Read On: Your Latest Binghamton Local News Recap

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 the latest local and regional news in a short recap we reported for the week of October 12, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Binghamton Mayor Expresses Skepticism Over Salvation Army Plan

(Bob Joseph)
Mayor Jared Kraham says he shares some of the concerns being expressed by Binghamton residents about the sale of a closed supermarket building. The Salvation Army is preparing to acquire a South Side property where a grocery store had operated for more than six decades. The building at 307 Conklin Avenue was used by Giant Markets beginning in 1964. It later became a Weis store when the Akel family sold its business to the Pennsylvania-based company. The Weis market was closed in March 2024. Representatives of the Salvation Army have told city planning commission members the organization wants to use the former supermarket as a warehouse and distribution center. It would also have a thrift store, replacing a shop the Salvation Army had operated on Griswold Street. Mayor Kraham said he's heard "a lot of skepticism" about the plan from South Side residents. He said, "We're taking a very large commercial property that is probably the best chance for that neighborhood to have a grocery store in the future." He also noted the property would be removed from the tax rolls if the Salvation Army buys it. He said, "That's a concern I would have."

Fans Celebrate Opening of Binghamton-Area's First Chick-fil-A

(Bob Joseph)
Hundreds of people were on hand for the opening of Broome County's first Chick-fil-A restaurant. Some of the most ardent fans of the Georgia-based chain camped outside the new eatery at the Oakdale Commons in Johnson City. The first people showed up around 9 p.m. Wednesday. While some bundled up and waited on the sidewalk outside the restaurant, others spent the night in their cars. Employees began taking orders on schedule at exactly 6:30 a.m. Thursday. Company representatives had worked with police and the state Department of Transportation to develop a traffic control plan to deal with the first wave of customers at the Johnson City location. The restaurant will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

New York State's 2026 College Application Fee Waiver Program

(Don Morgan)
Over 130 New York State colleges and universities are waiving application fees for high school seniors as part of the 2026 College Application Initiative, according to an announcement today, October 13, 2026, from Governor Kathy Hochul. New York State is encouraging high school seniors to apply to at least one college. This initiative begins on October 15th through various dates in November, depending on the type of college a student is applying to. This will allow high school seniors more time, resources, and support to explore college options and complete applications. New York State high school students will be able to apply for free to SUNY, CUNY, and over 45 participating private colleges and universities during the application fee waiver period. According to Governor Hochul, college application fees can range from $50 to $90 per application, and those costs can quickly add up for students applying to multiple colleges, so this initiative will help to remove financial barriers and allow students to apply for a broader range of colleges in New York State.

Arrest in Binghamton Hit-and-Run That Injured 4-Year-Old Child

(Bob Joseph)
A Binghamton woman faces a felony charge after she allegedly struck a young child and drove away. Authorities late Wednesday announced an arrest had been made in connection with the hit-and-run investigation into the incident that occurred on the city's South Side. A 4-year-old child was struck by a sport utility vehicle on Pennsylvania Avenue around 4:45 p.m. Friday. The injured child, who initially was unconscious, was taken to Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City before being transferred to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. Witnesses told police officers the child ran into Pennsylvania Avenue and was hit by a southbound light-colored SUV. The vehicle did not stop and continued heading south on Pennsylvania Avenue. Investigators used automated license plate recognition software to locate a possible suspect vehicle matching the witnesses' description. Detectives located the SUV that is believed to have struck the child at a home on Progy Road in the town of Binghamton.

Binghamton Man in Critical Condition After West Side Stabbing

(Bob Joseph)
Authorities say a man was repeatedly stabbed on a street on Binghamton's West Side. According to city police, the 24-year-old man was attacked during a fight with another person in front of 17 Arthur Street. Police were sent to a convenience store at Main and Walnut streets around 12:45 a.m. Thursday to investigate a reported stabbing. Officers found the man bleeding profusely from the face. Investigators said he had sustained four stab wounds - one to the jaw, one to the neck, one to an arm and one to the ribcage area. The injured man - whose name was not released by police - was hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Detectives learned the two men involved in the violent dispute were known to each other. They had been involved in a dispute on Arthur Street, which culminated in the investigators determining the suspect in the attack was 27-year-old Isaiah Belcher. Officers monitored his residence on Main Street between Crestmont Road and Matthews Street. They took him into custody when he arrived at the place on a bicycle about an hour after the stabbing.

