DALLAS (AP) — AT&T says it will give affected customers $5 each to compensate for last week’s network outage. Many customers were left many without cellphone service for hours on Thursday. The company now says on its website that customers will get a $5 credit on their account within two billing cycles. The credit doesn’t apply to AT&T Business, prepaid service or Cricket, its low-cost wireless service. AT&T said prepaid customers will have options available to them if they were impacted, although it did not elaborate on what those options might be. AT&T blamed the outage on an error in coding, without elaborating, and says it was not the result of a cyberattack.

Spring break is rapidly approaching and according to AAA Travel booking data, Florida tops the list of destinations this year. The Sunshine State’s Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches, family-friendly attractions, and cruise ports make Florida a logical choice for travelers seeking fun in the sun.

“The sunny Florida beaches are always a top Spring Break choice, along with Orlando and the popular cruise ports of Fort Lauderdale and Miami,” said Bevi Powell, senior vice president, AAA East Central. “By the time spring arrives, families are ready to head to warmer destinations where they can enjoy time together by the pool or on the beach, and many are choosing to finally take that long-awaited cruise adventure.”

Cruising is off to a strong start in 2024 with sold-out ships and inaugural sailings, and that robust demand is evident in Spring Break bookings. AAA Travel data shows a 28% increase in cruise bookings for March and April compared to last year, and a 60% percent increase for cruises departing from South Florida.

Good to Know: More travelers are booking cruises farther in advance, which is one of AAA Travel’s cruising trends this year. Many Spring Break cruises have been sold-out for months. Last-minute bookings are possible, options may be limited. AAA Travel suggests booking a summer cruise now before they sell out, especially if looking at popular destinations like Alaska.

AAA Trip Canvas Tips: For families traveling with teens, check out the best cruise lines for teenagers.

• Best for Onboard Activities:  ROYAL CARIBBEAN
• Best for Teen Clubs: CARNIVAL
• Best for Families with Kids of Different Ages: DISNEY CRUISE LINE
• Best for Recreational Tournaments: PRINCESS CRUISES
• Best for Entertainment Options: HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
• Best For Family Accommodations: CELEBRITY CRUISES

International Spring Break trips are also on the rise compared to last year. AAA data for March and April shows international flight bookings are up 20% and hotel bookings are up 37%.  European cities top the list of most popular destinations: London, Paris, Rome, Dublin, and Amsterdam. More AAA members are also booking tours for their international Spring Break vacations as they look for the convenience, expertise, and peace of mind that guided travel brings.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 26, 2024 10:48 A.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) On Saturday, March 23, 2024  beginning at 10 am. There will be vendors, kids can get their picture taken with the Easter bunny, and there will be 5,000 eggs to be hunted throughout the park.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 26, 2024 10:46 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) The Drug Free Aliquippa Eggstravaganza will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 5-7 pm at the Aliquippa Elementary School on Sheffield Road.

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced a lawsuit against Davis Communications Internet, Inc., and its owner, David Davis, for operating as an internet provider — but in reality were reselling internet services they purchased from a legitimate provider.

According to the Office of Attorney General’s lawsuit, the defendants subscribed to business internet plans, then advertised as a provider and resold the connections while specifically targeting consumers in rural York County where internet options are limited.

The lawsuit seeks to prohibit Davis Communications and David Davis from selling internet services in Pennsylvania, along with consumer restitution, civil penalties, and the forfeiture of profits.

“This sham business allegedly targeted consumers off the traditional internet grid and in great need of reliable internet connections,” Attorney General Henry said. “My office will always take a stand against businesses that target vulnerable Pennsylvanians.”

According to the lawsuit, Davis Communications advertised as a legitimate internet provider offering services like “LTE high-speed internet” and “Truly Unlimited Service.”

The lawsuit also alleges that the defendants misrepresented the reasons for interruptions and outages of internet service and did not provide refunds after consumers were automatically billed for those times. Instead, the Defendants allegedly ignored refund requests or baselessly accused consumers of engaging in “data abuse,” a vague and confusing term.

Pennsylvanians are advised to be aware of any other companies that may misrepresent themselves as legitimate internet service providers. Some steps that consumers can take to protect themselves include: checking for the company on the websites for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).

