Catch Up Here For Binghamton New York Local News

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

Binghamton Man Named as Suspect in West Side Double Homicide

(Bob Joseph)
Binghamton police are looking for a suspect in connection with the killing of two city men whose bodies were found at a West Side residence. Authorities late Saturday afternoon announced that 50-year-old Scott C. Mitchell of Binghamton is wanted for questioning. In a news release, detectives said Mitchell is a suspect in the killings of 58-year-old Daniel McCloe and 55-year-old Marshall VanOven. They said Mitchell should be considered armed and dangerous. Police have said McCloe and VanOven were acquaintances. Separate missing person reports were filed for the men Monday evening. Investigators said detectives discovered "two deceased individuals" at a private residence on Binghamton's West Side the following day.

Broome County New York Sheriff's Office Recent Arrests & Charges

(Don Morgan)
The Broome County Sheriff's Office has released its latest arrests and charges report for the first week of February 2025. As a reminder, this report doesn't encompass all law enforcement activity performed by the Broome County Sheriff’s Office daily, arrests made in Broome County by other law enforcement agencies, or open and ongoing investigations by the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force or other law enforcement agencies. For the list of arrests and charges, click on the headline above.

Another Pot Shop Opens on Court Street in Binghamton

(Bob Joseph)
Cotton Mouth Dispensary received final authorization from the state Office of Cannabis Management on Monday. Daron and Regina Driscoll of Elmira had faced a series of unexpected delays in launching the business at 439 Court Street. The Driscolls spent a long time going through the state licensing process to open the cannabis retail operation. The Cotton Mouth Dispensary drive-up window won't be open until later this month. Customers who plan to use the window will be required to order and pay online. No drive-up purchases will be permitted.

Tioga County New York Sheriff Arrest Report

(Don Morgan)
The Tioga County, New York Sheriff's Office continues to update the public on recent charges and arrests on their Facebook page. The post may not encompass all recent Tioga County Sheriff activity. As a reminder, every person arrested and/or charged is presumed innocent until proven guilty. For more information about the Tioga County, New York Sheriff's Department, visit their official website. For the list of recent arrests and charges, click on the headline above.

Mystery: No Arrests Six Years After Killing of Johnson City Man

Local, state, and federal investigators are continuing to work to find the person who was responsible for the execution-style shooting of a Johnson City resident. 50-year-old Shakeel Khan was killed shortly after he closed his restaurant - Halal Bites - around 10 p.m. on March 30, 2019. The shooting happened in the parking lot of the business at 652 Riverside Drive. Johnson City police chief Brent Dodge on Wednesday said "It's still an open and active investigation." He told WNBF News his agency has assigned a detective to the case "who is still following up on the occasional potential leads that pop up."

Binghamton NY Zoning Reforms Revolutionizing Housing Development

(Don Morgan)
February 7, 2025, the Office of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham announced that a group of local affordable housing providers joined the Mayor to applaud recent zoning reforms and how the changes are supporting new housing. Mayor Kraham signed legislation in December 2024 designed to modernize Binghamton's zoning regulations while reducing red tape around housing construction. The aim is to make it easier and more affordable to build housing in the Parlor City.

Vestal's Largest Restaurant Closed After Health Violations Found

(Bob Joseph)
On Monday, Buffet Star posted a message on its Facebook page indicating the decision to shut down operations would be temporary. The unsigned note stated, "We will be making upgrades to the restaurant and taking personal time to spend with our growing family." The message did not reference critical health violations cited after a January 3 inspection of the restaurant at 4089 Vestal Road. Online records indicated two "critical" violations and 10 "non-critical" violations were found during the most recent inspection of the business.

Binghamton New York Rumble Ponies Coaching Staff Announced

(Don Morgan)
According to Jacob Wilkins, Director of Broadcast and Media Relations for the Rumble Ponies and play-by-play announcer for the home and away games on Townsquare Media's WNBF Radio, the Rumble Ponies coaching staff was revealed on February 5th. Reid Brignac will be back for his 4th season as Manager for the Rumble Ponies. He led a Rumble Ponies squad that won 10 consecutive games at one point, marking the franchise’s longest regular season winning streak since 2006. Brignac assisted the Met's major league staff for a few games at the end of their regular season. For the complete list of coaches, click on the headline above.

Owego Grand Union Closing as New Aldi Store Prepares to Open

(Bob Joseph)
The Grand Union store on Route 17C in Owego is scheduled to close on March 1st. Signs posted at the Grand Union indicate the store's operating hours will be reduced starting Monday. The store will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until it closes permanently in about three weeks. The Grand Union store just west of the Lockheed Martin plant opened in January 2022. C&S Wholesale Grocers of New Hampshire acquired several Tops supermarket locations in upstate New York. The Tops stores were spun off as that company merged with the firm that operates Price Chopper supermarkets. C&S Wholesale Grocers spokesperson Lauren La Bruno declined to explain why the Owego store is being closed or how many employees will be affected by the move.

Johnson City Plasma Center Still Planned for Grocery Store Site

(Bob Joseph)
A grocery store on Main Street in Johnson City was forced to close two years ago because a Texas-based company planned to turn the place into a plasma collection center. For the past year or so, Johnson City residents and village officials have been wondering about the status of the project. The place has been silent in recent months, although workers were seen entering the site this week. ImmunoTek Plasma has not explained why operations have not started at the location. The company's website indicates the plasma donation center is "coming soon" but there is no indication as to when it may open.