Daily
Ithaca
Wednesday, December 17th, 2025
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 17th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Holiday traditions enliven Tompkins County as family farms, volunteer programs & home decorators share festive cheer. In Trumansburg, VanDerZee Tree Farm offers tree sales, fun photo spots & seasonal treats, while Freeville resident Barbara Rosevear continues her 40-year display tradition along Route 13. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ Cornell Town-Gown Awards honored partnerships in affordable housing and child care in Tompkins County on Dec. 6 at Cinemapolis near Ithaca. The awards recognized projects that created over 1,030 housing units since 2019 and added new child care spots for local families. Tompkins Weekly
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Seen Nutrition of Ithaca won a $500,000 prize at the GROW-NY competition on Nov. 12 to 13 to expand sales and marketing for its bone health product. The startup plans to use the funds to hire additional staff and reach new markets. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ Dairy Queen is returning to Ithaca as it moves into the former Tim Horton’s building on Elmira Road across from Home Depot; renovations are underway — an official opening date has not yet been set. 607 News Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Residents can enjoy a 15-year holiday tradition at Scottland Lights Groton at 411 Peru Rd, where free, synchronized Christmas lights and music run daily from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday (with extended hours on weekends) as donations support the Junior Firefighter Camp. Tompkins Weekly
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Cornell has established the CALS Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment by combining the Department of Global Development with the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment thanks to a $55 million gift from Stephen B. Ashley (the largest donation in CALS history). Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Three College of Arts & Sciences grads from Cornell completed graduation this month; Marian Caballo is heading to Seattle for a Microsoft job while Wilson Kan and Reya Babu will start work at Allegiant Airlines and AlphaSights. Cornell Chronicle
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Researchers at Cornell’s Matter of Tech Lab (in Ithaca) developed CeraPiper, a ceramic pipe system that creates custom pipes for eco-friendly evaporative cooling. Testing over 60 hours showed lower temperatures in wooden chambers, and the team plans to explore new designs as a climate solution. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ On Dec. 11, the DEC announced new actions to address PFAS contamination from water, soil and biosolids (including policies on alternate water supplies, biosolids testing and wastewater treatment) with public comment periods ending Jan. 9 and Feb. 10, 2026; the measures will gather data to protect public health. WSKG
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Union leaders at Cayuga Medical Center filed unfair labor charges with the NLRB after over 350 nurses joined Cayuga United— claiming hospital management held a captive audience meeting that limited free discussion. Local officials have signed a letter urging the hospital to bargain for safe staffing. Ithaca.com
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ On Dec. 16, a cross-country skier was bitten near Hanshaw Road and Freese Road at a field owned by Cornell; health officials are asking anyone with info on the vaccination status of one of the two large black dogs to call their Environmental Health Division (607) 2746688. 607 News Now
- ➤ William George Agency offers youth recreation programs to help kids build fitness, mental health and confidence through sports, puzzles, music and swimming. The campus features a new weight training center funded by a donor’s bequest plus an Olympic pool and ropes course that support healthy growth. Tompkins Weekly
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Trumansburg girls basketball (led by new coach Tim Denmark) began the season 2-0 by beating Southern Cayuga and Newfield after a tough last season. The Blue Raiders resume play today at Watkins Glen and will host Elmira-Notre Dame on Dec. 19. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ Dryden boys basketball defends its IAC Large School and Section IV Class B titles with a youthful, retooled roster after losing its first three games on Dec. 15; head coach Zack LeViere said returning captain Carmelo Miles is focused on strong fundamentals — key for a turnaround. Tompkins Weekly
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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.
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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.
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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.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Ithaca
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