Ithaca News Digest

Local Crime & Safety Alerts

• 🔥 Elmira Road Murder Trial: Opening testimony in the trial of Autreyu Massaline centers on racial slurs and threats...

Student-led efforts are cutting waste in everyday Cornell life:

• Dining coordinators survey plate waste, tweak recipes—like fixing salty pho—to...

Key public safety updates amid local crime trends:

• Auburn drug bust: Four arrested in Cayuga County raid seizing cocaine, handgun.
• Cosmetics theft...

Regional officer risks laid bare in Syracuse:

• Rodney Vanderpool shot multiple rounds at least 6 times (9:36-11:58 a.m.) through his apartment door...

Essential for Ithaca families and students:

• May 23 at Schoellkopf Field: 10am & 2:30pm ceremonies, President Kotlikoff speaks, livestreamed with...

TCWH alerts Ithaca community to low-risk Andes hantavirus spread among passengers and crew on an Atlantic Ocean cruise ship. No local threat, but stay informed on public health updates.

Brighten your Ithaca home with these SPCA of Tompkins County cats:

• Tuxedo kittens like curious Mars (baby male), playful Terra (baby female), gentle...

Public safety career alert for Cornell community: Become a 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator answering calls for help to support police and fire missions.

Public Safety Incidents

• 🔥 Fatal House Fire: Firefighters responded shortly after 9pm Monday to a house fire on East Buffalo Street between...

• Level 1 severe threat hits western NY (incl. Syracuse) today with damaging wind gusts – rethink outdoor plans.
• Clouds and scattered rain persist...

Critical IPD incident: Officer Anthony Augustine shot late last night attempting to stop a stolen vehicle.

• Recovering this morning
• Suspect in custody
  Stay vigilant on local roads amid vehicle theft risks.

Cayuga County-area police blotter for May 12 lists latest local arrests by city, county, and state law enforcement. Vital regional awareness for Ithaca folks.

Tragic house fire on East Buffalo Street between Collegetown and Downtown Ithaca resulted in one fatality Monday night, with firefighters responding shortly after 9pm. A stark reminder for residential safety in this busy area.

Key steps for Ithaca-area stability:

• Housing boost: Unanimous approval for HHAP grant to build 80-bed adult shelter, with construction eyed for...

Public Safety Incidents

• 🔥 Pedestrian Struck at Hancock/Second: A pedestrian was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after being...

Latest on Sunday's Ithaca crash:

• ~2 p.m. May 10: Pedestrian crossing Second St. hit by vehicle turning from Hancock St.
• Driver failed to see...

Local pride: Cornell '13 grad and Ithaca Voice founder Jeff Stein helped WaPo win Pulitzer for Public Service, exposing Trump admin's federal overhaul...

• Theft incidents: Laptops and other items taken from Cornell student rooms, per police.
• Report tips: Cornell Police urge calls to 607-255-1111 with any information.
• Key for Ithaca campus safety—stay alert, students.

Ithaca Fire Department extinguished a boat fire Saturday afternoon near Treman Marina, sparked by a fuel leak as the boater returned. Key reminder: Check fuel systems before heading out on Cayuga Lake.

Plan ahead for the 2026 Primary (June 23):

• Nine days: June 13–21 at two accessible sites—Town of Ithaca Town Hall (215 N Tioga St, downtown) or CFR...