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The Highlands Current - News for Philipstown (Cold Spring, Nelsonville, Garrison) and Beacon, New York

February 03, 2023


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The Highlands Current (https://highlandscurrent.org/author/lsparks/)

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Leonard Sparks

Leonard Sparks

Senior Editor

The Peekskill resident is a former reporter for the Times Herald-Record in Middletown, where he covered Sullivan County and later Newburgh. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Morgan State University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. Location: Cold Spring. Languages: English. Area of Expertise: General.

Philipstown News
Putnam County Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Nesheiwat (right) speaks with a colleague at a COVID-19 drive-thru testing clinic held in Brewster in 2020. File photo by Ross Corsair

Putnam Health Commissioner in Final Year

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | 5 hours ago

Plans to retire after failing to get needed degree

Coronavirus Updates
JC Prinzo of Philipstown battled fatique for five months after COVID. Photo by L. Sparks

Few Answers for Long COVID

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | 5 hours ago

Some Highlands residents still recovering

Philipstown News
The site of the Putnam Valley Fire Department's new station had to undergo a costly cleanup because of illegal dumping. Photo by L. Sparks

Putnam Valley Fire Department Seeks Cleanup Costs

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | January 27, 2023

Illegal dumping cost more than $1.4 million

Money making idea. Light bulb with Dollar symbol.
Around Town

State Approves Utilities Credits

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | January 27, 2023

Central Hudson customers to receive up to $2,000 

Johnston
Beacon News

Veterans Court Opens in Beacon

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | January 20, 2023

Program aims to help vets charged with crimes

This undated photo shows discarded boxes and bottles of xylazine seized in a police raid.
Around Town

The Rise of ‘Tranq Dope’

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | January 20, 2023

Animal sedative mixed with opioids causes gruesome wounds 

Philipstown News

Haldane Sees Surge in College Applications

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | January 20, 2023

SAT change, SUNY fee waiver fuel growth

Pharmacies such as Drug World in Cold Spring are struggling to keep shelves stocked with cold and flu medicines amid a spike in cases. (Photo by L. Sparks)
Around Town

Cold, Flu Medicines Vanish

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | January 13, 2023

Demand from outbreaks fuels shortages

Around Town
A drawing of the proposed bridge, which would be constructed just north of the Breakneck Tunnel

Phase 1 of Fjord Trail Gets OK

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | January 6, 2023

State finds no adverse environmental impact

Philipstown News
Child Vaccinated. Cute Little Girl pointing finger at adhesive plaster bandage on her arm after Being Injected Covid-19 Vaccine, light blue studio background. Children immunization. Health pass

Putnam to Prioritize Immunizations

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | January 6, 2023

Polio vaccine rates lowest in Cold Spring, Garrison

Philipstown News
Putnam Valley Elementary

Putnam School District Sues Over Pollution

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | December 30, 2022

Chemicals found in well that supplies elementary

The state attorney general accused a Long Island pet store of selling this sick puppy.
Around Town

State Bans ‘Puppy Mill’ Sales

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | December 30, 2022

Advocates say breeders harm pets, consumers

Jean-Marie Niebuhr of the Dutchess County’shealthdepartment Photoprovided
Around Town

Therapy Prescribed for Mental Health System

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | December 23, 2022

New programs aim to reverse worker shortage

Around Town
Power lines on background of sky close-up. Electric hub on pole in monochrome. Electricity equipment with copy space. Wires of high voltage in sky. Electricity industry. Sepia tone.

State Considers Fine for Central Hudson

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | December 16, 2022

Report says employees warned of ‘major’ billing issues

Around Town
NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital

Beds Refill at Local Hospitals

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | December 16, 2022

COVID, flu spike follows Thanksgiving

proposed-assembly-94
Around Town

Plan Would Move Highlands to New Assembly District

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | December 9, 2022

State proposal released for 2024 election

Metro North train
Around Town

Metro-North Plans To Resume Fare Hikes

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | December 9, 2022

MTA chair says system faces ‘existential crisis’

Around Town
The power line will pass the Highlands underneath the Hudson River.

Work Begins On New Power Line

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | December 9, 2022

Route passes Highlands under Hudson River 

Around Town
Members of Defense of Democracy, which formed in response to the conservative group Moms for Liberty, march in this year's Spirit of Beacon Day parade.

Local Moms Push Back

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | December 2, 2022

Group mobilizes for LGBTQ, diversity 

Around Town
Man smokes a joint. Medical marijuana use and legalization of the cannabis, light drugs concept

What’s That Smell?

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | December 2, 2022

Public marijuana use rises with legalization

Philipstown News
Nonna

Nonna’s Drops Suit Against Homestyle

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | December 2, 2022

Owner of shuttered pizzeria sought $800,000

Around Town
Woman with flu

Officials Warn of Triple Threat

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 25, 2022

COVID rates steady but flu and RSV on rise

Around Town
Glynwood is raising 200 turkeys this year, rather than the more typical 30 to 50.

Gobbling Up Local Meats

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 18, 2022

Small farms meet holiday demand as costs rise

Around Town

Ruling Delays Cannabis Shops

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 18, 2022

Court order affects Beacon, Cold Spring and other areas

Around Town
Dutchess election workers process absentee ballots

New Law Quickens Results

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 11, 2022

Republicans fail in bid to stop early counting

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About The Current

Join Now!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. Click here to support our journalism.

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Trust MarkThe Current is a member of The Trust Project, a consortium of news outlets that has adopted standards to allow readers to more easily assess the credibility of their journalism. Our best practices, including our verification and correction policies, can be accessed here. Have a news tip? Spot an error? Email [email protected].
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