The Ithaca Voice

New interim library director appointed as search continues ITHACA, N.Y. — The Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) remains without a permanent leader as a second interim director takes the reins for the next three months. The library’s last permanent director, Leslie Tabor, resigned in February amid controversy and division over major changes implemented during her time heading the organization. Youth services librarian Kat Savage began her role as interim director on Oct.

Kat Savage will take over as interim director of the Tompkins County Public Library as the search for a permanent director continues.

TCAT faces service cuts unless Cornell, the county, and city each contribute an extra $500,000 ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) management said they need a cash infusion from its underwriters to help balance the agency’s 2026 budget. Otherwise, TCAT will have to make service cuts. Tompkins County, the City of Ithaca, and Cornell University are TCAT’s three financial underwriters. All three received a request for an additional $500,000 in financial support from the organization, which would bring their total contributions to TCAT to just over $1.5 million each.

TCAT faces service cuts unless Cornell, the county, and city each contribute an extra $500,000

Residents react to NYSEG’s rate hikes, office closure proposal at public hearing ITHACA, N.Y. — After filing a request with the Public Service Commission (PSC) to increase delivery rates for its customers and thus raise electricity costs, New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) held its required public hearings in Ithaca last week to field residents’ input in the case. The rate cases, filed June 30, 2025, would increase NYSEG electricity delivery rates by 35% and natural gas delivery rates by nearly 40% if they are approved by the PSC, which oversees NYSEG and Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E).

Residents react to NYSEG’s rate hikes, office closure proposal at public hearing

Widespread traffic light outage on Meadow Street ITHACA, N.Y. — Traffic signals along the some of the busiest sections of Meadow and Fulton Street in Ithaca are malfunctioning. Tompkins County officials said the cause is yet unknown as of 9:42 a.m. Wednesday and that the outage had an "unknown timeframe." The outage as of 9:30 a.m. reached between Third Street near the Aldi supermarket until at least the Meadow Street bridge near the Wegmans supermarket, though it's possible the issue could be more widespread.

Widespread traffic light outage on Meadow Street

Conservative Christians hold rally for slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk ITHACA, N.Y. — Rallies are a routine sight on the Ithaca Commons, but it’s seldom that those events feature flags celebrating President Donald Trump or other right-wing figures. Nevertheless, a group of about 18 people waved Trump and American flags during rush hour Tuesday as part of an event honoring the life of right-wing podcaster and political organizer Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed during an event in Utah last month. 

Conservative Christians hold downtown rally for slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk

Surprise Trump move will upend New York food stamps This story originally appeared in New York Focus, a nonprofit news publication investigating power in New York. Sign up for their newsletter here. ALBANY, N.Y. — A surprise move by the Trump administration could result in hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers losing their food assistance benefits as soon as November — disrupting one of the country’s oldest safety net programs months earlier than expected.

From New York Focus: New York counties thought they had months to prepare to implement SNAP work requirements. Now, they have weeks.

Weather: Monday rain, but dry & cool for rest of week ITHACA, N.Y. -- For those seeking more fall-like conditions, this week will be favorable. Following a coastal system that will impact the Ithaca area tonight and tomorrow, a cool but dry pattern will take hold for the remainder of the week, with no rain expected from about sunrise Tuesday through about next Sunday afternoon. It'll be good weather for some warm cider and chunky sweaters, …

Weather: Monday rain, but dry & cool for rest of week

ITHACA, N.Y. -- For those seeking more fall-like conditions, this week will be favorable. Following a coastal system that will impact the Ithaca area tonight and tomorrow, a cool but dry pattern will take hold for the remainder of the week,…

County selects Volunteers of America to run Code Blue shelter ITHACA, N.Y. — Volunteers of America Upstate New York (VOA) will operate Tompkins County’s emergency cold-weather shelter this year, adding those duties to their existing agreement to run the county-owned permanent housing shelter when it is constructed.  The contract with Rochester-based VOA was unanimously approved by the Tompkins County Legislature on Tuesday. VOA will operate the shelter out of the Cherry Street location soon to be vacated by Found in Ithaca, a vintage and antique marketplace, which is moving elsewhere.

With nighttime temperatures growing colder, Tompkins County has reached an agreement with Volunteers of America to operate the Code Blue shelter this year — when it opens.

Emergency shelter available as first freeze descends on Ithaca ITHACA, N.Y. — Nighttime low temperatures are set to dip below freezing Thursday night for the first time this fall. Tompkins County will offer emergency shelter to anyone who asks through the state mandated “Code Blue” program. Tompkins County does not have a conventional congregate facility available, so those seeking shelter are expected to be provided rooms in local motels at no cost.

Emergency shelter available as first freeze descends on Ithaca

A ‘maintenance budget’ sets up tough choices for the City of Ithaca’s elected officials ITHACA, N.Y. — The City of Ithaca’s proposed 2026 budget tops $112 million, about a $6.1 million increase from 2025. City Manager Deborah Mohlenoff presented her proposed budget to the Common Council on Oct. 6. Spending increases, she said, are “based on the cost of doing business” for the city, and the budget is aimed at slowing down the rapid growth in property taxes seen in recent years without slashing services.

