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Tag: Binghamton housing protest

MYBROOME NOW DAILY REPORT – Sunday, July 5, 2026

MYBROOME NOW DAILY REPORT
Sunday, July 5, 2026

TOP STORY
Tents Down, Questions Still Up: Housing Protest Fallout Continues After Knights Inn Fire

The housing protest outside the Broome County Office Building in downtown Binghamton continues to shape local debate after protesters were ordered to dismantle temporary structures set up in response to the deadly Knights Inn fire in Endwell.

The protest encampment was established after the June 22 fire at the Knights Inn, where six people died, including children. The motel had been used to house struggling and displaced families, placing the tragedy directly at the center of Broome County’s ongoing emergency housing debate.

Protesters and housing advocates gathered outside the county office building to demand answers, accountability, and stronger housing reform. Temporary structures, including tents and tables, became part of the visible protest. City officials, including Binghamton Police and corporation counsel, delivered letters citing the lack of authorized permits for the structures and gave protesters a 6 p.m. deadline to remove the encampment materials.

For city officials, the issue was framed as a permitting and public space matter. For activists, unhoused residents, and supporters, the order was seen as another example of government responding faster to visible discomfort than to the crisis that created it.

The timing is difficult to ignore. The protest was not created in isolation. It followed a mass-casualty fire at a motel used for emergency housing. It followed years of concerns over homelessness, motel placements, unstable shelter options, and the rising cost of temporary housing across Broome County.

County and city leaders have acknowledged that regional homelessness is a growing and expensive crisis. Motel shelter costs have reportedly surged, and the system has become increasingly difficult to sustain. But the central question remains larger than cost: are vulnerable people being placed somewhere safe?

That is the question local residents, advocates, and families have a right to ask after six people die in a building being used as emergency housing.

The dismantling of the encampment may have removed the tents, but it did not remove the grief, the anger, the policy failure, or the public demand for answers.

Broome County now faces a serious test. Local government must explain how emergency housing placements are monitored, what safety standards are required, how properties are inspected, what oversight exists after placement, and what permanent housing solutions are being built so the county is not simply moving people from crisis to crisis.

The protest may have been cleared from the sidewalk, but the housing crisis is still standing.

LOCAL BRIEFING
Extreme Heat and Humidity Continue Across the Southern Tier

Broome County and the Southern Tier continue dealing with a stretch of uncomfortable and potentially dangerous summer weather.

High temperatures, humidity, and periodic showers have kept the region under weather-related caution. Residents are being urged to use cooling centers when needed, check on elderly neighbors, watch children and pets closely, and avoid overexertion during the most humid parts of the day.

Even when temperatures are not at their peak, humidity can make conditions harder on the body, especially for older adults, outdoor workers, people with chronic health conditions, and residents without reliable air conditioning. Residents should continue drinking water, taking breaks, and checking on people who may not ask for help.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT / INFRASTRUCTURE
Binghamton Streets Set for $10.8 Million Upgrade

Binghamton streets are set to receive a major infrastructure investment, with city officials announcing a $10.8 million improvement plan.

The work is expected to include paving, structural repairs, neighborhood infrastructure updates, and other road-related improvements across the city.

For residents, the most visible result will be street repairs. But infrastructure work also reaches deeper than pavement. Roads, stormwater systems, drainage, sidewalks, curbs, and neighborhood access all affect daily life.

Poor road conditions are more than an inconvenience. They damage vehicles, slow emergency response, frustrate commuters, and make neighborhoods feel neglected. If the investment is targeted well, it could improve both safety and quality of life across the city.

Residents should expect construction activity, possible delays, and road work notices as projects move forward.

POLICE & COURT BLOTTER
Recent Broome County Legal Actions

All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Convictions and guilty verdicts are reported as court outcomes.

Thomas George III, 49, of Binghamton, was found guilty by a Broome County jury of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

The case followed a Johnson City traffic stop where authorities found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun in George’s waistband, along with methamphetamine. He now faces up to 15 years in state prison.

This conviction adds to continuing local concern over the overlap between illegal weapons, narcotics, and traffic enforcement.

April Z. Gonzalez, 35, of Port Crane, was arrested by the Broome County Sheriff’s Office following a domestic dispute in the Town of Fenton.

