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!
A public hearing about a rezoning request that could pave the way for a landfill expansion in Lower Saucon Township is expected to draw a crowd. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at Saucon Valley High School.
The 22nd annual Coopersburg Community Day will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Park, Rt. 309 and Fairmount Street.
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.
Motorists who regularly use Meadows Road to get to or from Route 412 in Lower Saucon Township should be prepared for a detour that's expected to last two weeks.
Pennsylvania State Police at Belfast say a car and a van ended up in the grass median on I-78 in Lower Saucon Township as a result of an accident.
John Bednarik II of Blandon, Berks County, must be re-sentenced on his 2012 invasion of privacy conviction, a state Superior Court panel recently ruled.
Hellertown Police say a boy was charged with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property after he allegedly stole an iPod.
Here's a sampling of events happening in the Southern Lehigh area on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013.
Here's a sampling of what's happening in the Saucon Valley area on Thursday, Sept. 19.
Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski campaigns close to home in gubernatorial race.
Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski campaigns close to home in gubernatorial race.
James F. Siegfried died Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013.
![James F. Siegfried of Bethlehem [Obituary]](https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/86761/2013/09/raw/e078bcd43808fbfba444075f7d65bfe4.jpg)
Three Democratic lawmakers want to ban controversial anti-gay 'conversion therapy' for minors in Pennsylvania
Three Democratic lawmakers want to ban controversial anti-gay 'conversion therapy' for minors in Pennsylvania
A record-setting $6 million jackpot will be up for grabs in Thursday's Match 6 Lotto drawing.
A record-setting $6 million jackpot will be up for grabs in Thursday's Match 6 Lotto drawing.
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is continuing his efforts to block the Affordable Care Act.
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is continuing his efforts to block the Affordable Care Act.
Highlights of the weekend in the Saucon Valley area will include an open house at Saylor's & Co. in Hellertown and the 22nd annual Coopersburg Community Day in Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Park.
The 22nd annual Coopersburg Community Day will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Park, Rt. 309 and Fairmount Street.
