Ben Kinne

Utica

Adirondack-raised, Oswego State alum and former volunteer firefighter. Award Winning Anchor/Reporter on WKTV NewsChannel 2. RT’s ≠ endorsements

Featured in: Favicon

wktv.com

glensfallschronicle.com

Articles

Marcy Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty in Death of Robert Brooks

1 week ago | wktv.com | Ben Kinne

UTICA, N.Y. – One of the corrections officers charged in the December death of Marcy Correctional inmate Robert Brooks pleaded guilty to 1st-degree manslaughter in Oneida County Court Monday morning. Walrath has agreed to plead guilty to 1st degree manslaughter. First CO in the Robert Brooks case to do so. @WKTV— Ben Kinne (@ben_kinneTV) May 5, 2025As part of the plea deal, 36-year-old Christopher Walrath will serve 15 years in prison with 5 years of post-release supervision.
Chobani's Rome Facility Seen As a Win by Farmers

2 weeks ago | wktv.com | Ben Kinne

REMSEN, N.Y. -- In recent years, the dairy industry in central New York has faced many challenges, but last week's announcement of Chobani’s new facility at Griffiss is coming as a breath of fresh air. "It’s definitely going to give a rebirth to the dairy industry here in upstate New York and the whole northeast because the farmers here have been lacking in processing facilities, and this plant coming online is going to be a new home," Simons Family Farm owner Ben Simons explained.
Chobani's Rome Facility Seen as win by Farmers

2 weeks ago | wktv.com | Ben Kinne

REMSEN, N.Y. – In recent years, the dairy industry in Central New York has faced a lot of challenges, but last week's announcement of Chobani’s new facility at Griffiss is coming as a breath of fresh air. "It’s definitely going to give a rebirth to the dairy industry here in upstate NY and the whole northeast because the farmers here have been lacking in processing facilities, and this plant coming online is going to be a new home," Simons Family Farm owner Ben Simons explained.
Remains of Boonville Soldier to Return Home 82 Years After his Death

3 weeks ago | wktv.com | Ben Kinne

BOONVILLE, N.Y. – After 82 years, a native son of Boonville lost in World War II will be coming home. Private Harland Hennessey was the area's first casualty in World War II. Hennessey served in Company B of the 803rd Engineering Battalion. He was stationed in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded in 1941. Following the American surrender in 1942, Hennessey would become a Japanese prisoner of war. He would be one of the thousands forced to march 65 miles to the prison camp where they'd be held.
Remembering the Little Falls Gulf Curve Railroad Disaster 85 Years Later

3 weeks ago | wktv.com | Ben Kinne

Little Falls, N.Y. – It was a cold and rainy night on April 19th, 1940. A dance at the Benton Hall Academy was just ending around 11:30 p.m. Current Mayor Deborah Kaufman's uncle was among the attendees. "They had just left the dance and were going to do some joyriding and then heard this huge explosion and started driving towards it," Mayor Kaufman said. That explosion was the New York Central's Lakeshore Limited Line coming off the tracks at an area known as Gulf Curve.
Behind the Scenes at Oneida County 911 Center

4 weeks ago | wktv.com | Ben Kinne

ORISKANY, N.Y. -- Every day, hundreds of emergency calls are answered inside the Oneida County Emergency Communications Center in Oriskany. "It’s been said before, I’m not the first to say it, dispatchers are the first, first responders in many instances they are the ones answering the calls, gathering the information for those first responders actually going to the scene," said Oneida County Emergency Services Director Ed Stevens. Being a dispatcher is a demanding job with a lot of training.
Local Business Adapts to A Changing Economy

1 month ago | wktv.com | Ben Kinne

ORISKANY, N.Y. – The last few weeks have been filled with uncertainty surrounding the economy. From tariffs to an up-and-down stock market. Giotto Enterprises saw an opportunity emerge and decided to take advantage. "The president's announcement and his initiative to revamp US manufacturing and also working to promote Made in New York is the foundation of a number of great initiatives," Mark Cushman, Giotto Enterprises Vice-President of Organizational Development and Human Resources, said.
Big Plans in the Works for Historic Waterville Church

1 month ago | wktv.com | Ben Kinne

WATERVILLE, N.Y. – It’s one of the oldest churches in Oneida County. The Waterville Presbyterian Church. Built in 1873, the church has been a staple of the village. For the building's newest owner, owning it is a dream come true. "I’ve always wanted a church. I’ve been looking for a church for about 10 years. I've toured a bunch of them, but I had never put in any offers. This was the first church I actually put in an offer on.
Local College Students Battle With Business Plans

1 month ago | wktv.com | Ben Kinne

MARCY, N.Y. -- Local college students battled it out for the chance at $2,000, but it wasn't a battle on the field or court but rather in the classroom. Students had 10 minutes to convince judges why their plan was the best. They were divided into six categories: food and agricultural tech, products and hardware, services and software, learn, work and live, safety, power and mobility, and health and well-being. "I am always impressed because they think of things that I would never think of.
Center for Medicaid Services Inspection Details Issues at Wynn Hospital Cardiac Unit

1 month ago | wktv.com | Ben Kinne

UTICA, N.Y.– It’s been almost 11 months since officials at Wynn Hospital paused the cardiothoracic surgery program because of a program review and immediate jeopardy issued by the state. Investigators from the center for Medicaid services conducted a survey of the hospital beginning in March of 2024 and lasting all the way until May 3rd, just 5 days before the program was paused.