Here Are Your Southern Tier New York News Stories From Last Week

Every Monday, 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 here on local, regional, or state news items in a short recap we reported on for the week of February 19th, 2024, 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.

Firefighters Extinguish Blaze at Binghamton's Masonic Temple

(Bob Joseph)
A man who managed to get inside the building set a small fire with some bags and other items last Tuesday. City firefighters were called to extinguish what was described as a sort of "campfire." Fire investigators were sent to the scene. No structural damage was reported. Harkness Commercial Realty Group of Johnson City has been retained to find a buyer for the property. The firm's Robert Harkness said there are ongoing efforts to monitor the building to prevent people from getting inside.

Breaking Ground: Broome County's Tiny Homes For Veterans

(Don Morgan)
As WNBF Radio reported on February 6, site prep had started for the Veterans Resource Center and Tiny Homes project. Now with the groundbreaking ceremony complete, the work is underway. Located at 530 State Street, Binghamton, the project includes 10 ADA-accessible tiny homes,  and a resource center serving over 10,0000 Broome County veterans. According to the Broome County Executive's Office, the tiny homes are the first of their kind to be constructed in Broome County.

Husband Charged with Murder in Death of Apalachin Woman

(Bob Joseph)
Authorities have arrested a man who allegedly killed his estranged wife in Apalachin. According to New York State Police, 36-year-old Michael Crandall has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the deadly attack during a domestic dispute. Troopers were sent to 10 Debra Lee Drive around 3:30 a.m. Monday when the violent disturbance was reported. 33-year-old Chrystal Yaw Crandall died of injuries she sustained during the dispute. Michael Crandall was taken to a hospital for treatment of lacerations to his neck. He was charged after he was released from the hospital on Friday.

Toyota Safety Recall: How To Check If Your Vehicle Is Impacted

(Don Morgan)
According to the Toyota website on February 21, 2024, and updated on February 22, 2024, the company announced a safety recall for certain Toyota Tundra and Tundra Hybrid models from 2022 to 2024, Sequoia vehicles from 2023 to 2024 model year and Lexus LX 600 vehicles between 2022 and 2024 model years. The software will be updated for the transmission of all the affected Toyota and Lexus vehicles by the dealers. There will be no charge or cost to customers, and all owners of the recalled vehicles will be notified by Toyota by late April 2024 according to the recall notice.

Binghamton Man Charged with Arson in Downtown Blaze

(Bob Joseph)
Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the fire that heavily damaged a downtown Binghamton apartment house. Authorities said 56-year-old Terry Bell has been charged with fourth-degree arson. He was taken into custody by city police Wednesday afternoon, several hours after the fire was reported. According to a detective bureau news release, Bell had been using the building at 122 Henry Street as his residence. The place was supposed to have been vacant. Bell was arraigned in Binghamton city court and sent to Broome County Jail.

Local Businesses: Girl Scouts Need Your Help For Cookie Season

(Don Morgan)
As the season progresses, GSNYPENN has put out the word that they are looking for assistance from regional businesses and community organizations to help girls and troops across its footprint have a successful 2024 Girl Scout Cookie Program.  Booth sales for Girl Scouts in our region will run through the entire month of March 2024. GSNYPENN is looking to connect with businesses and organizations in high-traffic areas to allow troops to host walk-up and drive-up booths this cookie season.

Tons of Trash Dumped at Route 17 Exit Near Binghamton

(Bob Joseph)
A tractor-trailer hauling out-of-town household garbage overturned, dumping its foul-smelling load just off Route 17 in Johnson City. The crash occurred around 6 a.m. Thursday on the Exit 71 off-ramp from the eastbound lanes of the expressway.  Johnson City police chief Brent Dodge said he believed the driver of the truck was injured in the crash. He did not know the extent of his injuries or where he was treated. Dodge said the state Department of Environmental Conservation responded to the scene to oversee the cleanup of the garbage as well as an oil spill.

United Way of Broome County Announces Free Tax Preparation Service

(Don Morgan)
This service for qualified persons, according to the United Way of Broome County, offers free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing. To be eligible a person must have earned less than $64,000. To qualify, your total household income must be less than $64,000, and you must work and live in New York State, hold no rental property income, and must have no other state income outside of New York State. Appointments are now being taken through April 11, 2024. If you qualify, get more information and sign up by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-901-2180. Tax appointments occur Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Several Gunshots Heard in Downtown Binghamton

(Bob Joseph)
Binghamton police are investigating a report of gunshots being heard in a downtown neighborhood. Several Binghamton University students who live on Lisle Avenue told WNBF News they heard shots fired around 4:20 p.m. Friday. Initial reports indicated the gunshots may have originated in the area of Exchange and Susquehanna Streets. Police patrol vehicles shut down Lisle Avenue between Exchange and Carroll Streets, just south of the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator building. Video from an apartment house surveillance camera showed a man running north toward Exchange Street just after the gunshots were heard.

Why New York Forest Rangers Intentionally Set Fires This Month

(Don Morgan)
According to the New York State DEC website, on February 8th, in Albany County, NYS DEC Forest Rangers joined with the  Albany Pine Bush Preserve staff to conduct a prescribed fire of about 22 acres. The reason is that prescribed fires in New York State help prevent the spread of invasive species and reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires. Also on February 8th, Forest Rangers assisted staff from the NYS DEC Division of Lands and Forests, Brookhaven National Lab, Central Pine Barrens Commission, and volunteers to conduct a prescribed fire in the David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest.

Flag Football Field Considered for Grippen Park in West Endicott

(Bob Joseph)
Broome County's makeover of Grippen Park in the town of Union is expected to include one additional amenity beyond what's previously been announced. County Executive Jason Garnar said a flag football field now is being planned for the West Endicott Park. A major renovation project is moving forward at the park at the south end of Grippen Avenue. Garnar said the work is expected to cost about $3.5 million. Features that already have been outlined include the construction of an accessible playground, a wiffle ball stadium, and a basketball court.