Tag: Local News

  • MYBROOME NOW – Friday, July 31, 2026

    MYBROOME NOW – Friday, July 31, 2026

    MYBROOME NOW

    Friday, July 31, 2026

    From the MyBroome News Team Newswire: newswire.mybroome.com | Regional: newswire.newsxr.org

    WORLD NOW by NewsXR

    Diplomatic Envoys Push Maritime Security Protocols in Persian Gulf Following High-Level Talks

    Diplomatic negotiations in Washington between international maritime envoys and Middle Eastern defense officials concluded late Thursday with a framework proposal aimed at restoring stable commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea corridors. The agreements follow a week of heightened naval friction, including IRGC intercepts and retaliatory regional strikes across eastern Iraq and Jordan. Defense officials confirmed that despite localized tensions, no new missile or drone exchanges were recorded over the last 24 hours as maritime insurance authorities monitor regional transit routes.

    Meanwhile, international aid agencies in Eastern Europe expanded emergency operations following Thursday’s extensive missile and drone barrage across central and western Ukraine. Emergency power restoration teams in Kyiv and Lviv reported partial grid stabilization as diplomatic leaders in Poland and Germany called for emergency NATO consultation meetings on border airspace security.

    Global Headlines

    • European Wildfire Operations: Cooler Atlantic breezes offered temporary relief to firefighting crews in central Spain and southwestern France, though national emergency declarations remain active as ground teams contain perimeter hotspots near Bordeaux.

    • Japan Seismic Assessment: Disaster management authorities in Kyushu completed preliminary damage evaluations following Wednesday’s 7.1 magnitude earthquake, confirming minor port infrastructure disruptions and lifting remaining localized wave advisories.

    • South Asia Monsoon Relief: Air supply operations by the Indian Armed Forces continue across flood-impacted sectors of Assam, delivering medical supplies and food rations to over 1 million displaced residents.

    LOCAL NEWS NOW

    Broome County Legislature Opens Public Comment on Proposed 2027 Capital Improvement Plan

    The Broome County Legislature has officially published its draft 2027 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for public review ahead of upcoming August committee workshops. The proposed multi-million-dollar plan prioritizes major bridge and culvert rehabilitations across rural towns, structural upgrades at the Broome County Transit facility, and ongoing technological infrastructure enhancements for public safety dispatch systems.

    City of Binghamton Finalizes Downtown Parking & Pedestrian Flow Upgrades

    Public Works officials in Binghamton announced the completion of new smart parking meter installations and pedestrian crosswalk signal upgrades throughout the Court Street and Washington Street commercial corridors. Municipal leaders state the upgrades aim to improve parking turnover and support downtown small businesses during peak summer dining and event hours.

    Regional Emergency Loan Applications Open for Southern Tier Orchards

    Southern Tier fruit growers facing severe crop losses from unseasonal spring freezing conditions can now submit formal applications for emergency low-interest federal loans through local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices in Broome, Tioga, and Cortland counties.

    PUBLIC SAFETY NOW

    Broome County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Highway Construction Zone Collision

    Deputies responded late Thursday afternoon to a multi-vehicle crash within an active construction zone on Route 17 West near Exit 67 in Endicott. Emergency responders treated two drivers for minor injuries at the scene. Traffic was restricted to a single lane for nearly two hours while towing crews cleared debris and state highway inspectors evaluated lane barriers.

    Binghamton City Police Drug Task Force Inquiry Leads to Court Action

    Following a multi-week investigation into local illicit drug sales, Binghamton Police executed a judicial search warrant at a residential location on Chenango Street:

    • Narcotics Arrest (Binghamton): Marcus D. Vance, 34, of Binghamton, was taken into custody without incident and charged with Third-Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Intent to Sell) after investigators recovered quantity amounts of suspected crack cocaine and digital scales. Vance was processed and remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility pending arraignment.

    Court Actions & Legal Updates

    • DWI Sentence Enforcement: City Court officials confirmed the sentencing of a local motorist following a pre-trial agreement tied to a May repeat-offense traffic stop on Vestal Parkway.

    • Correctional Facility Health Case Proceeding: Legal representatives involved in the civil lawsuit regarding the May salmonella outbreak at the Broome County Correctional Facility filed updated evidentiary disclosures in state Supreme Court as discovery moves forward.

    All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

    WEATHER NOW from NewsXR

    Bright Summer Sunshine and Pleasant Temperatures Return for the Weekend

    Drier, high-pressure air is taking full control across the Southern Tier today, clearing out the lingering humidity and moisture from earlier in the week. Expect a noticeable boost in sunshine through Friday afternoon leading into an ideal summer weekend.

    • Today (Friday): Clearing skies with pleasant summer sunshine, high 81°F / low 61°F, 20% rain chance.

    • Saturday (August 1): Mostly sunny, warm, and comfortable, high 83°F / low 63°F, 10% rain chance.

    • Sunday (August 2): Bright sunshine and warm conditions—ideal for outdoor activities, high 84°F / low 64°F, 10% rain chance.

    • Monday (August 3): Mostly sunny with a light afternoon breeze, high 82°F / low 62°F.

    Weather 100 Years Ago Today (July 31, 1926)

    On July 31, 1926, Binghamton weather records logged a high of 85°F with a crisp evening low of 58°F under clear, sunny skies. Local agricultural reports noted near-perfect weather for late-July crop harvests across the Susquehanna Valley.

    SPORTS NOW from NewsXR

    Rumble Ponies Continue Weekend Series vs. Portland

    The Binghamton Rumble Ponies host the Portland Sea Dogs tonight at Mirabito Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. Friday night’s game features post-game fireworks and promotions as top Mets organizational prospects continue their Eastern League homestand.

    PGA Tour Champions DICK’S Open Final Countdown

    Organizers at En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott are placing final touches on grandstand seating, player facilities, and volunteer check-in centers as local golf fans prepare for next week’s PGA Tour Champions DICK’S Open.

    Section IV Pre-Season Conditioning

    High school athletic departments across Section IV are finalizing roster eligibility and athletic physical paperwork as student-athletes prepare for the official start of fall sports practices on August 17.

    EVENTS NOW

    151st Broome County Fair Enters Weekend Slate in Whitney Point

    Day 4 of the 151st Broome County Fair continues at the Whitney Point Fairgrounds. Highlights today include 4-H dairy cattle judging, live grandstand entertainment, agricultural exhibits, midway carnival rides, and local food vendors. Gates open at 9:00 AM.

    Weekend Community Calendar

    • Binghamton Black Bears Community Meet & Greet: Player autograph and fan appreciation session hosted at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena lobby today from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

    • Otsiningo Park Summer Concert: Live outdoor musical performance at the Otsiningo Park bandstand tonight at 6:30 PM. Free public admission.

    • Now Playing in Regional Theaters: The Odyssey, Moana, Minions & Monsters, Toy Story 5, Hadestown: The Musical, Young Washington, and Motor City showing at Regal Binghamton and AMC Vestal Town Square 9.

    COMMUNITY NOW

    Town of Vestal Completes Arnold Park Playground Improvements

    The Town of Vestal Recreation Department officially reopened the main playground structure at Arnold Park following the installation of new safety surfacing, accessible ramps, and upgraded seating areas for families.

    📜 MYBROOME™ THEN — 100 YEARS AGO TODAY IN BROOME COUNTY

    Friday, July 31, 1926

    Endicott-Johnson Workers Prepare for Midsummer Festivities as Industrial Production Soars

    On July 31, 1926, Broome County residents closed out the month under warm, sunny skies as local shoe manufacturing and rail transportation set historic regional activity levels. Archives from The Binghamton Press detailed key local developments from a century ago today:

    • Endicott-Johnson Family Picnic Plans Finalized: Executives at Endicott-Johnson Shoe Corporation officially published final schedules for the upcoming EJ Employee Family Picnics at Victory Park in Endicott and George F. Johnson Park in Johnson City. Announcements promised free carousel rides, brass band performances, and catered lunches for tens of thousands of local shoemakers and their families.

    • Binghamton Street Railway Upgrades Complete: Track repair crews working for the Binghamton Railway Company completed overnight rail resurfacing along Court Street and Chenango Street, restoring full trolley schedule frequency across the Triple Cities commercial center.

    • Chenango River Recreational Boating: Local news columns noted heavy Friday evening rowboat and canoe traffic along the Chenango and Susquehanna rivers as residents sought relief from the warm midsummer heat near Ross Park and Riverside Drive.

    • 1926 Midsummer Weather: Official Binghamton weather stations recorded a sunny high of 85°F and an evening low of 58°F with zero precipitation, capping off a dry, productive July for Southern Tier farm operations.

    FOR OUR YOUNGER & MOBILE-FIRST NEWS CONSUMERS, SEE THE NEWSXR FLASH COVER GRAPHIC. 👉 Drop your thoughts and local updates in the comments below!

    © 2026 CompanyXR Media Group – All Rights Reserved | MyBroome.com™ | newsxr.org

  • Your Digital Town Square is almost here. A Word From The Creators

    Your Digital Town Square is almost here. A Word From The Creators

    Your Digital Town Square is almost here.

    MyBroome.com is coming, along with the Broome County Newswire, the regional NewsXR Newswire, MallXR Community Market Space, Broome Social, Broome Events, local business pages, community profiles, Broome Forums, chatrooms, and much more.

    We want to take a moment to say thank you.

    Thank you for sharing tips with us. Thank you for sending information, correcting details, engaging with our reports, dropping comments, sharing stories, and helping us better understand what matters most across Broome County and the Southern Tier.

    Most importantly, thank you for your patience as we grow and learn as an organization.

    We had hoped to launch sooner, but it is important to us that MyBroome.com is ready to do its best from day one. With many people, you do not get a second chance at a first impression, and we want that first impression to reflect the seriousness, care, usefulness, and community commitment this region deserves.

    MyBroome is being built to be more than a news site. The Broome County Newswire and NewsXR Newswire will be major parts of it, but the larger vision is a locally focused online home for Broome County and the Southern Tier – a place for local news, local conversation, local events, local businesses, local buying and selling, community forums, profiles, and neighborhood connection.

    We are committed to becoming your number one source for local news and information, but also a useful daily community platform for the people, families, businesses, organizations, creators, workers, students, seniors, and neighbors who make this area home.

    And we are honest enough to admit we are not quite there yet.

    We are building. We are learning. We are improving our newsroom tools, our production flow, our reporting systems, our community features, and the way we deliver local information and connection every day.

    As we move toward our hard September 1 launch of MyBroome.com, we are grateful for everyone who has been part of this early creation phase. Your patience, feedback, support, tips, trust, and encouragement are helping shape what MyBroome and NewsXR are becoming.

    To those who have been with us through this creation phase, we sincerely appreciate you.

    We are not done building.

    But we are committed.

    And we are grateful.

    Thank you, neighbors and friends.

    From the Creators and the MyBroome / NewsXR Teams

  • MYBROOME NOW – Monday, July 27, 2026

    MYBROOME NOW – Monday, July 27, 2026

    MYBROOME NOW
    Monday, July 27, 2026
    From the MyBroome News Team

    WORLD NOW by NewsXR

    U.S.-Iran Military Pause Reaches Third Day as Regional Drone Threats Continue

    The U.S.-Iran military pause has now held for a third straight day, giving diplomatic talks through Oman more room to work while both sides avoid another immediate round of direct airstrikes.

