Did You Catch These 11 Southern Tier New York News Stories

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 16th, 2024, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff. For the complete article (if available), click on the headline.

Will Historic "IBM Collection" Return to Endicott?

(Bob Joseph)
A priceless exhibit of historic items associated with IBM Endicott remains in storage in an out-of-town company warehouse. The "IBM Collection" was displayed for several years at the Endicott History and Heritage Center on Washington Avenue. IBM moved the items out of the museum last January after the operators of the facility notified the company that it could no longer afford to maintain the exhibit. Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo told WNBF News she is continuing to work to find a way to bring the IBM Collection back to Endicott. Lupardo said, "We know that the collection is safe and sound." IBM representatives have said the items will be "carefully stored" in a company facility in Poughkeepsie. A spokesman has said the company would consider new arrangements for the collection to again be displayed in Endicott or nearby.

$108M 2025 Budget Proposal For Binghamton's Growth

(Don Morgan)
On Monday, September 16th, 2024 the City of Binghamton 2025 Budget address was presented by Mayor Jared M. Kraham. The presentation revealed a $108 million spending plan including major investments in public safety, infrastructure, housing, and parks. During the budget address, it was announced that several major infrastructure projects will break ground next year. They include a $9.5 million project to transform the area around Mirabito Stadium, plus a $4.4 million second phase to create a more walkable arts district downtown. Other plans in the works include a $4 million project to improve Main Street, focusing on pedestrian safety at 20 intersections between Front Street and Floral Avenue.

Rod Serling Fans Praise Binghamton's Newly-Revealed Statue

(Bob Joseph)
Hundreds of people attended the dedication event for Binghamton's Rod Serling statue and thousands more have viewed the event online. The six-foot-tall statue honoring the creator of The Twilight Zone was unveiled during a ceremony on Sunday at Recreation Park on the city's West Side. Nick Parisi, president of the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation, said the event was "great." The foundation worked for years to obtain necessary approvals and to raise the funding for the statue project, which had a total cost of about $140,000. Parisi said the event in the park was "great." He expressed relief that the efforts to make the statue a reality paid off.

Happy Hour Just Got Happier In Pennsylvania

(Don Morgan)
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed July 15, 2024, an increase in the number of happy hours per week for an establishment that serves liquor. The law went into effect on September 13, 2024. The maximum number of happy hours per week in Pennsylvania was 14, but now, the limit is 24. According to an article from CBS News Philadelphia, restaurants and bars in Pennsylvania that have a liquor license, also have permission to offer food and drink combos. The bill, HB 829, also states that establishments that serve alcohol can also include up to two drinks in the cost of a ticket for a self-sponsored event. Also, according to a post on X from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, canned cocktails and hard seltzers will now be available for sale at grocery stores and gas stations.

Big Renovation Project Underway at Northgate Plaza

(Bob Joseph)
A large retail complex in the town of Chenango is getting a major makeover in what's expected to be a multi-phase project to upgrade the property. Crews from Pritchard Development Corporation started work at the Northgate Plaza on Upper Front Street on Monday.  Brett Pritchard said the first part of the project will address the facades around the existing businesses at the south end of the property. Additional phases of the job will focus on the renovation of vacant sections of the complex. Several businesses, including the Touch of Texas bar and event venue, are operating in the plaza. Other businesses include Northgate Vacuum, Grande Pizza, and Label Shopper. They'll continue to operate while the renovation project is underway.

Support Compassionate Care: Mercy House Expansion In Endicott NY

(Don Morgan)
On September 18th, 2024, a planned $2 million dollar expansion of the Mercy House of the Southern Tier was announced. This expansion will provide more space to care for more people with terminal illnesses and support their families according to Mercy House. It is their next step in providing compassionate end-of-life care. n Operations Support Fund has been created by the Mercy House to help finance and sustain the expansion. Donations are needed to help offset increases in operational expenses from construction and added space. The initial goal is to raise $600,000. $1,013,243 has already been received through grant funding, with more grants and pledged private donations to follow to meet the $600,000 goal needed for the expansion. The expansion will include six new rooms equipped with private bathrooms and flexibility to meet unique care needs. A groundbreaking ceremony will be on September 30th beginning at 10 a.m. at the Mercy House of the Southern Tier, located at 212 North McKinley Avenue, Endicott.

Long-Delayed Front Street "Harbor Freight" to Open in November

(Bob Joseph)
The Harbor Freight Tools store in the town of Chenango originally was to open months ago and now is expected to start operations this fall. People working on the renovation work at the future business at 1272 Upper Front Street say the store will likely open in November. Nasco Home and Flooring Center has operated at the site for more than three decades. The store closed after a Florida-based company acquired the property last year for $675,000. Harbor Freight had planned to quickly renovate the 16,800-square-foot building and open the new store in a matter of months. However, the plans were delayed because the two-acre site sits in the floodplain. Town of Chenango officials refused to approve the original renovation plan. Eventually, the developers of the site decided to take steps to make the store less vulnerable to future flooding. The town planning board approved the revised approach.

New Legislation Expands Health Care Access For New Yorkers

(Don Morgan)
A legislative package was signed by New York State Governor Kathy Hocul that will ensure equitable access to essential health care. The Governor's office notes that this legislation reaffirms New York’s commitment to safeguarding public health and improving patient outcomes across communities. The legislative package includes requiring Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance services when treatment in place is administered and/or when transportation is provided to alternative healthcare settings instead of a general hospital. Also, the new legislation package authorizes ground ambulance and advanced life support first response services to store and distribute blood and initiate and administer blood transfusions, mirroring authorizations provided to air ambulance services.

Work Starts for Apartments at Old JC Philadelphia Sales Site

(Bob Joseph)
Crews are busy at the Johnson City site of a planned apartment complex where a Philadelphia Sales department store operated for decades. Regan Development Corporation of Westchester County has been awarded $9.7 million in state funding to help finance the project at 333 Grand Avenue. The company acquired the four-acre site from the village of Johnson City last November for $1.1 million. Regan's project calls for the construction of 72 residential units. The "Homesteads on Grand" development is to include one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments. The complex also will have 6,200 square feet of commercial space. Gabe Regan of Regan Development said he was pleased that work at the site is underway. He said he expected the project to be completed by January or February 2026.

New York First to Ban Harmful Chemical Found in Shampoo 

(Don Morgan)
On September 18th, new regulations were announced, adopting new regulations to reduce the presence of 1,4-dioxane in household cleaning, personal care, and cosmetic products. According to Sean Mahar, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar, New York State is the first in the country to adopt regulations that reduce 1,4-dioxane in these product categories to help protect consumers and natural resources and create healthier communities. The NYS DEC notes that 1,4-Dioxane is a synthetic industrial chemical commonly associated with chlorinated solvents and was widely used as a chemical stabilizer in other formulations. It is also a byproduct or contaminant in consumer products such as laundry detergent and shampoo. 1,4-dioxane has been found in groundwater at sites throughout the U.S.

7 Brew's Next Binghamton-Area Coffee Stand to Open in November

(Bob Joseph)
The new 7 Brew drive-thru coffee stand will be located at 1322 Upper Front Street, just north of a Lowe's Home Improvement store. Keli Oven, a partner in Brew Family Development, told WNBF News the business is scheduled to open on November 11. Oven said the local franchise operation is preparing to add more 7 Brew coffee stands in the Binghamton area. She said the company may consider future locations in Vestal, Endicott, and Johnson City. The first 7 Brew shop in the northeastern United States opened on the Vestal Parkway last September.