Louisiana Country, Washington-St. Tammany Electric, May 2026

Louisiana

Country

The Perfect Setup

Anthony Sedlak brings Lake Isabel Farm vision to life Page 18

Board

President

Vice

Secretary/Treasurer

Power Life Safel y May is Electrical Safety Month

Every May, Electrical Safety Month serves as a vital reminder of the importance of preventing electrical hazards at home. Electricity powers nearly every aspect of modern life, but if handled improperly, it can pose serious risks, including injuries and property damage.

The Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives understands the risks associated with improper electricity use, which is why we’re committed to reminding you to stay vigilant and practice electrical safety year-round. By following key safety practices, you can reduce the risk of electrical hazards and ensure your family stays protected. Here are five essential tips for powering up safely at home:

surge protection, so read the product label carefully. Surge protectors can lose effectiveness over time and should be replaced when damaged or outdated.

1. Be vigilant. Regularly inspect your home’s electrical system, including smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, for signs of damage or outdated components. Electrical fires can start silently and out of sight, making functional smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors essential for early detection. Test alarms monthly, and replace batteries annually. Ensure you have alarms installed in key areas of your home, including inside and outside of bedrooms.

3. Practice safe use of power strips. Avoid overloading electrical outlets with power strips that exceed the outlet’s capacity. High-energy devices, such as heaters, microwaves and hair dryers, should be distributed across multiple outlets. Overloading an outlet with “busy” power strips can lead to overheating and create a fire hazard, so be sure to check the power strip’s wattage rating before plugging in items.

2. Use surge protectors. Safeguard your sensitive electronics and appliances with surge protectors. These handy devices help divert excess voltage away from your electronics, reducing the risk of damage or electrical fires. Not all power strips include

4. Don’t mix water and electricity. It may seem obvious, but accidents involving water contact with electrical items happen. Always keep electrical appliances and devices away from water sources, such as sinks, bathtubs or swimming pools. Make sure your hands are dry before touching any electrical switches, devices or appliances. Ground fault circuit interrupters should be installed in areas where water and electricity are typically in proximity, including kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor outlets.

5. Educate family members. One of the best ways to ensure the safety of everyone in your household is to talk about electrical safety. Teach children not to play with electrical outlets or appliances, and ensure they understand the potential dangers of electricity. Create and practice a home fire escape plan that includes electrical safety precautions in the event of an emergency.

Practicing electrical safety at home is essential for protecting your family, property and peace of mind. Remember, electrical safety isn’t just a one-time effort— it’s a year-round responsibility. Taking these steps can help ensure a safer, more secure home for you and your loved ones. 

Avoid overloading electrical outlets with power strips that exceed the outlets’ capacity. PEXELS PHOTO BY ZION

Getting Ahead of Wildfires

As the threat of wildfires increases nationwide, electric cooperatives are working to mitigate the risk of fires and protect their local systems and communities. Co-ops are:

• Deploying advanced technologies, such as power line sensors and advanced imaging cameras, to help detect fires or conditions that lead to them.

• Proactively managing vegetation near power lines and other electrical equipment to decrease the volume of fuel and slow the spread.

• Advocating for smarter land management policies like the Fix Our Forests Act that would allow co-ops to better maintain power lines on public lands and reduce wildfire risk.

WASHINGTONST. TAMMANY ELECTRIC OFFICES

Main office

950 Pearl St. (P.O. Box 697)

Franklinton, LA 70438

Phone: 985-839-3562

www.wste.coop

Additional offices

21504 Mire Drive

Abita Springs, LA 70420

13526 Highway 40 Folsom, LA 70437

2081 E. Gause Blvd.

Slidell, LA 70459

GENERAL MANAGER

DANE HOCOTT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Francis Cefalu | President

Dennis Glass | Vice President

Olander Smith | Secretary

Glenn Magee | Treasurer

Joe Jarrell Jr.

Chris Graves

Charles Singletary

Nickey Smith

Beyond the Bill The power of SmartHub

Life can be hectic.

