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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].

camp
Posted inSpecial Reports

A Camp for Those Left Behind

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

Therapy mixed with fun at weekend sleepaway

Doctor or psychiatrist consulting and diagnostic examining stressful woman patient on obstetric - gynecological female illness, or mental health in medical clinic or hospital healthcare service center
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Crisis Center Faces Backlash

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 17, 2023November 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Opposition to Brewster site forces new search 

Vardit Ravitsky on lawn
Posted in5 Questions

5 Questions: Vardit Ravitsky

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 17, 2023December 16, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

New president of The Hastings Center in Garrison

Putnam County Courthouse
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Legislators Override Veto of Raises

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 17, 2023November 16, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Byrne had rejected increases for sheriff, clerk, coroners

Philipstown Town Hall
Posted inPhilipstown News

Philipstown Approves Tax Hike

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 17, 2023November 16, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Levy rises in 2024 budget by 8.3 percent

Police siren
Posted inAround Town

Violent Crime Declining

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 10, 2023November 11, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Dutchess on pace for big drop 

Putnam County Courthouse
Posted inPhilipstown News

Putnam Legislators Pass Spending Plan

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 10, 2023November 10, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Montgomery casts lone ‘no’ vote

2024 budget
Posted inBeacon News

Dutchess Budget Plan Lowers, Raises Taxes

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks November 3, 2023November 10, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Levies fall on property, rise on purchases, hotel stays

Brockway site / fishkill waterfront
Posted inBeacon News

Condos Proposed for Brockway Site

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 20, 2023October 19, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Fishkill project requires bridge over MTA tracks

Pet medics
Posted inAround Town

Pet Paramedics to the Rescue

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 13, 2023October 21, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Fishkill ambulance specializes in animal patients

steven-kraft
Posted inBeacon News

Woman May Avoid Death Penalty in Beacon Case

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 13, 2023October 13, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Jamie Orsini charged with husband in ex’s disappearance

Home For Sale Real Estate Sign in Front of Beautiful New House.
Posted inAround Town

High Rates Depress Local Housing Market

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks October 6, 2023October 10, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Buyers, sellers pull back as borrowing costs rise  

37 lamplight road
Posted inBeacon News

Beacon Church Seeks Home in Fishkill

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 22, 2023October 13, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Star of Bethlehem formed in city in 1900

Putnam Sheriff badge
Posted inPhilipstown News

Report Clears Putnam Deputies in Fatal Shooting

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 22, 2023September 22, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Kent man shot while stabbing estranged girlfriend

parking
Posted inPhilipstown News

Hochul Approves Cold Spring Parking Expansion

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 19, 2023October 13, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Clears way for residential permits, meters

A developer plans to transform the abandoned southern end of the Dutchess Mall in Fishkill into a warehouse facility.
Posted inAround Town

Dutchess Mall Owner Loses Buyer

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 15, 2023September 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Vows to continue warehouse development

Moderna vaccine
Posted inAround Town

New Vaccine to Test Disinterest

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 15, 2023October 13, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

COVID-19 booster rates low as local cases rise

Photovoltaic solar panels on sunset sky background,green clean energy concept.
Posted inSpecial Reports

The Sun Rises on Solar, Part II

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 8, 2023December 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Residents, officials embrace community approach

Flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida damaged tracks on Metro-North's Hudson Line in 2021.
Posted inBeacon News

Dutchess County Documents Climate Threats

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 8, 2023September 8, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Will identify risks to bridges, railways, roads 

Photovoltaic solar panels on sunset sky background,green clean energy concept.
Posted inSpecial Reports

The Sun Rises on Solar

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks September 1, 2023December 26, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Climate concerns, gas prices drive installations

Posted inBeacon News

Hochul OKs Beacon Hotel Room Tax

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

Levy of up to 5% includes short-term rentals  

Jesse Stacken explains how he uses the weather gauge that collects rainfall and snowfall in Beacon. Photos by L. Sparks
Posted inAround Town

Measuring a Changing Climate

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 18, 2023September 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Local volunteers feed data to national network

The Red Roof Inn on Route 9 is lodging 86 asylum-seekers from New York City.
Posted inBeacon News

Dutchess Judge Issues New Migrant Ban

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

County cites TB cases in lawsuit against NYC, hotels

west point
Posted inAround Town

Affirmative Action Group Takes Aim at West Point

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 11, 2023August 11, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Group recruiting rejected applicants for lawsuit

Power lines on background of sky close-up. Electric hub on pole in monochrome. Electricity equipment with copy space. Wires of high voltage in sky. Electricity industry. Sepia tone.
Posted inAround Town

Central Hudson Asks to Increase Electricity, Gas Rates

Leonard Sparks by Leonard Sparks August 4, 2023September 23, 2023 Why you can trust The Current

Officials say billing fix should come first

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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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