New York Southern Tier Weekly News Recap

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 May 12, 2025, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

For the complete story from each article, click on the headline.

Investigators Pinpoint Cause of Raging Binghamton House Fire

(Bob Joseph)
Authorities have determined what sparked a destructive blaze in an apartment house on Binghamton's West Side. The fast-moving fire at 72 Thorp Street was reported around 6:30 p.m. Monday. A dispatcher told emergency responders that someone who had been in the two-story building said "something blew up" in an apartment. Flames were shooting from the first floor of the building on the northeast corner of Thorp and Jarvis streets when police arrived at the scene. The raging fire spread to a neighboring apartment building at 70 Thorp Street. One side of that structure sustained some damage. A fire department incident commander called for a second alarm a few minutes later. Firefighters remained on Thorp Street for more than six hours. No injuries were reported.

Binghamton University’s Economic Impact On Greater Binghamton Revealed

(Don Morgan)
According to a release from Binghamton University on May 13, 2025, students, family, and friends have contributed greatly to the local economy during their time in the Greater Binghamton area, spending money at shops, restaurants, and hotels. In 2023–24, Binghamton University visitors contributed approximately $8.6 million was contributed to the local economy during the 2024-2024 school year, from visitors to the University, with about $297 million from the student population. A report from the University’s Office of Institutional Research shows that direct and associated expenditures from Binghamton University resulted in an overall economic impact of $1.49 billion for the Greater Binghamton area.

Police Release Name of Endicott Man Killed in Binghamton Stabbing

(Bob Joseph)
Binghamton police say the man who died after being stabbed in a downtown assault was an Endicott resident. Investigators on Wednesday afternoon said 57-year-old Kevin L. Ray was the person who sustained neck and shoulder wounds in Tuesday afternoon's incident. It happened around 5:10 p.m. at the Salvation Army Center for Worship and Service at 131 Washington Street. Between 75 and 80 people had been attending the daily dinner service at the facility. People who were at the meal said an argument appeared to erupt between a couple of men. One of them was said to have pulled a "large knife" from a backpack and stabbed the other. Mayor Jared Kraham said, "It's very clear that the operations there cannot continue." He told WNBF News, "They will be shutting down operations at that facility." The Salvation Army has already been preparing to close the Washington Street site and move its Binghamton operations to 86 Walnut Street on the city's West Side.

What New Yorkers Need To Know About Upcoming Refund Checks

(Don Morgan)
On May 14, 2025, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul outlined information regarding the upcoming distribution of inflation refund checks to New Yorkers as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget as part of her ongoing commitment to putting money back in the pockets of New Yorkers. At the announcement from the Governor, it was revealed that checks will be mailed to eligible residents of the Empire State beginning in October (2025), continuing through November. New Yorkers will not need to apply or sign up to receive a check. During the announcement, Governor Hochul also noted that the state budget's initiatives to cut taxes for the middle class resulted in their lowest levels in 70 years, expanded the Child Tax Credit to up to $1,000 per child, and ensured universal free school meals to save families around $1,600 per child.

Binghamton Panel Rejects Controversial New Gas Station

(Bob Joseph)
The operators of a small Binghamton convenience store won't be permitted to add gasoline pumps to their business. Members of the city planning commission voted unanimously against granting a special use permit for the proposed gas station at EZ Food Mart at 333 Prospect Street. The convenience shop - owned by KSJD LLC of Vestal - has operated at the First Ward location for more than a decade. People who live nearby, along with representatives of the neighboring town of Dickinson and a member of the Prospect Terrace Fire Department, had spoken against the plan. The operators of EZ Food Mart wanted to install gas pumps in front of the store, which is located on Prospect Street between Glenwood Avenue and Tracy Street. The business occupies an oddly-shaped parcel, which could pose challenges for customers using the gas station and for tankers delivering fuel.

IBM Endicott Demolition: Only One Building Remains

(Bob Joseph)
Crews have started chipping away at the final structure in the group of old IBM buildings being removed from the company's former Endicott manufacturing complex. The massive demolition project at what's called "The Birthplace of IBM" began on December 31. Workers for Binghamton-based Gorick Construction Company have used several large excavators and other pieces of heavy equipment to methodically tear down the vacant buildings. IBM sold all of its Endicott real estate to a local group in 2002. The buildings on a 10-acre site on North Street east of McKinley Avenue have been unused for well over a decade. A Gorick representative said crews are now handling the "last bit of demolition" for the project.