But you can be on the go and in control, managing your electric utility account like never before. The true power of SmartHub goes far beyond the bill.

Did you know SmartHub can help you manage your account with easy features? Whether through a PC, your smartphone or tablet, you’ll be able to pay your bill, view your use, report an outage and more. This free app can make your life easier.

As soon as you log in, you’ll be able to view your billing history and make a payment with just a couple of clicks.

You’re also able to see your current bill or previous bills if you want to compare costs. Not only will you see your billing history, you’ll be able to view your actual use. Seeing how your use trends over time will allow you to take steps to lower your costs.

You are just a click away from reporting an outage, since reporting a service issue is a snap with the SmartHub mobile app. There’s no need to call the office, just let us know about the issue with a few clicks.

Upcoming 2026 Office Closures

MONDAY, MAY 25 MEMORIAL DAY

MONDAY, SEPT. 7 LABOR DAY

THURSDAY, NOV. 26 ............................................................................. THANKSGIVING FRIDAY, NOV. 27 DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING

THURSDAY, DEC. 24 ............................................................................ CHRISTMAS EVE

FRIDAY, DEC. 25 CHRISTMAS

Volume 43, Issue 3

Louisiana Country (USPS 473-180) is published bimonthly by the Association of Louisiana Electric Co-ops Inc., 10725 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, in partnership with Pioneer Utility Resources.

Annual subscriptions: Members $2.79. Nonmembers $5.

Postmaster: Send form 3579 to 10725 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.

Periodicals postage paid at Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821, and additional mailing offices.

The Lucky Account Number Contest continues this month with two winners included in this edition of Louisiana Country. Before you look through this edition for your winning number, find your account number printed above your mailing address. Spot that number anywhere in this issue and win $50. To claim your prize, call 985-839-3562.

Storm Season. We

Are Ready for Are You?

Hurricane season is here, and preparation is already well underway. Your electric cooperative plans and prepares months in advance to ensure we’re ready to respond quickly and safely when severe weather threatens our communities and service area.

Long before hurricane season arrives, the Washington-St. Tammany Electric team reviews emergency response plans and partners with local and state agencies. This early planning helps reduce outages when possible and allows for faster restoration when storms occur.

Hurricane season is part of life in our region, and preparation makes all the difference.

Preparation is a shared effort. Together, we can weather the season safely, confidently and resiliently. 

What You Can Do Now

 Review your family’s evacuation and communication plans.

 Refresh your emergency supply kit. Find tips at www.ready.gov.

 Secure loose items outside your home.

 Keep important documents in a waterproof, easy-to-grab place.

 Stay connected to trusted local alerts and cooperative updates.

ADOBE STOCK IMAGE BY ARTSIOM P

ENERGY SCAMS TIPS TO AVOID

If you receive a call from someone stating you have overpaid your energy bill and that you should provide your banking information or a credit card number to receive a refund, hang up because it’s likely a scam.

If you overpay your bill, your cooperative will apply the overpayment credit to your account balance or mail a check. They will not call and request your banking information to issue the refund.

Source: Utilities United Against Scams

the Touch of a Finger With Just

The SmartHub app is an all-in-one digital platform designed to simplify how you connect, manage and interact with us.

SmartHub acts as an essential tool where members can manage payments, notify customer service of account and service issues, check their use, and receive special messaging from us all at the touch of a button.

Everything is put right at your fingertips.

The app is free and available on Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. Visit www.wste.coop/billing, and use the QR Code to sign up.

Spinning Tails, Not Tales

Harness the best of spinnerbaits and worm fishing

By John N. Felsher

Since the dawn of fishing, anglers have been spinning tales, even an occasional true one. But now they can tell stories of spinning tails that catch more bass.

One hot Louisiana day many years ago, Dad wanted to make a quick fishing trip in the morning before the scorching heat became too oppressive. Of course, I wanted to fish from dawn to dusk, but Dad had the driver’s license. We headed to a pond that everyone called the Ol’ Swimming Hole, but it held big bass.

