Could not connect to host localhost in Kmail

I am trying to use kmail, but it just recently (three days ago) decided that 
it could not reach my POP3 server (verizon).  I get the message:

Could not connect to host localhost

If I click OK it tells me that:

Transmission for account incoming.verizon.net complere. No messages.

However if I go to Verizon's site or use any other mail host I can get the 
messages.

I am using Ubintu Hardy with, as far as I know, all recent updates.
KDE 3.5.10
Kmail 1.9.10

Any ideas about how to fix this?

Thank you

Rex