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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
Outgoing Watertown City Manager Mary Corriveau. Photo: Watertown government
Watertown City Council votes out city manager
Watertown, NY, Jan 19, 2012 — The Watertown City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday night not to renew the contract of City Manager Mary Corriveau.
That's after it was discovered earlier this year that mismanagement at the city's parks and recreation department had cost the city thousands of dollars in unbilled usage of the ice arena and fairgrounds. Go to full article
That's after it was discovered earlier this year that mismanagement at the city's parks and recreation department had cost the city thousands of dollars in unbilled usage of the ice arena and fairgrounds. Go to full article
The election was very pivotal, and in our opinion, very definitive.
Local elections influence two towns' wind futures
Cape Vincent, NY, Jan 11, 2012 — The prospect of wind energy development has divided north country communities from Cape Vincent to Clinton County. New York's new Article X law gives developers the option to seek state review of where to put their wind farms. But prior to Article X, accepting and siting the big turbines was up to each town. And companies can still choose local rather than state review.
More than once, the conflict over wind has spilled over into local politics. That has been the case in both Cape Vincent, on Lake Ontario, and Hammond, on a windy ridge overlooking the St. Lawrence River. In both towns, last fall's elections pitted incumbent supervisors who favor regulation of wind power against challengers who had already signed leases with energy companies to place wind turbines on their land. Joanna Richards reports on the likely impact of those elections. Go to full article
More than once, the conflict over wind has spilled over into local politics. That has been the case in both Cape Vincent, on Lake Ontario, and Hammond, on a windy ridge overlooking the St. Lawrence River. In both towns, last fall's elections pitted incumbent supervisors who favor regulation of wind power against challengers who had already signed leases with energy companies to place wind turbines on their land. Joanna Richards reports on the likely impact of those elections. Go to full article
Year after year we keep adding to the physical plant here … and that all speaks to the enduring capacity and capability of Fort Drum.
Fort Drum gets funding for construction projects
Fort Drum, NY, Dec 22, 2011 — A $54 million federal appropriation will set off another round of construction at Fort Drum.
Some of the money will go toward new projects and some will go toward expansion of existing facilities. But overall, the award enables the continuing expansion of the Army Base. Joanna Richards reports from Watertown. Go to full article
Some of the money will go toward new projects and some will go toward expansion of existing facilities. But overall, the award enables the continuing expansion of the Army Base. Joanna Richards reports from Watertown. Go to full article
All cougar cubs photos: Kurt Thomas Hunt, courtesy of NYS Zoo at Thompson Park
Heard Up North: Chirps and purrs - Watertown zoo welcomes cougar cub
Watertown, NY, Dec 15, 2011 — A new cougar cub is making himself at home at the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park in Watertown. For this Heard Up North, Joanna Richards got an intimate look at the young cat and spoke with the zoo's curator, Sue Sabik, about how he's growing up in his new home. Go to full article
Sgt. Perkins receiving the Soldier's Medal Tuesday at Fort Drum. Photo: 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division on Facebook
Fort Drum soldier awarded medal for heroism at scene of highway accident
Fort Drum, NY, Dec 14, 2011 — Fort Drum soldier Sergeant Jacob Perkins was awarded the Soldier's Medal Tuesday afternoon at the installation. The medal is given to soldiers for heroism outside the battlefield.
Sergeant Perkins came to the aid of a group of Canadian tourists in July, when their tour bus collided with a semi trailer on the Thruway in Waterloo, New York, between Syracuse and Rochester. Joanna Richards was at the ceremony at Fort Drum and has this report. Go to full article
Sergeant Perkins came to the aid of a group of Canadian tourists in July, when their tour bus collided with a semi trailer on the Thruway in Waterloo, New York, between Syracuse and Rochester. Joanna Richards was at the ceremony at Fort Drum and has this report. Go to full article
Right now, the poorest districts are all lumped together in the same category, even though some may be much poorer than others.
Russell wants change in school aid formula
Watertown, NY, Dec 12, 2011 — State Assemblywoman Addie Russell is pushing legislation that will change the state's school aid formula. Russell's legislation would help the state recognize which districts need the most aid, and she says that change would send more aid to poor north country schools. Joanna Richards reports. Go to full article
We think that that additional fee would potentially inhibit travelers from Canada.
Congressman Owens wants to repeal fee on Canadian visitors
Dec 01, 2011 — Congressman Bill Owens of Plattsburgh has introduced legislation to repeal a border fee on Canadian travelers visiting the United States.
The five-dollar, fifty-cent fee applies to all Canadians entering the U.S. by air or sea. It hasn't yet been enforced. Owens says north country lawmakers are worried about how it will effect a region dependent on tourism.
"We think that that additional fee, would potentially inhibit travelers from Canada. Canada does not currently impose that kind of a fee on Americans coming in, so we're also concerned a little bit about a retaliatory fee. Both of those, if they were instituted, would clearly have a negative impact on cross-border trade."
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer has already announced he'll introduce similar legislation in the Senate to fight the new fee. Go to full article
The five-dollar, fifty-cent fee applies to all Canadians entering the U.S. by air or sea. It hasn't yet been enforced. Owens says north country lawmakers are worried about how it will effect a region dependent on tourism.
"We think that that additional fee, would potentially inhibit travelers from Canada. Canada does not currently impose that kind of a fee on Americans coming in, so we're also concerned a little bit about a retaliatory fee. Both of those, if they were instituted, would clearly have a negative impact on cross-border trade."
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer has already announced he'll introduce similar legislation in the Senate to fight the new fee. Go to full article
Senator Schumer tells Watertown audience he'll fight new border fees targeting Canadians
Watertown, NY, Nov 24, 2011 — New York Senator Charles Schumer was in Watertown yesterday to announce he'll fight a new fee that can be charged to Canadians crossing into the U.S. by boat or by plane. He appeared at the Paddock Arcade on Washington Street, an historic shopping center and one of many places in the north country where Canadian visitors may come to shop and eat. Todd Moe has more. Go to full article
Falconry pairs humans, birds of prey in the hunt
Sackets Harbor, NY, Nov 24, 2011 — Falconry - the sport of hunting with birds of prey - is ancient; its history goes back thousands of years. It was once used as a way to catch small prey like rabbits and pheasants before humans had guns. But the sport is practiced today too. It takes many years to become a master falconer under New York state law. It's small game hunting season right now in northern New York, and reporter Joanna Richards went out with falconer Rick West to learn what keeps him practicing this ancient sport in 2011. Go to full article
Watertown Mayor Jeff Graham. Source: Watertown municipal website
Jeffrey Graham reelected mayor of Watertown
Watertown, NY, Nov 09, 2011 — Jeff Graham was reelected to his fifth term as mayor of the city of Watertown last night. The election pitted the incumbent mayor against a longtime rival on the City Council, Jeff Smith. Joanna Richards reports. 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