On hot summer days, swimmers jumped off the bank about 3 feet above water at one corner of the rectangular pond. Next to the bank, a sandbar came up to the shoreline. That’s where Dad and I launched our pirogue into the pond.

We fished for several hours that morning with nothing to show for it. As the morning heat began to rise, swimmers came to cool off. Then, my dad uttered those dreadful words I never wanted to hear.

“We haven’t caught anything all morning,” he said. “Let’s go.”

My immediate standard response was always, “One more cast, pleeeeeaaaassssse!”

Without waiting for Dad’s approval, I

tossed a bright red worm equipped with three exposed hooks and tipped with a propeller on the nose. The worm landed beyond a submerged sandbar that ran parallel to the shoreline. The bait slowly sank to the bottom in the trough between the bar and the bank. Then, I reeled steadily to slowly turn the propeller.

As the lure slipped up the back side of the sandbar, something grabbed it. After quite a fight, I finally lipped a bass weighing nearly 6 pounds. Instantly, red harness worms became my new favorite bait. That fish remained my personal best largemouth for another 30 years.

Long before many people even heard the term Texas-rigged worm, anglers used prerigged harness or propeller worms. They came with two or three hooks protruding from the belly of a straight worm linked together with fishing line. On the nose, a straight wire held several colored metal, glass or plastic beads and what looked like a miniature aircraft propeller.

Few bass anglers still fish with prerigged worms, if they can even find one. Anglers might find some on dusty shelves in the back of old tackle shops, at country general stores or maybe a flea market. However, these worms began to make a comeback of sorts. Now called a tail-spinner worm, it’s a straight worm or similar soft-plastic enticement with a propeller screwed into the tail rather than the nose.

“I started using tail-spinner worms in tournaments and caught a lot of good fish on them,” says Keith Poche, a professional bass angler born and raised in Natchitoches. “I take a simple straight plastic worm or stickbait with a little weight to it. To the back of the worm, I attach a No. 1 or 2 spinner blade with a swivel and a split ring.”

In the old days, most harness worms came prerigged with wire weed guards that snapped over the hooks. Today, most people insert their hook points barely into the plastic worm body. When rigged weedless, a tail-spinner worm can go through most types of entangling cover to get down where lunkers lurk. Some people attach a small split-shot to the line about 12 inches in front of the nose to add casting heft or to fish it deeper.

“I typically throw it weightless with a 5/0 extra-wide gap hook,” Keith says. “I insert the hook into the plastic to make it weedless. I can throw a tail-spinner worm into grass, wood, fallen trees, brush piles or anything else, and it won’t hang up.”

A tail-spinner worm somewhat combines the attributes of spinnerbaits, crankbaits, wacky worms, soft jerkbaits and Texas rigs. The propeller creates vibrations and flash like traditional spinnerbaits, but with a more lifelike silhouette.

When big bass feel the vibrations or see the flash, they investigate. They see something that looks like helpless natural forage, so they attack. Since the worm feels lifelike, a bass might hold onto it longer than a spinnerbait.

“It’s a very versatile but subtle bait,” Keith says. “It’s a finesse technique that combines a spinnerbait with the look of a worm. The blade is just big enough to give off some flash, but not too bulky to chase fish away. The spinner draws attention to the bait and allows a person to fish it a lot faster than a Texas rig. With it, I can cover a lot more water than just working a standard soft-plastic stickbait.”

Because they sink slowly when rigged weightless, tail-spinner worms work best in shallow water with abundant cover like stumps, fallen trees and weed beds. They also work around flooded brush, dock or bridge pilings, riprap or similar places where bass feed in the shallows or near the surface.

Toss it into a sweet spot and let it sink. Steadily reel it just over the bottom or higher in the water so the propeller turns. Occasionally pause the retrieve to let the bait sink a few feet. When passing a stump, log or other object, let the worm sink to the bottom before renewing the retrieve. Bass commonly hit worms as they fall with the propeller still spinning. Some people hop it off the bottom.

