Binghamton New York Area Stories You May Have Missed

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 9th, 2025, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Cleaning Up Downtown Binghamton's Grim "Mean Street"

(Bob Joseph)
The city of Binghamton is moving forward with some initial steps to bring back a downtown block lined with abandoned buildings. The depressing scene of blight is on Fayette Street, just south of the Columbus School, which is home to the Binghamton City School District administrative offices. BOCES students also attend classes in the building. The buildings between Susquehanna Street and Columbus Park East are supposed to be vacant, but city police respond to frequent calls reporting criminal activity. Police were sent to one of the properties Monday morning. Workers from Keystone Environmental Services were starting surveying work needed ahead of the planned demolition of two buildings.l

New York Senate Approves Medical Aid In Dying Act For Terminally Ill

(Don Morgan)
On June 9th (2025), the New York State Senate passed the Medical Aid in Dying Act. The bill is now on the desk of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul for approval. The Medical Aid in Dying Act would allow terminally ill, mentally capable adult residents of New York with a prognosis of six months or less to live to request and receive a prescription to die peacefully on their terms. According to Death With Dignity, a national organization, public polling shows that 72% of New Yorkers favor the legislation, as well as the New York State Bar Association and the Medical Society of the State of New York.

Binghamton Man Rescued from Susquehanna River By Firefighters

(Bob Joseph)
A man who apparently jumped into the Susquehanna River was pulled from the water minutes later by members of the Binghamton Fire Department. Police and fire units, along with ambulances, were dispatched to Confluence Park a few minutes after noon Tuesday when reports came in about a person in the river. People on the Exchange Street and Washington Street bridges spotted the man in the river. Firefighters repeatedly tossed a rope to the man, but he was unable or unwilling to grab it. Lieutenant Marco Michitti said a fire department boat was launched into the river from the park. He said the man was about 20 to 30 feet from shore when the boat reached him. Michitti said the man was pulled from the river about a minute after the boat was launched.

Broome County Sets New Record For Road Maintenance In 2025

(Don Morgan)
The Highway Division of the Broome County Department of Public Works announced on June 9th (2025) that the county has set a new record for the amount of roadwork completed in a single season. Jason Garnar, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, along with Chet Kupiec, Broome County Deputy Commissioner of Public Works, made the announcement, mentioning that this is the 5th year in a row for breaking the previous record. The Broome County Department of Public Works Highway Division’s 2025 roadwork season plan will include over 40 projects. The 2025 summer project will include 39 miles of roads and 46 miles of road maintenance and pavement preservation, for a record total of 85 miles of roadways.

Vestal Rail Trail Expansion Construction Underway

(Bob Joseph)
Construction has started for the next phase of the rail trail system in the town of Vestal. The east section of the walking and biking path is being extended along Vestal Road to an area behind the Town Square Mall. Town engineer Vernon Myers has said this phase will add 3,500 feet to the trail system. Construction work on the trail expansion started on May 12. An enhanced parking lot is being built at Vestal and African roads to serve as an access point to the trail. Pedestrian crossings will be added at the intersection to make it easier for people to walk to Harold Moore Park just north of the trail.

Governor Hochul Announces $42 Million I-88 Rehabilitation Project

(Don Morgan)
June 10th (2025), an announcement was made on a pair of Interstate 88 projects that are underway by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul. Rehabilitation of specific sections of Interstate 88 will take place in Otsego and Schoharie counties. Interstate 88 connects Binghamton with Albany, along with many communities along the way, including Oneonta. These nearly $42 million projects will be for resurfacing approximately 40 lane miles of pavement, along with other improvements, to ease travel on Interstate 88. Work has begun with a project that will rehabilitate a 5.5-mile stretch of Interstate 88 in both directions from the Schoharie/Otsego County line to Exit 20 in Richmondville, Schoharie County.

Girl Faces Charges After Dispute in Binghamton's Recreation Park

(Bob Joseph)
Binghamton police officers called for backup units for help in dispersing a large crowd at Recreation Park on the city's West Side. Thursday evening's incident occurred one week after the park's swimming pool was closed early following some unruly behavior. According to a statement provided by Mayor Jared Kraham's office, police officers on foot patrol at the park "observed a physical altercation between two female juveniles."
The officers separated the girls. They requested assistance to disperse a crowd that had gathered in the park. Several additional police cars responded to deal with the situation. Officers requested fire medics to respond to the scene. According to the statement from City Hall, charges are pending against one girl for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

New York Passes Bill For Increased Oversight In Prisons

(Don Morgan)
On Thursday, June 12, 2025, legislation was passed for changes to New York State's correction system. According to the announcement from New York State Speaker Carl Heastie and Corrections Committee Chair Erik Dilan,  this legislation is designed to improve safety for incarcerated individuals. The bill includes security camera coverage, so all areas of the facility are visible for recording. Footage related to the death of an incarcerated individual involving corrections officers will be required to be disclosed to the attorney general’s office within 72 hours of the death.

"No Kings" Demonstration Held in Downtown Binghamton

(Bob Joseph)
Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Binghamton to protest the policies of President Donald Trump. The event was one of many demonstrations held Saturday across the United States. Organizers billed them as "No Kings" protests. They were held in large and small communities around the country on the same day as a Washington, DC military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. The Binghamton demonstration, which was organized by Indivisible Binghamton, started around 1 p.m. Saturday. The crowd in front of the Broome County Courthouse listened to several speakers and music for about 90 minutes. Many of those who attended the protest waved flags and held signs critical of the president. The signs featured messages that included "No Kings in America," "Hands Off Our Democracy," and "We the People Object!"

Binghamton Launches New Composting Initiative For Sustainability

(Don Morgan)
Thursday, June 12, 2025, details were announced for a new composting initiative according to Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham. This initiative is in conjunction with VINES, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County, and the Conrad and Virginia Klee Foundation. There are three components to this new programming, according to officials, supported by $215,000 in grant funding to expand composing in the City of Binghamton. The program will upgrade existing composting systems at 15 community gardens to handle more waste, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County will lead outreach and education efforts, encouraging Binghamton residents to start composting in their backyards.

After IBM Demolition, Endicott's North Street Has a New Look

(Bob Joseph)
The North Street entrance to the village of Endicott looks dramatically different today than it did less than six months ago. The demolition of several historic IBM buildings has opened up an unobstructed view from Hayes Avenue to McKinley Avenue. Gorick Construction workers knocked down the final structure of the "Old Building Group" a few days ago. Although the vacant buildings are no longer standing, the project to create a shovel-ready site for redevelopment will continue for a couple more months. A substantial amount of debris remains to be sorted and hauled away. Some will be trucked to the landfill, and some will be transported to a metal recycling facility.

Get Ready For Black Bass Fishing Season Starting June 15 In New York

(Don Morgan)
Black bass season began on June 15th in New York State for large and smallmouth bass. According to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton, the season runs through November 30, with special fishing regulations in effect for certain New York State waters. New York State waterways are great for bass fishing. According to the NYS DEC, last year, Bassmaster Magazine ranked the St. Lawrence River #1 and Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River #7 best in the country.  Cayuga Lake, Lake Champlain, and Oneida Lake landed on the top 25 Northeastern Best Bass Lakes.

Binghamton Panel Blocks Plan to Tear Down Court Street House

(Bob Joseph)
The owner of a downtown Binghamton business has failed in his bid to add a parking lot by demolishing a vacant house. Satinder Singh of Vestal had sought permission from the city Commission on Architecture and Urban Design to tear down the building at the corner of Court and Rutherford streets. Singh operates Court Street Beer and Grocery just east of the site. He told commission members last month that he had hired LCP Group to demolish the empty house. Singh had described the structure as being in "bad shape." He wanted the building torn down to add three to five parking spaces for his convenience store. Commission chairman John Darrow said members concluded the house is "a historically significant structure of the city of Binghamton."