Gonzalez was charged with felony second-degree strangulation and misdemeanor assault. The charges remain accusations unless proven in court.

Domestic violence calls are among the most dangerous responses for law enforcement and among the most urgent public safety concerns for victims and families. Strangulation allegations are especially serious because they can indicate a heightened risk of severe injury or future violence.

Brendon Conklin, 43, was taken into custody by State Police during an active burglary investigation in the Town of Chenango.

Authorities say Conklin was apprehended during an in-progress burglary. He was processed and sent to central arraignment. The charges remain accusations unless proven in court.

A 34-year-old Port Crane man was arrested by Broome County Sheriff’s deputies after a traffic stop in the Town of Colesville and charged with aggravated DWI after allegedly registering a blood alcohol content of 0.18% or higher. Because this appears to be a misdemeanor-only DWI matter, his name is being withheld under CompanyXR Media Group policy.

A 20-year-old Harpursville man was arrested following a domestic incident in Colesville and faces charges including criminal mischief, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration. Because this appears to be a non-felony matter and the person is under 21, his name is being withheld under CompanyXR Media Group policy.

⚾ NewsXR – MyBroome™ Sports Center
Wyatt Richardson Honored After State Championship Run

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar declared June 30 as Wyatt Richardson Day in honor of Maine-Endwell track standout Wyatt Richardson.

Richardson was recognized after capturing the Class B 400-meter hurdles state championship, a major athletic achievement for both Maine-Endwell and Broome County.

County proclamations are not handed out for ordinary seasons. They are reserved for accomplishments that represent the community well, and Richardson’s performance did exactly that. His win is another reminder that local high school athletics continue producing athletes who compete at the highest level in New York State.

Section IV Softball Brings Athletes and Fans to Broome County

Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park in the Town of Dickinson hosted the NYSPHSAA Girls Softball Championships, bringing thousands of athletes, families, and fans into Broome County.

Three local teams – Maine-Endwell, Susquehanna Valley, and Deposit-Hancock – competed in the tournament.

The facility, which underwent a $4 million renovation, continues to show the economic value of sports infrastructure. Events of this size bring visitors into hotels, restaurants, stores, gas stations, and other local businesses.

For Broome County, youth and school sports are more than games. They are community pride, economic activity, and regional visibility.

SUNY Broome Athletics Looks Ahead

SUNY Broome’s Hornets have wrapped up the spring season and are preparing rosters for the next academic year.

For local student-athletes, the college remains an important pathway for competition, education, and continued development after high school.

🌤️ NewsXR – MyBroome™ Weather Center
Humid Stretch Brings Showers and Thunderstorms

The Broome County region is moving through a humid stretch of weather with periodic showers and thunderstorms expected over the next several days.

Sunday: Showers likely and humid. High near 78, low near 67.

Monday: Heavy rain and thunderstorms possible. High near 69, low near 63.

Tuesday: Thunderstorms likely. High near 70, low near 63.

Wednesday: Partly sunny and warmer. High near 82, low near 63.

Thursday: Chance of showers. High near 85, low near 65.

Residents should watch for changing conditions, especially during periods of heavy rain. Drivers should slow down on wet roads, avoid flooded areas, and be alert for reduced visibility during downpours.

PUBLIC SAFETY WEATHER NOTE

After several days of heat and humidity, the body can remain stressed even when temperatures begin to drop. Anyone who has been working outdoors, walking long distances, living without air conditioning, or recovering from illness should continue to hydrate and rest when needed.

Storms may also create short-term hazards, including ponding on roads, slick pavement, and isolated power issues.

GOOD NEWS STORY
Local Clothing Closet Receives Major Community Boost

A local Binghamton clothing closet has received a major boost from community and corporate donations.

After recent struggles, donations of professional and casual clothing began coming in to help individuals and families who are re-entering the workforce, attending interviews, starting jobs, or trying to rebuild stability.

Access to appropriate clothing can make a real difference for someone trying to get back on their feet. A clean shirt, a pair of dress pants, shoes for an interview, or everyday work clothes can help remove one more barrier between a person and opportunity.