“I usually fish the worm in water 5 feet deep or less,” Keith says. “I look for little ditches with slightly deeper water in the back of pockets. Bass use these ditches to migrate into and out of the shallows. I also look for dark spots that could indicate submerged stumps. Let the bait fall, and then slowly start retrieving it to make the blade spin. I’ll bump it forward a little and then let it fall again. Bass hit it aggressively.”

Unlike the old prerigged worms, anglers can easily change colors or propeller sizes on a tail-spinner rig. Experiment with different colors, configurations and retrieves to see what bass want that day. 

Tammany Trace trailheads are vital to Northshore culture Community Connections

Story

and photos by Colette Boehm

Tammany Trace includes scenic bayou overlooks and long stretches of piney woods and moss-draped oaks. Since its inception in 1992, this 31-mile trail has served as a ribbon, tying together communities across St. Tammany Parish.

Today, the rails-to-trails path is popular with cyclists, runners and walkers, offering a combination of easy accessibility, remote beauty and scenic views. But beyond its popularity for outdoor recreation, the trace’s trailheads combine outdoor recreation, art and local culture in Abita Springs, Covington and Mandeville.

The trailheads are favorite spots for many locals, offering a variety of opportunities for community connections

and outdoor fun. These spots are central to the culture and hubs of activity for these towns. They host weekly farmers markets, local art installations, entertainment venues, special events and more.

Culture in Covington

In Covington, a converted depot serves as a trailhead and visitor center. The center features rotating art exhibits, and the site includes a campanile, bandstand and amphitheater. Here, residents enjoy free concerts, arts and crafts markets, festivals and a lunchtime farmers market on Wednesdays. On Saturdays, a market is held just down the trail on the nearby grounds of the Covington Police Department.

The Wednesday and Saturday markets feature locally grown fresh produce,

prepared food and live music. Patrons may also find free samples from a participating local chef.

Jennifer Loos, proprietor of Bear Creek Road, has been operating her home-based bakery in Covington for 11 years. She transitioned from working in commercial kitchens to better balance her family life, and she finds the Covington Saturday Farmers Market to be not only an excellent retail venue but also a community gathering place. She is a vendor each weekend and, like many other regulars, her business is a favorite among local patrons.

Kristen Clinton, who grew up in Mandeville, now lives in Covington and visits the Covington market every weekend with her daughters. In addition to stopping at the Bear Creek booth for waffle mix, they have many other favorite vendors, as well.

“We love the cheese man, Mr. Jesse,” Kristen says. “And then we get waffle mix and a muffin. The waffle mix, we get it every single week. We love it. And the red bean lady over there and the mushroom man. And we always get a balloon, too,” she adds with a smile.

Balloons are a common sight throughout the grounds, as children play while parents shop or stop to enjoy the live music performed under the gazebo.

“They also have all of the fundraiser walks and other events at the trailhead,” Kristen says. “Last weekend, there was a music festival there. There's always stuff going on here.”

Mandeville Meetups

Saturdays in Mandeville bring the weekly Trailhead Community Market at the town’s park and renovated train depot, with more than 80 vendors participating. The Mandeville Trailhead and Cultural Interpretive Center are adjacent to the trace and host the Saturday markets as well as free Friday evening concerts and other

special events. The market spaces here offer more than local produce and food. Vendors include craftspeople, entrepreneurs and artists. There are jams and juices, salsas and tamales, plants and paintings.

Nicole Gillies, local artist and owner of Serendipitous Designs in Mandeville, has been exhibiting at the market for 16 years. She sees both loyal customers and longtime friends there.

“This is a really tight-knit little community, and I see a lot of the same people,” she says. “I've had repeat customers for years. We have some people that I see who come out every Saturday. This is a staple for them. My son grew up out here. He’s in college now. At 3 years old, he was out here sitting underneath the table. Now, every time he comes home from college, he comes back out and helps.”

Nicole also welcomes visitors who stop by her booth while they’re out enjoying the Tammany Trace.

