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 October 21, 2024, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff. For the complete article (if available), click on the headline.

Binghamton YMCA Closing Pool, Other Membership Activities

(Bob Joseph)
The YMCA swimming pool in downtown Binghamton will be shut down soon and other membership activities at the site will be dropped in the coming months. YMCA members have been advised that big changes are planned for the Binghamton facility due to "changing community dynamics." According to a message to members, the YMCA board of directors has decided to expand housing capacity at the downtown site. The swimming pool is scheduled to close on November 23. All "membership operations" are to be shifted to the YMCA facility on Main Street in Westover, near Johnson City.

Proposed Law To Combat Unlicensed Cannabis Sales In Binghamton

(Don Morgan)
On October 22nd, a new law was proposed that aims to improve local enforcement against the unlicensed sale of cannabis products in the City of Binghamton, by 
Mayor Jared Kraham. This new law gives authority to the Binghamton Police Department to inspect businesses suspected of unlicensed cannabis sales and pursue enforcement remedies against those found to be operating illegally. According to Mayor Kraham's Office, the Binghamton Police Department will be able to order an immediate shutdown of any property repeatedly cited for unlicensed cannabis activity or a threat to public safety,  pending a court hearing.

Route 17 Reopens to Traffic in Apalachin But Work is Continuing

(Bob Joseph)
The westbound lanes of Route 17 in the town of Owego are open to traffic after being closed for more than six months by the first phase of a $47 million project. The repaved section of the heavily traveled expressway in eastern Tioga County was opened without fanfare on Friday. The reopening was good news for drivers heading west who normally use the Apalachin exit. The closing of the exit in April required motorists to use Route 434 through Vestal or Route 17C through Endicott and the town of Union. Motorists will soon be able to use both eastbound lanes again. But they should be prepared for sections of pavement in poor condition over the next several months. The second half of the highway reconstruction project is scheduled to start next spring. During that phase, two-way traffic will be maintained in the westbound lanes while the eastbound lanes are rebuilt.

Endicott New York Man Charged with Seven Felonies

(Don Morgan)
According to the Broome County Sheriff's Office, the Special Investigations Unit Task Force, assisted by members of the Broome County Sheriff’s Strategic Response Group, executed a search warrant on October 22nd at 1703 Watson Boulevard Apartment 1 in the Village of Endicott. Jahmeek Bey Jones from Endicott was detained in the City of Binghamton before the search warrant was executed. The Sheriff's Office found several items during the search, including 2.8 grams of multi-colored pills that tested positive for methamphetamine, 2 grams of Cocaine, a scale, packaging and cutting agent used for the distribution of narcotics, and a loaded Sig Sauer, 9mm, P365 semi-automatic handgun with a high-capacity magazine.

"Final Touches" for Endicott's Washington Avenue Makeover Project

(Bob Joseph)
The massive reconstruction project in the heart of Endicott's business district should be wrapped up in a few weeks. Drivers, pedestrians, and businesses have been dealing with detours and other challenges along Washington Avenue for more than six months. Construction operations for the $11 million project started in mid-April on the northern end of The Avenue. Endicott Mayor Nick Burlingame told WNBF News the work has been moving along well in recent weeks. In an email on Wednesday, he said the project "should be mostly completed by the scheduled date of November 14th." The mayor said, "We are now working on the final touches." He said the northernmost section of Washington Avenue will be completed first.

Chain Restaurant Located In Vestal New York Abruptly Closes

(Don Morgan)
According to Yahoo! Finance, TGI Friday's is planning to file for bankruptcy protection soon, stating that according to people with knowledge of the plans, the chain has been struggling to turn around the business due to tight budgets and a better preference for faster food. The Townsquare Media website, Taste of County adds that over a dozen TGI Friday locations have been shuttered in October, including six this week. WNBF's Bob Joseph investigated on Friday (October 25) as to the status of the Vestal location and found a note on the door of the restaurant indicating that the restaurant had indeed closed. Other restaurant locations that have closed according to Taste of Country, include in New York State - Poughkeepsie, and Clifton Park, and in Pennsylvania - Allentown.

New Downtown Binghamton Parking Garage to Open Next Month

(Bob Joseph)
People should be able to park in the Water Street parking garage in downtown Binghamton in a few weeks. Construction work is continuing on the $25 million facility next door to Boscov's department store. The new garage will have about 500 parking spaces. It's located on the site of another city-owned parking facility that was shut down because of structural problems. Binghamton Mayor Kraham said he expects the first level of the garage could be ready for use by the week of Thanksgiving.

FTC's Crackdown On Fake Reviews: What You Need To Know

(Don Morgan)
In August, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), passed a rule to combat fake reviews and testimonials. If a seller is found posting fake reviews, the FTC could prohibit the sale or purchase and seek civil penalties against the violators. The rule bans reviews and testimonials that could be generated by AI, non-existent people, or persons who have no experience with the business or product or are not telling the truth about their experience. For detailed rules, visit the FTC press release.

Plate Reader Alert Leads to Stolen Car Recovery in Binghamton

(Bob Joseph)
Three people were taken into custody in downtown Binghamton after a vehicle that had been reported stolen triggered a "hit" on a license plate reader. City police patrols were advised to be on the lookout for a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The license plate reportedly prompted a plate reader alert in the area of Town & Country Apartments. Police spotted the car a short time later on Chenango Street. The occupants of the vehicle ran off after it stopped on the viaduct approaching Lewis Street. Officers apprehended the alleged driver near the Lackawanna Train Station, less than a block from where the vehicle was abandoned. Another alleged occupant was taken into custody at the U-Haul Moving and Storage facility on Lewis Street. A third occupant was found nearby.

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