Organizers expressed gratitude for the support, saying the donations will help hundreds of people dress for success at no cost. It is another example of the Southern Tier seeing a need and responding.

GEN-Z SUMMARY

Broome County is still dealing with the fallout from the Knights Inn fire and the housing protest at the county office building. Protesters set up tents after six people died in the Endwell motel fire, and city officials later ordered the temporary structures removed over permit issues. The tents are gone, but the housing questions are very much still here.

The court blotter is heavy today. Thomas George III was convicted in a felony weapons case involving a loaded handgun and meth. April Gonzalez faces a felony strangulation charge after a domestic dispute. State Police also reported an in-progress burglary arrest in Chenango, while other misdemeanor names are being withheld under CompanyXR policy.

The weather is giving humid, rainy, stormy energy for the next few days. Binghamton roads are getting a $10.8 million upgrade, Wyatt Richardson got his own day after winning a state title, and a local clothing closet just got a major donation boost to help people trying to get back to work.

The big picture is that Broome County has real problems in front of it, but the community still keeps showing up.

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

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© 2026 CompanyXR Media Group – All Rights Reserved
#mybroome #broomecounty #broomecountynews

07/05/2026
MYBROOME NOW DAILY REPORT – Friday, July 3, 2026

MYBROOME NOW DAILY REPORT
Friday, July 3, 2026

TOP STORY
Tents Gone, Questions Remain: After the Knights Inn Fire, Housing Protest Continues to Divide Broome County

Binghamton Police and the Department of Public Works have cleared the temporary protest encampment outside the Broome County Office Building at 60 Hawley Street.

The encampment was established after the catastrophic Knights Inn fire in Endwell, which claimed six lives, including three young children. The motel had been used by the Broome County Department of Social Services as emergency housing for displaced and low-income residents.

The protest site became a visible public response to grief, anger, fear, and frustration over emergency housing conditions in Broome County. For many residents and activists, the tents outside the County Office Building were not just a protest symbol. They were a direct statement that people without stable housing are tired of being moved from crisis to crisis without a permanent solution. For the unhoused, they were hope.

According to local reporting, Binghamton Police delivered a letter earlier this week giving occupants a deadline to remove temporary structures from the area. City officials cited the lack of an authorized event permit and said people could continue to gather on the sidewalk, but that tents, chairs, tables, and similar materials could not remain in place without approval.

Mayor Jared Kraham said the cleanup was completed after more than 36 hours’ notice and that no arrests were made.

That is the city’s position.

But the larger public question remains unresolved.

When a protest is tied to a deadly emergency-housing disaster, when displaced people and advocates are gathering outside the seat of county government, and when the community is still grieving the deaths of six people, the issue cannot be reduced to tables, tents, chairs, and permit language alone.

The legal and moral tension is clear. A municipality has an interest in managing public property. But residents also have a right to public protest, public grief, and public pressure, especially when the protest is aimed directly at government housing practices.

For critics, clearing the site under an event-permit framework feels like the wrong answer to the wrong problem. The tents may have been removed, but the housing crisis was not. The tables may have been packed away, but the questions remain. The encampment may be gone from Hawley Street, but the demand for accountability did not disappear with it.

Organizers connected to the Glory Shines Foundation have argued that the protest was a necessary response to systemic government failure. Supporters say the Knights Inn fire exposed what many already believed: Broome County’s emergency housing system relies too heavily on short-term placements that may not provide the safety, stability, or oversight vulnerable residents need.

The county and city now face a test bigger than whether a protest had a permit.

They have to answer whether Broome County is prepared to build real housing solutions, improve emergency placement oversight, inspect and monitor facilities used for public assistance housing, and stop treating temporary shelter as if it is a long-term system.

The physical encampment is gone.

The issue is not.

EDITOR’S NOTE FROM MYBROOME™ & NEWSXR
Here’s why we disagree.

MyBroome™ and NewsXR disagree with the City of Binghamton’s use of a local event-permit ordinance to clear the protest encampment at 60 Hawley Street.

In our view, using a permit rule meant for events as a pretext to dismantle a protest, remove or seize property, and push a visible housing demonstration out of public view raises serious legal and constitutional concerns.

