Here Is The Southern Tier News You Missed Last Week

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 July 29th, 2024, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff. For the complete article (if available), click on the headline.

Binghamton Univ. Plate Readers Track Cars on Off-Campus Streets

(Bob Joseph)
Automated license plate readers installed for Binghamton University appear to record vehicle information of people driving in the city of Binghamton and the village of Johnson City. The university hasn't answered specific questions about the controversial Flock Safety devices that were set up at locations away from the main Vestal campus. One plate reader is attached to a light pole on Washington Street, in front of the University's Downtown Center. It's located directly across the street from Visions Federal Credit Union Memorial Arena. Two more devices have been installed in Johnson City - on Corliss Avenue and on Willow Street. They are located near the university's Health Sciences Campus. The plate readers are not set up to track people entering university parking lots. They appear to record license plate information of passing vehicles even if they don't travel onto university property.

Some Central New York Highway Exit Numbers About To Change

(Don Morgan)
According to the New York State Department of Transportation, a conversion to mile-based exit numbering along key central New York highways has begun. I think that is a better system. Pennsylvania uses mile numbering on its major highways. The NYS DOT press release on June 14, 2024, outlined the initial changes., which include exits on Interstate 81, 690, and State Route 481 in Cortland, Oswego, and Onondaga Counties. Existing numbered exit signs will be replaced with new panels indicating the mileage location along the highway. The NYS DOT notes that this gives motorists a better indication of how many miles they need to travel to reach their destinations.

Binghamton Street Sealed Off After Report of Man Armed with a Gun

(Bob Joseph)
Police officers and a special operations unit were sent to a Binghamton neighborhood following a call regarding a person who was believed to have been armed with a gun. Patrol units were sent to a house on Herman Avenue in the city's First Ward shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday. The man reportedly had made threats to harm himself. Herman Avenue is a short dead-end street located one block east of Holland Street. Around 1:50 p.m., police heard a single gunshot. Detective Captain Cory Minor said when officers entered the house, they discovered a deceased man. He said no one else had been inside the residence.

Johnson City Police Distributing Free Autism Awareness Stickers

(Don Morgan)
The Johnson City Police Association along with Alive with Autism, a local non-profit organization have teamed up with the goal of enhancing community understanding and support for individuals with autism. The Johnson City Police Association and Alive with Autism have available, complimentary awareness stickers available for distribution to individuals with family members with autism. These stickers are designed to be placed on homes, vehicles, and other visible locations. They help alert first responders and other community members about the presence of a person with autism to help guide their interactions appropriately.

Boar's Head New Recall Includes 71 products

(Don Morgan)
Boar's Head announced on July 25, 2024, a recall of their Strassburger Brand Liverwurst. The product had the potential to contain Listeria monocytogenes. The affected meat was distributed to stores across the USA, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama. In addition, 9 more Boar's Head products were recalled at their Jarratt, Virginia facility on the same production line and the same day as the liverwurst product.  Over 200,000 pounds of the product was removed from the market. Boar's Head noted on July 29, 2024, that the liverwurst product has been linked to the national deli meat Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. According to the USDA, The expanded recall includes 71 products produced between May 10th and July 29, 2024, under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. For a list and photo of each affected product, click HERE.

Town Seeks Federal Help for Goudey Station Cleanup and Demolition

(Bob Joseph)
The town of Union supervisor says federal funding will be needed to clean up the contamination at a former NYSEG facility in Westover. Robert Mack said the old Goudey Station electric generating plant property off Riverside Drive "is probably the most contaminated in all of Broome County if not all of southern New York." Mack told WNBF News he has advised Senator Charles Schumer's staff of the magnitude of the problems posed by the abandoned site. Mack said remediation of the polluted property will be a multi-million-dollar project. He said it will be vital to get the support of Schumer "in getting rid of that eyesore and that environmental disaster over there, I'm not sure how it's going to be done."

New York Families Could Receive Up To $330 Per Child

(Don Morgan)
On July 30th, 2024 it was announced that approximately $350 million in supplemental payments to low and moderate-income families throughout New York State will be made through the Empire State Child Credit program, according to a release from Governor Kathy Hochul's office. Over 1 million families will receive the assistance. Eligible families will each receive a direct payment of up to $330 per child. It's a continuation by the Governor to address the cost of living for working New Yorkers, along with a digital portal to help more New Yorkers get financial assistance to cover childcare costs.

Broome Jail Corrections Officer Charged After Striking Inmate

(Bob Joseph)
A Broome County Jail corrections officer faces charges after an incident involving an inmate at the town of Dickinson facility. Authorities said officers responded to a jail housing unit around 9:40 a.m. on July 23 when a man refused to return to his cell. The man was said to have been threatening suicide. The inmate was taken to the jail's medical housing unit for observation. According to Sheriff Fred Akshar, a video of the incident shows a corrections officer "forcefully escorting" the man to the medical unit. There another officer can be seen striking the inmate before applying a "gooseneck" wrist restraint on him after he was seated in handcuffs. A sheriff's office news release said the physical force used in the incident was deemed to be unnecessary and contrary to the agency's policy. The actions also allegedly violated state law pertaining to the use of force.

Chenango Forks Welcomes UK Students For Soccer Scrimmages

(Don Morgan)
The Chenango Forks School District is proud to announce a series of soccer scrimmages at the high school's Blue Devils Stadium from August 14th through the 18th, 2024. Scrimmages will feature students from Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone, England, with the goal of fostering friendship, cultural exchange, and competitive spirit between the students of the two schools. The soccer matches will be open to the public. The community is encouraged to come out to watch some great soccer matches and support the teams.

Drag Performer Assaulted Near Binghamton City Hall, Women Charged

(Bob Joseph)
Authorities say two women were arrested after a man who had just finished a drag performance at a downtown Binghamton bar was punched and kicked by a group of people. According to police, the disturbance occurred Friday around 2 a.m. outside Binghamton City Hall at Hawley and State Streets. The scene was a few steps away from the entrance to the Binghamton police station. The injured man sustained swelling to the face and abrasions in the attack. Police detained two 18-year-old Endicott women who have been accused of punching and kicking the man. The women, Isis McKinstry and Armony Murphy were charged with third-degree assault and obstruction of governmental administration.