Binghamton New York Area News Recap That You Need To Know

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 16, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Broome County Task Force Seizes Illegal Vaping Products

According to the report, on March 9, 2026, the Broome County Health Department Task Force, working with the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force and a tip from the Susquehanna Valley Central School District, reported that during a compliance check at the "One Dream" Sunoco gas station on Conklin Road in the Town of Conklin, thousands of unlawful vape and marijuana products were discovered and seized. Around 4,000 unlawful flavored nicotine vapes were discovered, along with THC products, during the compliance check, located in a back room of the gas station. The Task Force noted that the business did not possess a valid license to dispense THC products, and the unlawful flavored vapes are not taxed.

Tennessee Man Charged With Statutory Rape In Broome County

A Tennessee man is facing felony statutory rape charges following an incident in Broome County. The report, released on March 16, 2026, provided details of a 25-year-old Tennessee man who allegedly traveled from Tennessee to engage in sex with a 15-year-old female whom he met on the social media site, TikTok. Broome County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol on March 15, 2026, responded to a report at the Hillside Inn & Suites on Old Front Street in the Town of Dickinson. Deputies charged 25-year-old Samuel Harris with two counts of Rape in the 3rd Degree and Child Endangerment. According to the investigation, Harris had met a 15-year-old female on TikTok and had exchanged messages over five months.

Details On The Johnson City Fire Started By Vacant Building Squatter

Around 6:55 a.m. on March 18, the Johnson City Fire Department responded to 39 Pleasant Avenue for a report of smoke coming from the roof of the three-story, multi-family residence. Although the building should have been vacant, Johnson City firefighters initiated an interior search to ensure no one was inside. Firefighters located an active fire in a second-floor apartment, quickly bringing it under control. Crews then searched for indications of any hidden fire throughout the building. The Johnson City Fire Marshal’s Office and Johnson City Police Department determined the fire to be accidental in nature, attributed to a person who had been in the building, using candles in a second-floor bathroom in an attempt to stay warm.

Sidney Man Faces Consequences For Reckless Fire Incident

On March 19, 2026, according to a release from Delaware County District Attorney Shawn J. Smith, 46-year-old Arthur Cotten of Sidney, New York, pleaded guilty in Delaware County Court to Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a Class D Felony. Cotten also pleaded guilty to Resisting Arrest, a Class A Misdemeanor. Before pleading guilty, he admitted that on July 19, 2025, he attempted to light himself on fire with gasoline. Cotton admitted he was standing in a small garage, where there was a propane tank in proximity to him and the gasoline.

Binghamton Players Play In 2026 Spring Breakout In Florida

11 members of the 2025 Eastern League champion Binghamton Rumble Ponies represented the New York Mets on their 2026 Spring Breakout official 25-man roster, according to Major League Baseball. The New York Mets faced the Tampa Bay Rays for a Spring Breakout game on March 19th at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida, the Mets’ Spring Training home. The 11 players from the Binghamton Rumble Ponies 2025 championship team includes, first baseman/outfielder Ryan Clifford, outfielder/2nd baseman A.J. Ewing, right hand pitcher Saul Garcia, outfielder Nick Morabito, right hand pitcher Douglas Orellana, 3rd baseman/1st baseman Jacob Reimer, left hand pitcher Jonathan Santucci, right hand pitcher Ben Simon, outfielder D’Andre Smith, catcher/outfielder Chris Suero, and right hand pitcher Jack Wenninger. The Rays went on to beat the Mets, 2-0. 

Bearcats Faced Mercyhurst In Women's National Invitation Tournament

The Binghamton University Bearcat women joined the 2026 48-team WNIT. They will be traveling to Erie, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, March 19th. The Beatcats traveled to Erie, PA, to face the Mercyhurst Lakers and won 81-60, advancing to the second round against La Salle in Philadelphia on March 23rd.

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