This was not a festival. It was not a concert. It was not a casual public gathering.

It was a protest.

It was a public demonstration born from a deadly emergency-housing failure that left six people dead, including three children, and exposed deep concerns about how vulnerable people are being housed in Broome County.

The permit issue is especially troubling because Binghamton’s event-permit process is not built for immediate public response. The city’s own public guidance says event permits must be submitted 30 days before an event, with late fees added and “NO EXCEPTIONS.” The NYCLU’s Central New York protest guidance also lists Binghamton as requiring a permit request for a large assembly or parade four weeks in advance.

That kind of process may work for a planned festival, parade, block party, or scheduled public event.

It does not work for an immediate protest after a local tragedy.

The Knights Inn fire happened on June 22. The encampment was established the next day. A 30-day or four-week permit process would have made an immediate protest response practically impossible.

That is why this cannot be brushed aside as a paperwork issue.

When government uses an advance-permit structure against people responding to an urgent public crisis, the permit process itself becomes part of the problem. It gives officials a way to say the protest was “unpermitted” even when the timeline of the tragedy made advance permission unrealistic from the start.

Using permit rules to dismantle that protest does not solve the housing crisis. It does not answer the questions raised by the Knights Inn fire. It does not provide safe shelter. It does not create permanent housing. It does not explain how families ended up in unsafe emergency placements. It does not comfort the grieving. It does not restore public trust.

It only makes government look worse.

When people are grieving, displaced, afraid, and demanding answers from government, the first response should not be to search the code book for a way to remove the visible discomfort. The first response should be to listen, answer, meet with organizers, acknowledge the failure, and explain what permanent changes are being made.

Public property has rules. Cities have responsibilities. Sidewalks and government plazas cannot become unmanaged spaces indefinitely.

But protest is not supposed to be convenient for government. Public pressure is not supposed to disappear simply because it is uncomfortable, embarrassing, or difficult to manage.

Clearing tents does not clear the crisis.

Broome County still needs safe emergency housing. It still needs accountability for how people were placed at the Knights Inn. It still needs a serious review of motel-based DSS placements, inspection practices, code enforcement, provider standards, and the lack of permanent housing options that pushes vulnerable people into unsafe temporary solutions.

If government moves faster to remove a protest than it moves to fix the conditions that caused the protest, the public has every right to question its priorities.

The people at 60 Hawley Street were not the problem.

They were pointing at the problem.

And the problem remains.

(See our Independence Day Feature Editorial tomorrow on the Newswire, where we will look at what the Fourth of July means when the American Dream is still out of reach for too many people – and why Broome County’s housing crisis must be part of that conversation.)

KNIGHTS INN CASE UPDATE
Tyler J. Russell Remains Held in Fatal Endwell Fire Case

Tyler J. Russell, 24, of Endwell, remains held on six counts of second-degree manslaughter and one count of fourth-degree arson in connection with the fatal Knights Inn fire.

New York State Police previously announced Russell’s arrest after the June 22 fire at the motel on East Main Street in Endwell. The fire killed six people and displaced others who had been staying at the property.

The charges remain accusations unless and until proven in court.

The case continues to sit at the center of Broome County’s public grief and public anger. But the criminal case against Russell is only one part of the larger story. The community is also asking what conditions existed at the motel, what inspections or oversight occurred, what county agencies knew about the property, and whether emergency housing placements were being made into buildings that were truly safe for the people sent there.

Those questions should not be treated as secondary.

Six people died.

If the criminal case answers who allegedly started the fire, the public still deserves answers about whether government systems, property management, code enforcement, inspection practices, or emergency housing policy failed before the first alarm ever sounded.

COURT BLOTTER
Recent Broome County Legal Actions

All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Convictions and guilty verdicts are reported as court outcomes. Under CompanyXR Media Group policy, felony cases may be named when the person is over 21. Misdemeanor-only cases are generally reported without names unless they involve an exception, including sexual offenses.

Thomas E. George III, 49, of Binghamton, was found guilty by a Broome County jury of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

According to local reporting, the case followed a Johnson City police traffic stop in which officers found methamphetamine and a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun concealed in George’s waistband. A magazine containing nine rounds of ammunition was also reported, with one round in the chamber.

