r e g i o n a l n e w s
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 Wizards baseball team is for sale
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The race pits incumbent Jeffrey Graham against city councilman Jeffrey Smith.
Joanna Richards has the story. Go to full article
My wife and family are more important to me than what's going on here with these wind issues.
Cape Vincent struggles with wind power divide
Cape Vincent, NY, Jul 20, 2011 — Small communities across the North Country, from Burke in the east to Hammond in the west, have been deeply divided over wind power development.
The disputes pit neighbor against neighbor, and can go on for years.
That's the case in Cape Vincent, situated just where Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River.
The picturesque town fills up in the summer with boaters, fisherman and summer residents with homes on the water. But the community's tourism and second home economy has come into conflict with the prospects for up to 137 wind turbines being built there by BP and a Spanish company called Acciona.
That's put enormous pressure on the town council and town planning board. In recent weeks, three of the Planning Board's five members have resigned.
Joanna Richards reports. Go to full article
The disputes pit neighbor against neighbor, and can go on for years.
That's the case in Cape Vincent, situated just where Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River.
The picturesque town fills up in the summer with boaters, fisherman and summer residents with homes on the water. But the community's tourism and second home economy has come into conflict with the prospects for up to 137 wind turbines being built there by BP and a Spanish company called Acciona.
That's put enormous pressure on the town council and town planning board. In recent weeks, three of the Planning Board's five members have resigned.
Joanna Richards reports. Go to full article
Photo from http://jfreddie.webs.com/
Pro wrestlers share their stories
Watertown, NY, Jul 15, 2011 — It's fair season, and the Jefferson County Fair is in full swing. The ferris wheel is lighting up the night sky in Watertown, the fried dough is sizzling, and the cotton candy is pink and irresistible.
Tonight a pro wrestling show takes the grandstand.Joanna Richards went to the wrestlers' practice and, behind all the beefcake, she found wrestlers are storytellers. Go to full article
Tonight a pro wrestling show takes the grandstand.Joanna Richards went to the wrestlers' practice and, behind all the beefcake, she found wrestlers are storytellers. Go to full article
The nature of the facilities have changed over the last 20 years… and somebody's got to ride herd on it.
Watertown reorganizes troubled rec department
Watertown, NY, Jul 13, 2011 — The city of Watertown will reorganize its Parks and Recreation Department after learning about years of outstanding bills owed to the city for use of Fairgrounds facilities.
In late May, an audit revealed a pattern of messy bookkeeping and billing practices resulting in tens of thousands of dollars of lost revenue for the city. Joanna Richards has the story. Go to full article
In late May, an audit revealed a pattern of messy bookkeeping and billing practices resulting in tens of thousands of dollars of lost revenue for the city. Joanna Richards has the story. Go to full article
Mary and Helen Eldrett at Downybrook. Photo: Joanna Richards.
New easement protects an Eden of grassland, rocks and water
Brownville, NY, Jul 07, 2011 — The land just off eastern Lake Ontario near Watertown contains thousands of acres of fields and wetlands that are valuable habitat for birds and wildlife.
In the Jefferson County town of Brownsville, owners of a private wildlife preserve have signed an agreement ensuring their land will be forever protected. Ontario Bays Initiative announced the new conservation easement on the 182-acre property.
Joanna Richards visited the sanctuary and has this story. Go to full article
In the Jefferson County town of Brownsville, owners of a private wildlife preserve have signed an agreement ensuring their land will be forever protected. Ontario Bays Initiative announced the new conservation easement on the 182-acre property.
Joanna Richards visited the sanctuary and has this story. Go to full article
« first « previous 10 145-154 of 162 stories next 8 » last »
©
2013 North Country Public Radio, 
St. Lawrence University, Canton,
New York 13617 • phone: 1-877-388-6277 • email
radio@ncpr.org
NCPR is a proud affiliate of:
NPR • 
American Public Media • 
Public Radio International
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
