![]() Want to see current conditions and views from around Mifflin County? Visit our new webpage with live webcam images, including PennDOT traffic cams and the new CVS project in Downtown Lewistown. ![]() NHL® Center Ice® Free Preview on DISH Now - February 19th! Channels 573-587, Hopper® Channel 475 No matter where you live, you can get the best seats in the house with NHL Center Ice. Follow your favorite teams and players all season long, with up to 40 out-of-market games per week. Don't miss your chance to make every game a home game.
![]() Thank you to everyone that has visited our new store and switched their service to Cricket Wireless! We have already switched hundreds of phones to Cricket, saving our customers thousands of dollars each month, and we love it. Thanks for being awesome, Central Pennsylvania! ![]() One-Stop Communications and Cricket Wireless are now offering switchers instant discounts on the popular Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime, LG G Stylo and ZTE Sonata 2 smartphones*. These new holiday promotions are valid 12/4/15 – 1/7/16 and feature:
"This holiday season, we offer shoppers great reasons to be part of the Cricket experience, one of the best values in no-annual contract wireless and a network that gives our customers more 4G LTE coverage nationwide than T-Mobile, Metro PCS, Sprint and Boost," said Janna Ducich, CMO, Cricket Wireless. "Cricket is offering smartphones people love at prices that keep money in their pocket." Cricket offers more than just great phones at great prices:
About the New Cricket Wireless Cricket is bringing consumers more value with a simple, friendly, and reliable nationwide wireless experience with no annual contract. The power of Cricket is our nationwide 4G LTE network that covers more than 310 million people; easy and affordable plans prices that include taxes and fees – no surprises; and a great selection of phones customers love. Cricket, Something to Smile About. *Samsung Galaxy Phone and LG Offers: Ends 1/7/16. New lines only. Excl. ports from AT&T. First month svc charge due at sale. May not be combined with Grand Prime or LG G Stylo Mail- In Rebate offers.. Activation Fee: Up to $25. Taxes, fees, charges & restr's apply. See store for offer details **Cricket Shopping Card:. Ends 12/06/15. While supplies last. After mail-in rebate (w/in 8 wks). Porting number & 2 qual. plan (min. $40/mo.) svc payments w/in 45 days req'd. Excludes ports from AT&T. Phone price and tax due at sale. Void in CT, RI, and Miami-Dade County, FL. ***Minimum 50% US usage for each service required. Other restrictions apply. **** Group Save: Eligible lines of service req'd. Discount applies to lines 2-5. Price & discount per line varies. Not available with auto pay credit. ![]() Back by popular demand, Cricket Wireless is enticing customers to make the switch to Cricket Nation this holiday season with a new $100 bill credit* offer to customers that bring their number to Cricket between now and Jan. 7. Previously announced holiday offers such as an instant discount on the Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime and the LG G Stylo, and FREE 4G LTE devices after a mail-in rebate Cricket Visa Promotion Card** can be combined with this switcher offer. Because Cricket is the Merrier Carrier, the whole family can celebrate the holiday season by adding eligible lines to their account and save up to $100/mo with Cricket's Group Save discount ***, and each new line will receive the $100 bill credit for each ported number. Now that's Something To Smile About. About the New Cricket Wireless Cricket is bringing consumers more value with a simple, friendly, and reliable nationwide wireless experience with no annual contract. The power of Cricket is our nationwide 4G LTE network that covers more than 310 million people; easy and affordable plans prices that include taxes and fees – no surprises; and a great selection of phones customers love. Cricket, Something to Smile About. To check out the new Cricket or find a store near you, visit www.cricketwireless.com. Cricket is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc. Coverage not available everywhere. © 2015 Cricket Wireless LLC. All rights reserved. Cricket and the Cricket logo are trademarks under license to Cricket Wireless LLC. *Switcher Credit: Excl. ports from AT&T. Must make 2 svc payments w/in 45 days. Credit rec'd w/in 60 days. **Cricket VISA Promotion Card: issued by MetaBank®, member FDIC, or CenterState Bank of Florida, NA pursuant to license from VISA U.S.A. Inc. Must mail in rebate form by 2/6/16. Card not redeemable for cash, valid for 150 days after issuance and may be used to pay for your Cricket wireless services. Fees, charges & restr's apply. See store for offer details.. ***Group Save: Eligible lines of service req'd. Discount applies to lines 2-5. Price & discount per line varies. Not available with auto pay credit. ![]() One-Stop Communications and Cricket Wireless are answering the call to bring residents of Mifflin County a reliable, nationwide 4G LTE service at affordable prices — with no annual contract — by opening the first Cricket Wireless retail store in the area located at 126 Electric Avenue, Lewistown, PA 17044. One-Stop celebrated the launch of its new Cricket store by being a sponsor of the Juniata River Valley Festival of Ice last week, and giving away prizes at the event with the Cricket Ambassadors. Grand opening specials will continue through the end of the year. We invite the community to visit our newly remodeled Cricket showroom and check out all the great deals on the latest phones from Samsung, HTC, Motorola, ZTE and more, along with easy and affordable wireless plans. Plans start at just $35 a month after a $5 Auto Pay Discount. Cricket Wireless is bringing consumers more value with a simple, friendly, and reliable nationwide wireless experience with no annual contract. The power of Cricket is our nationwide 4G LTE network that covers more than 300 million people; easy and affordable plans, prices that include taxes and fees – no surprises, and a great selection of phones customers love. One-Stop Communications is an award winning local retailer that has been providing central Pennsylvania with personal and business communication products for 19 years. They are located at 126 Electric Avenue in Lewistown. You can contact the Cricket store at 717-325-4824. Store hours are Monday through Saturday 9am to 8pm, and 12pm to 5pm on Sunday. ![]() Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 4 through 10 this year, uses the commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire to raise fire prevention awareness. Since this is a topic near and dear to our hearts, we want to share some quick facts about this meaningful week.
