News You Can Use: 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 May 18, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Read More: Binghamton Area News Recap For May 11, 2026

Two Fires Damage Buildings on Binghamton's West Side

(Bob Joseph)
Binghamton firefighters battled a pair of separate blazes on the city's West Side Tuesday morning. The first fire broke out in a commercial and residential structure at 188 Main Street. A passerby spotted smoke coming from the building at Main and Florence streets around 7:20 a.m. Two businesses - the Yummy Market convenience store and Caribbean Patty World restaurant - are located on the first floor. There are a dozen apartments on the second and third floors of the wood-frame structure. Some of the residents had not evacuated the building by the time the first police and fire units arrived. No injuries were reported. About an hour after the Main Street fire was reported, a blaze broke out at a single-family house a short distance away. That fire occurred in a residence at 3 Westmoor Place. Some of the firefighters who were at the Main Street scene were sent to the second blaze in the house located across the street from the West End Armory.

Binghamton Still Clearing Homeless Encampments

(Bob Joseph)
Efforts to develop better policies to provide assistance to Binghamton's homeless population are continuing. City councilmember Rebecca Rathmell said she met with Mayor Jared Kraham Monday to discuss steps that might be taken to address some of the concerns expressed by Binghamton residents. A large crowd of Broome County residents attended a "community conversation" last week following the fatal beating of 45-year-old Peter Bennedum in downtown Binghamton. After that meeting, Rathmell submitted a formal request to the mayor to "put a complete pause" on encampment clearing except in cases "in which the safety of unhoused persons" is an immediate risk.

Truxton Felon Faces Charges For Ghost Guns And Animal Violations

(Don Morgan)
On Monday, May 17, 2026, Troop C of the New York State Police in Sidney released a report of an arrest in connection with the manufacture and sale of ghost guns. After an investigation, members of the New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit and Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team arrested a three-time convicted felon who was on probation. After a search warrant at his residence, 37-year-old  Adam Rowe of Truxton was arrested by New York State Police after it was determined that he was manufacturing and selling ghost guns. Since he is a convicted felon on probation, Rowe is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Battle Over More Tobacco Sales Near Binghamton Elementary School

(Bob Joseph)
A plan to open a convenience store that would sell tobacco products in a Binghamton neighborhood is drawing opposition from residents and a city commission. The owner of a building at 249 Conklin Avenue is seeking permission for a business to operate at the site, which is less than 1,000 feet from Benjamin Franklin Elementary School. Members of Binghamton's planning commission are opposed to allowing the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco items so close to the school. Pyawer Doski acquired the property at the corner of Conklin Avenue and Tompkins Street for $150,000 in January 2020. Doski said he briefly rented the space for use as an auto repair shop. He said he's been unable to find another tenant for the building since that business closed. He said he's been approached by some people interested in operating a convenience store at the site. But he told planning commission members he'll be unable to get a tenant for the space if they aren't permitted to sell tobacco.

Binghamton House Heavily Damaged By Fire

(Bob Joseph)
Binghamton firefighters battled a stubborn blaze in a three-family home on the city's East Side. The fire in a two-story wood-frame structure at 73 Moeller Street was reported shortly before 6 p.m. Friday. Several East Middle School students who were in the area told WNBF News they spotted smoke coming from the upper portion of the house and reported the fire. They heard popping sounds that might have been caused by breaking windows. Fire spread from a section of the second floor into the attic of the structure. Binghamton police chief John Ryan arrived at the scene shortly after the fire was reported. He was being briefed by police officers and fire department supervisors.

Fifth Graders Raise Funds For Families In Need Through Kickball

(Don Morgan)
The Broome County Sheriff's Office announced on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, that two local school districts partnered to raise money while having fun to help fight hunger in their communities. Susquehanna Valley Central School District’s Donnelly and Brookside Elementary 5th graders competed with 5th graders from Chenango Valley School District’s Chenango Bridge Elementary during the 3rd Annual Kick It For Cans charity kickball game. Between the two school districts,  $23,751 was raised for local families in need. To add to that amount, the Broome County Sheriff’s Office contributed an additional $7,000 to help get this year’s total to over $30,000 to benefit Broome County children and families in need.

Cannabis Cops Close Binghamton Business

(Bob Joseph)
A Binghamton store was shut down by a state investigator for allegedly offering cannabis for sale without a license. Star 2 Grocery Deli at Chenango and Doubleday streets was ordered closed late Tuesday afternoon after "illicit cannabis products" were found in the shop. Notices were posted in the windows on the popular neighborhood convenience store indicating the "business is sealed by order of the Cannabis Control Board." The signs indicated illegal cannabis had been seized. According to a notice of violation, cannabis flower, cannabis edibles, cannabis concentrate, and hemp flower were being offered for sale at the store. The notice also stipulated that a scale and processing equipment were found in the business.

Road Construction Updates For Southern Tier New York This Summer

(Don Morgan)
It's the unofficial beginning of summer. And with that, road construction work is ramping up throughout the Southern Tier of New York. Click on the headline for s a list of some of the areas that are or will be experiencing road work. Road work schedules can change at any time. Remember to slow down in road work/construction areas. Let's keep everyone safe - the road crew, other motorists, and of course you and your passengers.

Vestal Parkway Business Closing After More Than Seven Decades

(Bob Joseph)
One of the oldest businesses on the Vestal Parkway is winding down operations this month. K. Hein Machines is one of the oldest continuously-running firms in the town of Vestal. The company has been providing machining and assembly services since it was founded by Kurt Hein more than 70 years ago. Chuck Hein, the firm's current president and owner, said his father, Walter, oversaw operations of the family business before he took over. Chuck Hein had hoped to find a buyer for the company, which is located at 341 Vestal Parkway East. But when that didn't happen, he decided it was time to retire. Although the business is closing, the site is not likely to be idle for long. Hein said the property is under contract. He did not identify the prospective buyer.

2026 Broome Bands Together Series: Concert Dates And Details

(Don Morgan)
The Parks Department released the schedule for the 2026 Broome Bands Together Summer Concert Series West. This series will be held at Grippen Community Park in Endicott. Broome Bands Together is a free summer concert series presented by Broome County Parks and Recreation, once a month in May, September, and October.  Each concert will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Broome Bands Together East free summer concert series is also back at Otsiningo Park in Binghamton for 2026, on most Tuesdays from June 2nd through September 1st, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For a list of dates, times, and bands, click on the headline.

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