East Allen Supervisors honor All-American soccer star from Northampton Area High School, Page 9
The Home News Your Local News
APRIL 18-24, 2024
Looking by Back Ed Pany
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Klecknersville Rangers Vol. Fire Co. Honors one of their own
A new cement plant: Part 1 of 2
A raw mill was installed during the 1940-43 construction of the cement plant on the old Atlas site. It was used to grind raw materials during the manufacturing of cement. In 1888, the first Atlas Cement Company plant was built in Coplay. Due to the need for more cement rock, the company constructed Atlas Plants 2, 3 and 4
between 1895 and 1905. The plants were located in Northampton. This was the largest cement complex in the world Continued on page 4
Donald Trump visits The Lehigh Valley
By HOME NEWS STAFF On Saturday, April 13, former President Donald Trump held a rally at the Schnecksville Fire Company fairgrounds. Thousands of people waited in a milelong line to attend the rally, some even arriving before sunrise to wait for the gate to open at 3 p.m.
Trump’s visit prompted traffic delays and road closures throughout the area on Route 22, 309 and beyond. Saturday’s rally was Trump’s first visit to the Lehigh Valley this year, and his last rally before his New York criminal trial, which began Monday.
From left to right: Fire Chief John Hofacker, Hank VanBlargan and Asst. Fire Chief Matt DePuy
Submitted by BRIAN RADCLIFFE On Saturday, April 13, the members of Klecknersville Rangers Vol. Fire Company honored their oldest and longest serving member. Henry Charles VanBlargan, commonly known to everyone as Hank, was honored for his 54 years of dedicated volunteer service to the community. In a special surprise event planned by his family and members of the fire company, Hank was picked up at his home by the fire chief and the fire officers and escorted back to the fire house with lights and sirens blaring, where more than 50 people awaited his arrival. Upon Hank's arrival to the firehouse, he was met with an honor line of all the members of the Klecknersville
Rangers and other fire companies as they rendered a hand salute in honor as he walked in. After he paused and returned the salute, he was escorted to the front of the room by Fire Chief John Hofacker and Assistant Chief Matt DePuy. To kick off the celebration, Hank was greeted by a few local representatives, State Rep. Zach Mako from the 183rd District, State Rep. Ann Flood from the 138th District and State Rep. Doyle Heffley from the 122nd District, who just happens to be related to Hank through marriage. Reading the Citation from the House of Representatives, Mako joked that this was the one good citation you receive from the State. Flood commented that not only is it difficult to find vol-
unteers to serve their community, but to find someone to dedicate 54 years is even more rare. After receiving his Citation from the State, Hank was presented with a plaque for his 50 years of service from Hofacker and DePuy. Hank joined the fire company in 1970. His 50-year anniversary was in 2020, however COVID-19 prevented the celebration at that time. During his long and incredContinued on page 3
83rd Year, Issue No. 16 www.homenewspa.com
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45 Years