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SRT Employees Participate in 5K Fundraiser

SRT Employees Participate in 5K Fundraiser

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On September 5, more than 20 SRT employees hit the road to participate in the Foundation for Rural Service Rural Run/Walk 5K fundraiser. The late summer day in North Dakota brought pleasant weather for walkers and runners to make their way through northwest Minot.
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SRT purchased t-shirts for participants and all funds raised from t-shirt sales went towards FRS programs like scholarships and community grants – two programs that students or organizations in the SRT service area have benefited from.
Employee Participants:
Steph Ryals
Wesley Elkins
Tony Best
Josh Clouse
DeAnna Henderson
Kelle Sisk
Brittany Armstrong
Tom Thomas
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Chad Love
Bonnie Jahner
Shawn Grosz
Hayden Rollins
Lorna Henderson
Cindy Obenchain
Cassidy Hjelmstad
Teal Myre
Becky Thorlaksen
Kara Butz
Nathan Schrum
Hope Suckut
Amanda Emmel
Amanda Wright
Kadi Ruby
Heather Ackerman
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Westhope Public School Builds on 3D Printing Program with $1500 in SRT and RDFC Grants

Westhope Public School Builds on 3D Printing Program with $1500 in SRT and RDFC Grants

SRT Westhope Check Pres
SRT presented checks to Westhope Public School. Left to right: Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager; Casey Mills, Westhope Public School Teacher; Tom Jespersen, SRT Director for District 2; and Kristi Miller, SRT Board President.

MINOT, N.D. – Westhope Public School students have new technology and new STEAM learning opportunities, funded in part by a Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) grant matched by SRT Communications.

RDFC awarded a $750 grant to Westhope School, which SRT matched with an additional $750, to use toward new printers, filament, and related supplies to grow and sustain the school’s 3D printing program.

The program began when teacher Casey Mills and his 5th grade class started putting an available 3D printer to use. The 5th graders set up their own 3D print shop to sell their items, researching sustainable pricing and the most effective packaging. All proceeds go back into purchasing supplies so they can keep printing in the classroom.

The students’ creations grew so popular that the program needed to add printers with newer technology. Mills also wanted to introduce 3D CAD software, so the students could progress from using downloadable templates to designing their own products. Soon they were creating original items such as headphone holders and a clock with a battery.

Branching out from the classroom setting, students visited local businesses to ask what challenges or needs they have. Then they headed back to class to create solutions, which included a napkin-and-condiment holder, a magnetic paperclip holder, custom-sized shelves, and signs displaying store hours.

Through this school-based enterprise, the students practice technology, creative design, small business operations, marketing, and advertising. “It’s been an amazing experience seeing how excited kids are about these skills,” Mills said. “We appreciate this opportunity and SRT’s support of our vision. These students will be able to take the problem-solving, innovation, and business acumen they develop today into their future careers.”

Mills also credits the application of 3D printing to deepening interest and enjoyment in other coursework. For example, students learn about the Renaissance and Shakespeare by creating 3D prints of Michelangelo’s Pietà sculpture and a Globe Theatre replica.

SRT Westhope 3D Prints
SRT had a chance to see the students’ 3D prints.

Kristi Miller, SRT Board President, said about SRT’s donation, “We are so impressed with the variety and ingenuity of the work these students are creating. As a technology company, SRT is proud to support STEAM in our local schools. It’s inspiring to see the entrepreneurial spirit of Casey’s class and how technology is sparking their creativity and opportunities for the future.”

Mills was named the 2024 Bottineau County Teacher of the Year, and one of his 3D printing students has been recognized as a STEM All-Star Student. Since achieving his goal of sustainability, Mills is looking at drone technology for the next evolution of his program.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves 24,000 customers across north-central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business.

The Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) is a nonprofit corporation that encourages economic diversification and community vitality through the generation of funding that supports sustainable asset building. Funding for RDFC programs comes from fee income generated by Dakotas America LLC, a community development entity providing New Market Tax Credits in economically distressed census tracks across the United States. The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives provides support to RDFC.

Service Affecting Outage

Service Affecting Outage

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3:00am Update
Service restored to all customers!
 
10:20pm Update
Technicians continue to repair the damaged fiber optic cable affecting service for some customers in SE Minot.
 
Many residential and business customers should have their service restored by midnight, but it will likely take a few more hours to complete the full restoration.
 
This is a significant cut, requiring the removal of a large 14” thick slab of concrete and rebar just to uncover the damage. 
 

7:05pm Update

SRT technicians have been on site working to restore service and will continue to work until the damaged cable has been replaced. There is no estimated time of repair but we will update here as information is available. Thank you for your patience.
 
Original Post
We have received reports of a cable cut that may be affecting phone and internet customers in Southeast Minot. We will post updates here as well as our Facebook page when we know more information. We apologize for the inconvenience.

TUTORIAL/FAQ

TUTORIAL/FAQ

Short Tutorial/FAQ – Why Are My Speed Test Results Lower Than Expected?


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Question: When I recently did a speed test on my home’s internet connection, the speeds didn’t match what’s stated for my internet plan. How come?

Answer: Internet service providers typically advertise maximum download and upload speeds for plans, but actual speeds may come in lower. They can also vary day by day, or even hour by hour. This is because factors including these can affect the speeds:
  • WiFi interference – Other electronic devices, physical obstacles like walls and doors, and even other WiFi networks nearby can impact your speed.

  • Range from the router – The farther your device is from your WiFi router, the weaker the signal and, consequently, the slower the speed.

  • Many devices – The more devices connected to your network, the more crowded your network becomes, and this can slow things down.

  • Software updates and background activities – Sometimes, devices run necessary software updates or background processes that can take up a chunk of your bandwidth, causing a slower connection.

  • Older devices – Devices with older WiFi technology take more time to transmit and receive data on your WiFi network, which can slow the entire network down.
It’s important to understand that advertised speeds are based on a wired connection. Wireless speeds will always be somewhat slower than this advertised speed as there are many variables that affect WiFi connectivity and performance. If possible, run a speed test from a computer that is connected via an ethernet cable to your modem or router. This will produce the most accurate speed test result.

CUSTOMER ALERT

CUSTOMER ALERT

Stay Alert – That Email Isn’t From Facebook Security

Watch Out For Facebook Security Scammers sometimes create fake emails that look like they’re from Facebook. For example, Facebook users have received phishing emails that claim their Facebook account was disabled due to breaching Facebook Community Standards.

Users are told they need to click on a link and then log in to appeal the decision. The link leads to a fraudulent website designed to resemble Facebook, which will likely ask you to enter your login information. Scammers are hoping the news that your Facebook account was disabled will result in you acting quickly and without thinking, so they’ll be able to capture your data.

To spot a Facebook phishing scam, check the sender’s email address. All legitimate emails come from an official Facebook.com email address. Make sure to click on the sender’s “From” name to see if it’s actually coming from Facebook. If not, it’s a scam. And as a general rule, always check the status of your Facebook account by using the Facebook mobile app or navigating to the site directly. Don’t click on a link in an email.

You can report an email of concern to phish@fb.com or through the report links that appear throughout Facebook.