Community Corner
🌱 How will Tompkins County’s new $630K EMS grant change response times?
Be sure to catch Winter concert on the Tompkins Patch calendar

What's up Tompkins! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How will Tompkins County’s new $630K EMS grant change response times?
- Are Tompkins County’s rising COVID numbers about to spoil winter plans?
- What investigators say they found inside a Newfield mobile home raid
Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Tompkinsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Very cold with snow showers, with a high of 22 and low of 13 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Friday: Cold with flurries, temps: high: 25, low: 13.
- Saturday: Snow and flurries at times, with a high of 26 and low of 9 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Tompkins County lands $630K grant for emergency response team (fingerlakes1.com) — Tompkins County just secured nearly $630,000 from New York State to launch a Rapid Medical Response Team aimed at cutting emergency response times and improving coordination among local agencies. The competitive Local Government Efficiency grant is part of a broader push to modernize municipal services and reduce long-term costs, potentially easing pressure on local taxpayers while strengthening public safety.
![]()
Find out what's happening in Tompkinsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Respiratory Illness in the Greater Ithaca Area, December 10th (14850.com) — COVID levels around Tompkins County are climbing again, with recent case rates rebounding after a September peak and summer lull, while flu and RSV remain relatively low but poised to rise. Local health officials and new data tools, including wastewater monitoring and Tompkins County Whole Health dashboards, give residents up-to-date insight into respiratory risks before heading out.
![]()
3. Newfield Man Jailed After Homemade Explosives, 15 Guns Found During Police Raid (ithaca.com) — Tompkins County Sheriff’s deputies and federal agents say they seized 15 firearms and materials for improvised explosives during a raid at a Newfield mobile home, leading to a 48-year-old man’s arrest. The suspect is being held in Tompkins County Jail on $50,000 bail, and officials emphasize that bomb squad support and targeted enforcement programs aim to keep county residents safe from gun violence.
![]()
4. Tompkins County codifies top diversity position into charter (ithacavoice.org) — Tompkins County legislators have narrowly voted to write the Chief Equity and Diversity Officer position into the county charter, solidifying its role in leading equity and anti-discrimination efforts. The decision followed a tense, hour-long debate over the job’s effectiveness, structure, and symbolism, and comes as the county searches for someone to fill the currently vacant post.
![]()
5. Town-Gown Awards honor housing, childcare collaborations (cornell.edu) — Cornell’s latest Town-Gown Awards spotlight major collaborations with Tompkins County that are expanding affordable housing and childcare options for local families. The Community Housing Development Fund and the Tompkins County Community Child Care Growth Initiative are creating new homes and childcare slots, while a long list of county and city leaders are honored for years of public service.
![]()
📸 Around Tompkins
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Tompkins
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Winter concert
Walton Csd Walton, NY 13856
7:00 pm - G/B Bowling @ A/H
Walton Csd Walton, NY 13856
3:45 pm - 8 GBB @ Stamford
Walton Csd Walton, NY 13856
4:30 pm - JV/V BBB vs. Greene
Walton Csd Walton, NY 13856
5:30 pm - 7/8 BBB vs. U/F
Walton , NY 13856
4:30 pm - 7/8 GBB @ U/F
Walton Csd Walton, NY 13856
4:30 pm - JV/V GBB vs. Onteora
Walton Csd Walton, NY 13856
5:00 pm - Winter concert
Walton Csd Walton, NY 13856
7:00 pm
Thursday December 11
Friday December 12
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
📣 Tompkins Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- G/B Bowling @ A/H
Walton Csd Walton, NY 13856
3:45 pm - Sidney Art Club Paint & Sip Workshop
Sidney Central High School , 95 W Main St , Sidney
5:30 pm - Bainbridge-Guilford Girls Varsity Basketball @ Windsor Central
Windsor Central High School , 1191 NY-79 , Windsor
1:45 pm - Catskill Dance Moves Presents: Countdown to Christmas
Walton Central High School , 47-49 Stockton Ave , Walton
2:00 pm
Friday December 12
Saturday December 13
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
Ok Tompkins! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.