Binghamton adds stops signs to Grand Boulevard at Crestmont Road intersection
Mayor Rich David’s office says the newly added stop signs improve the safety of the intersection along with the crosswalks and parking lines for parking on the street. The city of Binghamton added stop signs to Grand Boulevard at the intersection of Crestmont Road Wednesday. BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — The intersection of Grand Boulevard and Crestmont Road is now an all-way stop. “We’ll continue to work with residents, the Binghamton Metropolitan Transportation Study and West Side Councilwoman Sophia Resciniti on long-term safety improvements on Grand Boulevard,” said Mayor David in an official press release sent to 12 News. The mayor’s office says 16 car accidents happened at the intersection in a five-year period. They say over 5,600 vehicles pass through the intersection a day.
“We just had a small group and we went, we did it on Monday. It happened to be a sunny beautiful day. We picked, I think, 2,400 daffodils, approximately that,” said volunteer Denice Peckins. CANDOR (WBNG) — As the weeks have gone on, the Zamoiski family and the Daffodil Daze volunteers realized residents wouldn’t be able to come out and see the thousands of beautiful flowers that were planted. Even still, the Zamoiskis and volunteers are looking for ways to still donate to health care workers if possible. “We owe our health care workers so much and they’re sacrificing so much. It would be nice if we could share some joy with them too,” said Ahart. After chatting with Joy’s daughter Nancy, who’s in Vermont, a group got together. “At the Open Hearts Dinner we have flowers here to give away with our drive-thru. There’s also flowers going to the food pantry to be given out with food boxes,” said Peckins. Their thoughts then turned to how the donation program in honor of Joy Zamoiski, Operation Extend the Joy, could continue. “I think we have been able to see the really best in people in this time of difficulty and I think, coming back to Joy Zamoiski, that’s exactly what she represented. You make the best of it, always,” said Ahart. “We were just trying to figure out, OK here’s all these thousands of daffodils. You know the Daffodil Daze, the festival was canceled, but the Share the Joy afterwards is the part that’s really important in memory of her mom,” says Daffodil Daze Volunteer Denise Ahart. Putting in lots of hard work to simply bring the community happiness in a tough time, something Joy Zamoiski would be proud of. Typically these flowers are taken to hospitals and nursing homes in the community. This year, that had to be adjusted a bit.
—– BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — The Binghamton Fire Department tells 12 News there was significant structural damage to the building. BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — At least two people had to be taking to the hospital after an early-morning building fire in Binghamton. Our 12 news crew at the scene also saw at least two people on stretchers being loaded into ambulances. No word on the severity of the injuries or what caused the fire in the first place. 10:31 A.M. UPDATE: Fire officials say the damage was limited to the back of the building and the second and third floors. They say the fire affected about 15-20% of the building. They say the cause of the fire is still under investigation. 12 News spoke with a resident, who lived in the building, and said she woke up to her neighbor running down the stairs and yelling “Get out! There’s a fire!” The fire department says there were 10 total unit, seven were occupied and the rest got out safely. The fire department tells 12 News that two residents were send to the hospital due to smoke inhalation, but the severity of their injuries is unknown. They also say Binghamton Police sent one officer to the hospital for an unknown injury. It happened around 3:30 a.m. at 193 Matthews Street in the city. Stick with 12 News as this is a developing story and we’ll look to learn more throughout the day.
There will be a requirement to wear masks and maintain social distance at the farm. This year, the maze is designed to spell “Harvesting Memories.” In 2019, the maze designed to honor emergency services. NEWARK VALLEY (WBNG) — Stoughton Farms in Newark Valley announced it will reopen to the public on Sept. 19 on its Facebook page.
The farm will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Households that order a basket will receive a confirmation number from 211. That number will be needed to pick up the basket. To sign up for a Thanksgiving basket, you will need to call the United Way of Broome County’s 211 phone number sometime between Sept. 8 to Oct. 16 during its business hours between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Families that order a basket will receive a letter detailing the time and date they can pick their food up about one to two weeks before Thanksgiving. Families should expect to pick their basket up between Nov. 20 and 23. VESTAL (WBNG) — Catholic Charities of Broome County will give out free Thanksgiving baskets this year for families in need. There will not be in-person sign-ups due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The baskets will contain food for a family holiday meal. Baskets will be limited to one per household in need, Catholic Charities says. The charity also asks callers to have information on hand for every person in the household before making the call to 211.
Liz Woidt, Director of Parks, Recreation and Youth Services, says luckily the department didn’t have to make too many changes because this is a safe outdoor event. Groups and organizations are given three days to set up and three days to tear down their displays. “So there’s not really much crossover with people here, aside when they come into the park,” Woidt said. “Which it’s a lot of our park goers who just come and walk through as they would routinely anyways.” The Broome County Parks, Recreation and Youth Services Department says there aren’t too many changes to the contest this year. Woidt also mentioned even though the county saw a rise in COVID-19 cases recently, the Broome County parks are still a safe place for people to get outside and get active. Voters are able to vote either by paper ballot or by a QR code to vote online. All displays are six feet apart. BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — Voting for the 5th Annual Scarecrow Contest and Display in Otsiningo Park began Monday. Voting for the contest ends Oct. 18th.
Superintendent Eric Knolles says he is waiting on some bureaucratic paperwork in order to begin the mass testing and says he is ready, adding that if it doesn’t happen soon, then school will have to move to remote learning only. Tioga County officials also say they are in constant communication with other counties like Broome and Chemung. WAVERLY (WBNG) — The Governor’s office announced earlier this week that Waverly in Tioga County has entered into the Yellow Zone as a coronavirus focus zone due to a rise in cases. They say that it’s most important that the county get testing under control, but they reveal that access to testing is not as easy as it seems. 
Officials in Tioga County say they were not to surprised by the announcement, adding that due to being next to neighboring counties like Chemung and Broome, it was inevitable. Other officials in Tioga County add that it’s important to increase testing. They also say that the community needs to listen and adapt to the new regulations, adding that because of Tioga’s proximity to Pennsylvania, it will be challenging.