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The Current

The Current

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

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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].

Judge gavel
Posted inAround Town

Three of ‘Newburgh Four’ Released

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 4, 2023January 24, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Case cited as example of FBI entrapment

steven-kraft
Posted inBeacon News

Plea Deal Possible in Beacon Disappearance

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 21, 2023July 29, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Woman and husband charged in death of her ex

Posted inAround Town

Dutchess, Newburgh Await Contamination Settlements

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 21, 2023July 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Billions proposed to settle lawsuits over tainted water

congress17
Posted inAround Town

Court Orders New Redistricting

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 21, 2023February 22, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Ruling impacts U.S. House, state Senate

The Downstate prison property
Posted inBeacon News

State Accepting Proposals for Former Prison

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 21, 2023July 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Housing prioritized for property served by Beacon water 

Adam Hotaling, Philipstown’s highway superintendent, spreads gravel on a storm-damaged section of Old Manitou Road. (Photo by L. Sparks)
Posted inPhilipstown News

Push For Storm Aid Begins

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 14, 2023July 20, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Hochul asks federal government to declare major disaster 

Passengers who boarded a Metro-North train that stalled on Sunday (July 9) afternoon were finally allowed to exit in the evening to stretch their legs or find alternate transportation. (Photo by Emily Sheskin)
Posted inAround Town

Train From Poughkeepsie to Croton in Eight Hours

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 14, 2023July 29, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Passengers recall ordeal on Metro-North train

close-up photo of men using and inspecting gun in store. salesman explain how to use it, customer hold it in hands
Posted inAround Town

Orders Barring Gun Possession Skyrocket

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 14, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Dutchess, Putnam police apply at record rates

Dozens of asylum seekers staying at hotels in the Town of Newburgh and Poughkeesie attended an event hosted on June 17 by Rural & Migrant Ministry in Cornwall.
Posted inAround Town

Local Residents Mobilize to Aid Migrants

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 30, 2023June 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Groups, individuals lend time and skills

steven-kraft
Posted inBeacon News

Couple Charged in Beacon Disappearance

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 23, 2023July 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Steven Kraft last seen on West Church Street

hhft-phases
Posted inAround Town

Fjord Trail Drops Some Elements, for Now

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 16, 2023April 28, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Says it will initially take ‘trail-first’ approach

The Red Roof Inn on Route 9 is lodging 86 asylum-seekers from New York City.
Posted inAround Town

NYC Sues Counties Over Migrants

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 16, 2023June 16, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Putnam exec says city being ‘dishonest’

Glynwood
Posted inAround Town

Glynwood’s New Harvest: Access

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 16, 2023June 16, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Philipstown farm debuts ‘sliding-scale’ CSA

crack cocaine
Posted inSpecial Reports

A Plague Fueled by Crack

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 9, 2023December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Beacon reeled from crime in the ’90s

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
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Valley Fire Sues Over Dumping

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 9, 2023June 9, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Seeks at least $1.75 million in cleanup costs

The Red Roof Inn on Route 9 is lodging 86 asylum-seekers from New York City.
Posted inAround Town

Hotels Sue Counties Over Migrant Orders

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 2, 2023June 9, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Say that official actions ‘reek of discrimination’

news conference
Posted inAround Town

Judge Bars Migrants from Dutchess Hotels

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 26, 2023June 2, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

86 men allowed to stay at Red Roof Inn on Route 9 

Rolison
Posted inAround Town

Fallout from Displaced Veterans Hoax

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 26, 2023May 26, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Rolison apologizes for believing phony story

Felix Salmon
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Felix Salmon

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 26, 2023December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Garrison resident is author of “The Phoenix Economy”

Rahim Lebrami and Isselko Sidi both fled Mauritania and are staying at the Crossroads Hotel in the Town of Newburgh. Photo by L. Sparks
Posted inAround Town

Asylum-Seekers Enter Divided Country

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 19, 2023May 26, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Court bars more migrants at Newburgh hotels

jeanette briscoe
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Jeanette Briscoe

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 12, 2023December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Retired Beacon teacher pens memoir

The route of the proposed tranmission line cuts through the Highlands. Transmission Developers
Posted inAround Town

Builder Says Power Line Safe for River

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 12, 2023May 12, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Hudson Valley municipalities fear contamination 

Andrew Krivak arriving at his home
Posted inPhilipstown News

Krivak Seeks $200 Million from Putnam, State

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 5, 2023May 5, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Exonerated by jury in 1994 Carmel killing

Dutchess Sheriff badge
Posted inBeacon News

Dutchess Forms Domestic Violence Unit

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 5, 2023May 5, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Sheriff’s office partners with Family Services

The New York State Capitol building in Albany
Posted inAround Town

State Budget Electrifies Buildings

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 5, 2023May 6, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Plan also boosts child care, local school funding

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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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