• SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS
  • ADVERTISE
  • FREE UPDATES
  • July 12, 2025
  • Home
  • Philipstown
  • Beacon
  • Arts
    • Columns
    • Food
    • Gardening
  • Sports
  • Obits
  • Advertise
    • View Media Kit
    • Place Classified Ad
    • View Classified Ads
    • Pay for Your Ad
    • Special Sections
  • Reader Guide
    • Who We Are & How to Contact Us
      • Contact
      • About The Current
      • Board of Directors
      • Editorial Standards
    • Community Resources
      • Events Calendar
      • Storm Updates
      • Business Directory
      • Local Officials
    • Print Paper
      • Back Issues
      • Where to Find
      • Mail Delivery
    • Free Updates by Email
    • Podcast Episodes
    • Student Journalists
    • Reader Comments
  • Support Our Work
    • Become a member
    • Renew your membership
    • Give a gift membership
    • Make a special donation
    • Update your information
  • Home
  • About The Current
  • Contact
  • Advertise in The Current
  • Editorial Standards
  • Become a Member
  • Facebook Page
  • Instagram
  • Bluesky
  • Linkedin
  • YouTube
Skip to content
  • Home
  • About The Current
  • Contact
  • Advertise in The Current
  • Editorial Standards
  • Become a Member
  • Facebook Page
  • Instagram
  • Bluesky
  • Linkedin
  • YouTube
The Current

The Current

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

  • SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS
  • ADVERTISE
  • FREE UPDATES
  • July 12, 2025
Donate
  • Home
  • Philipstown
  • Beacon
  • Arts
    • Columns
    • Food
    • Gardening
  • Sports
  • Obits
  • Advertise
    • View Media Kit
    • Place Classified Ad
    • View Classified Ads
    • Pay for Your Ad
    • Special Sections
  • Reader Guide
    • Who We Are & How to Contact Us
      • Contact
      • About The Current
      • Board of Directors
      • Editorial Standards
    • Community Resources
      • Events Calendar
      • Storm Updates
      • Business Directory
      • Local Officials
    • Print Paper
      • Back Issues
      • Where to Find
      • Mail Delivery
    • Free Updates by Email
    • Podcast Episodes
    • Student Journalists
    • Reader Comments
  • Support Our Work
    • Become a member
    • Renew your membership
    • Give a gift membership
    • Make a special donation
    • Update your information
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].

dutchess county government building
Posted inBeacon News

Dutchess Workers to Receive $1K Bonus

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 13, 2021November 13, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Also, legislature passes tax exemption on clothing, shoes

pete seeger stamp
Posted inBeacon News

Postal Service to Issue Pete Seeger Stamp

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 12, 2021April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Folk musician, environmentalist was longtime Beacon resident

Louis Weber
Posted inPhilipstown News

Louis Weber Sentenced to 20 Years

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 12, 2021November 12, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Prosecutor says case about ‘greed’ and ‘revenge’

edie meeks in vietnam
Posted inArts & Leisure

Voices of Veterans

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 8, 2021November 6, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Garrison filmmaker, Beacon vet part of new PBS series

Ballot proposals
Posted inAround Town

Dutchess Voters Reject Smaller Legislature

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 5, 2021November 5, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Statewide voting reform, redistricting proposals voted down

marijuana leaf
Posted inAround Town

Board Approves Medical Home Grown

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 3, 2021October 29, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Allows up to 12 marijuana plants per residence

cold spring flooding
Posted inAround Town

Rain, Rain, Go Away Already

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 30, 2021October 30, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Ida produced second-wettest day in 13 years

Ballot proposals
Posted inAround Town

Quick Guide to Ballot Proposals

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 29, 2021October 31, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

