Your Binghamton Area News Update: Get Caught Up Right Here

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 9, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Man Nabbed at Binghamton McDonald's Charged in Shooting

(Bob Joseph)
A man who was taken into custody by police at a Binghamton McDonald's drive-thru faces charges in connection with a shooting in the Albany area. Authorities said 22-year-old Rodney L. Paterson of Albany fled to Broome County with his girlfriend after a Monday incident at an apartment complex in Watervliet. Investigators said Paterson had ties to the Binghamton area. They alerted Southern Tier police agencies to be on the lookout for a sport utility vehicle registered to his girlfriend. The plate triggered hits on license plate readers in Binghamton on Wednesday afternoon. Broome County sheriff's deputies spotted the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer near Main and Jarvis streets around 3:30 p.m. Deputies were assisted by Binghamton police and state police in surrounding the vehicle at gunpoint at the drive-thru of the McDonald's restaurant at 157 Main Street.

Teens Charged in Stabbing on Court Street in Binghamton

(Bob Joseph)
Two people have been arrested in connection with a stabbing on Binghamton's East Side. Authorities said a 19-year-old man was attacked in the area of Court Street and Riverside Street around 6 a.m. Tuesday. The man sustained two "significant stab wounds" - one to his back and one to the upper leg. He sought assistance at the nearby Burger King restaurant. The victim was transported to Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, where he was listed in stable condition after undergoing surgery. Investigators determined the two suspects in the stabbing fled the area in a white sedan before police arrived at the scene. According to a police department news release, detectives identified one of the suspects as 19-year-old Christopher D. Ricketts Jr. of Binghamton. Police used automated license plate recognition technology and software to identify the suspect vehicle. That ultimately led to the location and identity of the second suspect - 18-year-old Jeremiah W. Coqmard Jr. Ricketts and Coqmard have been charged with first-degree assault, a felony. They were arraigned in Binghamton City Court and ordered held in Broome County Jail.

New York Extends Bar Hours For The 2026 World Cup Festivities

(Don Morgan)
New York State recognizes the excitement of the FIFA World Cup, and today (June 9, 2026), Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that temporarily extends permissible hours for bars and restaurants during the event. According to the Governor's Office, this legislation allows on-premises licensees to sell alcoholic beverages until 4 a.m. from June 11 through July 20, 2026, helping Empire State bars, restaurants and other on-premises establishments meet increased demand during the FIFA World Cup tournament. From June 11 through July 20, 2026, on-premises consumption licensees may sell or offer for sale alcoholic beverages until 4 a.m., notwithstanding more restrictive county-adopted hours. The temporary change does not apply where the State Liquor Authority has imposed more restrictive hours as a condition of a license. The law takes effect immediately and expires and is deemed repealed on July 21, 2026.

Binghamton Residents Want Flock Plate Readers Unplugged

(Bob Joseph)
Several people have called on Binghamton lawmakers to shut down the network of police surveillance cameras and license plate readers that's been set up across the city. More than a half-dozen residents urged city council members to remove Flock Safety devices that have been recording vehicles traveling into and out of Binghamton in recent years. During a recent public comment period at a council meeting, one downtown Binghamton resident criticized what he described as "massive warrantless surveillance" underway through plate readers and cameras. City councilmember Rebecca Rathmell expressed thanks to those who discussed their concerns about license plate readers and cameras. In an online post, she said early last month she asked city attorneys to provide a copy of any current contracts or agreements with Flock Safety or other automatic license plate reader systems. In March, lawmakers in Ithaca voted to end the city's contract with Flock. In April, the Tompkins County legislature terminated its contract with the county.

Free Bike Helmet Giveaways Make Summer Riding Safer

(Don Morgan)
The Broome County District Attorney's Office has just announced that this summer, there will be three free bike helmet giveaway events. Each of these bike helmet giveaway events is free��and open to all families. According to the Broome County District Attorney's Office, in addition to the free bike helmet giveaway, there will be food, ice cream, music, EMS, fire trucks, and law enforcement vehicles on hand. The Broome County District Attorney's Office's goal is to get as many kids and families out to enjoy a fun community day while keeping kids safe when they head out on their bicycles this summer. Click on the headline for the locations, dates, and times.

Tons of Asbestos Debris Being Removed from IBM-Endicott Site

(Bob Joseph)
Trucks have started hauling away some of the demolition debris that's been stored on the Huron Campus in Endicott for several months. Gorick Construction last summer finished the job of tearing down several old IBM buildings that were no longer being used. Under normal circumstances, the debris from the massive demolition project would have been trucked to the Broome County landfill in the town of Nanticoke. But the facility has been unable to accept large quantities of material containing asbestos until a new cell is fully operational. Since last August, the demolition debris has remained covered at the site at North Street and McKinley Avenue.

Binghamton Welcomes Big Boy No. 4014 at Lackawanna Train Station

(Bob Joseph)
Thousands of Broome and Tioga County residents turned out to see a visit by what's billed as the world's largest operating steam locomotive. "Big Boy No. 4014" was met by large crowds as the special touring train rolled into the village of Owego Friday morning. The eastern leg of the cross-country excursion celebrating America's 250th anniversary began in late May. The train arrived in western New York on Tuesday. After spending some time in Buffalo, it made brief stops in Silver Springs and Hornell. The train spent the night in Sayre before heading east to Owego. After a short visit to the village, Big Boy No. 4014 resumed its trek into Broome County. Although there were no provisions for members of the public to get close to the unique locomotive, streets near the downtown railroad yard were crowded with children and adults who wanted to catch a glimpse of the train.

New York State Black Bass Season: What To Know

(Don Morgan)
Open harvest season for black bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass) began on Monday, June 15. The season will be in effect through Monday, November 30. The catch-and-release season exists in most of the state from December 1 through June 14. The NYS DEC notes that bass can be found in many state rivers, ponds, and lakes. Last year, 2025, the St. Lawrence River was ranked #4 and Lake Erie #5 among the best bass lakes in the country according to Bassmaster Magazine. Other New York State lakes that are popular for bass fishing include Lake Champlain, Cayuga Lake, Oneida Lake, Otisco Lake, and Chautauqua Lake. The NYS DEC says that fishing for bass is a great option for beginning anglers interested in going “beyond the bobber.”

Vestal Firefighters Called to SUNY-Binghamton Heating Plant

(Bob Joseph)
The cause of a smoke condition at the Binghamton University central heating plant was under investigation. Vestal Fire Department units were sent to the large complex off Bunn Hill Road on the west side of the main campus around 3:15 p.m. Monday. According to a university spokesperson, "there was a report of smoke at the heating plant," and the fire department "was called in to inspect." Authorities said there was "a significant amount of smoke inside the silo area" of the heating plant, but there appeared to be no damage to the structure. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident, although a Vestal Emergency Squad ambulance was on standby at the scene. A "smoldering situation" apparently developed after some welding had been done during a construction project inside the four-story heating plant structure.

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