PUCO staff opposes AEP proposed rate increase

Aug. 9, 2011, Newark Advocate

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

American Electric Power is asking too much of its customers in its proposed rate increase, staff members of a key state agency argued this past week.

In addition to the increase in base rates, AEP also is requesting for numerous riders, or extra charges.

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio staff came out against AEP’s proposal Thursday in a series of testimonies.

Next, the proposal will go before the full commission, which will issue a decision by the end of the year.

Rural Ohio communities live without broadband

Feb. 21, 2011, Newark Advocate

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

People living in Appalachia are more likely to get inky fingers while reading this story. That’s because they’re less likely to be reading it on a high-speed Internet connection.

Overall, 99.3 percent of Ohio residents have access to high-speed connections, according to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The state has the 13^th highest penetration rate among the 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.

However, 30 of Ohio’s 88 counties have at least some households with no broadband providers. Most of those counties are in southeastern Ohio.

Ohio channels safe from Time Warner-Fox dispute

Dec. 24, 2009, Newark Advocate

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

No one in Ohio is at risk of losing out on “24,” “American Idol,” “Glee” or the Cincinnati Bengals or the Cleveland Browns come January.

Time Warner Cable is embroiled in a highly publicized battle with Fox Broadcasting Co. Fox, Time Warner said, is demanding massive price increases for its programming.

Time Warner refuses to pay, claiming it will need to hike its rates for customers, company spokeswoman Judy Barbao said.