Welcome to the quickest way to learn the week’s most important local news.
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1 – 13,000 crows; the story behind Ithaca’s big winter flock
Ever wonder about the massive flock of crows in winter in Ithaca? — The Ithaca Voice spoke with an ornithologist and crow expert at Cornell University to learn more about why crows roost in such large numbers in winter.
2 – Assault by frying pan
Ithaca man charged with assault with frying pan — A dispute allegedly turned violent at a home in Dryden when police say 59-year-old Patrick R. Smuda, of Ithaca, struck another man in the back of the head with a “household item,” causing injury. The household item was reportedly a frying pan.
3 – Ithaca considers cutting fire service to Ithaca College; members of public speak out
Public hearing: Cutting off fire dept. services to Ithaca College called ‘unprecedented’ — During a public hearing about whether the town of Ithaca should continue on a path toward stopping fire department services to Ithaca College, both a firefighter who lives in the town and an attorney for the college spoke out against the proposed measure.
4 – Old Library plans move forward (finally)
FINALLY! Ithaca old library one step closer to becoming DeWitt House after 4-3 vote — The newest design for the 58-unit Dewitt House, which will provide the city with middle-income housing for seniors, is the eighth one produced by developer Travis Hyde Properties.
5 – Romance in Tom Reed’s office
Mayor Myrick marries Ithacans at Tom Reed sit-in on Valentine’s Day — It’s likely the most Ithaca story you’ll ever read. While holding a “sit-in” protest in Congressman Tom Reed’s office on Valentine’s Day, Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick officially married two Ithacans.
6 – Family from Afghanistan set to arrive in Ithaca through Catholic Charities program
First family to arrive in Ithaca through Catholic Charities refugee resettlement program — The Ithaca-based Catholic Charities agency is launching the new refugee resettlement program under the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services program, the largest refugee resettlement program in the U.S.
7 – Pedestrians at fault after serious crash on Route 13
Update: Pedestrians ticketed after Route 13 crash in Ithaca — Police ticketed two pedestrians involved in a serious crash on Route 13 near Chipotle for going against at “don’t walk” signal.
8 – Tom Reed shows up to talk to protesters in Ithaca office
The details of Congressman Tom Reed’s late-night meeting with Ithaca protesters — A sit-in at Republican Congressman Tom Reed’s Ithaca office ended after he showed up for a late-night one-on-one with protesters who refused to leave his office until he spoke to them.
And in other Reed-related news, an Ithaca Voice offer to host a town hall with the congressman was rejected.
9 – Man charged with attempted rape of teen
Court records: Man charged with attempted rape of young teen in Ithaca — Ray J. Dennis, 47, is charged with felony first-degree attempted rape and is currently being held on $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bond.
10 – What went wrong? An exclusive, in-depth look at events preceding Ithaca Wal-Mart shooting
What went wrong? Ithaca Wal-Mart shooter surrendered gun months before homicide; was in a psychiatric ward at CMC — An Ithaca man accused of a fatal shooting in a Wal-Mart parking lot was voluntarily committed into a psychiatric ward and surrendered his pistol about three months prior to the homicide.
