Binghamton Area News Roundup 5/31/26: Jail Outbreak, Homelessness Initiative, Cannabis Crackdown and More

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‼️Must-Reads

🤢Salmonella Outbreak Affects 300+ Inmates at Broome County Jail

320 inmates at the Broome County jail, over two-thirds of the people incarcerated there, were struck with a Salmonella infection from contaminated chicken salad (NC34).

Broome County Health Department officials say this is one of the largest salmonella outbreaks ever in New York State. Testing of other food samples is ongoing, and the jail was deep cleaned. 10 people were hospitalized as a result of the infection.

One inmate has filed a lawsuit alleging negligence of Sheriff Fred Akshar and the county (Press & Sun)

⛺Broome County Starts Homelessness Solutions Initiative

Broome County officials have opened a Request for Proposals for the development of a new emergency shelter system in Broome County, wanting to move away from emergency hotel and motel placements (NC34). The county is seeking organizations with expertise in homeless systems planning, emergency & transitional housing, landlord engagement, motel conversion, affordable housing predevelopment, and modular or alternative construction.

Millions of dollars are spent every year on housing people in hotels and motels, which has increased significantly year over year (WBNG). This comes following sweeps of homeless encampments in the City of Binghamton (WBNG), and the murder of a homeless man by teenagers in late April (WSKG).

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said millions cannot keep being spent without long-term solutions that restore dignity, improve outcomes, protect taxpayers and help people find a path to a home.

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