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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 December 16th, 2024, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Student Charged With Misdemeanor Following Social Media Threat

(Don Morgan)
According to a report from the Broome County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, December 18th, detectives were alerted to a threat posted earlier in the day on Snapchat, which is a social media platform. Detectives from the Broome County Sheriff's Office identified the owner of the Snapchat account within minutes of the report being made, and after an investigation, charged a 15-year-old female with making a threat of mass harm, a Class B Misdemeanor. The 15-year-old female was identified as a student at Maine-Endwell High School.

Old "Compass Rose" Uncovered During Binghamton Airport Project

(Bob Joseph)
A bit of history has been exposed during a remodeling project at Greater Binghamton Airport. Construction workers recently uncovered a "compass rose" while sanding down the floor at an entrance near the ticketing counter in the terminal building. Some workers at the airport in the town of Maine are hoping the compass will not be removed as part of the demolition being done as the facility's $54 million makeover project continues. Broome County aviation commissioner Mark Heefner said the art was not on the original floor when the airport opened in 1952. He said he believes it was added in the mid to late 1960s.

National Company Developing Site At Broome Corporate Park

(Don Morgan)
According to a news release on Wednesday, December 19th, a 20-acre site at the Broome Corporate Park is about to be purchased by Old Dominion Freight Line, which is a national freight company. The company is planning to construct a state-of-the-art cross-dock logistics facility at the site in an area that has been vacant since the Broome Corporate Park opened in 1984. The announcement notes that the new development will support economic growth and job creation in the Southern Tier of New York. Plans by Old Dominion Freight Line include building a 32,000 to 35,000-square-foot cross-dock facility, with an expectation of creating around 50 new jobs.

Mysterious Binghamton Store Evicted from Clinton Street Property

(Bob Joseph)
A business that sparked concern among some people who lived in a Binghamton neighborhood has left a First Ward building. The operators of the shop at 350 Clinton Street that billed itself as "Memberz Only" have been evicted from the property. Nearby residents started asking questions when the business popped up early last year in a building where the notorious 17 East nightclub had operated before it was shut down by authorities. Some were concerned that an after-hours business was operating at the site because they observed people coming and going early in the morning. A Binghamton zoning officer stopped by the place after a city councilman contacted him. Based on that inspection, it appeared an unlicensed marijuana operation was being run at the site.

Broome County New York Sheriff's Office Weekly Arrest Blotter

(Don Morgan)
On Wednesday, December 18th, 2024, the Broome County Sheriff's Office released the weekly arrest blotter. The Broome County Sheriff's Office notes that the blotter does not encompass all law enforcement activity performed daily. All arrests are considered open and ongoing investigations by the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force, or other law enforcement agencies.

Endicott Water System Loses Million+ Gallons Due to Main Break

(Bob Joseph)
More than one million gallons of water were lost when a line ruptured near the iM3NY battery manufacturing plant in the village of Endicott. A water main at the Huron Campus broke Monday morning, causing a massive water leak. The problem occurred on Hill Avenue between Watson Boulevard and Clark Street. Endicott Mayor Nick Burlingame said he believes "the source of the leak was a fire suppression water line" located under the iM3NY building. The line break occurred near the edge of the building. The mayor said officials estimated the water loss at "over 1 million gallons." He said the problem was pinpointed quickly "due to both the visible leak and the tank sensors." In an email, Burlingame said village water department workers assisted crews from the Huron Campus to make the needed repairs.

Don't Be A Victim Of A Brushing Scam: What You Need To Know

(Don Morgan)
According to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, a brushing scam is when you receive a package you did not order. The package contains the correct name and address, but will not contain a return address. The package may look legit like it is coming from a well-known retailer, when in fact it is coming from a scammer. You may think it's not an issue to receive a package you did not order, but what it could mean is that your private information may have been leaked, and you could be targeted with cyber-attacks and attempting to steal your identity. Don't be fooled - Brushing Scams are dangerous.

Pet Cemetery Remains Next to Future Front Street Taco Bell Site

(Bob Joseph)
A dozen small stone markers remain at an old Binghamton-area pet cemetery just a few steps from where a new Taco Bell restaurant is to be built. Few people are aware of the burial site just east of Interstate 81 in the town of Chenango. The graves of most of the animals that were buried in the unmarked field over a period of several decades apparently were plowed over in 1988 when work started for a Hess gas station at the site. According to a Press & Sun-Bulletin article, a local pet groomer noticed "headstones were strewn all over the place." Harold O'Rynn said he had six dogs buried in the cemetery. He believed the total number of pet remains at the site was over 100.

IBM Endicott Old Building Demolition Day: December 31

(Bob Joseph)
Many people won't believe it until they see it but a date has now been announced for the start of the demolition of several unused IBM buildings in Endicott. Chris Pelto, who manages the Huron Campus for Phoenix Investors, said all of the agencies that needed to give their final approval for the project have now done so. Pelto told WNBF News on Thursday the demolition project is to begin on December 31. The buildings along North Street made up what once was IBM's sprawling manufacturing complex in the village, which is considered by many to be "The Birthplace of IBM. The structures to be torn down are part of what's known as the "Old Building Group." They contain 550,000 square feet of space.