You Need To Know: Binghamton New York 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 March 9, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Stabbing Incident In Binghamton Results In Significant Prison Time

(Don Morgan)
A Binghamton man has been sentenced to serve time in a New York State Prison, following his conviction at trial on December 1, 2025,  according to an announcement from Broome County District Attorney F. Paul Battisti. On January 4, 2025, Binghamton Police responded to a report of a disturbance at 32 Mendelssohn Street, Binghamton. While at the scene, officers found a male victim suffering from a puncture wound to his chest. Graham was sentenced in Broome County Court to 12½ years in New York State Prison with 5 years of post-release supervision for Assault in the First Degree, and 2⅓ to 7 years in state prison for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree.

Broome Landfill Won't Take Asbestos For Several More Months

(Bob  Joseph)
Demolition contractors likely will not be permitted to dump debris containing asbestos at the Broome County landfill until late this year. For several months, the facility in Nanticoke has banned deliveries of hazardous asbestos-containing materials from commercial entities. County Executive Jason Garnar said there are "very strict requirements" about the types of waste that can be placed in the landfill's massive cells. He said a new cell was opened at the end of last year. Asbestos can't be put into that cell until the space has been built up with a certain level of "regular non-asbestos waste." Garnar said state regulations must be followed, or the landfill could be fined or shut down.

Tioga Opportunities Secures $200,000 For Senior Safety Initiatives

(Don Morgan)
Tioga Opportunities, Incorporated, announced that it has been awarded funding that will enhance the safety, accessibility, and independence of older adults living in the county. $200,000 in funding is earmarked for TOI through the NYS Division of Homes and Community Renewal’s RESTORE program, which stands for Residential Emergency Services to Offer Home Repairs to the Elderly. According to the announcement from Tioga Opportunities, Incorporated, the funding will help to provide emergency home repairs for older adults, such as a lack of water or heat, leaking roofs or pipes, or issues with water heaters or well pumps.

City Regains Ownership of Binghamton Plaza Site

(Bob  Joseph)
The Binghamton Plaza property on Binghamton's North Side is once again owned by the city. In July 2022, Mayor Jared Kraham started the legal process that resulted in the city gaining control of the Binghamton Plaza property on West State Street. In a message posted online, Kraham wrote: "After decades of decline, this strategic North Side property is now under public control." The mayor said the development represents "an important milestone in our efforts to clean up one of Binghamton’s biggest eyesores and revitalize the surrounding  neighborhood." Now, the city is moving forward to hire a demolition contractor to clear the site. There are no firm plans to redevelop the property.

New Child Care Services Launch At SUNY Community Colleges

(Don Morgan)
An expansion of child care services at 11 SUNY community colleges in New York State was announced by Governor Kathy Hochul. These services, according to the announcement, will include evenings and weekends, designed to align with the schedules of student-parents who are enrolled in high-demand programs. One of the five SUNY community college campuses is SUNY Broome Community College, where additional care hours will be created during the evening, which will help those student-parents who attend evening classes.

New Endicott Power Facility to Serve Data Center

(Bob  Joseph)
Construction is continuing on an installation to provide more electricity to the Huron Campus in Endicott. Site work for the modular natural gas fuel cell system between Clark Street and Watson Boulevard began last month. The facility is being built in a Huron parking lot west of Hayes Avenue. California-based Bloom Energy is developing the system next to a NYSEG substation. Chris Pelto, who oversees Huron Campus operations, said there's a need for more power at the site. A Bloom Energy representative told WNBF News work on the 9.36 megawatt facility is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

Buyer Found for Closed Vestal Fire Station

(Bob  Joseph)
A Vestal firehouse that's been vacant for more than two years is about to be sold. The station was shut down in November 2023 when the department opened a new $7.5 million complex off Jensen Road. Voters in the Vestal Fire District over a year ago approved a referendum authorizing the sale of the unused station. It was listed for sale with an asking price of $1,150,000. Broome County developer Justin Marchuska said he's preparing to buy the property, which is now under contract. At least one person has indicated that a potential future project could make use of the existing fire station.

What You Need To Know About New York's Annual Burn Ban

(Don Morgan)
The NYS DEC notes that the New York State Burn Ban will begin on March 16, 2026, and continue through May 14, 2026. The number one cause of fires in New York State is open burning. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, since the annual burn ban began in 2009, wildfires in the Empire State have been reduced by 40 percent. For a complete list of dos and don'ts during the burn ban, visit the NYS DEC website.

Binghamton Mayor: Masonic Temple Likely Can't Be Saved

(Bob  Joseph)
The abandoned Masonic Temple building on Binghamton's West Side probably will have to be demolished. That's the view of Mayor Jared Kraham, who in the past held out hope that the historic structure on Main Street could be restored and brought back to life. Kraham told WNBF News Friday, "There is not a reasonable way" that property can be rehabilitated. The mayor noted that in the past, he believed some type of "major institution" like a university could develop a viable project for this building. Kraham said the cost of remediation and rehabilitation "would so exceed its marketable use that I don't see a future for that building other than demolition."

Goodbye, Skate Estate! Final Look Inside Vestal Fun Center

(Bob  Joseph)
More than a thousand people showed up for one last visit to Vestal's iconic Skate Estate Family Fun Center. After more than four decades, the complex on Vestal Road turned out the lights on Sunday, March 8th. A manager said about 700 people visited the place on Saturday, and another 500 stopped by on Sunday. The property is being sold to Williams Auto Group of Sayre for use as a vehicle sales and service facility. Marchuska Development acquired Skate Estate in July 2024 for $880,000.

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