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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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    • Special Sections
  • Reader Guide
    • Who We Are & How to Contact Us
      • Contact
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      • Business Directory
      • Local Officials
    • Print Paper
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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].

Marc Molinaro
Posted inBeacon News

Molinaro: ‘Authoritarian Style’ Unnecessary

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 26, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

State order targets liquor licenses

Cathryn Fadde
Posted inAround Town

Welcome to … Phase 3

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 19, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Local restaurants face more uncertainty 

cold spring street
Posted inAround Town

Too Close for Comfort?

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 19, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Social distancing hotline receives 25,000 complaints

Police siren
Posted inAround Town

Lawmakers Remove Shield on Police Records

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 12, 2020June 26, 2020 Why you can trust The Current

Disciplinary histories will be available to public

Serino, Jacobson and Galef
Posted inElections & Politics

Police Reform: How They Voted

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 12, 2020December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

How local legislators voted on 10 police-reform bills this week

Roundhouse patio
Posted inAround Town

Now Entering … Phase 2

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 12, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Restaurants, churches reopen, with limits

Deb MacLeod
Posted inAround Town

Need a Haircut?

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks June 5, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Barbers, salons among businesses to reopen in Phase 2

Marc Molinaro
Posted inBeacon News

Dutchess County Executive: ‘Feds Need to Step In’

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 29, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

As Mid-Hudson slowly opens, Molinaro calls for aid

Molinaro
Posted inCurrent Conversations

Current Conversation: Marc Molinaro

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 26, 2020February 19, 2021 Why you can trust The Current

Dutchess County executive

Posted inAround Town

Counties Expecting Huge Losses

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 22, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Dutchess could cut up to 200 positions

Posted inPhilipstown News

Judge Rejects Release of Inmates

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 22, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Says Putnam doing enough to keep them safe

Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Asked to Release Inmates

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 15, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

County refuses, saying they are too dangerous

Wingate at Beacon
Posted inAround Town

25 Percent of State COVID-19 Deaths at Nursing Homes

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 15, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Dutchess County begins testing of all residents

split rock
Posted inAround Town

State: Hudson Valley Not Ready

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 8, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Businesses worry about protecting customers

girl elearning
Posted inAround Town

No Return for District, College Students

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 2, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Cuomo extends closure for rest of academic year

map
Posted inAround Town

Dutchess, Putnam: Keep Us Out of It

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 1, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Counties want state to allow faster re-opening

Poughkeepsie Day School
Posted inBeacon News

Dutchess School May Close After 86 Years

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks May 1, 2020May 1, 2020 Why you can trust The Current

Parents, teachers, alums race to create rescue plan

fishkill farms
Posted inAround Town

Healthy Appetite for Farm Goods

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 24, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Farmers pivot to online, phone sales

Posted inBeacon News

Beacon Prison Virus Cases Highest in State

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 24, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Calls mount for greater protection, early releases

Fishkill Center for Rehabilitation
Posted inAround Town

Nursing Homes Especially Vulnerable to COVID-19 (Updated)

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 18, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

For first time, state releases county-level data on deaths

Posted inPhilipstown News

Philipstown Firm is Busy

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 18, 2020March 3, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Rise in videoconferencing fuels surge

Posted inAround Town

Help on Hold

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 11, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Unemployed struggle to file for benefits

young man surgical mask
Posted inAround Town

Escape from New York

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 3, 2020December 19, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Rush for COVID-19 relief prompts bidding wars

Dutchess County seal
Posted inBeacon News

Reform Law Spurs New Hires at Dutchess D.A.

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 3, 2020April 3, 2020 Why you can trust The Current

Office says it’s diverting cases to handle workload

Posted inAround Town

Do We Have Enough Hospital Beds?

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 23, 2020April 30, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Immediate area has fewer than 75 for intensive care

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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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