June 16, 2022 Headlines

From June 26th to July 3rd, Ithaca is hosting its first ever PRIDE Week. According to Tompkins Weekly, community members and visitors are welcome to join the festivities, which will include LQBTQIA+ performances, vendors, drag shows, HIV testing, a walking tour, and more. The Downtown Ithaca Alliance is organizing the event, and it’s the city’s first time dedicating an entire week to celebrating pride. For more information, visit downtownithaca.com/pride 

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According to the Ithaca Voice, the body of a missing SUNY Cortland professor was found yesterday near Route 281. Muteb Alqahtani had last been seen Tuesday morning. According to a letter from Cortland’s President Erik Bitterbaum, Alquahtani was a professor in the Early Childhood Education Department and was active in the college’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion efforts. The Cortland County Sheriff’s Office does not currently suspect foul play. However, the Sheriff is asking anyone with information about Alquatani to call (607) 758-5583. 

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On Monday the two candidates for Ithaca’s Fourth Ward seat on Common Council sparred at an event presented by the Tompkins County Democratic Committee. Cornell undergraduates Tiffany Kumar and Patrick Mehler will compete in the June 28th Democratic primary to serve the final year of Stephen Smith’ term. Smith resigned from Common Council in August of 2021. Kumar has endorsements from the New York Working Families Party and the Ithaca Democratic Socialists. Mehler has held the seat since he was appointed by Common Council last year. He has endorsements from five current Council members as well as former Mayor Svante Myrick and acting Mayor Laura Lewis. According to the Ithaca Voice, the two candidates vying to represent Ithaca’s Collegetown neighborhood got into heated debate over a range of issues including student voter engagement, housing, and the efforts to reimagine local public safety.