MYBROOME NOW
Saturday, July 18, 2026
From the MyBroome News Room
TOP STORY
From NewsXR: U.S.-Iran Escalation Enters Second Week as Blockade and Retaliatory Strikes Raise Regional Risk
The U.S. and Iran have now been locked in a week-long escalation of reciprocal strikes, largely unraveling last month’s interim ceasefire and pushing the region closer to a wider military and economic crisis.
At the direction of President Donald Trump, U.S. forces have struck Iranian coastal defenses, bridges, road tunnels, surveillance sites, weapons storage areas and military infrastructure while enforcing a naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz. The administration has also imposed a 20 percent cargo charge on vessels moving through the strategic waterway.
U.S. Central Command has carried out repeated nighttime airstrikes after Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The latest operations targeted bridges, tunnels, surveillance systems and weapons storage, while the blockade continues to squeeze shipping movement through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting U.S. facilities and allied positions in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. Tehran is also warning that if the U.S. bombing campaign continues, it may escalate into what senior Iranian advisers are calling a full-scale offensive, raising concerns that political borders across the region could come under pressure.
Iranian officials report at least 50 deaths and more than 500 injuries since the latest phase of strikes intensified. Civilian disruption is also growing, with final exams for hundreds of thousands of students postponed indefinitely in coastal provinces because of bombardments, and infrastructure including bridges and railways damaged.
NewsXR continues to view Iran as a hostile enemy regime and supports U.S. military pressure aimed at ending Iran’s ability to threaten America, Israel and allied interests. Iran’s latest claim that it is fighting for survival comes as the United States has offered terms to end military pressure, while Tehran’s ruling regime has continued its posture of hostility toward America and Israel.
OTHER STORIES
Phoenix D. Williams Remains Missing From Binghamton
Phoenix D. Williams, a 13-year-old boy from Binghamton, remains missing and is today’s top local story as MyBroome continues efforts to help circulate verified information in the case.
Phoenix is described as a 13-year-old male with brown hair and brown eyes. He has been missing since July 11, 2026, making this the seventh day since he was last seen.
The case is listed through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children under case number 2095215.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Broome County Sheriff’s Office at (607) 778-1911. Because Binghamton connects directly to major travel routes across the Southern Tier and beyond, including Interstate 81, Interstate 88 and Interstate 86, regional awareness remains important.
Every share helps keep his face visible.
Hawley Street Encampment Dismantled After 24 Days
The Hawley Street encampment outside the Broome County Office Building has officially dissolved after 24 days.
The protest formed after the deadly Knights Inn fire in Endwell, where the loss of emergency motel placement exposed the severe strain on Broome County’s housing safety net. Activists used the encampment to demand emergency housing reforms, stronger tenant protections and direct investment in low-income housing options.
The camp came down after a chaotic Broome County Legislature session that ended early when protesters disrupted the chamber. Law enforcement cleared the room, and multiple people were arrested on disorderly conduct and related charges.
Organizers have since distributed remaining supplies, including tents and sleeping bags, to people facing housing insecurity.
The broader housing crisis continues later in today’s Community Spotlight.
Binghamton Approves Funding for Chenango Street Warming Center
Binghamton City Council voted unanimously to approve $120,000 in federal funding for local shelter expansion.
The money, awarded through the Community Development Block Grant program, will support the new Warming Center at United Presbyterian Church on Chenango Street. The site is being operated through a partnership between the church and the Broome County Urban League.
The expanded center is expected to provide overnight shelter resources and support infrastructure for unhoused individuals, including access to housing caseworkers.
The funding comes as local leaders continue to face pressure to move beyond emergency motel placements and toward more stable shelter and transitional housing options.
New North Side Fire Station Site Announced
Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham has announced the selected site for the city’s new North Side fire station.
The facility will be built at 419 to 423 Chenango Street, directly next to the current station. The project will replace a 66-year-old firehouse that city officials say is reaching the end of its structural and operational life.
The new station is part of the city’s broader effort to modernize public safety infrastructure.
PUBLIC SAFETY / ALERTS / CRIME
Salka Valerio and Brian Mcpeek Arrested After Legislature Protest Disturbance
Salka Valerio, 41, and Brian Mcpeek, 59, both of Binghamton, were arrested after a chaotic protest disturbance inside the Broome County Legislature chambers at the Broome County Office Building.
