Daily
Ithaca
Friday, October 17th, 2025
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 17th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ GIAC in Ithaca will receive $13 million from the state to redevelop its aging pool+ Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced the grant, which will help fund a new covered facility for safe, year-round community use. The Ithaca Voice
- ➤ Indivisible Tompkins is hosting a pro-democracy demonstration on Saturday, October 18 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Washington Park in Ithaca—local residents will join speakers, music, art, and a march from Court Street to South Meadow Street with accessible seating provided. 14850
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Rashida Sawyer Bakery will close on Halloween after six years serving custom cake orders and pastries at its Press Bay Court location—staff confirmed that the shop has also offered vegan and gluten-free options during its run and will take orders until the closing day. 14850
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The 140 wineries in the Finger Lakes were named America’s best wine region in 2025 by Wine Enthusiast for world-class wines, sustainable practices, and community work — Governor Hochul and local winemakers celebrated the honor, saying it will boost the region’s growth. Local celebrations show the winemakers’ commitment to quality and a promising future. WENY
- ➤ Cornell alum Zachary Wadsworth DMA '12 will have his new chamber symphony premiere next weekend in three concerts, including one at Bailey Hall. The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra will present the work on Oct. 26 as part of the Dallas Morse Coors Concert Series with violinist James Ehnes featured. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Dr. Jessica Levin Martinez will assume the role of president and executive director of the Corning Museum of Glass on Feb. 2—she currently directs the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell and is known for leading innovative museum initiatives. She will succeed retiring Dr. Karol Wight as the board commends her interdisciplinary expertise in the arts. Ithaca Journal
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ A Cornell study published Oct. 6 found that farmland within two miles of energy infrastructure saw prices rise by 15% to 18% after solar support legislation was passed in 2015—land prices near substations increased by up to 22% and may now discourage farming and make it harder for new farmers to buy land. Cornell Chronicle
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Cornell neurobiologist Zhilei Zhao has received a Fellows-To-Faculty Award from the Simons Foundation—he will continue his research on parrot vocalizations in the Goldberg lab with a $600,000 grant over three years. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Ithaca College students of color are joining with Cornell clubs and multicultural Greek organizations to build stronger cultural ties between the two schools. The groups have co-hosted events like Migration of Music and Dia de los Muertos activities to help students connect with their heritage—strengthening community bonds on campus. The Ithacan
- ➤ Ithaca College faculty face a steep housing market that forces some to take extra jobs and long commutes as wages fall short of rising home prices. The college offers extended housing at $600 a month—an option that helps select faculty—but many still struggle with affordability. The Ithacan
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Dr. Brian Rudd and Dr. Iwijn De Vlaminck received an NIH MERIT award to fund their research on CD8+ T cell activation and development from early life into adulthood, a study planned to last five years. The award is worth $3.47 million and can be extended for up to five more years to recognize their exceptional research record. Cornell Chronicle
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ On Sept. 26, five 20-year-old Ithaca College roommates went downtown and rode the free TCAT bus to bars like Lot 10 and Moonies where budget mixers and drink promotions marked an average night out. Student alcohol use dropped from 66.2% in 2022 to 54.1%, a trend that shows how the local social scene is changing—students now choose shared moments and cost-saving options over heavy drinking. The Ithacan
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Ithaca’s roller derby community will expand this winter as Rochester’s Flour City Fear holds satellite practices—this change aims to cut long commutes and grow local membership. Local teams moved from The Shops after their lease ended in late 2024 and now split practices between Ithaca and Watkins Glen—neighbors plan to work together in the sport. The Ithacan
- ➤ Ithaca College volleyball junior setter Wesley Slavin set a record by recording 2,096 assists as of Oct. 11—placing her among the top nine all-time—and she leads the Bombers with smart, creative plays this season. The Ithacan
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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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The Crane Wives Live Concert
8:00-9:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets available — Experience the energetic sounds of The Crane Wives as they fuse indie folk with rock and roll.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
When you can't win by being better, you can win by being different.
~ James Clear
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