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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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  • Reader Guide
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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].

Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: George Whipple

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

Author of new postcard history of Garrison

water main break
Posted inPhilipstown News

Main Break Shuts Down Garrison’s Landing Water

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

Town provided bottled water, toilets 

Project Director Theresa Dobrash, owners Kamel and Lena Jamal and Creative Director Mallory Lemieux pose outside at The Station in Beacon this past fall, when the building was the site of marijuana “showcases.” File photo by Michael Turton
Posted inBeacon News

Beacon Gets Second Cannabis License

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 12, 2024May 24, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Restaurateur approved to open dispensary

Vote results
Posted inBeacon News

Dutchess Will Challenge Election Law

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 12, 2024April 11, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Republicans say date change usurps sovereignty

Campus college
Posted inAround Town

High School Seniors in Limbo Over College Aid

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 12, 2024April 12, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Problems plague new federal form

The New York State Capitol building in Albany
Posted inAround Town

Should This Be a Law?

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 5, 2024May 24, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Bills focus on senior buses, college aid, housing

Workers at the Carrols hat shop
Posted inArts & Leisure

Made in Beacon

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 5, 2024April 5, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Exhibit showcases industrial past

Shey Aponte and Michael Johnson at Moreish, which is located inside the Hudson Valley Food Hall in Beacon
Posted inArts & Leisure

English Fare With A Flair

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks April 5, 2024April 9, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

British chef opens Beacon eatery

Sylvan Pond in Continental Village may soon be gone.
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam to Drain Sylvan Pond

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 29, 2024May 24, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

State demanding costly dam repair

The New York State Capitol building in Albany
Posted inAround Town

State Budget Negotiations Begin

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 22, 2024May 24, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Cuts to schools, other programs at stake

mary-ellen-still
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Mary Ellen Still

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 22, 2024March 22, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Director of Dutchess County Office of Probation and Community Corrections

Dia zewde 3
Posted inArts & Leisure

Dia:Beacon To Create Public Outdoor Space

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

Meadows, native plants will fill 8 acres behind museum

Posted inAround Town

Beacon, Philipstown Eye Landfill Gas

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 15, 2024March 22, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Seek federal funding to reduce methane emissions

Sue Serino
Posted inBeacon News

Serino Gives First State of the County

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

Restructuring, EMS support among proposals

Putnam Sheriff badge
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam, Deputies Agree to New Contract

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 15, 2024March 22, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Annual raises average 3 percent under pact

Desmond-Fish Library
Posted inPhilipstown News

Desmond-Fish Trustees Vote To Keep Library Name

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 9, 2024May 24, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Decision ends review of Hamilton Fish III actions

lewis tompkins firefighters
Posted inArts & Leisure

Rescuing Highlands History

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 8, 2024April 28, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Multiple sources help build local collections

Nilufer Goodson, a native of Istanbul, opened her eponymous Turkish cafe this month at 135 Main St. in Beacon. Photo by L. Sparks
Posted inArts & Leisure

Turkish Breakfast Comes to Beacon

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

Istanbul native opens Nilufer’s on Main Street

Posted inAround Town

Legislature Revises New House Districts

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

Lawler praises Democrats for ‘restraint’

The former owners of 21 Huyler Drive in Hyde Park are among the plaintiffs suing Dutchess County over the proceeds from its foreclosure auctions. (Absolute Auctions & Realty)
Posted inBeacon News

Dutchess Sued Over Foreclosure Sales

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

Plaintiffs seek proceeds after back taxes paid

Judge gavel
Posted inAround Town

By the Numbers: How Much Local Courts Collect

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks March 1, 2024March 3, 2025 Why you can trust The Current

And where the money ends up

Aaron Sanders and Skyla Schreter of LotusWorks have become the first Beacon business to receive a cannabis license.
Posted inBeacon News

Beacon Receives First Cannabis License

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 23, 2024April 28, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Main Street yoga hub to grow, sell products

District 18
Posted inAround Town

New Redistricting Benefits Lawler, Ryan

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 22, 2024April 28, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

State legislature must approve changes

route-9-building
Posted inPhilipstown News

Project Discards Large Oil Tanks

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 19, 2024April 28, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Plan for Route 9 sparked Philipstown moratorium

Desmond-Fish Library
Posted inPhilipstown News

Committee Majority Supports Renaming Desmond-Fish

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks February 16, 2024April 28, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

Library board will discuss report on March 9

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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