A ‘maintenance budget’ sets up tough choices for the City of Ithaca’s elected officials

Cornell set to purchase another Collegetown building ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell University's spending spree in Collegetown doesn't appear to be over yet, as the university moved forward with plans to purchase the property at 209-215 Dryden Road, just steps from the Big Red's campus. The Breazzano Family Center is a six-story, 76,200 square-foot office and academic building, purposely built for Cornell's use by developers John Novarr and Phil Proujansky in 2017…

Cornell University is set to acquire the Breazzano Family Center property in Collegetown as its real estate acquisitions in the neighborhood continue.

Opinion: Choosing our priorities in a year of tight budgets This is an opinion piece written by Ward 3 Alderperson David Shapiro. It was not written by The Ithaca Voice. To submit opinion pieces, please send them to Matt Butler at mbutler@ithacavoice.org. Every year when budget season arrives, we face the same dilemma: our city has more needs than it has dollars. This year, two proposals in particular highlight that tension.

Ithaca Common Council member David Shapiro shares his thoughts on this year's budget constraints as the city begins its public budget process.

It’s city budget season. Here’s how to tell the Common Council what matters to you. ITHACA, N.Y. — The hills are changing color. There’s a distinct crispness in the air. It can all mean only one thing: budget season is upon us here in the City of Ithaca. The city’s yearly operating budget covers everything from property tax rates to availability of city-funded youth programs to parking rates in municipal garages. Common councilmembers received an…

It’s city budget season. Here’s how to tell the Common Council what matters to you.

Meet the high school students advising local environmental policy in Tompkins County ITHACA, N.Y. — Being a senior in high school comes with its fair share of challenges — college essays, placement exams and navigating the complicated world of being a teenager with adult responsibilities looming on the horizon are a few examples. And yet, some students in Tompkins County have managed to balance all of this with the additional responsibility of helping local governments create climate policy, with the goal of not only protecting the county’s natural environments but also building resilience against a warming climate.

Meet the high school students advising local policy in Tompkins County

Mayor forms committee to advise on salaries for elected officials ITHACA, N.Y. — Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo announced on Friday the formation of an advisory committee to study the financial compensation the city’s elected officials receive. The group will be responsible for delivering a report and recommendations on what elected officials in Ithaca should be paid. Its members will be tasked with reviewing pay structure in similarly sized municipalities, work requirements of council members, as well as living wage standards in Ithaca.

Mayor forms committee to advise on salaries for elected officials

Wave of threatening emails against local officials spurs investigation ITHACA, N.Y. — Local officials and public schools received a spate of threatening emails Monday morning, spurring an investigation from federal and local law enforcement. Tompkins County Sheriff Derek Osborne said in a press release that the threats appear to be part of a larger campaign, as several other counties reported similar incidents Monday morning. Osborne said local law enforcement is investigating the threats, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

A slew of threatening emails were sent to various public officials, schools and other organizations in Tompkins County Monday morning. Police are investigating.

Driver fatally struck in two-car crash on Route 34 in Newfield NEWFIELD, N.Y. — Law enforcement responded to a fatal two-vehicle crash that killed a Newfield man over the weekend. Officials said Shaquille M. Stuttle, 31, was pronounced dead at the scene after a black 2019 Toyota 4-Runner struck his Honda CR-V while he attempted to cross Route 34 while driving east down Decker Road in the town of Newfield around 11:13 a.m.

Driver fatally struck in two-car crash on Route 34 in Newfield

Weather: Warm to start, more fall-like by midweek ITHACA, N.Y. -- It feels uncannily summer-like right now, other than the early sunsets and late sunrises. However, this heat will be replaced with more autumnal conditions following a sharp cold front Tuesday night, which will also be our only chance for significant rain this week. If you're waiting for sweater weather, hang on, it's coming. Dry conditions continue into Sunday.

Weather: Warm to start, more fall-like by midweek

ITHACA, N.Y. -- It feels uncannily summer-like right now, other than the early sunsets and late sunrises. However, this heat will be replaced with more autumnal conditions following a sharp cold front Tuesday night, which will also be our only…

Lawmakers scrutinize secretive process behind energy bill hikes This story originally appeared in New York Focus, a nonprofit news publication investigating power in New York. Sign up for their newsletter here. ALBANY, N.Y. — In theory, the process that determines your energy bills plays out in public, through innumerable documents and comments posted online and hearings that are open to all.  In practice, watchdogs say, the key decisions are made behind closed doors, in confidential settlement proceedings where utilities set the agenda and bring legal firepower that is impossible for most other participants to match. 

From New York Focus: In a state Senate hearing on spiraling energy bills, consumer advocates lamented the closed-door negotiations at the heart of New York’s ratemaking process.

Foodnet, Cayuga Health establish new weekly community dining site for seniors ITHACA, N.Y. — Cayuga Health and Foodnet Meals on Wheels have announced a new partnership that intends to bring food and connection for senior citizens throughout Tompkins County. Starting on Oct. 23, the two organizations will collaborate to provide weekly community dining lunches served at Cayuga Health’s location at The Shops at Ithaca Mall in the former Sears location. Doors will open each Thursday at 11 a.m.