Three Arraigned On Meth Distribution Charges In Broome County

(Don Morgan)
On October 14, 2006, Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti, Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar, Vestal Police Chief Vince Stavola, other local law enforcement, and representatives from the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the United States Attorney's Office joined to announce charges of methamphetamine distribution. On October 2, 2026, 53-year-old Jermaine Cooper from Apalachin, 40-year-old Sherry Olk of Binghamton, and 36-year-old Shamell Tate from Endicott were arraigned on charges of distribution of methamphetamine.  It is alleged that Cooper and Olk sold over 100 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine in July 2026.  A separate complaint against Tate alleges that, in September 2026, he sold over 200 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.

How To Apply For Endicott's Home Repair Assistance Program

(Don Morgan)
According to a notice from Endicott officials, the village is seeking interested homeowners for a home-assistance repair program. Endicott is in the process of applying for funding through the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation to assist eligible village residents with needed home repairs. Village officials noted that eligible repairs under the program may include roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, insulation, windows, doors, masonry, painting, and interior or exterior carpentry. This proposed Home Repair Program would help rehabilitate substandard, owner-occupied single-family homes within Village boundaries. Homeowners must reside in a single-family home within the Village of Endicott, meet household income requirements, and have a demonstrated need for home repairs. Additional eligibility requirements apply.

New York Energy Rebate Payments Continue Through December

(Don Morgan)
New York State released information that 3 million New Yorkers have now received energy rebate checks of up to $200. In the next few weeks, the state will send checks to about 5.2 million New Yorkers. These Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate (POWER) checks will amount to $200 for joint filers with incomes under $150,000 and $150 for joint filers with incomes between $150,000 and $300,000. New Yorkers who are single filers with incomes under $150,000 will receive $100.New York State officials noted that checks began being mailed on September 21st, continuing through December, and that 8.2 million New Yorkers will have received checks when all have been sent.

West Endicott Residents Want Action on National Pipe Emissions

(Bob Joseph)
People who live near the National Pipe and Plastics factory in the town of Union remain unhappy with the way the plant is operating. The state Department of Environmental Conservation in August notified the company that it had violated several regulations pertaining to emissions and persistent odors. Town of Union Supervisor Robert Mack said West Endicott residents are continuing to complain about conditions caused by the facility which produces PVC pipes. Mack told WNBF News that people in the neighborhood have advised him that "in some ways on some days it was worse than ever." He discussed that assessment recently with a DEC representative who told him that the problems may be occurring because National Pipe was "testing different things to try and remediate some of the issues."

Southern Tier Sees 721 Tickets Issued In Holiday Traffic Enforcement

(Don Morgan)
New York State Troopers were busy over the Columbus Day weekend. 10,803 tickets were issued statewide during the enforcement campaign, which began on Friday, October 9th, and ran through Monday, October 12th (2026). NYS Police officials noted that Troopers utilized sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and ticketed distracted drivers who used handheld electronic devices, with 200 people arrested. In the Southern Tier of New York, there were 10 DWI Arrests and 303 for speeding. Total tickets issued came to 721.

Historic West Endicott Carousel Is Being Reassembled

(Bob Joseph)
The century-old West Endicott Park carousel is being put back together piece-by-piece as part of a major repair project. The town of Union enlisted WRF Designs of Plainville, Connecticut, to do the work on one of Broome County's six beloved Allan Herschell carousels. Gabe Finkenstein of WRF Designs has been working on carousel restoration projects with his father for years. The parts and components of the West Endicott ride are being reassembled after the merry-go-round was taken apart last May. The carousel experts assessed the parts and worked to make necessary repairs. Finkenstein told WNBF News that it's important that everything on the carousel is safe and secure "and ready for people to ride and enjoy for as long as possible."

Get our free mobile app