    The pause does not mean the region is calm. Saudi Arabia reported shooting down drones launched from Iraq by Iran-backed militias targeting oil infrastructure. The Pentagon also updated its casualty database over the weekend, confirming 18 U.S. troops killed and 624 wounded since the conflict began.

    Across Europe, heat and drought continue to fuel devastating wildfires in France and Spain, with large evacuations reported near Bordeaux and Valencia. German authorities also identified the suspect in the Berlin Pride car-ramming case as a 21-year-old with a record of extremist activity. A second person detained after the incident was released by prosecutors.

    In the United States, Seattle police are investigating a deadly shooting at a downtown food festival that left three people dead and four others injured. Authorities say the victims were caught in a crossfire between two gunmen. One suspect is in custody.

    President Trump is also scheduled to travel to Michigan today to speak on the economy ahead of local primary elections.

    LOCAL NEWS NOW

    151st Broome County Fair Opens Tomorrow in Whitney Point

    One of Broome County’s biggest summer traditions begins tomorrow as the 151st Broome County Fair opens at the Whitney Point Fairgrounds.

    The fair is not just another event on the calendar. It is a major economic, agricultural and social gathering for the region, drawing families, vendors, farmers, 4-H youth, performers, food stands, ride operators and visitors into northern Broome County for nearly a full week.

    Today’s report includes a full fair preview in COMMUNITY NOW, and MyBroome will continue highlighting the fair throughout the week.

    State Immigration Mandate Escalates Broome County ICE Showdown

    Governor Kathy Hochul has demanded that the Broome County Sheriff’s Office sever its cooperation agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

    The governor sent an official letter to Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar stating that the county’s active 287(g) resolution, which permits corrections officers to issue immigration warrants to individuals held in the county jail, is now illegal under New York’s Local Cops, Local Crimes Act.

    Sheriff Akshar and 11 other New York law enforcement agencies have until August 25 to make their ICE agreements null and void. Governor Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James argue local police forces should remain focused on local crimes rather than assisting federal agencies with civil immigration enforcement.

    Akshar has previously defended the jail-based ICE partnership, arguing that it is a controlled process involving individuals already detained inside the correctional facility, not broad street-level immigration enforcement.

    The order also lands in the middle of existing Broome County immigration tension. Local advocacy groups say federal agents conducted 19 detentions over a recent 72-hour period in Endicott and Johnson City. Broome County also remains under an emergency posture tied to New York City asylum seeker relocation policy.

    Readers can see NewsXR’s Sunday editorial for deeper analysis of the constitutional fight over 287(g), local sheriff authority and federal immigration enforcement.

    Housing Fallout Continues After Fatal Endwell Motel Fire

    Broome County legislative sessions continue to face intense pressure after the fatal Knights Inn motel fire in Endwell that killed six people.

    Housing advocates calling for emergency reforms have disrupted recent meetings, leading to multiple arrests by sheriff’s deputies. The issue remains one of the region’s most urgent public debates, touching emergency housing, code enforcement, motel safety, local government responsibility and the county’s broader housing shortage.

    Vestal Police Investigate Serious Route 26 Crash

    Vestal Police are investigating a head-on, two-car crash on Route 26 that caused multiple injuries. Emergency responders reported that at least one person was ejected from a vehicle.

    The crash added to a busy stretch for local emergency crews, who have also been responding to storm damage, traffic complaints and major public safety calls across the region.

    Binghamton Increases Speed Patrols

    The Binghamton Police Department says it is increasing targeted traffic patrols across city neighborhoods in response to a rise in dangerous speeding.

    Police are warning drivers to slow down, especially in residential areas, near schools, around parks and along high-traffic corridors.

    PUBLIC SAFETY NOW

    Attempted Murder Charge Filed After Doubleday Street Stabbing

    Dominic L. Rought, 23, of Binghamton, has been charged with attempted murder and other offenses following a stabbing on Doubleday Street.

    The incident drew a heavy police response, hours-long road closures and major public concern in the neighborhood. The victim was reported to be in stable condition.

    Felony Drug Arrest in Kirkwood

    Rayner A. Casilla, 30, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, was arrested in Kirkwood on multiple felony counts connected to controlled substance possession with intent to sell.

    Union Drug Possession Arrest

    Cheyenne of Endicott was taken into custody in Union on two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.

    Owego Trespass Case

    Harold of Binghamton was charged by State Police in Owego with criminal trespass on commercial property.

    Greene Domestic Incident Arrest

    Tieler of Greene was arrested for criminal contempt following a domestic dispute.

    Colesville Harassment Case

    John of Harpursville was booked on a harassment second-degree charge after an incident in Colesville.

    Court Briefs

    Neil Wesley, 47, of Broome County, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison followed by lifetime supervised release in a child pornography case.

    Former Walton High School teacher Eric Scofield, 41, pleaded guilty to three felonies and six misdemeanors involving explicit communications with minors.

    James J. Campbell III, 36, pleaded guilty to vehicular assault and aggravated DWI under Leandra’s Law after a crash that severely injured a 5-year-old.

    Civil Actions and Judgments

    A major class-action lawsuit has been filed against Broome County and Sheriff Fred Akshar over the late-May salmonella outbreak at the Broome County Correctional Facility. The suit, filed by inmate representative Salih Shabazz and Binghamton attorney Ronald Benjamin, stems from a foodborne illness outbreak tied to contaminated chicken salad that infected hundreds of inmates. The lawsuit alleges negligence, unsafe food handling and violations of state health safety rules.

    County and Sheriff’s Office officials have strongly disputed the claims. Sheriff Akshar has rejected the lawsuit’s allegations, and county officials have pointed to the extraordinary and serious actions taken once the outbreak became known. Those actions included coordinating with health officials, responding to the foodborne illness inside the facility, addressing inmate medical needs, reviewing food-service procedures and taking steps meant to control the outbreak and prevent additional spread.

    The case remains a civil lawsuit, and the allegations have not been proven in court.

    In a separate municipal case, New York State Supreme Court in Broome County dismissed a lawsuit brought by the Town of Maine against the Broome County Industrial Development Agency. The town had sought to void land purchases tied to a proposed advanced manufacturing tech park near Airport Road, arguing purchases should not move forward before final environmental review. The judge ruled in favor of the IDA, allowing land acquisition to continue while environmental review proceeds.

    The City of Binghamton also secured a $634,550 civil judgment against out-of-town landlords Jerry Einhorn and Endicott Properties LLC over conditions at 11 Stone Street. City officials said the South Side property had serious code violations, including collapsing ceilings, lack of heat and hot water, and missing carbon monoxide alarms.

    A federal civil rights action brought by David John Campbell against Broome County, the City of Binghamton and several local police officers continues in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Campbell alleges violations of his Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights involving warrantless home entries, an undocumented traffic stop, and the seizure and alleged damage of licensed firearms. The claims remain part of ongoing litigation.

    All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

    Editor’s Note: NewsXR generally releases only a first name and city or town for misdemeanor cases, violations and quality-of-life offenses. We reserve the right to weigh additional factors on a case-by-case basis, including public safety, repeat conduct, official charging level, community impact and the public’s right to know.

    WEATHER NOW from NewsXR

    Binghamton starts the day mostly sunny and warm, with temperatures around 75 degrees, humidity near 73 percent and a light northwest wind around 3 mph.

    Conditions are pleasant this morning, but humidity will build into the afternoon. Scattered thunderstorms are possible after 3 PM, and the bigger concern arrives Tuesday and Wednesday as a heavier rain system moves into the region.

    Five-Day Forecast

    Monday, July 27: Scattered thunderstorms. High 81, low 60. Rain chance 45 percent.

    Tuesday, July 28: Heavy rain and storms. High 70, low 64. Rain chance 75 percent.

    Wednesday, July 29: Rain and showers. High 70, low 62. Rain chance 75 percent.

    Thursday, July 30: Light rain. High 76, low 61. Rain chance 75 percent.

    Friday, July 31: Passing showers. High 81, low 61. Rain chance 40 percent.

    Heavy rain Tuesday and Wednesday could bring 2 to 3 inches across parts of the region, creating the risk of ponding on roads and localized flooding in low-lying areas.

    Weather 100 Years Ago Today

    Exactly 100 years ago today, on July 27, 1926, Binghamton saw a very different summer day. The high reached 86 degrees, the low dropped to 55, and the area recorded 0.00 inches of rain.

    That dry, clear weather helped support large outdoor gatherings, including the Endicott hospital cornerstone ceremony. The cool evening also explains why so many residents had windows open near Recreation Park, setting up the now-famous complaint about “jazzy” carousel music drifting into West Side homes.

    LOTTO NOW

    The latest major multi-state and New York lottery results are in, with no jackpot winners reported for the most recent Mega Millions or Powerball drawings.

    Mega Millions

    Friday, July 24: 02 – 05 – 42 – 44 – 60
    Mega Ball: 1
    Next estimated jackpot: $800 million
    Next drawing: Tuesday, July 28

    Powerball

    Saturday, July 25: 03 – 04 – 24 – 36 – 47
    Powerball: 17
    Power Play: 4x
    Next estimated jackpot: $633 million
    Next drawing: Tonight, Monday, July 27

    New York Lotto

    Saturday, July 25: 08 – 17 – 21 – 23 – 54 – 58
    Bonus Ball: 16
    Next jackpot: $3.2 million

    Take 5

    Sunday, July 26: 02 – 11 – 20 – 33 – 35

    Pick 10

    Sunday, July 26: 02 – 10 – 11 – 14 – 18 – 29 – 36 – 37 – 39 – 43 – 47 – 49 – 50 – 51 – 60 – 67 – 73 – 75 – 76 – 79

    Numbers

    Sunday, July 26 Midday: 435
    Sunday, July 26 Evening: 911

    Win 4

    Sunday, July 26 Midday: 6983
    Sunday, July 26 Evening: 9934

    Players should always verify results through official lottery sources before claiming a prize.

    SPORTS NOW from NewsXR

    Rumble Ponies Close Homestand With Big Win

    The Binghamton Rumble Ponies ended their homestand at Mirabito Stadium with an 8-4 win over the Portland Sea Dogs.

    Jose Ramos led the way with a huge day at the plate, going 4-for-5 with three runs, a double, three RBIs and his 15th home run of the season. It was his second straight game with a two-run homer.

    Binghamton trailed 3-1 early before Jaylen Palmer delivered a two-RBI double in the third inning. A three-run fourth gave the Rumble Ponies the lead for good.

    Justin Armbruester earned the win after throwing 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings with three strikeouts. Earlier in the series, Jonathan Santucci struck out a career-high 13 batters over 5.2 innings.

    Black Bears Build Toward Another Title Run

    The Binghamton Black Bears continue their summer roster work after winning their third straight Commissioner’s Cup title.

    The FPHL released the full 2026-27 regular-season schedule, along with new conference and division alignments. The Black Bears also confirmed major roster moves, including the return of postseason MVP CJ Stubbs, Cheechoo Lathlin and reigning FPHL Forward of the Year Ivan Bondarenko.

    The team also added veteran Amir Valiullin and rookie Ludovik Tardif.

    Youth and Regional Sports Notebook

    Corning-Painted Post Little League captured the Senior Little League Baseball Sectional championship and advances to the New York State Tournament in Binghamton.

