Binghamton New York Area News Updates You May Have Missed

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 November 11, 2024, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff. For the complete article (if available), click on the headline.

Binghamton New York Parking Ticket Amnesty Program Unveiled 

(Don Morgan)
If you have an unpaid parking ticket in the City of Binghamton, there is good news. Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham has announced a parking ticket amnesty program. From November 15, 2024, through December 31, 2024, the total cost of any parking ticket issued in the City of Binghamton before November. 25, 2024 may be paid at the initial fine rate. Late fees and penalties will be waived. One exception to the amnesty program - additional New York State surcharges, such as fees for illegally parking in a space reserved for people with disabilities, are not forgiven.

Binghamton Man Charged After Striking Pedestrians Downtown

(Bob Joseph)
A driver faces several charges following a downtown Binghamton incident in which two people on a sidewalk were hit by a vehicle. The pedestrians were struck outside the Holiday Inn at 8 Hawley Street around 4:50 p.m. Saturday. One of the pedestrians - a man whose name was not released - sustained leg injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Authorities said 36-year-old Joshua Allen of Binghamton was charged with second-degree vehicular assault, reckless driving, and driving while his ability was impaired by drugs. He also was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and aggravated unlicensed operation.

Binghamton Raid Uncovers Illegal Firearms & Narcotics 

(Don Morgan)
Wednesday, November 13, Sheriff Fred Akshar, Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham, and City of Binghamton Police Chief Joe Zikuski announced a major drug and weapons bust that was executed by the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force in the city. The task force which includes members of the Broome County Sheriff's Office, the City of Binghamton Police Department, and the Village of Johnson City Police Department, seized several items, including six illegal handguns, a rifle, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, 250 prescription pills and thousands of dollars during their investigation. The drugs and weapons bust occurred at 10 Felters Road on Binghamton's Southside,  where 39-year-old Rashidy J. Oliver of Binghamton was arrested.

Binghamton OKs Demolition of Court Street House for Parking

(Bob Joseph)
A downtown Binghamton house that was built in 1885 may soon be torn down to create seven more parking spaces for a neighboring office building. The City Planning Commission has cleared the way for developer Philip Akel to demolish the two-story structure at 188 Court Street. The commission approved a site plan review for the project, which will provide additional parking for a neighboring office building owned by Akel's FGR Realty LLC. The Preservation Association of the Southern Tier last March expressed "strong opposition" to the move to tear down the house. According to the group, the building's "distinctive materials, architectural features, and examples of fine craftsmanship remain intact." Broome County historian Roger Luther said Akel is giving the preservation association the opportunity to salvage items from the house before it is demolished.

New York Issues Burn Ban In Response To Drought & Fire Incidents

(Don Morgan)
On Tuesday (November 12), New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced a statewide burn ban immediately in effect through November 30th, 2024. The month of October was one of the driest months on record for the Empire State. New York State is currently experiencing drought conditions. As of Tuesday, according to the Governor's Office, multi-agency responses were deployed to fires in Orange and Ulster counties in the state to assist local fire departments and first responders. New York State is now under a drought watch at level two of five on the state's drought scale. Hochul noted that this requires water conservation, and has asked all New Yorkers to participate, but reminds residents that this is not a cause for panic.

Popular Binghamton Mexican Eatery May Become Marijuana Store

(Bob Joseph)
A cannabis retail business could soon set up shop at the site of a beloved Mexican restaurant in Binghamton. State regulators have approved a license for the marijuana store despite concerns expressed by city officials. The license would allow an out-of-town entity to operate the cannabis shop where Hacienda Mexican Restaurant has been located since June 2018. The eatery is located at 1171 Vestal Avenue on the city's South Side. Its manager said she knew nothing about plans for the marijuana store and the co-owners of the business also were unaware of what was happening. Mayor Jared Kraham told WNBF News he doesn't want existing local businesses to be displaced by new cannabis operations. The mayor said he believes marijuana businesses should be located in areas that need an economic boost. He said, "They should be filling vacant storefronts."

Changing Signs for 32 Miles Of New York Southern Tier Expressway

(Don Morgan)
A 32-mile stretch of State Route 17 in Broome and Tioga counties has now been officially designated as Interstate 86. The Commissioner noted that this 32-mile project began in 2008 with a cost of over $29.7 million to meet federal interstate standards. The project included lengthening of acceleration and deacceleration lanes, sign replacements, bridge rehabilitation, and road resurfacing. Improvements on the new Interstate 81 designations continue with a $47 million project rehabilitating a 5.7-mile stretch of Interstate 86.

Endicott's "New" Washington Avenue is Open

(Bob Joseph)
Most of the major construction work has been completed on Endicott's $11 million Washington Avenue improvement project. The street in the village's main business district has been redesigned since the start of the massive makeover job last April. Motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists who may have been avoiding the Washington Avenue construction zone should know about some big changes. After several decades, the traffic signals at Broad and Monroe streets have been replaced with four-way stop signs. Village workers also will be making preparations for the holiday season. The mayor said people can expect to see "new snowflakes, red bows, green-lit garland, as well as holiday banners."

New Yorkers Can Get Federal Money To Help Lower Heating Bills

(Don Morgan)
November 14th, during a press conference, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand spoke about a program where residents of New York State can apply to receive federal assistance to lower heating bills. The Senator helped secure $360 million in federal funding for New York through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which is designed to help low-income New York State households afford their energy bills and make cost-effective repairs to their heating systems. the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides financial assistance for homes that are heated with electricity, natural gas, oil, coal, propane, wood or wood pellets, kerosene, or corn. New Yorkers can find eligibility requirements at ny.gov/heat, and households outside New York City can apply at myBenefits.ny.gov. 

IBM Endicott Building Demolition Could Start by December

(Bob Joseph)
The long-awaited job of tearing down several old IBM buildings in Endicott could begin in two or three weeks. Chris Pelto, who oversees the former IBM site now known as the Huron Campus, said preparations are underway to start the demolition by the end of this month or early next month. A final letter of resolution will be needed from the agency to permit the demolition of the unused buildings to get underway. Pelto said "It's never done until everything's signed" but he believes the process of obtaining the state's formal approval is almost complete. One of the conditions stipulated by the historic preservation office was that "very specialized photos" be taken of the buildings that are to be removed.