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

May 19, 2022


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Magzter


Magzter

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.

A Poughkeepsie man allegedly sold heroin laced with fentanyl in glassine bags stamped "Mambo King," shown here in a photo included in court documents.
Around Town

Catching a Killer

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | May 13, 2022

High hurdle to justice in overdose deaths 

Around Town

Power Pact Threatened

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | May 13, 2022

Electricity provider may want out of contract

redistricting Beacon
Beacon News

New Dutchess Districts Would Flip Beacon Wards

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | May 6, 2022

Commission members clash over Vassar voters

Around Town
New Map D 41

Court Strikes Down Democrats’ Maps

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | April 29, 2022

Congressional, state Senate districts to be redrawn

Around Town
catalytic converter

Still Have Your Catalytic Converter?

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | April 29, 2022

Thieves target vehicle part for precious metals

Topfield Center

Topfield Center Rides Again

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | April 29, 2022

Equestrian center ends pandemic shutdown

Around Town
banned books

Removing Books from Schools

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | April 22, 2022

Nearby districts react to challenges

Around Town
New York marijuana legalization

New York State Approves First Cannabis Licenses

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | April 22, 2022

Six Dutchess hemp farms to grow pot for adult use

Beacon News
dutchess stadium

Molinaro to Redeploy Stadium Funding

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | April 14, 2022

Renovations using COVID relief funds drew criticism

One million dollars

How to Spend $57 Million

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | April 8, 2022

Dutchess Stadium tops list of projects receiving COVID funds

Philipstown News
13 gate house road

Nelsonville’s Lost Park?

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | April 1, 2022

Lawsuit claims village owns parcel approved for home

Around Town
Anthony Carbone

Putting Extra Food to Use

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | April 1, 2022

State law aims to reduce waste and feed the needy 

Around Town
Castle Point VA Medical Center

VA Proposes Closing Castle Point

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | March 25, 2022

Care would shift to community providers, Montrose hospital

Beacon News
the corner of Beekman and Ferry streets

Urban Renewal Revisited

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | March 25, 2022

Project will recall Beacon neighborhoods lost to development

Around Town
A view of the proposed Breakneck Connector and bridge, at lower right

Fjord Trail Plan Draws Praise and Concern

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | March 25, 2022

Residents weigh in as construction nears 

Pataki met in Budapest with the Ukrainian ambassador to Hungary.

Pataki Visits Hungary, Ukraine

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | March 18, 2022

Former governor says more U.S. aid needed

Around Town
fraud phishing stock photo

Scam Encounters

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | March 11, 2022

Residents snared by fake stories, phony landlords

Around Town
Stand with Ukraine Rally in New York City

Russia Invasion Hits Home

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | March 4, 2022

Local Ukrainians fear for country, family and friends

Beacon News
helanna bratman and samantha brittain

A Student Returns as Teacher

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | March 4, 2022

Green Teen alum takes over Beacon farming program

Philipstown News
josette wright

Defense in Murder Case Wants DA Removed

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | February 25, 2022

Accuses Putnam office of misconduct and bias

Philipstown News
David Poses

‘My Heart Was Broken’

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | February 25, 2022

Friends remember Philipstown author David Poses

Around Town
Ring Doorbell

Police Turn to Home Surveillance

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | February 25, 2022

Putnam sheriff says devices helped solve Garrison robbery

Podcast: Devastated By COVID

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | February 25, 2022

Maya Fasulo lost her mother and grandmother to COVID-19

Around Town
Central Hudson Square Logo

Central Hudson Warns of Higher Bills

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | February 18, 2022

Projects average increase of 29 percent for gas, electric

Homepage Featured
Garrison robbery suspect

Armed Robber Hits Garrison Gas Station

By Leonard Sparks, Senior Editor | February 13, 2022

Shows revolver and demands cash at Gulf

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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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