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

November 28, 2023


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

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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
HVSF this year hopes to encourage more picnicking before the shows.

Shakespeare Festival Completes Review

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 24, 2023

Planning Board approves environmental remedies

Arts & Leisure
Jason Tramm

Interview With a Maestro

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 24, 2023

Q&A with the new conductor of the Putnam Chorale

Special Reports
lethal dose

Opioid Update: Overdose Deaths Worsen

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 17, 2023

Dutchess on pace to double 2019 total

Special Reports

Counties Deploy Settlement Funds

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 17, 2023

Money prioritizes harm reduction, treatment

Special Reports
camp

A Camp for Those Left Behind

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 17, 2023

Therapy mixed with fun at weekend sleepaway

Philipstown News
Doctor or psychiatrist consulting and diagnostic examining stressful woman patient on obstetric - gynecological female illness, or mental health in medical clinic or hospital healthcare service center

Putnam Crisis Center Faces Backlash

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 17, 2023

Opposition to Brewster site forces new search 

Around Town
Vardit Ravitsky on lawn

5 Questions: Vardit Ravitsky

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 17, 2023

New president of The Hastings Center in Garrison

Philipstown News
Putnam County Courthouse

Putnam Legislators Override Veto of Raises

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 17, 2023

Byrne had rejected increases for sheriff, clerk, coroners

Philipstown News
Philipstown Town Hall

Philipstown Approves Tax Hike

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 17, 2023

Levy rises in 2024 budget by 8.3 percent

Police siren
Around Town

Violent Crime Declining

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 10, 2023

Dutchess on pace for big drop 

Philipstown News
Putnam County Courthouse

Putnam Legislators Pass Spending Plan

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 10, 2023

Montgomery casts lone ‘no’ vote

Beacon News
2024 budget

Dutchess Budget Plan Lowers, Raises Taxes

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | November 3, 2023

Levies fall on property, rise on purchases, hotel stays

Beacon News
Brockway site / fishkill waterfront

Condos Proposed for Brockway Site

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | October 20, 2023

Fishkill project requires bridge over MTA tracks

Around Town
Pet medics

Pet Paramedics to the Rescue

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | October 13, 2023

Fishkill ambulance specializes in animal patients

Beacon News
steven-kraft

Woman May Avoid Death Penalty in Beacon Case

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | October 13, 2023

Jamie Orsini charged with husband in ex’s disappearance

Around Town
Home For Sale Real Estate Sign in Front of Beautiful New House.

High Rates Depress Local Housing Market

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | October 6, 2023

Buyers, sellers pull back as borrowing costs rise  

Beacon News
37 lamplight road

Beacon Church Seeks Home in Fishkill

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | September 22, 2023

Star of Bethlehem formed in city in 1900

Philipstown News
Putnam Sheriff badge

Report Clears Putnam Deputies in Fatal Shooting

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | September 22, 2023

Kent man shot while stabbing estranged girlfriend

Philipstown News
parking

Hochul Approves Cold Spring Parking Expansion

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | September 19, 2023

Clears way for residential permits, meters

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

Dutchess Mall Owner Loses Buyer

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | September 15, 2023

Vows to continue warehouse development

Around Town
Moderna vaccine

New Vaccine to Test Disinterest

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | September 15, 2023

COVID-19 booster rates low as local cases rise

Special Reports
Photovoltaic solar panels on sunset sky background,green clean energy concept.

The Sun Rises on Solar, Part II

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | September 8, 2023

Residents, officials embrace community approach

Beacon News
Flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida damaged tracks on Metro-North's Hudson Line in 2021.

Dutchess County Documents Climate Threats

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | September 8, 2023

Will identify risks to bridges, railways, roads 

Special Reports
Photovoltaic solar panels on sunset sky background,green clean energy concept.

The Sun Rises on Solar

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | September 1, 2023

Climate concerns, gas prices drive installations

Beacon News

Hochul OKs Beacon Hotel Room Tax

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | August 25, 2023

Levy of up to 5% includes short-term rentals  

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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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142 Main St.
Cold Spring, NY 10516
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