    The Horseheads 12U Majors All-Star team saw its sectional run end after two close losses.

    The Gus Macker 3-on-3 Tournament in Elmira drew more than 215 regional athletes, while the Waverly Boys’ Basketball Camp hosted a record 219 youth players.

    EVENTS NOW

    Happy Together Tour 2026 comes to Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton on Wednesday, July 29, at 7:30 PM. Tickets start at $35.50.

    Broome Bands Together: Katie Scott with Persuasion performs Tuesday, July 28, at 6 PM at Otsiningo Park. Admission is free, and CHOW will accept non-perishable food donations.

    Bainbridge Community Concert Series continues Tuesday, July 28, at 6:30 PM at General Clinton Park.

    Concerts in the Park: Crooked River Saints performs Wednesday, July 29, at 7 PM at Hickories Park in Owego.

    Joe Joseph performs Thursday, July 30, at 4 PM at the Little Italy Endicott Heritage Center during the local farmers market.

    Rooster and the Roadhouse Horns performs Friday, July 31, at 9 PM at the Sideshow Stage at Tioga Downs Casino Resort.

    Wu-Twang After-the-Fair Party takes place Friday, July 31, at 10:30 PM at the Octagon Inn in Glen Aubrey.

    Blueberry Jam Festival runs Saturday, August 1, through Sunday, August 2, at the Red Barn at Danville Springs in Deposit, with The Woodshed Prophets scheduled Saturday at 7 PM.

    Now Playing

    Films playing in the Binghamton area include The Odyssey, Hadestown: The Musical, Toy Story 5, Moana, Minions & Monsters, Evil Dead Burn, Young Washington, The Invite and Motor City.

    Local theater locations include Regal Binghamton on Front Street, AMC Vestal Town Square 9 on Vestal Parkway and Tioga Theater in Owego.

    COMMUNITY NOW

    151st Broome County Fair Opens Tomorrow

    The 151st Broome County Fair officially kicks off Tuesday, July 28, and runs through Sunday, August 2, at the Whitney Point Fairgrounds.

    For Broome County, the fair is bigger than rides and fair food. It is one of the region’s strongest annual community gatherings, connecting agriculture, youth programs, local vendors, family entertainment, northern Broome businesses and generations of fairgoers.

    Opening Day on Tuesday includes free gate admission all day. The annual Kick-Off Parade down Main Street begins at 6 PM, followed by Antique Tractor Pulls.

    Grandstand action continues all week. Wednesday brings the first Demolition Derby at 7 PM. Thursday includes Out-of-Field Tractor Pulls at noon and NY Hot Farm Tractor and Diesel Truck Pulls at 6 PM. Friday features Draft Horse Pulls at noon and a professional rodeo by Broken B at 7 PM. Saturday brings the Pride & Polish Semi-Truck Parade at noon, Semi-Truck Pulls at 1:30 PM and NYTPA Super Stock and Modified Tractor Pulls at 7 PM. A second Demolition Derby is scheduled for Sunday at 2 PM.

    The Gillette Stage will host live music throughout the week, including Dynamite DJ & Karaoke, Tailor Made Band, Trick Shot Band, Bryan Thomas Acoustic, Devon Lawton & the In-Laws and Two Dollar Pistol.

    Agriculture remains at the heart of the fair. Daily livestock shows include alpacas, llamas, swine, beef, dairy, goats and poultry. The 4-H Livestock & Pie Auction takes place Saturday at 4 PM alongside the new 4-H Makers Market.

    Daily contests include a Pie Eating Contest on Wednesday, Frozen T-Shirt Contest on Thursday, Corn Eating Contest on Friday and the Mullet Contest on Saturday.

    Family attractions include Central K9 Performance Dogs, the Rock & Roll Pet Store Kids Show and Professor Paddy-Whack.

    General admission is $8 for adults 13 and older, $2 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children under 5. Wednesday and Friday offer free gate admission until noon. Gillette Family Shows midway rides open daily, with adjusted hours on Tuesday and Sunday.

    MyBroome™ Then – 100 Years Ago Today in Broome County

    Exactly 100 years ago today, late July 1926 front pages in Binghamton and the Triple Cities were filled with hospital expansion, tax disputes, oddball road accidents and neighborhood noise complaints.

    In Endicott, the village’s new municipal hospital marked its formal cornerstone ceremony. George F. Johnson, co-founder of Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, served as the keynote speaker and personally donated $150,000 to fund construction.

    In Port Dickinson, residents organized against a proposed town hall and fire station. Local leaders noted that many of the objectors had moved from Binghamton to avoid higher municipal taxes and were now resisting new public spending in the village.

    On the Owego road, a Coca-Cola Company truck flipped upside down after driver George Stafford swerved to avoid a chicken. Stafford and passenger Fred L. Goughary were pinned beneath the vehicle, the dirt road was covered in shattered glass bottles, and the chicken survived.

    On Binghamton’s West Side, residents near Recreation Park complained to the city about carousel organ music drifting into their homes on warm summer nights. The music was described as “tin pan” and “decidedly jazzy,” and Public Works Commissioner Charles W. Kress promised to have the volume lowered.

    At Camp Spaulding, George F. Johnson and C. Fred Johnson were honored by Boy Scouts after donating a large stone fireplace to the camp.

    On Upper Court Street, thieves broke into the Spoor & Green service station and stole cigarettes, candy, cigars and loose tobacco.

    FOR OUR YOUNGER NEWS CONSUMERS SEE THE COVER PHOTO NEWS FLASH.

    👉 Drop your comments below.

    © 2026 CompanyXR Media Group – All Rights Reserved

  • MYBROOME NOW – Sunday, July 26, 2026

    MYBROOME NOW – Sunday, July 26, 2026

    MYBROOME NOW
    Sunday, July 26, 2026
    From the MyBroome News Team

    WORLD NOW by NewsXR

    U.S.-Iran Strike Pause Holds as Waterway Crisis Deepens

    The United States has temporarily paused overnight airstrikes against Iran for the first time in nearly two weeks, but the wider conflict remains dangerously unstable across the Middle East.

    The pause followed the arrival of an Omani mediation delegation in Tehran and reported backchannel efforts aimed at creating space for an interim ceasefire. President Donald Trump has ordered U.S. strikes held for a second consecutive night, but American officials continue warning that a larger military escalation remains possible if diplomacy fails.

    Iran has also temporarily paused retaliatory operations against regional U.S. allies. However, Iranian military officials warned that any renewed American strikes could expand the war across the wider region.

    The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the central flashpoints. The U.S. military continues enforcing a naval blockade around Iranian ports and coastal areas, while Iranian naval forces are restricting unauthorized movement through the waterway. The dispute has become a direct threat to global energy movement, with Hormuz and the Red Sea now forming a double chokepoint crisis.

    That second front is building around Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Iran-backed Houthi forces have declared a maritime blockade and launched missile attacks targeting Saudi shipping and coastal energy infrastructure. Saudi Arabia has responded with strikes against Houthi targets, including the port city of Hodeidah.

    Regional proxy activity remains volatile across Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq, where U.S.-linked military positions have faced drone and missile threats. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s expected Washington visit adds another major escalation risk, with Israeli officials warning that a lasting U.S.-Iran diplomatic agreement may be unlikely.

    Global Headlines

    Deadly violence in the West Bank is escalating after a confrontation that left four Palestinians and two Israelis dead. Retaliatory settler attacks and preparations for wider military operations are adding to the pressure.

    In Europe, extreme heat and fast-moving wildfires have forced more than 330,000 residents and tourists to evacuate threatened areas near Bordeaux in France and west of Madrid in Spain. Spain has declared a national emergency, while Germany and other neighboring countries are sending firefighting aircraft and support crews.

    On the Ukraine front, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of a possible major Russian offensive within 48 hours, while reports suggest North Korean troop reinforcements could be preparing to support Russia. Romanian jets also intercepted unidentified drones breaching Romanian airspace.

    At the International Criminal Court, member states voted to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan following sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies.

    LOCAL NEWS NOW

    State Immigration Mandate Puts Broome County Sheriff in Constitutional Fight

    A major state and federal fight over immigration enforcement has now become one of the most important local government stories facing Broome County.

    Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and the state’s Office of Immigrant Trust are moving to force local enforcement entities with 287(g) ICE agreements to terminate those partnerships by August 25. Broome County and Steuben County are among the localities identified.

    The state says the newly enacted Local Cops, Local Crimes Act bars the use of municipal resources and correctional facilities for federal civil immigration assistance. Agencies that refuse to unwind their agreements could face lawsuits, civil enforcement actions, injunctions and possible funding consequences.

    Several sheriffs have pushed back, arguing the mandate is state overreach and interferes with local law-enforcement discretion. The federal government is also challenging New York’s position in U.S. District Court in Albany.

    The federal argument centers on the Supremacy Clause. The U.S. Department of Justice argues that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that New York cannot punish or restrict local agencies that participate in congressionally authorized federal programs.

    New York’s argument centers on the Tenth Amendment and the anti-commandeering doctrine. The state says it cannot be forced to use local taxpayer resources, police agencies or county jails for federal civil immigration enforcement, and that the law does not block ordinary criminal cooperation with federal authorities.

    Ultimately, federal judges will decide whether New York is simply refusing to participate in civil immigration enforcement or whether it has crossed into unconstitutional obstruction of federal authority. Because the dispute raises major constitutional questions involving federal supremacy, state power, local sheriff authority and immigration enforcement, it may ultimately end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

    SEE OUR SUNDAY NewsXR Editorial that focuses on this issue.

    Storm Recovery, Surveillance Debate and Housing Pressure Continue Across the Region

    Severe storm recovery remains active across the Southern Tier after the National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado with winds near 90 to 95 mph in the town of Greene and damage stretching across parts of Broome, Chenango and Delaware counties.

    The system uprooted trees, scattered heavy debris and added to a week of storm damage across the region. High winds and microbursts also knocked out power to more than 3,300 NYSEG customers across Tioga, eastern Broome and southern Chenango counties. Utility companies deployed more than 400 field personnel, and most customers were restored within 48 hours.

    The agricultural impact is also growing. Governor Hochul announced a USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation affecting fruit growers across 32 New York counties, including the Southern Tier. Extreme freezing and spring storms caused more than $30 million in crop losses, opening the door to low-interest emergency federal loans for local farms.

    In Binghamton, the city’s Flock Safety camera debate continues. The Municipal and Public Affairs Committee hosted a public meeting with Flock Safety representatives as City Council reviews legislation that could cancel the city’s automated license plate reader contract. Supporters argue the cameras help law enforcement solve crimes. Critics remain concerned about privacy, data retention and surveillance expansion. The next formal public comment session is expected at the Wednesday, July 29 City Council meeting.

    Housing activism also remains a major local issue following the deadly June 22 fire at the Knights Inn in Endwell. Public tension over emergency housing placements has continued, and the 24-day Hawley Street protest encampment has officially ended. Community organizers and city officials remain sharply divided over long-term solutions for the area’s unhoused residents.

    Registered nurses at Guthrie Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton have voted by more than two-to-one to unionize with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. The vote marks a major labor development inside one of the region’s key healthcare institutions.

