TheObserver-Dispatch(The O-D) is anewspaperserving theUtica-Rome metropolitan areainCentral New York,circulating inOneida County,Herkimer County,and parts ofMadison County.Based inUtica, New York,the publication is owned byGannett.
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 Former Observer-Dispatch building, vacant since 2022 | |
| Type | Dailynewspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Broadsheet |
| Owner(s) | Gannett |
| Founded | 1817, asUtica Observer |
| Headquarters | 221 Oriskany Plaza,Utica,New York,United States |
| Circulation | 17,123 Daily 21,444 Sunday (as of 2018)[1] |
| Sister newspapers | The Times Telegram |
| ISSN | 0890-0329 |
| OCLCnumber | 10886202 |
| Website | uticaod |
History
edit
Eliasaph Dorchester founded the weeklyUtica Observerin 1817. The paper briefly moved toRome, New Yorkand published under the name of theOneida Observer,but returned to Utica after. The paper consolidated with theUtica Democratin 1852, bringing with it long-time editor Dewitt C. Grove, who simultaneously served asmayor of Uticafrom 1860 to 1862. TheObserver's facilities were destroyed in 1884 by a fire.[2]Construction began in 1914 on a new office for the Observer, which was completed in 1915.[3]The two-story building was expanded to three stories in 1930, with the name "Utica Observer-Dispatch" engraved in the stone above the third story windows.[4]
In 1922 the paper was purchased by Frank E. Gannett, founder of theGannett Company.Gannett purchased theHerald-Dispatchat the same time and combined the two, creating theUtica Observer-Dispatch.[3]Gannet also purchased theUtica Daily Pressin 1935. TheUtica Daily Pressand theUtica Observer-Dispatchmerged in 1987, and were renamed to the currentObserver-Dispatch.[5]Gannett owned the newspaper until 2007, when it was purchased byGateHouse Media.[6]GateHouse Media's parent company merged with Gannett in 2019, returning theObserver-Dispatchto Gannett once more.[7]
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the O-D had a weeklyBosnian languagecolumn serving theBosnian Americanpopulation in Utica.[8][9]
The company added digital delivery of news and information in January 2000 with the launch of uticaOD.com. It began online video publication in 2006.[citation needed]
In 2004, theObserver-Dispatchpurchased theMid York Weeklynewspaper, servingHamilton, New York,and seven weeklyPennysaverpublications, which are mailed throughout Oneida and Herkimer counties.[citation needed]
In January 2022, the paper announced it would cease printing its Saturday edition starting March.[10]In March, the Observer-Dispatch building was purchased by a real estate investment group.[4][11]
In September 2023, the paper announced it will switch from carrier to postal delivery via U.S. Postal Service starting Oct. 23.[12]
Awards
editTheUtica Daily Pressand theUtica Observer-Dispatchwere jointly awarded the 1959Pulitzer Prize for Public Service:[13]
For their successful campaign against corruption, gambling and vice in their home city and the achievement of sweeping civic reforms in the face of political pressure and threats of violence.
References
edit- ^"2018 Legacy NEWM Annual Reports"(PDF).investors.gannett.com.2018.
- ^Wager, Daniel E. (1896).Our county and its people: a descriptive work on Oneida County, New York.Salem, Mass.: Higginson Book Company. pp. 355–356.OCLC317926894.
- ^abNelson, Greene (1925).History of the Mohawk Valley: gateway to the West, 1614-1925, covering the six counties of Schenectady, Schoharie, Montgomery, Fulton, Herkimer and Oneida.Vol. 3. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. pp. 261–262.OCLC866075217.
- ^abHarris, Edward (March 4, 2022)."O-D building in downtown Utica sold to The Mohawk Observer, LLC".Observer-Dispatch.RetrievedMarch 7,2022.
- ^"Utica Observer-Dispatch".The encyclopedia of New York State.Peter R. Eisenstadt, Laura-Eve Moss (1 ed.). Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press. 2005. p. 1629.ISBN0-8156-0808-X.OCLC57506556.
{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: others (link) - ^Gamela, Renée (April 13, 2007). "Utica-based newspaper sold after 85 years with Gannett".Observer-Dispatch.
- ^Tracy, Marc (November 19, 2019)."Gannett, Now Largest U.S. Newspaper Chain, Targets 'Inefficiencies'".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedMarch 2,2022.
- ^Percy Kraly, Ellen; VanValkenburg, Kristin (2010). "Refugee resettlement in Utica, New York: Opportunities and Issues for Community Development". In Frazier, John W. (ed.).Multicultural geographies: the changing racial/ethnic patterns of the United States.Florence M. Margai, John W. Frazier. Albany, N.Y.: State University of New York Press. p. 145.ISBN978-1-4384-3683-8.OCLC793202791.
- ^Race and ethnic relations, 05/06.John A. Kromkowski. Dubuque, Iowa: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin. 2005. p. 3.ISBN0-07-305378-3.OCLC62235542.
{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: others (link) - ^"Observer-Dispatch to cease Saturday print publication, expand digital access".Utica Observer Dispatch.January 12, 2022.RetrievedSeptember 28,2023.
- ^"Downstate investment group new owner of former Utica OD building".WKTV NewsChannel2.March 4, 2022.RetrievedMarch 7,2022.
- ^"Observer-Dispatch transitioning to postal delivery".Utica Observer Dispatch.RetrievedSeptember 28,2023.
- ^"1959 Pulitzer Prize Winners & Finalists".www.pulitzer.org.RetrievedMarch 7,2022.