Contact Blue Valley Technologies 1559 Pony Express Hwy Home, KS 66438 Phone: 877.876.1228 Office Hours: Monday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tuesday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Email: csr@bluevalleyinc.net Visit Us Online: www.bluevalley.net Live Life Connected: Fiber Project Updates Our Washington fiber project was completed in November and Waterville is close to being completed! Progress continues in rural Marshall County with fiber drops in place to over 80 residences, and engineering is underway in rural Nemaha County. Fiber projects in the communities of Frankfort and Hanover will also begin in 2026. Every step brings us closer to a fully connected future—because at BVT, we believe everyone deserves the speed and reliability of fiber. JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH 2026 THE HOME PAGE AN INFORMATIONAL PUBLICATION FOR BVT CUSTOMERS At BVT, fiber internet isn’t just about speed— it’s about connection. That’s why we launched Real People. Real Stories., a campaign showcasing how fiber empowers local people, businesses, and organizations every day. Take Sara Naaf, assistant director for Marshall County Emergency Management. For Sara, reliable internet is critical. “When emergencies happen, we need instant communication. Fiber gives us the speed and stability to keep people safe,” said Sara. And Sara isn’t alone. Local media outlets throughout our service area count on fiber to deliver timely news and keep communities informed. Both radio stations and newspapers rely on fast, dependable service to share stories that matter. County historical societies preserve local heritage online, while teachers use fiber to engage students and share resources with parents, which makes learning more interactive and accessible. Why fiber? Unlike traditional connections, fiber offers unmatched reliability, lightning-fast speeds, and the capacity to handle today’s demands and tomorrow’s innovations. No buffering, no dropped connections—just seamless performance for work, school, and life. It’s the technology that keeps businesses competitive and families connected. Fiber isn’t just about faster downloads. It’s about enabling real people to do real work without limits, whether that’s protecting lives, educating the next generation, or keeping communities connected. With BVT, you can truly live life connected. Want to see more stories or share your own? Visit www.bluevalley.net/news or follow us on social media for stories on how broadband keeps local organizations you know and love connected. Real People. Real Stories. How Fiber Is Changing Lives.
As technology continues to shape everyday life, families are navigating a world where online safety has become just as important as teaching kids to look both ways before crossing the street. For BVT’s Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Angie Armstrong, the issue is both personal and professional. “As parents, it’s our responsibility to understand what our kids are doing online,” she said. “But I hear all the time how overwhelmed parents are.” With children ranging from grown adults to a five-year-old at home, she’s experienced the full evolution of kids and technology. Her older children were among the first wave of teens accessing social media—back when parents were still trying to understand it. “If I could go back, I’d have limited more of their social media access in those earlier teen years,” she admitted. Fortunately, today’s tools make it easier. She encourages parents to start with the basics: Set controls on the home WiFi router, explore screentime settings on devices, and adjust privacy settings in kids’ favorite apps. BVT’s Worry-Free WiFi is one of her go-to solutions. “I can now create profiles for each family member, set schedules by profile or device, and apply content filters across our entire network. I even get alerts when a new device connects.” Finding balance is key. Kids need to learn technology skills, but they also need boundaries. For older elementary students, tweens, and teens, she recommends additional filtering tools like Bark or Aura to allow some freedomwhile still alerting guardians about risky behavior. Her best advice for parents feeling overwhelmed: Take one step at a time and keep lines of communication open. “Map out a plan with your kids on what technology, games, or apps they are allowed to use and research how each one can be safeguarded. Educate them on the WHY behind developing a plan. It’s not because they aren’t trusted. It’s to keep them safe.” TECH TALK WITH ANGIE ARMSTRONG: Modern Parenting in a Connected World Block inappropriate content to devices on your network. Create work & school hours for your household to limit distractions. Schedule downtime hours, screen time limits & limit certain apps. PARENTAL CONTROLS NOW IN THE PALM OF YOUR HANDS 877.876.1228 WORRY-FREE WiFi i BLUEVALLEY.NET Meet Angie Armstrong Marketing and Community Relations Director Angie Armstrong has been part of the BVT family for more than two decades, starting as a summer intern in 2002. Today, she leads Marketing and Community Relations for BVT and Networks Plus, and oversees BVT Customer Service. Angie is passionate about serving and educating customers and communities, as well as helping people feel empowered rather than intimidated by technology. “I love working for a company with a cooperative mentality,” she said. “Our purpose is to serve our customers and communities. And in the technology industry, no two days are ever the same. There’s always something new to learn!” Her favorite part of the job? Angie replied, “Knowing that what we do every day keeps the people and businesses in our rural communities connected to resources and opportunities.” A graduate of Kansas State University, Angie holds a degree in Mass Communications with an outside concentration in Marketing. She and her husband, Justin (Duke), have three children: Maggie, Brock, and Emmett. Outside of work, Angie enjoys volunteering and staying active in her church and community.
