The Highlands Current
@highlandscurrent.bsky.social
The Current is a nonprofit weekly newspaper and website that covers Beacon and Philipstown (Cold Spring, Nelsonville, Garrison, North Highlands and Continental Village) in New York's Hudson Highlands.
One of the three Democrats who declared intentions to challenge Rob Rolision for the state Senate seat whose territory includes Beacon and Philipstown said on Monday (Nov. 24) that she is rescinding her announcement. buff.ly/vh581cI
Democrat Rescinds State Senate Bid
Arnoff had planned to challenge Rolison
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 12:10 AM
One of the three Democrats who declared intentions to challenge Rob Rolision for the state Senate seat whose territory includes Beacon and Philipstown said on Monday (Nov. 24) that she is rescinding her announcement. buff.ly/vh581cI
The New York State Police are investigating an incident on Monday (Nov. 24) in the Town of Southeast in which a Putnam County Sheriff’s deputy shot a fleeing suspect who police say struck him with a vehicle. buff.ly/1sbfWh5
State Police Investigate Shooting
Police say Putnam deputy shot suspect who struck him with car
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 10:41 PM
The New York State Police are investigating an incident on Monday (Nov. 24) in the Town of Southeast in which a Putnam County Sheriff’s deputy shot a fleeing suspect who police say struck him with a vehicle. buff.ly/1sbfWh5
The Beacon Players presented the musical, accompanied by a live orchestra, on Nov. 14, 15 and 16 at Beacon High School. It is based on the 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott, which follows a family of four sisters growing up during the Civil War. buff.ly/ARtsIZV
Little Women
Beacon Players perform musical based on classic book
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The Beacon Players presented the musical, accompanied by a live orchestra, on Nov. 14, 15 and 16 at Beacon High School. It is based on the 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott, which follows a family of four sisters growing up during the Civil War. buff.ly/ARtsIZV
According to federal government data, while people ages 65 and older comprise 17 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 22 percent of suicides. One study estimates that a third of seniors worldwide experience symptoms of depression, although clinical depression is far less common.
High Anxiety: Seniors
Part 3 of a series about mental health in the digital age
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 5:41 PM
According to federal government data, while people ages 65 and older comprise 17 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 22 percent of suicides. One study estimates that a third of seniors worldwide experience symptoms of depression, although clinical depression is far less common.
Gail Duffy is the new superintendent of the Haldane school district in Cold Spring. buff.ly/OdKf63T
5 Questions: Gail Duffy
New superintendent of the Haldane school district
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Gail Duffy is the new superintendent of the Haldane school district in Cold Spring. buff.ly/OdKf63T
The Howland Cultural Center in Beacon held a ribbon-cutting on Nov. 15 to celebrate the $150,000 restoration of its portico after two years of fundraising. Theresa Kraft, the cultural center president, noted that the restoration had been contemplated in 1978 and took “47 years to fruition.”
Around Town (Photos)
Grand opening, pie run, Oxalis
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 2:10 AM
The Howland Cultural Center in Beacon held a ribbon-cutting on Nov. 15 to celebrate the $150,000 restoration of its portico after two years of fundraising. Theresa Kraft, the cultural center president, noted that the restoration had been contemplated in 1978 and took “47 years to fruition.”
Here is how our House members and New York’s two senators voted on select issues during the legislative weeks ending Nov. 21.https://buff.ly/nvhk2GN
How They Voted (Congress)
Select votes by our House and Senate members through Nov. 21
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Here is how our House members and New York’s two senators voted on select issues during the legislative weeks ending Nov. 21.https://buff.ly/nvhk2GN
The Toys for Tots Program sponsored by the Marine Corps League is entering its 32nd year in Philipstown. buff.ly/U7FMVqq
Toys for Tots Launches in Philipstown
Donations collected through Dec. 14
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 10:41 PM
The Toys for Tots Program sponsored by the Marine Corps League is entering its 32nd year in Philipstown. buff.ly/U7FMVqq
“It’s all wired, maximalist stuff with way too much content,” says Heather Christian about her work. Christian, a Beacon resident, was named a MacArthur Fellow last month by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. buff.ly/qeenkMh
Glory Be!
