Get Caught Up On Binghamton New York Area Local News

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 July 13, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Two-Alarm Fire Rips Through House On Binghamton's West Side

A fast-moving fire tore through one house on the West Side of Binghamton and damaged a neighboring structure. The blaze in a two-and-a-half-story wood-frame house on Matthews Street was reported around 3:10 p.m. Monday. A fire chief at the scene called for a second alarm about 20 minutes later. The main body of the fire initially appeared to be on the second floor and into the attic of the structure. Firefighters searched the building just after they arrived. They then worked both inside and outside to contain the blaze. Around 4 p.m., all firefighters were ordered out of the building because of concern that the upper portion of the structure was unstable.

Traffic Stop In Dickinson Turns Up Fentanyl, Cocaine, Cash

(Don Morgan)
Three people were recently arrested following a traffic stop in the County of Broome on July 13, 2026. The Troopers conducted a traffic stop on Prospect Street in the Town of Dickinson, and identified 51-year-old Gregory Jackson of Brooklyn, New York as the operator of the vehicle, along with two passengers, 60-year-old Sircurtis King and  38-year-old Jhenna  Wood, both residents of Binghamton. All three persons were charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rd degree (Narcotic Drug), a class “B” felony, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rd degree (Intent to Sell), a class “B” felony, and two counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia (Scale and Packaging), a misdemeanor.

Broome County Sheriff's Office Launches Crime Victim Text Alerts

(Don Morgan)
Expanding and enhancing communication abilities with crime victims and community members has been implemented, according to the Broome County Sheriff's Office, in an announcement. As of July 16, 2026, this new technology provides text updates to community members calling 911 through a new software program from Versaterm CommunityConnect, which is a comprehensive communication platform designed to provide prompt communication, convenience, and transparency with crime victims and those calling for police services with the Broome County Sheriff’s Office. Following a call to 911 or the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line, persons using a mobile phone will receive an automated notification & incident number via text message.

Garnar Criticizes Sexton's Handling of Vestal Motel Violations

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar has blasted Vestal town supervisor Maria Sexton for her response to conditions at a motel used for emergency housing. Garnar criticized Sexton as "incredibly unprofessional, reckless and cruel" after a town inspection of the motel on the Vestal Parkway revealed code violations. Garnar said the town supervisor advised the county on June 30 that she wanted all motel residents removed while repairs were made. He said the county sent its own inspectors to the Parkway Inn and they concluded an immediate evacuation was not needed. Garnar said the town never provided its inspection report to the county. He said Sexton verbally stated the 75 residents at the motel needed to leave immediately. The written violation notice gives the property owner 30 days to correct the violations, and it does not require people to leave. The county executive said forcing several dozen "vulnerable people" out of the Parkway Inn would create "an unnecessary housing crisis."

Sexton: Children Were "Living in Closets" at Parkway Inn

Vestal Town Supervisor Maria Sexton is lashing out at Broome County Executive Jason Garnar after he criticized her response to code violations found at the Parkway Inn. In a statement issued late Tuesday afternoon, Sexton said the statements Garnar made about the situation were false. The supervisor said the town code officer found "horrific conditions" when he conducted a fire inspection at the motel on the Vestal Parkway. She said most of the rooms were "incredibly dirty" with "garbage piled high and serious fire safety violations." Sexton said wiring in many rooms was overloaded, smoke detectors were inoperable, and fire alarm pull stations were damaged or disabled. She said when she visited the motel with code officers, "there were children living in closets (including an autistic child)" along with children "sleeping on the floor (in the middle of the day)." Sexton said the "rooms were simply not habitable." She said she described the situation to Garnar and the county social services commissioner in a Zoom call.

Endwell Motel Building Demolition Underway After Fatal Fire

A fire-damaged building at Knights Inn Endwell is being torn down more than three weeks after a blaze killed three children and three adults. LCP Group of Vestal was retained for the demolition of the two-story structure on East Main Street where the fire broke out around 6 a.m. June 22. Crews from the company started knocking down the west end of the building around 1 p.m. Thursday. The damaged structure is expected to be demolished by late Friday. It will take several days to remove tons of demolition debris from the site. Because it contains asbestos, it cannot be hauled to the Broome County landfill. Instead, the material will be trucked to the Chautauqua County landfill in Jamestown. Robert Mack, the town of Union supervisor, said the work to remove the building could not get underway until final approvals were received from an insurance company and the Broome County District Attorney's office.

Binghamton Cites Owner of Blighted Building Next to Fire Station

The city of Binghamton is preparing to take legal action against the owner of an abandoned building next door to the new fire department headquarters complex. The three-story apartment house at 243 Court Street was heavily damaged by fire the day after Christmas 2020. Mayor Jared Kraham said prosecution is underway in connection with the blighted property. He told WNBF News the building owner recently was at the site with members of the city fire marshal's and code enforcement offices. The mayor said code violation citations were personally served on the owner. He said the property remains in noncompliance. Kraham said the site is "very high on my list" of the "most-wanted blight properties in the city." He said the city is "actively prosecuting" the owner who has done "below the bare minimum to secure the property."

Why Part Of U.S. Route 15 In Pennsylvania Is Getting A New Name

(Don Morgan)
On July 13, 2026, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced that a 62-mile section of U.S. 15 in Lycoming and Tioga counties will officially become Interstate 99 between Williamsport and the New York state line at Lawrenceville, PA, on Thursday, July 30th, 2026.  According to the announcement, the Federal Highway Administration granted the designation after determining that the corridor meets all federal standards for interstate design, safety, and performance. PennDOT noted that this marks a major milestone for North Central Pennsylvania. Converting U.S. 15 into I‑99 strengthens the corridor’s infrastructure, supports freight movement, and ensures compliance with modern weight and design requirements.

Site Revealed for New Binghamton Fire Station

Binghamton's new North Side fire station will be constructed next door to the existing facility. The project is expected to cost at least $10 million. Engine Company Number 3 has operated out of a building on West State Street near the Binghamton Plaza since 1960. The new station will be located on three vacant lots on Chenango Street to the north of the current station. The properties have been owned by the city for several years. In a news release, Mayor Jared Kraham said the site at 419-423 Chenango Street "will ensure residents continue to experience the best possible emergency response times." Kraham announced the selection of the site on Thursday, a year after the city hired a Vestal architectural firm to start work on plans for the project.

Workers Prepare to Reassemble Johnson City Arch

Construction crews are working on a critical part of the project to restore the historic Square Deal Arch at the Johnson City-Binghamton border. The iconic structure on Main Street was removed more than two years ago as part of a complicated restoration project. Johnson City officials had hoped the work could be done while the arch remained in place. Shortly after the project began, an inspection of its interior revealed conditions that were worse than anticipated. The stones and metal parts of the arch were disassembled to allow the needed restoration tasks to be performed off-site. In recent days, concrete has been poured on both sides of Main Street for piers that will anchor the arch structure. Two-way traffic has been maintained while the work is underway, although motorists must use caution as they drive through the construction zone.