Binghamton Area News Roundup 9/12/25
City Council and Mayor spar about money, activists upset about ICE engagement, a bunch of housing news
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‼️Must-Reads
🚒City Council and Mayor continue to debate about funds for Fire Department
Arguments between the city council and mayor's office about fire department funds continued, meeting halfway, proposing that instead the BFD gets some money from a different source.
The City Council says if the money Kraham originally proposed went to the Fire Department, it neglects what it was actually earmarked for - developing and preserving much-needed affordable housing.
Final approval for any plans is still needed.
🧊👮Panel held about Broome Sheriff's cooperation with ICE
JUST representatives alleged Broome County is only reimbursed for 50% of the costs of collusion, meaning that local taxpayers are picking up the rest of the tab.
The Sheriff's office says the group "continues attempting to spread lies and misinformation" about the relationship of the office to ICE. A printout by Akshar on the relationship between the Sheriff's Office and ICE can be seen here.
🏗️Building Broome
Johnson City announced a small project fund for its Downtown Revitalization grant effort
State grant to turn vacant lots ➡️ affordable single family homes
More homes were also renovated by the Broome County Land Bank thanks to ARPA funds
The Saratoga Heights housing project renovation gets a timetable
Some blighted Anzaroot-owned buildings are being torn down
Something might happen to the former NYSEG plant in Westover??? Maybe???
Mollusks stop Colesville bridge demolition - for now
There's a lot of road construction downtown...lol
👋Openings and Closings
Continuing the streak of new downtown offerings...
Blazin' Saddles brings Nashville to former Galaxy Brewing location
Chroma Cafe's downtown location will soon become a Windsor favorite.
A new wine bar is set for later this year at the former Citrea location
Plus...
Washington Ave. gets a new smoothie and crepe spot
🏛️Politics
Debate on whether or not to rename Columbus Park hits close to home for many for and against
🏫Schools
SUNY Broome is reminding us that you can get free associates degrees right now for needed fields!
BU's president ends improvement initiative to make way for new leader
🌇Community Spotlights
The 2025 Broome Art Trail is coming up. Check out all the spots here
An Owego Music Teacher released her first book!
An Endwell native is getting...a Broadway musical???
Local artists helped bring to life new carousel horse statues for Mirabito Stadium
Crowds gathered to find out who BU's "most performative man" is
KNOW's season opener play gets a spotlight
Mental health is getting as spotlight on sidewalks throughout the county
Various 9/11 memorial tributes were made throughout the community:
Driftwood is headlining a new music festival in Downtown Binghamton soon
SUNY Sings (tonight!) got a preview from NewsChannel 34
Various organizations celebrated Direct Support Professionals Week
Cutler Botanic Garden is hosting a party to raise storm repair funds
Businesses owned by local women, veterans, and minorities were highlighted by the Chamber
Broome was home to the NYS Disc Golf championships this week
WBNG gave the new 'Walks for Wellness' event a spotlight
LUMA came back and lit up downtown as usual but some on Reddit were angry about potential AI uses
Firehouse Stage to bring on in-development shows program starting next week
👮Crime & Safety
Two injured after shooting on Binghamton's West Side by one victim's ex-boyfriend
The search is still ongoing for Tioga County's Michele Harris, a year later
A high speed chase took part on the Vestal Parkway over the weekend (reminder - an extremely dangerous thing for police to do!)
That's a lot of weapons charges
🏀Sports
It's playoff time for the Ponies
A Maine-Endwell grad was inducted to the NYS High School Hall of Fame
Syracuse Crunch is bringing preseason action to Binghamton
Huge double overtime win in soccer for Binghamton over U-E
❤️Good News & Grants
CHOW just got a big boost to expand food access
Local Harley riders ride for veterans housing
📰Other Stories
Dick's Sporting Goods buys Foot Locker
A big contract is headed to Lockheed Martin in Owego
Kids can get COVID-19 shots in New York again
Scarecrows are coming back to Otsiningo
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