They are charged with disorderly conduct, obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree and resisting arrest.
The arrests followed the disruption that led to the legislative session ending early and the chamber being cleared by law enforcement.
Three Arrested After Troopers Find Cocaine and Fentanyl
Gregory Jackson, 51, Sircurtis King, 60, and Jhenna Wood, 38, were arrested after New York State Police conducted a traffic stop originating on Prospect Street in the Town of Dickinson.
Authorities said a search uncovered bulk quantities of cocaine and fentanyl.
Each is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony.
Haley F. Eisely Arrested After Retail Larceny Investigation
Haley F. Eisely, 44, of the Town of Union, was arrested by Broome County Sheriff’s Road Patrols following a retail larceny investigation.
She is charged with petit larceny, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration. Authorities said the arrest followed a physical non-compliance struggle during the investigation.
Elijah R. Gonzalez Arrested in Order of Protection Case
Elijah R. Gonzalez, 29, of Endicott, was arrested in Binghamton following a domestic investigation.
He is charged with criminal contempt in the second degree after authorities said he violated an active judicial order of protection.
Brandon F. Degroat Jr. Arrested After Evasive Traffic Stop
Brandon F. Degroat Jr., 19, of Harpursville, was taken into custody after an evasive traffic stop in the Town of Conklin.
He is charged with obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree and multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.
Federal Court: Neil Wesley Sentenced to 25 Years
Neil Wesley, 47, a Broome County resident, was sentenced in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York in Binghamton to 25 years in federal prison followed by lifetime supervised release.
Federal prosecutors said Wesley previously pleaded guilty to receipt and possession of child pornography spanning late 2024 through early 2025, with the sentence aggravated by a prior felony conviction.
Robert Scott Arraigned on Federal Narcotics Indictment
Robert Scott, 60, of Binghamton, was arraigned in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York on a federal narcotics indictment.
Scott is accused of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine. If convicted of carrying more than 40 grams of fentanyl, he faces a statutory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in federal prison.
City Launches Prosecution Over 243 Court Street Property
Binghamton officials have launched formal code enforcement prosecution against the deed-holder of 243 Court Street.
Mayor Jared Kraham said the heavily blighted, fire-damaged apartment building, located near the city’s new fire department headquarters, remains in long-term noncompliance. The case is moving through Binghamton City Court and the city’s housing code process.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS & TRAFFIC
The housing crisis remains one of the defining local issues across the Greater Binghamton area this summer.
The sudden loss of the Knights Inn as an emergency placement site exposed the region’s lack of transitional housing infrastructure and oversaturated local shelter options. The now-dismantled Hawley Street encampment kept that issue visible for 24 days, and the disruption of the Broome County Legislature this week showed how deeply the crisis has moved into local politics.
Local officials are beginning to shift resources toward longer-term infrastructure, including the $120,000 allocation for the Chenango Street Warming Center and continued pressure on blighted property owners whose long-vacant buildings could eventually become part of broader redevelopment efforts.
Drivers and residents should also monitor conditions through the afternoon and evening as severe weather moves through the Southern Tier. Flooding downpours and damaging winds may affect travel, especially on low-lying roads and in areas with poor drainage.
WEATHER AND 5-DAY FORECAST
From the NewsXR Weather Center
Binghamton is seeing moderate to heavy rain today, with a current temperature around 74 degrees, humidity near 83 percent and a southwest wind around 11 mph. The National Weather Service has issued severe weather warnings across the Southern Tier for this afternoon and evening.
The main threats include flooding downpours, localized damaging wind gusts that could exceed 70 mph and isolated tornadoes. Residents should stay weather-aware, avoid flooded roads and be ready to move indoors quickly if warnings are issued.
The storm front will also help clear out the thick Canadian wildfire smoke that triggered air-quality concerns across Central New York earlier in the weekend. Cleaner and cooler air is expected to move in behind the storm line, setting up a much clearer Sunday.
Saturday, July 18: Heavy showers early, possible cloudy break early afternoon, then heavy rain and severe thunderstorms later. High near 78, low near 69.
Sunday, July 19: Clearer post-front conditions. High 73, low 50. Northwest winds near 11 mph.
Monday, July 20: Quiet and seasonable. High 78, low 52.
