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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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  • August 10, 2025
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].

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

Judge gavel
Posted inAround Town

Evidence Rules Under Fire

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

Changes sought by DAs worry defenders

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.
Posted inAround Town

A Deep Dive Into Central Hudson

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 28, 2023May 1, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Audit calls for monthly meter reading

Posted inAround Town

Highlands Keeps Assembly Districts

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 28, 2023May 27, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Local officials opposed moving Beacon, Philipstown

Dust rises from the property of Century Aggregates, which is building a new entrance on Route 9 for its mining operation. Photo by L. Sparks
Posted inAround Town

Route 9 Projects Rile Residents

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 14, 2023April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Concerns include noise, pollution, tree clearing

Laurie Wheelock (Photo by Celeste Sloman)
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Laurie Wheelock

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 14, 2023December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Director of the Public Utility Law Project

Sonia and Delaurna Murphy of Dutchess County were awarded a retail license. Photo by L. Sparks
Posted inAround Town

First Mid-Hudson Pot Shops Licensed

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 7, 2023May 27, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

State approves two Dutchess applicants

UndergroundtubeshelpregulatetemperatureinthisgreenhouseatGlynwood. Photoprovided
Posted inSpecial Reports

Glynwood Tests Climate ‘Battery’

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 31, 2023December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

New growing tech responds to changing weather 

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

Court OKs Hudson Valley Pot Shops

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 31, 2023April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Reverses ban triggered by lawsuit over rules

Rep. Hamilton Fish III being interviewed in a barbershop in 1939, soon after he returned from a visit to Nazi Germany Acme Photo, via MSNBC
Posted inPhilipstown News

What to Do With Hamilton Fish?

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 24, 2023April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Garrison library reviewing founder’s Nazi sympathies

Posted inAround Town

EPA Seeks Lower Limit On ‘Forever Chemicals’

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 24, 2023March 24, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Beacon currently below proposed new standard  

Sean Malahy bought a 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning after the 2022 version sold out. Photo by L. Sparks
Posted inAround Town

Owners Get Charge from EVs

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 17, 2023April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Electric vehicles represent small, but growing, share

Daniel Potts
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Daniel Potts

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 17, 2023December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Garrison resident will discuss his expeditions in Iran

Dutchess Mall plan
Posted inAround Town

Dutchess Mall Plan Approved

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 10, 2023April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Warehouse to replace blighted vestiges

Mark Trekka (center) gives Mica Winters and Eve Cummings a push at the JV Forrestal Elementary sledding hill on Tuesday (Feb. 28). Photo by Valerie Shively
Posted inAround Town

Oh, There’s the Snow!

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 3, 2023April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Storm ends drought 

Posted inAround Town

Funding Targets Housing Discrimination

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 3, 2023March 3, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Victims include disabled, renters with vouchers

marijuana leaf
Posted inBeacon News

Dutchess Man Fights To Clear Pot Conviction

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 24, 2023February 28, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

DA opposes effort to vacate plea under legalization law

Cold Spring residents clear snow on March 14, 2017. File photo by Ross Corsair
Posted inAround Town

Where’s All the Snow?

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 24, 2023April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Blankets of white missing during warm winter 

1 Depot Square
Posted inPhilipstown News

Restaurant Owner Buys Main Street Properties

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 17, 2023February 17, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Tenants include Cathryn’s, Split Rock

Anne Cabot, who co-founded the Topfield Equestrian Center, is riding for the first time since she lost her sight.
Posted inPhilipstown News

Reuniting With an Old Friend

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 17, 2023February 19, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Equestrian center co-founder rides again

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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Cold Spring, NY 10516
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