Southern Tier New York News Recap In Case You Missed It

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 July 1, 2024, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff. For the complete article (if available), click on the headline.

Five Family Members Killed in Delaware County Plane Crash

(Bob Joseph)
Three adults and two children died when a small plane crashed in Delaware County. The single-engine Piper Malibu Mirage aircraft went down around 2 p.m. Sunday. According to New York State Police, troopers were sent to investigate a possible plane crash in the area of Lake Cecil Road in the town of Masonville. Searchers using ATVs, drones and helicopters eventually found debris and the downed aircraft. State police said all of the five people who were on the plane were killed in the crash. They all were family members from Georgia who had been in Cooperstown for a baseball tournament.

Avelo Airlines To Cease Direct Orlando Flights From Binghamton

(Don Morgan)
The convenience of a direct flight to Orlando from the Greater Binghamton Airport was a welcome addition to the community, but that convenience is about to end. Avelo Airlines released its Fall/Winter schedule for flights at its locations throughout the United States but noted that six cities would not be offering flights. Three of those cities are pausing for the winter, but three services are being terminated, including the Greater Binghamton Airport. WNBF News reached out to Jim Olson, Head of Communications for Avelo Airlines for clarification. He confirmed that Avelo Airlines is exiting Binghamton, noting the following: "Unfortunately, the BGM-MCO route was not profitable, and we do not expect it to be within a reasonable time horizon. Every route Avelo flies must be profitable or be on a trend line toward that goal."

Future of Endicott Salvation Army Thrift Store Uncertain

(Bob Joseph)
People who shop at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Endicott are wondering whether that location will remain open. In recent years, the Salvation Army has closed stores in New York and several other states. The organization recently announced plans to shut down a shop in Binghamton that's been in operation for decades. Salvation Army representatives have declined to provide specific information about why the Binghamton store on Griswold Street will be closed on July 15. They also did not respond to an inquiry about the future of the Endicott shop, which is located on Harrison Street.

IBM Endicott Demolition Still Held Up By State Agency

(Bob Joseph)
Everything appears to be in place for the start of the long-awaited project to tear down several abandoned IBM buildings at the company's former Endicott manufacturing hub. Officials say the only thing delaying the multimillion-dollar demolition job now is a final review by the State Historic Preservation Office. Ironically, New York State in December 2022 announced it would provide $6 million to the village of Endicott for the project.

Troubled Downtown Binghamton Bar Closed After Shooting

(Bob Joseph)
A Binghamton nightclub with a long history of problems has shut down following the latest incident in which a man was shot in the chest. The Cave, which operated out of a basement at Centre Plaza on Henry Street, had been fined thousands of dollars by the State Liquor Authority in recent years. A 28-year-old man was injured in an early-morning shooting at the bar on June 2.

Tioga County Mayor Accused of Corruption and Stealing Thousands

(Bob Joseph)
A mayor of a Tioga County village faces felony charges after he allegedly withdrew thousands of dollars from a government account for personal use. Authorities say Candor Mayor Eric Halstead was arrested on Monday by members of the Owego state police Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The 67-year-old Halstead was charged with second-degree corrupting the government and third-degree grand larceny.

Free Pool Access At Some New York State Parks

(Don Morgan)
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced on July 2nd, that certain New York State parks are offering free pool access this summer. The campaign named “Get Offline, Get Outside” is aimed to "promote physical and mental health by helping New York’s kids and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, and enjoy recreation and outdoor social gathering"s, according to the Governor's Office.

How Many Washington Ave. Businesses Will Survive Upgrade Project?

(Bob Joseph)
An Endicott business owner is expressing concern about the fate of many other shops as the Washington Avenue reconstruction project continues. Zach Pedley, who owns The North Brewery, is warning that the situation is dire for many people who are operating restaurants and other businesses along The Avenue. Pedley told WNBF News "If we want these businesses to stay afloat or still be here in the future, we've got to support them now." Speaking on the Binghamton Now program on Monday, Pedley issued an urgent call for action to help restaurants, bars, and other Washington Avenue businesses survive while the street and infrastructure work is underway.