Rome Sentinel Will Use Postal Service, Eliminate Delivery Drivers

Just as the Rome Sentinel is announcing expansion of news coverage into the region, independently contracted delivery drivers say they are being cut from the paper's business strategy.

According to a letter provided to Townsquare Media by a driver who asked not to be identified, the Rome Sentinel will begin on February 1st, using the United States Postal Service to deliver its daily and Sunday newspapers, eliminating the traditional contracted delivery to subscribers and businesses. The final day for traditional delivery will be January 30th, according to the letter.

The letter from Rome Sentinel President Bradley Waters said that beginning on February 1st, the paper will be delivered by the Postal Service. "Our new mission is to deliver reliable community news to all of Oneida, Herkimer and Madison Counties," Waters said in the letter.

Get our free mobile app

The move comes as rumors and evidence of Gannett's downsizing of staff and facilities in Utica and Herkimer have limited the services provided by the papers. One is example is the fact that the Observer Dispatch didn't print on Christmas and New Year's weekends. The Thursday edition on both holiday weekends served as the printed version of the paper for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Additionally, staff at the Observer Dispatch has been moving out of its iconic Oriskany Street location, making way for the building to be auctioned off with a starting bid of $150,000. The building's auction is set for January 18th.

Current drivers contracted for delivery with the Rome Sentinel will have the opportunity to apply for routes delivering bundles to stores, vending boxes and post offices beginning on February 1st, according to the letter. Further details on those positions are available through the circulation department at 315-337-4000.

The Rome Sentinel was first published on July 15, 1852 and has been printed daily since the 1880s. The paper, currently owned by the Waters family, has been family owned and operated since its inception.

WIBX has reached out to the Rome Sentinel and is awaiting comment.

Fatal Fire in New York City's Bronx Borough on January 9, 2022

12 Valuable Vinyl Records to Look For in 2022

Vinyl records are hot once again and there are many of the classics that are worth a lot of money. Mighty John the Record Guy is one of the nation's top experts on vinyl records from www.MoneyMusic.com, and he has a list of 12 records from the Pop, Rock and Roll and even the pre-war Blues era, that are worth a lot of money to kick off 2022. Check this list carefully because you might have one of these records in your attic. Record values are subject to change and are mostly based on the quality of the record. It's also almost always important to have the record picture sleeve, if applicable.

Fox Host Failla Reaches USA from WIBX Studio in Utica

The host of Fox Across America with Jimmy Failla which airs coast to coast and on WIBX 950 and 106.9 FM weekdays from noon 'til 3, was in Utica this past weekend. Jimmy Failla sat in on the Keeler in the Morning Show on Friday morning December 3, 2021, and then did his national show on FOX News Radio from WIBX's studio.

Failla is a former New York City cab driver turned stand up comic and over the weekend, he performed 4 sell-out shows at Utica's Fat Katz Comedy Club in Washington Mills.

Check out some snap shots from the weekend.

Utica's Chicken Riggies Dish Wasn't Invented in Utica? Say It Isn't So.

The now-famous Utica Chicken Riggies recipe has taken on a life of its own. The dish is now found well outside the Utica-Rome area and it's getting more and more popular as word spreads around the northeast. While there are many variations of the dish today, there's still only one original recipe. So, who created the first "Riggies" recipe and where did it really originate.

Source: Rome Sentinel Will Use Postal Service, Eliminate Delivery Drivers

Filed Under: Observer Dispatch, rome sentinel

Categories: New York News