Beacon artist selected as MacArthur Fellow
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM
“It’s all wired, maximalist stuff with way too much content,” says Heather Christian about her work. Christian, a Beacon resident, was named a MacArthur Fellow last month by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. buff.ly/qeenkMh
Philipstown Obituaries: Tommy McDermott, Paul Merando, Chuck Roda buff.ly/bEhaiYg
Philipstown Obituaries
Tommy McDermott, Paul Merando, Chuck Roda
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Philipstown Obituaries: Tommy McDermott, Paul Merando, Chuck Roda buff.ly/bEhaiYg
Here's how gas prices have changed in the last month - and the last year - at the local, state, and national levels buff.ly/QwckI42
Price at the Pump (November)
The latest local, state and national prices per gallon
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Here's how gas prices have changed in the last month - and the last year - at the local, state, and national levels buff.ly/QwckI42
The Village of Cold Spring could face fines of up to $37,500 a day after discharges from the wastewater treatment facility on Fair Street exceeded acceptable fecal coliform and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels four times between mid-August 2024 and mid-September 2025. buff.ly/XIyACFN
Cold Spring Cited for Sewage Violations
Violations found at the treatment plant
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 2:10 AM
The Village of Cold Spring could face fines of up to $37,500 a day after discharges from the wastewater treatment facility on Fair Street exceeded acceptable fecal coliform and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels four times between mid-August 2024 and mid-September 2025. buff.ly/XIyACFN
Debbie Wolfe (1962-2025). Beacon resident had long career in corrections buff.ly/wMGzWdi
Debbie Wolfe (1962-2025)
Beacon resident had long career in corrections
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Debbie Wolfe (1962-2025). Beacon resident had long career in corrections buff.ly/wMGzWdi
Although federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have been restored, $50 gift cards to Key Food or the Beacon Natural Market or $60 in coupons for the Beacon Farmers’ Market are still available for SNAP recipients at the Recreation Center at 23 West Center St. buff.ly/GJumCS6
Grocery Gift Cards Still Available
Beacon funded cards during shutdown
buff.ly
November 23, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Although federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have been restored, $50 gift cards to Key Food or the Beacon Natural Market or $60 in coupons for the Beacon Farmers’ Market are still available for SNAP recipients at the Recreation Center at 23 West Center St. buff.ly/GJumCS6
The Beacon Planning Board will continue its review of a proposal to construct an addition onto the Telephone Building at 291 Main St. after a straw poll at its Nov. 12 meeting showed that three of the five members present opposed the application. buff.ly/yXznkYF
A Tough Call
Review of historic Beacon building continues
buff.ly
November 23, 2025 at 10:41 PM
The Beacon Planning Board will continue its review of a proposal to construct an addition onto the Telephone Building at 291 Main St. after a straw poll at its Nov. 12 meeting showed that three of the five members present opposed the application. buff.ly/yXznkYF
The New York State Council on the Arts on Tuesday (Nov. 18) announced $63 million in grants to more than 2,400 nonprofit arts and culture organizations and individual artists. buff.ly/VSzh3hU
State Grants Arts Awards
Funds distributed to 2,400 nonprofits
buff.ly
November 23, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The New York State Council on the Arts on Tuesday (Nov. 18) announced $63 million in grants to more than 2,400 nonprofit arts and culture organizations and individual artists. buff.ly/VSzh3hU
Three Democrats have announced their plans to campaign for the state Senate seat held by Rob Rolison, which will be on the ballot in 2026. The district includes Philipstown and Beacon. buff.ly/hFTTSds
Three Democrats Seek Senate Seat
Announce plans to challenge Rolison
buff.ly
November 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Three Democrats have announced their plans to campaign for the state Senate seat held by Rob Rolison, which will be on the ballot in 2026. The district includes Philipstown and Beacon. buff.ly/hFTTSds
With mail-in votes counted, Democrats appear to have won the supervisor’s seat and an open council member spot in Putnam Valley, giving their party control of the Town Board. buff.ly/doC8ldx
Democrats Take Majority in Putnam Valley
Win supervisor, town board seats
buff.ly
November 23, 2025 at 2:10 AM
