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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].

The main entrance to Dia:Beacon
Posted inArts & Leisure

Dia Workers Join Union Wave

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

Seeking better pay, benefits

champlain power route zoom in
Posted inBeacon News

Dutchess Opposes Tax Breaks for Power Line

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 22, 2022July 29, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Cable under Hudson would supply New York City

concealed gun
Posted inAround Town

Gun Owners Have Questions

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 15, 2022April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

County clerks react to flurry of changes 

Posted inAround Town

Utility Relief on the Way

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 15, 2022July 29, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Low-income residents to have debts erased

Marshall Mermell
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Marshall Mermell

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 15, 2022December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Cold Spring resident runs “climate repair” firm

A fire on Wednesday caused heavy damage to Alvin Bell’s barbershop on Main Street in Beacon. Photo by Daniel Aubry
Posted inBeacon News

Longtime Beacon Barber Loses Shop To Fire

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 8, 2022April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Alvin Bell occupied Main Street storefront for decades

Posted inAround Town

Ballots Set for August Primaries

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 8, 2022July 11, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Maloney faces challenge

LAURIE SIGALOS
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Laurie Sigalos

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 8, 2022December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Executive director of the Philipstown Behavioral Health Hub

abortion protest Supreme Court
Posted inAround Town

Who Seeks Abortions

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 1, 2022July 22, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

CDC shows most are in their 20s with children 

Castle Point VA Medical Center
Posted inAround Town

Castle Point Gets Reprieve

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 1, 2022July 1, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Senators reject report calling for facility’s closure

Dana Levenberg
Posted inPhilipstown News

Levenberg Wins 95th District Primary

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 29, 2022September 27, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Ossining supervisor seeking to replace Sandy Galef

Dutchess officers
Posted inSpecial Reports

Always Present, Never Seen

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 24, 2022December 13, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

The fifth part of our Black history of the Highlands

Carl Bon Tempo
Posted inCurrent Conversations

Podcast: The History of Immigration

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 24, 2022June 24, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Cold Spring resident discusses new book

Jacob Lawrence Panel 1
Posted inSpecial Reports

Always Present, Never Seen

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 17, 2022May 31, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

The fourth part of our Black history of the Highlands

Greg Johnston
Posted inBeacon News

Veterans Court Approved for Beacon

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 3, 2022June 12, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Program prioritizes treatment over jail

Electric grid
Posted inAround Town

Energy Firm Twice Drew Ire of Attorney General

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 27, 2022May 27, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Ordered to pay fine, provide refunds over marketing

congress17
Posted inAround Town

New Maps Shuffle Political Races (Updated)

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

Philipstown would move to new House district 

COVID shrug
Posted inColumnists

Reporter’s Notebook: The COVID Shrug

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 20, 2022March 3, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

“I am built for sprints, not marathons, which is what the pandemic has become.”

Carl Bon Tempo
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Carl Bon Tempo

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 20, 2022December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Cold Spring resident wrote new book on immigration

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

Catching a Killer

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 13, 2022May 30, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

High hurdle to justice in overdose deaths 

power grid electricity
Posted inAround Town

Power Pact Threatened

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 13, 2022May 30, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Electricity provider may want out of contract

redistricting Beacon
Posted inBeacon News

New Dutchess Districts Would Flip Beacon Wards

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 6, 2022May 30, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Commission members clash over Vassar voters

New Map D 41
Posted inAround Town

Court Strikes Down Democrats’ Maps

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 29, 2022May 6, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Congressional, state Senate districts to be redrawn

catalytic converter
Posted inAround Town

Still Have Your Catalytic Converter?

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 29, 2022May 6, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Thieves target vehicle part for precious metals

Topfield Center
Posted inAround Town

Topfield Center Rides Again

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 29, 2022May 1, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Equestrian center ends pandemic shutdown

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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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