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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
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki greets a patient at the new Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Center at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. Photo: Joanna Richards
Syracuse VA hospital marks 60th anniversary
Jun 18, 2013 — Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki was in Syracuse last week, to mark the 60th anniversary of the city's VA Medical Center. He also helped to formally open a new Spinal Cord Injury and Disorder Center. Go to full article
A demonstrator's T-shirt makes his views clear at the Lowville rally opposing the NY SAFE Act. Photo: Joanna Richards
NY gun control law protest draws crowd in Lewis County
Jun 17, 2013 — People climbed up the bleachers in the grandstand at the Lewis County Fairgrounds in Lowville on Saturday for a rally opposing the New York SAFE Act. More than 400 people turned out to condemn the controversial package of gun control measures passed by the state Legislature in January. Go to full article
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli discusses Watertown's fiscal health and his office's new financial "stress test" program Wednesday in Watertown. Photo: Joanna Richards
Comptroller DiNapoli: Watertown in good fiscal health
Jun 13, 2013 — State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli came to Watertown on Wednesday to commend the city's leadership on its sound financial stewardship. DiNapoli's office is rolling out a program of annual fiscal "stress tests" for municipalities and school districts. And the comptroller said Watertown sets an example for prudent financial planning. Go to full article
Farmer John Peck, of Peck Homestead Farm in Champion, in Jefferson County, is worried about how steadily rising property taxes are affecting his livelihood. Photo: Joanna Richards
Ag advocates applaud movement on tighter farmland assessment cap
Jun 05, 2013 — Agriculture advocates are welcoming progress on state legislation that would slow rising property taxes for farmers. The Senate passed a bill last week that tightens the cap on farmland assessment increases. Yesterday, that measure also passed out of the Assembly's Agriculture Committee. Go to full article
Company, state and local officials dig into a pile of wood chips at the grand opening of ReEnergy Black River on Fort been retrofitted to burn biomass instead. Photo: Joanna Richards
Old Ft. Drum coal plant reopens as biomass facility
Jun 04, 2013 — A once-idled coal plant on Fort Drum has been given new life. ReEnergy Black River is creating dozens of new jobs in the north country - while maintaining a focus on the environment. State and local officials gathered recently at the facility to celebrate its grand opening. Go to full article
The early stages of work on the former Frink Snowplow site. Photo by Martha Foley.
Riverfront redevelopment underway in Clayton
May 24, 2013 — A big redevelopment project is getting underway in the Thousand Islands village of Clayton. The first pieces of equipment are now at work on the former Frink snowplow factory site. That represents the beginning of an aggressive construction schedule that aims to bring the Clayton Harbor Hotel to life by Memorial Day, 2014. Go to full article
Farmer John Peck has a moment with a two-month-old calf on his Peck Homestead Farm in Champion, in Jefferson County. Photo: Joanna Richards
Farmers' property taxes rise as land values increase
May 24, 2013 — Agriculture is one of the most dynamic and innovative economic sectors in New York state. All this week, the Innovation Trail team is reporting on some of the current challenges and opportunities facing upstate farmers.
One of those challenges is property taxes. Agriculture is a land-intensive industry, so rising property taxes can mean much higher costs for farmers. And taxes have been rising, thanks mostly to increases in the production value of farmland. Go to full article
One of those challenges is property taxes. Agriculture is a land-intensive industry, so rising property taxes can mean much higher costs for farmers. And taxes have been rising, thanks mostly to increases in the production value of farmland. Go to full article
The Maple Ridge Wind Farm has brought millions of dollars to local governments in Lewis County and changed the landscape dramatically. Photo: David Sommerstein
Wind farm a windfall to Lewis County communities
May 15, 2013 — Wind farms are a touchy subject in the North Country. As the town of Cape Vincent wrestles with a potential project, in neighboring Lewis County another wind farm has been operating for seven years. The Maple Ridge Wind Farm has brought some big changes to its community. Go to full article
A homecoming ceremony at Fort Drum. NCPR file photo
For Fort Drum soldiers, frequent deployments "'til the end" in Afghanistan
May 06, 2013 — It's a busy time for Fort Drum, near Watertown. Even as the country prepares to leave Afghanistan, the Army post has parts of two brigades deployed. Its aviation unit is about to ship off for a nine-month tour. And the 10th Mountain Division is expecting more orders from the Pentagon soon. Go to full article
John Ferry, co-owner of Milk Street Dairy in Tylerville, in Jefferson County, shows off his new dairy barn. Photo: Joanna Richards
National Grid power upgrade grant helps Jefferson County dairy farm expand
May 06, 2013 — A Tylerville dairy farm, in Jefferson County, is growing, in part thanks to help from National Grid. The company awarded the farm a grant of $50,000 to increase its access to electricity. Go to full article
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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