With mail-in votes counted, Democrats appear to have won the supervisor’s seat and an open council member spot in Putnam Valley, giving their party control of the Town Board. buff.ly/doC8ldx
Members of the Philipstown Reform Synagogue, Our Lady of Loretto and St. Mary’s Church are organizing an interfaith Thanksgiving Day meal for those who might go without. buff.ly/1mRUJip
Philipstown Preps for Thanksgiving
Community organizing traditional meal
buff.ly
November 23, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Members of the Philipstown Reform Synagogue, Our Lady of Loretto and St. Mary’s Church are organizing an interfaith Thanksgiving Day meal for those who might go without. buff.ly/1mRUJip
The Nov. 4 ballot did not list any candidates for Cold Spring justice, but Luke Hilpert, the associate judge, won the seat on write-in votes, the Putnam County Board of Elections announced on Wednesday (Nov. 19). buff.ly/yAiHp3J
Hilpert Elected Cold Spring Justice
Wins seat with write-in votes
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 10:41 PM
The Nov. 4 ballot did not list any candidates for Cold Spring justice, but Luke Hilpert, the associate judge, won the seat on write-in votes, the Putnam County Board of Elections announced on Wednesday (Nov. 19). buff.ly/yAiHp3J
Democratic members of the Dutchess County Legislature met on Nov. 17 to select their leadership for the upcoming session. The Democrats flipped the Legislature during the Nov. 4 election and will control 15 of its 25 seats. buff.ly/hDT8sXe
Dutchess Democrats Name Leaders
Valdés Smith endorsed for chair
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Democratic members of the Dutchess County Legislature met on Nov. 17 to select their leadership for the upcoming session. The Democrats flipped the Legislature during the Nov. 4 election and will control 15 of its 25 seats. buff.ly/hDT8sXe
Eighty years ago this week, on Nov. 20, 1945, trials began in Nuremberg, Germany, for nearly 200 Nazis charged with crimes against humanity.
For Cold Spring resident Cassandra Saulter, the courtroom drama that unfolded at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice is more personal. buff.ly/9bJH2Xu
For Cold Spring resident Cassandra Saulter, the courtroom drama that unfolded at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice is more personal. buff.ly/9bJH2Xu
Guarding Evil
Father of Cold Spring resident sketched Nazis at Nuremberg
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Eighty years ago this week, on Nov. 20, 1945, trials began in Nuremberg, Germany, for nearly 200 Nazis charged with crimes against humanity.
For Cold Spring resident Cassandra Saulter, the courtroom drama that unfolded at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice is more personal. buff.ly/9bJH2Xu
For Cold Spring resident Cassandra Saulter, the courtroom drama that unfolded at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice is more personal. buff.ly/9bJH2Xu
Two seniors from the Haldane Girls' Lacrosse team signed letters of intent on Nov. 12.
Kayla Ruggiero will play for Iona University next year, and Samantha Thomas for Southern Connecticut State. buff.ly/2VNT607
Kayla Ruggiero will play for Iona University next year, and Samantha Thomas for Southern Connecticut State. buff.ly/2VNT607
Varsity Roundup
Beacon and Haldane results
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Two seniors from the Haldane Girls' Lacrosse team signed letters of intent on Nov. 12.
Kayla Ruggiero will play for Iona University next year, and Samantha Thomas for Southern Connecticut State. buff.ly/2VNT607
Kayla Ruggiero will play for Iona University next year, and Samantha Thomas for Southern Connecticut State. buff.ly/2VNT607
There are no bears in the Bear Mountain Zoo, reports The Journal News, following the death of Sadie in March and Pal in October. The siblings were each about 20 years old. buff.ly/LyQCguQ
Around the Region
'Bearless' zoo, food fridge closed, comment backlash, prison closing
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 12:10 AM
There are no bears in the Bear Mountain Zoo, reports The Journal News, following the death of Sadie in March and Pal in October. The siblings were each about 20 years old. buff.ly/LyQCguQ
The Beacon City Council approved the city’s 2026 budget, a $37.5 million spending plan that provides salary increases for police officers and firefighters while keeping property tax increases below the state-mandated cap. buff.ly/S5kTUl2
Beacon Adopts 2026 Budget
Firefighter, police salaries to increase
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 10:41 PM
The Beacon City Council approved the city’s 2026 budget, a $37.5 million spending plan that provides salary increases for police officers and firefighters while keeping property tax increases below the state-mandated cap. buff.ly/S5kTUl2