Good morning, Ithaca.

Ithaca will invest over $158,000 from New York State’s PLAY grant to build an ADA accessible playground, parking lot, and walkway at Vincenzo Iacovelli Park (near the South Hill Recreation Way trail).

The project will boost local youth recreation.

Ithaca College choir singers perform Into the Dark tonight at 7 p.m. at Ford Hall on South Hill, and the free concert welcomes everyone to experience rich harmonies.

Ithaca’s festivals bring residents together as events like the Apple Harvest Festival and Porchfest preserve local traditions + spark new cultural connections.

These celebrations unite the community while keeping history alive.

Ithaca College introduced seven new microcredentials in Writing, Computer Science, and Documentary Filmmaking this fall.

The programs let students earn focused skill certifications — faculty designed course clusters to boost both major and interdisciplinary studies.

A symposium on Black critical thought is scheduled for Friday, Oct.

2 at the A.D. White House from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Faculty and students will share work and join a keynote conversation with cultural theorist Fred Moten; free entry, meals, and a reception are provided.

Ithaca College missed its Fall 2026 enrollment target by 75 students and will change its recruitment by boosting visit grants from $500 to $1,000 + reaching new markets in the South and West; college leaders say these moves aim to improve enrollment and address tuition affordability.

Military historian Barry Strauss, Cornell emeritus, was awarded the U.S. Naval War College Hattendorf Prize on Sept.

9 for his lifetime achievements in military history; he earned a bronze medal, citation + $10,000 and delivered a lecture titled 'Sea Power Today: Lessons from Greece and Rome.'

Students in West Tower were asked to move after maintenance found heavy bird droppings on the 13th-floor windows (posing a health risk).

Facilities and Residential Life are working to deter the birds and clean the windows so students can return safely.

Ithaca survey results show residents favor addressing vacant storefronts, public spaces, and housing for downtown revitalization; a local planning committee met at Tompkins County Public Library on Sept.

16 and the online survey is open through Oct. 1.

Elm Street was closed yesterday on Ithaca’s west hill between Floral Avenue and Chestnut Street for asphalt repair and remains closed today - authorities advise drivers to take a detour via Hector Street to Sunrise Street to Chestnut Street.

The City announced pavement repair on N Meadow St starting Sept.

24 to fix asphalt damage from water and sewer pipe work — the left lane between Esty and Cascadilla St will be closed during work until completion on Sept. 30.