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Highlands Current Audio Stories
by Highlands Current
The Highlands Current is a nonprofit weekly newspaper and daily website that covers Beacon, Cold Spring, Garrison, Nelsonville and Philipstown, New York, in the Hudson Highlands. This podcast includes select stories read aloud.
Episodes
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Needed: 1.5 to 3.6 Jobs Creating 'affordable'
Income, housing data paint an expensive picture Krystal Sarcone was born in Beacon and raised in Cortlandt Manor before leaving for graduate school and a public health career. With dozens of family members still living in Beacon, Sarcone said she always planned to return and buy a home. But…
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Questions for Candidates: Putnam Executive Ground rules Opening statements Economic development Strengthening free markets Budget management County reserves County taxes Staff management Union contracts Local farms and open spaces Renewable energy Emergency services Mental health center Law enforcement/ICE Immigration enforcement Closing statements
On Sept. 30, at the Mahopac Public Library, The Putnam County Press & Times hosted a debate between the candidates for county executive: incumbent Kevin Byrne, who appears on the Republican line; Tatiana Brahimi, who appears on the Conservative line; and Brett Yarris, who appears on the…
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Dutchess Votes to Cover Flock Cameras Data centers In other business….
Also supports state moratorium on data centers Nearly three weeks after the Dutchess district attorney and sheriff announced that the county should remove every Flock license plate reader, the Legislature on Tuesday (Oct. 13) unanimously directed that any camera still installed on Nov. 1 be…
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Beacon Planning Board Updates 172 Main St./2 Cross St. 393-397 Fishkill Ave. 364 Main St.
Amended site-plan requests on the agenda The Beacon Planning Board on Wednesday (Oct. 14) approved amended site plans for developments at 248 Tioronda Ave. and 172 Main St. The approval at Tioronda Avenue, an apartment complex called The Arno that hugs Fishkill Creek, caps more than a decade of...
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Looking Back in Philipstown 250 Years Ago (October 1776) 150 Years Ago (October 1876) 100 Years Ago (October 1926) 50 Years Ago (October 1976) 25 Years Ago (October 2001)
Gen. George Washington wrote from Harlem Heights to Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler: "We are again deprived of the navigation of this [Hudson] River by three [British] ships of war, two of 44 and the other of 20 guns, with three or four tenders passing our chevaux-de-frise [obstacles] yesterday…
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Beacon Loses Four Mainstays No. 3 Reading Room & Photo Book Works @ 469 Main St. Marion Royael Gallery @ 159 Main St. The Pandorica @ 165 Main St. The Beacon Falls Cafe @ 420 Main St.
The owners of four longtime businesses — two galleries and two cafes — recently announced they were closing. Artists Paulette Myers-Rich and David Rich operated the gallery as an extension of her book arts studio, Traffic Street Press. "I'm a trained librarian, and I love to talk to people who…
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Street Art
Artists go on the road for annual Roll Out Using a steamroller to create giant prints is well established. The Garrison Art Center held an event in 2014, and on Sunday (Oct. 18), the fourth annual Roll Out Beacon will take place at The Yard, where printmakers create large-scale works with heavy...
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Conley, Lawler Race to the Finish Debate Videos
Philipstown district considered 'toss-up' Leslie Leonard joined about 100 Cait Conley supporters who crammed their bodies and enthusiasm into a stuffy room on Sept. 27 at the Albert A. Capellini Community & Cultural Center in Yorktown Heights. They gathered to canvass for the Democratic…
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Dutchess Manor Project Approved
Slated to become Fjord Trail visitor center The Fishkill Planning Board on Oct. 8 approved a plan by the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail to transform Dutchess Manor on Route 9D into a visitors' center for the planned 7.5-mile multiuse trail between Cold Spring and Beacon. HHFT still needs approvals...
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What to Know About the Governor's Race What's the state of the race? Who's got the money? Light on policy What do voters care about?
This story originally appeared in New York Focus, a nonprofit news publication investigating power in New York. Sign up for its newsletter here. Candidates locked in an expensive — and surprisingly competitive — race Who will run New York for the next four years? Gov. Kathy Hochul, the incumbent...
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Over the River, Through the Woods
Scenic Hudson opens Highland Falls park The newest way to appreciate Philipstown's scenic beauty is to leave Philipstown. On Oct. 3, Scenic Hudson cut the ribbon on the Highland Falls Preserve, a 32-acre riverfront park that offers a picnic area, a 0.7-mile mossy trail that winds through pitch...