George is scheduled to be sentenced August 14 and faces up to 15 years in state prison.

This case is another reminder of the dangerous overlap local police continue to see between illegal weapons, narcotics, and traffic-stop enforcement. For Broome County residents, these cases are not abstract. A loaded weapon in a waistband during a police encounter creates a danger to officers, bystanders, and the public.

Tyler J. Russell, 24, of Endwell, remains charged with six counts of second-degree manslaughter and one count of fourth-degree arson in connection with the Knights Inn fire. Russell has not been convicted and the charges remain pending.

Josiah Shannon, 18, of Binghamton, was processed following a Broome County Sheriff’s Office investigation in the Town of Chenango. He was charged with misdemeanor third-degree sexual abuse. Sexual offense cases fall under CompanyXR Media Group’s naming exception because of the public safety and victim-protection interests involved. The charge remains an accusation unless proven in court.

A 37-year-old Maine, New York man was arrested during a traffic stop in the City of Binghamton and charged with misdemeanor DWI, three counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and traffic violations. Because this is a misdemeanor-only matter, his name is being withheld under CompanyXR policy.

A 42-year-old Endicott woman was arrested during a traffic stop in the Village of Endicott and charged with four counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Because this is a misdemeanor-only matter, her name is being withheld under CompanyXR policy.

A 40-year-old man was taken into custody following a domestic disturbance investigation in the Town of Union and charged with misdemeanor second-degree criminal contempt for allegedly violating an active order of protection. Because this is a misdemeanor-only matter, his name is being withheld under CompanyXR policy.

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFING
Sheriff’s Office Expands Addiction and Reentry Support at Broome County Jail

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is expanding its partnership with the Addiction Center of Broome County to provide more addiction support, counseling, therapy, and reentry services inside the Broome County Correctional Facility.

According to local reporting, the expanded program is expected to begin at the end of July and will include two peer advocates and one clinician. Services are expected to include daily group therapy, individual counseling, trauma-specific interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and assistance with release preparation.

Sheriff Fred Akshar said the county continues to see positive results from investing in “Responsible Reentry,” adding that productive time inside the correctional facility can lead to better outcomes and help build a safer community.

This is a serious public safety issue, not just a jail-program issue.

Addiction is tied to a large share of local criminal behavior, family disruption, homelessness, overdose risk, relapse, and reoffending. If people leave jail without treatment, without stabilization, and without a release plan, the community often pays for that failure later through emergency calls, repeat arrests, overdose responses, and broken families.

A jail cannot fix addiction alone. But a jail can either waste the time people spend there or use that time to start something better.

This partnership is a step toward using incarceration as a point of intervention rather than just a holding pattern.

For Broome County, the measure of success will not be the press conference. It will be whether people leaving the facility are actually more stable, better connected to services, and less likely to return.

HOLIDAY WEEKEND ALERT
DWI Patrols and Water Safety Warnings Issued Ahead of July 4 Weekend

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is increasing DWI patrols for the July 4 holiday weekend.

The message is direct: if you are drinking, do not drive.

Holiday weekends bring heavier traffic, more gatherings, more boating, more late-night travel, and a higher risk of impaired driving crashes. Local enforcement is expected to focus on road safety throughout the weekend.

Marine units and public safety officials are also urging residents to use caution on local lakes and rivers. Anyone heading out on the water should check life jackets, lights, fuel, emergency gear, weather conditions, and communication equipment before leaving shore.

The weather adds another layer of risk this weekend. Heat, humidity, storms, alcohol, and water recreation can become dangerous quickly when people underestimate conditions.

Plan a sober ride. Wear a life jacket. Watch the sky. Do not wait until the emergency is already happening to take safety seriously.

LOCAL COMFORT
Off-Duty Deputy Barnett Credited With Helping Save Driver’s Life

Broome County Sheriff’s Deputy Barnett is being recognized after taking action while off duty to help save a local driver’s life.

Sheriff Fred Akshar publicly thanked Deputy Barnett for responding quickly during the emergency and helping the driver, identified as Frank, during a serious traffic incident.

These are the moments that deserve attention too.

