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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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  • July 12, 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].

Judge gavel
Posted inAround Town

The Effects of Bail Reform

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 21, 2022April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

New data offer first look at impact of changes

Julie Shiroishi, Rob Rolison
Posted inAround Town

Highlands to Get New State Senator

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 21, 2022October 31, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Beacon resident, Poughkeepsie mayor face off

Narae Yun
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Narae Yun

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 21, 2022December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Garrison resident leading team in Walk to Cure Lupus

Although not a party in the pastors' lawsuit, this church in Oswego County made its position known.
Posted inAround Town

Pastors Fight Gun Restrictions

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 14, 2022April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Wappingers Falls church and others cite safety concerns

Yvette Valdes Smith
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Yvette Valdés Smith

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 14, 2022December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Minority leader of Dutchess County Legislature

voting booths
Posted inBeacon News

Dutchess Official Joins Election Lawsuit

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 14, 2022October 31, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Republicans, Conservatives challenge absentee ballot rule

Papalardo-Blake
Posted inBeacon News

Woman’s Remains ID’d After 42 Years

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 30, 2022April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

DNA solves mystery of body found in Fishkill

Nonna
Posted inPhilipstown News

Nonna’s Sues Landlord, Homestyle

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 30, 2022April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Pizzeria seeks over $800K after closing in August

NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital
Posted inAround Town

Shopping for Health Care

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 23, 2022April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Hospital prices can be hard to access and decipher

Vernon Byron, a security guard at Dia:Beacon, is one of more than 100 Dia Art Foundation employees who voted to unionize. Photo by L. Sparks
Posted inBeacon News

Dia Workers Unionize

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 23, 2022September 22, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Near-unanimous vote to join UAW affiliate

Andes N.Y. Landscape
Posted inArts & Leisure

A Covid Chronicle

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 23, 2022March 3, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Journalist, Cold Spring artist recall pandemic’s first months

domestic partners holding hands
Posted inBeacon News

Clerk Seeks Rights for Partners

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 16, 2022September 23, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Dutchess proposal has faced resistance in past

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

Electricity, Gas Rates Spike

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 16, 2022April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Utilities forecast an expensive winter 

Putnam County Courthouse
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Creates Redistricting Panel

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 9, 2022September 9, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Montgomery questions balance of members

canopus creek
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Legislature Asks for Veto

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 9, 2022September 11, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Opposes state oversight over some streams

Putnam County Jail
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Man’s Costly Detention

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 2, 2022April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Mother sues to gain release from county jail

Joe Daily joined WBNR in 1979 and a year later began a long run hosting the morning show. Photo provided
Posted inBeacon News

When Beacon Was on the Air

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 26, 2022September 9, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

For decades, WBNR informed, entertained city

Alex Keenan and Ryan McGrath in the field
Posted inAround Town

Ready for Harvest

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 19, 2022April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Dutchess farm prepares its first marijuana crop 

A brush fire damaged 5 acres at Bear Mountain, where a lack of rainfall has left dry conditions. Fort Montgomery Fire District
Posted inAround Town

Hot, Dry Summer

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 12, 2022April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

‘Severe’ drought hits Highlands

Metro North train
Posted inAround Town

MTA Finances Worsen

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 12, 2022August 25, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Ridership projections revised downward

The Putnam County Sheriff's Department said it seized this arsenal of weapons and parts from a home in Mahopac. PCSD
Posted inPhilipstown News

‘Ghost’ Guns in Putnam

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 5, 2022April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Parts assembled into untraceable weapons

The orange line represents the current northern border of District 18 within Beacon, and the blue line is the border that takes effect in 2023.
Posted inBeacon News

Legislature Boundaries to Shift in Beacon

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 5, 2022August 5, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Dutchess County commission adopts final map

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

Fjord Trail Seeks Approval for Bridge

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 29, 2022April 28, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Would extend over tracks at Breakneck

CYRUS QUADLAND
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Cyrus Quadland

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 29, 2022December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Beacon veteran has artwork in national show

Putnam IDA logo
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam IDA Striving Toward Compliance

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 29, 2022July 29, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Chair says agency recovering from resignations

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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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