A look at the back of the ballot

Dutchess Budget 2022
Posted inBeacon News

Molinaro Unveils ‘Historic’ Tax Cut

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 29, 2021November 8, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Proposal would cut Dutchess taxes by 10 percent

dar williams on tour
Posted inArts & Leisure

Dar Williams: Back On the Road

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 25, 2021October 22, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Cold Spring singer-songwriter tours after yearlong delay

Posted inPhilipstown News

Haldane to Receive More State Funding

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 23, 2021October 22, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

State agrees to pay billions to settle lawsuit

Patricia Miranda at work in her studio.
Posted inArts & Leisure

Lacing Together History

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 22, 2021October 22, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Artist weaves donated fabrics into ‘community’ project

St. Christopher's Inn
Posted inArts & Leisure

Words of Recovery

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 16, 2021October 22, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

New book features work by men at Garrison treatment center

Container ship
Posted inAround Town

Local Retailers Feel Supply Pinch

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 15, 2021November 8, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Shortages expected as holiday spending ramps up

George Taranto
Posted inPhilipstown News

Family Alleges Deputies Caused Death

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 9, 2021October 8, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Say they may revise lawsuit against Putnam County

Posted inAround Town

Big Bucks Coming from Opioid Settlement

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 9, 2021October 8, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Settlement money must be used for treatment and prevention 

Newburgh-Beacon_Bridge_2
Posted inBeacon News

Walking the Bridge at Night

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 9, 2021October 8, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Newburgh-Beacon Bridge could open after dusk

Posted inAround Town

Postal Delivery Expected to Slow

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 8, 2021April 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

New mail standards will add one to two days

Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Deb Madsen

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 2, 2021December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Traveling intensive-care unit nurse

Posted inAround Town

Flood Insurance Rates Rise

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 1, 2021October 15, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Dozens of Highlands properties will see hikes

Linda Weaver
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Linda Weaver

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 25, 2021December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Co-founder of agency for voice-over actors

Donna Selwa-Selig
Posted inAround Town

Health Workers Due for Shots

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 24, 2021April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Deadline nears for unvaccinated hospital, nursing home staff

Molinaro
Posted inBeacon News

Molinaro to Run for Congress

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 24, 2021September 24, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Dutchess executive files to challenge in 19th district

Sprout Brook Road bridge
Posted inSpecial Reports

Bridging The Gap

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 17, 2021December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Federal bill could boost funding for crossing work

leilani alarcon
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Leilani Alarcon

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 11, 2021December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Pastor for the Salvation Army in Beacon

Posts pagination

Newer posts 1 … 15 16 17 18 19 … 24 Older posts

Trending Now

  • A falling object destroyed Christine Ortiz’s windshield. Photo by Michelle Kupper

    Surprise from the Sky

  • he site now hosts a Speedway gas station.
 Photo by L. Sparks

    Continental Commons Faces New Lawsuit

  • Michael Gilligan

    Michael Gilligan (1936-2025)

  • Honor Roll

    Haldane High School Honor Roll

  • Maya Beck

    5 Questions: Maya Beck

Carefull MD
Howland
Brothers Tree
See your ad here. Email us.

Free Updates in Your Inbox







See your classified ad here. Click for details.

Featured Ads

  • For Rent: Cold Spring Apartment 2BR/1BA
  • For Rent: Philipstown Office Space
  • Acupuncture for Ease in Body + Mind
  • Sell Your Old Car Through Peddle
  • Consumer Cellular from $20 Per Month
  • Healing Bodywork with Joy Matalon
Find Your News
15
Cheese Shops
Chapel
See your ad here. Email us.

Follow Us

Facebook
Instagram
Mastodon
Bluesky

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.

HOW WE REPORT

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.

CONTACT

The Highlands Current
142 Main St.
Cold Spring, NY 10516
845-809-5584
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

  • Our Awards
  • Editorial Standards
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
© 2025 Highlands Current Inc Powered by Newspack Accessibility Statement
  • Facebook Page
  • Instagram
  • Bluesky
  • Linkedin
  • YouTube
pixel