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The Ithaca Voice
GreenStar workers seek to unionize
ITHACA, N.Y. — Workers at GreenStar Food Co+op’s flagship store have launched an union organizing effort, largely driven by a desire to expand employees’ voice in the operation of the grocery store. The union drive’s organizers sent a letter to GreenStar’s management and council, or board of...
Collegetown landlord makes big buy on Oak Avenue
ITHACA, N.Y. — A prominent Collegetown developer and landlord is expanding his portfolio with the multi-million purchase of a pair of apartment houses in the neighborhood’s inner core. “Urbano Holdings LLC” paid $4.5 million for 113 Oak Avenue and 117 Oak Avenue, according to a July 23 deed...
Ithaca’s defunct public works oversight board might be replaced by an advisory commission
ITHACA, N.Y. — Officials are working to revitalize the City of Ithaca’s long-defunct public works oversight board. However, the current proposal scales back the board’s authority, reducing it to an advisory commission. The change preserves an avenue for public input while increasing the efficiency of public works...
Police investigating fatal crash in Danby
ITHACA, N.Y. — One person was killed in a car crash that occurred Wednesday on Danby Road in Danby, according to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office. As of Friday morning, police said no charges are currently forthcoming, though the investigation is ongoing. Emergency personnel responded to a crash...
Local athletes to watch compete at the Olympics
ITHACA, N.Y. — The Summer Olympics are here with over 10,000 athletes from across the world gearing up to compete in Paris for the Olympic Games July 26-Aug. 11 and the Paralympics Aug. 28-Sept. 8. Here are five local athletes to look out for during competition after the opening...
Ithaca Common Council stalls to debate part-time homeless outreach coordinator
ITHACA, N.Y. — The new cohort of Common Council members has yet to sign off on hiring a part-time homeless outreach coordinator — a position former council members approved and funded in 2023 — despite repeated requests from city leadership. City Manager Deb Mohlenhoff has largely assumed...
Dryden Fire Department receives $95K from federal grant
ITHACA, N.Y. — The Dryden Fire Department received a $95,000 boost Thursday thanks to a federal grant program meant to help local fire departments with staffing, equipment and fire prevention practices. Dryden’s department is the first recipient of the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funding in Tompkins County....
Another Ithaca school district exec plans to resign next month
ITHACA, N.Y. — Ithaca City School District’s (ICSD) chief operations officer Amanda Verba will resign her post in the coming weeks. Verba oversaw district finances, including the formulation of the school district’s annual budget. A spokesperson for the district confirmed Verba had “notified the Board of Education...
Planned Center of Government sees interest from contractors despite remaining challenges
ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins County officials continued to advance the expansive Center of Government project earlier this month, but state historic regulations and parking concerns are poised to slow further short-term progress. The project is meant to consolidate county services into one downtown facility. Despite support for the project,...
Opinion: An opportunity for a reset on “the Jungle”
This is an opinion piece written by Tompkins County Legislator Rich John, who represents Ithaca. It was not written by The Ithaca Voice. To submit opinion pieces, please send them to Matt Butler at mbutler@ithacavoice.org. As the Chair of the County Public Safety Committee, I am tasked with paying attention...
Cayuga Health’s first therapy practice opens at Ithaca Mall
ITHACA, N.Y. — Cayuga Health Psychology, the organization’s first outpatient behavioral therapy service, opened early this month. The practice is located within the organization’s existing Ithaca Mall location at 40 Catherwood Drive. A statement from Cayuga Health sent Tuesday named Dr. Kaitlin Lilienthal as the leader of...
Gallery: The music, arts and humans of GrassRoots 2024
TRUMANSBURG, N.Y. — Thousands of people flooded into the Village of Trumansburg this weekend for the 32nd Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance. The annual event transforms the Trumansburg Fairgrounds into the site of four days of music and celebration, sometimes to the chagrin of the area residents. But many locals compare it to an extended family reunion held amid festival-goers from far and wide, and musical acts from all over the world.
Missing person located safe in the town of Ithaca
ITHACA, N.Y. — A missing person was located safe Sunday morning after their disappearance was reported to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office. According to a press release from Sheriff Derek Osborne, police responded to Winston Drive around 9 a.m. Sunday morning after a person called to report that their 69-year-old neighbor had gone missing.
Weather: A warm and stormy week ahead
ITHACA, N.Y. — After a drier, more comfortable past few days, you’ll be getting reacquainted with your AC as a warm, very humid pattern sets in for much of the week ahead. While a drier spell is expected for next weekend, a potent heatwave is likely to close out the month. The warmer-than-normal summer we’ve been experiencing looks likely to continue for some time yet.
Local guild crowns new Iron Quilter of Tompkins County
ITHACA, N.Y. — Eight quilters entered the Community Quiltmaking Center late last month with glory on their minds, but only one could walk away as the official Iron Quilter of Tompkins County. Lansing resident Andrea Gibbs emerged as the victor at the conclusion of the four-hour competition. Gibbs won...
Ithaca Common Council to consider bird-friendly building regulations
ITHACA, N.Y. — The Ithaca Common Council will discuss a new piece of proposed environmental legislation that aims to protect birds from untimely deaths. The Ithaca Common Council’s proposed ordinance, sponsored by Fourth Ward Alderperson Patrick Kuehl, would require all new buildings to meet the standard set by US Green Buildings Council’s Leed rating system to receive the Reducing Bird Collisions Credit. The credit outlines requirements for the use of predominantly bird-friendly materials, particularly in the lower floors of buildings.
Update: Nationwide Crowdstrike glitch closes local DMV among other impacts
ITHACA, N.Y. — The national Crowdstrike outage and its ripple effects on Microsoft systems has wrought havoc Friday morning, with impacts that stretch from around the globe to Tompkins County. Crowdstrike, one of the largest cybersecurity providers in the world, updated its software at some point Thursday night or...
Ithaca College, Tompkins County partner to establish pilot brain injury clinic
ITHACA, N.Y. — A new program to help Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) clients who experience symptoms of a traumatic or acquired brain injury is cleared to start a Brain Injury Pilot Program this fall. Physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT) and speech-language pathology services administered by Ithaca College...
Severe Monday storm led to record-breaking number of emergency calls
TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. — Tompkins County officials believe the county set a record for calls for emergency service in response to the severe thunderstorms on Monday. The severe weather prompted Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a statewide state of emergency. The storm produced heavy rain, high winds, lightning, and even inch-sized hail in some areas.
County, local BOCES to receive Juul settlement funds
TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. — Tompkins County and area educational organizations are set to receive $657,313 from a multi-state settlement payout from the e-cigarette company Juul Labs. The funds must be used for programs to reduce or deter youth e-cigarette use, research into such programs or enforcement of anti-vaping regulations.
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