    PUBLIC SAFETY NOW

    Attempted Murder Arraignment in Doubleday Street Stabbing

    Dominic L. Rought, 23, of Binghamton, was arraigned in Binghamton City Court after a stabbing on Doubleday Street.

    Authorities allege Rought stabbed a 44-year-old man four times during a verbal dispute, causing injuries to the victim’s neck, arm and chest. The victim remains hospitalized in stable condition.

    Rought is charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree. He was remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility without bail pending further court proceedings.

    Felony Drug Arrest in Kirkwood

    Rayner A. Casilla, 30, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, was charged with three felony counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell following a Broome County Sheriff’s Office traffic stop investigation in the Town of Kirkwood.

    Casilla was held pending central arraignment.

    Lisle Drug and Weapons Raid

    Kyle S. Dixon, 38, of the Town of Lisle, was arrested after the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force executed a narcotics search warrant at his residence at 17 Watts Road.

    Authorities reported recovering approximately 84.4 grams of methamphetamine, prescription pills, scales, packaging materials and a high-capacity rifle magazine.

    Dixon faces multiple felony charges, including Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. He also faces misdemeanor drug-paraphernalia charges.

    Drug Possession Case in Endicott Area

    Cheyenne of Endicott was charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree after deputies reported finding narcotics during the execution of an unrelated warrant in the Town of Union.

    Legislative Session Protest Arrests

    Two protesters were charged after a disruption at a Broome County legislative session tied to housing protests.

    The charges include Obstructing Governmental Administration and Disorderly Conduct. Under NewsXR’s naming policy for misdemeanor and quality-of-life cases, full names are not being used here unless additional public-interest factors require it.

    DWI Case in Town of Chenango

    Andres of Newark, New Jersey, was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content above .08 percent following a traffic stop in the Town of Chenango.

    Court Actions of Interest

    Robert Scott, a 60-year-old Binghamton resident, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine. If convicted, he faces 5 to 40 years in federal prison.

    Thomas Murray, 24, of Binghamton, was indicted in federal court for distribution of child pornography. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison if convicted.

    In a major federal court action handled in New York, captured former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro entered a not guilty plea to international drug trafficking and weapons charges.

    Public Safety and Transparency Updates

    Binghamton Police are increasing patrols around city parks, residential areas, hospital zones and school zones as part of a summer speeding crackdown. The effort includes extra traffic details, bike and walking patrols, and portable speed trailers.

    The Broome County Office of Emergency Services has launched the Ready Broome mobile app. The app is designed to send emergency notifications, severe weather warnings, power outage information and disaster-preparedness resources directly to residents’ phones.

    The Broome County Sheriff’s Office has also deployed a new automated communication platform through Versaterm CommunityConnect. Residents who call 911 or the non-emergency dispatch line from a mobile phone may receive a text message with an official incident number, along with updates on case status, deputy response times, delays and investigation milestones.

    State Police are investigating a break-in at the Otsego Electric Substation on Kinney Road in Hartwick, where intruders reportedly stole valuable copper wiring.

    State environmental agencies are warning that adult Spotted Lanternflies are active across New York orchards and vineyards. Residents are being asked to kill the insects immediately and report locations to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to help prevent wider agricultural damage.

    All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

    Editor’s Note: NewsXR generally releases only a first name and city or town for misdemeanor cases, violations and quality-of-life offenses. We reserve the right to weigh additional factors on a case-by-case basis, including public safety, repeat conduct, official charging level, community impact and the public’s right to know.

    WEATHER NOW from NewsXR

    The Southern Tier is starting Sunday with mostly cloudy skies and temperatures around 68 degrees, with isolated showers and scattered thunderstorms expected to develop later this afternoon.

    The region is moving from a beautiful weekend pattern into a more humid and unsettled stretch. Monday brings scattered afternoon thunderstorms, while Tuesday looks like the most active weather day of the week with heavy rain and thunderstorms likely.

    Monday: Humid with afternoon thunderstorms, 82 / 65, 60 percent rain chance.
    Tuesday: Heavy rain and active thunderstorms, 72 / 64, 90 percent rain chance.
    Wednesday: Cloudy with persistent morning showers, 71 / 62, 70 percent rain chance.
    Thursday: Partly cloudy with a spotty shower, 75 / 61, 50 percent rain chance.
    Friday: Clearing skies and pleasant sunshine, 81 / 62, 20 percent rain chance.

    Residents should keep an eye on the Monday and Tuesday forecast, especially in areas still recovering from recent wind damage, tornado impacts and power disruptions.

    Weather 100 Years Ago Today

    Exactly 100 years ago today, on July 26, 1926, the Southern Tier experienced a beautiful, dry summer day. Binghamton station data showed a high near 83, a cool morning low near 53 and 0.00 inches of rainfall.

    That crisp, clear weather offered farmers and residents ideal summer field conditions, standing in sharp contrast to today’s humid air and incoming thunderstorm track.

    SPORTS NOW from NewsXR

    The Southern Tier sports scene is busy with professional baseball, collegiate league championship races, professional golf preparation and high school football workouts.

    The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are in a mid-summer Eastern League homestand at Mirabito Stadium, working to climb in the Northeast Division while top Mets prospects continue drawing attention from scouts and local fans.

    Up the road in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, the Oneonta Outlaws are wrapping up their regular-season campaign at historic Damaschke Field while battling for East Division seeding.

    Preparations are underway at En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott for the annual DICK’S Open. The PGA Tour Champions event remains one of the Southern Tier’s largest sports attractions, with ticketing, volunteer registration and tournament-week operations moving forward.

    Several elite golfers from Broome, Tioga and Chemung county clubs have also qualified for the New York State Men’s Amateur Championship, giving the Southern Tier representation against top amateur golfers from across the state.

    Section IV football programs are now in summer preparation mode, with voluntary workouts and passing academies underway. Tioga Central, Chenango Forks and Maine-Endwell are among the programs drawing early attention. Mandatory fall practices across Section IV are scheduled to begin Monday, August 17.

    Tonight’s local sports schedule includes the Portland Sea Dogs against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Mirabito Stadium, with first pitch at 6:35 PM. The Oneonta Outlaws also host a key division matchup at Damaschke Field at 7 PM.

    EVENTS NOW

    151st Broome County Fair Opens Tuesday in Whitney Point

    The 151st Broome County Fair officially kicks off Tuesday, July 28, at the Whitney Point Fairgrounds, anchoring one of the region’s biggest summer traditions.

    The fair runs through Sunday, August 2, with classic midway rides, livestock competitions, 4-H showcases, grandstand events, demolition derby action and local food vendors.

    The fair remains one of Broome County’s longest-running agricultural traditions and provides an important annual marketplace for Southern Tier farms, youth agricultural programs and local vendors.

    Standard single-day adult tickets are listed at $8.50, with full season passes available for $33.50 through official Etix outlets.

    This Week’s Events

    Today, the Binghamton Farmers Market at Recreation Park runs from 11 AM to 4 PM, featuring local food trucks, acoustic music and regional bakers, including Chicky’s Sourdough Eats.

    Also today, the Portland Sea Dogs face the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Mirabito Stadium at 6:35 PM.

    Tuesday, July 28, Broome Bands Together returns to Otsiningo Park at 6 PM with Katie Scott with Persuasion. Families are encouraged to bring cash or canned goods to support the CHOW food bank.

    Wednesday, July 29, the Triple Cities Runners Club holds Track Meet #4 at Vestal High School’s Dick Hoover Stadium. Open registration begins at 5:30 PM, with a $5 non-member fee.

    Friday, July 31, Tioga Downs Casino Resort hosts Rooster and the Roadhouse Horns on the Sideshow Stage at 9 PM. Virgil Cain performs a no-cover solo multi-instrument set at Celebrations On Park in Binghamton at 6 PM. The Octagon Inn in Glen Aubrey also hosts its Wu-Twang After-The-Fair Party on Friday and Saturday nights.

    Now Playing

    Local theaters across Greater Binghamton and the Southern Tier are anchored this weekend by The Odyssey, Moana, Minions & Monsters and Toy Story 5.

    Regal Binghamton, AMC Vestal Town Square 9 and Tioga Theater in Owego all have weekend showtimes, with additional options including Hadestown: The Musical, Young Washington, Motor City, The Invite and Evil Dead Burn.

    COMMUNITY NOW

    Southern Tier Community Center Receives $2.8 Million NY SWIMS Grant

    The Southern Tier Community Center Aquatics Facility in Broome County has been awarded $2.8 million through the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming, or NY SWIMS, initiative.

    Governor Kathy Hochul announced nearly $21 million in statewide NY SWIMS funding, with the Southern Tier Community Center securing one of the major regional awards.

    The facility, operated by the Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference, serves thousands of local families, youth and seniors across Greater Binghamton.

    The funding will be used to modernize the indoor aquatics facility, improve water safety education, expand low-cost youth swim programming and strengthen year-round recreational options.

    The investment comes during an intensely hot summer and after structural closures elsewhere in the county have underscored the need for safe, accessible public aquatics spaces. For families, seniors and young people, this grant helps protect a community hub where residents can stay active, cool off, gather and learn life-saving swimming skills regardless of income.

    MyBroome™ Then – 100 Years Ago Today in Broome County

    Storm Recovery Across Binghamton and Johnson City

    One hundred years ago today, Binghamton and Johnson City were recovering from a violent wind and rainstorm that tore through the region.

    Reports in The Binghamton Press described at least two people seriously injured, numerous trees uprooted, and telephone, telegraph and trolley wires downed. Binghamton was temporarily cut off from outside communication.

    Along Conklin Road, high winds leveled a barn and collapsed a bungalow. Farmers also reported thousands of dollars in summer crop damage.

    Susquehanna River Bathing Suit Debate

    Binghamton Chief of Police Hunt launched an investigation after south-bank campers complained about men and boys swimming in the Susquehanna River without proper bathing attire.

    The complaints focused on swimmers between the Tompkins Street and Lackawanna Railroad bridges, where residents said the public river activity was becoming hard to ignore.

    Prohibition Raids Continue

    Local officers and federal agents continued cracking down on alcohol shipments during Prohibition.

    In one major Laurel Avenue seizure, authorities confiscated a truck hauling ten half-barrels of real beer and charged the driver with prohibition violations.

    Remembering the Binghamton Clothing Company Fire

    Front-page notices in The Binghamton Press marked the 13th anniversary of the Binghamton Clothing Company fire on Wall Street.

    The 1913 tragedy killed 31 people and permanently reshaped local conversations around manufacturing safety, workplace conditions and fire protection.

    Modern Amenities Arrive on Murray Street

    Real estate ads for newly constructed Murray Street apartment complexes drew attention by highlighting a major modern feature for 1926: two complete bathrooms.

    One bathroom was advertised for family use, while the other was reserved for household servants.

    FOR OUR YOUNGER NEWS CONSUMERS SEE THE COVER PHOTO NEWS FLASH.

    👉 Drop your comments below.

    © 2026 CompanyXR Media Group – All Rights Reserved

  • MYBROOME NOW – Saturday, July 25, 2026

    MYBROOME NOW – Saturday, July 25, 2026

    MYBROOME NOW
    Saturday, July 25, 2026
    From the MyBroome News Team

    WORLD NOW by NewsXR

    U.S. Airstrikes Pause as Iran Conflict Widens to Saudi-Houthi Front

    U.S. airstrikes against Iranian military infrastructure have paused for the first time in two weeks, marking a tense intermission in the escalating Middle East conflict.

