Did You Catch These 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 August 5, 2024, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff. For the complete article (if available), click on the headline.

Important Car Recalls in New York You Might Have Missed for 2024

(Don Morgan)
In just the first 19 weeks of 2024, according to the website Motor1.com., it was noted in a May 16th article that the Ford Motor Company had released 25 recalls. However, some of the recalls are for a small item, including 9 Mavericks having incorrect tire labels on the doorsills, and 385 2024 F-150 trucks being recalled due to incorrect fasteners used in the steering system, which could result in a steering failure. The largest to date was the Explorer recall that affected almost 1.9 million 2011 to 2019 vehicles because of A-pill trim that could detach, as detailed in a January 2024 Motor1.com article.

New Restaurant to Open at Former Perkins Site in Apalachin

(Bob Joseph)
A new eatery is expected to open soon at the former Perkins Restaurant & Bakery in Apalachin. The property finally was sold this summer. People familiar with the transaction identified the buyer as Bob Stanley from St. Louis, Missouri. Renovation work at the former Perkins restaurant started last month. Efforts to contact Stanley for information on his planned business were unsuccessful. The future restaurant will be called "Chef Stanley's." It is expected to feature a menu that will include seafood, steak, and pasta. Those working on the renovation of the building said the new eatery should open by the end of this month.

New Fire Rescue Boats Enhance Endicott Fire Department's Capabilities

(Don Morgan)
According to a news release from the Office of Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, the announcement along with officials of the Endicott Fire Department, unveiled new fire rescue boats. The Rescue One Connector boat features flood lighting, nightlights, and a diver platform. The ProX boat is an inflatable boat. The two boats cost around $74,000, purchased with a larger $250.000  Assembly grant. Other items purchased through the larger grant, include confined space rescue equipment, auto extrication “jaws of life” tools, elevator rescue equipment, and a complete set of structural firefighting turnout gear for each firefighter.

Binghamton Lawmakers to Discuss Moving to City Manager Government

(Bob Joseph)
A Binghamton resident is proposing a big change in how the city is run with a call for adopting a council-manager form of government. John Solak, who lives on the West Side, submitted a request for legislation that he says would "streamline City Hall." Solak is proposing a change to the City Charter to turn day-to-day governmental operations into a professional manager. A charter change could only occur if it was approved in a voter referendum. During a council work session Monday evening, Solak said Ithaca and Batavia operate with a city manager form of government. Ithaca's first city manager started work last January. Solak said the city council could hire an experienced professional to oversee the government. He said the position of mayor could be retained, although the job would be "largely ceremonial" under the council-manager setup.

New York State DEC Introduces Paper Licenses For 2024-2025 Season

(Don Morgan)
New York State hunting, and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits are now available for purchase for the 2024-2025 season, according to Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This year will mark the first year that all licenses and associated stages will be printed on paper, rather than plastic stock. Switching to paper only makes obtaining a New York State license or permit much quicker than before. In addition, beginning with this season, hunters will no longer need to wear a back tag while afield anywhere in New York State. However, the NYS DEC notes that carrying proof of licensure in the field is still required.

Two Endicott Houses Struck by Gunshots

(Bob Joseph)
A dozen or more gunshots were fired toward people who were gathered outside an Endicott residence. The shooting incident in the area of 3 Parsons Avenue occurred around 9:50 p.m. Monday. There apparently were no injuries but a resident said two houses were struck by the shots that were fired. A person familiar with what happened said several people were "hanging around" outside enjoying the evening when the shots rang out. Those who were in the area estimated between 12 and 18 shots were heard. Two people may have been involved in the shooting. A nearby resident said "There were two bursts of gunfire" separated by a pause of three or four seconds. Several shell casings reportedly were recovered on Parsons Avenue.

Binghamton University To Welcome 18,600 New & Returning Students

(Don Morgan)
18,600 new and returning students are about to begin the 2024 fall semester at the campus off the Vestal Parkway, along with the satellite buildings spread throughout the Greater Binghamton area. BU notes that they received a record-breaking 61,700 applications for this semester. The previous record was 58,000 in 2023. Out of that number, 4,000 were transfer student applications and over 4,700 were graduate student applications. Move-in days will be August 16th through the 18th, and that means the roadways around the campus will get busy again. The first day of classes for Binghamton University students will be Tuesday, August 20th. Of the 18,600 students conversing on the campus, Binghamton University says over 3,000 are first-year students, 800 are transfer students and 1,500 are new graduate students.

Micro Apartments Proposed for Binghamton's West Side

(Bob Joseph)
A Binghamton man wants to acquire four city-owned properties so he can develop a 36-unit micro apartment complex. Charles Ackerman hopes to build the housing project on the vacant lots at 35 through 41 Charlotte Street. Ackerman said his idea is to develop "ultra-low income" apartments that could help provide housing for those who are homeless. He said he is prepared to finance the project himself. While Ackerman does not intend to seek grants from the state government or funds from non-profit organizations, he would seek a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement. The apartment units would be tiny - only 150 square feet in size. Ackerman said each would have a private bathroom, a "small but sufficient kitchen" and a private front door. Ackerman noted Broome County spends about $7 million annually to provide motel vouchers to the homeless. He said there's a need to develop permanent housing for low-income individuals in the Binghamton area.

Can Artificial Night Light Toughen Leaves And Challenge Insects?

(Don Morgan)
According to the website Courthouse News Service, scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have found that artificial light at night causes leaves to become tougher than what you might find in a rural setting, where there is no light such as a street light. With that, it makes it harder for insects to eat the leaves. Scientists studied two types of trees in the City of Beijing - Japanese pagoda and green ash trees, on streets that were well-lit in the evening and overnight hours. The website Scimex notes that in the study, "scientists suspected that plants experiencing high levels of artificial light would focus on defense rather than growth, producing tougher leaves with more chemical defense compounds."

New Indian Bistro Set to Open in Binghamton Neighborhood

(Bob Joseph)
A Vestal man is opening a Binghamton restaurant that will feature Indian street food. Manish Verma said Spice of India will be located at 1217 Vestal Avenue. The site is across the street from the South Side post office. Verma describes the restaurant as an "Indian street food bistro." He said Spice of India was launched last August as a pop-up shop that operated weekends at the Cornell Cooperative Extension on Front Street in the town of Dickinson. The place will have a menu offering "Indian favorites along with a wide variety of Indian street snacks." Verma said everything will be priced at $20 or less. Spice of India is scheduled to open on August 12. It's expected to operate every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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