LISTEN: Memories of Lost Cat, Gavin Mahoney

The Ithaca artist known as Lost Cat died in April. His name was Gavin Mahoney and he was 55. Mahoney was best known for the many stick cat figures he painted around the city. Shortly after his death friends, admirers, and fellow artists put on a memorial art exhibition. And in July, a sculpture was installed downtown in his memory. I spoke with a few of his friends at both events. Here’s some of what they said about Mahoney’s life and how they will remember him.

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Local News: August 17, 2023

– Cornell will not renew its agreement with Starbucks – Cornell University says it will not continue to carry Starbucks products after its current contract ends in 2025. The announcement was made in an email from the administration to the student body on August 16. Students, current and former Starbucks employees have been pressuring the…

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Local News for April 10, 2023

Local News for April 10, 2023 Ithaca Common Council Approves Public Safety Reform Plans The Ithaca Common Council voted last Wednesday to adopt the recommendations in the Reimagining Public Safety report. The Ithaca Voice reports that some changes include creating an unarmed response team, hiring a deputy city manager to head civilian oversight of the…

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Local News for April 7, 2023

Local News for April 7, 2023 Environmental Advocates Call on Governor to Close Seneca Meadows by 2025 HOST: A group of environmental advocates and lawmakers are calling on Governor Hochul to close the Seneca Meadows landfill by 2025. It’s located in Seneca County. The groups say in addition to closing the facility PFAS or “forever”…

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Ithaca Seeks to Replace Stephen Smith on Common Council

ITHACA, NY — The City of Ithaca is seeking to replace Common Council member Stephen Smith, who suddenly resigned from his elected position on August 8th. Smith represented Ithaca’s 4th ward for the last nine years. His abrupt departure was in order for him to follow his wife to New York City, where she will…

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Asteri Ithaca Gets Financial Boost From State

Asteri Ithaca (The Vecino Group) ITHACA, NY — Asteri Ithaca is set to receive $52 million from New York State. The money is a part of $270 million in funding that Governor Cuomo announced would go toward affordable housing developments.  Asteri Ithaca is a 12 story mixed use building with 181 affordable apartments. Of those…

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Spotted Lanternfly has Finger Lakes on Edge

Grape vines infested with spotted lanternfly. (Heather Leach) ITHACA, NY — The Spotted Lanternfly is raising alarm bells in the Finger Lakes. The invasive pest is a threat to the region’s wine industry with a serious appetite for grapes. The lanternfly has devastated vineyards in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, but it also poses a larger ecological…

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