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!
Southern Lehigh High School assistant principal Mark Covelle said the schedule is being credited with a year-over-year decline in both tardiness and disciplinary rates.
The "Book It!" 5K race will be held on the Saucon Rail Trail on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 8:30 a.m., beginning and ending at Upper Saucon Township Community Park, across from the Southern Lehigh Public Library in Center Valley.
Upper Saucon Township Police are urging residents to keep their car doors locked.
The Southern Lehigh School Board was informed Monday about recent flooding in a Liberty Bell Elementary School office. The Joseph P. Liberati Intermediate School's brick is also being affected by a type of weathering known as spalling.
At the Saucon Valley School Board meeting held Tuesday night, high school art teacher Sandra Eckert received loud applause when she spoke out in favor of elective courses that some fear will be cut.
The grant, if it is received, would help pay for planned improvements at Steel City Park in Lower Saucon Township.
A Hellertown man has been charged with DUI, after Colonial Regional Police say he was found to have a blood-alcohol content of .27 percent following an early-morning traffic stop on Route 191.
As the leaves begin to fall, and rakes begin to move throughout the Saucon Valley, many residents will be thinking about how to dispose of their autumn yard waste.
James 'Jim' Joseph Reilly died Monday, Sept. 23, 2013.
![James 'Jim' Joseph Reilly, 73, of Center Valley [Obituary]](https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/86761/2013/09/raw/916a8ac8f72f81240d33ade0596e1536.jpg)
Participants are needed for the 2013 Saucon Valley Spirit Parade, organizers say.
Here's a sampling of what's happening in the Southern Lehigh area on Thursday, Sept. 26.
Here's a sampling of what's happening in the Saucon Valley area on Thursday, Sept. 26.
National restaurant chain is hoping customers donate to charity that gives cost-free vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses.
National restaurant chain is hoping customers donate to charity that gives cost-free vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses.
The Tri-a-Biathlon Challenge is a bike/run race for students in grades three through 12. It will be held Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Southern Lehigh School District in Upper Saucon Township.
The Tri-a-Biathlon Challenge is a bike/run race for students in grades three through 12. It will be held Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Southern Lehigh School District in Upper Saucon Township.
Sketch plans for a five-story hotel on land that was formerly part of the Center Valley Club have been submitted to Upper Saucon Township officials.
Sketch plans for a five-story hotel on land that was formerly part of the Center Valley Club have been submitted to Upper Saucon Township officials.
Sketch plans for a five-story hotel on land that was formerly part of the Center Valley Club have been submitted to Upper Saucon Township officials.
Sketch plans for a five-story hotel on land that was formerly part of the Center Valley Club have been submitted to Upper Saucon Township officials.