![]() Hunting season is upon us again. As summer winds down, sportsmen all over the country are preparing themselves for the thrill of the hunt. And while hunting is an outdoor activity, there are quite a lot of resources online that can help you take your hunting knowledge to the next level. Know your state’s regulations Before you even think about going out on a hunt, you need to know what kinds of regulations your state has concerning hunting. Because the federal government mostly leaves hunting laws to the discretion of local governments, regulations vary from state to state. This means that the start of a particular hunting season in one state may be much earlier than another, which can be confusing to hunters who have just moved or are just starting out. Make sure to check your state’s particular hunting laws and regulations so you can keep yourself on the right side of the law. Choosing your method of take Now that you’re all caught up on what your state’s hunting regulations are, it’s time to pick a method of taking down game. If you’re a beginner who wants to hunt larger animals but you don’t know how to quietly get close to your prey, you’re probably going to want a rifle. Rifles generally have a range of around 50 to 300 yards, which means you can keep yourself farther from your prey and have less of a chance of scaring it off. Bows, on the other hand, take more skill. They can accurately shoot 10 to 50 yards, which means you’re going to need to sneak really close to your prey. That said, they do hold the advantage of penetration over guns. Although rifles are much more powerful, bullets rely only on the high energy of the shot to penetrate. Arrows, on the other hand, require less energy because they have a sharp edge, and can usually penetrate deeper and cause more internal damage than bullets. No matter what you choose, you need to make sure you’re a good shot. Just like everything in life, practice makes perfect. Cooking your meat You’ve picked your weapon, stalked your prey and taken that successful shot. Now comes the fun part: eating. There are a lot of ways to cook your kill, but your most important move is going to be taking the time to get rid of that “gamey” flavor. The first thing you need to do is to trim the fat, connective tissue and silverskin off the meat. A lot of that gamey taste comes from this part of the meat and you’re going to want to remove it before cooking. After you’ve trimmed your meat, you should consider marinating it. A marinade is the perfect way to mask a gamey flavor while also tenderizing the meat. Marinades are also extremely simple to make, and can turn any meat you bring home into a delectable meal. Of course, this is only a taste of what the internet has to offer in terms of hunting resources. And even though many hunters may be frustrated with their current rural internet options, Excede is here to make sure you never go without satellite internet again. Our wide range of service options allow you to choose the plan that best fits your lifestyle. From the constantly connected hunter who loves posting his most recent take on Facebook to the outdoorsman who might need to check current regulations from time to time, Excede has the satellite internet package for you. To have Exede High Speed Internet installed in your home call 717-248-4996. ![]() Going out for a night on the town with your significant other can be expensive. Between the cost of parking, dinner at a nice restaurant and tickets to the show, it can turn into quite the pricey evening. Instead of shelling out the big bucks, opt for date night at home with the help of satellite internet from Exede! Still wondering how it’s possible for you and your honey to have a fantastic night without ever leaving home? Let’s take a look: Dinner and drinks: Endless possibilities When it comes to dinner, there’s simply nothing better than a home-cooked meal. Impress that special someone and show off your culinary prowess with help from your reliable Exede internet service. There are more than a handful of websites that offer recipes for delicious dinners and tempting cocktails – the Food Network, Allrecipes and the food and drink section of Pinterest are among our favorites. This is also ideal for those that might not be the world’s greatest chef – select an easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipe that includes pictures or even a short video. This foolproof strategy will ensure you and your partner can enjoy a delicious meal without the restaurant’s high price tag. Skip the movies Going to the movies is another date night staple, which can get a little expensive. It’s much cheaper for the two of you to select a flick from the comfort of your own couch. Best of all, there’s no need to get dressed up – you can even take relaxation to the next level by making it a pajama party! And with Exede’s internet and DIRECTV services, you have an array of available choices for entertainment. Exede customers can bundle their services with DIRECTV for a low monthly cost for an entire year. For a full 12 months, you have access to a number of movie channels, as well as your favorite TV shows and sporting events. This makes date night easy – simply select a movie from the guide, sit back and enjoy the show.