    President Donald Trump indicated that backchannel negotiations are underway and said Tehran may be getting more serious about talks. However, he also warned that a much larger American attack remains on the table if diplomacy fails.

    The pause follows 13 consecutive nights of American strikes against Iranian military targets. U.S. Central Command did not announce new airstrikes over the weekend, and Iranian officials reported a quiet night with no new U.S. strike casualties.

    The military situation remains extremely volatile. The Strait of Hormuz naval standoff continues, with U.S. forces reportedly disabling a commercial tanker that attempted to run the American blockade of Iranian ports. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard also claimed it intercepted four vessels attempting to move through unapproved routes.

    The conflict has also widened into a Saudi-Houthi front. Iran-backed Houthi rebels reportedly targeted Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, including a Saudi-flagged oil tanker. Saudi Arabia responded with retaliatory airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah, followed by additional Houthi missile launches toward Saudi coastal military installations.

    Regional proxy attacks remain a major concern, with Iran-backed networks reportedly targeting U.S. positions in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain. In a surprise development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said Ukraine used long-range weapons to strike ships carrying Iranian military cargo across the Caspian Sea to Russia.

    Global energy markets remain unsettled. Oil prices briefly moved above $100 per barrel before easing back toward the low $90s, while gasoline prices in the United States continue facing upward pressure.

    Global Headlines

    The Trump administration has imposed sweeping new tariffs ranging from 10 percent to 12.5 percent on imports from 60 countries, including major trade partners in Europe, Canada, Mexico, China and Japan. The administration cited anti-forced-labor enforcement, while affected governments are preparing retaliation and legal challenges.

    Brazil has denied visa requests for two Trump administration officials, saying the planned visit was an attempt to interfere with Brazil’s upcoming presidential election.

    In Europe, massive wildfires have forced more than 250,000 people to evacuate tourist areas and cities across France and Spain. Spain has declared a national emergency as fast-moving fires merge near Madrid.

    In southwest China, a landslide has killed at least 11 people, with more than 50 others still missing.

    India’s education minister has resigned following weeks of youth-led protests over civil service exam leaks. Student organizers agreed to stand down after talks with the government.

    In Italy, violent protests erupted in Bologna after the death of a Moroccan immigrant business owner in police custody.

    French lawmakers have approved a sweeping ban preventing children under 15 from accessing social media platforms, creating one of the strongest youth digital restrictions in Europe.

    LOCAL NEWS NOW

    Storm Damage and Housing Protests Continue to Grip the Southern Tier

    Severe weather disruptions and growing civic pressure over housing remain two of the biggest local stories across Broome County and the broader Southern Tier.

    The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Sanford, carving a 15-mile path east into Delaware County with peak winds near 95 mph. That follows another confirmed tornado earlier in the week that impacted parts of Broome and Chenango counties.

    A later round of heavy thunderstorm activity and microbursts caused additional power disruptions across Tioga, Chenango and eastern Broome counties, affecting more than 3,300 NYSEG customers. Owego, Harpursville and surrounding areas saw emergency crews respond to downed trees, outages and localized damage. Most services have since been restored.

    At the same time, housing protests continue following the deadly arson fire at the Knights Inn in Endwell. Demonstrators connected to the Hawley Street Encampment and Citizen Action of New York disrupted a Broome County Legislative meeting while protesting local emergency housing systems.

    Multiple protesters were removed and arrested after chanting escalated inside the chamber. Activists are demanding the elimination of motel placements for unhoused residents, arguing that vulnerable people should not be placed in unsafe or substandard temporary housing.

    Amid the crisis, the Broome County Land Bank announced completion of its first ARPA-funded residential home overhaul on Binghamton’s South Side. The low-to-moderate-income property is listed at $139,900.

    PUBLIC SAFETY NOW

    Attempted Murder Arrest in Doubleday Street Stabbing

    Dominic L. Rought, 23, of Binghamton, was arrested near Eldridge Street after a stabbing on Doubleday Street.

    Authorities allege Rought stabbed a 44-year-old man four times following a verbal argument. The victim was reportedly stabbed in the chest, neck, back and armpit.

    Rought is charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony. He was remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility following arraignment in Binghamton City Court.

    Felony Drug Arrest in Kirkwood

    Rayner A. Casilla, 30, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, was arrested by the Broome County Sheriff’s Office during a traffic stop investigation in the Town of Kirkwood.

    Casilla faces three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell, all Class D felonies. He was held pending central arraignment.

    Legislature Protest Arrests Continue Through Court

    Salka of Binghamton was taken into custody during the Broome County Legislative Session disruption tied to housing protests.

    She faces misdemeanor-level charges including Obstructing Governmental Administration, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct.

    Brian of Binghamton was also detained during the same protest-related incident. Both were processed by the Broome County Sheriff’s Office and released on appearance tickets.

    Retail Larceny Investigation in Town of Union

    Haley of the Town of Union was detained by deputies following a retail larceny investigation at a commercial business in the Town of Union.

    She faces misdemeanor-level charges including Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Governmental Administration and Petit Larceny. She was released on an appearance ticket under New York State bail statutes.

    Drug Possession Case in Endicott Area

    Cheyenne of Endicott was charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree after deputies reported finding narcotics during the execution of an unrelated warrant in the Town of Union.

    She was booked by the Broome County Sheriff’s Office and scheduled for local court proceedings.

    Court Actions of Interest

    Michael Felkel was sentenced in federal court for a racially motivated civil rights violation against a Black neighbor. He was ordered to complete a mandatory mental health program and still faces additional state-level charges.

    Randall Lenyard, 33, was arraigned on homicide and stalking charges following a high-speed pursuit in Wisconsin. Prosecutors allege he shot the mother of his child during a custody exchange.

    The murder trial of Jack Upchurch has been delayed. Upchurch is accused in the killing of Good Samaritan Paul Clifford.

    All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

    Editor’s Note: NewsXR generally releases only a first name and city or town for misdemeanor cases, violations and quality-of-life offenses. We reserve the right to weigh additional factors on a case-by-case basis, including public safety, repeat conduct, official charging level, community impact and the public’s right to know.

    Weekly Civil Actions of Public Interest

    As taxpayers, these civil cases matter to all of us. Lawsuits involving local government can affect public accountability, public services, municipal budgets, legal exposure and how officials handle housing, jail conditions, code enforcement, policing, prosecution and constitutional rights.

    Broome County Jail Salmonella Class Action

    A federal civil rights class action has been filed against Broome County and Sheriff Fred Akshar following the salmonella outbreak at the Broome County Correctional Facility.

    As taxpayers, this case matters because it involves public money, jail operations, county liability and the broader question of how quickly government responds when an emergency becomes known.

    NewsXR also believes important context is being left out of some of the political noise around this case. Once the outbreak became known, the Sheriff’s Office and county health officials described a coordinated emergency response. Public updates reported deep cleaning inside the facility, limits on inmate movement, adjusted meals, expanded medical monitoring, review of possible causes and steps meant to prevent another outbreak.

    That matters. A foodborne outbreak in a correctional facility is serious, and any credible claim deserves review. But the response after discovery also matters, and the public should weigh both the allegation and the actions taken once officials knew what they were dealing with.

    The lawsuit has also become politically charged. Attorney Ronald Benjamin has publicly called on Governor Kathy Hochul to remove Sheriff Akshar from office, while the Sheriff’s Office has rejected the allegations and called the lawsuit a fabrication.

    That political backdrop cannot be ignored. Sheriff Akshar has also been one of the visible New York sheriffs opposing Governor Hochul’s immigration proposals restricting local law-enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Hochul’s proposal sought to limit the use of local police, jails and law-enforcement technology in civil immigration enforcement, while sheriffs including Akshar argued Albany was interfering with sheriffs’ duties and independence.

    NewsXR views that context as relevant. The salmonella case should be judged on facts, evidence and emergency response, not political differences, immigration-policy disputes or the weaponization of executive pressure against an independently elected sheriff.

    Knights Inn Arson Liability Lawsuit

    A civil lawsuit has been filed against Broome County following the June 22 arson fire at the Knights Inn in Endwell that killed six people.

    The case centers on the county’s use of the motel for emergency housing placements through the Department of Social Services. The lawsuit alleges the county breached its duty of care by placing vulnerable residents in a property with a documented history of safety and criminal concerns.

    This case goes directly to the center of the region’s housing crisis and raises the question of whether local governments can be held civilly liable for the conditions of private motels they use for emergency shelter.

    Isaac Anzaroot Litigation Against Binghamton

    Isaac Anzaroot, publicly labeled by Mayor Jared Kraham as one of Binghamton’s most notorious slumlords, remains tied to litigation involving a reported $500 million civil rights retaliation claim against the City of Binghamton.

    The city has pursued aggressive code enforcement against neglected properties, including landmark Supreme Court actions. Anzaroot’s claim argues city officials selectively and unlawfully targeted his properties in violation of his constitutional rights.

    The case is notable because of both the size of the claim and the broader challenge it presents to Binghamton’s code enforcement strategy.

    Kweller et al v. County of Broome et al

    A pending federal civil rights lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 names both City of Binghamton and Broome County officials.

    The suit names high-ranking figures including Binghamton Police Chief Joseph Zikuski, Police Captain Cory Minor, former District Attorney Michael Korchak and multiple assistant district attorneys.

    Section 1983 lawsuits are used to pursue claims involving alleged constitutional-rights violations by government officials acting under color of law. This case is notable because it alleges systemic misconduct involving both policing and prosecution.

    WEATHER NOW from NewsXR

    The Southern Tier is enjoying clear, mostly sunny skies and beautiful weekend weather, with afternoon temperatures ranging from the upper 70s into the low 80s.

    An upper-level trough is expected to move into the region early next week, shifting the pattern from sunny and calm to unsettled and stormy.

    Saturday: Sunny, beautiful start to the weekend, 81 to 84 / 60, 0 percent rain chance.
    Sunday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, 83 / 63, 0 percent rain chance.
    Monday: Turning humid with scattered afternoon thunderstorms, 83 / 65, 60 percent rain chance.
    Tuesday: Heavy thunderstorms and rain likely, 75 / 63, 90 percent rain chance.
    Wednesday: Lingering rain showers and cooler, 71 / 62, 70 percent rain chance.

    Air quality across Broome County and the Southern Tier has greatly improved and is currently rated as fair. Fine particulate matter levels have dropped significantly after earlier wildfire-smoke impacts, making general outdoor weekend activity safe for most residents.

    The region spent part of the week under New York State Department of Environmental Conservation air-quality advisories due to wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota. The rain and atmospheric mixing expected Monday night and Tuesday should help clear out any remaining low-level haze.

    Weather 100 Years Ago Today

    Exactly 100 years ago today, on July 25, 1926, Binghamton and the Southern Tier had sunny, pleasant weather with a high of 81 and an overnight low of 59.

    Historical weather records show 0.00 inches of rain. Those dry, comfortable conditions helped set the stage for a crowd of about 500 local sports fans who gathered at Binghamton Country Club to watch golf legend Walter Hagen play an exhibition match.

    SPORTS NOW from NewsXR

    Reigning Champions Return and Summer League Showdowns Continue

    Major roster renewals, summer league tournament play and conference realignment are driving an active mid-summer sports cycle across the Southern Tier.

