Binghamton Area News Roundup 2/21/26: Flag Football, Theatre Previews, Apartment Fire & More

A benefit for paid supporters, this curated weekly area news round-up strives to help you learn about and engage with the Triple Cities.

If you appreciate the work local journalists do, ensure you click the links and pay for news if you can, donate to WSKG to the extent you are able and subscribe to the Press & Sun Bulletin for $10/mo to ensure local reporters are supported and paid.

Want to see something covered locally? Find how to connect with local news organizations here

Have a suggestion on how to improve this newsletter? Let me know at info@binghamtonian.news

‼️Must-Reads

🌇Reimagining Center City

Alongside the upcoming vote to rename Columbus Park to Center City Park, the City Council also wants to flip the page on what center city Binghamton can be with a new proposed "Reimagine Center City" campaign (Press & Sun).

The area around what may soon be dubbed 'Center City Park' is an area of sharp contrasts. Nearby is the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, Binghamton School District Offices and the VINES office. Also nearby are many blighted, boarded-up and vacant buildings.

Feedback collected over the coming months will be made public during the summer of 2026 to “seek commitments for mutual and collective investments.

🏚️Families Homeless After Apartment Fire

25 people were displaced after an apartment building at 5 Cherry St. in Johnson City went up in flames on Feb. 15. No serious injuries occurred (Press & Sun).

A GoFundMe and emergency response form organized by JC Mayor Charuk has so far raised over $7,000 for the fire victims and items to help those affected by the fire may be dropped off at Your Home Public Library or at the Johnson City police station (WNBF).

🚨Anti-ICE Organizing Ramps Up in Binghamton

A rally at the United Presbyterian Church continues local activism against ICE raids, with Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and State Sen. Lea Webb attending to support legislation aimed at controlling the increasingly criticized ICE enforcement and restricting state and local participation in federal civil immigration enforcement (NC34 and Press & Sun).

Local activists also spoke out in Johnson City after the village board rejected a resolution limiting local police involvement in federal immigration enforcement (WBNG).

The “Humans of ICE” event at Temple Concord also presented stories highlighting cases of people who came to the U.S. legally but faced deportation (WBNG)

🏈Undefeated in Football No More

Women's flag football is coming to BU, the first new varsity team since 2001 (Pipe Dream).

Many high schools in the region have also added women's flag football to their roster of varsity sports.

Also make sure to check out this week's events roundup!