Consumers who believe that they or someone they know have experienced similar unfair or deceptive practices should file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection online at www.attorneygeneral.gov, by calling 1-800-441-2555 or by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov.

The lawsuit has been filed in the York County Court of Common Pleas by Deputy Attorney General Mark Wolfe.

On February 22, the Beaver County Democratic Committee fulfilled one of its primary functions and voted on endorsements for the Pennsylvania primary election scheduled for April 23, 2024.

Endorsed candidates received over two-thirds of the votes of those in attendance, except for the office of Pennsylvania Treasurer. The Committee agreed to hold an open primary for that office. Notably, the Committee strongly backs Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, Bob Casey, and Chris Deluzio.

The Committee is united in its support of the endorsed candidates listed below and looks forward to sharing their records, character, and service with the residents of Beaver County in 2024.

• Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, United States President and Vice-President
• Bob Casey, United States Senate
• Chris Deluzio, United States Congress
• Malcolm Kenyatta, Pennsylvania Auditor General
• Eugene DePasquale, Pennsylvania Attorney General
• Dr. Kenya Johns, Pennsylvania House, District 14
• Ashlee Caul, Pennsylvania House, District 15
• Rob Matzie, Pennsylvania House, District 16

“We are very excited about this slate of candidates who will represent all of our families. They will uphold our democracy and protect our healthcare, reproductive, union, voting, and civil rights,” said Committee Chair Erin Gabriel. She invites fellow Democrats to support the Committee’s efforts to elect these candidates by attending the BCDC’s annual banquet, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. on March 9, 2024, at The Fez Events Center in Aliquippa. The keynote speaker for the event will be Pennsylvania State Representative Joanna McClinton. The theme of this year’s banquet is Democrats Keep America Working.

Tickets, which include dinner and a cash bar, are available via BeaverCountyDemocrats.com or at the Committee’s office at 426 Adams Street in Rochester. Office hours on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The deadline to buy tickets is February 28, 2024.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 26, 2024 10:24 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) Eli Kosanovich, a 2019 Aliquippa High School graduate was hired as a  football coach and graduate assistant at Boston College in Massachussetts. He is the son of Nick, Jr. and Carla Kosanovich of Aliquippa, PA.

East Palestine Train Derailment (Curtis Walsh)

(East Palestine, Oh) As clean up efforts continue in East Palestine, an update on progress reveals that Norfolk Southern has completed backfilling new stone and gravel at former Car Scrapping Area 4 north of Taggart Street near CeramFab. Residents should notice reduced truck traffic and traffic controls on East Taggart St. The speed limit will remain at 15 mph to ensure both community and worker safety while site restoration and other work continues.

Confirmatory sampling and investigation, known as Appendix E work, is ongoing. EPA and Ohio EPA are reviewing Norfolk Southern’s proposed approach to conduct additional stream cleanup based upon the most recent stream survey and assessments. An interactive map detailing the sheen survey has been added to their website.

It is said that initial work in the underground culverts in East Palestine is complete. Drones and robots were used to assist workers as they accessed, surveyed, and monitored the culverts.

Plans for work at the site this week include the continuation of site-wide confirmation sampling, which is 48% complete, continuation of the treatment and shipping of wastewater, and another round of vapor intrusion sampling will start at businesses along the site.

Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published February 23, 2024 9:58 A.M.

(Center Township, Pa) The Center Township Police Department assisted by Beaver County ESU executed a search warrant of a residence at 3220 B Main Street, Aliquippa, PA 15001 in Center Township around 6am on Thursday.
They report a total of $2,238 in U.S. currency, 276.9 grams of marijuana, 52.5 grams of heroin, 130.3 grams of cocaine, multiple cell phones and drug paraphernalia including packaging and manufacturing equipment were seized during the operation.
Two subjects were located inside the residence and were taken into custody and placed in the Beaver County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 23, 2024 10:02 A.M.

(Center Township, Pa) A paraprofessional, 2 custodians, 9 grounds personnel were hired and spring coaches were approved at the Central Valley School Board meeting.  A  custodian retired . Corey Heilman was hired as the new psychologist, and no starting date has been determined  because the  district is waiting for his clearances.   Clearances were approved for the participants working with the high school spring musical.