Catch Up Here For Southern Tier New York Local News

Every Monday, I 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 here on local, regional, or state news items in a short recap we reported on for the week of January 15, 2024, from various agencies and news reporting from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff. For the complete article (if available), click on the headline.

More than 100 Animals Rescued from Owego Horse Farm

(Bob Joseph)
An urgent rescue of several dozen farm animals found to be living in poor conditions was being conducted near Owego. According to the Tioga County Sheriff's Office, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was called in to assist with the operation. Sheriff's office units and ASPCA vehicles were at 240 Glenmary Drive in the town of Tioga Thursday afternoon for the massive rescue operation. Authorities said investigators discovered more than 100 animals at what was described as a horse farm. Some of the animals showed signs of neglect.

Urgent Safety Notice: Retrospec Scout Bike Helmets Fail Safety Standards

(Don Morgan)
The Retrospec website notes that the recall is for Scout kids’ bicycle helmets in XS and S. The helmets do not comply with the coverage, positional stability, and labeling requirements of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury. About 72,000 have been distributed in the United States and around 150 in Canada.

Downtown Binghamton Buildings Being Emptied for Apartment Project

(Bob Joseph)
Preliminary work is underway to develop a $44 million apartment complex on Court Street in downtown Binghamton. Helio Health of Syracuse acquired the former Sheltered Workshop property for about $2.2 million in 2022. Kathleen Gaffney-Babb, Helio Health president and CEO, said the project will provide affordable housing for those at 60% of the local median income threshold.

Broome County Drug Bust: Two Arrested For Felony Drug Charges

(Don Morgan)
According to a release from the Broome County Sheriff's Office, two Town of Dickinson people have been charged with several felony drug charges. The release notes that during the Task Force search, several items of evidence were located including knotted wraps and packages containing Methamphetamine, 118 Suboxone sublingual films, approximately 800 Alprazolam pills, about 100 M/30 Oxycodone pills, 21 Clonazepam pills, 4 Buprenorphine pills, 2 MDMA Ecstasy pills, 7 grams of cocaine, and a scale and baggies used to package narcotics for distribution.

Endwell House Destroyed by Fast-Moving Fire

(Bob Joseph)
Dozens of firefighters endured below-zero wind chills as they battled a blaze in Endwell. The fire in a single-family house at 3802 Country Club Road was reported around 8:55 a.m. Wednesday. Endwell fire chief Michael Battaglini told WNBF News there was an active fire on a porch at the rear of the structure when the first units arrived. Battlaglini said the fire quickly spread from the porch into the house, going up to the second floor.

Delaware County New York Couple Face Multiple Drug & Weapons Charges

(Don Morgan)
A Delaware County couple faced several charges recently. One person was indicted by a Delaware County Grand Jury of 14 felony charges and 23 misdemeanor charges and the other for 15 felony charges and 23 misdemeanor charges both for incidents that occurred on January 3, 2024.

$2.6 Million Vestal Rail Trail Expansion to Get Underway

(Bob Joseph)
Preliminary work has started for the next phase of the rail trail system in the town of Vestal. Town engineer Vernon Myers said a 3,500-foot expansion of the existing trail is to be built this year. The walking and biking path will be extended behind the Town Square Mall from its current trailhead at African Road to the Vestal Road-Sycamore Road intersection. This is the third phase of the trail system.

New York Nonprofit Organizations Partner To Expand Care & Service

(Don Morgan)
The Berkshire Farm Center and The House of the Good Shepherd, which are two of the largest nonprofit child welfare organizations in the State of New York announced a strategic alliance on January 17th, 2023 to provide care and programs to over 11,000 families in New York State. The announcement notes that the two organizations comprise over 1100 staff members serving children and families in New York State.

Nobody Wants the Southern Tier's Abandoned Pizza Hut Buildings

(Bob Joseph)
Three empty Pizza Hut restaurant sites are haunting the Binghamton area, years after the last family-style unit in the region closed its doors. The final traditional Pizza Hut operation in the area shut down in early 2020. That restaurant was located on East Main Street in Endicott. An abandoned Pizza Hut building on the Vestal Parkway sits alongside a shuttered Friendly's restaurant. A blighted former Pizza Hut site in Owego has been cited by town code enforcement officials.