Each week, we recap some of the essential local news we reported on 1290 AM, 92.1 FM, and 93.9 FM WNBF, our Townsquare Media Binghamton sister radio stations, as well as on our websites and social media platforms.
Catch up on local and regional news items in a short recap we reported on for the week of January 12, 2026, from WNBF’s Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.
Colesville Accident: Driver Arrested After Colliding With Boat
(Don Morgan)
Friday, January 9, 2026, the Broome County Sheriff’s Office released information on a crash involving a motor vehicle and a boat. According to a news release, the Broome County Sheriff’s Department charged a man with driving while intoxicated due to a motor vehicle crash that involved a boat and a tow truck. The crash occurred on Monday, January 5, 2026, in the Town of Colesville, New York. Around 12:46 a.m., deputies from the Broome County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol responded to the report of the crash on Route 79. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a Ford Expedition had crashed under a boat, with the rear of the boat pressed against the structure of a residence. During the investigation, deputies revealed that the driver of the vehicle had left the roadway and struck the parked boat, which collided with a residence and a parked tow truck.
Broome, Tioga Events Held in Memory of Renee Good
(Bob Joseph)
Southern Tier residents gathered at separate events in Broome and Tioga counties in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of a Minnesota woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. A “silent vigil” to honor the memory of Good, organized by the Tioga County Democratic Committee, was held Sunday afternoon in Owego. Dozens of people attended a Sunday afternoon demonstration in front of the Oakdale Commons in Johnson City. That event was organized by Indivisible Binghamton and other Broome County organizations.
End of an Era: Vestal’s Iconic Skate Estate to Close
(Bob Joseph)
Time is running out for a recreational complex that’s been a landmark in Vestal for several decades. Skate Estate Family Fun Center on Vestal Road is expected to end operations permanently in the coming months. Marchuska Development acquired the site for $880,000 in July 2024. Justin Marchuska told WNBF News the property is under contract to the Williams Auto Group. He said for now, it’s “business as usual” at Skate Estate. Two town of Vestal public hearings that had been scheduled for Tuesday on the Williams Auto Group plans for the property were postponed. They have been rescheduled for February 11 at 6 p.m.
Broome County Residents Warned About Impersonation Scams
(Don Morgan)
On January 12, 2026, the Broome County Sheriff’s Office released a notice that scammers are back, impersonating detectives and deputies. The scammers have been contacting Broome County residents with the intention of soliciting money and gift cards from unsuspecting victims. So far in 2026, according to the Sheriff’s office, they have received several new reports from residents of Broome County, who have indicated they received phone calls from scammers disguising themselves pretending to be detectives or deputies. These scammers tell the victim things like their children have been arrested and require bail money paid electronically, or that the victim missed their court appearances and are threatened with warrants for arrest or thousands of dollars in fines.
Historic Johnson City Square Deal Arch to Return Soon
(Bob Joseph)
The Square Deal Arch at the Johnson City-Binghamton border may be gone, but it’s certainly not forgotten – and the landmark should be back to where it belongs this year. A Rochester-area company – Lakeland Concrete Products – is fabricating the components for the arch. Johnson City Mayor Christina Charuk said the pieces of the arch should be delivered to the village soon. Charuk told WNBF News the company is reworking some of the stonework. She expects the actual work of reassembling the arch over Main Street will start in late spring. A detour around the construction site will be needed. Traffic will be directed around the work zone for about two weeks.
Additional Charges For Broome-Tioga BOCES Employee
(Don Morgan)
On January 6, 2026, the Broome County Sheriff’s Office released a statement that on November 12, 2025, they received a referral from the New York State Child Abuse Hotline regarding inappropriate conduct between a juvenile student and a member of the Broome-Tioga BOCES faculty. After investigation, Evan Thorson of Endicott, New York, was charged with Child Endangerment and Official Misconduct. He turned himself in and was processed on January 5, 2026. On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, according to a follow-up from the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, Thorson is now facing additional felony charges after another juvenile victim was identified during an ongoing investigation into inappropriate conduct with BOCES students.
Binghamton to Crack Down on Abandoned Recreational Vehicles
(Bob Joseph)
The city of Binghamton is moving to remove old, unused recreational vehicles that have been parked on private and public properties for an extended period of time. Mayor Jared Kraham said the city has put out a request for contractors to handle the task of hauling away the illegal and abandoned eyesores. Kraham told WNBF News that he became aware of the problem last fall as he was campaigning door-to-door around Binghamton. The mayor said abandoned RVs not removed after a code citation has been issued will be hauled away, with a bill being sent to the property owner. If the owner refuses to pay, the cost will be added to the property’s tax bill.
I-81 Accident In LaFayette Involves 37 Vehicles And Injuries
(Don Morgan)
According to the New York State Police, around 2:20 p.m. on Thursday, Troopers responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash on the southbound lanes of Interstate 81, just south of Exit 73 in the town of LaFayette. The investigation determined that the crash involved approximately 18 vehicles, including three tractor-trailers, as well as several smaller crashes. The initial estimate of vehicles involved in the crash was 30, but this was later updated to a total of 37 vehicles. New York State Police report notes that four patients were transported to Upstate Medical Hospital, three to Crouse Hospital, and one to Upstate Community Hospital. While two were serious injuries, the report indicated they were not life-threatening.
Out-of-Control Car Interrupts Dinner at Endwell Pizzeria
(Bob Joseph)
Diners, pickup customers, and employees got a big surprise when a car smashed through a window at a popular pizza joint in the town of Union. A sport utility vehicle drove into the Nirchi’s Pizza shop at 701 Taft Avenue in Endwell around 5:30 p.m. Friday. Reports from the scene indicated that the Toyota Corolla was operated by a man. He was evaluated by medics at the scene. A woman and a girl who were inside the pizzeria at the time of the crash were also examined. Glass, bricks, and other debris were scattered around the damaged car. The vehicle was pulled out and hauled away on a flatbed truck less than an hour after the crash occurred.
What The New Soft Interview Room Means For Local Victims
(Don Morgan)
Details of a new Soft Interview room were detailed on January 13, 2026, in Johnson City. According to the JCPD, the newly constructed Soft Interview Room is a dedicated space that is designed to provide a safe, comfortable, and trauma-informed environment for individuals involved in sensitive investigations.  The goal of this type of room is to reduce stress and anxiety for victims and witnesses, including survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other traumatic incidents. The Soft Interview Room was funded through the New York State Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Violence Domestic Violence Grant, allowing the department to design and equip the room with a victim-centered approach.
These Deliciously Retro Food Photos Will Make You Hungry for the ’70s
From perfectly chilled shrimp cocktail to fast food that felt like a night out, ’70s food wasn’t just about eating, it was a full-on cultural moment.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
LOOK: These Are Things You’d See in a ’70s Kitchen
From mushroom decor to that iconic jug (you know the one), let’s take a nostalgic trip down memory lane to the quintessential ’70s kitchen.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz