Alex Cooper
Observer-Dispatch
New York, NY, United States
Contact Alex
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Alex:
Utica refugee family of 11 look forward to normal school year with friends
Six Utica siblings dream of school without masks or stress, but with teachers in the same room, new friends, more motivation and 'normal' graduations. → Read More
Learning at home, Utica freshman mourns not experiencing 'how it is' in high school
Utica siblings happy to be heading back to school, except 9th grader who must continue remote classes → Read More
'The best education while being safe' top priority at Utica academy. An in-depth look
Utica Academy of Science Elementary School balances difficult decisions during COVID-19 pandemic. Get an in-depth look inside the school's protocols. → Read More
From refugees to students, Utica family traces path toward hope and peace
The children in this Utica family say their focus on education is a way to honor their elders' journeys as refugees. → Read More
Rescue Mission of Utica provides resident with his first house
John Smythe said he plans to move into the new house during 2021 after qualifying for all the criteria needed for such a donation. → Read More
Holiday meals bring holiday smiles in Ilion
The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Mohawk Valley in Ilion delivered some holiday joy Wednesday, providing members of its adult day care program with pre-cooked Thanksgiving meals. → Read More
Controlled Chaos? Or another day of remote learning for this Utica Family?
Routine is becoming "a norm," but distractions abound for this Karen family that is learning remotely. → Read More
In Karen family of 11, English and technology are hurdles for 6 remote learners
The family originally from Myanmar has six students who are learning remotely, and the middle child has taken lead in helping her siblings in school. → Read More
Getting out the vote: MWPAI hosts voter registration event
Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute in Utica hosted an in-person voter registration drive Thursday.Members of the Utica-Rome Chapter of the League of → Read More
Don’t Bring It Home initiative in Utica provides free COVID-19 supplies
UTICA — In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mohawk Valley Frontiers organization, a service organization that gives back to the community, distributed COVID-19 mitigation packages Friday as part of its Don’t Bring It Home service initiative.The event took place from 3 to 6 p.m. or until supplies lasted at The Empowerment Center at 230 James St.Masks, hand sanitizers, touchless door… → Read More
Gillibrand visits Rome, pushes to extend pandemic SNAP benefits
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand visited the George R. Staley Elementary School food pantry in Rome on Wednesday as part of a push to extend the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program.The P-EBT Program provides nutritional resources to families who have lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to school closures. Children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals for… → Read More
School supplies, PPE provided to kids in Utica
UTICA — The Muslim Community Association of the Mohawk Valley and Islamic Circle of North America worked together to host a free bookbag giveaway → Read More
Johnson Park Center in Utica celebrates 25 years with food, school supplies giveaway
UTICA — The Johnson Park Center is hosting a three-day food giveaway as a way to celebrate the organization’s 25th anniversary.Tuesday was the second of the three-day "Days of Celebration" event along the 1400 block of West Street. The nonprofit center is a community organization that provides housing and support services from within Utica’s Cornhill neighborhood.Monday featured a drive-thru… → Read More
New $9 million office building project in Rome takes shape
ROME — Bonacio Construction hosted a beam-raising ceremony Wednesday to commemorate the construction of a new 45,000-square-foot office building at Griffiss Business and Technology Park.The three-story office building, scheduled for completion next year, is expected to create about 300 new jobs. The building will be leased by two office tenants in the intelligence and cybersecurity… → Read More
Demonstration in Utica opposes NY policing proposals
UTICA — Indivisible Mohawk Valley and Central NY Citizen Action conducted a peaceful demonstration Friday at the Oneida Square roundabout.The gathering was organized in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and as a response to the recently endorsed New York state 10-point policing proposal.At least seven of the 10 laws proposed by sheriffs across the state have been introduced as bills in… → Read More
MVCC students to restore helicopter for Vietnam Veterans Memorial
ROME — The New York State Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Inc. took possession of a UH-1 Huey helicopter on Saturday morning, which was → Read More
Sprucing up Utica, Rome parks
UTICA — United Way of the Mohawk Valley was joined by local companies and volunteers Wednesday to spend the day on four volunteer projects as part of their annual Day of Action.Two groups of volunteers installed "Born Learning" signs along park trails at Quinn Park in Utica and Pinti Field in Rome. The signs are developed to help encourage early childhood education and learning through… → Read More
Local public safety awards presented
UTICA — Five awards were presented to public safety workers Tuesday at City Hall.Mayor Robert Palmieri, police Chief Mark Williams, fire Chief Scott Ingersoll and multiple members of American Legion Post 229 in North Utica presented the following awards:— Fire Lt. William Scherer and firefighter Esheer Kenyaw were given Co-Firefighter of the Year awards.— Investigator William Williams and U.S.… → Read More
MWPAI museum opens doors again
UTICA — A historic, cultural symbol of downtown is back after closing its doors due to the pandemic.Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute’s → Read More
Cooling off at Delta Lake
Delta Lake State Park was a popular spot Saturday to hit the beach and cool off while enjoying Independence Day.The park is open for the season, albeit → Read More