This Is Your Local Binghamton Area 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 some of the latest local and regional news items in a short recap we reported on for the week of August 17, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Four-vehicle Crash On I-81 South Closes Highway Near Exit 21

(Don Morgan)
According to a report from New York State Police Troop C, troopers responded on Wednesday, August 18, 2026, to a crash on Interstate 81. On Wednesday, troopers arrived at the crash scene involving several vehicles on Interstate 81 South in the Town of Barker near the Castle Creek Exit 21. During the preliminary investigation, New York State Troopers determined that, while traveling through an active work zone, a tractor-trailer struck a vehicle, pushing it into a third vehicle. The third vehicle rolled and struck a fourth vehicle. The report noted that four people, one occupant from each vehicle, were transported to UHS Wilson Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Downtown Owego Buildings Back on the Market

(Bob Joseph)
An Owego business won't be moving forward with a plan to create what was billed as an "immersive confectionery experience." Stephen and Kimberly Cruty had hoped to transform two buildings on Front Street in the village into a special destination. They operate Fuddy Duddy's Confectionery at 27 Lake Street in Owego. Their goal was to develop an expanded operation nearby at 178-180 Front Street. The buildings and two adjacent parcels near the Court Street Bridge were acquired in July 2022. The proposed project received a boost when it appeared $1.8 million in state funding that had been approved for Tioga County could be used to make it a reality. The expansion plan ultimately was scrapped after the owners encountered a series of hurdles.

Binghamton Feed Mill Planning Expansion

(Bob Joseph)
A feed mill facility on Binghamton's East Side is preparing to add a production line and build a new warehouse. Perdue AgriBusiness has been operating the blending protein plant on Montgomery Street since 2008. The company says the facility will be upgraded to strengthen its "manufacturing capabilities." The project will help support future growth in the dairy industry in the northeastern United States. Brian Rice, the Binghamton plant manager, said the upcoming project will make the facility more efficient. During a meeting of the city planning commission, Rice said the work will include construction of a 7,500-square-foot warehouse, which will provide additional storage capacity at the site.

Binghamton University Men's Basketball Begins November 2nd

(Don Morgan)
The Binghamton Bearcats men's basketball team released its non-conference schedule for the upcoming season. The Bearcats will play 15 non-conference games and open with an away game against an unannounced Power-4 opponent. The team will travel to St. Peter's for a November 5th contest, with an away game on November 2nd against a Power-4 team to be announced. That game will be the kick-off to the 2026-27 season. Binghamton has its first home game on Saturday, November 8th at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena against Rider. The Bearcats will play four non-conference home games at the downtown arena while renovation work is being done at the Events Center. That work is expected to be completed in time for America East play beginning in January.  Other non-conference games on the Bearcats' schedule include visits to Duquesne in Pittsburgh on November 14 and Syracuse on December 22.

Massive Vestal Off-Campus Student Community Opens

(Bob Joseph)
The first of hundreds of Binghamton University students have moved into Retreat at Bunn Hill, a 44-acre development south of the main campus in Vestal. Even as construction continues on sections of the 161-unit complex, many of the cottage-style buildings are serving as homes as fall semester classes get underway. Landmark Properties of Athens, Georgia acquired the property between Bunn Hill and Jensen roads from the Kradjian family. The site was sold in October 2024 for $6.8 million. Landmark moved forward with the project after some Vestal residents who opposed the development lost a legal battle to block it. What had been a heavily wooded area has been transformed into a high-density residential community that eventually will house about 700 students.

Binghamton Detour: Section of State Street Closed for Months

(Bob Joseph)
Drivers heading into downtown Binghamton via the State Street Bridge now are being directed around a new construction site. Northbound traffic on State Street will be detoured onto Susquehanna Street for the next several weeks. A concrete median barrier on State Street will be removed. New underground drainage and utility crossings will be installed, and the street will be repaved. According to the state DOT, the work is part of the initial phase of a $Detour signs guide motorists off State Street and onto Susquehanna Street and then to Isbell Street near the YMCA and the Broome County Office Building at Governmental Plaza. Drivers then can use Hawley Street to return to State Street.

Binghamton University's Oldest Building Gets A Major Fitness Upgrade

(Don Morgan)
Wednesday, August 20, 2026, the unveiling ceremony was held at Binghamton University for the East Gym expansion. BU officials and students were on hand to reveal the changes to the 75,000-square-foot East Gym expansion. According to the announcement, this expansion increases fitness space by 40%, featuring new strength training equipment, a three-lane, 200-meter indoor track, and three hardwood courts for basketball and volleyball. In addition, four multipurpose rooms will host group fitness classes, club sport practices, staff training, internships, and certification programs, according to BU officials. The East Gym was the first building constructed on the campus in 1958.  Open-play basketball now accounts for more than 66,300 visits throughout the year.

West Endicott Warehouse To Be Built For Clothing Company

(Bob Joseph)
A Broome County family-owned clothing business is planning to establish a warehouse and distribution center in the town of Union. The new facility on Dickson Street in West Endicott is to be developed by Woolx. The company has its corporate headquarters on Pearl Street in Endwell. Woolx was established in 2012 by members of the Calleo family. According to the company website, the family has had a long history in the retail outdoor clothing business. They operated Hank's Clothing for Men and Women on Upper Front Street in the town of Chenango for decades. Woolx representatives presented an overview of the company's warehouse project at a recent meeting of the town of Union planning board. The facility is to be constructed on a six-acre site that was acquired in May for $750,000.

Blues On The Bridge Celebrates 25 Years In Binghamton

(Don Morgan)
Blues on the Bridge is back for the 25th year. The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th from 1 to 8 p.m. This year, the location has changed. Due to construction in the Confluence area, Blues on the Bridge will be on the south side of the Washington Street Bridge Memorial Park. That is the original site where the festival began. In case of rain, Blues on the Bridge will move to Saturday, September 26th. That call will be on Friday, September 18.

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