Did You Hear? Get Caught Up On This 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 some of the latest local and regional news items in a short recap we reported on for the week of May 25, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Broome County Developing Homelessness "Plan of Action"

(Bob Joseph)
A new initiative is designed to develop solutions to address the challenges posed by homelessness in Broome County. As the unhoused population in the Binghamton area has grown in recent years, the county has been paying millions of dollars to provide shelter for families and individuals in motels. Broome County Executive Jason Garnar says the current system is "not sustainable." On Tuesday, he announced the county is issuing a request for proposals to seek an entity that will come up with short-term and long-term ways for a better response to homelessness. The cost of housing homeless people in Broome County in motels during the first four months of this year was $6 million. Garnar wants to put an end to "motel shelter housing." The county is prepared to spend up to $200,000 to hire an organization that will develop detailed plans to address a wide array of issues to better assist those who are unhoused.

Crime Victims Memorial Wall Nears Completion in Endicott

(Bob Joseph)
Work is being completed on a long-awaited permanent crime victims memorial in Broome County. The wall has been constructed at Roundtop Picnic Area in Endicott. It is the Eagle Scout service project of Schyler Savage. His mother, Tess Savage of Binghamton, was killed in a domestic violence incident in the village of Windsor in April 2023. In announcing the project, Schyler Savage said the memorial "will become a solemn place for remembrance and reflection for the many people, including my mother, who lost their lives as a victim of crime." Savage helped raise money and solicit community donations for the wall. Broome County is covering most of the cost of the project, which has been estimated at $150,000.

Binghamton Drivers Contend with Ongoing Popup Detours

(Bob Joseph)
Motorists traveling through downtown Binghamton and the city's West Side are once again facing detours and delays as crews work on some big street reconstruction projects. Detours are popping up this week along sections of Riverside Drive as milling operations are being conducted. The resurfacing work is being done between Front Street and Beethoven Street. Motorists also have been contending with constantly changing traffic patterns in downtown Binghamton in recent weeks. A project on a section of Washington Street near the Forum and the Federal Building has resumed.

Vestal Demolition Plan: Broome County Officials on What's Ahead

(Bob Joseph)
The Broome County Land Bank is moving forward to acquire the Vestal property where a nursing home had operated until it was abandoned after flooding in the summer of 2011. County lawmakers last week voted to clear the way for funding the purchase of the old Vestal Nursing Center. The complex at 860 Vestal Road would then be demolished. Broome County executive Jason Garnar, legislature chairman Daniel Reynolds and Land Bank board chairman Aaron Martin appeared together on WNBF Radio Thursday to discuss the site. The Broome County Land Bank is moving forward to acquire the Vestal property where a nursing home had operated until it was abandoned after flooding in the summer of 2011. County lawmakers last week voted to clear the way for funding the purchase of the old Vestal Nursing Center. The complex at 860 Vestal Road would then be demolished. Broome County executive Jason Garnar, legislature chairman Daniel Reynolds and Land Bank board chairman Aaron Martin appeared together on WNBF Radio Thursday to discuss the site.

Habitat for Humanity Wants to Build Homes in Downtown Binghamton

(Bob Joseph)
Two single-family homes could soon be built on downtown Binghamton property once owned by Brooklyn developer Isaac Anzaroot. Broome County Habitat for Humanity wants to acquire two parcels on Fayette Street from the city. The lots were cleared last September when abandoned apartment houses were demolished as part of an effort to fight blight in Binghamton. Lateisha Judge, executive director of the local Habitat organization, told city councilmembers the goal is to construct houses on the now-vacant site. Judge noted there are new efforts to revitalize the neighborhood, which is home to the new headquarters of VINES, which oversees local community gardens.

No Celebration as Greater Binghamton Airport Turns 75 Years Old

(Bob Joseph)
Broome County's airport opened 75 years ago, but no one seems to be talking about it. The anniversary comes at a challenging time for the airport, which was without scheduled daily flights for nearly three months this year. Delta Air Lines brought back a single daily flight between Binghamton and Detroit on May 7. When the airport's anniversary was mentioned to Broome County Executive Jason Garnar during a WNBF Radio interview, he said: "It has been quite a ride... and we want it to last another 75 years." There will be no special observance to mark the airport's anniversary. The county executive said he wants "the people working at the airport to be concerned about bringing in more flights." Garnar said, "The best way that we can honor the airport and the 75 years of air service in Broome County is to support the work that's being done there and to have more flights there for people." He said, "When we have more flights, we will have ceremonies and celebrations and those types of things."

 New York's New Auto Insurance Reforms Explained

(Don Morgan)
May 26, 2026, reforms were announced to bring down the costs of auto insurance rates and tackle fraudulent claims across New York State as part of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul's Fiscal Year 2027 Enacted Budget. This reform is designed to battle fraud, limit damages paid out to bad actors, and ensure that consumers, not insurance companies, are prioritized, according to the announcement, which would make New York State more affordable and put money back into the pockets of the residents of the Empire State. Governor Hochul noted that New Yorkers’ average insurance rates amount to just over $4,000 annually, which is about $1,500 above the national average. The reason for high rates for vehicles is blamed on a combination of fraud, litigation, legal loopholes, and enforcement gaps. Insurance fraud and staged crashes inflate premiums up to $300 a year, according to some estimates.

Johnson City Awaiting Part to Open Swimming Pool

(Bob Joseph)
Kids in Johnson City will have to wait before they can go swimming in the public pool at Floral Avenue Park. The pool remained closed over the Memorial Day weekend because of a broken part in the chlorination system. Joshua Holland, Johnson City's director of public services, told WNBF News the village is still waiting to receive a replacement part. Once it has been delivered, workers will install it and request a pool inspection from the Broome County Health Department. There had been some hope that the pool could be ready for use this weekend. But Holland Thursday afternoon said that it seems unlikely. The wading pool at Floral Avenue Park is usually open on weekends during June. It is then scheduled to be available every day from the Fourth of July through Labor Day.

Upcoming Electronics Recycling Dates For Broome County Residents

(Don Morgan)
The Broome County Division of Solid Waste Management announced dates and locations for several upcoming off-site electronics recycling collections for Broome County residents. The Broome County Division of Solid Waste Management announced dates and locations for several upcoming off-site electronics recycling collections for Broome County residents. The last event for the summer season will be Saturday, August 15th, at the Park and Ride Lot in Chenango, located at 146 Chenango Bridge Road in Binghamton. All three electronics recycling events will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine.