Get Caught Up On Binghamton Area News

Whether you lead a busy life or don't get to find out all that's happening news-wise in our community, this is why each week, we recap in an article some of the essential local news we reported on 1290 AM, 92.1 FM, and 93.9 FM WNBF, our Townsquare Media Binghamton sister radio stations, as well as on our websites and social media platforms.

Catch up on some of the latest local and regional news items in a short recap we reported on for the week of May 4, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Binghamton Apartment House Evacuated After Residents Hear "Boom"

(Bob Joseph)
There were some frightening moments for residents of a three-story apartment building on Binghamton's West Side following what sounded like an explosion. City police and firefighters were sent to 43 Orton Avenue around 8:10 a.m. Thursday. Residents reported the basement was filling with smoke after they heard a loud "boom." When the first emergency units arrived at the scene, a "light haze" could be seen in the basement. Windows were opened to help ventilate the building. Firefighters went through the apartment house to evacuate all occupants of its 13 units. They also checked every apartment for elevated gas readings. No problems were detected. NYSEG crews were called to evaluate the situation. Natural gas service was shut off while the matter was investigated. Authorities said the trouble appeared to have been the result of a mechanical problem with the building's furnace. They said there was no fire.

How A Routine Traffic Stop Led To A Police Pursuit

(Don Morgan)
On May 1st, 2026, the Broome County Sheriff’s Strategic Response Group released a report of an incident that began as a traffic stop, but turned into the capture of a wanted New Jersey man in a stolen vehicle. According to the report, the traffic stop in Binghamton soon became a heated pursuit on April 28, 2026. Around 10:07 pm, deputies observed a Porsche SUV traveling west on Main Street, making an illegal right turn onto Jarvis Street from the center lane. Deputies pursued the suspect on foot and eventually took him into custody without further incident. The suspect, 34-year-old Sayquan McKenzie from Camden, New Jersey, sustained a head laceration from his jump over a fence. He was transported to Wilson Hospital for medical treatment.McKenzie was then transported to the Broome County Sheriff's Office for processing, where he initially provided a false name. The vehicle was listed as stolen out of South Plainfield, New Jersey. McKenzie had an active arrest warrant from the New York Police Department for Assault on a Police Officer in the 2nd Degree. While searching the Porsche, investigators discovered a Mississippi license plate that was associated with a Porsche SUV used in a robbery at a 7-Eleven in Fort Lee, New Jersey, on April 27, 2026.

Vestal Police Detail Circumstances Surrounding Fatal Shooting

(Bob Joseph)
More information has been released about what occurred at a Vestal home that resulted in police officers shooting a 38-year-old man. The Vestal Police Department on Friday provided details about the situation that led to the death of Eslam Hegazy on February 25. According to a news release, police officers were sent to a Sequoia Lane residence around 11:40 a.m. after someone reported a man armed with a knife was experiencing "a psychiatric episode." According to the Vestal police summary, about two-and-a-half minutes elapsed from "the time of initial contact to the discharge of firearms. During that time, officers issued 42 commands for Hegazy to drop the knife."

What You Need To Know About Operation Clean Sweep In Broome County

(Don Morgan)
Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar and District Attorney Paul Battisti joined with Craig Tremaroli from the Albany Field Office of the FBI and First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone III for an announcement of major drug and firearm seizures in Broome County.
This effort was a collaborative operation between federal, state, and local agencies. It led to the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illicit drugs and 20 firearms over the past year in Broome County, according to the report. This effort was a collaborative operation between federal, state, and local agencies. It led to the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illicit drugs and 20 firearms over the past year in Broome County, according to the report.

Attempted Murder: Binghamton Teen Charged in North Side Shooting

(Bob Joseph)
Authorities say a 16-year-old boy faces attempted murder and weapon charges in connection with an Easter weekend shooting in Binghamton. According to a police department news release, the youth has been identified as one of the suspects involved in the incident that occurred on Doubleday Street on April 4 around 2:45 p.m. Detectives said "multiple suspects" fired handguns at a passing vehicle occupied by some men. The shooters fled on foot. Investigators said the boy who was arrested was taken into custody on Wednesday on the city's South Side. His name has not been made public. The teenager has been charged with four counts of attempted murder. He also faces charges of criminal use of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, and reckless endangerment.

Port Crane Man Sentenced To 14 Years For First-Degree Rape

(Don Morgan)
Paul Battisti, Broome County's District Attorney, released an announcement of a Port Crane Man who was sentenced to 14 Years for rape and sexual abuse. 33-year-old Stephen Pudiak from Port Crane was sentenced in Broome County Court to 14 years in New York State Prison, followed by 13 years of Post-Release Supervision for his conviction on Rape in the First Degree. He was given an additional concurrent sentence of 7 years in New York State Prison and 10 years of Post-Release Supervision, imposed for his conviction on Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. Pudiak will also have to register as a sex offender. According to the District Attorney's announcement, Pudiak's sentences will run consecutively to a previously imposed sentence of 3 years in New York State Prison, along with 3 years of Post-Release Supervision for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, imposed on April 26, 2024.

Daily Air Service By Delta Returns to Binghamton Airport

(Bob Joseph)
Delta Air Lines resumed daily service to Broome County on Thursday. The Greater Binghamton Airport has been without regular passenger flights for nearly three months. Delta advised county officials in late December that it was ending its one daily flight between the town of Maine field and Detroit. The final flight was made on February 14. Less than two weeks after announcing it was leaving the Binghamton market, Delta revealed that it planned to restore service to Detroit in the spring. Local officials credited Governor Kathy Hochul and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer for helping convince Delta to resume daily flights to and from Binghamton. It's not known what they did to persuade the airline to restore the service.

What To Know About The Broome County Passport Fair

(Don Morgan)
Broome County Clerk Aaron Martin and Town of Fenton Clerk Melodie Bowersox announced the next passport fair, hosted by the Broome County Clerk’s Office. This passport fair will be held in the Board Room at the Town of Fenton Town Hall, located at 44 Park Street in Port Crane, on Monday, May 11th, from 5 to 7 p.m. An appointment must be made to participate in the passport fair. To sign up, visit the passport fair website form page.

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