The Sentinel Media Company has come a long road to a rebirth in the last six months.

During a Thursday ribbon cutting, the company celebrated the grand opening of its new Utica location at 421 Broad St. The Utica office is the second location of Sentinel Media Company, a family-owned newspaper for six generations. 

This is one of many new moves the company has made since late 2021 that have centered on a re-branding and revisualization of the company’s direction.

This work stretched from finding a second home to re-thinking how news is gathered and presented.

“Right from the beginning, when Utica was in the crosshairs, we knew we had to have a brick and mortar location. A place where we could expand our technology and offer a flexible work environment for our employees,” said Bradley Waters, president/publisher of Sentinel Media Company.

With the latest moves, Sentinel Media Company owner Stephen Waters (Bradley’s father), reflected on the history of the company that has been family-owned since 1864.

“For the 46 years I have been at the Sentinel, the time has never been more ripe for this move. Now it is perfect and necessary because we need to broaden our base to ease the cost of subscriptions for our readers.”

Stephen Waters added that the last six generations of the Waters family have had to face difficulties.

“And I am proud of how the newest generation has handled this economy and provided the community with the local news it needs. (Bradley Waters’) skillset was necessary to join the community together to still provide valuable news.”

“I am very proud of him,” Stephen Waters concluded.

Among local officials who turned out for the event, Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri said, “It’s refreshing to know a family-owned business is expanding into the City of Utica, adding, “I’m ecstatic that (the Waters family-owned Sentinel Media Company) will be joining us in the Utica community. It’s proof of this area growing.”

State Senator Joseph A. Griffo, R-47, Rome, said, “I think this is outstanding,” and added that the Waters family is “a proven presence in our region is now taking on additional (news coverage) territory.”

“The Waters family are an exceptional family,” he said.

The Rome office of the Sentinel Media Company is located at 111 Langley Road on the Griffiss Business and Technology Park.

Langley Road is situated off of Hangar Road on the bustling business park. Residents can find Hangar Road off of the traffic circle closest to the Air City Loft Apartment Complex on Route 825. 

The Sentinel Media Company also owns the Boonville Herald.