Foodnet Meals on Wheels is expanding its weekly free meals for seniors programming with help from Cayuga Health.

Classroom phone ban has loosened, but not cut tether between teens and devices ITHACA, N.Y. — What happens when you try to ban students from using smartphones throughout the school day? In the Ithaca City School District (ICSD), in practice, the state-mandated ban hasn’t resulted in a total, cold turkey elimination of student phone use. Nevertheless, hundreds of students and educators across two schools reported a significant, across-the-board decline in student cell phone usage, according to student-run surveys.

Classroom phone ban has loosened, but not cut tether between teens and devices

Frost advisory in effect Thursday morning ITHACA, N.Y. — The first frost advisory of the season has been put into effect for the overnight hours leading into Thursday morning. The National Weather Service announced that the temperature is expected to dip between 33 to 38 degrees from midnight Thursday until 8 a.m., which will result in frost formation. The most direct threat of the low temperatures is to outdoor plants.

Frost advisory in effect Thursday morning

County legislature candidate forum focuses on affordability, development, and living wage ITHACA, N.Y. — A candidate forum for the Tompkins County Legislature revolved around affordability issues — a perennial concern in Tompkins County — and raising the minimum wage, along with the looming financial challenges the county will face as a result of federal spending cuts. There are 16 open seats on the Tompkins County Legislature, but just four of them…

County legislature candidate forum focuses on affordability, development, and living wage

Local environmental activist Yvonne Taylor receives Grist 50 Climate Leaders Award ITHACA, N.Y. — Steeped in the waters of the Finger Lakes, and raised among their rolling hills, Yvonne Taylor knows just how precious the nature that surrounds her is. For her commitment to keeping titans of industry from changing that, she’s now been recognized as one of the most influential climate leaders in the country. Taylor, the co-founder and vice president of advocacy group Seneca Lake Guardian, was named to Grist’s List of National Climate Leaders, one of the most prominent environmental awards in the country.

Local environmental activist Yvonne Taylor receives Grist 50 Climate Leaders Award

New Roots Charter School adds middle school program ITHACA, N.Y. — Ithaca’s New Roots Charter School started the school year earlier this month with its first official middle school cohort. The school enrolled 50 students in grades 6 – 8, who are split between two mixed-age classrooms. The “Montessori-inspired” charter school received formal state approval to add a middle school program during its charter renewal process in February…

New Roots Charter School expands with middle school program

New proposal for unarmed responder program reaches City Hall ITHACA, N.Y. — A long-awaited proposal for a community responder program is now being considered by the City of Ithaca’s Common Council. The proposal would introduce a team of unarmed responders aimed at reducing reliance on traditional law enforcement for non-violent calls, as well as reducing disproportionate contact between vulnerable populations and the criminal justice system. The program is tentatively named Responders Offering Outreach, Trust and Support, or the ROOTS Team.

Common Council is now considering a concrete proposal for the long-awaited unarmed co-response model to work with local police.

Obituary: Robert L. Stull Robert Louis “Bob” Stull of Ithaca, New York, passed away on August 13, 2025 at the age of 94. Born in Sherman, Illinois on July 26, 1931 to parents Fred Allen Stull and Mary Ellen McCue Stull, Bob was the second of five children: Richard Francis McCue (deceased), John Frederick “Freddie” Stull, Freida Stull Green, and Thomas Stull. Bob graduated from Williamsville, IL, high school in 1949.

Obituary: Robert L. Stull

Weather: Dry, mild and picture perfect all week ITHACA, N.Y. -- Following last week's rainy weather, it's back to our drier daily grind. High pressure remains in control for the week ahead, so this will be one of the very rare instances of a forecast with no precipitation in it. The weather will be great for your early fall festivities, especially with some cooler temps with mid-week, but some of the advancement we made against the statewide drought will evaporate over the next several days.

Weather: Dry, mild and picture perfect all week

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Following last week's rainy weather, it's back to our drier daily grind. High pressure remains in control for the week ahead, so this will be one of the very rare instances of a forecast with no precipitation in it. The weather will…

Apple Harvest Festival kicks off in downtown Ithaca ITHACA, N.Y. — The annual Apple Harvest Festival has begun, as of Friday afternoon, as scores of visitors will descend on the Ithaca Commons for a weekend of apple-themed products and festivities, live music and food. The festival kicked off at noon on Friday and will run until Sunday evening. Each day will feature a variety of musical performances, though it does not appear that a schedule has been released.

By Sunday afternoon, remember these words: If you're in line for apple cider donuts, stay in line.

A bug’s life: The larval samples that gauge the health of local creeks ITHACA, N.Y. — Telling someone to kick rocks may be a sign of frustration, but for Community Science Institute volunteers (CSI), it is a call to action — a call for science. On a cool August morning, CSI volunteers Di Florini, Lucy Gagliardo, Beth Burton and CSI’s water quality scientist Dan Pascucci, met up at 600 Road in Slaterville Springs. …

A bug’s life: The larval samples that gauge the health of local creeks