New York Southern Tier News Recap In Case You Missed It

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 June 3, 2024, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff. For the complete article (if available), click on the headline.

Woman, Teenage Boy, and Dog Killed in Port Crane Head-On Crash

(Bob Joseph)
Authorities are investigating a head-on collision on Route 369 that resulted in the death of two drivers - a 75-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy. A dog in one of the vehicles also was killed in the crash. The incident happened north of Fenner Hill Road around 8:50 a.m. on Friday, June 7. According to the Broome County Sheriff's Office, a white 2015 BMW was traveling south on Route 369 at a high rate of speed. The vehicle veered into the northbound lane and collided head-on with a white 2023 Honda Civic.

Massive IBM Endicott Demolition Job to Start Upon State Approval

(Bob Joseph)
Demolition crews are ready to start tearing down several vacant buildings that were part of the sprawling manufacturing complex in Endicott known as "The Birthplace of IBM." The long-awaited project to clear a section of the Huron Campus along North Street could begin soon. The final hurdle in moving forward with the demolition appears to be receiving approval from the New York State Historic Preservation Office. Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said the owners of the Endicott site - Phoenix Investors - are "ready to go."

Local Agencies Receive Grant For Improved Discovery Practices

(Don Morgan)
According to the Broome County District Attorney's Office, a $1.1 million dollar grant has been secured through the New York State Department of Criminal Justice. This fund is designed to help strengthen discovery reform efforts within Broome County's local law enforcement agencies. This grant will enhance capabilities in meeting the evolving demands and timeframes of discovery laws. With this grant, local agencies will be able to enhance training and staff resources focused on streamlining the discovery process including the collection and sharing of evidence in criminal cases.

City Wins Round in Binghamton Plaza Eminent Domain Legal Battle

(Bob Joseph)
The company that owns the Binghamton Plaza has lost an initial court bid to halt an effort by the city to take control of the property on West State Street. The Appellate Division of the state Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a petition by the owners of the retail complex on Binghamton's North Side. Mayor Jared Kraham announced in July 2022 that the city intended to acquire the 285,000-square-foot strip mall located south of Cheri Lindsey Memorial Park. Kraham contended the property had been poorly maintained and had become an eyesore for people who lived in the neighborhood. Speaking at the Binghamton Plaza shortly after the court decision was released, the mayor described the ruling as a "major

Akels Receive Conditional OK to Demolish Court Street House

(Bob Joseph)
A Binghamton commission has given conditional approval for the demolition of a nearly 140-year-old downtown house for the development of a parking lot. Philip Akel and the family-owned FGR Realty had sought permission to tear down a two-story house at 188 Court Street. FGR Realty acquired the property across the street from the Phelps Mansion Museum about five months ago for $140,000. The project to demolish the house next door is contingent on approval by the city planning commission and the zoning board of appeals.

Broome County Proposes Taking Ownership of En-Joie from Endicott

(Bob Joseph)
Broome County officials have been talking with village of Endicott representatives about the possibility of transferring ownership of the En-Joie Golf Course. The course, which was established for Endicott Johnson Shoe Company workers in 1927, is owned by the village. The county has operated the facility since 2006. Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said the course's irrigation system needs to be replaced. He said that the project could cost millions of dollars. Garnar told WNBF News that if Endicott turns over ownership of the course, the county would pay for the irrigation project. He said that would free up about 10 million gallons of water that's used annually by En-Joie.

Broome County Seeks Input On The Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

(Don Morgan)
The Broome County Department of Planning & Economic Development is seeking feedback for the 2024 Broome County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. According to the DPEC release, the plan assesses community risk to natural hazards, outlining a comprehensive approach to reducing the impact of natural disasters including floods, droughts, extreme temperatures, and storms. Keeping this plan current is crucial to ensure Broome County and its municipalities remain eligible for federal funding for hazard mitigation projects. Mitigation strategies to protect lives, property, and the economy from future hazard events are included in the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Red Carpet Inn Site to Be Used for Golf Tournament Staging Area

(Bob Joseph)
The former Red Carpet Inn site will be used as a staging area for this month's Dick's Sporting Goods Open in Endicott. The Broome County Land Bank Corporation last month approved a resolution authorizing the use of the property for the purposes of parking from June 17 to June 23. Although the Land Bank resolution specified the site would be used for parking, tournament director John Karedes told WNBF News that the property will be utilized for event staging purposes.

5 New York College Closures in the Last 365 Days

(Don Morgan)
It's not often that we hear of a college closing its doors, but there have been a few just in New York State that have closed for various reasons. We were surprised and saddened to hear of the closure of Cazenovia College in Cazenovia, New York, just southeast of Syracuse, a year ago (June 30, 2023.) The NYSED website lists 15 colleges in the Empire State that have closed in the past eight years, since 2016. In 2023, three colleges closed, and so far in 2024,  there are four announced closures, and one recently closed.

Party's Over! Owego Treadway Demolition Nears Completion

(Bob Joseph)
Aldi has been planning to open an Owego store for several years. In 2017, the company had sought to launch an operation at the Scoville-Meno Auto Plaza property but that plan was scrapped. Aldi continued its search for an appropriate site before settling on the Treadway Inn location on Route 17C. The site of the once-popular Treadway Inn conference center in Tioga County is being cleared in preparation for the construction of an Aldi grocery store. The job of tearing down the 55-year-old event center started three weeks ago. The structure, which once featured ballrooms, large kitchens, a restaurant, and a bar, is history. Aldi has been planning to open an Owego store for several years. In 2017, the company had sought to launch an operation at the Scoville-Meno Auto Plaza property but that plan was scrapped. Aldi continued its search for an appropriate site before settling on the Treadway Inn location on Route 17C.

Bring On The Rides! It's Fair Season In New York & Pennsylvania

(Don Morgan)
Summertime is here, baseball is in full swing (pardon the pun), concerts in our region have begun, festivals have just started and the fairs and carnivals are gearing up for another great season in the Southern Tier of New York and Northeast Pennsylvania. Sounds like a lot of fun ahead for the next three or four months! Each fair features a wide array of fun, activities, demonstrations, exhibits, shows, music and of course, food! Click on each fair headline for the link to their respective websites for all the information about this year's fair schedules and activities, and have a fun, fair summer!

EJ "Dinosaur Building" Apartment Plan Scrapped in Johnson City

(Bob Joseph)
A project that would have created dozens of apartments in a former Johnson City factory building has been abandoned. Syracuse developer Matthew Paulus had been planning to redevelop an old Endicott Johnson Shoe Company building at 19 Avenue B, just south of the recently opened Victory Lofts apartment complex. But Johnson City Mayor Martin Meaney said the developer "backed away from that project." He said Paulus concluded he couldn't move forward with it under current conditions, including high interest rates. Meaney said the decision by Paulus allowed government funding that had been earmarked for the project to be freed up for other possible uses.