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Local News: May 7, 2024

Ithaca Starts Clean Up of Homeless Encampment City workers have begun to clean up a former homeless encampment in Ithaca’s West End. The clean up was ordered by the Tompkins Environmental Health in early April. According to the Ithaca Voice, work began at the site last week. The small triangular parcel is bordered by train tracks and by Six Mile Creek and is visible from the Taber St bridge. In December, Common Countil adopted a one-year pilot program aimed at providing basic services for unhoused people living in a prescribed encampment zone. The area being clieaned up is not part of that sanctioned zone. Until the cleanup, ten people had been living in…

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Voices: Ithaca CarShare Members on Life without Car Access

By Celia Clarke

It’s been over a week since Ithaca CarShare temporarily closed. The nonprofit stopped operating on May 19 because of an insurance problem that can only be solved with new state legislation.  I called Ithaca CarShare members – Ellie Santoro, Jayne Soulman, and Marybeth Michelson-Theiry to find out how not having access to the car share…

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INTERVIEW – Liz Field, Ithaca CarShare

By Celia Clarke

Ithaca CarShare is closing down today. They intend for this to be a pause but they are facing insurance problems that can only be solved by the state legislature. I spoke with Executive Director Liz Field about the situation, how it’s affecting their members, and what comes next. We talked on the day before the…

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This Week on The Scene: Dan Torop on the Science, Technology, and Art of Images

By Chantal Thomas

In this week’s episode of The Scene, photographer and art professor Dan Torop discusses his recent work in the exhibitions Falling Water and Three Rainbows; the science and technology that he has used in rendering images of the physical world; and the social and cultural histories that accompany and shape tools of photography and other forms of visual rendering.

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CREATIVES: Helen Gillet on new Album and Ithaca Shows

By Felix Teitelbaum

New Orleans based cellist Helen Gillet chats with Felix Teitelbaum about her new album “ReBelle” and her upcoming appearances in Ithaca at the Downstairs May 24 and June 29, 2023. Photo: Jason Kruppa

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Latest from the WRFI News Team

Daily features and interviews from our community

Local News: May 7, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | May 7, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: May 7, 2024

Ithaca Starts Clean Up of Homeless Encampment City workers have begun to clean up a former homeless encampment in Ithaca’s West End. The clean up was ordered by the Tompkins Environmental Health in early April. According to the Ithaca Voice, work began at the site last week. The small triangular parcel is bordered by train…

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Local News: May 6, 2024 – 2024 ICSD Elections

By Felix Teitelbaum | May 6, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: May 6, 2024 – 2024 ICSD Elections

Ithaca City School District Election Roundup The district-wide Ithaca City School District election is coming up on May 21. Eligible voters in the district will vote on three ballot measures and for candidates for three seats on the school board. The first measure is a vote on the district’s proposed $169 million budget. It will…

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Local News: May 3, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | May 3, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: May 3, 2024

Coalition Pushes for “Just Cause” Employment in Ithaca The campaign for “just cause” employment legislation in Ithaca continues. According to the Cornell Sun, the Ithaca Just Cause Coalition has been pushing Common Council to adopt their proposal and a working group on the matter is being formed. The coalition includes unions, nonprofits and businesses. The…

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Local News: May 2, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | May 2, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: May 2, 2024

Ithaca Passes Short Term Rental Ordinance, Green New Deal Plan- Ithaca’s Common Council passed to major resolutions at its regular meeting Wednesday night. The first enacts a long-discussed short term rental ordinance. Under the new regulation, a permit is required to operate a short term rental. A “short term rental” is defined as one for…

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