Tuesday, July 21: Thunderstorm chances return. High 78, low 64. Rain chance around 65 percent.
Wednesday, July 22: Unsettled conditions possible with lingering showers or storms.
REGIONAL SPORTS UPDATE FROM THE NEWSXR SPORTS CENTER
The Binghamton Rumble Ponies returned from the All-Star break with a difficult series opener at Mirabito Stadium, falling 11-0 to the Akron RubberDucks on Friday night.
Binghamton played under its temporary weekend identity as the Southern Tier Scoop Scoundrels, but the offense struggled, managing only two hits. Akron opened the game with a three-run home run in the first inning and continued to pull away through the middle frames.
Game 2 of the series is scheduled for today at 1 p.m.
The Southern Tier Athletic Conference has confirmed a major structural change for the 2026-27 school year. STAC is eliminating its traditional semifinal games and moving to a championship format built around Large School and Small School title games. The Large School Championship will feature the Metro and West division winners, while the Small School Championship will feature the Central and East division winners.
Division realignment is also taking effect. Johnson City will move from Metro to Central, while Chenango Forks will shift from Central to East.
In track and field, Corning’s boys 4xMile team finished fourth at nationals and earned All-American status, giving the region another strong summer sports accomplishment.
Horseheads Little League also remains a regional program to watch after the 10-12 All-Stars won the District 6 title over Corning earlier this month.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Weather will be the main factor for Saturday events across Broome County and the Southern Tier. Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, strong winds and possible isolated tornadoes are all concerns during the afternoon and evening window.
The Rumble Ponies continue their weekend series against Akron today at 1 p.m. at Mirabito Stadium, playing under the Southern Tier Scoop Scoundrels specialty identity.
Community members are also encouraged to continue sharing verified information about missing 13-year-old Phoenix D. Williams of Binghamton.
COMMUNITY INSIGHT / HAPPY STORY / HISTORICAL FACT
Community Spotlight: Navigating the Southern Tier Housing Crisis
An intense shortage of affordable housing remains the defining local issue across the Greater Binghamton area this summer.
The crisis was pushed into full public view after the June 2026 fire that permanently closed the Knights Inn in Endwell. For years, the motel had served as a major emergency placement site for Broome County’s Department of Social Services. When it closed, dozens of vulnerable residents were displaced, temporary shelters were strained and the region’s lack of transitional housing options became impossible to ignore.
The Hawley Street protest outside the Broome County Office Building became the most visible expression of that frustration. For 24 days, activists camped outside county government offices, demanding emergency housing reform, stronger tenant protections and new investments in low-income housing options. The movement reached its peak this week when protesters disrupted a Broome County Legislature session, leading to security concerns and multiple arrests.
Now, local leaders are starting to shift resources. Binghamton City Council has approved $120,000 in federal funds for the new Chenango Street Warming Center, operated through a partnership between the Broome County Urban League and United Presbyterian Church. The site is expected to provide overnight support and housing casework for unhoused residents.
At the same time, the city is using code enforcement to pursue blighted property owners, including the owner of 243 Court Street. The long-term strategy is to clear dangerous, vacant and fire-damaged properties so some parcels can eventually return to productive housing use.
MyBroome™ Then – 100 Years Ago Today in Broome County
One hundred years ago today, on July 18, 1926, regional headlines focused on zoning fights, infrastructure gaps and public safety incidents.
In Binghamton, 81 Pine Street property owners petitioned the city after rumors spread that Beautiful Plain Baptist Church was looking to purchase property at 49 Pine Street. The dispute became a major zoning fight as neighbors sought changes to city law to block the proposed religious site.
In Westover, tragedy struck when a high-pressure compressed gas tank used to dispense root beer exploded inside Strevell’s Grocery Store. Four people were severely injured, and two later died from their wounds.
Behind Ross Park, fire officials blamed a destructive Morgan Road barn fire on a “petting party” of young people, saying a carelessly tossed cigarette ignited dry grass. The barn was destroyed, and a horse was killed.
Johnson City also saw the foundations of a lasting cultural institution, as Ukrainian immigrants working in local factories helped establish St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church, creating a community anchor that would last for generations.
FOR OUR YOUNGER NEWS CONSUMERS SEE THE COVER PHOTO NEWS FLASH.
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