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CUSTOMER ALERT

Oct 07 2024

CUSTOMER ALERT

Stay Alert – Watch Out for Voter Registration Scams

Scammers are opportunists, and they take advantage of current events to trick their victims. This is why the Better Business Bureau, Identity Theft Resource Center, and National Association of State Election Directors have all warned the public to be aware of voter registration scams, especially in this presidential election year.

Posing as election officials, scammers may contact you by phone, email, or in-person and claim you’re not registered to vote. They’ll then offer to register you by phone. This is a fraudulent claim, since in all 50 states, you can only register to vote online, by mail, or in person at a local election office.

Scammers may also offer to download a voter registration app on your phone, which is actually a malicious app allowing cybercriminals to steal personal data such as payment information and login credentials. Or they may send you a link to fake voter registration forms.

It’s important to remember that the trusted source for any election-related information is your state or local election official. To learn more about your state’s specific requirements and deadlines for registering to vote and voting, visit canivote.org.

A Lasting Impact – Decades of Blood Drives at SRT

Oct 02 2024

A Lasting Impact – Decades of Blood Drives at SRT

It’s a meaningful tradition that brings dozens of employees together to give a potentially life-saving gift.

Fay Alexander, GIS Specialist, who has been organizing SRT blood drives for more than five years, said donating blood has always been important to her. “Blood is so important for a lot of reasons,” she said. “As the coordinator, I see what blood type people have and I get lists that say what kind of blood they need, and so many people need all kinds – from an accident or really for any reason – they need blood.”

The impact of a blood donation especially hit home for her during the pandemic. “My husband got COVID in 2021 and the hospital called me and asked if they could give him a blood transfusion because the antibodies would save his life, and they did. The blood saved his life,” Fay said.

Three times a year, Fay reaches out to all SRT employees, asking for donors to schedule a time at one of the blood drives she organizes. Vitalant holds the blood drives at SRT headquarters, where employees are invited to donate at their convenience.

Vitalant and SRT are mutually grateful for their partnership. Vitalant’s willingness and ability to host the blood drive onsite at SRT makes donating easy and accessible to employees. Senior Recruitment Manager at Vitalant, Teresa Johnson, said, “SRT is a very steadfast account that’s always very reliable, has great donors, and is very supportive of our mission. Employees get to take an hour out of their day to be amazing lifesavers.”

Randy Hysjulien, Right of Way Agent, is a long-time donor who volunteers at every SRT blood drive. “I feel it’s important to donate blood to help other individuals that may need this ‘gift of life’ to help someone recuperate from a serious health issue or even save a life,” he said. “It’s easy to do and very convenient when Vitalant comes to our office regularly for a blood drive.”

SRT holds blood drives in February, June, and October each year. October happens to mark Co-op Month, a time to highlight the principles cooperatives are built on. One of those principles is concern for the community. Allowing employees to donate blood is just one way SRT acts as a community steward. Our employees live and work in the communities we serve and SRT believes it’s up to people like us to lend a hand where we can.

SRT Employees Participate in 5K Fundraiser

Sep 25 2024

SRT Employees Participate in 5K Fundraiser

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.

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

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

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

Sep 12 2024

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

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 5^th grade class started putting an available 3D printer to use. The 5^thgraders 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.

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

Sep 09 2024

Service Affecting Outage

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.

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