Delta is the Dominant Variant in Tompkins County, Health Department Confirms
(Dominick Recckio / Tompkins County)
TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY -- The Delta Variant is the dominant variant of COVID-19 in Tompkins County.
The Tompkins County Health Department confirmed it’s prevalence on Tuesday. The Health Department sequenced 87 virus samples from county residents infected in June and July; 80 of those people were infected with the Delta Variant.
According to the CDC, The Delta Variant is twice as contagious as the original COVID-19 strain, and is able to break through the protection of vaccines. The Health Department reported on August 5th, that since January 2021, only 0.2 percent of Tompkins County’s vaccinated population have tested positive for COVID-19.
Out of an abundance of caution, the Health Department has issued masking guidance to those indoors and around others. It is not understood what the transmission rates are among vaccinated people who are infected with COVID-19 but are asymptomatic.
COVID Cases Continue to Rise, Tompkins Co. Health Department to Host Community Update
TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY – COVID-19 cases continue to climb in Tompkins County. The Health Department reported 92 new positive cases of COVID-19 over the weekend, and a total of 268 active cases for Monday, August 30th. The last time Tompkins County saw cases this high was January 25th. A significant amount of community spread seems to…
Tompkins County Seeing ‘High Transmission Rate’ of COVID-19; Children Under 12 Make up 20 percent of Recent Cases
ITHACA, NY — Tompkins County is seeing a high transmission rate of COVID-19, prompting the Health Department to recommend masking in all local schools. As defined by the CDC, high-transmission of COVID is seeing over 100 positive cases per 100,000 residents over a seven-day period. According to data from the Tompkins County Health Department, there…
Tompkins Co. Medical Director, Dr. Klepack, On the Delta Variant And Breakthrough Infections
Tompkins County has seen a surge in cases of COVID-19. As of Friday, August 6th, there are 90 active cases in Tompkins County. Two weeks ago there were just 4.Data from the Tompkins County Health Department shows a rise in breakthrough cases as well. All of this is largely being attributed to the more transmissible…
Majority of Last Week’s COVID Cases Were in Fully Vaccinated People; Total Number of Positive Cases Represent 0.2 Percent of Tompkins County Resident
TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY — The Tompkins County Health department published data on Thursday regarding cases of COVID-19 by vaccination status. Between May 1st and July 31st, 27 percent of COVID cases detected in Tompkins County were in fully vaccinated people. That’s 84 reported cases out of a total of 315 known cases for those 3…
Spike in Cases Continues, Tompkins County Health Department Announces Virtual COVID-19 Update
TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY — In response to a jump in COVID cases, the Tompkins County Health Department is hosting a virtual COVID-19 update on Thursday, August 5th. The Health Department reported 20 new positive cases of the COVID-19 in Tompkins County for Wednesday, August 4th, and a total of 86 active cases. The 7-day average…
COVID-19 Cases Tick Up in Tompkins County; Mask Guidance Reinstated
TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY — In response to a recent uptick in cases, the Tompkins County Health Department is reinstating masking guidance and resuming daily updates of it’s COVID-19 data tables. As of posting this story, there are 59 active cases of COVID-19 in Tompkins County. The daily COVID updates were reduced to once a week…
Cayuga Lake’s HABs Season is Booming, Health Department Issues Warning
ITHACA, NY — Cayuga Lake is leading New York state in Harmful Algal Blooms this season, prompting a call for caution at the Tompkins County Health Department. Cayuga Lake has had over two dozen toxic blooms this year according to reports collected by the Department of Environmental Conservation, or DEC. The toxic blooms can look…
