Fire Damages Home on Medford Street

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.) -- A fire did significant damage to a Binghamton home on Thursday afternoon before firefighters were able to put it out.

According to the Press & Sun Bulletin, the fire was first noticed around 4:30 p.m. after one of the residents returned home and saw smoke coming out of the bedroom window. She called 911 and firefighters soon arrived at the house, located at 32 Medford Street.

Once they were at the scene, firefighters were able to put out the flames fairly quickly, though the bedroom was badly damaged. Binghamton Fire Assistant Chief Steven Faughnan told the Press & Sun Bulletin that had the bedroom door not been closed, the fire would probably have spread and done much more damage.

No one was home at the time of the fire.

Investigators are looking into the cause of the blaze.

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BU Wrestling Coach Suspended Without Pay Following Arrest

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.) -- The coach of Binghamton University's wrestling team has been suspended for two weeks without pay after being arrested in Iowa last Friday.

The university's wrestling team is in Des Moines, Iowa to compete at the NCAA Division I championship event.

In a statement obtained by the Press & Sun-Bulletin, the university said that wrestling coach Matt Dernlan was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and public intoxication. He has since pled guilty to the charges and paid a fine of $65.

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Update: Man Charged with Murders of Estranged Wife, Other Man

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.) -- A man originally identified as a person of interest in the murder of his estranged wife and another man in Binghamton, has been arrested and charged in connection with the two murders.

Aaron Powell, 39, was arrested in Montrose, Pennsylvania on Tuesday morning and charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of his estranged wife Christina Powell, 35, and Mario Masciarelli, 24.

Aaron Powell  later pleaded not guilty to the charges, published reports stated.

The victims were found dead at Christina Powell's home on Lisi Lane last Friday.

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Broome County DMV Office to Close on Easter Weekend

(ENDICOTT, N.Y.) -- The Endicott Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Office that usually has Saturday hours in the Broome County area will close on Saturday, March 30 in observance of Easter weekend.

The Endicott DMV Office is located at 124 Washington Avenue in Endicott.

All Broome County DMV offices will reopen on Monday, April 1 and resume normal business hours.

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Victim's Estranged Husband Is Person of Interest in Double-Murder

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.) -- Authorities have identified Aaron Powell as a person of interest being sought in connection with a double-murder in the Town of Binghamton.

Dead are Christina Powell, 35, and Mario Masciarelli, 24. The bodies of both victims were found in Christina Powell's home on Lisi Lane on Friday.

Aaron Powell is the estranged husband of Christina Powell.

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Citizens Police Academy to Begin in April

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.) -- The Binghamton Police Department is inviting residents to participate in the spring 2013 Citizens Police Academy (CPA), which will run from Wednesday, April 10 to Wednesday, June 12.

The CPA is a free 10-week class that highlights the various units within the police department, with each class taught by the officers themselves.  Citizens will be learning about SWAT, Special Investigations, CSI, K-9, Patrol Division, Computer Forensics and firearms training.

The classes will be held every Wednesday during the 10-week period from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall.

To register for the academy, please call the Binghamton Police Department at 607-772-7093.

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Binghamton POW Honored After Nearly 70 Years

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.) -- James E. Wood, a Binghamton resident who served in the Army Air Force during World War II, was honored with six service medals on Wednesday by Broome County Executive Debbie Preston.

After nearly 70 years, Wood was presented with the Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European Medal, the African & Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Air Medal and the POW Medal.

“The extraordinary service of Jim Wood is a testament to an incredible generation, who gave of themselves to protect the rights of citizens from across the globe,” said Preston. “It’s with the greatest respect and highest honor that we award six medals to him.”

“Jim Wood is one of only a couple living POW’s here in Broome County,” added Veterans Services Director Brian Vojtisek. “It wasn’t uncommon for veterans to receive medals years after their honorable discharge from the service, but 70 years is an astonishing lapse of time.”

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Suspect Charged in Johnson City Stabbing

(JOHNSON CITY, N.Y.) -- A 54-year-old man has been charged in connection with a stabbing in Johnson City on Tuesday afternoon.

The stabbing reportedly happened at a residence on Main Street Terrace during a dispute. Police say Arthur Besanson stabbed another man with a knife, with Besanson also being injured in the altercation, according to media reports.

Both men were treated at an area hospital and released.

Besanson has since been charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

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Chenango Forks Fire Chief Arrested for Improper Use of Vehicle

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.) -- The Chief of the Chenango Forks Fire Company has been arrested for improper use of an official vehicle.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office says Lewis Merritt, 57, was arrested for allegedly falsifying paperwork to obtain a vehicle for personal use that had been donated to the fire company.

Merritt is charged with offering a false instrument for filing, which is a felony, and official misconduct, which is a misdemeanor.

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$2.3 Million Bridge Construction Project Begins

(ALBANY, N.Y.) -- A $2.3 million project to replace the decks on two bridges over State Route 17 in the Sanford section of Broome County kicks off on Monday.

The bridges carry Oquaga Lake Road and Gulf Summit Road.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the start of the project, which is part of the NY Works program.

"The NY Works program ensures that New York State has a safe and stable infrastructure to support our economy," Cuomo said in a statement. "Under our Drivers First initiative, construction on this project will progress in a way that provides the least hassle for motorists traveling in the greater Binghamton area, so that we can get the work done quickly and efficiently."

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