Masonville Man Sentenced For Stabbing Pregnant Wife And Assault

(Don Morgan)
According to the Delaware County District Attorney, on May 13, 2025, Drew Garnier of Masonville, New York, appeared in court and was sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison, followed by 15 years of post-release supervision for the killing of his pregnant wife and assaulting his two daughters. The report stated that Garnier previously admitted to repeatedly stabbing his pregnant wife, Samantha Garnier, and their two children in their home on September 4th, 2024 in their home in Masonville. Samantha her unborn daughter died as a result of the stabbing, and the two children suffered significant injuries. On March 25, 2025, Garnier pled guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, two counts of Assault in the First Degree, and three Class B Violent Felonies.

Route 201 Bridge Concrete Repair Work Underway in Johnson City

(Bob Joseph)
Several noise reduction panels along Route 201 in Johnson City that were removed years ago will soon be reinstalled. The transparent sound barriers on the east side of the Susquehanna River bridge from Vestal were taken down because of safety concerns. According to the state Department of Transportation, loose concrete was discovered during a routine inspection of the roadway. The deteriorating conditions prompted an order to remove the panels over Boland Drive. The noise reduction panels were installed in 2005 during construction of the Route 201 "flyover" linking the Oakdale Mall area of Johnson City to the Binghamton University campus and the Vestal Parkway. The DOT was concerned that the spalling of the concrete that was occurring could mean the noise barrier sections might not be adequately supported during strong winds or other conditions.

What The Latest Broome County Arrest Report Reveals

(Don Morgan)
The Broome County Sheriff's Office released the weekly arrest report on May 6, 2025. Arrests and charges from the Broome County Sheriff's Office do not reflect all the department's activity for the week. All persons are considered innocent unless proven guilty in court. All arrests and charges are open and ongoing investigations through local law enforcement agencies, including the Broome County Sheriff's Office, Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force, or other law enforcement agencies. Click on the above headline for details.

Binghamton Woman Dies After Plunging from Downtown Parking Garage

(Bob Joseph)
Binghamton police say a person died of injuries sustained after falling from a city-owned parking facility. The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. Thursday at the garage at 7 Hawley Street. The injured woman was transported to Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City. According to city police, the woman was a 23-year-old Binghamton resident. The cause of death was ruled to be suicide. Investigators determined there was "no criminality involved." People were not permitted to enter the Hawley Street parking garage for a short time after emergency crews arrived at the scene.

UHS Receives $3.9 Million Grant To Support Nursing Careers

(Don Morgan)
On Wednesday, May 14th, UHS representatives held a press conference in the Wilson Main Tower in Johnson City for a significant announcement related to nursing excellence, highlighting an advancement in support of nursing. During the press conference, headed by UHS President and Chief Executive Officer John Carrigg, Kay Boland, UHS Sr VP/Chief Nursing Officer, and Chief Operating Officer, and a UHS Nurse, it was announced that UHS has been selected as a recipient of a transformative grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, as part of the Foundation’s new Nursing Initiative. According to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, a total of 13 New York Hospitals received grants as part of the $51 million investment, including another Binghamton hospital, Guthrie/Lourdes.

Ross Park Zoo Welcomes Two Endangered African Penguin Chicks

(Don Morgan)
Over the Mother's Day weekend, Binghamton's Ross Park Zoo announced a couple of new additions to the zoo family. On March 23rd and March 26th, two endangered African Penguins hatched at the Ross Park Zoo, increasing the penguin colony to 12 members. The newborn chicks are the offspring of first-time penguin parents Lucky and Aurora. Zoo officials noted that it would be difficult for these new parents to raise two chicks successfully, so the second chick was placed with past successful parents, Howard and Adasha, to become first-time foster parents. The first chick that hatched on March 23 is the boy. Parker, named after Park Avenue, one of the two streets on which the Ross Park Zoo is located. His sister, arriving two days later, is named Morgan, after Morgan Road, where the Ross Park Zoo is located.

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