This 1900s farmhouse on 1.2 acres in Chester, N.Y., is under contract to a New York City buyer. The exodus from the city, combined with a pandemic-related hesitance to list houses, has created a historic housing shortage and a pronounced seller's market. ( Becca Tucker) Pandemic-driven house frenzy hits local towns Justin Melia and his family, who usually live in Astoria, Queens, closed in December on a vacation house in Warwick, N.Y.,... News 22 May 2020 | 02:02
Members of Alpha Fitness left notes on the facade saying how much they miss their gym. (Photo by Laurie Gordon) Are gyms 'COVID-19 mosh pits' or essential therapy? Locals react to reopening controversy Ian Smith and Frank Trumbetti, owners of a gym in Camden County, defied government COVID-19 mandates and opened on Monday... Local News 19 May 2020 | 05:45
Bigstock From the front lines: Jennifer Applegate, RN, shares her most memorable COVID-19 moment Editor's note: Celeste Alonzo of Sparta, N.J., shared the following first-hand account by her daughter Jennifer Applegate,... Letters to the Editor 19 May 2020 | 08:59
Sparta Camera Club's Photo of the Year 2019 by Steve Firmender ( Stephen Firmender) Sparta Camera Club continues to meet and train online The Sparta Camera Club remains active during the COVID-19 shutdown, moving online to hold meetings and training. No longer... Local News 04 May 2020 | 12:25
Mail-in voting should be the law of the land To the Editor: On April 8, former mayor and governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper, now a candidate for the U. S. Senate,... Letters to the Editor 27 Apr 2020 | 03:59
How important is it to get your hair cut? How important is it to get your hair cut? Or colored? To get your nails done? Get a message? Go to a gym or movie or a mall?... Letters to the Editor 27 Apr 2020 | 03:53
Front: Harley (left), Bugsy (right) being pet by Blake. Back: Hope (left) and Rambo (right) being pet by Keira. Harley and Rambo are the newest additions. ( Tiffany O'Keefe) Pet adoptions are up, but so are surrenders The Harrison-O’Keefe family had two big dogs and wasn’t looking for more. But when Christopher Harrison and Tiffany O’Keefe... Local News 23 Apr 2020 | 04:59
"Channel 7 Eyewitness News came by to interview me about our unique partnership and what we’re doing for the community," said Mohawk House owner Steve Scro. ( Photo provided) Mohawk House gets attention for its innovative pop-up market Straus News, which publishes the Sparta Independent, Township Journal, Advertiser News North, Advertiser News South, and... Local News 21 Apr 2020 | 09:43
Thirty cars, led by a Town of Goshen Police Officer Luke Markievicz, drove by to wish 10-year-old Parker Olson a happy birthday. ( Provided photo) Smiles of the Week 4.16 Residents organize a food drive “Three churches in Vernon and one in Wantage have food pantries that local people rely on,... Local News 13 Apr 2020 | 08:09
Smiles of the Week Doreen, we found your Christmas card The Farm Warwick’s Lee Zinser checked his P.O. Box after traveling abroad for a few months.... Home 04 Apr 2020 | 02:14
Add some light to the darkness I just spoke with friends in Liverpool, England, Nora and Jed Addy, regarding the coronavirus. In addition to sheltering in... Letters to the Editor 30 Mar 2020 | 04:57
Frozen apples in the Pennings' orchard following an ice storm. ( Photo provided) Local voices on climate change: 'You cannot deny it' If you don't believe in climate change, ask the farmer who never saw his father lose a crop to hail but has lost his own... Local News 13 Mar 2020 | 10:50
Empty shelves where hand sanitizer once stood. ( Photos by Pamela Chergotis) Amid hand sanitizer shortage, pharmacists emphasize hygiene If the continuing news coverage of the novel coronavirus has you thinking about stocking up on hand sanitizer or face masks,... Local News 04 Mar 2020 | 01:45
Holiday greetings from Andee Losey. One lucky pup "I do all my shopping at Sparta Pet," says Brenda Losey, this week's Shop Local Sweepstakes winner. "Very good people." Her... Home 02 Dec 2019 | 09:29
