We Have The Local News You May Have Missed Right Here

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 November 4, 2024, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff. For the complete article (if available), click on the headline.

State Gives "Conditional" OK to IBM Endicott Demolition Project

(Bob Joseph)
There's some progress reported in the long-running effort to remove several abandoned IBM buildings in Endicott. Mayor Nick Burlingame said the New York State Historic Preservation Office has given "conditional approval" for the plan to demolish the structures on North Street. The five buildings that are to be torn down are on the Huron Campus east of McKinley Avenue. Burlingame said the state agency has stipulated that the buildings slated for demolition be photographed with the images uploaded to a website. That would enable people interested in the historic nature of the structures to view what they looked like before they came down.

Broome County Budget For 2025 Is Approved 

(Don Morgan)
Broome County Executive Jason Garner's Office announced that the 2025 Broome County Budget was approved on Thursday, November 7th. 2025 will be the sixth consecutive year in which Broome County residents will see their taxes go down, according to the County Executive's Office. The approved budget will also include significant workforce investments, substantial infrastructure upgrades, and expanded support for economic development, housing, and public safety. The property tax rate reduction for Broome County residents in 2025 will be 0.3%, a 24% total reduction since 2018, despite inflation increasing over 25% over that period.

Food to Weed: Former Front Street Buffet to Process Cannabis

(Bob Joseph)
Workers are converting a once-popular Binghamton-area restaurant into a marijuana manufacturing business. The space occupied by the former Tokyo Sushi Buffett in a strip mall in the town of Chenango has been vacant for years. People working at nearby businesses said they had noticed the activity at the former restaurant but they were unsure about what was planned for the location. The state Office of Cannabis Management did not immediately respond to a request for information about the town of Chenango business.

 Honoring 30 Local Binghamton Service Members

(Don Morgan)
The Binghamton Hometown Heroes Committee held a ceremony honoring 30 new heroes to be held on Thursday, November 7th at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena.  30 new Binghamton Hometown Heroes banners were unveiled. The new banners are being installed on Front Street between Bevier and Prospect Streets in Binghamton. These banners provide a living tribute created for the community to recognize and honor Greater Binghamton residents and their family members who are serving or are veterans who have served our country in the United States Armed Forces.

Fire Damages Former Convent Near Endicott School

(Bob Joseph)
A building in Endicott that once was used as a convent next to a Broome County Catholic school was damaged by a blaze that was spotted by firefighters. The fire at 210 Madison Avenue was reported by an EMS unit that passed by the site around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday. Endicott Fire Marshal Brian Botsford said the blaze started around the ground area outside the building. It spread upward until it reached the roof of the structure. The building is located south of All Saints Catholic School, which is on Broad Street. Botsford said the fire was extinguished in about five minutes. No injuries were reported.

Binghamton New York Mayor Jared Kraham Signs 2025 City Budget

(Don Morgan)
On November 4th, City of Binghamton Mayor Jared M. Kraham signed the 2025 City Budget into law. A bipartisan majority of the Binghamton City Council approved the 2025 budget, 6-1. Mayor Kraham thanked City of Binghamton Council Members and department heads for their hard work on the budget review process to ensure that the City has the best possible spending plan on behalf of taxpayers. Some of the 2025 City of Binghamton budget highlights, include working to bring the Police Department back to full staffing, which will help support neighborhood foot and bike patrols and invest in the technology and resources that help solve and prevent crimes.

Gas Station Planned at Former Binghamton Fluorescent Site

(Bob Joseph)
A Vestal man is planning to open a new business where the Binghamton Fluorescent Company has operated for more than four decades. Tony Singh is seeking approval to operate a gas station and convenience store at the site of the now-closed business on Binghamton's West Side. Details of the proposed retail operation were presented to the Binghamton Planning Commission. Brian Doak, an engineer who detailed the proposal for the new business for the planning commission, said the store would have 20 parking spaces. He said it would operate from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.

Scary Crash on New York Highway is a Warning to All Drivers

(Don Morgan)
The New York State Department of Transportation posted on social media on November 7th (2024) a very disturbing video of a highway worker on Interstate 81 near Whitney Point, narrowly being hit by a truck that appeared not to move over then approaching construction vehicles. The New York State Department of Transportation posted on social media on November 7th (2024) a very disturbing video of a highway worker on Interstate 81 near Whitney Point, narrowly being hit by a truck that appeared not to move over then approaching construction vehicles.

Binghamton Crowley Lofts Housing Project Prep Work Continues 

(Bob Joseph)
A $13 million project to redevelop the century-old Crowley milk processing plant in Binghamton is moving forward. Two Broome County men - Patrick VanPutte and Jon Korchynsky - are planning to develop 48 housing units in the Conklin Avenue complex on the city's South Side. New York State is providing $2 million to support the project. The 73,000-square-foot building will include apartments for young professionals and some commercial space.

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