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Each week, we recap 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, 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 December 1, 2025, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Kirkwood Man Arrested After Standoff

(Bob Joseph)
A Broome County resident faces felony weapon charges after he allegedly fired a gun and struck an electrical transformer. Authorities said the town of Kirkwood man was taken into custody following a standoff with police at his home. According to the Broome County Sheriff's Office, deputies were sent to investigate a report of someone driving on the lawn of a Bigelow Street residence around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. After a brief standoff, Smith left the house and was taken into custody. A search of the residence turned up about 40 long guns, two unregistered handguns, and drugs.

72-Unit Johnson City Apartment Complex to Open

(Bob Joseph)
The first residents may start moving into a $31 million housing project in Johnson City within the next couple of weeks. The 72-unit apartment building is located on the site of the once-popular Philadelphia Sales Company store at 333 Grand Avenue. Regan Development Corporation of Westchester County acquired the property for $1.1 million from the village of Johnson City two years ago. Construction began in September 2024. The four-story building has 27 one-bedroom units and 41 two-bedroom units. There are also four three-bedroom apartments in the complex.

New Store to Open at Oakdale Commons in Johnson City

(Bob Joseph)
Another retailer is setting up shop at the Oakdale Commons complex in Johnson City. The Binghamton-based furniture store HomePLUS is preparing to open a large showroom in the former Oakdale Mall on Reynolds Road. Dave Dimmick, an Oakdale Commons representative, said the new HomePLUS footprint will cover nine spaces that had been used by previous tenants. He said the store will encompass the area that had been used by The Gap and Eddie Bauer stores. The HomePLUS operation will use 27,500 square feet of space adjacent to the Dave & Buster's arcade and sports bar, which opened at the Oakdale Commons last year. HomePLUS has operated in an 18,000-square-foot former warehouse at 555 Conklin Avenue near the Binghamton-Conklin border since 2012.

Broome County Man Pleads Guilty To First-Degree Assault

(Don Morgan)
39-year-old Michael F. Davis pled guilty to Assault in the First Degree in Broome County Court, according to a release from Broome County District Attorney F. Paul Battisti. The guilty plea, a Class B felony, stems from a violent attack in 2025. On October 22, 2025, Davis acted with the intent to cause serious physical injury to another individual. Law enforcement began an immediate investigation. After pleading guilty, Michael F. Davis will serve seven years in New York State prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. The Davis case was investigated by the Binghamton Police Department, along with victim advocacy provided by the Crime Victims Assistance Center.

New Vestal Police Chief Appointed

(Bob Joseph)
A change in leadership is about to occur in the Vestal police department. Police Chief Stace Kintner has once again decided to retire from the agency. The retirement, which has been approved by the Vestal town board, will take effect on January 30. Kintner in February 2024 announced plans for retirement, and the town board appointed Captain Christopher Streno to be the new chief. But Kintner changed his mind and chose to remain with the police department. A few months later, Streno decided to retire. Sexton said Stavola is "definitely the best choice" to be Vestal's next police chief. She said the leadership transition is going "smoothly."

Johnson City House Fire Was Started "Remotely"

(Bob Joseph)
Police and fire investigators have solved the case of a mysterious blaze that erupted in a vacant Johnson City apartment house. Thursday morning's fire in the two-family residence at 127 Burbank Avenue initially seemed to be suspicious. It was reported by a man who had recently acquired the property. When firefighters entered the two-and-a-half-story building, they located a small blaze in the kitchen of a first-floor apartment. Johnson City fire marshal Bob Blakeslee said the investigation revealed a stove burner had previously been turned on by someone when the power was disconnected. When power was restored, the stove burner heated up and ignited the box, causing the fire. The blaze has been ruled accidental.

How Tioga Downs Supports Community Projects With $2 Million Grants

(Don Morgan)
On December 2nd, representatives from several Southern Tier New York and Northeast Pennsylvania non-profit organizations gathered at Tioga Downs Casino Resort in Nichols for the annual awards ceremony with the Tioga Downs Regional Community Foundation. This year, the Foundation awarded $2 million in grants to over 120 Twin Tiers organizations across Broome, Tioga, Chemung, and Bradford counties in New York State and Pennsylvania. These grants will help the chosen organizations to further their objectives and missions. Jeff Gural also donated $100,000 to The Food Bank of the Southern Tier to help combat food insecurity throughout the region. This year, nearly 200 organizations applied for a grant, a record number of applicants.

Vestal Qdoba Restaurant Announces Opening Date

(Bob Joseph)
After years of planning and a series of unexpected delays, a Qdoba restaurant on the Vestal Parkway is about to open its doors. Catherine Cornelius, one of the owners of the new business, said training for managers and other employees will be getting underway in the coming week. The new Vestal Parkway eatery is located across from the Town Square Mall and just east of a Hoffman car wash. The Vestal town planning board approved plans for the Qdoba restaurant in September 2022. Some site work started the following year but construction of the 2,200-square-foot building was delayed. Cornelius said the all of the necessary equipment now is in place and she's looking forward to opening day.

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