Ithaca · Local digest
One Ithaca story today you'd miss anywhere else. Skip national politics. Prefer transport, housing, council decisions, openings, and city-level policy — the things that change life for someone living in Ithaca. Always cite the local outlet (e.g. Tagesspiegel, RBB) so I can read further.
← See today's latestFourth Ward fills immediately; trail funding lands; garage repair debate deepens
Fourth Ward seat now filled
Lara Tomescu is in the Common Council.
The Cornell public administration student was unanimously appointed Thursday to the Fourth Ward alderperson seat vacant since August, when Patrick Kuehl resigned [Quelle: Cornell Sun]. Tomescu, who previously worked helping refugees at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, has flagged homelessness and housing shortages as priorities. She joins a council already tangled in the Asteri debt crisis and an $8 million budget gap.
Her first votes arrive in early November.
Rail Trail gets state funding boost
Nine million dollars landed for Southern Tier infrastructure.
The region will split $9.1 million in state funding, with $3 million earmarked for the Dryden Rail Trail and $1.2 million for walkways in Painted Post [Quelle: WBNG]. The rail trail funding accelerates connectivity work the region has been prioritizing. Construction momentum should stay on track through fall.
Watch whether the cash flow reaches Ithaca's pedestrian access plans.
Garage fix-or-demolish fight continues
Moosewood is pushing back hard on demolition.
The Moosewood Restaurant filed a petition in October demanding the council commission a structural study before tearing down the Seneca Street parking garage, which closed in May [Quelle: 607 News Now]. The restaurant argues repairs could be cheaper and greener than demolition. Mayor Cantelmo and City Manager Recckio still favor tearing it down after the council's 8–1 August vote to transfer it to the Urban Renewal Agency.
The council's next move determines whether downtown Ithaca gets parking or a blank slate.
Lara Tomescu M.P.A. '27 Appointed to Ithaca Fourth Ward Common ...21 hours ago ... The City of Ithaca announced that Lara Tomescu M.P.A. '27 has been appointed to the Common Council as a Fourth Ward alderperson in a Thursday press release.cornellsun.com
The Southern Tier will receive $9.1 million total. That includes $3 ...5 hours ago ... ... public transportation, and new new ADA accessible sidewalks. Hopefully the ... ” “We're investing in infrastructure initiatives across the state to improve ...facebook.com
Owego Police make arrest following recycling center vehicle theft21 hours ago ... Part of the petitions reads, “It's imperative that the Ithaca City Council ... These decisions should be made with community involvement, not behind closed doors.607newsnow.com