You Need To Know: Your Binghamton Area News Recap

Each week, we recap 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, 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 October 27, 2025, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Binghamton's Most Closely-Monitored Neighborhood

(Bob Joseph)
Anytime anyone drives down one short street in Binghamton, there's a good chance the trip will be noted in one or more databases. There are now at least seven electronic monitoring devices in place along the three-block-long street on the city's North Side. Robert Street between Frederick and Lyon streets at the Town and Country apartment complex has had two city-operated surveillance cameras. There are also three Flock Safety automated license plate readers. In recent weeks, two new large camera units have been added as part of the $94 million rehabilitation project at the apartments. Joshua Greenblatt of Vesta Corporation, the owner of the 256-unit apartment complex, said the company will use and maintain the new camera system as part of its efforts to enhance security at the site.

Hal McCabe Appointed As Broome County Physical Services Executive

(Don Morgan)
On October 27, 2025, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar announced a new Broome County Executive for Physical Services. Hal McCabe, who fills the position, has over two decades of experience in public administration, government relations, and political leadership at the local, state, and federal levels, according to the announcement. McCabe served as Mayor of the Village of Homer, New York, from 2017 to 2025, where he managed a multi-department operation that included Public Works, Water and Sewer, Fire, Police, Recreation, and Code Enforcement.

Binghamton and Broome Expanding Mental Health Crisis Response

(Bob Joseph)
A mental health crisis response program in the city of Binghamton and Broome County is being expanded. Mayor Jared Kraham and County Executive Jason Garnar say the existing initiative to assist law enforcement officers in responding to people experiencing mental health issues will receive more funding. Kraham and Garnar discussed the planned expansion on Monday at City Hall. The mayor said the city will contribute $100,000 to the program next year. Kraham said there's been a need to improve the system to properly respond to mental health crisis situations.

Trooper Jill E. Mattice Honored With Memorial Highway In Morris

(Don Morgan)
Representatives of the New York State Police, along with other officials, honored the memory of six-year veteran Trooper Jill E. Mattice on October 27th, 2025. On January 20, 2010, Trooper Mattice, a member of the Oneonta State Police, lost her life when her patrol vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer on Route 23 in the Town of Morris. A dedication of a portion of State Route 23 as the 'Trooper Jill E. Mattice Memorial Highway.' An unveiling of the new highway sign was held following the dedication.

Johnson City Chick-fil-A: Bank About to Be Torn Down for Eatery

(Bob Joseph)
A Key Bank that has been standing in the way of a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Johnson City is expected to be demolished in a few weeks. The bank branch in the Oakdale Commons was shut down on Friday afternoon. Key Bank three months ago announced plans to close the office after refusing to comment on the future of the site. Spark JC, the owners of the Oakdale Commons, revealed a contract had been signed last spring for a Chick-fil-A restaurant. The restaurant developer has been working quietly for several months to obtain needed approvals for the long-awaited project.

Renovated Home At 170 Moeller Street Celebrates Community Progress

(Don Morgan)
On Wednesday, October 28, 2025, an announcement was made for the completion of the 4th renovated home in Broome County as local officials gathered to celebrate, including Broome County Land Bank representatives, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, and City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham. According to the Broome County Land Bank Corporation, the renovated home is located at 170 Moeller Street and was funded by an American Rescue Plan Act grant from the City of Binghamton. The Land Bank and the City of Binghamton partnership called for the renovation of 10-12 single-and two-family homes by the end of 2026. 170 Moeller Street was acquired in August 2023.

IBM Endicott Demolition Debris Can't Be Hauled from Site

(Bob Joseph)
The site where five massive IBM buildings stood in the village of Endicott for several decades has yet to be cleared, more than two months after the structures were torn down. The North Street demolition project at what's known as "The Birthplace of IBM" started on the last day of 2024. Gorick Construction of Binghamton started at the east end of the 10-acre site and worked west toward McKinley Avenue. The job of knocking down the huge unused structures appeared to proceed on schedule, but thousands of tons of demolition debris remain at the Huron Campus property. Chris Pelto, who manages the site for Phoenix Investors of Milwaukee, said the removal of the material remains "on hold." He told WNBF News Gorick is awaiting permission to haul the debris to the Broome County landfill.utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

Milwaukee Chainsaw Recall: What You Need To Know

(Don Morgan)
According to a recall report from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission on October 30 (2025), the Milwaukee Tool M18 FUELTM Top Handle Chainsaw with either a 12” or 14” bar has a recall. Also, in the listeria department, on September 30th, 2025, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration issued a report of an expanded recall of certain lots of pre-cooked pasta, including fettuccine, linguine, and farfalle (bowtie) by Nate's Fine Foods, Inc. A sample of linguine pasta was collected and tested by FreshRealm, which tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

Another Longtime Vestal Business Closes with Site Going to "Pot"

(Bob Joseph)
Legal weed continues to spread across the Binghamton area, with another cannabis dispensary planned in a building that has been home to a locally-owned business for years. The new marijuana retail store is to be developed at the site of the former White Rose Day Spa at 4535 Vestal Road. The location is just across the Vestal Parkway from the Binghamton University Innovative Technologies Complex. Owner Karen Latta said she had decided it was time to retire. She could not find someone to buy the business, so she opted to close and sell the property. She said the closing date for the sale is set for November 10.

Why Bat Awareness Week Matters For New Yorkers

(Don Morgan)
The DEC is asking New Yorkers to refrain from visiting caves and mines during the fall and winter months to reduce human disturbance to endangered and threatened bats. While many people think bats are scary and harmful, that is just not the case. In fact, they are more helpful with an appetite for insects, which helps limit the amount of pesticides used for crops and gardens, reduces mosquitoes, and may help limit the spread of invasive insects in New York, according the the NYS DEC. Bats need to be protected from winter temperatures, so they spend the cold months hibernating in caves and mines that have relatively constant, warm temperatures.

New Plan to Rehab Binghamton Building Near Downtown Rail Yard

(Bob Joseph)
Another proposal has been developed to turn a blighted Binghamton industrial building into a residential complex. The $31 million project would create 50 apartments in the abandoned five-story structure at 1 North Depot Street. Regan Development Corporation of Westchester County is working with city and Broome County officials on the plan to find a new use for the abandoned building, which is located just west of the downtown rail yard. Property owner Josh Bishop in 2018 had announced a project to develop 55 loft apartments at the site. Plans for that residential and commercial development were scrapped.

Support Local Veterans: Donations Needed For Veterans Day Drive

(Don Morgan)
You can help locally through the Vestal Elks Lodge for their 5th Annual Veterans Day Drive. On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the Veteran Donation Drive will be held at the Lodge located at 2071 Vestal Parkway West in Vestal from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.Donations will benefit the New York State Veterans Home, Willow Point Nursing Facility, and Absolut Care Nursing Facility: Ideal Senior Living Facility. These items help our Veterans and show that they are remembered and appreciated.

Vestal TGI Fridays Cleared for New Restaurant

(Bob Joseph)
One year after the TGI Fridays restaurant in Vestal suddenly went dark, plans are moving forward to open a new eatery at the site. Work to haul out the old furnishings and kitchen equipment at the site has been underway ahead of remodeling for another restaurant in the existing building. The rapidly expanding KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot chain has signed a lease with Brixmor Property Group to use the Town Square Mall space. There's no word on when construction will get underway at the Vestal site. The manager of the Syracuse location said it would take several months to prepare the site for the KPOT concept.