Your Exede internet service gives you even more choice when it comes to movies with streaming services like Netflix, HBO Go and other platforms. These websites allow you to stream content directly to your device. Although streaming services can eat up quite a bit of data, there are a few ways to keep you from going over your allotted amount. Using a lower resolution, for example, can help save on data. Check our tips here. Exede also makes it easy for you to check on your available data – simply visit my.exede.net to view your usage. This way, if you’re nearing the end of your billing period and you still have a few extra gigs of data, you can stream without worrying about exceeding your limit. In addition, Exede’s unique Free Zone – available with Exede Classic, Evolution or Essential plans – gives you a free pass when it comes to data use. Depending on your plan, the Free Zone allows for unmetered internet access from midnight to 5 a.m. or 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. – perfect for night owls. For more information on Exede call 717-248-4997. ![]() Football is finally here! Watch every live game this Sunday - FREE on DIRECTV. View the NFL Sunday Ticket schedule. ![]() A lot has happened in the NFL since Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to victory in Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1. But now it’s time to throw out those off season blues and get ready for another year of excitement. And while watching the games is always a good time, many fans are trying to make football a more interactive sport through the creation of fantasy leagues. Fantasy football has taken off in recent years. An analysis from Fox Business writer Mathew Rocco projected that around 56.8 million Americans and Canadians will play fantasy football in 2015. That’s a lot of people, and with so much competition out there, drafting a team of your own can seem like a daunting task, especially for those new to fantasy football. Thankfully, there are some simple tips and tricks out there to keep you at the top of your league. Draft day Picking a good team is vital to a season’s success, so do your research and choose wisely. Making sure you have a successful and productive draft day starts with in-depth research about player rankings and statistics. A good place to start is ESPN’s Fantasy Rankings for 2015. Although these rankings are a great way to compare players and build a team, it’s crucial that you don’t rely on these as a crutch. Adrian Peterson is currently ranked as the second-best running back and would make a great addition to any team, but he missed the last 15 games of the 2015 season. This, coupled with the fact that he’s getting a little older might lead to some problems at the beginning of the season. Make sure to do your homework on players, including past injury reports and performance during summer training camp. While researching players, also make sure to look out for sleepers, or players who will outperform their average draft position. One player a lot of people seem to be buzzing about is Blake Bortles, a second-year quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although his first season was a bit of a bust, Bortles had limited offensive options last year. The Jaguars have since invested in their offensive line, and have brought on running back T.J. Yeldon to help Bortles score. Sleepers are generally a gamble, put can pay off big for those who like to live dangerously. With all of this in mind, it’s important to remember that you’re playing for an entire season, not just draft day. Picking poorly in the draft is going to make winning an uphill battle, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve lost all chance of being a champion. During the season So you’ve done your research, chosen your players and constructed a top-notch fantasy team. Now it’s time to set a lineup and actually start playing. There’s really no surefire way to predict how someone will play during a particular game, which means a lot of the time you’re going to have to rely on intuition. That said, the first thing every single fantasy coach should do when making a starting lineup is check to see who’s injured and who isn’t. This seems pretty obvious, but starting an injured player is one of the most frustrating ways to lose a game. What this means is that you need to check on your players religiously. What is ESPN saying about their performance last game? Have they been accused of any criminal charges? Are they tweeting about hanging out at the club the night before a big game? All of these questions and a million others should guide your daily research in order to make sure your team is getting you as many points as possible What this means is that you’re going to need one of the best wireless internet providers possible. Thankfully, Exede has got your back. With some of the best satellite internet around, Exede allows you greater access to every tidbit of information about all of your team’s players. And with an abundance of DIRECTV internet bundles, you can watch the big game while researching your next trade. To get Exede High Speed Internet call 717-248-4996 and schedule your installation today. ![]() Experience the NFL like never before! Kick off the 2015 season with a free preview of NFL SUNDAY TICKET on Sunday, September 13. Catch it all only on DIRECTV channels 701–719. Get every live game, every Sunday, and much more. Watch up to eight lives games in HD at the same time on our exclusive Mix Channel. Choose up to 20 players and keep tabs on their stats throughout the day with Player Tracker. Plus, get real-time scores, stats, and standings throughout game day right on your screen—all without missing a second of live game action. Enjoy your NFL SUNDAY TICKET free preview on Sunday, September 13, only on DIRECTV (Chs. 701–719). To get DIRECTV call 717-248-4996 and schedule your installation today. ![]() The average American owns and uses four digital devices, according to the 2014 U.S. Digital Consumer Report from Nielsen. Just think about the devices you currently have – these could include a smartphone, tablet, laptop, wearable device or other connected item like a smart TV. These items have changed the way we do many things, including how we’re entertained. In recent years, we’ve seen the rise of the second screen, where people not only watch television, but use one of their four mobile devices to connect with complementary apps and websites to enhance their viewing experience. One of the leaders in this arena is DIRECTV, which piloted one of the first second-screen apps available. Now, there are all kinds of second-screen apps available to accompany certain shows and overall network programming. Second screen habits So how exactly are people using their second screens to enhance their TV viewing experience? According to recent research, nearly 80 percent of viewers take part in the second screen experience, using a variety of different devices – 32 percent use a laptop, 26 percent use their smartphone and 20 percent use a tablet, according to CE.org. Sometimes, these activities are less related to what people are watching. CE found that 65 percent of people use their second screen for multitasking and 58 percent pick up their smartphone, laptop or tablet to distract themselves during commercial breaks. Tips for the best second-screen experience
However you choose to use your second screen, there are some tips you can use to give you the best experience possible:
![]() A new report by Coldwell Banker Real Estate and CNET has revealed that the world is waking up to the benefits of the Smart Home. More than a quarter of Americans now own at least one connected home device, and they're enjoying more money, more time, and less worries because of it. In fact, nine out of ten Smart Home users would recommend it to others. Here are three big reasons why. A Smart Home Gives You Peace of Mind Stat: 72 percent of Smart Home users say it gives them peace of mind on home security. Smart Home Security has advanced the home security system into a protective powerhouse capable of guarding your home and family from intruders, accidents, water damage, energy waste and even extreme weather. That takes a whole lot of worry off your mind. Families with children enjoy this benefit more than most, whether protecting young kids at play in the back yard or staying in touch with home-alone teens. Almost four-fifths of Smart Home parents with under-18s say they enjoy more peace of mind. A Smart Home Saves You Time Stat: 57 percent of people with Smart Home tech say that it saves them time—30 minutes a day on average. With devices like smart lights, locks, and garage doors, a Smart Home gives you a ton of ways to save time. You get everyday micro-savings, like using your smartphone (or Apple Watch) to turn your lights off or adjust a thermostat. Then, there are significant but less common time-savers, like letting a contractor in remotely rather than staying home for the morning. They all add up. A Smart Home Saves You Money Stat: 45 percent of Smart Home users say it saves them an average of $98.30 a month. A Smart Home offers a range of ways to protect your home and wallet, including automated energy savings that can put a big dent in energy bills.
A fully-integrated Smart Thermostat uses information from all around the house to save energy while keeping you comfortable, while smart plugs and switches take the work out of battling energy waste by appliances like TVs. To read the report by Coldwell Banker and CNET in full, click here. ![]() Back-to-school time comes with big changes to schedules and new concerns for parents. With smart home security from One-Stop Communications, your child coming home safely is less likely to be one of them. If you're a working parent with older kids, you're not going to be there every night when the bus drops them off. Traditionally, that would mean a routine of check-in calls and keeping tabs on their whereabouts. That can be a hassle for everyone in the family. Not so with smart home alarm system, which easily provides the perfect back to school awareness solution to keep you worry free. 1: Add a Smart Lock Keys are small and easy to lose. Kids can be absent minded - particularly with all that homework on their minds. Combine the two and there's a good chance you might be making a few trips to the hardware store for extra keys this fall. Wait—you hid a spare key under a planter? That's a solution that a burglar will thank you for. A better way to go is a smart lock for your front door. It's a permanent solution to lost (and poorly-hidden) keys. They open with easy to remember four-digit codes or from anywhere with our smartphone app. 2: Set Up User Codes User codes don't just open doors, though. They provide peace of mind, even when the security system is disarmed. With your smart lock integrated into your Smart Home Security system, your child's user code can trigger an instant alert when they use it. That means you'll know exactly when they arrive home. There's no need for them to text, no need for you to call, and no need for you to wonder—it's completely automatic. For additional awareness, you can create a no-show alert, which lets you know if they're not home by a certain time. Then you know to follow up. 3: Add an Image Sensor So who else is home? If you don't want your home to turn into a neighborhood hangout in the afternoons, then it's a good idea to keep tabs on who's there. An image sensor is a motion sensor with an onboard camera that lets you visually verify who's coming in and out of your home. Positioned in the hallway overlooking the front door, it can take a snapshot right when your kids arrive home so you can rest assured that they're following your rules on after-school guests. 