Remember the thrill of picking up a landline and calling a friend? For many parents, that nostalgic sound is more than a memory— it’s becoming a movement. With growing concerns about kids and smartphones, families are rediscovering the charm (and safety!) of landlines. Why Parents Are Concerned Smartphones give kids access to everything, and that’s not always good. • Mental health: Early smartphone use can lead to anxiety, depression, and shorter attention spans. • Unfiltered content: Ads and videos can expose kids to inappropriate material—even on “kid-friendly” platforms. • Addiction risk: Endless scrolling delivers instant dopamine, leaving little room for creativity or realworld interaction. As one parent put it, “Giving a child access to social media, and really the whole world, with a smartphone is frightening. I want my kids to be kids for as long as possible.” Angie Armstrong, BVT marketing and community relations director, shared, “We’ve never gotten rid of our landline. Not only am I wanting to wait as long as possible to give my youngest access to a cell phone, but we live in the country where cell service isn’t always reliable. And it’s also harder for emergency personnel to track cell phones in rural areas. Having a corded landline gives me peace of mind that there’s another communication tool available if needed.” The Landline Trend So what’s the solution? Enter the landline comeback! Parents love that landlines teach kids how to communicate, offer a safe way to stay connected, and work even when cell service doesn't. Parents agree it’s time to give kids their childhood back. “As my daughter grows, we’re already exploring ways to keep her safe while giving her the freedom to play outside and build friendships the old-fashioned way. And when it’s time to stay connected with family and friends, a landline will be available,” said McKenzie Maddox, BVT human resources/administrative assistant. At BVT, we believe in safe, simple connections. Want kid-friendly landline ideas? Visit www.bluevalley.net/news for our team’s favorite picks. Cornerstone Group © 2026 BLUE VALLEY TECHNOLOGIES • 877.876.1228 • WWW.BLUEVALLEY.NET Cable vs. Streaming: Smart Ways to Save on Entertainment Feel like you’re spending too much on entertainment? You’re not alone. Cable prices are climbing nationally, and streaming services, while flexible, can add up quickly if you subscribe to several at once. One smart strategy is streaming service rotation: Pick one or two platforms, watch what you want, then pause and switch. Most services make it easy to cancel and restart online. This way, you enjoy your favorite shows without paying for unused subscriptions. Other tips: • Audit your subscriptions and cancel or pause rarely used services. • Explore free options like Pluto TV or local network apps. • Set a budget and stick to it. Cable offers convenience, local channels, and live sports but comes with rising programming costs. Streaming provides flexibility and variety but requires reliable internet and careful management. To help determine what’s right for you, visit www.bluevalley.net/ streamnow. You’ll find a comprehensive guide and channel list for both cable and streaming, Whichever you choose, BVT is here to help you live life connected. SMARTPHONES VS. CHILDHOOD: Why Landlines Are Making a Comeback
Cornerstone Group © 2026 1559 Pony Express Hwy Home, Kansas 66438 Phone: 877.876.1228 www.bluevalley.net PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID HOME, KS PERMIT NO. 1 Thank You for Making the Giving Tree a Success! This holiday season, the BVT Giving Tree programmade a meaningful impact across our communities. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of our employees, their families, and countless supporters, we were able to serve 341 children and 126 families in need throughout four counties in our service area. Behind the scenes, more than 1,000 volunteer hours were dedicated to organizing, shopping, wrapping, and distributing gifts. Distribution of the gifts took place over three days leading up to Christmas, ensuring families had what they needed to celebrate the season. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed —whether through donations, volunteer time, or spreading the word. Your kindness made this program possible. A special thank you goes to Colleen Voet, whose dedication as program coordinator helped bring everything together seamlessly. At BVT, we believe in giving back to the communities we serve, and the Giving Tree is a shining example of what we can accomplish together.
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