    The Binghamton Rumble Ponies fell 8-1 to the Portland Sea Dogs at Mirabito Stadium. Binghamton struck first on a Chris Suero RBI double that scored Jaylen Palmer, but the game unraveled in the fifth inning when defensive mistakes and four straight walks allowed Portland to score six runs without recording a hit. The loss dropped Binghamton to 34-60 overall.

    In Little League sectional play, the Horseheads Majors 12U All-Star team saw its summer run end after two close losses, following a dramatic 16-12 opening-round victory over Auburn. The Corning-Painted Post Little League Senior division team captured its sectional title and advanced to the New York State tournament.

    The Binghamton Black Bears announced the return of star forward CJ Stubbs for the 2026-27 season. Stubbs enters the new cycle as the reigning FPHL Playoff MVP after helping lead the Black Bears to their third consecutive Commissioner’s Cup championship. During the 2025-26 regular season, he led the team with 39 goals and finished second in scoring with 97 points, including a 20-game point streak.

    Stubbs joins a summer signing group that includes Ludovik Tardif, Amir Valiullin, Ivan Kulagin and returning favorite Cheechoo Lathlin.

    In high school sports, the Southern Tier Athletic Conference is preparing a major structure change beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. STAC will eliminate its traditional semifinal round and move to a Small School and Large School Championship format. West and Metro winners will advance to the Large School Championship, while Central and East winners will meet for the Small School Championship. Johnson City will move from the Metro division to the Central division as part of the realignment.

    The Greater Binghamton Sports Hall of Fame also announced its newest 2026 induction class, highlighted by Pete Sylvester and Brian Jester for their contributions to Southern Tier athletics.

    EVENTS NOW

    The Southern Tier heads into a sunny summer weekend with outdoor conditions expected to cooperate across most of the region.

    Local families, sports fans and community groups should see strong conditions for outdoor events through Sunday before storms return early next week.

    More event listings will continue through MyBroome and NewsXR as weekend schedules update.

    COMMUNITY NOW

    Binghamton Urban Farmers Propose Freight-to-Farm-to-Foyer Housing Concept

    A North Side-based group of urban agriculturalists and local engineers is proposing an experimental housing response called The Freight-to-Farm-to-Foyer Project.

    The concept would convert decommissioned regional railway shipping containers or freight-style units into modular, insulated tiny homes. The proposal also includes vertical hydroponic food systems built into the side panels of the residences, creating a combined housing and food-production model.

    The initiative, attributed to Vines and Valleys Collaborative, is being framed as a grassroots alternative to emergency motel placements. Organizers say the idea is to create durable, mobile and semi-independent housing units that could be placed on underused urban plots.

    The proposal comes as Broome County faces growing scrutiny over emergency housing, especially after the fatal Knights Inn arson fire and continuing protests over motel placements.

    “Our unhoused neighbors aren’t just looking for four walls; they are looking for stability and purpose,” organizer Maria Vasquez said in the project material provided to MyBroome. “By embedding vertical micro-farms directly into the architecture of these units, residents can manage, cultivate, and sell organic greens right from their living space.”

    The project still faces a major zoning hurdle. Binghamton’s current zoning laws do not clearly recognize modular shipping containers as permanent primary dwellings. Organizers are reportedly preparing to seek a special-use variance and hope to expand the concept if municipal approval is granted.

    MyBroome supports serious discussion of creative, local and humane housing ideas. The region needs more than complaints. It needs workable alternatives that can be tested, reviewed and refined.

    MyBroome™ Then – 100 Years Ago Today in Broome County

    Recreation Park Neighbors Battle Carousel Music

    Exactly 100 years ago today, on July 25, 1926, Binghamton’s West Side was dealing with a very specific neighborhood complaint: the new merry-go-round at Recreation Park was too loud.

    Property owners near Seminary Avenue and Beethoven Street filed a municipal complaint over the carousel’s music. With windows open during hot summer nights, residents said waves of “tin pan music of a decidedly jazzy nature” were rolling into their homes.

    Commissioner of Public Works Charles W. Kress publicly vowed to intervene and force operators to lower the organ’s volume.

    Walter Hagen Draws a Massive Golf Gallery

    Golf legend Walter Hagen, the famed Rochester native and reigning PGA champion, played an exhibition match at Binghamton Country Club.

    Nearly 500 local sports fans turned out to watch him play 18 holes, making it one of the region’s premier sporting events of the summer.

    The Owego Road Chicken Wreck

    One of the strangest local stories came from the Owego highway, where George Stafford of Johnson City crashed a Coca-Cola delivery truck while trying to avoid a chicken crossing the road.

    Stafford and passenger Fred L. Goughary were injured when the truck flipped into a ditch, pinning the men underneath and scattering shattered pop bottles across the roadway.

    The chicken reportedly survived unharmed.

    Willis Sharpe Kilmer Backs the Salvation Army

    Binghamton millionaire, industrialist and Binghamton Press publisher Willis Sharpe Kilmer made a major local donation, giving $1,000 to the Salvation Army and helping push the organization’s annual campaign to its $8,000 goal.

    FOR OUR YOUNGER NEWS CONSUMERS SEE THE COVER PHOTO NEWS FLASH.

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  • MYBROOME NOW – Friday, July 24, 2026

    MYBROOME NOW – Friday, July 24, 2026

    MYBROOME NOW
    Friday, July 24, 2026
    From the MyBroome News Room

    TOP STORY

    U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates After 13th Night of American Strikes

    The military conflict between the United States and Iran escalated again overnight after a 13th consecutive night of U.S. airstrikes, leaving the region bracing for the possibility of a much wider war.

    According to the reporting provided to MyBroome, Thursday night’s American strikes targeted Iranian command centers, drone storage facilities, communications networks, maritime assets and an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy headquarters in northern Iran near the Caspian Sea.

    Iran responded with a multi-pronged wave of retaliation. Iranian military sources reported drone strikes targeting American military bases and installations in Bahrain and Jordan, while Iranian state-run media reported casualties from U.S. missile strikes across oil-rich regions, including Khuzestan. The Revolutionary Guard also claimed strikes against a U.S. base in Kuwait.

    The conflict is also spreading beyond the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump threatened Iran and Houthi forces in Yemen with what he described as major military punishment after Houthi forces expanded the maritime crisis by targeting Saudi vessels in the Red Sea.

    Diplomatic efforts appear to have collapsed. Iranian and Iraqi officials said Tehran rejected a secret U.S. cease-fire proposal reportedly delivered through Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. With the White House openly weighing larger combat operations, global energy markets reacted with anxiety as oil prices surged.

    OTHER STORIES

    Second Tornado in a Week Crosses Broome and Chenango Counties

    The National Weather Service in Binghamton has confirmed that another tornado touched down in the Greater Binghamton region within a single week.

    The latest storm began as an EF-0 near the Town of Barker in Broome County before intensifying to EF-1 strength as it moved northeast into Chenango County and eventually dissipated near Greene.

    The region is still recovering from the more severe July 18 tornado and storm damage. Emergency crews remain active in northern sections of the county, clearing downed trees, restoring localized utilities and helping residents recover from storm impacts.

    Binghamton Police Launch Summer Speeding Crackdown Near City Parks

    Binghamton Police are increasing traffic enforcement around city parks as families, children and neighborhood foot traffic increase during the summer.

    Mayor Jared M. Kraham announced the initiative as part of a broader summer safety push. Police will target speeding around park zones and high-traffic neighborhood areas where pedestrians and children are more likely to be present.

    The added enforcement will operate alongside ongoing neighborhood community policing efforts, including increased walking and bicycle patrols near residential, school and hospital zones.

    PUBLIC SAFETY / ALERTS / CRIME

    Felony Drug and Weapons Arrest in Lisle

    Kyle S. Dixon, 38, of Lisle, was arrested by the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force following a raid on Watts Road.

    Authorities reported recovering 84.4 grams of methamphetamine, a high-capacity rifle magazine and a digital scale. Dixon faces felony charges including criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of drug paraphernalia and criminal possession of a weapon.

    Legislature Disruption Cases Continue

    Salka of Binghamton was arrested by the Broome County Sheriff’s Office following a disturbance inside the Broome County legislative chambers during an ongoing public protest.

    Brian of Binghamton was detained in the same incident and faces misdemeanor-level charges including obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct.

    Both cases are expected to continue through Binghamton City Court.

    Cooking Oil Theft Suspects Ordered to Appear in Court

    Barry of Newark, New Jersey, and Nasir of Newark, New Jersey, were intercepted on Interstate 81 after authorities said they were found in a commercial box truck connected to attempted theft from local restaurant cooking oil storage units.

    The two were issued appearance tickets for Town of Union Court on August 4 on theft-related and conspiracy charges.

    All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

    Editor’s Note: NewsXR generally releases only a first name and city or town for misdemeanor cases, violations and quality-of-life offenses. We reserve the right to weigh additional factors on a case-by-case basis, including public safety, repeat conduct, official charging level, community impact and the public’s right to know.

    MISSING YOUTH UPDATE

    Ciara Lynn Culpepper Confirmed Located Safe

    The Broome County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed to MyBroome that Ciara Lynn Culpepper has been located and is safe.

    Ciara, 15, had previously been reported missing from the Fenton area. Because she is a juvenile, MyBroome is not publishing additional details about when, where or how she was located.

    This is very welcome news for her loved ones, for those who helped share her information, and for everyone who has been following the case.

    Conflicting Information Remains Around Phoenix D. Williams

    MyBroome is also continuing to seek clear confirmation on the status of Phoenix D. Williams, a 13-year-old Binghamton youth who had been listed through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

    The public NCMEC poster page connected to Phoenix’s case is currently returning a 404 error. In many missing-child cases, that can happen when a case has been resolved and the public poster is removed to protect a juvenile’s privacy.

    However, MyBroome has not yet received solid confirmation that Phoenix has been located. The Broome County Sheriff’s Office was not able to clearly confirm his status, and Binghamton Police told MyBroome that Phoenix is still missing, though the officer we spoke with did not sound entirely certain.

    Because of that conflict, MyBroome is not reporting Phoenix D. Williams as located at this time.

    Until we receive firm confirmation otherwise, the public should continue to be on the lookout for Phoenix and treat him as a missing youth. We sincerely hope the NCMEC page removal means the case has been resolved, but we are waiting for something solid before reporting that as fact.

    LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS & TRAFFIC

    Storm Cleanup Continues Across the Northern Broome Region

    Cleanup continues after the latest confirmed tornado and severe storm system moved from Broome County into Chenango County. Residents should continue watching for downed limbs, utility crews, damaged roadside areas and localized cleanup zones.

    Drivers in affected areas should slow down near crews and avoid roads where trees, wires or storm debris remain present.

    Park-Zone Traffic Enforcement Begins in Binghamton

    Binghamton’s summer speeding crackdown means drivers should expect increased police visibility near city parks and other child-heavy areas. The enforcement push is focused on reducing speeding near public spaces during peak summer activity.

    WEATHER AND 5-DAY FORECAST
    From the NewsXR Weather Center

    The Southern Tier is heading into a beautiful, sunny summer weekend before a more unsettled storm system brings thunderstorms and heavy rain chances early next week.

