Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

Mobile carriers are starting to decommission their 3G cellular networks this year, some as soon as next month.

Pennsylvania officials are reminding people with older-model cell phones to prepare for how this might affect service. Decommissioning older networks helps free up infrastructure to support more advanced services, like 5G, but it may result in some phones being unable to make calls or send text messages.

Jeff Boyle, deputy director of 911 for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, said you are likely to be notified by your carrier if it affects you, but it is smart to plan ahead in case of an emergency.

“If your phone is more than a few years old, you may need to upgrade your device to avoid losing service,” Boyle explained. “And calling 911 is often the quickest way for somebody to access emergency services, so plan now so that you don’t lose connectivity, including the ability to call 911.”

AT&T said it will finish shutting down its 3G network by February, with Verizon and T-Mobile finalizing by year’s end. The move may also affect medical alert devices and home security systems. Lower-income residents whose phones may no longer be supported can apply for help through the FCC’s Lifeline program.

Lt. Adam Reed, communications office director for the Pennsylvania State Police, said in an emergency, dispatchers and first responders rely on the 911 system to gather crucial information, including location, which means 3G network phones may hinder the ability to provide assistance quickly.

“Whether it’s a vehicle crash, a criminal act in progress or a medical emergency, seconds count when it comes to calling 911,” Reed emphasized. “First responders will go wherever we need to save lives and help wherever we can, but again, we need to know where you are and what the emergency is.”

Groups serving people experiencing homelessness or domestic violence survivors sometimes provide clients with older phones with no service plan but are still capable of making emergency calls. Users of such phones should check with their organization to discuss options.

The featured image above shows the Big Beaver Falls School District Sign.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio, Published January 13, 2021 at 8:41 P.M.

(Beaver Falls, PA) The Big Beaver Falls School Board met Thursday night for a meeting.  The board had a discussion regarding the ongoing PIAA classification changes involving Aliquippa and ultimately decided that they will send a letter to the state, joining multiple other districts who have done the same.  Also discussed was a way that the district hopes to keep more students and staff in school. The “Test to Stay” program would provide voluntary Covid testing with consent to individuals who were exposed to a positive individual at the school.  Two tests would be conducted in the following week to determine if the individual can remain in school.

(AP Photo)
By SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer
Two U.S. science agencies say 2021 was the sixth hottest year on record globally, part of a long-term warming trend. NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Thursday released measurements showing how hot last year was. It wasn’t record hot, but the year’s 58.5 degree average is not much behind the record. The last eight years have been the eight hottest years on record. Last year, 1.8 billion people in 25 Asian, African and Middle Eastern nations had their hottest years on record. Scientists say heat-trapping gases from the burning of fossil fuels have warmed Earth about 2 degrees since the late 1800s.

(AP Photo)
By STEVE LeBLANC The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Navient, a major student loan servicing company, has settled allegations of predatory lending practices for $1.85 billion. The settlement was announced Thursday and could cancel student loans of tens of thousands of borrowers. The settlement includes $1.7 billion in debt cancellation and $95 million in restitution and involves 39 state attorneys general. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro says the settlement would resolve claims that Navient led student borrowers into long-term forbearances instead of giving them advice on less costly repayment plans. Navient says it did not act illegally and it did not admit fault in the settlement.

(File Photo of Community College of Beaver County President Dr. Roger Davis)
Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 2:41 PM
Monaca, PA – Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) is proud to release 270 names of both full-time and part-time students who achieved either President’s List or Dean’s List honors for the fall 2021 semester.

To be named to the President’s List, students must have completed at least 12 hours of credit-bearing courses in which performance grades are awarded and have received a 3.75 grade-point average or above for the semester. Dean’s List honorees must have completed at least 12 hours of credit-bearing courses in which performance grades are awarded and have received a 3.25 to 3.74 grade-point average for the semester.

The following part-time students were named to the President’s List:

The following full-time students were named to the President’s List:

The following part-time students were named to the Dean’s List:

The following full-time students were named to the Dean’s List:

PITTSBURGH (January 13, 2022) – Those looking to refresh their wardrobe with some new pieces of Steelers fan apparel will have an opportunity to do so while making a difference this weekend through the Kiya Tomlin x Steelers shopping event.

Beginning Friday, January 14, through Monday, January 17, 10 percent of shoppers’ purchases online or in-store from the Kiya Tomlin x Steelers collection will be donated to AHN Sports Medicine program. Online shoppers should enter code ‘AHN-STEELERS’ in the coupon code box at checkout on kiyatomlin.us. Those shopping in person can simply mention ‘AHN’ and the donation will be made from their purchase(s). Kiya Tomlin’s storefront is located at 388 Butler Street in Etna and is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

“We are so grateful to Kiya Tomlin and her team for supporting patients in our Sports Medicine program,” said Allie Quick, chief philanthropy officer, AHN. “We also extend our gratitude to the community for their support of AHN through this unique give-back shopping event.”

The Sports Medicine program within the AHN Orthopaedic Institute program treats athletes and active adults at every level with programs focused on sport-specific training, enhancing performance, and treating injuries. AHN’s Sports Medicine team includes elite surgeons, physicians, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning specialists, and physical therapists who are specially trained to care for athletes of all ages, ranging from the youngest athletes on the field, to professional athletes, to weekend warriors. For its youngest patients, the AHN Pediatric Orthopaedic Institute brings together all the physicians, tests, and treatments children need in one location, combining compassionate care with the technologies that have been proven safe and effective.

To learn more about AHN’s Sports Medicine program within the Orthopaedic Institute, visit https://www.ahn.org/services/orthopaedic/specialties/sports-medicine.