Daily
Ithaca
Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 1st of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Queen is a 4.5-year-old Pitbull at the Tompkins County SPCA who has been in and out of homes since 2023 due to returns from families unable to meet her need for quiet and patient care. The shelter now seeks a calm family for her forever home—one that can appreciate her sensitive and loyal nature. 607 News Now
- ➤ Cornell homecoming will begin Friday — parking restrictions will take effect tomorrow as Crescent Lot closes at 5 p.m. on October 2 and Hoy Road stays shut for the weekend. Additional parking and street closures near Schoellkopf Field are planned for Friday and Saturday to help manage the crowds. 607 News Now
- ➤ Billy Payne, a longtime Newfield firefighter who served his community for 65 years, died last month at age 84 after fighting cancer—he continued to work with the fire company and received a service award pin from his grandson. His leadership on the board helped guide many changes at the station and earned him lasting respect in the community. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ This summer, WSKG listeners described how families in the Southern Tier struggled with long waitlists, high costs, and tough choices like reducing work hours or leaving jobs — one Chenango County mom called this situation maddening. WSKG
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Cornell researchers combined soft robotics and microscale combustion to create a robust electronic braille display that uses a 10-by-10 dot array—designed for better performance in messy, unpredictable settings. The new design simplifies production and improves durability for public use such as in museums and restaurants. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ A Cornell researcher and collaborators developed a machine-learning model that bottles human intuition—capturing expert insights—to predict the functional properties of quantum materials. The ME-AI model used curated data and is expected to guide future discovery. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Tompkins Cortland Community College reported an 11% enrollment increase for fall compared to last year — the biggest rise in more than a decade driven by new academic programs and free tuition through SUNY Reconnect. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ New Roots has added a middle school option in Ithaca that will serve 50 students in grades 6-8. Superintendent Tina Nilsen-Hodges said David Streib—once a science teacher—has taken on the new role as dean to lead curriculum and instruction. 607 News Now
- ➤ Pre-Orientation Service Trips returned this year after a two-year break, bringing 40 new Cornell students with 6 senior team leaders and 2 sophomores to serve at Stewart Park and Finger Lakes ReUse (POST). The program was revived after encouragement from former participant Abra Geiger and aims to build service skills and community connections. Cornell Chronicle
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Environmental activist Yvonne Taylor was honored with the Grist 50 Climate Leaders Award on Sept. 25 for her work with Seneca Lake Guardian—she has fought industrial projects that threatened the Finger Lakes since 2010. She now criticizes proposals to redevelop an old power plant into an AI data center. The Ithaca Voice
- ➤ On September 29, the Finger Lakes Land Trust announced it established a perpetual conservation easement to protect 203 acres in Virgil—land that remains on local tax rolls and is open to farming, hunting, and other traditional uses. Donated by Jim Povero and Sandy Yahner, the property includes open meadows, forests, and fields that bridge the divide between the Cayuga Lake and Susquehanna River watersheds. 607 News Now
- ➤ The village of Trumansburg installed two new electric vehicle charging stations last month at the office parking lot on Elm Street and at the Farmers Market on Corey Street to support sustainability and boost EV adoption. Each station has dual-port fast and regular chargers with prices of $0.45/kwh and $0.19/kwh respectively — the project cost about $340,000 and was funded by state grants. Tompkins Weekly
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Ithaca City Council accepted a memo on just cause worker protections after a September meeting where councilors and community members discussed how the new rules might secure worker rights—though some local business leaders warned the rules could add costly burdens. The council will gather more public input before taking any further steps. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ The Tompkins County Office for the Aging will present its 2025 Proposed Plan Abstract and hold a virtual Public Hearing today at 2:00 p.m. where community members can share feedback on services for older adults via a brief online survey & phone comments. Tompkins County
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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.
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Kathleen Edwards Concert
8-9:30 p.m. — Hangar Theatre — Tickets required — Experience the soulful sounds of Kathleen Edwards as she performs tracks from her latest album Total Freedom.
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Modest Mouse Concert
7-9 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket prices vary — Catch Modest Mouse as they deliver their signature sound live after a successful tour with Pixies and Cat Power.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
If the path ahead of you is clear, you're probably on someone else's.
~ Joseph Campbell
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