Daily
Ithaca
Tuesday, December 16th, 2025
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 16th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Ithaca Voice invites local photographers and smartphone users to send up to five family-friendly photos capturing key 2025 moments for its annual Scenes of Ithaca feature; submissions via online form+ email are due by Monday, Dec. 22. The Ithaca Voice
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The Dairy Queen Grill and Chill is coming soon at 407 Elmira Road next to the new KFC in the former Tim Horton’s and Cold Stone Creamery location. The building—almost complete—will feature a drive-thru and outdoor seating, though no official opening date has been posted. The Ithaca Voice
- ➤ Morning Moon Coffee & Bakery, owned by mother-daughter duo Amy and Shea Heffron, opened last month at 7 Bridge St in Newfield, offering homemade baked goods, coffees, and breakfast sandwiches. The shop also features a book nook + vintage menus honoring local heritage. Ithaca.com
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Dryden Central School District data shows the new smartphone ban resulted in 30% fewer course failures and nearly 96% attendance in high school compared to last year's 93%. Superintendent Bacigalupi said administrators spend less time on digital issues plus the law was signed earlier this year. 607 News Now
- ➤ Michelle Artibee, director of workforce well-being, received the George Peter Award for Dedicated Service at the Division of Human Resources’ annual holiday gathering on Dec. 12 at the East Hill Office Building. She was honored for her leadership and initiatives that advanced affordable child care and campus well-being. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ The Cornell Immigration Legal Information Project has held more than 40 Know Your Rights sessions on Ithaca campuses and local organizations since January 2025 — training law students and community volunteers to share clear information on immigration rights, thanks to a Park Foundation grant. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ A Cornell study shows that Communities in Schools navigators helped struggling high-poverty middle school students improve test scores, attendance, and behavior, leading to higher graduation rates and college enrollment. The research finds the low-cost, personalized support can boost future earnings. Cornell Chronicle
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Researchers from Cornell, SUNY-ESF and the DEC began studying Seneca Lake’s booming sounds and high chloride levels this summer by taking water samples from its pockmarked bed; they will retrieve sensors in May to see if the lake’s pockmarks leak extra chloride. Cornell Chronicle
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ TeraWulf, a Maryland-based company, is appealing a zoning setback for its proposed data center in Lansing and will present its case today during the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. The project is pitched as supporting scientific and educational research (with potential partnerships under review), though environmentalists remain critical. The Ithaca Voice
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Local pet experts advise limiting dog walks in below-freezing weather to avoid frostbite + hypothermia; owners should put on a sweater and dry paws thoroughly. ASPCA and Cornell University guidelines stress that puppies, older or sick dogs face higher risk, so short outings are best. Ithaca Journal
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Ithaca College head football coach Mike Toerper is leaving the Bombers after four seasons to take the defensive coordinator role at Cornell. The Athletics department will begin a national search for his replacement following an 8-2 season that ended with a Cortaca Jug win over Cortland. 607 News Now
-
An Evening with Evan Horne
8-10 p.m. — Kitchen Theatre Company — $20 — Experience the immersive sounds of cinematic-folk artist Evan Horne in an intimate setting.
-
New Year's Eve Dance Party
8:30 p.m. — Foundation of Light — Check event page for ticket details — Celebrate the new year with a night of games, raffles, and festive fun.
-
Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks at Cornell Big Red Men's Hockey
7-8:30 p.m. — Lynah Rink — Tickets starting at $15 — Catch an exciting NCAA hockey matchup as the Nanooks take on the Big Red in Ithaca.
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 greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own.
~ Benjamin Disraeli
About Daily Ithaca
Welcome to the Daily Ithaca, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Ithaca, New York community. If you like the Daily Ithaca, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Ithaca.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Ithaca and across New York. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Ithaca
A free Ithaca community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyithaca.com/sitemap