voice
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ On September 19, Cornell reported that freshman Joselyn Garcia—a Brooklyn native enrolled in the First at Cornell Program and planning to major in biology for dentistry—was found dead in her dorm, with officials noting her death may have been alcohol related. 607 News Now
- ➤ Cornell professors are sharing best practices for first-year physics labs through a new NSF-funded project—The Introductory Physics Lab Institute—that offers workshops and online training to support faculty in teaching experimental skills. The project is expected to influence 10% of U.S. labs and reach over 45,000 students each year. Cornell Chronicle
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ TJA Clean Energy’s proposed solar farm in Newfield near Elmira Road — off Millard Road is nearing final approvals after local officials and stakeholders agree on key conditions. Construction will begin in 2026 and include plans for sheep grazing on five acres along with a $20,000 donation to the Newfield Fire Department. Tompkins Weekly
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Ithaca officials and Cornell University announced that College Avenue will be reduced to one lane today (in Collegetown) for a routine inspection of the stone arch bridge over Cascadilla Creek and construction work near Dryden Road. Drivers and pedestrians should allow for delays as no detours are planned. 14850
- ➤ Tompkins County Legislator Anne Koreman said on Sept 9 that she is pushing to reserve funds in the county budget for parks and affordable housing—her final budget cycle—since she is not seeking re-election. 607 News Now
- ➤ Tompkins County Legislator Deborah Dawson is mounting a write-in campaign for the newly renamed seventh district after deciding against retirement amid rising fiscal challenges—she plans to focus on county budget issues and cuts to local programs as she competes with John Dennis ahead of the Nov. 4 election. Tompkins Weekly
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ The Fall Guide for the 607 area offers details on pumpkin patches, fall festivals, family events, and local dining—helping readers plan weekends and find hidden gems—and will be updated with fresh stories and local highlights throughout autumn. 607 News Now
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Groton girls soccer team is off to a strong start with a 6-1-1 record and aims to defend its IAC title and push for a deeper run in sectionals after a 2-0 win over Lansing on September 17—ending a four-game losing streak. Coach Jocelyn Lathers said team bonding among key seniors and younger players has built strong chemistry—vital as they prepare for upcoming matches. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ The No. 21 Ithaca College men's soccer team won 1-0 over Moravian University on Sept. 20 after a Moravian defender scored an own goal—this win marked their sixth clean sheet of the season. The Bombers will tie their win total from 2024 when they face Vassar College on Sept. 27 at Carp Wood Field. The Ithacan
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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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The Front Bottoms Live
7-10 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticketed event — Celebrate a decade of music with The Front Bottoms alongside Sincere Engineer.
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Dart Brothers Live Concert
7-11 p.m. — Bike Bar — No cover charge — Experience the unique fusion of original rock and alt-country by Ithaca's own Dart Brothers.
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Dancing on The Patio
8-10 p.m. — South Hill Cider — $5 - $10 donation suggested — Dance on the patio to DJ Evermix while enjoying cider and food.
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Sammy - Strides for a Cure
11 AM – 3 PM — Stewart Park — Registration closed — Run, walk, and gather to raise awareness for a cure to Alzheimer's Disease regardless of the weather.
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Behavioral Economics Workshop with Canishk Naik
11:40 AM - 12:55 PM — Sage Hall - Johnson Graduate School of Management — Check official website for fees — Explore the intersection of psychology and economics with expert insights.
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Notorious Stringbusters Concert
5:30-8:30 p.m. — South Hill Cider — Free entry — Experience the earth quakin', hip brakin' sounds of the Notorious Stringbusters in a vibrant community setting.
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Blues Traveler Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets from $75 — Enjoy a night with the iconic Blues Traveler, famous for their high-energy performances.
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Calya Lea
7 p.m. — The Downstairs — $10/pwyc — Experience a cozy evening with live music in a vibrant venue.
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Jazz Mondays with Dave Davies RhythmMakers
5:30-8:30 p.m. — South Hill Cider — $5 suggested donation — Experience live jazz with local favorites while enjoying cider and food.
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
The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake - you can't learn anything from being perfect.
~ Adam Osborne
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