“We get a lot of bikers,” she says. “We get a whole lot of people from Fontainebleau State Park too, because we’re the first stop.

Obviously, some of them will ride all the way to Covington, because you can do the whole thing, but we get a lot here.”

The depot site also includes cultural exhibits, a tower and an amphitheater, where live music is enjoyed by patrons relaxing and viewing from a shaded, grassy area next to the trace. The amphitheater also hosts the Mandeville Live! spring and fall concert series.

Check Out Abita Springs

The Abita Springs Sunday-morning market adds to the variety of activities at this unique trailhead. The one-room Abita Springs Trailhead Museum celebrates the history and culture of Abita Springs with exhibits and photographs. It is open Friday through Sunday, and volunteers are quick to brag about their town and the park that is home to the trailhead.

The park features a historic two-story pavilion, under which rests Princess Abita, a statue commemorating the healing waters the town is known for. There is a water fountain for collecting

that fresh Abita water and a Spirit Stick totem on the site, honoring the town’s history and Choctaw symbology. The trailhead park boasts a playground, splash pad and picnic area.

During the Sunday markets, Gallo D’Oro Farm’s Dan Rinderle, who along with his wife owns a local restaurant, sells his sauces, dressings and vegetable preserves. Garlic, green beans, okra and more fill his table at the market.

“We are a farm—a little 5-acre farm in Abita Springs,” he says. “We grow just enough crops to do what we do here and

then supply what we can for the restaurant. In season, for instance, like if you come and get eggplant, it's fresh off the farm. My wife and daughter make the jellies. Everything else on this table, I make.”

Dan, too, sees local folks each week who have become dedicated customers. He even fills special requests for them.

“Somebody asked me to make honey mustard this week, so I brought it,” he says. “Somebody asked me to make a big jar of carrots.”

These requests come from neighbors and locals who consider markets like these an

important part of what makes the trace’s trailheads so central to life here.

These are also the spots for many popular annual events. From the Not Your Mama’s Gumbo Cook-off in Abita Springs to the Shamrock Sprint and the Rockin’ the Rails Concert in Covington, spring events are only the beginning of a yearlong calendar filled with activities that bring out residents and attract visitors.

Many of those visitors find the outdoor community centers when traveling the trace during a stay at Fontainebleau State Park. This 2,800-acre treasure in Mandeville is Louisiana’s most visited park and, via the trace, is connected to each of these Northshore communities.

The trace’s headquarters in Mandeville is at the Koop Drive Trailhead, which is also a popular local spot for recreation and relaxation. This is home to the Kids Konnection Playground, which is built with inclusion in mind. It includes special features that allow children of all abilities to play together. A green caboose, which serves as the trail’s headquarters, sits on a preserved piece of railroad track and is surrounded by the playground.

In nearby Lacombe, the trailhead is not so much a town center as it is a meditation center. Located in a remote area, this spot is considered one of the trail’s most scenic locations.

A converted railroad trestle, complete with drawbridge to accommodate boat traffic below, spans Lacombe Bayou. The trailhead, with its covered picnic areas on the bayou and a comfort station, provides a picturesque spot for a relaxing break.

Where Community Meets Economy

While the trailheads serve as community hubs, the trace itself has become an important part of St. Tammany Parish’s economy. Bike shops are located near both the Mandeville and Covington trailheads and offer repairs and deliveries for cyclists in other areas. The local restaurants and shops within walking distance of the trail see traffic from cyclists year-round.

It is clear to see the abandoned railroad corridor from 1992 has become an integral part and a recreational centerpiece of the Northshore communities of St. Tammany Parish.

The miles of asphalt, remodeled railroad trestles and repurposed depots now connect communities, residents and visitors in new ways.

Those out for fitness, a scenic ride, a family outing or immersion in local food and culture, find Tammany Trace offers the perfect locations for connecting outdoor enjoyment with community charm across St. Tammany Parish. n

WSTE’s 2026 Youth Tour Wi ers

Congratulations to Jacqueline “Jackie” Castro and Jessica McDonnell for being selected as winners for the Youth Tour. This unforgettable experience will connect them with high school students from across Louisiana. Many adventures are in store for them.