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Nine Months Later, Ryan Celebrates Law
Anchorage restrictions passed in December Nine months after it took effect — and a month before Election Day — Rep. Pat Ryan, a Democrat and former Ulster County executive whose House district includes Beacon, held a news conference on Oct. 9 at the Poughkeepsie waterfront to celebrate the…
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Cellist to Premiere Sonata at Chapel
Inbal Segev will perform with pianist Yalin Chi Pianist Yalin Chi made plenty of friends at The Juilliard School and added many more during her subsequent musical journey. This access to a pipeline of talented chamber musicians has helped transform the Chapel Restoration in Cold Spring into a...
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Putnam Expands Mobile Crisis Team Legislator salaries ADU exemption Budget vetoes
Will add evening, weekend hours A mobile service for Putnam residents experiencing mental health crises will expand after the county Legislature approved a resolution on Oct. 6. Lawmakers unanimously approved a $380,000 grant for People USA after a request by Nancy Montgomery, who represents...
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Podcast Dissects Putnam Cases Listen: Season 1, Episode 1 Criminal Mischief (Josette Wright) Listen: Season 2, Episode 1 Remember Me (Robin Murphy)
'20/20' documentary also planned When Anthony DiPippo sued Putnam County after his acquittal at a third trial for the rape and murder of a 12-year-old Carmel girl, his lawyer deposed the two Sheriff's Office detectives who arrested him, Patrick Castaldo and William Quick. Both detectives were…
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Beacon Budget Proposal: $39.5M In other business …
Mayor's spending plan drops tax rates, increases salaries Beacon Mayor Lee Kyriacou introduced his 2027 budget proposal on Monday (Oct. 5): a $39.5 million spending plan that cuts the residential property tax rate for a sixth consecutive year. The City Council will hold a public hearing on Nov.…
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Photography from Near and Far
Curators scour the world for annual Beacon show To find artists for their annual Focus on Photographers show, Larry Kerschberg and Ronnie Beth Sauers network, visit exhibits, scour the internet and flip through magazines. For the past three years, they have cherry-picked work by artists from…
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Heating Oil Prices Jump 67 Percent
Hits $6.25 a gallon in Dutchess, Putnam Nearly 700,000 homes and businesses in New York state that rely on heating oil will face near-record-high prices this winter because of supply shortages related to the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine. As of Monday (Oct. 5), heating oil averaged $6.25 per…
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'A Love Letter to Beacon'
Howland Center to screen new Clearwater documentary Wherever Jodie Childers and Dan Messina show their newly released Pete Seeger documentary, Down by the Riverside, the filmmakers say most audience members seem aware of his folk music and civil rights activism and that he was blacklisted as a...
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Residents Assess Philipstown Airbnb Law
Public hearing extended to next month Nathaniel Salerno and his husband have used income from two short-term rentals at their Philipstown home to pay for paving and other maintenance costs on the private road they share with three other property owners. Christina O'Neill said she lives next to an...
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Judge Orders Byrne Campaign to Return Funds
Rules that candidate violated finance law A state judge on Friday (Oct. 2) ordered County Executive Kevin Byrne's campaign to refund more than $21,000 in contributions that five voters in a lawsuit said exceeded the legal limit. The Republican incumbent is seeking re-election on Nov. 3 against...
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Should State Require Mental Health Courts?
This story originally appeared in New York Focus, a nonprofit news publication investigating power in New York. Sign up for its newsletter here. Many counties, including Putnam and Dutchess, don't have them On a recent July morning, a defendant appeared in a New York courtroom in a loose-fitting...
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Putnam Seeks Board of Ethics Members
Deadline is Oct. 31 to request nomination Putnam County is soliciting applications for its five-member Board of Ethics, whose volunteer members serve two-year terms. The county Legislature recently passed a resolution remaking the board, which was enacted last week without the signature of County...
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Lawler Attacks Conley on Data Centers
But tiptoes around the issue himself This story originally appeared in New York Focus, a nonprofit news publication investigating power in New York. Sign up for its newsletter here. Rep. Mike Lawler is seizing a new wedge against his Democratic challenger Cait Conley in their closely watched race...
