Binghamton News You May Have Missed For Week Of July 24, 2023

Every week (usually on Monday afternoon) I recap for you, some of the important local news we reported on 1290 AM/92.1 FM WNBF and our Townsquare Media Binghamton sister radio stations on-air and/or on our websites and social media platforms.

It's our way of informing you of some of the more important local news stories you may have missed over the week. Below are some of the local, regional, or state news items in a short recap that we reported on for the week of July 24th, 2023 from various agencies and from news reporting from WNBF's Bob Joseph.

Downtown Beer Garden Construction Begins

(Bob Joseph)
A restaurant and tavern are planned for the site at 138 Washington Street. It's located between Hawley and Court Streets a couple of blocks from City Hall. The beer garden - which will be called Stadium 138 - will have outdoor seating for several dozen people in front of the building. Indoor capacity is expected to be between 50 and 75 people.

Weitsmann Fined $400,000 In Shredder Air Pollution Case

(Bob Joseph)
Upstate Shredding and Weitsman Shredding were named in an Environmental Protection Agency complaint. The EPA had alleged that "reasonably available control technology" had not been installed to reduce the release of volatile organic compounds into the air.

Weitsman said federal emission guidelines were tightened for the industry. He said no machine existed that could do what the EPA wanted. He noted the agency had not conducted any emission tests at his facility in Tioga County.

Up, Up Goes The Gasoline Prices

(Bob Joseph)
Some gas stations in the region have raised pump prices by at least 12 cents a gallon over the past few days. While the New York state average price rose about seven cents over the past week, the national average jumped by 11 cents. Prices should probably drift a little bit higher in early August.

West Side Binghamton Resident Shot

(Bob Joseph)
Authorities said city police were sent to 34 North Street around 6:40 a.m. Wednesday after receiving a report that a person had been shot. A police department community response team vehicle and a K-9 unit were observed on North Street near the shooting scene Wednesday afternoon. It appeared police were focusing their attention on a nearby apartment house.

Green-Way Project Nears Completion

(Bob Joseph)
Basic construction on the 2.5-mile pathway was completed in recent weeks. Barricades remain in place at a Greenway entrance near Vestal Avenue. Pedestrian crossing signals at that point remain covered and not operational. A 1,000-foot path linking Vestal Avenue with the paved trail along the Vestal Parkway also remained off-limits as of last Thursday (7/27.)

Traffic Signals Removed - But For How Long?

(Bob Joseph)
The signals at East Frederick and Moeller Streets were taken down by public works crews recently. Signs at the intersection just west of East Middle School read: "Signal Under Study for Removal." Although they're gone now, they're expected to be back soon. In an email response to an inquiry from WNBF News, Mayor Jared Kraham said the traffic signal study was made "because that light was being continually hit by trucks."