This year’s Washington, D.C., trip is June 13-20. They will join Youth Tour delegates from across the United States for a week of learning, exploration, and civic engagement as they visit historic sites and meet U.S. senators and representatives.

1-844-AGENT4U

The Perfect Setup

Anthony Sedlak brings Lake Isabel Farm vision to life

By Mimi Greenwood Knight

Don’t you love it when somebody moves to South Louisiana and really gets us? It was that way for Anthony Sedlak when he came to New Orleans to help with Hurricane Katrina cleanup. He traveled with a church group from Chicago, and it didn’t take long for the Crescent City to cast her spell on him. He was so enamored, in fact, that he was determined to move there, attend Loyola University and make the city his home.

Relocating to Uptown

New Orleans, Anthony spent 12 years experiencing all the city had to offer. In 2021, he bought 422 acres an hour’s drive from New Orleans in Isabel, an unincorporated community in Washington Parish. Although the property was a fixer-upper, he looked beyond the devastation of the land and envisioned what he could make it.

Before taking the plunge, he thoroughly researched the history of the place he now calls home.

“This area was historically old-growth timber,” Anthony says. “Settlers cleared the land, and by the 1800s, it would have been a mixed-hardwood forest like we have so much of here. But being so close to the Bogue Chitto River—and with the river actually running through here at one point—it had vast deposits of sand and gravel.”

Those who have driven through this area likely noticed sand and gravel mines of all sizes, from small family operations to massive corporate ones. The abandoned mine Anthony bought was of the latter variety.

“It was started in 1999 and quickly grew large enough for miners to bring in a huge dredging barge to help dredge up sand and rock deposits,” he says. “Because sand is worth much less than gravel, they sifted out the rock and just spread the sand around the site, essentially creating a desert, while they sold the rocks for things like concrete production.”

OPPOSITE PAGE: The lake is a mile long and includes many walking trails. PHOTOS COURTESY OF WSTE

Miners dug down as deep as 40 feet, creating a giant bowl of sand that filters the water in the 125-acre lake the operation left behind. They also tapped into underground artesian springs, which feed into the lake even as the sand filters it.

“What’s left is drinking-grade water that stays at around 78 degrees all summer long,” Anthony says.

That crystal-clear, spring-fed water is surrounded by powderwhite sand beaches stretching out in all directions. The absence of trees allows for year-round breezes.

“Parish officials believe it’s the largest privately owned lake in the parish,” Anthony says.

The property was the perfect setup for someone with a vision for what it could become and the hard work ethic to make it happen.

After years of 60- to 70-hour work weeks, Anthony was ready to share this private paradise with others, and he opened Lake Isabel Farm to day visitors and overnight campers but with limited occupancy to reduce the impact on the land.

“We opened last year—midway through the summer—with a limit of 85 people per day,” he says. “We wanted to learn from the visitors who came and receive feedback on ways we could improve their experience.” (Account No. 330188901)

Anthony plans to increase the number of daily visitors this summer to 100. He’s working with New Orleans architect firm CICADA on several vacation rentals on the forest side of the milelong lake. The first rental home will be ready for this summer.

Day passes include beach access and walking trails around the lake, beach chairs, kayaks with life jackets, a diving platform, beach volleyball court and other games, propane grills with cooking utensils, and ice chests and solar-powered cabanas for larger groups.

“Visitors are also welcome to bring their own chairs, canopies (and) paddleboards, and we provide ATV service to bring them to the beach for you and help with setting them up,” Anthony says. “It’s a white-glove customer service model.” (Account No. 10085200)

The 125-acre pond teems with bass and catfish. Visitors are welcome to cast a line on the side of the lake opposite the beach. Day visitors are welcome to stay until 15 minutes after sunset.

Standing on the shore, Anthony can look across and see not only the years of grueling work he’s put in but all he wants to offer his guests in the not-too-distant future. An event center is next on his list, and he already rents out the beach and lake for waterside weddings, yoga retreats, corporate events, and parties.

