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The Current

The Current

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

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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].

Loaded Syringe and Pills, drugs, opioids, needle
Posted inBeacon News

Overdose Deaths Plummet in Dutchess

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks December 20, 2024January 11, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Officials credit policing, public health initiatives

Dust rises from the property of Century Aggregates, which is building a new entrance on Route 9 for its mining operation. Photo by L. Sparks
Posted inPhilipstown News

Concrete Plant Proposed for Route 9

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks December 20, 2024December 20, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Century Aggregates runs gravel, sand mine

Spring and Main in Nelsonville
Posted inPhilipstown News

Nelsonville Bans Parking on Spring Street

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks December 20, 2024December 20, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Village board also raises permit fees

Byrne
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Executive Sues Legislature

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks December 13, 2024December 23, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

State court hits lawmakers with injunction

Philipstown Town Hall
Posted inPhilipstown News

Philipstown May Expand Tax Breaks

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

Proposals raise income limits for seniors, disabled

Dutchess Budget 2022
Posted inBeacon News

Dutchess Legislature Approves Budget

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

Boosts spending, lowers tax rate

Putnam County courthouse
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Reallocates Federal Funds

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks December 6, 2024December 20, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Also, legislators expand power over county attorney

The Beacon reservoir on East Mountain Road North in Philipstown on Nov. 7
Posted inAround Town

Local Reservoirs Remain Thirsty

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 29, 2024December 20, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Well users also urged to conserve

Philipstown Town Hall
Posted inPhilipstown News

‘Significant Concerns’ Over Route 9 Plan

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 24, 2024November 27, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Planning board asked to pause review  

Posted inPhilipstown News

Philipstown Sued Over Assessments

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 22, 2024December 20, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Depot owner calls increases ‘illegal’

Philipstown Town Hall
Posted inPhilipstown News

Philipstown Approves 2025 Budget

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 22, 2024December 1, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Spending, tax rates increase

Green Chimneys, a residential program in Brewster and Carmel for children with special needs, has been sued by 20 former students. Photo by L. Sparks
Posted inAround Town

Green Chimneys Settles in Sex-Abuse Case

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 15, 2024January 11, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Local religious institutions, counties fighting similar lawsuits

Police siren
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Touts Threat Reporting

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 15, 2024November 15, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

System seeks to help prevent violence

Kevin Byrne
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Approves 2025 Budget

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 1, 2024November 8, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Lower taxes for residents, raises for some officials

serino-budget
Posted inBeacon News

Serino Unveils Dutchess Budget

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 1, 2024November 8, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Lowers taxes, funds EMS, youth programs

pushing gravel
Posted inPhilipstown News

Philipstown to Pave Sections of Two Roads

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 1, 2024November 1, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Also, tentative 2025 budget raises tax rates

Rolison, Valdés Smith
Posted inElections & Politics

State Senate Candidates Square Off

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 25, 2024February 25, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Rising costs top concern for Rolison, Valdés Smith

hsv-actor-housing
Posted inPhilipstown News

Shakespeare Unveils Actor Housing

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 25, 2024October 27, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Hopes to build 32 residences for seasonal performers

Levenberg, Capalbo
Posted inElections & Politics, Philipstown News

‘Shekels’ Remark Mars Assembly Race

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 18, 2024December 28, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Levenberg seeks re-election for second term

Andrew Krivak (right) and Anthony DiPippo outside the Putnam County Courthouse in February 2023 after a jury acquitted Krivak. Photo by Seth Harrison/ The Journal News
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Reaches $20 Million Deal with Krivak

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 11, 2024November 6, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Settlement would end wrongful conviction lawsuit

Photovoltaic solar panels on sunset sky background,green clean energy concept.
Posted inPhilipstown News

Philipstown Drafts Solar Rules

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 11, 2024October 11, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Guidelines cover private, commercial systems

Putnam County courthouse
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Executive Proposes $205M Budget

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 4, 2024October 11, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Spending rises, tax rate falls to 18-year low

Putnam County courthouse
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Legislators Expand Power to Fire Attorney

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 4, 2024October 4, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Change comes amid ethics complaint

Orsini
Posted inBeacon News

Couple Guilty in Beacon Disappearance

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 29, 2024December 27, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Convicted of killing wife’s ex-husband

Laura Timmons, co-owner of Homestyle Desserts, holds a tray of presidential candidate cookies. Photo by Tania Savayan/The Journal News
Posted inAround Town

Cookie Backlash Turns to Boon

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 27, 2024November 6, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Homestyle faced criticism over Trump treats

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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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