ICYMI – Catch Up On Binghamton New York Area News

Every week, we recap some 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 February 24, 2025, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Despite Federal Job Cuts, New York Governor Touts Job Openings

(Don Morgan)
February 25th, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced the “You’re Hired” initiative. This project is designed to recruit talented public sector workers into State service in response to the federal administration layoffs of thousands of federal government workers. To kick off this initiative, Governor Hochul released a video message to invite federal workers to join the New York State workforce. According to the announcement, Governor Hochul has implemented several initiatives to strengthen the workforce in the Empire State.

Broome County Pharmacist Accused of Illegally Dispensing Drugs

(Bob Joseph)
A pharmacist who worked at a Broome County drug store faces felony charges for allegedly issuing fraudulent prescriptions. Authorities said an inquiry was started after officials at Rite Aid discovered discrepancies in medication distribution at the pharmacy at 511 Hooper Road in Endwell. According to New York State Police, 46-year-old Clyde Stevens of Binghamton was arrested after an investigation into possible fraudulent prescription practices at the Endwell location.

NYS Local Colleges Awarded Grants Supporting Adult Learning

(Don Morgan)
February 24, 2025, $1.1 million in grants will be distributed to several New York State Community Colleges according to the Office of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul. The Governor's Office announced that the grant money for 22 New York community colleges will be used to implement wide-ranging action plans designed to help more adult learners access transformational educational opportunities that lead to upward mobility. SUNY Broome Community College will receive $50,000 for expanded use of co-requisite models to address gaps in academic preparation; creating a sense of belonging for adult learners; use of online and blended learning.

Vestal JOANN Fabrics Store - and All Locations - to Close Soon

(Bob Joseph)
A virtually new JOANN Fabric and Craft store in Vestal is about to be shut down. The 30,000-square-foot Parkway Plaza location opened less than two years ago, replacing a smaller Vestal store that had operated for decades. Problems for JOANN stores had been escalating after the company filed for bankruptcy protection last March. A planned restructuring for the business was unsuccessful and and second bankruptcy filing occurred last month. Although about 500 JOANN locations were targeted for closure, it appeared many - including the Vestal Parkway store - would continue to operate. But those plans were scrapped after a liquidator called GA Group won a bid to acquire most of the company's assets. JOANN on Monday announced that the liquidator intended to wind down operations at all stores.

Bill Introduced For A First Responders Mental Health Hotline

(Don Morgan)
On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, legislation was introduced titled First Responders Wellness Act to establish a national first responders mental health hotline. This legislation was introduced on Tuesday by U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Josh Hawley. In addition, this bill will expand mental health services for first responders during major disasters. The Senators noted in the announcement of the legislation that according to a study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,  first responders face higher rates of behavioral health conditions, and a Ruderman Family Foundation study revealed that law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.

New Owners Take Over Garage Taco Bar in Downtown Binghamton

(Bob Joseph)
Some new features may be coming to a downtown Binghamton restaurant that opened nearly a decade ago. Garage Taco Bar at the corner of Washington and Henry Streets has been sold. The eatery was launched in 2016 by Daniel and Timothy Sharp. The restaurant's new owners are Mark Yonaty and Owen Blye. The sale was finalized early this month. For now, Yonaty and Blye say they plan to keep the Garage Taco Bar's basic operations unchanged. But they are looking at making some enhancements in the coming months.

NYS Proposal: Expanded Healthcare Choices For Injured Workers

(Don Morgan)
As part of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul's 2025 State of the State,  four legislative proposals and one regulatory change are designed to give injured workers more options for timely, high-quality medical treatment. These proposals are designed to improve access to health care for injured workers. According to Governor Hochul's Office, currently, in New York State, among the thousands of eligible medical providers, just 10 percent have taken the additional steps required to become Board-authorized. With these new proposals, authorization would be automatic as part of their licensing.

FOR SALE: Vestal Fire Station Now Available

(Bob Joseph)
Broome County residents who have always wanted to own a fire station now have that opportunity. The old Vestal Fire Department Station 4 has been listed for sale. The original building on the Vestal Parkway east of Jensen Road was constructed in 1952. A two-bay addition was built at the station about three decades later. The fire station hasn't been in use since November 2023 when a newly-constructed facility went into operation. The new $7.5 million station is located a short distance west of the old facility. Vestal Fire District voters this month approved a plan to sell the property at 3341 Vestal Parkway East. It's been listed for $1,150,000.

Broome County New York Sheriff's Office Releases Arrest Report

(Don Morgan)
February 27th, the Broome County Sheriff's Office released their weekly arrest blotter. The arrest and charges from the BCSO do not reflect all the activity of the Sheriff's Department for the week. All persons are considered innocent unless proven guilty in court. The arrests and charges are open and ongoing investigations through local law enforcement agencies including the Broome County Sheriff's Office, Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force, or other law enforcement agencies. For the arrest and charges list, click on the headline.

Dick's Sporting Goods Closes "Store 1" in Binghamton, New York

(Bob Joseph)
For the first time in nearly eight decades, the company that grew into Dick's Sporting Goods has no store in its birthplace of Binghamton, New York. The company's oldest store at 347 Court Street on the city's East Side closed its doors forever on Friday. The business has been a source of pride for the city and the neighborhood since it was founded by Richard Stack in 1948. His tiny bait and tackle shop grew into a multi-billion-dollar empire with more than 700 stores. What's been known as the chain's "Store Number 1" - with its unique "Dick's Clothing & Sporting Goods" sign - is small compared to most of the company's current locations.

Southern Tier New York Communities Win Downtown Revitalization

(Don Morgan)
Thursday, February 27, 2025, three Southern Tier communities were announced by Governor Kathy Hochul as winners of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and New York Forward Program. The three communities in New York's Southern Tier include Bath, Dryden, and Binghamton. Criteria to be eligible to receive funding require that communities must be certified under Governor Hochul’s Pro-Housing Communities Program. Dryden and Bath were winners in the third round of New York Forward, and each village will receive $4.5 million, while Binghamton was a winner in the eighth round and is set to receive $10 million from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

Binghamton-Area Drivers Try Dodging Bumper Crop of Potholes

(Bob Joseph)
Road crews across the Southern Tier are busy trying to fill the potholes that make life challenging for drivers at this time of year. Streets and highways around the Binghamton region seem to be in worse shape than usual as the end of winter approaches. In an email responding to a WNBF News inquiry, Mayor Jared Kraham said the freeze and thaw cycles this year have been "one of the worst in memory" for local roadways. The mayor said city public works crews "are out nightly fixing potholes." The city will use a cold patch until area asphalt plants open in April but that's "just a temporary fix."