You Missed It? We’ve Got Your Southern Tier New York Recap Here

Every week, we recap some essential local news we reported on 1290 AM/92.1 FM WNBF, our Townsquare Media Binghamton sister radio stations on-air, our websites, and social media platforms.

Catch up on local and regional news items in a short recap we reported on for the week of April 29, 2024, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff. For the complete article (if available), click on the headline.

Binghamton Police Arrest Three People After Downtown Gun Battle

(Bob Joseph)
A SWAT team assisted Binghamton police investigators in searching a downtown residence after a shooting incident. Authorities said three people were arrested in connection with the shots fired incident. Three others face charges related to a disturbance as police were executing a search warrant. Police received reports from people who heard up to 10 gunshots in the downtown area around 6 a.m. Saturday.

Maggie Gray: From Binghamton to a National Sports Talk Radio Show

(Bob Joseph)
Binghamton native Maggie Gray, who co-hosts a nationally syndicated sports radio program, has fond memories of growing up in Broome County. Gray returned to Binghamton Friday to speak about her career in broadcasting and how she got her start. Gray is a 2001 graduate of Binghamton High School. During an interview on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, she recalled some of the experience she gained as an intern for the station.

TextMyGov: Your Gateway To Endicott New York Updates And Services

(Don Morgan)
A new service is being offered to residents of Endicott. According to a release from the Village of Endicott, a new service has been launched called TetMyGov. It's a communications tool that enhances the interaction between the Endicott government and residents of the village. The free service will send out important updates and information to smartphones via text message. The Village of Endicott notes that TextMyGov messages sent can include, information about village services, community updates, garbage collection schedules, road closures, local ordinances, and emergency alerts, along with alerts concerning garbage schedules, road closures, inclement weather alerts, water boil alerts, advisories, and general water alerts.

Ellis Brothers: Ten Years After Devastating Binghamton Fire

(Bob Joseph)
A family-operated business is thriving in downtown Binghamton a decade after a fast-moving blaze destroyed a landmark store on Water Street. Fire erupted in the Ellis Brothers Furniture store on Water Street on the morning of April 30, 2014. Firefighters battled the intense blaze in extremely windy conditions for hours. They managed to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. For a time, there seemed to be a possibility the four-story building could be salvaged. But those hopes were dashed a few weeks later when engineers determined the structure was in danger of collapsing.

Expert Advice On Avoiding Tick Bites In New York And Pennsylvania

(Don Morgan)
The Chenango County Health Department listed some good information about keeping safe from ticks that I'd like to share here because they can pose serious health risks. Ticks can bring on Lyme Disease, and if untreated, health problems can arise. The earlier a person is treated the better chance of recovery. How can you best avoid ticks? Click on the article headline for some tips.

Pro-Palestinian Encampment Set Up at Binghamton University

(Bob Joseph)
Dozens of people gathered near Binghamton University's administration building to express their support for the Palestinian people as the war between Israel and Hamas continues. Tents were set up Wednesday evening on a portion of the Peace Quad on the Vestal campus. Posters supporting the Palestinian people and opposing financial support to companies that supply the Israeli military were displayed along the perimeter of the encampment. Some of those who spoke to the gathering on a sunny Thursday afternoon encouraged those who were participating not to engage with people they called "agitators."

Binghamton Man Found Guilty of Burglary in the First Degree

(Don Morgan)
According to the Broome County District Attorney F. Paul Battisti, 38-year-old Joshua J. Smallze of Binghamton, New York, was found guilty of Burglary in the First Degree and Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree by a Broome County Jury on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Broome County Court. The District Attorney's Office noted that Smallze forcefully entered a property at 75 Prospect Street, Binghamton on January 22, 2023, where he assaulted the resident and also caused property damage to the victim’s residence by hurling a brick through an upstairs bedroom window.

Workers Still Trying to Fix Binghamton's I-81 "Big Dip"

(Bob Joseph)
It's taking highway repair crews a lot longer to deal with a sinking section of Interstate 81 in Binghamton than experts had hoped. The "big dip" in the southbound right lane of the highway near the troubled bridge over Chenango Street is receiving more attention in an overnight repair project this week. The DOT described the trouble as "settlement of the roadway" but some motorists who've driven over the sinking segment are concerned it may be an indicator of a serious issue. The spot is located just east of the I-81 bridge over Chenango Street which started sinking shortly after it was built just over a decade ago.

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District Attorney Announces Resource Officer Program Expansion

(Don Morgan)
An expansion of the School Resource Officer program is about to become reality at the BOCES East Learning Center in Binghamton according to the Broome County District Attorney’s Office. This program is designed to enhance safety and support within our local schools, as it plays an instrumental role in promoting safety, security, and positive relationships within schools. Called SRO for short, the District Attorney's Office notes that they "serve as liaisons between law enforcement agencies, schools, students, and staff, promoting trust and cooperation while addressing safety concerns proactively." The aim is to create an environment conducive to learning and personal growth.

Endicott May Consider Turning Abandoned Kmart Site Into a Park

(Bob Joseph)
The sprawling property that was home to a now-defunct Endicott shopping center might have a future as a recreation site. The eastern portion of the former Endicott Plaza complex was demolished in November 2002. A Kmart store continued to operate on the west side of the property until it sustained heavy damage during the September 2011 flood. Endicott Mayor Nick Burlingame told WNBF News the village may look into the possibility of taking ownership of the abandoned.