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The Current

The Current

News for Philipstown (Cold Spring, Nelsonville, Garrison) and Beacon, New York

  • SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS
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Donate
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Leonard Sparks

Leonard Sparks

Leonard Sparks has been reporting for The Current since 2020. The Peekskill resident holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Morgan State University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and previously covered Sullivan County and Newburgh for The Times Herald-Record in Middletown. He can be reached at [email protected].

Sheriff McConville
Posted inPhilipstown News

McConville Will Stay on Ballot for Sheriff

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 6, 2025August 7, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Republicans say law prevents replacement

immigrant
Posted inAround Town

ICE Targets Local Inmates

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 1, 2025August 1, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Requests include people without convictions

Money making idea. Light bulb with Dollar symbol.
Posted inAround Town

Energy Assistance to Expand

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 1, 2025August 1, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

State approves program for moderate incomes

Amanda Caputo, Beacon's city clerk, is one of dozens of residents who pay below-market-rate rents through a city program.
Posted inBeacon News

Living Affordably in Beacon

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 18, 2025August 1, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Dozens benefit from workforce program

A developer plans to transform the abandoned southern end of the Dutchess Mall in Fishkill into a warehouse facility.
Posted inAround Town

Dutchess Mall Plan Delayed Again

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 18, 2025July 17, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Owner seeks more time for approvals

Philipstown Town Hall
Posted inPhilipstown News

Notes from the Philipstown Town Board

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 18, 2025July 17, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Help sought for Cortlandt Lake bacteria

he site now hosts a Speedway gas station.
 Photo by L. Sparks
Posted inAround Town

Continental Commons Faces New Lawsuit

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 11, 2025July 11, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Seeks to annul approval for Route 9 project

Beyond the Grid 2
Posted inSpecial Reports

Beyond the Grid: Cost Overload

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 4, 2025July 18, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Explaining your high utility bills

Catherine Lisotta of Garrison is insured through the state's health marketplace. Photo by L. Sparks
Posted inAround Town

Residents Brace for Health Cuts

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 4, 2025July 25, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Millions expected to 
lose coverage

The Putnam County Golf Course
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Weighs Golf Course Payoff

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 27, 2025June 27, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Finance chief says loan hobbles contractor

Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Pete Vigeant

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 27, 2025June 27, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Beacon resident created The Big Button Game Show

The New York State Capitol building in Albany
Posted inAround Town

State Legislature Approves Tax Share

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 20, 2025July 10, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Putnam will send revenue to towns, villages

The Hoving Home in Garrison would like to remove this dam in Philips Brook. Photo by L. Sparks
Posted inPhilipstown News

Hoving Home Seeks Dam Removal

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 20, 2025July 10, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Project raises concerns about flooding

Kevin Byrne (right), the Putnam County executive, admonishes the crowd during a town hall with Rep. Mike Lawler in Mahopac on June 8. Photo by Kelly Marsh/Journal News
Posted inPhilipstown News

Lawler Hosts Putnam Town Hall

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 13, 2025June 13, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Fields questions about Social Security, military parade

Brass water tap in nature background water faucet
Posted inPhilipstown News

Town to Bill Garrison’s Landing for Water

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 13, 2025June 13, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Philipstown also approves zoning for solar

Sheriff McConville
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Sheriff Ends Reelection Bid

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 6, 2025July 10, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Kevin McConville was seeking second term

Putnam County courthouse
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Legislator Sues County

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 6, 2025June 6, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Seeks own lawyer for ethics case

Traffic cones on road with electronic arrow pointing to the right to divert traffic and white car in distance construction road work roadwork
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam County Joins Roadway Pact

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 6, 2025June 6, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Municipalities to share resources

Jeremy Duckles
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Jeremy Duckles

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 6, 2025June 6, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Owner of Supreme Pianos of New York in Fishkill

immigrant
Posted inAround Town

Beacon, Dutchess, Putnam on ‘Sanctuary’ List

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 30, 2025June 13, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

County executives dispute federal designation

With help from a cane and her mother's boyfriend, Mike Raguso, Theresa Timmons left the hospital on Thursday while staff, family and friends applauded. For more photos, see highlandscurrent.org. Photo by Ross Corsair
Posted inPhilipstown News, Videos

Injured Garrison Teen Returns Home

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 30, 2025June 13, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Recovery from crash called ‘miracle’

Nelsonville Village Hall
Posted inPhilipstown News

Notes from the Nelsonville Village Board

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Board shifts meetings to Wednesdays, approves contracts

Putnam County courthouse
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Legislators Endorse Current Sales Tax

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 21, 2025May 30, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Proposal also would steer revenue to towns, villages

Officer writing ticket
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Sheriff’s Union Files Quota Complaint

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 16, 2025May 30, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Says deputies punished for writing too few tickets

Clove Creek bisects the former Automar property on Route 9. Photo by L. Sparks
Posted inPhilipstown News

Concerns Raised Over Clove Creek

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 16, 2025May 16, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Waterway runs near Route 9 projects

Posts pagination

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ABOUT THE CURRENT

We are a reader-funded, nonprofit media organization that serves the communities of Beacon and Philipstown (Cold Spring, Nelsonville, Garrison, North Highlands and Continental Village) in the Hudson Highlands of New York.

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