Southern Tier Local News Recap For The Week Of September 25th

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

Below are some of the local, regional, or state news items in a short recap that we reported on for the week of September 25th, 2023 from various agencies and news reporting from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan and the Townsquare Media staff. For the complete article (if available), click on the headline.

Certain Kia & Hyundai Recalls
(Don Morgan)
The latest recall was recently announced by the United States Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This recall is for almost 3.4 million  Hyundai and Kia models.

There are 13 models of Hyundai vehicles affected between the years 2010 to 2015, depending on the year, with approximately 1,642,551 Hyundai vehicles a part of the recall. 12 Kia models are also a part of the recall number SC284, between the years 2010 to 2019, again depending on the model according to the NHTSA. A total of approximately 1,730,192 Kia vehicles are a part of this recall.

Binghamton Triplets Stadium Markers To Be Placed
(Bob Joseph)
More than a half-century after the Triplets played their final game in Johnson City, a pair of historic markers are to be erected at the site of their ballpark, Johnson Field. The field was torn down to make way for the Southern Tier Expressway - Route 17. The Johnson City Senior Center opened in a newly-constructed building at the site in 1983. The historic markers acknowledging Johnson Field will be unveiled this month (October) at an event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the senior center.

Davis College Campus to Change Hands
(Don Morgan)
Adam Weitsman purchased the property on Riverside Drive in Johnson City for $3.7 million in December 2019 along with two residential buildings which he later sold. He has sold the property to the Birchwood Management Group for $4.5 million. According to local media reports, the goal of Birchwood Management Group is to turn the former Davis College campus into an Artificial Intelligence University.

Two New Stores Coming To The Parkway Plaza
(Bob Joseph)
The renovations are taking place at the Parkway Plaza which is located west of Jensen Road. The two new stores will occupy space that had been used for the past year as a Dick's Sporting Goods warehouse outlet. The new stores are California-based Ross Dress for Less and Boot Barn.

New York State Speed Limits Are Lower Than Most States
(Don Morgan)
New York State is behind most other states, with 65 mph for Rural, Urban and Other Limited Access roads, and 55 mph for the Other Roads category. Only four states have lower speed limits than New York State - Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Hawaii. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania sets a limit of 70 mph for Rural, Urban and Other Limited Access roads, and 55 mph for the Other Roads category.

Wegmans Johnson City Gets New Left Turn Lane
(Bob Joseph)
Johnson City Mayor Martin Meaney said last April said the single left-turn lane into Wegmans backs up during peak-traffic periods resulting in gridlock near the intersection just north of a Route 17 exit. An additional left turn lane is a key part of the upgrade work on Harry L. Drive just west of the Route 201-Reynolds Road intersection.

Air Filters To Be Provided For Broome County Schools
(Traci Taylor)
With assistance from grant funds provided by the New York State Department of Health - Health Research Inc., Broome County Health Department has purchased and delivered over 1,300 stand-alone air filters for classrooms. By placing these air filters in classrooms, potential exposure to airborne viruses, especially during the colder months when viruses tend to spread more, can be reduced significantly.

Endicott Business Evicted
(Bob Joseph)
An Endicott store that officials said was involved in apparent criminal activity has been kicked out of the space it occupied on Washington Avenue. Endicott Mayor Linda Jackson said Endicott Deli & Grocery  on the corner of Washington Avenue ad North Street was evicted following "a lot of police calls." She said the store had been suspected of illegally selling marijuana.

New York State Police Trooper Exam Applications Are Up
(Don Morgan)
The New York State Police announced that applications for the Trooper Entrance Exam are over 10,000. The increase is due to raising the maximum age to apply from 29 to 34, along with a revised Tattoo policy.

Endicott House Heavily Damaged By Fire
(Bob Joseph)
Endicott fire chief Joseph Griswold said there was "heavy fire" coming from the two-story building when the first firefighters arrived. The blaze spread to a garage behind the house. That same house was damaged by a blaze last May. Griswold said that fire was ignited by incense sticks that had been placed in a hole in a wall.

Broome County Receives A Perfect Fiscal Score
(Don Morgan)
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar announced that Broome County received the perfect score from that NYS Comptroller's Office, The score is 0.0 out of 100, resulting in a 'no designation' of fiscal stress, which is the best possible classification. Scores correlate with one of four stress designations - significant, moderate, susceptible to, and no designation.

Johnson City's red's Kettle Inn For Sale
(Bob Joseph)
Anthony Sobiech III has operated the eatery for many years. In a Facebook message posted two months ago, he wrote that he was "dealing with the after effects of a severe concussion." A sales representative with Exit Realty Front and Center, said the restaurant was listed about four weeks ago. The asking price is $425,000.

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