Binghamton Area News Roundup 7/18/26: Wildfire Smoke, Housing Protests, Baseball & More
Updates to protests surrounding the housing shortage and homelessness, wildfire smoke blanketting the region and more news from the last weke
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‼️Must-Reads
🔥😷Wildfire Smoke
Hazardous wildfire smoke blanketed the area, leading to cancelled events and health concerns (Press & Sun, WBNG)
To track local air quality, head to airnow.gov
🏚️Officials Clash Over Hotel Conditions
The Town of Vestal released a report describing deplorable conditions at the Parkway Inn on the Vestal Parkway behind the California Grill, noting dirty conditions and various code violations from missing smoke alarms and electrical hazards to fire hazards and lack of ADA compliance (NC34).
The report details the property also unlawfully being operated as an apartment complex, with guests residing for months, one as long as 8 years.
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar says county inspectors disagree with the Town of Vestal's assertion that residents must be relocated.
Garnar is publicly at odds with Vestal Town Supervisor Maria Sexton, saying Sexton refused to share the report with the county and that there are no locations within the county where the 75 residents can be relocated as requested by the Town of Vestal due to the ongoing housing shortage. Sexton and the town code officer insisted the conditions are not safe, children were found living in closets, and that most rooms had an "indescribable" smell (WBNG).
🏛️Protests Disrupt County Officials
As the protests demanding improvements in conditions for homeless residents and an increase in affordable housing outside the government complex in Downtown Binghamton continued despite ordered teardowns (Fox40), protesters disrupted a Broome County Legislature meeting. Two were arrested as a result (WBNG).
Protesters chanted after the meeting started, prompting some attendees to be removed.
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar addressed the ongoing protests earlier this week, saying that work is being done but "playing music for three weeks, that's not getting anything done." He said the county attempted to connect homeless individuals who came to the protest with nearby resources, but said protesters did not pass along the information (WBNG).
⚾M-E Little Leaguers Headed to MLB
Ten years after Maine-Endwell won the Little League World Series, the 12U team is working hard at another run in the summer leagues (Fox40).
Two of the 2016 team's alumni, Jack Hopko and Mike Mancini, have signed with the Phillies and SF Giants after successful college careers (Fox40, NC34)
