Try disabling Backup Assistant Plus if you aren't using it. Apparently it is balking at using WiFi instead of the towers. No idea why it tries to connect if you aren't subscribed.
Non-issue. Had tried to do this in Total Command. Tried in Root Explorer, mount as R/W when it balks, success. Also discovered I hadn't checked "Root Functions Everywhere" in Total Command.
:)
Appear to have root, but can't rename Superuser.APK to SU.APK to make the VZW app happy. Otherwise appear to still have root. Can't think of a safe way to test it. Titanium Backup Root makes backups. :)