MYBROOME NOW
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
From the MyBroome News Team
TOP STORY
Former Knights Inn Resident Sues Broome County After Fire That Killed Six
The legal fallout from the deadly Knights Inn fire in Endwell is intensifying as a former resident has filed suit against Broome County following the June 22 blaze that killed six people, including three children.
The motel was being used by Broome County to provide temporary emergency shelter to people without permanent housing. The tragedy has placed the county’s reliance on commercial motels for emergency housing under intense scrutiny and raised renewed questions about safety inspections, code enforcement and government responsibility for people placed in those facilities.
The Knights Inn had previously received a critical violation in 2022 involving the operation and maintenance of its fire system, although no violations were reported in its most recent available inspection from April 2025. Survivors of the fire previously said they did not hear smoke detectors as the flames spread.
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar has maintained that the county follows state-mandated guidelines governing emergency housing placements. Meanwhile, an activist encampment established outside the Broome County Office Building following the fire has voluntarily disbanded as the county moves to phase out its use of commercial hotels and motels for temporary shelter.
The six lives lost and the circumstances surrounding their deaths will continue to demand answers. This was not merely the loss of a building. Three children and three adults died, more than 50 people were displaced, and many of those residents had no permanent home to return to.
OTHER STORIES
Sheriff Fred Akshar Draws a Line Against ICE Community Sweeps and Profiling
Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar’s approach to federal immigration enforcement has undergone a notable operational and rhetorical shift since his office joined ICE’s 287(g) Warrant Service Officer program in 2025.
Under that agreement, specially trained corrections officers were authorized to execute federal immigration warrants against individuals already lawfully detained in the Broome County Jail. At the time, Akshar was an outspoken advocate of cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Since then, however, Akshar has drawn a much firmer line around what his department will and will not do. His office has said it will not hold individuals solely on civil immigration detainers without a judicial warrant, and Akshar has publicly rejected requests for deputies to conduct what he described as “casual encounters” with people in the community to assist federal immigration arrests.
Speaking recently about those requests, Akshar characterized that kind of activity as profiling and said his department does not participate in it.
The shift does not mean Akshar has abandoned his broader support for immigration enforcement or public-safety cooperation. But it does represent a significant distinction between assisting federal authorities inside the jail and using local deputies for community-level encounters targeting people who have not otherwise been arrested for a crime.
For MyBroome, that distinction is important. Law enforcement policy should be reported based on what officials actually do, not simply on whether they are labeled pro-ICE or anti-ICE.
Local Tensions Rise Amid Reports of Increased ICE Activity
Local advocacy organizations, including Concerned Residents of Greater Binghamton, continue to warn of increased immigration enforcement activity across Broome County.
Activists allege that at least two dozen Spanish-speaking workers have been detained during recent operations involving high-traffic businesses and locations in Johnson City, Endicott and Vestal.
The issue has heightened fear within portions of the local immigrant community while intensifying debate over the proper role of local law enforcement in federal civil immigration enforcement.
Broome County Dog Shelter and Humane Society Merge Operations
The Broome County Dog Shelter is officially merging operations with the Broome County Humane Society in a move intended to consolidate resources, reduce administrative duplication and streamline animal welfare services.
The merger brings two major local animal-service operations closer together while potentially expanding the resources available for animals awaiting adoption, veterinary care and placement.
PUBLIC SAFETY / ALERTS / CRIME
Heat Advisory in Effect Until 8 PM
A Heat Advisory is in effect for Broome County until 8:00 PM today, with the National Weather Service forecasting a high near 96 degrees in Binghamton and heat-index values reaching approximately 100 degrees.
Residents should stay hydrated, limit strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day and check on older adults, children, people without air conditioning and others particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness.
James A. Crosby, 49 – Alleged Threat Against State Senator
James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested following an investigation into an alleged threatening social-media comment directed at New York State Senator Lea Webb.
New York State Police charged Crosby with making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, a Class C felony. Police also reported recovering a rifle during the investigation despite Crosby having a prior felony conviction. He is accused, not convicted, and remains entitled to due process.
Robert T. Sanfelice, 60 – Years of Alleged Racial Harassment
Robert T. Sanfelice, 60, of the Town of Union, was charged following a Broome County Sheriff’s Office investigation into what authorities describe as a sustained campaign of racial harassment and intimidation targeting a neighboring family.
The Sheriff’s Office accused Sanfelice of hate crimes and stalking-related conduct. He is accused, not convicted.
Alden D. Cole, 28 – Police Pursuit in Town of Chenango
Alden D. Cole, 28, was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree unlawful fleeing of a police officer in a motor vehicle and additional offenses following a vehicle pursuit in the Town of Chenango.
Authorities allege Cole refused to stop and operated his vehicle recklessly before being taken into custody.
Case Valashinas, 46 – Property Theft Investigation
Case Valashinas, 46, of Binghamton, was charged with criminal mischief, conspiracy, petit larceny, criminal trespass and related offenses following an investigation into an alleged commercial property theft in the Town of Binghamton.
Authorities allege Valashinas and an accomplice caused significant structural damage while stealing materials from the property. He is accused, not convicted.
Unnamed Driver Charged After Traffic Stop
An unnamed driver was charged following a New York State Police traffic stop in the Town of Binghamton. According to the information provided to the MyBroome News Team, the driver allegedly had a suspended license and possessed a controlled substance.
LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS & TRAFFIC
Endicott Receives $150,000 for Water Infrastructure
The Village of Endicott has secured $150,000 for water-quality infrastructure improvements. The funding is designated for the design and construction of a modern containment treatment system at the Endicott Wastewater Treatment Plant on Anson Road.
Broome County Public Library Temporarily Closed for Upgrades
The Broome County Public Library is temporarily closed this week for scheduled construction and facility improvements. Patrons should check the library’s official channels before planning a visit.
WEATHER AND 5-DAY FORECAST
From the NewsXR Weather Center
Dangerous heat dominates Tuesday’s forecast, with the National Weather Service forecasting a high near 96 degrees in Binghamton and heat-index values around 100. The Heat Advisory remains in effect until 8:00 PM.
Tuesday, July 14: Sunny and dangerously hot. High near 96°F, low near 74°F.
Wednesday, July 15: Mostly sunny and still hot, with possible patchy smoke and a slight chance of an afternoon shower or thunderstorm. High near 92°F, low near 66°F.
Thursday, July 16: Mostly sunny and somewhat less oppressive. High near 89°F, low near 64°F.
Friday, July 17: Sunny and more comfortable. High near 84°F, low near 60°F.
Saturday, July 18: Rain becomes more likely as a new weather system moves into the Southern Tier.
The NewsXR Weather Center will continue watching for smoke or haze from Canadian wildfires Wednesday, along with the potential for unsettled weather heading into the weekend.
REGIONAL SPORTS UPDATE FROM THE NEWSXR SPORTS CENTER
Southern Tier Baseball Talent Makes Its Mark in MLB Draft
Four Southern Tier standouts earned professional baseball opportunities during the Major League Baseball draft.
Former Maine-Endwell Little League World Series champion and Vanderbilt infielder Michael Mancini was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the ninth round.
Binghamton University also celebrated a major draft weekend. Right-handed pitcher Conner Griffin was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 10th round, while fellow Bearcat right-hander Jackson Mitchell went to the Miami Marlins in the 19th round. It marked the first time since 2017 that two Binghamton University pitchers were selected in the same MLB draft.
Rumble Ponies Become the Southern Tier Scoop Scoundrels
The Binghamton Rumble Ponies return home following the All-Star break and will take the field as the Southern Tier Scoop Scoundrels from July 17 through July 19 against the Akron RubberDucks.
The weekend celebration of local ice cream culture will include special uniforms, promotions, an ice cream bucket-hat giveaway for the first 1,000 fans Saturday and a postgame ice cream social.
STAC Overhauls Championship Format
The Southern Tier Athletic Conference is eliminating its traditional semifinal championship structure beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
Under the new format, Metro and West division winners will advance directly to the Large School championship, while Central and East winners will meet for the Small School title.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Johnny Marsh and His Amazing Friends at Otsiningo Park – Tonight
The free Broome Bands Together summer concert series continues tonight, Tuesday, July 14, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Otsiningo Park with Johnny Marsh and His Amazing Friends.
Concessions will be available, and CHOW will collect non-perishable food and monetary donations. Attendees should bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets.
Community Bazaar in Endwell – July 17-19
The Church of the Holy Family at 3600 Phyllis Street in Endwell will hold its three-day Community Bazaar beginning Friday evening.
The free neighborhood event includes continuous live music, food, adult and youth games, bingo, a white elephant sale and a Lions Club Chicken BBQ on Sunday.
An Evening of Wine & Roses – July 17
The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier will host its adults-only summer fundraising gala Friday at 5:30 PM in the Story Garden, featuring regional wine, craft beer and spirit tastings, light hors d’oeuvres, live music, outdoor painting and after-hours exhibit access.
Baseball, Ice Cream and the Scoop Scoundrels – July 17-19
The Rumble Ponies return to Mirabito Stadium Friday night for a weekend series against Akron while playing under their special Southern Tier Scoop Scoundrels identity. Friday’s game begins at 7:00 PM, with the series continuing through Sunday.
Eric Peters Trio Featuring Dena DeRose – July 18
World-renowned jazz vocalist and pianist Dena DeRose returns to her hometown Saturday for a 4:00 PM performance at Glendale Park in Endicott alongside the Eric Peters Trio.
MYBROOME™ THEN – 100 YEARS AGO TODAY IN BROOME COUNTY
Tuesday, July 14, 1926
One hundred years ago today, Broome County headlines included the unveiling of a war memorial, a racially charged church controversy, a major Endicott Johnson expansion and an early-morning police raid on a poker game.
Thousands Gather for Spanish-American War Memorial
Thousands gathered at the eastern approach to Memorial Bridge in Binghamton for the unveiling of a new monument honoring local veterans of the Spanish-American War.
Pine Street Church Controversy Continues
Tensions continued over efforts by Beautiful Plain Baptist Church, a prominent Black religious organization, to establish a new church on Pine Street.
Eighty-one property owners had signed a formal petition seeking zoning changes that would prevent the church from constructing its building there.
Endicott Johnson Expands Shoe Manufacturing Operations
Property on Susquehanna Street that had originally been donated to the city by George F. Johnson for use as a public park and city market was returned to Johnson for the expansion of Endicott Johnson Company shoe manufacturing facilities.
Police Raid Late-Night Poker Game
At approximately 2:30 AM, Binghamton police raided the old mansion house at 69 Prospect Avenue and arrested 11 men who authorities said were caught playing poker.
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