 | |
 Former Observer-Dispatch building, vacant since 2022 | |
| Type | Dailynewspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Broadsheet |
| Owner | USA Today Co. |
| 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 |
| OCLC number | 10886202 |
| Website | uticaod |
TheObserver-Dispatch, often referred to asThe O-D, is anewspaper serving theUtica-Rome metropolitan area inCentral New York, circulating inOneida County,Herkimer County, and parts ofMadison County. Based inUtica, New York, the publication is owned byUSA Today Co..
Eliasaph Dorchester founded the weeklyUtica Observer in 1817. The paper briefly moved toRome, New York and published under the name of theOneida Observer, but returned to Utica after. The paper consolidated with theUtica Democrat in 1852, bringing with it long-time editor Dewitt C. Grove, who simultaneously served asmayor of Utica from 1860 to 1862. TheObserver's facilities were destroyed in 1884 by a fire.[2] Construction began in 1914 on a new office for theObserver, 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-Dispatch at the same time and combined the two, creating theUtica Observer-Dispatch.[3] Gannet also purchased theUtica Daily Press in 1935. TheUtica Daily Press and theUtica Observer-Dispatch merged 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-Dispatch to Gannett once more.[7]
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, theO-D had a weeklyBosnian language column serving theBosnian American population 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-Dispatch purchased theMid York Weekly newspaper, servingHamilton, New York, and seven weeklyPennysaver publications, which are mailed throughout Oneida and Herkimer counties.[citation needed]
The paper ceased printing its Saturday edition starting in March 2022.[10] Also in March, the Observer-Dispatch building was purchased by a real estate investment group,[4][11] and eventually occupied by acannabis dispensary.[12]
On October 23, 2023, the paper switched from carrier to postal delivery via theU.S. Postal Service.[13]
TheUtica Daily Press and theUtica Observer-Dispatch were jointly awarded the 1959Pulitzer Prize for Public Service:[14]
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.
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