MyBroome Now – Monday, June 29, 2026

MyBroome Now – Monday, June 29, 2026
By Verity Vox

🔥 Top Story
A downtown housing protest outside Broome County government buildings has escalated into one of the county’s most visible public demonstrations since the deadly Knights Inn fire in Endwell.

An overnight activist encampment on Hawley Street continues to block walkways near the Broome County Office Building as community advocates, survivors, and housing activists demand a major overhaul of the county’s emergency housing system.

Tensions remain high after the Knights Inn fire claimed six lives and raised painful questions about emergency shelter placements, motel-based housing, safety conditions, and the county’s long-term response to homelessness.

Organized by local grassroots coalitions, demonstrators have set up tents near the government plaza and are calling for several major policy changes.

Their demands include an immediate rent freeze across Greater Binghamton, a temporary eviction moratorium while emergency housing policies are audited, a ban on DSS placements in motels with chronic code violations, investment in permanent publicly managed affordable housing, and an independent safety audit of all temporary housing currently used by the county.

The protest is not only about one building or one tragedy. It is now part of a larger fight over how Broome County houses people in crisis and whether temporary emergency placements are safe enough for the families and individuals who depend on them.

🚌 Traffic / Public Movement
BC Transit has issued downtown service alerts because of the protest activity, pedestrian presence, and security cordons around Hawley Street.

Inbound and outbound routes that normally use Hawley Street are being rerouted through Court Street and Exchange Street. Standard stops directly in front of the Broome County Office Building are suspended until further notice.

Temporary stops have been established near the security perimeter.

Commuters using downtown routes should expect minor delays, especially around the government plaza, Hawley Street, Court Street, and Exchange Street.

🚧 Local Roads / Public Works
The Broome County Department of Public Works is launching a roadwork blitz this week, with single-lane closures, flagging operations, and delays expected across several work zones.

Ditch cleaning and culvert maintenance are planned for Dunham Hill Road, Pixley Road, Old Route 17, Avery Road, Beartown Road, and Ganoungtown Road.

Grader patching is also expected to heavily restrict traffic on Old State Road.

Drivers looking to avoid delays on Old Route 17 and Beartown Road are being directed toward Route 11 northbound or Interstate 81. Drivers near Old State Road closures should consider East Maine Road or Route 7 to avoid heavier construction traffic.

🏚️ Local Government / Neighborhood Conditions
Binghamton has completed the $133,047 demolition of a long-problem property at 5 Sturges Street on the North Side.

The site had drawn years of complaints tied to blight, nuisance activity, and neighborhood quality-of-life concerns.

The property was among those transferred to the city following a State Supreme Court settlement involving Brooklyn-based landlord Isaac Anzaroot. Under that settlement, 26 neglected and code-violating properties were transferred to city ownership, and Anzaroot was banned from owning or managing real estate business in the City of Binghamton for 15 years.

Mayor Jared Kraham said the cleared site will be converted into green space through the city’s Side Lot Program.

For North Side residents, this is more than a demolition. It is a long-awaited removal of a property many neighbors saw as a public nuisance.

🚨 Public Safety / Arrests / Court Blotter
The Knights Inn fire criminal case continues.

Tyler J. Russell, 24, remains held without bail following his formal arraignment. Russell faces six counts of second-degree manslaughter and one count of fourth-degree arson after investigators determined he intentionally set the blaze that destroyed the Endwell motel.

The fire killed six people and remains one of the most devastating tragedies Broome County has faced in recent years.

In a separate case, authorities released more details about a violent domestic shooting on Park Avenue on Binghamton’s South Side.

Stanley A. Degroat, 53, was charged with second-degree attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and child endangerment. Authorities say Degroat allegedly shot his wife during an argument, grazing her hand, before fleeing on a bicycle.

A later search at a separate location led to the seizure of multiple weapons and the arrest of Brett L. White, 47, on multiple felony weapon charges.

