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JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026
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Bartholomew Funeral Home to close After 173 years of service in Bath
Bartholomew Funeral Home One of Northampton County's oldest family-owned businesses will close its doors later this month, bringing an
end to more than 170 years of continuous service to the Bath community. The Bartholomew Funeral
Home, located at 243 S. Walnut St. in Bath, announced that it will permanently close June 29, citing the increasing challenges of operating a small-town funeral home. In a statement released by the family, the funeral home said the decision came after extensive consideration and discussion. "For 173 years, it's been our honor and privilege to serve the families of Bath and surrounding communities during their most difficult times," the statement read. "Throughout all these years, and more so recently, the operation of our smalltown funeral home has become increasingly challenging." The announcement marks the end of a business that traces its roots back to 1853 and has
did not reduce the approved tax increase; instead, the savings were directed to the district's fund balance. The contested budget was passed in a second round of voting during a three-and-a-halfhour meeting, following a failed attempt earlier in the evening. Only Directors Joshua Harris and David Gogel voted against the final budget. “I don’t think we did enough,”
From Egypt to the Major Leagues: Part 2 of 3
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Northampton Area School District Cuts public library funding, Passes 4.2% tax increase
By KERI LINDENMUTH Following more than six months of discussion, adjustments and cuts, the Northampton School Board approved its final 2026-27 budget, passing a 4.2% real estate tax increase while reducing its contribution to the Northampton Area Public Library by 66%, a move that board members and library officials warned could jeopardize the library's future. The reduction
Looking by Back Ed Pany
said Harris. “We had some constructive discussion; unfortunately, it was at the table at the last minute.” A majority of the evening’s discussion focused on whether to fund the public library, a $270,000 line item in the district’s $149 million budget. Director Jamie Marchiano initially motioned to cut funding to
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Coplay Sports - Contributed photo by Larry Oberly In this second column, we are reading a 1956 newspaper that my neighbor found in his basement. The paper had been used to insulate his pipes. The sports page brought back memories from another era. The headlines sparked my interest: “Lopata Beats Cardinals 4-2; Simmons goes all the way.” I doubt if many of my younger readers remember Curt Simmons from the town of Egypt. Simmons pitched for Whitehall High School in 1947 and helped the team win three Lehigh Valley
League championships. On a warm spring afternoon in 1947, a large crowd gathered at Wolf Field in Northampton to watch the WhitehallContinued on page 3
85th Year, Issue No. 26 www.homenewspa.com
USPS 248-700
45 Years