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NCPR News Staff: Joanna Richards
Watertown Correspondent
Joanna Richards grew up in Louisville, Kentucky but feels like a true north country native now that she owns winter boots rated for temps down to forty below zero. She worked for an alt weekly paper, as an associate editor for the NPR series This I Believe, and as a staff writer for an arts and entertainment weekly in Louisville, before moving to Watertown in 2008 to work as a reporter for the Watertown Daily Times.
She's thrilled to be working in radio again as the Watertown correspondent for North Country Public Radio and especially enjoys doing stories about intriguing local subcultures. Outside of work, she is a regional explorer, vegetarian cook, and regular volunteer for various community groups, as well as a voracious reader, aspiring pool shark and an orange belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. E-mailStories filed by Joanna Richards
Watertown City Council meeting on March 4, 2013. Watertown mayor Jeff Graham, presiding, voted against making changes to the city's zoning code that essentially aimed to ban roommates. Photo: still from City Council video.
Watertown catches flack for "roommate ban"
Watertown, NY, Mar 08, 2013 — The Watertown City Council has gotten a lot of pushback and even ridicule in the media recently for passing what's being referred to as a "roommate ban." Last month, in response to a neighbor dispute, the City Council removed language from the zoning code that allowed the renting out of rooms in single-family homes. But city planning officials say the regulatory change is completely unenforceable. Go to full article
NCPR Reporter Joanna Richards learns wood splitting at a workshop for women. Photo: Chelle Lindahl
Women learn art of wood splitting at hands-on workshop
Colton, NY, Mar 04, 2013 — Reporter Joanna Richards is a city girl. But since she moved to the North Country four years ago, she's been boning up on the traditions and culture of rural life. She had a chance recently for a bit of North Country skill building, in a workshop on wood splitting especially for women. Go to full article
A homecoming ceremony at Fort Drum. NCPR file photo
What the sequester means for Fort Drum, North Country
Fort Drum, NY, Feb 28, 2013 — The across-the-board federal spending cuts known as the sequester are set to kick in Friday, if there's no agreement between Congress and the president. That means a big impact for defense spending, including for Fort Drum, an important economic driver for the North Country. Go to full article
Matthew Turcotte works at his office in Clarkson University's small business incubator in downtown Potsdam. Photo: Joanna Richards
Clarkson U. junior is also business magnate
Potsdam, NY, Feb 26, 2013 — Many 16-year-olds might dream about starting their own business. But it takes a special kind of teenager to turn an operation launched in his parents' basement into a six-figure profit earner in just four years. After succeeding wildly with his web development and design company, North Shore Solutions, Clarkson University junior Matthew Turcotte, now age 20, is embarking on his second venture: commercial real estate. Go to full article
AMPA advocates for the rights of partners and spouses of same-sex couples in the military.
How same-sex military couples feel about benefits news
Watertown, NY, Feb 12, 2013 — Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced yesterday that in line with the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, some spousal benefits will be given to same-sex service members and their partners.
The federal law known as the Defense of Marriage Act still prohibits many of the major spousal benefits, like housing and health care, from being extended to same-sex couples. But Panetta's announcement still had advocates for gay service members cheering. Go to full article
The federal law known as the Defense of Marriage Act still prohibits many of the major spousal benefits, like housing and health care, from being extended to same-sex couples. But Panetta's announcement still had advocates for gay service members cheering. Go to full article
Will Farr, of Farr Auto Sales, says the new connector road has alleviated traffic along Route 342 - and that helps customers get in and out of his lot more efficiently. Photo by Joanna Richards
Businesses bypassed by new I-81 connector road have mixed reactions
Watertown, NY, Feb 08, 2013 — Until recently, the only way to drive between Route 11 and Interstate 81 near Fort Drum was a two-lane road, Route 342. As the Army base grew, local businesses flocked there to serve the increasing traffic.
But the state built an $87 million bypass to ease traffic and give military vehicles a direct route to Fort Drum's main gate. I-781, as it's known, opened last December. Local shop owners have had mixed reactions to the new road. Go to full article
But the state built an $87 million bypass to ease traffic and give military vehicles a direct route to Fort Drum's main gate. I-781, as it's known, opened last December. Local shop owners have had mixed reactions to the new road. Go to full article
Darius Gibbs, a former soldier and member of the Watertown Sportsmen's Club, aims a rifle at the range. Photo: Joanna Richards
How soldiers feel about the gun debate
Watertown, NY, Feb 06, 2013 — The gun control debate has reached a new pitch following the passing of the SAFE Act in New York state. But how do the Army and soldiers -- who work with weapons every day -- handle guns, and how can that inform the civilian debate? Go to full article
Addie Russell speaking to visiting students from Potsdam Middle School in the Assembly Chamber in March 2012. Photo: NY Assembly website
Russell: Change in school aid formula would help poorer districts
Watertown, NY, Feb 04, 2013 — Democratic Assemblywoman Addie Russell, of Theresa, thinks the current state school aid formula is broken. She says it benefits wealthier districts at the expense of poorer ones, and that legislation she's introduced would make the formula more equitable. Go to full article
NY Congressman Bill Owens at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Fort Drum's Warrior Transition Battalion Complex in May 2012. Photo: Army Medicine, CC some rights reserved
Owens: Fort Drum in good shape as Army considers cutbacks
Watertown, NY, Jan 29, 2013 — The U.S. military is in the process of cutting almost half a trillion dollars from its budget over ten years. The Pentagon says the cuts will lead to a more agile force with a new strategic mission. A new Army report weighs alternatives for restructuring that could affect Fort Drum. Under one scenario, the post could see an increase of 3,000 soldiers, but under another, it could lose up to 8,000 soldiers and 15 percent of its civilian workforce. Go to full article
US Army photo of women training for combat. Photo: www.army.mil
Soldiers welcome news on women in combat, with some reservations
Fort Drum, NY, Jan 24, 2013 — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced Wednesday that a ban on women serving in combat roles in the military will be lifted over the coming years.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called it a proud day for our country. She issued a statement, noting that she fought for a Defense Department feasibility report on lifting the ban.
She writes, "This decision finally opens the door for more qualified women to excel in our military and advance their careers, and obtain all of the benefits they have earned."
And, officially recognizing women in combat "will strengthen our country both morally and militarily."
Around heavily-deployed Fort Drum, soldiers generally welcomed the news - with some caveats. Go to full article
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called it a proud day for our country. She issued a statement, noting that she fought for a Defense Department feasibility report on lifting the ban.
She writes, "This decision finally opens the door for more qualified women to excel in our military and advance their careers, and obtain all of the benefits they have earned."
And, officially recognizing women in combat "will strengthen our country both morally and militarily."
Around heavily-deployed Fort Drum, soldiers generally welcomed the news - with some caveats. Go to full article
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St. Lawrence University, Canton,
New York 13617 • phone: 1-877-388-6277 • email
radio@ncpr.orgNCPR is a proud affiliate of:
NPR • American Public Media • Public Radio International