Public safety is often covered only when something goes wrong, when there is a crash, an arrest, a lawsuit, a scandal, or a tragedy. But there are also moments when someone acts fast, uses training, and helps keep a bad day from becoming a family’s worst day.

Deputy Barnett was off duty.

He still stepped in.

That is worth recognizing.

COMMUNITY HISTORY NOTE
Family Seeks State Recognition for Major Barnett Sr.

The family of Major Barnett Sr., recognized as Binghamton’s first African American government employee, is asking New York State to formally honor his legacy with a landmark in Broome County.

This is the kind of local history that deserves more public attention.

Communities often remember buildings, roads, and institutions before they remember the people who quietly broke barriers inside them. If Barnett’s service helped open doors in local government during a period when Black public employees faced serious barriers, then his story belongs in the public record.

Broome County’s history is not only about major events. It is also about the people whose lives made progress possible.

🌤️ MYBROOME™ WEATHER CENTER
Extreme Heat Warning Continues for Broome County

An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect for Broome County until 8:00 PM tonight.

The National Weather Service says heat index values could reach between 95 and 105 this afternoon. Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.

Current conditions in Binghamton are hot and humid, with sunshine and temperatures near 80 degrees late this morning. Conditions are expected to worsen through the afternoon.

Residents should take this seriously.

Do not leave children or pets inside vehicles. Car interiors can reach deadly temperatures in minutes. Limit strenuous outdoor activity to the morning or evening when possible. Drink water. Use air conditioning if available. Check on older neighbors, people living alone, people with medical conditions, outdoor workers, and anyone without reliable cooling.

Five-Day Forecast

Friday, July 3: Partly sunny, hot, and humid. A heavy thunderstorm is possible this afternoon. High near 91, low near 69.

Saturday, July 4: Very warm and humid with clouds and sun. A heavy afternoon thunderstorm is possible. Storms may bring flooding downpours, hail, and damaging wind gusts. High near 87, low near 65.

Sunday, July 5: Mostly cloudy and humid. High near 78, low near 63.

Monday, July 6: Cloudy and humid with showers and a heavy thunderstorm possible. Flash flooding may be a concern in stronger storms. High near 72, low near 60.

Tuesday, July 7: Times of sun and clouds with a brief shower or two. High near 74, low near 63.

PUBLIC SAFETY WEATHER NOTE

The holiday weekend forecast is not just about heat. Thunderstorms may affect outdoor plans, fireworks events, road travel, and water recreation.

If thunder roars, go indoors. If roads flood, turn around. If heat symptoms appear, act immediately.

Heat exhaustion can include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, or fainting.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Symptoms may include confusion, loss of consciousness, hot skin, rapid pulse, or a very high body temperature.

Call 911 if heat stroke is suspected.

GEN-Z SUMMARY

Broome County is still in crisis mode after the Knights Inn tragedy. Activists set up a protest encampment at 60 Hawley Street to demand housing answers, and the city cleared the tents using permit rules. No arrests were reported, but the bigger issue is still very real: people want to know why emergency housing failed so badly and what local government is going to do now.

Court updates are heavy today. Thomas E. George III was convicted in a felony weapons case involving meth and a loaded handgun. Tyler J. Russell remains charged in the Knights Inn fire case. Other misdemeanor-only names are being withheld under CompanyXR policy, except for a sexual abuse charge because that falls under our exception.

Sheriff’s officials are expanding addiction and reentry support inside the jail, which is a real public safety move if it actually helps people leave more stable than they came in. Holiday DWI patrols are also up, so do not drive cooked. Deputy Barnett gets a serious W for stepping in off duty and helping save a driver’s life.

Weather is the other big problem. Broome County is under an Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM, with heat index values possibly hitting 95 to 105. It is dangerous outside, storms are possible, and the Fourth of July weekend could get messy fast.

Stay cool. Stay safe. Check on people.

Further Reading

Today’s report was strengthened using current local reporting and public safety/weather updates from Spectrum News, WBNG, the National Weather Service, Broome County Sheriff’s Office materials, and Broome County District Attorney reporting.

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

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© 2026 CompanyXR Media Group – All Rights Reserved
#mybroome #broomecounty #broomecountynews

07/03/2026
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.

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06/29/2026

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