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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].

banned books
Posted inAround Town

Removing Books from Schools

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

Nearby districts react to challenges

New York marijuana legalization
Posted inAround Town

New York State Approves First Cannabis Licenses

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

Six Dutchess hemp farms to grow pot for adult use

dutchess stadium
Posted inBeacon News

Molinaro to Redeploy Stadium Funding

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 14, 2022April 22, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Renovations using COVID relief funds drew criticism

One million dollars
Posted inBeacon News

How to Spend $57 Million

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

Dutchess Stadium tops list of projects receiving COVID funds

13 gate house road
Posted inPhilipstown News

Nelsonville’s Lost Park?

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 1, 2022April 2, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Lawsuit claims village owns parcel approved for home

Anthony Carbone
Posted inAround Town

Putting Extra Food to Use

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

State law aims to reduce waste and feed the needy 

Castle Point VA Medical Center
Posted inAround Town

VA Proposes Closing Castle Point

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 25, 2022April 2, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Care would shift to community providers, Montrose hospital

the corner of Beekman and Ferry streets
Posted inBeacon News

Urban Renewal Revisited

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 25, 2022April 8, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Project will recall Beacon neighborhoods lost to development

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

Fjord Trail Plan Draws Praise and Concern

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 25, 2022April 28, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Residents weigh in as construction nears 

Pataki met in Budapest with the Ukrainian ambassador to Hungary.
Posted inAround Town

Pataki Visits Hungary, Ukraine

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 18, 2022March 26, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Former governor says more U.S. aid needed

fraud phishing stock photo
Posted inAround Town

Scam Encounters

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 11, 2022April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Residents snared by fake stories, phony landlords

Stand with Ukraine Rally in New York City
Posted inAround Town

Russia Invasion Hits Home

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 4, 2022April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Local Ukrainians fear for country, family and friends

helanna bratman and samantha brittain
Posted inBeacon News

A Student Returns as Teacher

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 4, 2022March 4, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Green Teen alum takes over Beacon farming program

josette wright
Posted inPhilipstown News

Defense in Murder Case Wants DA Removed

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

Accuses Putnam office of misconduct and bias

David Poses
Posted inPhilipstown News

‘My Heart Was Broken’

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 25, 2022March 4, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Friends remember Philipstown author David Poses

Ring Doorbell
Posted inAround Town

Police Turn to Home Surveillance

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 25, 2022March 11, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Putnam sheriff says devices helped solve Garrison robbery

Posted inCurrent Conversations

Podcast: Devastated By COVID

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 25, 2022March 3, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Maya Fasulo lost her mother and grandmother to COVID-19

Central Hudson Square Logo
Posted inAround Town

Central Hudson Warns of Higher Bills

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 18, 2022March 4, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Projects average increase of 29 percent for gas, electric

Garrison robbery suspect
Posted inPhilipstown News

Armed Robber Hits Garrison Gas Station

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 13, 2022February 19, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Shows revolver and demands cash at Gulf

Bail reform
Posted inAround Town

Bail, or Baleful?

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 11, 2022March 4, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Data defy easy link between reform, violent crime

NY-18 old vs. new
Posted inAround Town

Republican Voters File Redistricting Lawsuit

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

Petition cites local district as example of gerrymandering

New 41st district state senate
Posted inAround Town

Legislature Approves New Districts

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 4, 2022February 11, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Beacon, Philipstown may get new state senator

james petty
Posted inAround Town

Pandemic Pivot

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 4, 2022December 19, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Highlands residents forge new careers

coronavirus
Posted inAround Town

What’s Next With COVID?

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 4, 2022April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

More variants and a lot of uncertainty

facial or surgical mask on top of the eviction note
Posted inColumnists

Reporter’s Notebook: Are Evictions Coming?

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks January 28, 2022April 8, 2022 Why you can trust The Current

Uncertainty returns as moratorium expires 

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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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The 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.

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