“Eventually, each vacation rental will have its own access road and its own entrance to our 70 acres of walking trails,” he says.

The first rental is two bedrooms, one and a half baths, 1,300 square feet with an additional 500 feet of decking. Others will be different sizes and designs, but all will have oversized windows and views of sunrises, sunsets and the lake.

Vacation rentals will come with docks, but to reduce environmental impact, only electric-powered motors will be permitted. Anthony is designing a disc golf course and eventually would like the on-site farm to host farm-to-table dinners.

“We’ve rented out for commercial photo sessions and have already had one movie filmed here,” he says. “We’re hosting our first half triathlon, and several SCUBA centers are considering the lake for open water certification. We’d also like to host land conservation activities and educational classes.”

Anthony and his team began gearing up for their summer opening in late April. Reservations must be made in advance via their website and trespassing is prohibited. n

Lake Isabel Farm is an hour from New Orleans and half an hour from Covington at 54254 Cavenham Road in Bogalusa. Find out more about Louisiana’s most exciting eco-luxury destination at LakeIsabelFarm.com or @lakeisabelfarm on Instagram.

Smooth Streaming

Tips for seamless entertainment

Whether it’s music, movies or games, streaming and interactive online content is a part of daily life for many. With a little care and planning, you can have the smoothest experience possible. Also, keep in mind the professionals with your service provider are always ready to support you, answering questions and offering information needed to make the right choices. Here are a few items to consider:

Anticipate how you will use your streaming services. When assessing internet needs for streaming, consider the number of people in your household and their activities. Will there be remote work, gaming or multiple streaming services involved? Once your internet use patterns are understood, make sure your internet plan matches your needs.

Take into account the amount of devices. Don’t overlook the number of devices connected to the Wi-Fi network. It’s common for households to have various smartphones, tablets and smart appliances online simultaneously. Remember, each connected device consumes bandwidth, which can affect the performance of all your devices.

Assess your Wi-Fi coverage. Slow streaming can sometimes be attributed to Wi-Fi issues rather than insufficient bandwidth. Evaluate the placement of your router, and consider investing in a mesh Wi-Fi system to ensure comprehensive coverage throughout your home. This can significantly improve streaming performance, especially in larger homes or areas with signal dead zones.

Understand streaming. Streaming involves the continuous transmission of media content from an online server to a digital device. It can include a wide range of content, from livestreams to recorded movies and TV shows. At times, it can seem like an endless stream of content possibilities. However, there are potential bottlenecks, so consider cataloging all the streaming services in use—including online gaming—to make sure you have the internet connection and Wi-Fi setup that’s right for you.

3. 4. 5.

Stay informed about advancements in technology. Streaming technology has rapidly evolved, revolutionizing how we consume media. Stay informed about advancements in streaming services and internet technology to make informed decisions about your streaming setup. For example, image resolution for some movies is now much higher than just a few years ago and requires a faster connection to enjoy.  1. 2.

Use Caution With Cash Apps

While mobile payment apps like PayPal or Venmo make it easy to send and receive money online or through an app on a phone, scammers are also waiting to take advantage. This service becomes an intermediary between your money and whoever is on the other end of a transaction, which can create an added layer of security.

But if a scammer tricks you into sending money, it’s hard to get it back. The Federal Trade Commission notes the risks and offers tips for staying safe.

 Don’t send a payment to claim a prize or collect sweepstakes winnings.

 Never give your account credentials to anyone who contacts you.

 Protect your account with multifactor authentication or a personal identification number.

 Before paying, double-check the recipient’s information to make sure you’re sending money to the right person.

 If you get an unexpected request for money from someone you recognize, speak with them directly to make sure the request is valid—and not a hacker who got access to their account.

If you find unauthorized payments or think you paid a scammer, immediately report the transaction to the service providing the payment app. Instructions should be available on the service’s website. Also, report the scam to reportfraud.ftc.gov.