Miss These Southern Tier New York News Headlines? Recap Is 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 September 9th, 2024, from WNBF’s Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff. For the complete article (if available), click on the headline.

Broome County New York 2025 Budget Revealed 

(Don Morgan)
At the En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott on September 12, 2024,  the Broome County 2025 Budget Address was announced by Executive Jason Garnar in front of local leaders, community members, and county employees. This was Garner’s 7th budget address as Broome County Executive. Garner outlined a continued focus on strengthening the community through investments in public safety, economic development, housing, and county operations. Some of the highlights for the 2025 budget addressed by the Broome County Executive include a property tax rate cut by .31%, a $3.9 million investment for 271 position upgrades in the county workforce, and a $5 million Economic Development and Housing Fund, among others.

Kirkwood Residents Fight Planned Solar Project at Dairy Farm

(Bob Joseph)
Some people who live near the site of a proposed solar farm are urging the town of Kirkwood officials not to approve the project. A unit of Boston-based BlueWave Solar is seeking permission to build a 2.8-megawatt facility between Colesville Road and Stanley Hollow Creek. The project would be built on part of a 94-acre parcel on a dairy farm owned by the Bartleson family. Nearby residents are concerned the facility would adversely affect property values. They’re also worried about the potential health and environmental impacts of the solar farm. The planning board is expected to discuss the project at its October meeting.

Virtual Video Rendering Of The Binghamton Airport Transformation

(Don Morgan)
Major construction for updates at the Greater Binghamton Airport continues to progress. September 9, 20204, a new two-and-a-half minute fly-through video rendering was unveiled by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul which reveals a glimpse of a reimagined Greater Binghamton Airport. The video shows what the major upgrades will look like once the $32 million dollar project is complete. The finding is part of Governor Hochul’s $230 million Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition. These upgrades were initially announced in November 2023 by Governor Hochul. Airport consultants produced the fly-through video, which can be viewed here.

Endicott Man Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run Near Otsiningo Park

(Bob Joseph)
A Binghamton man died after he was struck by a vehicle near the entrance to Otsiningo Park in the town of Dickinson. Authorities said 43-year-old Jamel Smalls was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, Smalls was hit at the intersection of Front and Bevier streets around 9:30 p.m. Monday.  Investigators said Smalls was in the crosswalk of Front Street when he was struck by the vehicle that was believed to have been driven by 21-year-old Christian Rogler of Endicott. The vehicle did not stop after the pedestrian was hit. The suspect vehicle eventually was found in the town of Maine. Rogler was charged with felony counts of vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident. He also was charged with driving while impaired by drugs and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

New York DEC Intercepts Alleged Home Burglary in Broome County

(Don Morgan)
According to the NYS DEC website, while on patrol, Environmental Conservation Officer McCormick and Lieutenant Rigoli observed a vehicle parked suspiciously on the side of the road in the town of Windsor. They observed a person quickly entering a vehicle while a second person was trying to hide behind a tree. They circled back to the location, but the vehicle had already left. It was a bit later when the officers noticed the vehicle hidden in a field that was off a quarry road. The website noted that Officer McCormick recognized the driver as the same person they had previously charged for hunting and traffic violations. Broome County Dispatch was contacted, who then alerted New York State Police. Stolen items were discovered from the outbuilding inside the driver’s vehicle. State Police pursued Penal Law charges, and  ECO McCormick addressed the vehicle and traffic law violations. The person who was hiding behind the tree was not located according to the NYS DEC.

Smash-and-Grab Thief Strikes at Vestal Rail Trail

(Bob Joseph)
A Vestal Rail Trail user is alerting others to a car break-in that occurred while she was on the popular walking path. In an online alert, a woman advised people to “watch your surroundings and keep nothing in your car, even if it’s locked.” According to her post, she was on the trail for 30 minutes and returned to her vehicle to see that someone had smashed a driver’s side window. Law enforcement officials are advising people who use walking trails or parks to always lock their vehicles and never leave anything of value inside.

New York Reporting Fewer of This Awful Invasive Bug, Here’s Why 

(Don Morgan)
According to the New York Post, at least in New York City, a lot less of this invasive species has been, well, spotted, and it’s because residents are heeding the advice to stamp out these bugs on sight, as mentioned earlier in this article. In addition to humans doing their part, in the New York Post article, Brian Eshenaur, a senior extension associate for NYS Integrated Pest Management at Cornell University notes that natural predators are also responsible for the decrease in Spotted Lanternflies as they are a new food source. Humans, birds, and bugs are working together to help stamp out the unwanted Spotted Lanternfly.

Five Years in the Making: Johnson City Dunkin’ Finally Open

(Bob Joseph)
The long-running saga of developing a new Dunkin’ doughnut shop near Johnson City has concluded with the business starting operations. The company, which operates many Dunkin’ franchised locations in the region, initially planned to open a 1,800-square-foot store. The town of Union planning board approved the project and the developers acquired the property for $300,000 in 2020. Nothing happened at the site for a few years. The developers had to resubmit their plan to the town because so much time had passed. The revised project called for a slightly smaller building. A manager told WNBF News the shop opened without fanfare Friday morning. Business was slow for the first few days because people were unaware that the place was open. The Dunkin’ operation has about 14 employees. The shop’s hours are 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. The site of the new shop had been home to a McDonald’s restaurant from 1970 to 1997. The property had been unused since then.

Last Call: The North Brewery in Endicott to Close Soon

(Bob Joseph)
A craft brewing operation that was a fixture on Endicott’s Washington Avenue for more than a decade is closing. The North Brewery has announced plans to end operations. Co-owner Zack Pedley told WNBF News that he and his partners decided “it’s just the right time for us.” The North Brewery shutdown is coming as an $11 million reconstruction project on Washington Avenue enters its final phase. Pedley said while “construction didn’t help” matters it wasn’t the primary reason for the decision to close.