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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].

Putnam County courthouse
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Weighs Term-Limit Changes

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

Proposal would raise bar for amending charter

A developer has proposed building a gas station with a Dunkin’ on the former Automar site on Route 9. Photo by L. Sparks
Posted inPhilipstown News

Gas Station, Solar Farm Eyed for Route 9

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

Also: Garrison library pavilion approved

Putnam Sheriff badge
Posted inPhilipstown News

Who Wants to Be a Lieutenant?

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

No one, says Putnam County sheriff

The Mount Beacon Reservoir (Photo by B. Cronin)
Posted inBeacon News

Dutchess Approves Water Protections

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

Law requires buffer from pollution sources

Melinda Huff
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Melinda Huff

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

Owner of swimwear company that will open in Cold Spring

HHFT says the riverside trail north of Little Stony Point, shown here in an architect’s rendering, would include a boulder edge and planted buffer. (SCAPE)
Posted inAround Town

Rolison Supports Dockside Pause

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 13, 2024November 6, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Sends letter to governor, state parks

The HHFT plan includes an elevated trail at the causeway just north of Mayor's Park in Cold Spring.
Posted inAround Town

Fjord Trail to Delay Cold Spring Link

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

Says it will assess after first projects open

Putnam County courthouse
Posted inPhilipstown News

Legislators Seek More Power Over Attorney

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

Putnam executive says voters should decide

Work ahead
Posted inAround Town

Counties Face Deadline for Federal Funds

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 30, 2024November 6, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Must ‘obligate’ pandemic money by Dec. 31

The aftermath of a battery fire in Warwick, Orange County Photo by Scott Rausenberger
Posted inPhilipstown News

Battery Storage Faces Backlash

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 30, 2024December 28, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Safety concerns spur Putnam moratoriums

Posted inBeacon News

Beacon Adopts Eviction Limits

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 23, 2024November 6, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Eligible landlords must show ‘good cause’

Putnam County courthouse
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Rejects Farms for Agricultural District

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

Vote follows debate over program rules

Dutchess Manor was built as a home in 1868. Photo by Daniel Case
Posted inAround Town

Fjord Trail Foes Cross the Border

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 16, 2024November 6, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Take aim at Dutchess Manor plans

Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam County May Rewrite Farm Rules

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 9, 2024August 30, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Tables vote to reject additions to ag district

Nobody's Deli is scheduled to open on Main Street in Cold Spring around Labor Day.
Posted inPhilipstown News

Movement on Main

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 9, 2024August 30, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Cold Spring draws new projects

Yvette-Valdes-Smith
Posted inElections & Politics

Public Financing Boosts Candidates

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 2, 2024November 6, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Valdes Smith expects $375K from new program

Garrison Landing
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Redirects Garrison Landing Funding

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 2, 2024November 6, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Water purchases deemed ineligible for fed program

Light bulb and pile of coins energy money savings central hudson
Posted inAround Town

Central Hudson Seeks New Rate Hike

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 2, 2024August 8, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Average monthly bill would rise $9 a month

Posted inPhilipstown News

Storm Repairs Ongoing

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 26, 2024July 27, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Federal, state funds pay for fixes

Hacker in data security concept. Hacker using laptop. Hacking the Internet. Cyber attack.
Posted inAround Town

Internet Insecurity

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 26, 2024August 30, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Cyberattacks pose growing threat

Elvis Soto and Derek Fox weed lettuce at San Damiano Farm. Photos by L. Sparks
Posted inAround Town

Harvesting Lives

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 26, 2024August 30, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Graymoor farm grows produce, sobriety

computer network
Posted inAround Town

Dutchess, Putnam Affected by Global IT Outage

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 19, 2024July 26, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Counties work to restore computer systems 

Light bulb and pile of coins energy money savings central hudson
Posted inAround Town

State Approves Central Hudson Rate Hikes

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 19, 2024August 30, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Higher bills for electricity, gas begin in August

Annsville Circle
Posted inPhilipstown News

Changes Ahead for Route 9 Roundabout

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 19, 2024November 6, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Annsville Circle rezoned for housing and retail

Dutchess Manor
Posted inAround Town

Fjord Trail Shares Dutchess Manor Plans

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks July 19, 2024February 25, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

Also, warehouse proposed for Route 9 golf course

Posts pagination

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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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