Tompkins County

A $14 million solar array in Lansing has received a local property tax break after developers warned it could fail without financial help, according to The Ithaca Voice. The project, run by Genie Solar Energy, ... more

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced six new certified Climate Smart Communities, with three earning the program’s highest “silver” designation for their efforts to combat climate change. The town of ... more

An Ithaca man is in custody without bail after police say he was found with heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and cannabis during a traffic stop on the city’s south side. Jason Denmark, 48, was arrested ... more

Health officials are warning the public to avoid sections of Cayuga Lake after widespread outbreaks of toxic algae were reported this week. According to the Seneca County Health Department, harmful algal blooms—known as HABs—have been ... more

Tompkins County has secured $1 million from New York State’s County Infrastructure Grant Program to kickstart construction at the long-vacant Emerson Power Transmission site, according to the Ithaca Journal. The grant will fund vital infrastructure ... more

City officials in Ithaca and Tompkins County Whole Health are urging dog owners to follow updated guidance to keep pets and people safe in urban settings. The announcement, made Tuesday, emphasizes that responsible dog ownership ... more

A developer hopes to bring a new restaurant to the former Imperial Kitchen site in Lansing, with Chipotle confirmed as a possible tenant and Chick-fil-A still in talks, according to Tompkins Weekly. Developer Chris Fiello ... more

The long-planned SouthWorks development in Ithaca has received a $1 million state grant to help launch its first phase, according to The Ithaca Voice. The funds will support infrastructure for 100 affordable housing units—part of ... more

Cornell’s Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital has doubled its capacity to meet a surge in injured animal cases, according to Tompkins Weekly. The Ithaca-based facility, which treats wild animals and prepares them for rehabilitation, now ... more

Newfield officials plan to begin long-needed water infrastructure upgrades in 2026, backed by a $4.2 million state grant, according to Tompkins Weekly. The project will replace aging pipes and pumps—some over 60 years old—starting with ... more

Renovus Solar has transformed a former livestock facility on Sheffield Road into its new headquarters, according to Tompkins Weekly. The 30-acre site, once used by GENEX, now houses all Renovus employees and the startup Standard ... more

Tompkins County is seeking a consultant to assess the effects of raising the local minimum wage above the state’s $15.50 rate, according to Tompkins Weekly. The study will explore wage impacts across industries, border economies, ... more

A 30-year-old man from Ithaca was arrested Monday after police say he attempted to shoot a family member during a confrontation but the weapon failed to discharge. The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office said Frank White ... more

A 9-year-old child reported missing from Ithaca has been safely located in Rhode Island following a coordinated investigation between the Ithaca Police Department and multiple agencies across state lines. On July 7, the Ithaca Police ... more

Residents of Ithaca and Tompkins County are invited to a public information session on Tuesday, July 15, to learn about recent FEMA flood map updates and how they may impact insurance coverage and property risk ... more

A woman was arrested in downtown Ithaca on Sunday evening following a domestic incident in which she allegedly threatened two people with a knife and later injured a police officer while in custody. According to ... more

An Ithaca woman was taken into custody last week after allegedly attempting to seize a police officer’s duty weapon during a welfare check, according to the Ithaca Police Department. The incident occurred around 8:20 a.m ... more

A violent supercell storm carved a destructive path through Ithaca on July 3, downing trees and electrical wires and leaving over 1,500 residents without power, according to the National Weather Service. Although a tornado warning ... more

Daniel Nolan has officially joined the Tompkins County Legislature, representing Ithaca’s Belle Sherman and South Hill neighborhoods through the end of 2025, according to The Ithaca Voice. He was elected unopposed in a special election ... more