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Beacon Police Respond to Mooning Incident
Blogger asks why no one was arrested The Beacon Police Department issued a statement on Wednesday (Sept. 30) in response to a resident's complaints about a "mooning" near the county building on Main Street. Katie Hellmuth, who publishes A Little Beacon Blog, told the City Council on Sept. 8 that...
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Back For a Limited Engagement Across the River
Newburgh-Beacon ferry returns for test run For the first time in more than 18 months, a passenger ferry will run between Beacon and Newburgh over the next two weekends as a pilot to gauge demand for regular service. The ferry, a 39-passenger vessel chartered from the New York Boat Co., will make…
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Long Live the Dummy Light
Library, band to celebrate Beacon landmark As Beacon's odd but iconic street fixture turns 100, The Dummy Lights are enjoying a moment. In April, the band, which includes alums of the Dogwood (now Cooper's) stage and Beacon Music Factory bootcamps, began a Second Saturday residency at Quinn's on...
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Comics by Kids
Young storytellers debut first collection Like many boys, Grayson and Logan Gatto (11 and 9) love sports. Their parents park in the street so they can shoot hoops in the driveway, choosing from eight basketballs resting in a rack. Bicycles, soccer balls and other outdoor gear fill the family...
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Theater Director Says Haldane Forced Her Out 50 Shows
Led high school plays and musicals for 19 years Martha Mechalakos has directed shows for Haldane Drama since 2007, but The Crucible on Dec. 4 and 5 will likely be her final performances. After 19 seasons organizing the high school's plays and musicals as a contractor, she says the district has...
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Update: Repairing Cold Spring's Dams Upper Dam Safety Inspection (2023) Lower Dam Safety Inspection (2023)
The process is costly and complicated It's unlikely that people think about money or history when they turn the tap. But in Cold Spring, drinking water is about both. Village water comes from two 19th-century reservoirs on Lake Surprise Road in North Highlands. They were built to power the West...
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Sheriff Accuses Legislator of Pressure Campaign
Says lawmaker pressed for husband's reinstatement Putnam Sheriff Brian Hess has accused county Legislator Erin Crowley of pressuring him ahead of a disciplinary hearing for her husband, a deputy suspended since February, according to a letter obtained by Hudson Valley Digger. Kevin Osika, 43, has...
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Whipple Foundation Buys Two Putnam Papers
Putnam County Press dates to 1858, Times to 1949 The Whipple Foundation for the Preservation of Putnam County purchased The Putnam County Press and the Putnam County Times earlier this year, their editor wrote in the newspapers' Wednesday (Sept. 30) issues. Editor Holly Crocco has run the...
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Metro-North Begins Work on Hudson Line
Plans to protect rails from flooding, mudslides The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on Sept. 23 that it awarded a $19.7 million contract for the first phase of a project to protect portions of the Metro-North Hudson Line from flooding and mudslides. The MTA said the work will...
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State Declares Emergency Over Storm Storm Updates & Resources
Cold Spring prepares for riverfront flooding Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday (Sept. 25) declared a state of emergency for Westchester County, New York City and Long Island ahead of a nor'easter expected to hit over the weekend, although the forecast is less severe for the Highlands. The state…
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Rebuilding Newburgh
Annual urban design festival begins Oct. 2 With over 50 free events, including lectures, workshops, tours and parties, taking place in Newburgh during the city's fourth annual Archtober urban design festival, it can be difficult to keep track of it all. To make sure I wouldn't miss anything, I...
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Dutchess to End Flock Camera Use More Flock News
District attorney, sheriff respond after public forum The Dutchess County district attorney and sheriff announced on Friday (Sept. 25) that, following a public forum in Pleasant Valley, they no longer support the county's use of Flock license-plate readers. At the same time, the county executive...
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Beacon Police Chief Explains Camera System
Residents argue license-plate readers violate privacy Two things happen when a vehicle passes one of Beacon's license-plate readers, according to Police Chief Tom Figlia, who spoke to the City Council on Monday (Sept. 21). If the plate is on a "hotlist" for stolen vehicles or criminal suspects…
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Notes from the Beacon City Council Fishkill Creek hotels Short-term rentals Parking restrictions East Gateway zone Trash pickup
The Beacon City Council will continue a public hearing on Oct. 5 on amending the zoning code to allow hotels in the district bordering Fishkill Creek. The proposal arose this summer after the owner of the former Tioronda Hat Works Factory at 555 South Ave. said he plans to construct a hotel....