Upcoming Radio Specials – February 2026
Thursday February 5th from 2-3pm interview with a member of the Southern Tier Singers’ Collective on ‘Classical Greatness’* with Sam the Cool Fishman Chase, from the Southern Tier Singers’ Collective joins Sam for a closer look at “Polyphony.” Not sure what that is? Tune in to find out!**The Instrument Spotlight recently renamed to Classical Greatness…
WRFI Board Meeting Minutes 12-9-25
WRFI Board Meeting notes (Dec. 9, 2025) Attending: Amie, Corinne, Joe, John, Mike (notes), Peter, Niki, Steven, Talaya The board celebrated a successful winter fund drive, meeting its financial goal despite mid-drive slowdowns and reduced social media engagement. Gift baskets and phone calls showed minimal impact on donations, prompting a review of their future use.…
WRFI Board Meeting Minutes 11-18-25
Board Meeting Minutes – Nov 18, 2025 Attendees: Peter, Corinne, Amie, Joe, John, Mike (minutes), Niki, Stephen, Ben (joined later) Key Discussion Points: Strategic Plan & Leadership: Draft needs more specifics, timelines, and measurable outcomes; need prioritization and clarity on staff roles. Executive Director Review: Formal review planned for Q1 2026; evaluation criteria to align…
WRFI Board Meeting Minutes 10-14-25
WRFI Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Tuesday October 14, 2025 In attendance: Amie Herman Mike Cook Robin Elliott Joe Romano Corinne Shanahan John Young Stephen St. Francis Decky Niki Ray-Israelsohn Ben Coakley Current membership: Talaya Centeno Amie Herman Mike Cook Robin Elliott Peter Bakija Joe Romano Corinne Shanahan John Young Joseph Haefeli Stephen St. Francis…
WRFI Board Meeting Minutes 9-9-25
WRFI Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Tuesday September 9, 2025 In attendance: Talaya Centeno Amie Herman Mike Cook Peter Bakija Joe Romano Corinne Shanahan John Young Ben Coakley Current membership: Talaya Centeno Amie Herman Mike Cook Robin Elliott Peter Bakija Joe Romano Corinne Shanahan John Young Joseph Haefeli Ben Coakley Agenda Items: 6:03: Call to…
WRFI Board Meeting Minutes 8-12-25
WRFI Board of Directors Meeting Agenda Tuesday August 12, 2025 In attendance: Amie Herman Robin Elliott Peter Bakija Joe Romano Corinne Shanahan John Young Joseph Haefeli Ben Coakley Current membership: Talaya Centeno Amie Herman Mike Cook Robin Elliott Peter Bakija Joe Romano Corinne Shanahan John Young Joseph Haefeli Ben Coakley Minutes by Robin Elliott Agenda…
WRFI Receives Grant from Sustainable Finger Lakes for Community Announcements
We are excited to announce that WRFI Community Radio is a recipient of a Neighborhood Mini-Grant from Sustainable Finger Lakes! WRFI submitted a first-time application to Sustainable Finger Lakes this fall to expand our on-air Public Service Announcements to include a series on sustainable resources, programs, funding, and services offered across our listening area. Our…
Independent Local Media IS THE GIFT OF THE SEASON – WRFI Winter Fund Drive – Giving Tuesday 12/2 through 12/8
THANK YOU!!! WE RAISED $14,233+ FROM OUR COMMUNITY! It’s not just giving season, it’s gratitude season. Kicking off our Winter Fund Drive on a very special Giving Tuesday, stay tuned 12/2-12/8 for daily specials and features (SCROLL DOWN) as our show hosts express their gratitude to YOU our listeners and our station supporters. PLUS we…
CREATIVES on WRFI: ‘Remaining Native’ a Conversation with Indigenous Filmmaker Paige Bethmann
This special interview with Paige Bethmann is scheduled to air on Monday December 1st from 5-6pm and on Saturday December 6th from 10-11am hosted by Zoë Van Nostrand. Tune in at 88.1 Ithaca, 89.7 Southern Finger Lakes, 91.9 Watkins Glen or stream from anywhere at WRFI.org/listen Tune in for two special broadcasts of CREATIVES on…
LIVE Performance by IDELYNE 11/13 on The Scenic Route with Felix
This live performance with IDELYNE is scheduled to air on Thursday November 13 from 12-1pm on The Scenic Route with Felix. Tune in at 88.1 Ithaca, 89.7 Southern Finger Lakes, or stream from anywhere at WRFI.org/listen Airing live on Thursday November 13th from 12-1pm for a performance by IDELYNE on The Scenic Route with Felix…