The week of celebration kicked off Monday morning with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Tioga State Bank’s Vestal Parkway location.  On display was a Broome County Transit bus donning a Tioga State Bank “Celebrating 10 Years” graphic.

Bank President Robert Fisher says he is overwhelmed by the great response of the public and other local businesses to the bank and its celebration.

Aside from celebrations at each of the bank’s Broome County branches this week, Tioga State Bank will be planting trees in the community to symbolize the company’s roots in the community.

The other celebratory events will happen Tuesday at the Upper Front Street location, Wednesday a the Conklin Avenue branch, and Thursday in Endwell.  All of the events will take place from 11 am to 2pm.  Refreshments will be served.

Tioga State Bank operates 11 branches in Broome, Tioga, Chemung, and Tompkins counties.

Radio DJ Rich Birdsall from 98.1 The Hawk, who lives on Montgomery Street just yards from the scene, said he smelled smoke in his home and after investigating saw heavy smoke pouring from the vacant warehouse.

Firefighters concentrated their efforts on containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to nearby homes and businesses.  Officials say nothing could have been done to save the aging structure.

Records show the building is owned by LCP Group LLC of Vestal.

The cause of the fire is being investigated as well as reports that there were squatters in the building.  Firefighters were still working on hotspots as of 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

The building was once home to Pa’s Woodshed, a furniture store that opened in the 1970′s and boasted a 24 foot high chair on it’s roof.  The chair was once part of the Guinness Book of World Records.  Pa’s Woodshed has been closed for decades.

News Radio 1290 will have more details as they become available.

WNBF Morning News Anchor Kathy Whyte is sporting a new look today.  After considering a new hairstyle for several months she finally did it !   Tired of spending so much time trying to dry her hair especially in the early morning hours as she prepares for a new day on the job, Kathy had six inches of hair cut off.   Here is Kathy before the new “do”. Click on the bottom of the photo for the new look !

The Cortland County District Attorney admits he used to be an actor in pornographic films.

D.A. Mark Suben, who had previously denied a brief career in the 1970s in adult films is now apologizing for, in his words, “bad judgement” for acting in porn and then denying it.

Following the admission and apology at a news conference, Suben refused to answer any questions from the media, including about his political future.

Suben appeared in adult films under the pseudonym ‘Gus Thomas.’

The films surfaced on the internet during Suben’s recent re-election campaign.

Authorities are investigating a robbery at a town of Conklin bank.

State police say the First Niagara branch at 1115 Conklin Road was robbed by a man around 3:30 Wednesday afternoon.

A radio notice issued to local police agencies advised that no weapon was displayed during the incident.

The attempt-to-locate advisory described the suspect as a white man who appeared to be about five-feet, eleven inches tall.

The robber was said to have been wearing a green hat with a visor. He also was reported to have worn a red bandana to conceal his face.

The suspect also may have been wearing a gray hoodie and a gray knit hat.

Police also were advised he had a black backpack in his possession.

Many home owners have purchased artificial Christmas trees while others continue the long tradition of having “real” trees decorated in their homes. Many households put up their tree the weekend after Thanksgiving while others opt to wait until right before Christmas to trim their tree.  Whether you are one to do your Christmas shopping early or wait til “Black Friday” stores like Arrowhead Parable Christian Store are ready.

Spartan Stadium was packed with a Standing Room Only crowd Saturday afternoon on Homecoming Weekend as Maine-Endwell and Union-Endicott collided in a battle of the unbeatens.   When it was over the Spartans were still undefeated as they downed the Tigers 28-7

.  Bruising Fullback Nick Sorrenti scored a pair of rushing touchdowns for the Spartans as they held U-E scoreless until late in the second half.  The Tigers had several penetrations deep inside the red-zone but M-E’s defense barred the door each time until the second defensive unit gave up a score with time running out.

The hard-hitting battle caused Maine-Endwell to play much of the game without standout Wingback Luis Uceta who suffered an ankle injury in the middle of the first quarter and returned for one defensive unit play before hobbling to the sideline.  Darnell Woolfolk replaced him but also left briefly with an ankle injury and then suffered leg cramps later in the game that sidelined him for a time again.

Coming into Saturday’s game U-E was rated the top team in Class A in New York State while M-E topped the pack in the Class B rankings.  A huge crowd jammed Spartan Stadium in Endwell with stands on both sides of the field jammed and those who could not get seats ringing the fence that is on the outside of the track and playing surface.

Hundreds turned out yesterday for the 30th annual CHOW Hunger Walk held on campus at Binghamton University.  Deacon Ed Blaine, CHOW Director, says a goal of $50,000 was set for this year’s Walk.  CHOW (which stands for Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse) annually provides thousands of needy area individuals and families with meals and non-perishable food items.

According to Deacon Blaine, “proceeds from the Walk are used to purchase food for the winter months when demand for food is high.”  Along with monetary contributions walkers were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate .

Numerous volunteers help with the Walk each year.  This year over one hundred Binghamton University students donated their time to assist with event set-up, crossing-guard assistance, registration and clean-up.  In addition many students took part in the Walk itself which started behind East Gym, continued through campus to the area near the Nature Preserve and finished back at East Gym totalling about 2.5 miles.

Sodexo provided refreshments and food for walkers who finished the course and entertainment was provided by Engaged Entertainment.  Deacon Blaine says totals raised will be releasaed in a few days.  CHOW operates as part of the Broome County Council of Churches and is located at 3 Otseningo Street in Binghamton. Contributions can be made by calling (607) 724-9130.

As winter rolls in and the snow starts piling up, we’ll update the post with more pictures of Greater Binghamton covered in powder and we’ll keep you up to date on any severe weather news.

Enjoy the images and get ready for a snowy 2012!