4: Program Your Smart Thermostat Kids have more exciting things to worry about than keeping the energy bill down, so they often overlook closing doors and windows when the AC is running. You can rest easy about your kids ‘cooling the neighborhood' with a smart thermostat, which can automatically set back to ‘savings mode' if they leave the door open for any length of time. You can also keep more control over the temperature settings in your home, even when you're not there. Set a schedule on your Alarm.com Smart Thermostat and create an alert so you'll know if anyone makes an adjustment on the thermostat. You can even restrict temperature changes so they can only be made from the mobile app, not the device. Don't Have Smart Home Alarm System? Get Started Today Back-to-school is here, but it's not too late to make it easy with One-Stop Communications. ![]() Love Football? Get NFL RedZone – included in Multi-Sport Pack from DISH. Catch all the best football action at a price that's unbeatable! Only $13/mo. with qualifying package. Check out Channel 155 throughout the preseason and Week 1 for a free preview of NFL RedZone. WATCH FOOTBALL WITH MULTI-SPORT PACK NFL FOOTBALL Multi-Sport Pack has NFL Football covered. The package includes both NFL RedZone and NFL Network. NFL RedZone takes you from game to game every Sunday afternoon to see your favorite teams and the most exciting plays as they happen. NFL Network is your 24/7 year-round destination for all that happens around the NFL, both on and off the field. COLLEGE FOOTBALL Multi-Sport Pack is your destination for College Football. Featured in the Multi-Sport Pack are the Pac-12 Network, Big Ten Network, and ESPN Goal Line. The Pac-12 Network will feature hundreds of live sporting events, providing fans 24/7 access to their favorite Pac-12 teams. Big Ten Network delivers the storied traditions, heated rivalries and top athletic events from the Big Ten Conference. ESPN Goal Line takes you around the nation Saturday afternoons with live look-ins to college football games. ![]() A couple of different studies have shown that the presence of a home security system is a deterrent to the average burglar. For example, a University of North Carolina at Charlotte study shows that 83 percent of the 422 convicted burglars interviewed for the study would try to find out whether or not a home was alarmed before attempting to break in. Half said they would immediately abort a break-in attempt on discovering an alarm system; only 13 percent said they would not be deterred. Statistical analysis makes it clear that home security is a burglary deterrent. Anything that increases the likelihood of being apprehended is something burglars would prefer to avoid. Noise, Noise, and More Noise If there are two things a burglar hates, it is noise and nosy neighbors. A burglar is willing to break a window to get in because it makes noise just once, and it’s done. A neighbor may be startled by the sound of breaking glass, but he or she will go about their business if no additional noise is heard. A home security system is different. It sets off an alarm that is long, loud and constant. It will attract nosy neighbors very easily. Video Surveillance One-Stop Communications recommends video surveillance cameras be installed if they fit within a customer’s budget. Cameras act as deterrents in two ways. First, a burglar who sees cameras always has to consider that someone might be watching remotely. That could result in the police being alerted before any break-in attempt is implemented, giving the burglar even less time to do what he/she does. Video surveillance is an additional deterrent by providing evidence that can be used for investigative and prosecutorial purposes. Recorded video can help identify a burglar and, after arrest, convict him or her in court. Moreover, because most burglars are petty criminals, they are not interested in a long jail sentence when there are so many easy houses to hit. Faster Response Times Burglars also hate home security systems because they usually lead to faster response times. For example, a monitored system from One-Stop Communications allows us to quickly react to a burglar alarm, and be speaking to the local 911 dispatcher in under a minute. The burglar knows that he or she is on the clock from the moment their actions are discovered. It is important to point out that maximum benefit is only achieved when using a monitored system. An unmonitored alarm does make a lot of noise, but that’s about all. A burglar who knows an alarm system is not connected to a monitoring center may be willing to take the chance if there’s reason to believe that valuables are easily accessible upon entry. Nevertheless, the opposite is also true. When a burglar sees the logo of a well-known security company (such as Monitronics) on a lawn placard or window decal, they’re likely to think twice about the decision to burglarize a house. There may be other homes in the neighborhood that pose less of a risk. One last tip: Don’t forget to set your alarm before you leave home. A home security system that is not set is one that cannot do the job it was intended to do. If you add home automation to your system, you can arm and disarm your system remotely using a smartphone or another mobile device. Sources:
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DALLAS, TEXAS – July 24, 2015 — AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) has completed its acquisition of DIRECTV. The newly combined company – the largest pay TV provider in the United States and the world – will offer millions of people more choices for video entertainment on any screen from almost anywhere, any time.
