The Highlands Current

Highlands Current Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in New York State that produces The Highlands Current, a weekly newspaper, along with its online edition available at highlandscurrent.org. Established in 2010 under the name Philipstown.Info, Inc., the organization aims to deliver fair and accurate news about the Hudson Valley areas, specifically focusing on Philipstown in Putnam County, which includes Cold Spring, Garrison, Nelsonville, North Highlands, and Continental Village. In 2015, it expanded its coverage to include the City of Beacon in Dutchess County.

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Lyonshare Comes to Beacon

Nov 8, 2024 | highlandscurrent.org | Marc Ferris

Bistro opens in former Max’s on Main spaceIn the back of Lyonshare Public House, which whitewashed the former Max’s on Main space, a cabinet grand piano occupies the spot where four high-top tables once stood. Bud Schmeling says he is happy to forgo revenue and fulfill his aesthetic goals. “Live music will be more mellow than, say, Dogwood, like trios, a jazz brunch and singer-songwriters,” he says. In consultation with DJ friends, he’s curating 10 playlists.
Veterans Building at 100

Nov 8, 2024 | highlandscurrent.org | Marc Ferris

Beacon memorial opened in 1924 after close voteDuring World War II, 1,704 Beacon residents, about 14 percent of the population, served in the Armed Forces. At least 67 men died, and many survivors suffered physical and mental disabilities. Now, Vietnam vets are the old-timers at the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts inside the Veterans Memorial Building at the intersection of Main and Teller. This year marks the structure’s centennial.
5 Questions: Hannah Black

Nov 8, 2024 | highlandscurrent.org | Brian Cronin

Hannah Black is the Democratic commissioner for the Dutchess County Board of Elections. She announced last month that she would not seek a second 4-year term. The Dutchess County Democratic Committee must nominate a successor by Dec. 1 for approval by the Legislature. You have been a commissioner since 2021. What are you most proud of? In 2020, the Board of Elections had five polling sites for early voting, and the lines were nightmares. There were four-hour waits. I proposed nine sites.
How Brainiacs Party

Nov 8, 2024 | highlandscurrent.org | Marc Ferris

Howland Cultural Center to host first Nerd NiteNerds of Beacon, unite. Marjorie Lewit, a film and theater director who works behind the scenes on a reality television show, will present the inaugural iteration of Nerd Nite at the Howland Cultural Center on Friday (Nov. 15).
Cold Spring Reservoirs Fall Lower

Nov 8, 2024 | highlandscurrent.org | Michael Turton

Drought spurs tighter limits on water useThe Cold Spring Village Board, at its Wednesday (Nov. 6) meeting, elevated the Stage 1 water emergency it declared on Oct. 4 to Stage 2 because of drought conditions. Mayor Kathleen Foley said the village reservoirs have dropped to 59.8 percent capacity, down from 67 percent a week earlier. Drinking water for Cold Spring and Nelsonville comes from two reservoirs located in the North Highlands off Lake Surprise Road that rely on rainfall and surface runoff.
Beacon / Dutchess Election Results

Nov 5, 2024 | highlandscurrent.org | Chip Rowe |Chip RoweEditor

U.S. HOUSE (DISTRICT 18)The contest for the House district that includes Beacon, pitted ex-Army officer Pat Ryan against ex-police officer Alison Esposito.Ryan, the incumbent, was born in Kingston and graduated from West Point in 2004. After serving two tours in Iraq, he earned a master’s degree in security studies at Georgetown University and was elected Ulster County executive. Esposito, from Orange County, studied at SUNY Delhi, the City University of New York and the FBI National Academy.
Philipstown / Putnam Election Results

Nov 5, 2024 | highlandscurrent.org | Chip Rowe |Chip RoweEditor

U.S. HOUSE (DISTRICT 17)The incumbent, Mike Lawler, 38, defeated challenger Mondaire Jones, 37. Both are from Rockland County. Lawler had been executive director of the New York State Republican Party, deputy town supervisor in Orangetown, a political lobbyist and consultant before defeating incumbent Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney in 2022 by 3,200 votes among 278,000 cast.
Election Explainer: Follow the Results Like a Pro

Nov 4, 2024 | highlandscurrent.org | Leah Askarinam

Here’s what to watch in key statesElection night in the United States is a bit like a jigsaw puzzle, except that only one piece appears at a time, and you don’t get to look at the picture on the box. As thousands of counties and towns report vote totals, it can be hard to figure out when the results reported so far will reflect the outcome. The first report of the night might show a massive lead for one candidate, but why does that lead dwindle in some races and grow in others?
5 Questions: Richard Ocejo

Nov 1, 2024 | highlandscurrent.org | Brian Cronin

Richard Ocejo, a sociology professor at the City University of New York, is the author of Sixty Miles Upriver: Gentrification and Race in a Small American City, a portrait of Newburgh. What drew you to write about Newburgh? I moved to the Hudson Valley from New York City in 2016 with my family. I’m an urban sociologist.
Putnam Approves 2025 Budget

Nov 1, 2024 | highlandscurrent.org | Leonard Sparks

Lower taxes for residents, raises for some officialsThe Putnam County Legislature approved a $205 million budget on Tuesday (Oct. 29) that lowers the property tax rate and boosts salaries for county officials while denying one for the county executive. Putnam’s budget keeps the overall revenue from property taxes at the same level, includes the lowest tax rate in 18 years and funds 2.75 percent cost-of-living raises for legislators, Sheriff Kevin McConville, coroners, managers and other staff.