These Are Southern Tier New York News Reports You May Have Missed

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 April 3, 2025, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

For the complete story from each article, click on the headline.

Man Charged After Shooting at Illegal Binghamton After-Hours Club

(Bob Joseph)
Binghamton police have arrested a suspect following a shooting incident at what authorities described as an illegal after-hours business. Officers were sent to a small building at 8 Broome Street around 3:30 a.m. Friday, after a report of shots fired. A spent shell casing was found outside the site, across the street from the Binghamton Water Filtration Plant. The incident happened less than a year after the city issued a lockdown warning to Steven Krauss, a man from Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, who owns the property. At the time, Krauss told WNBF News nothing illegal was taking place in the building, which was being used as a bail bond office and a business called Cannabis Consultants.

Buffalo Bills Celebrate New Highmark Stadium Steel Topping Out

(Don Morgan)
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul joined over 100 guests, along with hundreds of Union Construction Workers, as the final beam of structural steel was put in place. The 2.1 billion dollar Highmark Stadium will ensure that the Bills will call it home for the next 30 years. The new Highmark Stadium has been under construction for the past 20 months, and when finished, will seat 60,000. According to the announcement from Governor Hochul and other officials, over 22,000 pieces of steel have been put in place, weighing in at over 25,000 tons. Approximately 1,500 workers are working on the new Highmark Stadium, including masonry, electrical, and plumbing professionals. Over 1.7 million craft-hours of construction completed so far, with that number expected to double by completion.

Rusting Binghamton Railroad Bridge Being Removed

(Bob Joseph)
A badly deteriorating railroad bridge over a heavily traveled Binghamton street is expected to be replaced this month. Workers have been busy for several weeks making preparations for the removal of the rusting Norfolk Southern span over Front Street. The bridge, which is believed to have been built in 1912, is located near the Broome County Health Department offices north of Clinton Street. Inspectors hired by the city two years ago reported the bridge was in severe condition. They found many rusting sections of the structure, along with deteriorating steel and unsound concrete. Mayor Jared Kraham had expected the Front Street bridge would be replaced last year. It's not known why the project has yet to be completed.

Power Line Over River in Binghamton Targeted by Copper Thieves

(Bob Joseph)
Binghamton police were working to determine who tried to steal a long copper power line that crossed the Susquehanna River.  WIVT News 34 reported that a thick braided cable that had been suspended over the river between Front Street and Conklin Avenue had dropped into the river. The issue was discovered Monday night. According to a NYSEG spokesperson, someone cut down a utility pole on a riverbank. No electricity service was affected because the line was no longer in service. On the south side of the river, there were signs that someone was in the process of chopping down another utility pole.

Binghamton, New York Targeted Enforcement Results in Multiple Arrests

(Don Morgan)
As part of the New York State Gun Violence Elimination initiative, according to the Broome County Sheriff's Office, on April 4, 2025, deputies, along with Binghamton Police, conducted a targeted enforcement campaign in Binghamton. A total of 19 vehicle stops were performed during the operation, which also included members of the Sheriff’s Patrol Division, Strategic Response Group, the Special Investigations Unit Task Force, and Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar.

Johnson City Enacts Moratorium on New Corner Stores

(Bob Joseph)
The village of Johnson City is putting the brakes on the development of new corner stores and vape shops. Lawmakers have approved a one-year moratorium on permits for such businesses. The local law also pertains to the construction and opening of tobacco stores and hookah bars. Mayor Martin Meaney said the village had been "inundated" by many applications for corner stores and similar operations in recent months. The mayor told WNBF News there has been a concern about illicit activity that may be generated around such businesses.

Inside Broome County Sheriff Department's Weekly Arrests

(Don Morgan)
The weekly arrest report was released by the Broome County Sheriff's Office on April 11, 2025. Arrests and charges from the Broome County Sheriff's Office do not reflect all the department's activity for the week. All persons are considered innocent unless proven guilty in court. All arrests and charges are open and ongoing investigations through local law enforcement agencies, including the Broome County Sheriff's Office, Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force, or other law enforcement agencies. For the list of arrests and charges, click on the above headline.

Endicott's Iconic Cider Mill Sold, Will Open Early This Year

(Bob Joseph)
New owners have taken over a place in Endicott that's been a landmark for the past century. The Cider Mill has been a fixture of Nanticoke Avenue since 1926. The business, which has been owned and operated by the Ciotoli family for several decades, has been sold to the Burke family of Broome County. Although many of the cherished traditions at the Cider Mill will continue, some changes are being planned.  Instead of opening in early August, the business will launch its 2025 season on Friday, May 30. Instead of closing just after Thanksgiving, plans call for the Cider Mill to remain open through late December.

How The Raise The Wage Act Could Affect New York Workers

(Don Morgan)
April 10, 20205, the Raise the Wage Act was announced by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand along with 32 members of the Senate and 146 members of the House of Representatives. The Raise the Wage Act legislation's goal is designed to raise the minimum wage to $17 for all workers and gradually eliminate subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and youth workers by 2030, according to the announcement. Senator Gillibrand noted in the announcement that in 2024, almost one in four workers in the United States made less than $17 per hour.

Vestal's Bunn Hill Housing Construction Project Picking Up Speed

(Bob Joseph)
Work is moving forward on the development of a massive housing project in the town of Vestal. Crews began clearing the 43-acre site between Bunn Hill and Jensen roads one year ago, and construction operations started last October. A Georgia company - Landmark Properties - battled local opponents of the project for several years before receiving approval to build the project, which is located less than a mile south of the Binghamton University campus. Excavation activity is continuing at the site. On Thursday, large dump trucks continued delivering more material before construction starts on the 161 "cottage-style" units.

Binghamton I-81 Lane Closures for Work Near the "Big Dip" Zone

(Bob Joseph)
Drivers should watch out for lane closures on Interstate 81 and Route 17 near the Brandywine Highway in Binghamton. According to the state Department of Transportation, the traffic pattern changes will start Saturday. I-81 southbound will be reduced to a single lane starting at Exit 13. Route 17 eastbound will be reduced to one lane beginning at Exit 72. The lane reductions will extend to the bridge over the Brandywine Highway. According to a DOT announcement, the changes will be in effect for about two weeks "to facilitate pavement repairs."

Driving Across The Border This Summer? What You Need To Know

(Don Morgan)
As of May 7th, 2025, you will need a REAL ID to access certain federal facilities, board federally regulated commercial aircraft, and enter nuclear power plants. To enter Mexico, Canada, and certain Caribbean countries, you will need an Enhanced license to travel by land or sea. To fly to these locations, you will need a passport. The United States Border & Customs Protection is anticipating a busy summer season, and is offering some tips to help you cross the border safely and as quickly as possible. Check out the tips by clicking on the above headline.

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