James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, remains held at the Broome County Jail after authorities say he made terroristic threats against State Senator Lea Webb. Crosby allegedly posted a threatening comment on a Facebook news story featuring Webb at a local Juneteenth event.

Authorities say a search of Crosby’s residence uncovered an illegal rifle, a suppressor, and a high-capacity magazine. He faces a felony hate-crime-related terroristic threat charge and four felony weapon counts.

Federal authorities also filed major charges following a joint FBI and local police raid in Johnson City. A Johnson City man is facing charges after investigators reported seizing firearms, gun-manufacturing equipment, and large quantities of illicit narcotics.

All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

⚾NewsXR Sports Center  on MyBroome™
The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are looking to reset after a rough stretch in the Eastern League Northeast Division.

The Rumble Ponies, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets, are sitting at 28-44 and currently in sixth place.

The team returns to Mirabito Stadium tomorrow night for a six-game holiday homestand against the Bowie Baysox.

Tuesday, June 30 at 6:07 PM will feature Twofer Tuesday, with 2-for-1 pricing on domestic draft beers and fountain sodas.

Wednesday, July 1 at 6:07 PM is We Care Wednesday and includes a Jonah Tong “Canadian Cannon” bobblehead giveaway for early arriving fans.

Thursday, July 2 at 6:07 PM is Throwback Thursday, with special throwback Binghamton Mets jerseys.

Friday, July 3 brings the holiday weekend spotlight with Fireworks Friday and the Bing, Bang, Boom fireworks series after the final out.

Binghamton University athletics are also active this week as off-season training programs ramp up at the Events Center.

High school sports families should note that sign-ups are underway for Susquehanna Valley Youth Football and Cheerleading. Families have until July 3, 2026, to register for the upcoming fall season.

🌤️ MyBroome™ Weather Center
A warm, humid summer pattern continues across Broome County and the Southern Tier.

Today brings humidity, thunderstorm chances, and the possibility of heavy downpours as a cold front moves through the area.

Monday: Humid with thunderstorms possible. High 84, low 66.
Tuesday: Scattered showers. High 78, low 60.
Wednesday: Morning clouds, afternoon sun. High 75, low 54.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High 80, low 58.
Friday: Sunny and pleasant. High 83, low 61.

Conditions should gradually improve by midweek, setting up a much better stretch of weather heading toward the July 4th holiday weekend.

✅ Let’s End on a Positive Note
Local seniors kicked off the summer season at the Town of Binghamton Seniors Summer Picnic at Jackson Park.

The event brought residents together for outdoor games, live music, food, and a community barbecue.

After days of painful headlines, protests, court cases, and hard conversations about housing, it is worth remembering that community life is still happening in smaller, steadier ways.

People are still gathering. Neighbors are still showing up. Families are still finding moments to enjoy summer together.

That is part of the story too.

🧃 Gen-Z Summary
Broome County is in a tense moment right now. The Hawley Street housing protest is still active near county government buildings, with advocates demanding a rent freeze, eviction pause, motel-shelter ban, permanent affordable housing, and independent safety audits after the deadly Knights Inn fire. BC Transit is rerouting downtown buses around Hawley Street, so expect delays. Binghamton also demolished the long-problem 5 Sturges Street property tied to the Isaac Anzaroot settlement. In court news, Tyler J. Russell remains held without bail in the Knights Inn fire case, Stanley A. Degroat is facing attempted murder charges in the Park Avenue shooting case, Brett L. White is facing felony weapons charges, and James A. Crosby is facing hate-crime-related terroristic threat and weapons charges involving State Senator Lea Webb. Sports-wise, the Rumble Ponies have a big holiday homestand coming with giveaways and fireworks. Weather starts stormy but should clean up by the holiday weekend. Heavy news, but the seniors picnic at Jackson Park brought a needed community bright spot.

👉 What do you think about this? Drop your comments.

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