Quick And To The Point: Your Binghamton Area News Recap

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 the latest local and regional news in a short recap we reported for the week of October 19, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Binghamton Locks Down Another Problem Property

The city of Binghamton has again used its "Lockdown Law" in response to ongoing criminal activity at a residence. Mayor Jared Kraham announced Friday the lockdown of 10 Amsbry Street on the city's North Side. Kraham said a city court judge signed a legal order about the property on September 30th. He said documented problems involved illegal drugs, grand larceny, and disturbances at the site, along with code violations. The mayor said the city sent a lockdown warning letter to the property owner in May. The owner offered a plan to deal with the "nuisance activity" that had been occurring at the residence. According to Kraham, police executed a search warrant at the site in July, during which people inside the residence, including the property owner, were charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Fire Damages House in Troubled Binghamton Neighborhood

Binghamton fire investigators are working to determine the cause of a blaze that damaged a house on the city's North Side. The fire broke out at a two-family house on Doubleday Street west of Emmett Street. It was reported around 6:45 p.m. Wednesday. When police officers arrived at the scene, they reported an active fire on the back side of the house. Firefighters were advised that people may have been trapped inside the house. They searched the first and second floors of the building and found no occupants. NYSEG crews were called to the scene to shut off utilities to the house. A Superior ambulance stood by, but there apparently were no injuries.

Broome County Corrections Officers Complete Fall Training Program

(Don Morgan)
The Broome County Sheriff's Office welcomed new corrections officers on Friday, October 16, 2026. The Corrections Academy graduated 21 corrections officers in a ceremony for the Fall Class of 2026. These recruits participated in and completed six weeks of training, which consisted of learning defensive tactics, studying law, and more. All but one graduate will serve with the Broome County Sheriff's Office at the county correctional facility off Front Street, Binghamton. One of the graduates will serve with the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office. Positions are still available for qualified candidates in the Corrections Division. Anyone seeking more information on employment opportunities with the Broome County Sheriff’s Office should email JoinBCSO@broomecountyny.gov.

Binghamton University Unplugging Flock Safety Cameras

Some Flock Safety license plate readers in Vestal, Johnson City and Binghamton will be replaced with new cameras provided by another company. Binghamton University is planning to start using Axon Outpost automated license plate readers on-campus and off-campus in Broome County. Flock Safety cameras have generated controversy in many communities across the United States because of reports of police accessing information for non-law enforcement purposes. Opponents of the Flock network of plate readers have also expressed privacy concerns and the use of the company's database by other agencies without local approval. A Binghamton University spokesperson did not answer specific questions from WNBF News about the move from Flock to Axon. But according to a prepared statement, university officials "reviewed numerous systems" before deciding to move to Axon.

Federal Prosecutors Win Case Against Child Predator

(Don Morgan)
On Monday, October 20, 2026, First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone announced a guilty verdict for a Canton, New York, man. 46-year-old Robert Bowen was found guilty of sexual exploitation of a child and receipt of child pornography following a bench trial in Syracuse. In June 2025, he exchanged text messages with an 8-year-old child using the Roblox application and later using his cell phone’s messaging application. According to the report, during the exchange, Bowen sent the child pornographic media and requested the child take sexually explicit images and videos of herself and send them to Bowen.

"Huge Dirt Pile" Sparks Questions in Town of Union

A massive mound of dirt near the former IBM Country Club property near Johnson City has caught the eye of some motorists. Robinson Hill Road residents say dozens of trucks a day drive to the Town of Union site and dump material a short distance from nearby homes. Town of Union supervisor Robert Mack said he doesn't know what might be planned for the site in the future. But he said the property owners have received fill permits from the town. He said the initial permit was approved in October 2024, but when the size of the mound continued to grow, the town advised the owners another fill permit would be required. Mack said a second permit was issued last August.

New York Awards 500 Million For Drinking Water Upgrades

(Don Morgan)
New York State announced grants for drinking water and sewer projects throughout the Empire State. Close to $500 million in grants are being made available for critical drinking water and sewer projects in New York State to help communities upgrade drinking water and sewer systems while minimizing costs for families and businesses, according to the announcement. These grants are designed to help local state governments to modernize aging infrastructure, tackle legacy threats such as lead service lines and emerging contaminants, and lay the foundation for sustainable growth and economic development. Based on current market conditions, the grants are estimated to save communities $1 billion in debt service and create about 22,400 jobs in construction and related industries, including engineering, manufacturing, and local services.

New Shop Opens At Corner Drug Store Site in Endicott

The space that was occupied for several decades by Endicott's Corner Drug Store has come back to life. The Corner Drug Store had been an anchor in the heart of the Union District of the village for several decades. But the business closed its doors in June 2025. The three-story building had been owned by Colella Corner Drug Store Incorporated. The property was sold to a Long Island woman for $370,000 in October 2025. A new store - called Quick Market - opened at the site on Tuesday. It's billed as a smoke shop with tobacco and vape products. The business also sells cold drinks, coffee, and snacks.

How Binghamton General's Emergency Department Is Being Redesigned

(Don Morgan)
Thursday, October 22, 2026, UHS and local government officials joined together at Binghamton General Hospital to announce a major funding project. According to the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State has awarded $26 million to conduct a major overhaul of the emergency department at Binghamton General Hospital. This funding will modernize and expand its behavioral health facilities, including relocating the existing Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program to the hospital's second floor and tripling its size. A new emergency department will be constructed that will include 30 beds in private rooms along with an expanded waiting area, two resuscitation bays, and a flex area for behavioral health evaluation and treatment.

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