“Combining DIRECTV with AT&T is all about giving customers more choices for great video entertainment integrated with mobile and high-speed Internet service,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO. “We’ll now be able to meet consumers’ future entertainment preferences, whether they want traditional TV service with premier programming, their favorite content on a mobile device, or video streamed over the Internet to any screen. “This transaction allows us to significantly expand our high-speed Internet service to reach millions more households, which is a perfect complement to our coast-to-coast TV and mobile coverage,” Stephenson said. “We’re now a fundamentally different company with a diversified set of capabilities and businesses that set us apart from the competition.” AT&T now is the largest pay TV provider in the U.S. and the world, providing service to more than 26 million customers in the United States and more than 191 million customers in Latin America, including Mexico and the Caribbean. Additionally, AT&T has more than 132 million wireless subscribers and connections in the U.S. and Mexico; offers 4G LTE mobile coverage to nearly 310 million people in the U.S.; covers 57 million U.S. customer locations with high-speed Internet; and has nearly 16 million subscribers to its high-speed Internet service. Current customers of AT&T and DIRECTV do not need to do anything as a result of the merger. They’ll continue to receive their same services, channel lineups, and customer care. Customer account information, online access and billing arrangements remain the same. The integration of AT&T and DIRECTV will occur over the coming months. In the coming weeks, AT&T will launch new integrated TV, mobile and high-speed Internet offers that give customers greater value and convenience. With the completion of its DIRECTV acquisition, AT&T will continue to deploy its all-fiber GigaPower Internet access service – the company’s highest-speed Internet service, which allows you to download a TV show in as little as three seconds. When the expansion is complete, AT&T’s all-fiber broadband footprint will reach more than 14 million customer locations. AT&T announced that John Stankey will be CEO of AT&T Entertainment & Internet Services, responsible for leading its combined DIRECTV and AT&T Home Solutions operations. Stankey will report to Stephenson. DIRECTV President, Chairman and CEO Mike White announced his plans to retire. “Mike is one of the world’s top CEOs and a great leader who built DIRECTV into a premier TV and video entertainment company spanning the U.S. and Latin America,” Stephenson said. “He has been a terrific partner and friend, and his legacy will be an important part of our combined company.” As a result of this transaction, AT&T leads the industry in offering consumers premier content, particularly live sports programming, such as the exclusive rights to NFL SUNDAY TICKET, which gives customers every out-of-market NFL game, every Sunday afternoon, on any screen – TV, mobile devices or PCs. Additionally, the company owns ROOT SPORTS, one of the nation’s premier regional sports networks, and has stakes in The Tennis Channel, MLB Network, NHL Network, and GSN (Game Show Network). AT&T is also developing unique video offerings for consumers through, among other initiatives, its Otter Media joint venture with The Chernin Group. The joint venture was established to invest in, acquire and launch over-the-top (OTT) video services. This includes its purchase of a majority stake in Fullscreen, a global online media company that works with more than 50,000 content creators who engage 450 million subscribers and generate 4 billion monthly views. Under the terms of the merger, DIRECTV shareholders received 1.892 shares of AT&T common stock, in addition to $28.50 in cash, per share of DIRECTV. AT&T will provide complete updated 2015 financial guidance at a conference the company will host for financial analysts in the coming weeks. The conference will be webcast to the public. The DIRECTV acquisition significantly diversifies AT&T’s revenue mix, products, geographies and customer bases. As a result of this acquisition, as well as AT&T’s acquisition of Iusacell and Nextel Mexico, AT&T expects that, by the end of 2015, its largest revenue streams will be, in descending order: Business Solutions (both wireless and wireline); Entertainment & Internet; Consumer Mobility; and International Mobility and Video. As part of the Federal Communications Commission’s approval of the transaction, AT&T has agreed to the following conditions for the next four years:
About AT&T AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions around the globe connect with leading entertainment, mobile, high speed Internet and voice services. We’re the world’s largest provider of pay TV. We have TV customers in the U.S. and 11 Latin American countries. In the U.S., our wireless network offers the nation’s strongest LTE signal and the most reliable 4G LTE network. We offer the best global wireless coverage*. And we help businesses worldwide serve their customers better with our mobility and secure cloud solutions. Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at http://about.att.com. Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att. © 2015 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. Reliability and signal strength claims based on nationwide carriers’ LTE. Signal strength claim based ONLY on avg. LTE signal strength. LTE not available everywhere. *Global coverage claim based on offering discounted voice and data roaming; LTE roaming; voice roaming; and world-capable smartphone and tablets in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier. Coverage not available in all areas. Coverage may vary per country and be limited/restricted in some countries. Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update or revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise. ![]() We all have valuables that we would hate to lose. Some have a high monetary value, others are highly personal, and others are a combination of both. The question for the average homeowner is whether to invest in a safe or not. In a single word: Yes! Installing a safe in your home is an inexpensive and efficient way to protect your valuables from both burglary and fire. A burglar wants to get in and out of your house as quickly as possible. Burglars look for small items that they can stuff in their pockets and get rid of quickly at a local pawn shop or on the street. However, the key is speed. Any burglar who has to spend more than a few minutes in your home gets awfully nervous. A safe keeps valuables out of sight. If a burglar does come across your safe, it may require too much time and trouble to deal with. The added fire protection offered by a home safe should be apparent. But, of course, this requires you to purchase one with built-in fire protection. Not every model on the market will stand up to fire, smoke and water damage. If this added protection is something you are after, you will have to research your options to make sure you are getting what you expect for a product that fits in your price range. Home Safety TipsDeciding to purchase a home safe for your valuables is the first step in protecting them against burglary and fire. Below are some tips to help you choose the right model and to use it correctly:
![]() Major coverage of the Major League. Experience Major League Baseball® like never before with MLB EXTRA INNINGS. You'll get almost 100 out-of-market games a week, most of them available in crystal-clear HD*. When it comes to MLB®, DIRECTV has you covered. Free Preview on DIRECTV / July 17-23 / Channels 719-748 ![]() The U.S. Travel Association estimates that Americans spent upwards of $645 billion in 2014 taking roughly 1.7 billion trips for leisure purposes. Three out of every four trips made last year were for leisure purposes; just 1 in 4 were for business or professional purposes. Not surprisingly, this tells us that Americans love to travel. What the numbers do not tell us is something else we already know: Summer is the time to travel. If you are planning a summer vacation away from home this year, we hope you will enjoy yourself and feel the peace of mind that comes from a home that is monitored while you’re away. We encourage summer vacationers to monitor their homes in three ways: electronically, individually and community-wide. Electronic Monitoring We are in the home security business because we believe in the power of monitored home security as a crime-fighting tool. Monitored home security acts as a deterrent, significantly reducing your risks of being a crime victim while you are away. The strength of our service is the 24-hour remote monitoring that ensures we are keeping an eye on your property. Today’s technology makes monitored home security even more powerful through the use of home automation and remote security system administration. We can install a system that lets you control your security from anywhere, including monitoring video cameras remotely. Home automation lets you control lighting, appliances and door locks remotely as well. Monitored home security and home automation combine to make your home a much safer place. Individual Monitoring As good as a home security system is, it’s not 100 percent foolproof. It’s always a good idea to enlist the help of a friend or relative who can regularly stop by and check your home while you are away. Stopping by every day is the most optimal scenario; at least every other day should be the minimum. Individual monitoring can include additional measures such as moving cars around, opening and closing blinds, putting trash to the curb, and doing other things that give the appearance that someone is home. In the absence of a friend or relative to individually monitor your home, be sure to put a hold on your mail and your newspaper. There is no need to broadcast to criminals that you are away by allowing mail and newspapers to stack up. Some folks prefer to have a friend or family member come stay in their homes while they are away. This is even better. The safest home is an occupied home. Community-Wide Monitoring We are big proponents of community-wide monitoring in local neighborhoods. When neighbors band together with a commitment to watch one another’s properties, things are made safer by sheer numbers. We would encourage you to get together with your neighbors to discuss organizing – either loosely or in affiliation with a Neighborhood Watch program. When your neighborhood is organized, your neighbors will keep an eye on your property while you are away on vacation. You’ll do the same for them when they go away. Together, the entire neighborhood keeps an eye open for any suspicious behavior that could indicate criminals are sniffing around. If those criminals know neighbors are watching, they are more likely to move on. Monitoring your home while you are on vacation is all about making sure as many people as possible are watching your house. Electronic monitoring allows a company such as Monitronics to use the latest technology to do just that. Combining our services with friends, family, and your neighbors makes your home safe so you can enjoy your vacation. Sources: https://www.ustravel.org/sites/default/files/page/2013/08/US_Travel_AnswerSheet.pdf ![]() We would like to extend to you and your loved ones our wishes for a safe and enjoyable Independence Day 2015! ![]() "Were you born in a barn? Quit cooling the neighborhood! You think money grows on trees?" Do you remember these old-school Dad quotes? And cringing as Dad reeled them off? But... now that some of us are dads ourselves, we totally get it. Just like Dad, we want to protect our families, homes and resources. Unlocked doors can let intruders in. Open windows make managing our homes more expensive with higher AC bills. That money doesn't grow on trees, you know. At least we can have it easier today, thanks to Smart Home Security technology. Here are some ways that Alarm.com helps you, the modern Dad, worry less. I don't think I secured the house properly… Nothing nags a dad like the thought of a door left unlocked at night, or the garage door being left open when you all go out to eat. A Smart Home eliminates this worry in two ways. First, it's easy to check the