Basics:
E-mail: Josh.Popichak@patch.com
Phone: 610-216-6043
Unlike many younger (and older) editors, I never went to J-school (that's "journalism school" for those of you who don't use the new media lingo). Most journalism schools are part of medium or large universities, and as a graduate of a large high school I wanted to downsize my education when I went away to college. That was one of the reasons I chose to attend Bates, a liberal arts college in Maine rooted in the traditions of egalitarianism. As a "Batesie" I majored in history and became the features editor for our school newspaper, The Student, before graduating and leaving the beautiful state of Maine behind in 1999. I returned to Pennsylvania and spent several eye-opening years exploring other fields and potential career paths, before feeling called to write and edit again. That was in 2005, when I joined the team at the Saucon News and began to cover Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township as full-time reporter.
On a personal level, I have always been a bit of a newshound and I think that's because I'm constantly trying to understand how the events of today are shaped and influenced by our shared history. I like to think that I have a curious mind, which is a trait I believe every journalist should have.
Right now I'm looking forward to learning a lot more about the Saucon Valley, including more about its history, its present, and its future, and I sincerely hope you'll join me on this journey!
The Lower Saucon Sportsmen's Association is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a June 21 burglary at the club.
The following information was supplied by the Lower Saucon Township Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
The following information was supplied by the Hellertown Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
Eric S. Easley, 31, of Allentown, died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012.
These pets from the Center for Animal Health and Welfare in Williams Township need new homes.
A vote on abolishing the Saucon Valley School District's per capita tax failed 5-3.
Hellertown Patch staff would like to meet you! We'll be hosting a two-hour "Office Hours" event at Cafe Erica on Wednesday, Sept. 26 from 5-7pm. Stop by and say hi to editor Josh Popichak and local sales representative Andy Mankos.
A vote to hire an additional fourth grade teacher to reduce class sizes split the Saucon Valley School Board 5-4 on Sept. 11.
The Lower Saucon Township trailhead along the Saucon Rail Trail is near Reading Drive and Bingen Road.
A plan to replace paper towels with electric hand dryers in two park restrooms was embraced by Lower Saucon Township Council Sept. 5.
Lower Saucon Township Council members discussed regulating non-traditional storage units--including PODS--at their Sept. 5 meeting.
Local historian and author Lee A. Weidner plans to publish Volume II of his book "Saucon Secrets" later this year.
John N. Lee, 68, of Washington, N.J., died Sept. 9, 2012. He was the general manager of Neighbors Home & Garden Center in Hellertown before retiring in 2010.
The $164,000 bid for repairs to Lower Saucon Township's historic Old Mill Road Bridge was awarded to Professional Construction Inc. of Bethlehem earlier this month.
The Saucon Valley Farmers' Market's annual Sunflower Contest sponsored by Lost River Caverns was held on Sunday, Sept. 9. A list of this year's winners appears below.
