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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
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
Mayor's Race in Watertown pits long-time incumbent against City Council challenger
Watertown, NY, Nov 04, 2011 — The mayor's race in Watertown pits long-time incumbent Jeff Graham against a challenger with similar longevity on the City Council, Jeff Smith. Graham has said the city's doing well and he has the experience, knowledge and contacts to continue to keep Watertown on a good track. Smith says his candidacy represents new leadership and a new vision for the city. Both candidates for mayor have years of experience on City Council, and both are small business owners who say they're committed to fiscal discipline. Joanna Richards reports. Go to full article
The Samaritan Senior Village project will add both assisted living and nursing home space for seniors.
New elder care facility will fill urgent need in Jefferson County
Watertown, NY, Oct 27, 2011 — Ground was broken last month on a new elder care facility in the town of Watertown - the Samaritan Senior Village project. The facility will include both nursing home and assisted living beds for up to 288 residents. Community members say the project was badly needed to fill a gap, especially in assisted living space, for older residents. Joanna Richards has the story. Go to full article
Fort Drum troops say a ceremonial goodbye
Fort Drum, NY, Oct 21, 2011 — A ceremony was held recently at Fort Drum to mark the deployment of the 10th Sustainment Brigade. The brigade is made up of units with many different specialties, so it deploys in pieces rather than as a brigade to support war efforts wherever the units' different skill sets are needed. Joanna Richards attended the ceremony and has the story. Go to full article
Our challenges are not insurmountable … if we take them on as a team we can do this.
After 40 years, Children's Clinic looks toward a challenging future
Watertown, NY, Oct 18, 2011 — The North Country Children's Clinic celebrated its 40th anniversary last week in Watertown.
The clinic started as a volunteer organization with a few locations. It's now a major health care provider for uninsured and underinsured children in the region. It works from satellite locations, but now has a big home base on Arsenal Street in downtown Watertown.
Dozens of people gathered in the lobby there for the celebration.
But even as they shared cake and snacks, founders and friends worried about the clinic's future in a climate of governmental belt-tightening.
Janice Charles was a founder, and is a former executive director. She took reporter Joanna Richards all the way back to the beginning: Go to full article
The clinic started as a volunteer organization with a few locations. It's now a major health care provider for uninsured and underinsured children in the region. It works from satellite locations, but now has a big home base on Arsenal Street in downtown Watertown.
Dozens of people gathered in the lobby there for the celebration.
But even as they shared cake and snacks, founders and friends worried about the clinic's future in a climate of governmental belt-tightening.
Janice Charles was a founder, and is a former executive director. She took reporter Joanna Richards all the way back to the beginning: 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
