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1 — Should Ithaca police, City Hall make public policy for using tasers?

Judge issues ruling after Ithaca police refuse to release taser policy – The Ithaca Police Department should not be forced to release major portions of its policy for using tasers or its policy for use of lethal force, a local judge has ruled. Ithaca Voice

A document signed by Mayor Myrick denying an appeal for disclosure of the Ithaca Police Department’s policy for using tasers. Underlines by the Ithaca Voice

2 — Ithaca author could be writing her way to the big screen

Movie company may bring Ithaca author’s book to silver screen – Ithaca author Megan Shull’s book “The Swap” has been optioned by a major national movie company — the first step toward bringing the acclaimed novel to the silver screen. Ithaca Voice

3 — Authorities: Someone intentionally poisoned stray cats in Ithaca

8 cats killed in Ithaca’s Collegetown – “We’ve never seen a mass poisoning of this level at all … This is a new one for us and our community, and it’s awful.” Ithaca Voice

Three more kittens were taken to the SPCA Thursday afternoon and are being monitored for neurological symptoms.

4 — Lawsuit filed in horrific hazing at local school

Mother sues Groton school over football team’s hazing incident – The Groton Central School District has been sued over a hazing incident involving the school’s football team, according to Tompkins County Court records. Ithaca Voice

5 — Lots to crow about in this story

Fate of Ithaca chickens debated after unknown tipster stirs nest – Someone in Ithaca has been going around anonymously reporting illegal chicken-owners, putting Ithaca Police, and those with chickens, in a tough position. Ithaca Voice

6 — A look at a very cool new Ithaca startup company

New Ithaca startup, Ruth Baseball, takes swing at bat-making market – “Baseball is the only sport in the world where we give kids the wrong tool to do the job until they turn professional … It doesn’t make sense.” Ithaca Voice

7 — Alderpersons have harsh words about new ‘Ithaca Commons’ sign

New ‘Ithaca Commons’ sign comes under fire at City Hall – “It’s an embarrassment … And an aesthetic issue of not insignificant proportions.” Ithaca Voice

A traffic light sits right in front of the “Ithaca Commons” welcome sign. The project is costing taxpayers at least $15 million. (Jeff Stein / Ithaca Voice)

8 — Historians take fascinating dive back into forgotten piece of Tompkins County history

Remembering Tompkins’ black Civil War soldiers: 26 forgotten heroes – Between December 3, 1863, and February 18, 1864, 26 black men went to the St. James A.M.E. Zion church, stood on Cleveland Street in downtown Ithaca, and enlisted in the 26th Regiment of the U.S. Colored Infantry. Ithaca Voice

9 — I’ll drink (and eat?) to that!

3 Ithaca companies in 1 sector to create 125 new jobs – Three Ithaca area companies related to food are predicting that they will create a combined 125 jobs over the next several years. Ithaca Voice

Photo courtesy of Ithaca Beer Company’s Facebook page

10 — And new data provides yet another look at Ithaca’s housing problem

New data: Ithacans earn slightly more than peers, but pay way more for housing – Ithacans pay a disproportionately large amount of their wages towards housing. Ithaca Voice

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