    Current conditions in Binghamton feature fair, sunny skies around 60 degrees, with a calm southeast wind near 4 mph and humidity around 79 percent. Temperatures are expected to climb quickly today, reaching an afternoon high near 81 under clear conditions.

    Friday: Sunny, 81 / 52, 10 percent rain chance.
    Saturday: Sunny, 82 / 58, 5 percent rain chance.
    Sunday: Partly sunny, 81 / 61, 10 percent rain chance.
    Monday: Scattered thunderstorms, 81 / 62, 65 percent rain chance.
    Tuesday: Heavy thunderstorms, 74 / 65, 75 percent rain chance.

    Friday and Saturday will bring ideal summer weather with sunshine, comfortable humidity and light winds. Sunday stays mostly pleasant, but humidity begins building ahead of the next weather front.

    Active weather returns Monday afternoon with scattered thunderstorms across the Southern Tier. Tuesday currently looks like the stormiest day of the five-day stretch, with heavy thunderstorms, periods of rain and a cooler high near 74.

    Weather 100 Years Ago Today

    One hundred years ago today, on July 24, 1926, Broome County was still dealing with the aftermath of a destructive summer wind and rainstorm that struck Binghamton and Johnson City the previous day.

    The storm snapped telephone, telegraph and trolley lines, tore down large trees, damaged crops and left Binghamton cut off from outside communication for hours. At least two residents were reported injured, and rural areas suffered serious property damage, including flattened crops and damaged structures along Conklin Road.

    The storm came after an oppressive multi-day heat wave that caused multiple cases of heat-related distress, including emergency medical commitments involving three local men who had become severely disoriented from the heat.

    REGIONAL SPORTS UPDATE FROM THE NEWSXR SPORTS CENTER

    Binghamton-area sports remain anchored by the Rumble Ponies’ mid-season Eastern League push, the approach of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Open, Binghamton University summer training cycles and the Binghamton Black Bears preparing for their next hockey season.

    The Binghamton Rumble Ponies continue in-season Double-A Eastern League play at Mirabito Stadium, giving local fans a close look at New York Mets prospects as the summer baseball schedule moves through its second half.

    The DICK’S Sporting Goods Open is also moving closer at En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott. The PGA Tour Champions event remains one of the Southern Tier’s largest annual sports attractions and a major economic and community draw.

    At Binghamton University, the Bearcats are in their summer preparation window across NCAA Division I programs, including basketball, baseball, softball and the broader America East athletic calendar.

    The Binghamton Black Bears remain in their off-season after another strong cycle in the Federal Prospects Hockey League, with the franchise preparing for the next season at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena.

    UPCOMING EVENTS

    The Southern Tier has a packed summer weekend ahead, with community festivals, live music, charity events, family activities and outdoor concerts lining up under mostly sunny skies.

    Friday, July 24

    Crest Fest 2026 begins at 6 PM at Hillcrest Park in Binghamton, featuring live music from the Bro Bros, softball, food trucks and fireworks at dark.

    Photo City Presents: Live Underground Showcase opens at 6 PM at the Bundy Museum of History and Art on Main Street in Binghamton. The all-ages indie and rock showcase includes For The Better, Reminitions, Long Way Home, In Gloom, Scvrecrvw and Isochronon.

    Saturday, July 25

    The Broome-Mazing Adventure Race begins at 10 AM at Ross Park Zoo. The United Way of Broome County campaign kickoff event sends teams through zoo-based physical challenges, puzzles and missions.

    The Stars & Stripes Family Carnival begins at 11 AM at the Kirkwood Elks Lodge on Route 11. The event includes youth games, a petting zoo, a dunk tank, a pie-eating contest, raffles, emergency vehicle displays and free meals for local military veterans.

    Live Ponies & Ranch Day begins at 1 PM at Cones Ice Cream Shop in the Port Crane area, with Twisted Roots Ranch offering children the chance to brush, groom and ride live ponies.

    Music in the Glen begins at 4 PM at Glendale Park in Endicott, featuring Front & Main performing soul-rock and classic rock in an outdoor park setting.

    Coming Up Later This Summer

    The Broome County Fair After-Party is scheduled for July 31 and August 1 at the Octagon Inn in Glen Aubrey.

    The 5th Annual Broome County Parks Beach Bash is scheduled for August 15 at Nathaniel Cole Park in Harpursville.

    EcoFest 2026 is scheduled for August 16 at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County on Front Street in Binghamton.

    Breakfast in the Woods returns Labor Day, September 7, at the Germania Picnic Grounds in Binghamton.

    The United in Diversity Festival is scheduled for October 3 at United With Christ Church in Johnson City.

    Now Playing

    Local theaters, including AMC Vestal Town Square 9 and Regal Binghamton, are carrying a competitive summer slate this weekend.

    Now playing locally: The Odyssey, Her Private Hell, Moana, Minions & Monsters and Toy Story 5.

    COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

    Meeting the Need: Christ Episcopal Church Launches “The Great Food Pantry Experiment”

    Christ Episcopal Church in downtown Binghamton is rethinking how food security is handled for working families and struggling households in the Southern Tier.

    Following the release of the 2026 ALICE Report, which showed increased pressure on households that are employed but still struggling to cover basic needs, the church is launching The Great Food Pantry Experiment.

    The idea is direct: if food pantries are open only during narrow daytime windows, many working people, single parents and residents with irregular shifts cannot use them when they need help.

    From August 4 through August 28, the pantry will test expanded operating hours from 9:30 AM to 7 PM. Volunteers will track when residents actually use the pantry, then use that information to set more practical, data-driven hours going forward.

    Rev. Scott Parnell summed up the mission clearly: “If we are open at the wrong time, we are not really serving anyone.”

    The church also plans to make its tracked data public so other congregations, nonprofits and outreach groups can better align their own services with the real needs of Greater Binghamton residents.

    MyBroome™ Then – 100 Years Ago Today in Broome County

    A Willow Point Brawl Over Bathing Suits

    One hundred years ago, Binghamton Police were called to Willow Point along the Susquehanna River after a public dispute over bathing suits spiraled into a free-for-all brawl.

    According to the historical account, a group of young men caused outrage by bathing in the river without bathing suits. Nearby families objected, words were exchanged, and the situation quickly turned into a physical fight on the riverbank.

    Police were called to restore order.

    Also in Broome County 100 years ago, Binghamton and Johnson City were recovering from a destructive wind and rainstorm that knocked out telephone, telegraph and trolley lines, damaged trees and crops, and temporarily cut Binghamton off from outside communication.

    The same period also brought a dangerous heat wave that caused serious public-health concerns, while construction was set to begin on the new Lackawanna Freight Depot on Henry Street between Fayette and Liberty streets.

    FOR OUR YOUNGER NEWS CONSUMERS SEE THE COVER PHOTO NEWS FLASH.

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    © 2026 CompanyXR Media Group – All Rights Reserved

  • MYBROOME NOW – Friday, July 10, 2026

    MYBROOME NOW – Friday, July 10, 2026

    MYBROOME NOW

    Friday, July 10, 2026
    From the NewsXR™ & MyBroome.com News Team

    TOP STORY

    11-Year-Old Boy Dies Following Binghamton Country Club Pool Emergency

    An 11-year-old boy has died following a swimming pool emergency at the Binghamton Country Club in the Town of Union, a tragedy that has shaken the Broome County community.

    New York State Police from the Endwell barracks were dispatched to the country club on Robinson Hill Road at approximately 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, after receiving reports of a child in severe distress in the swimming pool.

    Before troopers arrived, a bystander spotted the boy and pulled him from the water. He was unresponsive. Lifeguards and the bystander immediately began CPR on the pool deck, with responding troopers assisting in lifesaving efforts upon arrival.

    The boy was transported by ambulance to Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City and later airlifted to the pediatric intensive care unit at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. Despite continued medical intervention, he died Thursday, July 9.

    State Police say no foul play is suspected, but the investigation remains open as authorities work to determine the circumstances that led to the child becoming submerged. The boy’s identity has not been released.

    The Broome County Medical Examiner’s Office is handling the case to determine the official cause and manner of death.

    Calls to the Binghamton Country Club seeking information on whether the pool has reopened went unanswered.

    3 OTHER STORIES OF LOCAL INTEREST

    1. Concerns Rise After Reports of 19 ICE Detentions in 72 Hours

    Community concern is growing over an apparent surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity across Broome County.

    A local advocacy organization reported 19 ICE detentions in Broome County over a 72-hour period, while a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed that ICE routinely conducts enforcement operations in the greater Binghamton area.

    The reported surge comes amid broader debate over immigration enforcement locally and statewide. The Broome County Sheriff’s Office has previously acknowledged a formal arrangement that allows the county jail to house people already detained by ICE.

    2. The Cameo Theater Is Coming Back, But Not as a Movie Theater

    For decades, the Cameo Theater was part of neighborhood life in Binghamton. Built in 1928 as a single-screen movie house, the landmark hosted generations of moviegoers before closing and remaining vacant since 1997.

    Now, the building is being transformed.

    Local entrepreneur Damien Cornwell, who acquired the property in 2015, is working with the Broome County Urban League to redevelop the former theater as the Cameo Center for Community Engagement. The project received a major boost through nearly $1 million in state economic-development funding.

    The Cameo will not return as a traditional first-run movie theater. Instead, plans call for a 300-seat comedy club and live entertainment venue in the rear portion of the building, with the front dedicated to Urban League daycare services, youth development and career education.

    It is a new life for a building that once represented the classic neighborhood movie-going experience and then sat empty for nearly three decades.

    3. Broome County Gets Emergency Communications Funding as State Invests $110 Million

    New York State is investing $110 million to strengthen emergency communications and 911 systems, including more than $10 million across the Southern Tier.

    Broome County is set to receive more than $1.8 million through two grant programs supporting emergency communications, dispatch operations, equipment, training and system modernization.

    For residents, the practical impact is straightforward: stronger communications between first responders and upgraded systems for answering and dispatching emergency calls.

    PUBLIC SAFETY / ALERTS / CRIME

    Local Arrests

    The Broome County Sheriff’s Office released its latest weekly arrest report Thursday. In keeping with MyBroome’s established name-use policy, names are published for adults 21 and older charged with felonies. Misdemeanor defendants and defendants under 21 are not named here unless an established exception applies.

    1. Jennifer L. Boykin, 40, was charged with first-degree identity theft, three counts of second-degree possession of a forged instrument and third-degree grand larceny, all felonies, along with misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance. The charges followed a fraud investigation in the Town of Chenango.

    2. Ian M. Jennings, 22, of Port Crane, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property and tampering with physical evidence, both felonies, along with misdemeanor counts of criminal impersonation, criminal mischief and conspiracy following a stolen-property investigation in the Town of Fenton.

    3. A 19-year-old Port Crane resident was charged with misdemeanor conspiracy and criminal facilitation following a stolen-property investigation in the Town of Fenton.

    4. A 56-year-old Endicott resident was charged with misdemeanor petit larceny following an investigation in the Town of Union.

    5. A 34-year-old Scranton, Pennsylvania, resident was charged with misdemeanor operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs and multiple traffic violations following a crash investigation in the Town of Binghamton.

    6. A 39-year-old Whitney Point resident was charged with misdemeanor second-degree criminal trespass and a trespass violation following investigations in the Town of Barker.