status of your smart locks and garage door through your smartphone app, no matter where you are. If you left something open, you can lock it remotely. Second, your Smart Home can remind you when you forget. Our Geo-Services feature will let you know when you leave home without securing it properly. Leave your garage door open and you'll get a smartphone alert with a ‘close' button on it. One tap, and you're worry-free. We're cooling the whole neighborhood… You can't stop your kids leaving the door open with the AC running… but you can stop the energy wastage. Our new Smart Thermostat guards your energy bills with an auto shut-off feature that automatically sets the temperature back when a door or window is left open for a certain time. It even sends you a smartphone alert so you know to close the door. When you do, the AC starts again. We'll have to change the locks now… Lost door keys are a headache and a security risk. And if you have teens, you know it happens. You'll never replace a lock again with an Alarm.com-powered smart lock on your front door. You can create your own 4-digit code and then change it as often as you like. You can even create individual codes for everyone in the house, with automatic smartphone alerts that tell you when your kids arrive home. Burglars will see that no one's home… It's a worry leaving your home unoccupied, especially on vacations and weekend trips. Our smart lighting schedules make your house look realistically occupied when you're done. You can set your lights to come on at a certain time every day, or at a slightly randomized time for extra realism. You can even have them come on automatically at sunset. If a break-in does happen while you're gone, help will be on the way, thanks to our 24-7 professional monitoring. Trained security professionals assess the situation in an alarm event, and can dispatch emergency responders to the scene. I don't have time to install all of this… Take it easy, Dad – our Smart Home technology comes professionally installed and configured by our expert service providers so you can upgrade to a Smart Home in very little time. You can choose a pre-configured DIY system or have a technician take care of it all. And, if something ever goes wrong, you won't waste a weekend troubleshooting: our service providers will help take care of it. To find out more (and relax more), visit www.onestop.biz or call 717-248-4996. And have a great Father's Day! ![]()
Your home security system is a great tool for keeping your family safe. But when the alarm goes off, it can be pretty terrifying. Fortunately, most of the time they’re false alarms and not real emergencies. This is good news for you and your family, but can pose a problem for others if it happens often.
Whether you forgot to turn off the alarm when you let the dog out, or your toddler hit the panic button on your key fob, false alarms can pull resources such as police and firefighters away from actual emergencies. Learning how to prevent them from happening means making sure everyone in your household has proper training on how to use your home security system.
At One-Stop Communications, we offer home security systems to fit every family’s needs and budget, and we make it easy to keep your information up to date and prevent false alarms. ![]() The pest control industry has a simple rule for keeping rats, mice and squirrels out of your home: Close up the entry points that allow these pests inside. In the world of home security, we promote a similar strategy of understanding the common entry points that burglars use and securing them accordingly. Unfortunately, many burglary victims do not know what these entry points are until it is too late. Keep in mind that there is no way to prevent a truly determined burglar from breaking into your home. There are things you can do that might cause a burglar to change their mind about entering your home, either because it’s too much work or it takes too long. The most common entry points for burglars are:
Securing Entry PointsIt may seem odd that burglars would try to enter your front door in plain view of anyone on the street. But this tells you exactly why it’s important to protect yourself: The front door is chosen because it is usually the easiest and fastest way in. Burglars are criminals of opportunity. They want to get in quickly, find a few valuables, and get out without being noticed. An unprotected front door is a perfect entry point for quick entry and exit. By the way, a skilled burglar can be in and out of a home in less than seven minutes. Your best defense is a double-keyed deadbolt lock. Deadbolt locks are difficult to force open without making a lot of noise. A double-keyed lock is even better because it prevents a burglar from breaking a window and reaching in to unlock it by hand. As for your windows, do not trust the latches installed at the factory. Instead, buy window locks at your local hardware or security store. These are very affordable and surprisingly effective. Your back door should also be locked by a double-keyed deadbolt, and your garage should be secured by an electric door opener. With all of these entry points secured, you can move on to installing block windows in the basement if the added peace of mind makes you more comfortable. Tying It All Together: Deadbolts, window locks and block windows will slow down a burglar significantly. You can tie it all together – and continue to increase the chances that burglars will not hit your home – by installing a monitored home security system. Monitored home security ensures someone is always keeping an eye on your property. It also acts as an excellent deterrent because burglars know their activities are being monitored. A basic system from One-Stop Communications covers your first-floor doors and windows using sensors that communicate wirelessly with a central control panel. Even this minimal amount of basic protection is very effective in preventing home burglary. For even greater protection, you can add remote surveillance cameras and motion detectors. It all adds up to effectively keeping burglars away. Sources:
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