Wednesday, October 15th, 2025
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 15th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Ithaca Rotary Club will host a highway cleanup along Route 13 on Oct. 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. Volunteers will meet at Tops Friendly Markets — 2300 N Triphammer Road at 8:50 a.m., where they will receive safety instructions, cleaning gear, and later enjoy refreshments. Tompkins Weekly
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Sam Tanenhaus visited Cornell as the fall Distinguished Visiting Journalist from Oct. 6 to Oct. 10 and shared his journey of writing a biography of William F. Buckley during an Oct. 9 talk—he showed students that even tough material can lead to great storytelling. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Negotiations between the Ithaca Teachers Association and the school district resumed at Ithaca High School on Oct. 9—after talks stalled since June 12—and teachers presented 11 revised proposals to secure better pay and benefits; district officials said they will return next week—aiming to address the teachers’ concerns. Ithaca.com
- ➤ Herb Fontecilla announced a new scholarship at Cornell Engineering to help first-generation students and honor pioneering engineer Marie Reith — who vowed to 'do good' over a century ago and broke barriers as one of the first women engineers. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Trumansburg Central School District has proposed an $18.4M project to upgrade infrastructure, safety and accessibility in its schools with planned work on drainage, sidewalks, air conditioning and auditorium renovations. Residents will vote on the proposal on Oct. 28 and if approved, construction will begin in June 2027 and finish in summer 2029. Tompkins Weekly
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ County lawmakers approved a contract with Volunteers of America Upstate New York on October 7 to run Tompkins County’s Code Blue shelter on Cherry Street—preparing the site for winter shelter needs. County staff will begin construction after Found Antiques moves on October 27 to develop plans for a dedicated year-round shelter. 607 News Now
- ➤ Local residents in Ithaca will join the No Kings rally on Oct. 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. organized by Indivisible Tompkins to stand for democracy and fight authoritarianism. The protest will offer local speakers, live music, art, voter registration, and a march from Washington Park along Court St. to S. Meadow St. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ Lansing officials are considering Local Law No. 7, a one-year ban on new development projects to give the town extra time to review zoning regulations for better water and environmental protections—Elizabeth Kreitinger from the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network said her Oct. 13 letter supports the move to guide future growth. 607 News Now
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Scientists at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine found that giving a rotavirus vaccine by injection instead of by mouth worked better in vaccinated newborn mice — the research shows that maternal antibodies in the gut block the oral vaccine and may guide new vaccine designs for at-risk infants in low- and middle-income countries. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Laurie Wright, a breast cancer survivor for 15 years, recalled feeling a painful lump on Dec. 1st, 2009, which led her to get a biopsy and treatment at Cortland Hospital—she received help from her local church. She now urges everyone to get yearly mammograms to catch cancer early. Tompkins Weekly
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ El Chamo Bar & Grill, a new Venezuelan restaurant on Ithaca’s east hill, has served lunch, dinner and late-night takeout on Stewart Avenue since summer — the menu features creative cocktails, arepas and diverse meat and vegan options, with meals costing about $15–$30. 14850
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Groton's boys cross country team shined when Ross Bush led the Red Hawks to an upset win over Trumansburg + a runner-up finish in the IAC Small School Division. The team will compete in championships on October 30 and November 6 + they aim to bring home a title in the near future. Tompkins Weekly
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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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Cornell Big Red Football vs Bucknell Bison
12-3 AM — Schoellkopf Field — Tickets available — Watch Cornell take on Bucknell in an exciting college football matchup.
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Dizgo Live Performance
8-11 p.m. — Deep Dive — $14 ADV / $20 DOS — Experience Dizgo’s cosmic sound with a blend of jamtronica, funk, and psychedelic rock.
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August Moon Spa's 20th Anniversary
Join us for an evening of community, connection, and celebration at August Moon Spa and La Tourelle. Enjoy live music, light fare and drinks.
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Community Line Dance Lesson
7-9 p.m. — Foundation of Light — Free entry — Get ready to groove with a fun line dancing lesson for all ages in Ithaca.
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Haunted History Tour in Downtown Ithaca
6-7 p.m. — The History Center in Tompkins County — $20 per person — Explore the city's ghosts and haunted landmarks during this intriguing guided tour.
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The Weight of Ants
2 PM – 4 PM — The Cherry Arts — Ticketed event — Experience the English-language premiere of a heartfelt comedy exploring the lives of two teens.
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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, blues, and originals while sipping on local cider.
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Princeton vs. Cornell Football Match
1:00–11:59 p.m. — Schoellkopf Field — Tickets start at $62 — Experience an exciting college football showdown with the Princeton Tigers facing off against the Cornell Big Red.
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Shadows Dance Troupe Fall Step Performance
7:30-10:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket prices vary — Witness the artistry of Cornell University's largest dance collective showcasing their fall semester performances.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
In life, you need either inspiration or desperation.
~ Tony Robbins
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