Binghamton Area Local News You May Have Missed

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 June 29, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Endicott Restauranteur Jim McCoy Dies at 78

(Bob Joseph)
Broome County businessman Jim McCoy, who operated several restaurants in the region over a period of six decades, has died. He was 78. According to a funeral home obituary, McCoy died on Tuesday, June 28. The restaurateur closed his newest establishment - McCoy's Chophouse in the Union District of Endicott - just over two months ago. McCoy announced his plans to leave the business he loved in a letter to patrons in April. He said he "made the difficult decision" to close the West Main Street restaurant due to health reasons. He wrote that it's "finally time to slow down and enjoy life with my friends and family." As he prepared for retirement, McCoy placed the Chophouse on the market in 2024, but the business was not sold.

SUNY Broome Student Village Repair Project Underway

(Bob Joseph)
Construction crews are working to make repairs to the exterior of the student housing complex at SUNY Broome Community College. The project at the Student Village facility on the campus in Dickinson began a few weeks ago. A SUNY Broome spokesperson said in addition to the façade renovation work this summer, there will be upgrades to the building's HVAC system along with other infrastructure improvements. SUNY Broome is spending nearly $1 million on work at the Student Village complex this summer. BCC Housing Development Corporation operates the $18 million four-story facility. It was constructed using dozens of prefabricated modules that were assembled after being trucked to the site from Scranton.

New York Awards $106 Million To Expand Childcare Across The State

(Don Morgan)
New York State released information that over $106 million in awards have been announced through the Childcare Capital Construction Funding Program. This program will support 37 projects throughout New York State, creating and expanding access to quality childcare, helping communities increase the availability of licensed childcare, and providing modern, safe, and accessible spaces for children and families. Funding for projects provided by the Childcare Construction Funding Program will help create new childcare capacity or expand existing licensed, registered, and permitted childcare programs, and may be used for design, construction, reconstruction, renovation, and equipment purchases needed to increase the availability of quality childcare, according to the announcement from Governor Hochul. The funding is being distributed throughout 10 regions in New York State, including Southern Tier New York, including the  Family Enrichment Network, Inc., receiving $5,000,000, and the Faculty-Student Association (FSA) of Broome Community College d/b/a The BC Center receiving $4,997,500.

Broome County Expands Addiction Support For People Leaving Jail

(Don Morgan)
An announcement was made on July 1, 2026, of an expanded partnership to deliver addiction support, therapy, counseling, and other services for those who find themselves incarcerated at the Broome County Correctional Facility. According to the announcement, at the end of the month (July 2026), the plans are to deploy two peer advocates and one clinician to offer daily group therapy, individual counseling, and assistance with release preparation in coordination with the facility medical provider and the Broome County Correctional Facility. ACBC will provide trauma-specific interventions and cognitive behavioral therapies. Peer advocates will focus on working with incarcerated individuals throughout the facility, offering support as persons with lived experience and building skills for stabilization upon return to the community.

Initial Work Starts on Binghamton Parking Ramp Demolition

(Bob Joseph)
The early stages of a $2.5 million project to tear down an unsafe parking garage in downtown Binghamton are getting underway. The city-owned structure was closed last January because of deteriorating concrete and steel. In an email responding to a WNBF News inquiry, Mayor Jared Kraham wrote: "Heavy machinery and crews are over there now and have been conducting some initial work, close to the Henry St. side of the garage." Gorick Construction Company crews recently erected concrete barriers to close one travel lane on the State Street side of the abandoned parking ramp. Kraham said the demolition project is expected to take six to eight months to complete. The city intends to open a surface parking lot after the garage site has been cleared. The mayor has indicated he is interested in hearing from people interested in redeveloping the property.

Now Open: $1.1 Million Art Park on The Avenue in Endicott

(Bob Joseph)
Strand Commons - an art park on Endicott's Washington Avenue - has opened. The $1.1 million project had been in the works for several years. A municipal parking lot has been transformed into a gathering space that will host community events. The name for the park pays tribute to the Strand Theater, a movie house that had operated at 123 Washington Avenue for nearly four decades. The 1,000-seat theater was demolished in 1960 to make way for the parking lot. The Greater Binghamton Fund provided $805,000 for the Strand Commons project. The village of Endicott provided $333,000 it had received under a state Downtown Revitalization Initiative award.

Crescent Academy Wraps Up First School Year at Endicott Campus

(Bob Joseph)
Classes for students at the Crescent Academy for their first school year in Endicott have concluded. The Broome County Islamic school acquired the former All Saints Catholic School property on Broad Street and two adjacent parcels from the Catholic Schools of Broome County last August. The purchase price was $1.3 million. Classes for students at the Crescent Academy for their first school year in Endicott have concluded. The Broome County Islamic school acquired the former All Saints Catholic School property on Broad Street and two adjacent parcels from the Catholic Schools of Broome County last August. The purchase price was $1.3 million. The Crescent Academy's enrollment includes students in pre-K, kindergarten, as well as grades one through eight. The school's new outdoor sign at the corner of Broad Street and Jefferson Avenue was installed last week.

2026 NY State Fair Full Concert Lineup In Syracuse

(Don Morgan)
Toward the end of the summer, one place to catch a great show- well, many great shows- will be at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. Several of the shows have been announced, with a couple of recent additions. The 2026 Great New York State Fair will kick off on Wednesday, August 26th, through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Two areas that will be featuring music include the Chevy Court and the Suburban Park. Officials of the New York State Fair noted that all concerts are included in the price of admission, which will go on sale later this summer, with ticket prices set at $8 for adults. Admission is free for children under 12 and senior citizens aged 65 and older.

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