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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-mail

Stories filed by Joanna Richards

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Wind power educational forum set for today in Cape Vincent

by Joanna Richards
Cape Vincent, NY, Aug 31, 2011 — A group called the New York Wind Education Collaborative will hold a public forum on wind energy development Wednesday in Cape Vincent. Two companies have proposed wind farms in the town, and residents there have been divided for years over the issue. Reporter Joanna Richards spoke with a representative of the group about who's involved, why they're coming to Cape Vincent and what they hope to accomplish with the forum.  Go to full article
Nobody likes to see their taxes increase, but it's an essential service that we provide.

Two town of Brownville village fire departments urge consolidation

by Joanna Richards
Aug 31, 2011 — Small fire departments that rely on volunteers and local support are struggling to survive. Fire departments in the neighboring villages of Brownville and Dexter are urging residents to support a merger and a new form of governance. One fire chief says consolidating will make funding and firefighting simpler for the rural towns of Jefferson County. Joanna Richards reports.  Go to full article
It's a great forum for other young people to come together and express... what they're concerned about...

Young Thousand Islanders gather to create vision of region's future

by Joanna Richards
Clayton, NY, Aug 29, 2011 — The Thousand Islands Young Leaders Organization held a summit last Friday to gather ideas from young people about their vision for the future of the Thousand Islands Region. The group was founded in April 2008 to help improve quality of life for young Northern New Yorkers, and to get them more involved in their communities. Joanna Richards was at the summit and has this report.  Go to full article

Professor studies threatened turtles in Jefferson County

by Joanna Richards
Three Mile Bay, NY, Aug 24, 2011 — Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties are among the few places in New York state home to threatened Blanding's turtles, sometimes called box turtles. SUNY Potsdam professor Glenn Johnson is studying the turtles there this summer, along with his student assistants. Joanna Richards went out in the field with them and has this report.  Go to full article

Watertown Wizards baseball team is for sale

by Joanna Richards
Watertown, NY, Aug 19, 2011 — The Watertown Wizards summer collegiate baseball team may be leaving Watertown. The owner has put the team up for sale, and he blames the city for his decision. Joanna Richards has the story.  Go to full article
I'm glad these scam artists were shut down before they could do this to anyone else.

AG settles Watertown soldier scam

by Joanna Richards
Watertown, NY, Aug 17, 2011 — New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was in Watertown yesterday to announce a $3.5 million settlement in a scam targeting soldiers with the sale of electronics. Soldiers who still owe money to the company will be relieved of their debts and have their credit histories repaired.

But those who already paid lost thousands of dollars to the scam. About 1,000 soldiers were affected. Joanna Richards was there and has this report.  Go to full article

Upgrades in the works at Watertown airport

by Joanna Richards
Watertown, NY, Aug 15, 2011 — Watertown International Airport is undergoing some promising changes. A new airline flying larger planes will soon offer direct flights to Chicago. Other improvements are also in the works to accommodate more business and the new flights at the county-owned airport. Joanna Richards reports.  Go to full article
this is what Watertown should be, this is what Watertown is – this is the new Watertown.

Watertown arts group seeks to revitalize arts scene, downtown

by Joanna Richards
Watertown, NY, Aug 05, 2011 — An arts organization is trying to bring more opportunities to artists in Watertown and surrounding areas, and more cultural events to residents. The North Country Arts Council was born out of a declining artists' guild a few years ago. Now with a space in downtown Watertown and some successful fundraising behind it, the group is becoming an active force in the community. Joanna Richards reports.  Go to full article

The appeal of punches and kicks

by Joanna Richards
Watertown, NY, Jul 29, 2011 — The sport known as mixed martial arts, or MMA, is illegal in New York state. But that doesn't mean it lacks a loyal following, especially around Fort Drum, where combat sports are popular.

On Saturday in Watertown, two partners including the owner of a local gym are putting on a series of fights at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds. The event showcases local fighters aspiring to make a living in the sport, although the rules for the matches had to be altered to comply with state law.

Joanna Richards has the story.  Go to full article

Old rivals face off in Watertown mayor's race

by Joanna Richards
Watertown, NY, Jul 25, 2011 — The race for mayor has begun in Watertown, with two longtime rivals in city government facing off against each other.

The race pits incumbent Jeffrey Graham against city councilman Jeffrey Smith.

Joanna Richards has the story.  Go to full article

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