    The Sheriff’s Office notes that its weekly summary does not represent all law-enforcement activity or arrests by other agencies.

    Binghamton Shooting Investigation Continues

    Binghamton Police have also been investigating a shooting that left one person hospitalized earlier this week. Police were searching for a suspect following the July 6 incident.

    LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS & TRAFFIC

    Local Developments

    Water Street Parking Garage and Free Saturday Parking

    Downtown visitors will have another incentive to come into the city this month. Binghamton is offering free Saturday parking throughout July in the Water Street and Hawley Street garages and the Collier Street surface lot.

    Food Pantry Expansion to Study When Hunger Hits Hardest

    Christ Episcopal Church in Binghamton is preparing a month-long schedule expansion beginning in August to better determine when residents face the greatest food insecurity. The experiment follows renewed attention to the financial pressure facing ALICE households, families that earn above the official poverty level but still struggle to afford basic necessities.

    PBA Fundraiser Supports Son of Officer Bradley Coon

    The Binghamton Police Benevolent Association has launched a GoFundMe campaign titled “Honoring Bradley by Supporting Hugo’s Future” to support the 12-year-old son of Officer Bradley Coon following his sudden death. The fundraiser quickly surpassed $10,000.

    Traffic

    Drivers should remain alert for changing summer construction zones, local road projects and intermittent delays across Broome County.

    With a thunderstorm possible Friday afternoon, any heavy downpour could also create temporary roadway flooding and poor drainage conditions. Motorists should not drive through flooded roadways.

    WEATHER AND 5-DAY FORECAST

    Current Conditions: Mostly cloudy and humid, around 73 degrees.

    Friday: Cloudy and humid with a thunderstorm possible this afternoon. Heavy downpours could temporarily flood roadways and poor-drainage areas. High near 78. Low around 61.

    Saturday: Mostly sunny and less humid. High near 80. Low around 58.

    Sunday: Mostly sunny. High near 81. Low around 59.

    Monday: Partly sunny. High near 83. Low around 66.

    Tuesday: Hot, with the temperature expected to reach around 92 degrees. Outdoor caution will be warranted, particularly during strenuous activity.

    REGIONAL SPORTS UPDATE FROM THE NEWSXR SPORTS CENTER

    Bill Clark Tears 21 Decks of Cards in 30 Seconds for a Guinness World Record

    Local strongman and lecturer Bill Clark has set a new Guinness World Record by tearing through 21 decks of playing cards in just 30 seconds, using the feat to bring attention to substance-abuse resources.

    Beyond the record itself, Clark tied the achievement to a larger purpose: directing attention toward help and recovery for people struggling with substance use.

    Rumble Ponies Speedster A.J. Ewing Reaches 75 Stolen Bases

    New York Mets prospect A.J. Ewing continues to electrify the Binghamton Rumble Ponies lineup. The 21-year-old outfielder has reached 75 stolen bases, ranking fifth across all of Minor League Baseball.

    Major League outfielder Luis Robert Jr. is also in Binghamton on an MLB rehabilitation assignment, bringing additional attention and fans to Mirabito Stadium.

    The Rumble Ponies are also preparing to temporarily transform into the Southern Tier Scoop Scoundrels from July 17 through July 19, complete with specialty branding, an ice cream social and bucket-hat giveaways.

    Black Bears Rebuild After Championship Season

    The Binghamton Black Bears are reshaping their roster after losses in the FPHL Expansion Draft.

    The defending Empire Division champions have signed rookie defenseman Marquise Brown, who arrives following postseason experience with the Durham Roadrunners in Ontario, and rookie goaltender Graham Burke, a two-time NCAA Division III national champion with Hobart College.

    Mack Patterson Honored After State Championship

    Broome County honored Chenango Valley track standout Mack Patterson after his NYSPHSAA Class C state championship in the discus. Patterson won the title with a throw of 166 feet, 2 inches.

    STAC Changes Championship Format

    The Southern Tier Athletic Conference is restructuring its tournament format for the coming school year. Traditional semifinals will be eliminated in favor of direct Large School and Small School championship games, with Metro and West division teams grouped as large schools and Central and East division teams grouped as small schools.

    UPCOMING EVENTS

    Tonight, Friday, July 10

    Colesville Super Celebration: 30th Anniversary Pearl Jubilee
    The two-day celebration begins at 5 p.m. at the Harpursville American Legion with a free family fun night and food vendors.

    Refugee Day Celebration
    The American Civic Association hosts its annual celebration from 5 to 7 p.m. at 131 Front Street in Binghamton. Guests are invited to bring food, books or photographs representing their culture.

    Saturday, July 11

    Veterans Resource Gathering
    Broome County veterans can connect with community services and benefits resources from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Broome County Regional Farmers Market. The market itself is also open Saturday.

    Colesville Super Celebration, Day Two
    Saturday’s schedule includes a parade, Wild West show, chicken barbecue, antique tractor pull, live auction and nighttime fireworks.

    Bass and Brown in the Glen
    Lori Bass-Brown and Chris Brown perform an outdoor acoustic set at Glendale Park in Endicott beginning at 4 p.m.

    Sunday, July 12

    C&G at Southside Commons
    A family-friendly outdoor performance begins at 3 p.m. on South Washington Street in Binghamton.

    Coming Next Week

    Broome Bands Together: Johnny Marsh and His Amazing Friends perform Tuesday, July 14, at 6 p.m. at Otsiningo Park. Admission is free, and CHOW will collect nonperishable food donations.

    Deposit Community Fest: Groove Method performs Thursday, July 16, at 6 p.m. at Deposit Community Park.

    Community Bazaar in Endwell: The three-day summer bazaar at the Church of the Holy Family begins Friday, July 17, at 5 p.m., with live music, carnival games, bingo and a white elephant sale.

    Windsor Pagoda Concert: The Sidney Community Band performs Friday, July 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the Windsor Village Green pagoda.

    At the Movies This Week

    Broome County moviegoers have two major commercial theaters offering daily screenings this week: Regal Binghamton at 900 Front Street and AMC Vestal Town Square 9 at 2425 Vestal Parkway East.

    Among the major titles on local screens are Moana, Minions & Monsters, Evil Dead Burn, Toy Story 5, Young Washington, Supergirl, The Invite, Disclosure Day and Obsession, with multiple daily showtimes and select 3D and premium-format screenings.

    MYBROOME™ THEN – 100 YEARS AGO TODAY IN BROOME COUNTY

    Exactly 100 years ago, on Saturday, July 10, 1926, Broome County readers opened their newspapers to a mix of Prohibition-era crime, robbery, famous visitors, new business development, church construction and boxing drama.

    One of the day’s biggest local stories involved the Windsor Inn on Windsor Road, which authorities moved to close for a full year under an injunction after the establishment had been raided twice within ten days and illegal bootleg liquor was reportedly seized.

    Another remarkable crime story involved Norman Travis, a farmer from Brookdale, who told authorities he had been robbed on Conklin Road after stopping for six travelers who offered to tell his fortune and “charm his money.” Instead, according to the account, they took his entire roll of cash and escaped in a waiting vehicle.

    Broome County also learned of the unexpected death of Dr. Robert L. Lounsberry, a prominent Binghamton insurance official who died while traveling aboard a train passing through Wisconsin.

    In local culture, internationally known Scottish entertainer Sir Harry Lauder visited the Binghamton Rotary Club ahead of a scheduled appearance at the historic Stone Opera House.

    Business news included the organization of the new Vasco Products Company, Inc., which opened a soap-manufacturing facility on Court Street in a building formerly occupied by the Bates-Troy Laundry.

    Meanwhile, architect Arthur T. Lacey completed plans with Park Avenue Baptist Church for a major new church building at Vestal Avenue and Rush Avenue.

    And in sports, local boxing fans followed the drama surrounding a proposed bout between Binghamton-area favorite Bucky Lawless and fighter Brady. A licensing dispute nearly killed the match before it was cleared to move to Star Park.

    One hundred years later, the names, businesses and buildings have changed. But crime, development, entertainment, sports and local characters were filling Broome County’s newspapers then just as they fill the news today.

    GEN Z SUMMARY

    A tragic story leads today’s MyBroome Now: an 11-year-old boy died after being pulled unresponsive from the Binghamton Country Club pool. The investigation remains open, no foul play is suspected, and calls seeking information about whether the pool has reopened went unanswered.

    Also today: local advocates report 19 ICE detentions in 72 hours, the old Cameo Theater is being transformed into a community and entertainment center, Broome County is getting money for emergency communications upgrades, and downtown Binghamton has free Saturday parking throughout July.

    In sports, Bill Clark ripped through 21 decks of cards in 30 seconds for a world record while raising awareness for substance-abuse resources. A.J. Ewing has stolen 75 bases for the Rumble Ponies, Mack Patterson was honored for his state discus title, and the Black Bears are already rebuilding for their next championship run.

    The weekend is packed with the Colesville Super Celebration, Refugee Day, veterans resources, live music and more.

    And 100 years ago today? Broome County was reading about bootleg liquor raids, a farmer robbed after being offered a fortune-telling session, a famous Scottish entertainer visiting Binghamton, a new soap factory and a boxing match nearly derailed by state licensing drama.

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  • Welcome to Broome Newswire

    Welcome to Broome Newswire

    Welcome to Broome Newswire

    By Broome Newswire on MyBroome.com, a NewsXR affiliate

    BROOME COUNTY, N.Y. – Welcome to Broome Newswire, the local news and public information center inside MyBroome.com.

    Broome Newswire now has its own dedicated home at:

    newswire.mybroome.com

    This move gives the Newswire its own independent space inside the larger MyBroome.com platform. It also gives our newsroom and publishing system room to grow without being crowded into the same file structure as the main MyBroome.com landing portal, BroomeSocial™, community features, events, marketplace tools, forums, chat areas, and future interactive services.

    That matters because MyBroome.com is not being built as a single basic website. It is being built as Broome County’s virtual town square.

    The main portal will remain:

    MyBroome.com

    Broome Newswire will serve as the local news and public information section of that platform, covering local stories, public updates, community information, public safety items, events, local government, schools, businesses, organizations, and news connected to Broome County and the surrounding Southern Tier.

    Moving Broome Newswire to its own subdomain is a forward-thinking platform decision. It allows the Newswire to operate in its own dedicated space while still remaining fully connected to MyBroome.com.

    It also helps protect the larger platform. If one section needs updates, maintenance, redesign work, expansion, or future upgrades, it can be handled without disrupting the entire MyBroome system.

    The goal is simple: each major part of MyBroome.com should have its own space, its own structure, and room to grow.

    Broome Newswire is one part of a larger local platform that will include BroomeSocial™, BroomeEvents, MarketXR, BroomeChats, Community Forums, NewsXR Sports Center, News, Weather & Sports, and future Phase Two features including MapXR – Broome County.

    Some links, pages, and features may continue to change as we build toward launch.

    MyBroome.com is scheduled for official launch on July 15, 2026, at noon.

    Until then, consider this our welcome post and our first step inside the new Broome Newswire home.

    Broome Newswire is part of MyBroome.com, Broome County’s virtual town square.

    MyBroome.com is published by CompanyXR Media Group, with NewsXR serving as the professional news and media layer of the platform.

    MyBroome.com™, BroomeSocial™ and Broome Newswire are brands of CompanyXR.