Did You Hear About These Binghamton Area News Stories?

Every week, we recap some of the 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 June 23, 2025, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Binghamton Crowley Lofts Apartment Project on Hold

(Bob Joseph)

The head of the Broome County Industrial Development Agency is expressing doubts about plans to convert the old Binghamton Crowley milk plant into a residential complex. In an email response to a WNBF News inquiry, Stacey Duncan said she is "of the opinion that the project is not moving forward." Duncan noted the agency approved benefits for the Crowley Factory Lofts complex in 2023, "so the developer would need to start our process over again." She said she believes the "project costs will have changed significantly."

Police: Endicott Man Stole Dozens of iPhones from Kirkwood FedEx

(Bob Joseph)

An employee of a Broome County FedEx facility has been accused of sneaking iPhones out of the place over the last several weeks. Authorities said 22-year-old Leon Roberts of Endicott has been charged with third-degree grand larceny. According to the Broome County Sheriff's Office, Roberts had been working at the FedEx center on Industrial Park Drive in the town of Kirkwood. A sheriff's office news release did not indicate what had happened to the stolen iPhones.

Broome Vets Can Now Apply to Live in New "Tiny Home" Community

(Bob Joseph)

Applications are being accepted for the long-awaited "tiny home" development at the new Broome County Veterans Resource Center. The small residential community will be located on the site of the facility that's close to completion on Binghamton's North Side. There will be ten fully-furnished units that are designed to provide safe and accessible housing to eligible veterans. Six one-bedroom and four two-bedroom homes. The tiny homes are ADA-compliant and include on-site laundry with secure access. The two-page application is available online at broomecountyny.gov. Applications can also be obtained in Binghamton at the Broome County Public Library at 185 Court Street and at the Veterans Services office at the County Office Building on Hawley Street.

New Owners Acquire Binghamton Coffee Roasting Company

(Bob Joseph)

A popular coffee roasting business has been sold to two Binghamton entrepreneurs. Kathy, Dave, and Eric's Flavored Coffee Company has been acquired by Alex and Emiliya Bartashoff, who own and operate Strange Brew café. The Bartashoffs have operated Strange Brew Café at 137 Washington Street since 2016. Alex Bartashoff told WNBF News that "for us, the biggest thing is to build on what was already started." He said the founders of the coffee roasting operation built it from the ground up. He said, "They've done a tremendous job" of working with local businesses with coffee supply needs.

Parkway Pavement: Crews in Vestal Focus on Roughest Sections

(Bob Joseph)

The thousands of drivers who use the Vestal Parkway every day have been coping with some bone-jarring conditions recently. Sections of the parkway - Route 434 - have been in rough shape, and more motorists have been complaining about the road surface. Some WNBF listeners have been asking when the state Department of Transportation intends to repave the heavily-traveled parkway. There has been no announcement about any future resurfacing projects on Route 434, but DOT workers have started making some pavement repairs on some parts of the parkway. Crews on Friday were milling and patching sections of the roadway near the University Plaza.

Environmentalists Unhappy with Hochul's Upstate Nuclear Plant Plan

(Bob Joseph)

Governor Kathy Hochul's call for the construction of at least one nuclear power plant in upstate New York is being met with opposition by some environmentalists. Hochul has ordered the New York Power Authority to develop and build a nuclear generating facility to provide more electricity for state residents and businesses. The governor said nuclear power will be needed to improve the reliability of the electric grid. One environmental group - Food & Water Watch - characterized Hochul's move as a "costly, misguided mistake." In a news release, the organization said the governor's announcement is "a major escalation of her administration’s misguided embrace of nuclear power." Alex Beauchamp of Food & Water Watch said, "Nuclear power is dirty, dangerous, and wildly expensive."

New York State Ames Mystery: Why the Closed Store's Signs Remain

(Bob Joseph)

It's been more than two decades since Ames Department Stores closed 327 locations around the United States, including 85 in New York state. By now, virtually all traces of the Ames name and logo have been removed from those sites. But that's not the case at one location in upstate New York. Many people who drive by the empty Ames store on Lake Road in the Chemung County town of Horseheads are puzzled when they spot the company's familiar green and white signs at a once-bustling shopping plaza. A town code enforcement official said there is a regulation on the books requiring to be removed from closed businesses after a certain period. The official said while technically the old Ames signs should have come down a long time ago, there's been no push to have that done.

Johnson City Woman Steals Boyfriend's Rental Vehicle

(Traci Taylor)

A Johnson City woman is facing felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly stealing her boyfriend’s rental car and leading deputies on a pursuit through Binghamton. On the afternoon of Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Broome County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the Town of Maine after a man reported his rental vehicle had been stolen. The victim told authorities he had rented a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV from Enterprise, which his girlfriend, 40-year-old Christine Turner, took and refused to return. He said Turner claimed to be in Rochester and had no intention of bringing the SUV back. Christine Turner is now facing multiple charges, including Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3rd Degree, both classified as Class D felonies.

13 Charged in Major New York Drug Trafficking Bust Spanning Coast to Coast

(Traci Taylor)

Thirteen individuals are facing serious federal charges after authorities took down what they describe as a sophisticated drug trafficking ring operating out of New York City and funneling massive quantities of narcotics throughout the Northeast, including Upstate New York. The joint operation, led by the DEA, FBI, and New York State Police, resulted in the seizure of nearly 500 kilograms of cocaine, along with fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, marijuana, a firearm, and over $1 million in cash. DEA Special Agent Frank A. Tarentino said the group had "plagued and poisoned" neighborhoods, while FBI Special Agent Craig A. Tremaroli noted the network’s wide reach from California to the Capital Region, North Country, Central, and Western New York.

Endicott Teen Injured After E-Bike Crash with SUV

(Traci Taylor)

A 13-year-old was seriously injured on the evening of Tuesday, June 24, 2025, after the e-bike they were riding collided with an SUV at the intersection of Monroe Street and Jefferson Avenue in the Village of Endicott. According to the Endicott Police Department, the initial investigation revealed that the juvenile was riding along Jefferson Avenue when they failed to stop at a posted stop sign and entered the intersection. The e-Bike then struck a Sport Utility Vehicle traveling on Monroe Street. Multiple witnesses at the scene confirmed that the teen rider did not stop before crossing into traffic, which led directly to the collision.