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Songs of Revolution
Historian will discuss early American music "Yankee Doodle" is the oldest patriotic song that many Americans still know. And, unlike "The Star-Spangled Banner," it's associated with the Revolutionary War, the country's crucible. During the War of 1812, when the British evacuated after launching a...
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Putnam Tax 'Timeout' Rejected
County legislators raise multiple concerns Call it a "pause" or a "timeout." Either way, a proposal to use Putnam's outsize surplus to reward residents and businesses by not levying county taxes in 2027 ran aground amid concerns about the benefits to large taxpayers like New York City and…
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Is My Black Still Beautiful?
Violinist Gwen Laster reflects on 'colorism' Though Gwen Laster endured plenty of pain growing up, she forged a career playing the violin in Broadway pits, with her own ensembles and for well-known musicians. Usually pigeonholed as a jazz practitioner, she is classically trained, and some of her...
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Philipstown Pond May Be Saved
Tree damage spurs emergency dam repair Damage from a falling tree is rarely considered good fortune. But supporters of preserving Sylvan Pond, a Continental Village fixture bounded by Aqueduct and Ridge roads and Lake Court, hope the tree that toppled onto the beloved neighborhood pond's dam in...
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Verizon Cutting the Cord Who Uses Landlines?
Company ending local landline service Verizon is seeking to end landline service for customers in Philipstown and Beacon, and across the state, as early as Nov. 30, citing the cost of maintaining copper wires for a shrinking number of users amid a shift to cellphones. An application filed Sept. 9...
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Dutchess Approves Homeless Shelter Kratom ban
Poughkeepsie 'HOPE Center' will open in 2027 After four years of discussion, community pushback and a federal lawsuit, the Dutchess County Legislature on Sept. 14 approved transforming a county-owned building in Poughkeepsie into a homeless shelter. When it opens next year, the HOPE Center (for...
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How Much is Too Much?
Smaller school district savings often exceed state limit Since 2022, the Garrison school district has watched its unassigned reserves —sometimes called a "rainy day fund" to cover unanticipated expenses — grow to $2.85 million, about 18 percent of its 2026-27 budget of $15.5 million. That's more...
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Developer Downsizes Route 9D Plan
Fishkill project would use Beacon water, schools A developer has scaled down a plan to build hundreds of apartments on Route 9D just north of Beacon, which the Fishkill Town Board earlier rejected. On Sept. 10, Fishkill Development LLC submitted an application to the Planning Board to build...
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Savings Loom for Putnam Retirees
Legislature weighing reduced health premiums Hundreds of former Putnam County government employees sick of the share of retiree health insurance premiums they pay are on the cusp of a cure. On Sept. 8, the Legislature's Personnel Committee voted to slash premiums after complaints from retirees...
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Regents Requirement Dropped
State education officials expand assessments State education officials this week eliminated the requirement that public school students pass standardized exams to graduate from high school. The Regents exams have been in place since the late 19th century, be administered in English, math, science...
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Eclectic Schedule for Howland Series
Music Circle loosens up classical traditions Classical music is entering a new realm, says Akiko Sasaki, artistic director of the Howland Chamber Music Circle, which kicks off its 2026-27 season — its 34th — on Sunday (Sept. 20) with a sold-out performance by the Miró Quartet. The group last…
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Surprise: There's a Golf Green in Your Yard
Former Cold Spring police officer honored Vinny Damato, a former Cold Spring police officer, isn't surprised when people thank him for his service — he is a former Marine who served in the Gulf War, a former state trooper and a former New York City firefighter who assisted with the search and...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Highlands Current is a nonprofit weekly newspaper and daily website that covers Beacon, Cold Spring, Garrison, Nelsonville and Philipstown, New York, in the Hudson Highlands. This podcast includes select stories read aloud.
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Highlands Current
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Highlands Current Audio Stories currently has 60 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Highlands Current Audio Stories about?
The Highlands Current is a nonprofit weekly newspaper and daily website that covers Beacon, Cold Spring, Garrison, Nelsonville and Philipstown, New York, in the Hudson Highlands. This podcast includes select stories read aloud.
How often does Highlands Current Audio Stories release new episodes?
Highlands Current Audio Stories has 60 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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