Did You Miss These Binghamton Area New Stories? Let's Get Caught

Whether you lead a busy life, or don't get to find out all that's happening news-wise in our community, this is why each week, we recap in an article, some of the essential local news we reported on 1290 AM, 92.1 FM, and 93.9 FM WNBF, our Townsquare Media Binghamton sister radio stations, as well as on our websites and social media platforms.

Catch up on some of the latest local and regional news items in a short recap we reported on for the week of March 23, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Water Knocks Out New Binghamton Parking Garage Elevator

(Bob Joseph)
The elevator in the city of Binghamton's recently opened $25 million downtown parking garage is out of service. Until repairs are completed, people who park in the five-story structure on Water Street will have to trudge up and down stairs. Sporadic problems with the elevator just north of the Boscov's department store were observed in recent weeks. A representative of LAZ Parking - which operates the city-owned ramp - said the elevator had been out of service since the weekend. An Otis Elevator maintenance worker discovered a substantial amount of water had infiltrated a control panel on the fourth floor of the garage. It was not immediately clear whether the water intrusion had damaged electronic components that control the system.

New York's New Cash Payment Law: What You Need To Know

(Don Morgan)
A new law in New York State went into effect on March 21, 2026, regarding accepted payments from consumers to businesses. According to a March 20, 2026, release from New York State Attorney General Letitia James, a consumer alert was issued reminding New Yorkers that stores throughout the state must now allow customers to pay in cash. Attorney General James noted that it is now illegal for a New York food store or retail establishment to refuse payment in cash for goods or services. This law mirrors a similar law that took effect in 2020 in New York City. If a consumer believes a business is violating this law, Attorney General James recommends submitting a complaint to the Office of the Attorney General by filling out a simple consumer fraud complaint form or by calling 1-800-771-7755.

Armed Man in Custody After Standoff at Endwell Apartment Complex

(Bob Joseph)
Authorities say a man with a gun barricaded himself inside an apartment in the town of Union after a warrant squad tried to take him into custody. The incident at the Marian Apartments in Endwell prompted a precautionary evacuation of a dozen units of the seven-story building on Hooper Road. The complex is located across the street from the Maine-Endwell High School campus. Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar said members of the agency's warrant squad went to the apartment building to apprehend 47-year-old Paul Stuart, who had been staying there. The sheriff said the squad went to the door of the apartment where Stuart was located and was greeted by the man, "who had a firearm." The sheriff said negotiators communicated with Stuart, who was eventually taken into custody.

Proposed Changes To New York's Deer Hunting Regulations Explained

(Don Morgan)
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced a proposal of regulation changes designed to increase the harvest of antlerless deer by New York State hunters. This proposal would improve the NYS DEC’s ability to manage deer populations, which in turn ensures a healthy herd, preventing a potential increase in deer/vehicle collisions, and reducing forest regeneration, among other negative impacts of deer overabundance. According to the NYS DEC, less than than 15% of New York State licensed hunters harvested one antlerless deer. Around 3% of hunters harvested two or more antlerless deer. The proposed regulations would encourage hunters to harvest more antlerless deer while helping to manage deer populations better.

Endicott Residents Arrested After Early-Morning Dispute

(Bob Joseph)
Two people were charged following a reported dispute at a multi-family residence in an Endicott neighborhood. Authorities said village police officers were sent to 308 North Duane Avenue around 5 a.m. Tuesday. Police investigating the situation learned that a man wanted on arrest warrants for five different charges was inside a third-floor apartment. Several police units were observed staged outside the apartment house at the corner of North Duane Avenue and West Wendell Street shortly after 8 a.m. Authorities said 32-year-old Quanta Little was taken into custody on arrest warrants that had been issued by Endicott village court.

Benefits Of The New NYSDOT Facility In Vestal, NY Explained

(Don Morgan)
The New York State Department of Transportation and State Office of General Services announced the opening of a new maintenance complex in Vestal. The new complex, a 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, is located on Route 26 in Vestal, in the same location as the former facility that was built in the 1960s. NYSDOT stated that the complex will provide improved accommodations, which will allow crews and equipment to stay on the job longer and facilitate more efficient operations and speedier responses to emergencies. With the new facility, DOT will be able to respond to severe weather events and enhance safety for travelers in Broome and Tioga Counties.

Big Project Planned at Former BAE Systems Location in Westover

(Bob Joseph)
Work to prepare the abandoned town of Union's industrial site for redevelopment is expected to start soon. A 27-acre parcel at 600 Main Street in Westover was cleared about a decade ago. The site, which had been federal government property, is now owned by the Broome County Industrial Development Agency. Stacey Duncan, the IDA executive director, said the agency is preparing site plan information for the town of Union. Approvals are needed to construct a "build-ready" pad for future development. In an email to WNBF News, Duncan said work on the site could begin by early summer "if all goes well."

Broome County Expands Pistol Permit Hours For Residents

(Don Morgan)
The Broome County Sheriff's Office announced new hours for pistol permit processing. Monthly weekend office hours will be offered beginning Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 12 Noon for those who are unable to visit during weekly business hours. During the new weekend hours, BCSO will be helping process pistol permit applications and updates, gun registration, Sheriff Identification Cards, and other business. In addition, persons are invited to register for the first firearm safety course provided by the training division, which will also take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Body of Missing Binghamton Man Found

(Bob Joseph)
Binghamton police investigators say the body of a city man who had been missing for several weeks has been recovered. Authorities last month had asked for the public's help in locating 38-year-old Colyn C. Williams. The request for assistance was issued on March 6, four weeks after Williams was last seen near UHS Binghamton General Hospital on the city's South Side. At the time of the announcement, police said he was reported to be an endangered missing person. The man's body was located on the side of the Susquehanna River in the town of Vestal around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. A state trooper observed the body from River Road in Endwell. He helped direct a Vestal police officer to the location on the riverbank behind Bob Murphy Incorporated off Vestal Road.

Man Sentenced To 31 Years For Wife's Drug-Related Death

(Don Morgan)
On March 25, 2026, a Davenport, New York man was sentenced to 31 years to life in New York State prison. The announcement came from Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith, stating that, previous to the sentencing, 50-year-old Justin T. Valk was found guilty after a three-week trial by jury in Delaware County in January 2026 of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A-II Felony, along with several other felony charges. The jury found that Valk recklessly caused the death of Stephanie Valk, his wife, under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to the value of human life. According to the report, in August of 2022, Valk injected his wife with multiple doses of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl over 24 hours in their Davenport home. Testimony was also presented on the drug sales that occurred before, after, and during the period of time that Stephanie was fighting for her life.

New Restaurant Opening at Site of Sharkey's Bar in Binghamton

(Bob Joseph)
More than five years after Binghamton's iconic Sharkey's Bar & Grill closed its doors, the building is about to come back to life. The operators of a Johnson City eatery have been working to start the next chapter of the spot at 56 Glenwood Avenue. Arshad Sohail, a co-owner of Halal Bites, told WNBF News on Wednesday that he hopes the restaurant's Binghamton location will be able to open in April. He said the interior construction work has been completed. New "Halal Bites" signs were recently installed to replace the old "Sharkey's" signs in the front and rear of the building. He said "we are very close" to launching operations at the Glenwood Avenue site. The owners plan to continue operating the existing Halal Bites location on Riverside Drive in Johnson City for a time during a transitional period.