A milestone in independent local digital news was reached Sunday when Saucon Source celebrated its one-year anniversary with an open house in the Tavern Room at the historic Heller-Wagner Grist Mill in Hellertown.

Saucon Source publisher Josh Popichak stands with Hellertown Mayor Richard Fluck at the one-year anniversary open house at the Heller-Wagner Grist Mill Nov. 1.

The open house–which featured refreshments–was a way of saying “thank you” you to the web-based local news business’s many friends and supporters, as well as an opportunity that many exciting innovations are yet to come, founding publisher Josh Popichak said.

More than 50 people–including loyal readers, advertisers and elected officials– attended the open house, which was held from 2 to 4 p.m. and was open to the public.

Popichak delivered brief remarks to about half of those who attended, many of whom expressed their deep appreciation for the coverage of Saucon Valley news that Saucon Source has provided since it launched on Oct. 28, 2014, following a successful four-month GoFundMe campaign that raised more than $7,000 in startup capital.

The website is updated daily and features news about government meetings, schools, crime, community events, local sports, businesses and much more, and is complemented by a Facebook page that as of Nov. 1 had nearly 3,500 followers, a Twitter feed (@SauconSource) and an email newsletter that’s delivered to subscribers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The business’s primary sources of revenue are currently display advertising, sponsorships (including sponsored content) and social media management for local businesses such as B&B Pools, Vassi’s Drive-In and Maui Kitchens.

Popichak founded Saucon Source LLC in order to continue providing the online hyperlocal coverage he helped pioneer as a local editor for Patch.com from 2010-2014.

During that time he edited both Hellertown-Lower Saucon Patch and Upper Saucon Patch (2013-2014).

Before that he was a Saucon Valley reporter and editorial assistant for The Bethlehem Press.

He is the former editor of The Saucon News, a print weekly newspaper which ceased publication in 2009.

On Nov. 20, he will be the honoree at a banquet/silent auction fundraiser for the Saucon Valley Community Center.

Since its launch Saucon Source has become a member of LION: the Local Independent Online News Publishers association, which held a summit in Chicago in early October that Popichak attended.

Saucon Source was also the subject of a profile story published by LION in September.

A new advertising rate card–which is posted online–was unveiled at the open house.

For more information about Saucon Source, please email Popichak at josh@sauconsource.com.

For more information about the Tavern Room, which is maintained and rented out for functions by the Hellertown Historical Society, please visit the HHS website.

Photos by Martha Popichak