MAY 2020

COVID-19 has possibly changed our daily routines and the way we do things forever. Social Distancing has become the buzz term for the Spring of 2020. This is all new and we are continually trying to find a new way to conduct school, business, church services, healthcare, shopping, banking, and government. This pandemic has led change and everyday we are learning what our new normal may hold.

Church services are conducted with no congregation, students are learning at home in front of a computer, instead of face to face with their teachers. Restaurants are coming up with unique ways to serve their patrons. Grocery stores are serving their customers with masks, gloves and shields. Some of the simple things we take for granted have been compromised.

Technology has played an important role in communicating with our families, our jobs and everyday living. Communication is vital and the hub of keeping us connected. VC Co-op has been operational from the start of this pandemic. We made arrangements for entering members homes in protective gear to keep everyone safe. We immediately reached out to local schools to provide internet to students without, so they could continue their studies on-line. We made equipment changes to keep up with the increasing volume of internet traffic. We held our first virtual annual meeting for our members.

People are finding new ways to connect and support each other in adversity. We have come to give appreciation to workers who are on the front lines, providing services we expect. Professions such as doctors, nurses, teachers, store clerks, utility workers and farmers are other occupations we hold with gratification during these trying times.

We have no way of knowing the economic and global impact COVID-19 will have on us for years to come. Getting back to normal may be different than before COVID-19, but one thing we know for sure, WE will eventually overcome this and we will be stronger than ever!

VC Co-op would like to thank our front line workers during this pandemic and we recognize the sacrifice you are making. The awareness and love of community during this time has given us compassion for all.

The Realities of COVID-19

La Farge recognizes their Seniors after school closing

Pastor Amanda from Cashton’s Three Point parish, preaches virtually Local student learning on-lineNorseland Nursing Home hosts a parade for

their residents during quarantine.

VC Co-op employee working during COVID-19

Windows all over America sending love & positivity

Community ChannelsFind local people, businesses and events on our Vernon Communication Community Channels!

We capture exclusive information on what’s going on in our communities and bring it to our members.

Here’s a picture from the tower camera from Sidie Hollow Campground. We will be airing the sunset on local channel 14, and also on YouTube and Facebook. We hope you enjoy this LIVE stream of nature while we escape from this pandemic even if for a short time.

We regret to inform you, VC Co-op will no longer have computer repair services. We are sorry for any inconvenience this will have on our members and we thank you for your past patronage. COVID-19 has played a big part in this difficult decision. Supporting local businesses is important to us and we would like to refer any customers needing this service going forward to JGS Services, Inc., Westby, Lorr Computer Solutions, Viroqua, and Mac Help, LLC., Viroqua. We will continue to serve our business customers as we always have.

Computer Repair

Because of COVID-19 scammers are taking advantage of all aspects of the Coronavirus pandemic.

• From January 1, 2020 until today, the FTC has gotten 18,235 reports related to COVID-19, and people who reported are losing $13.44 million dollars to fraud.

• The top complaints are categories related to travel and vacations, on-line shopping, bogus text messages, and all kinds of imposters.

• While reports of robocalls are way down overall, we’re now hearing about callers invoking the COVID-19 pandemic to pretend to be from the government, or making illegal medical or health care pitches, among other topics.

If you’re getting calls, emails, or texts, or you’re seeing ads or offers on-line, keep a few things in mind:

1. The government will never call out of the blue to ask for money or your personal information (like Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers).

2. Anyone who tells you to pay by Western Union or Money Gram, or by putting money on a gift card, is a scammer. The government and legit businesses will never tell you to pay that way.

Because the government is sending out relief checks due to the Coronavirus, there are some things you should know.

• You don’t need to do anything - If you filed a 2018/2019 tax return, the federal government has the information it needs to send you the money.

• Do not give anyone your personal information to “sign-up” for your relief check. Anyone calling for personal information such as Social Security number or bank information is a scammer.

• To set up direct deposit of your check, communicate only with the IRS at:irs.gov/coronavirus.

• No one has early access to this money. Anyne that claims to is a scammer.

VC Co-op has been working with local churches and taking their Facebook Live posts and capturing Sunday sermons on our Local Channel 15. Clergy from all over the nation are coming up with new, creative ways to reach their parishioners during COVID-19.

Viola United Methodist

From the Federal Trade Commission

Headquarters103 N Main St. Westby

(8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)(608) 634-3136

Technology Center214 N Main St. Viroqua

(8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

May 5Cinco de Mayo

May 10Mother’s Day

May 25Memorial Day

Package Current Price New Price IncreaseLocal $45.50 $48.50 $3.00 Basic $90.50 $99.25 $8.75 Select $80.50 $87.50 $7.00 Expanded $103.50 $110.95 $7.45 MVS Prime $54.95 $59.95 $5.00 MVS Variety Tier $6.95 $7.95 $1.00 MVS/VC Co-op Local Tier $16.95 $19.95 $3.00 HBO $19.95 $20.75 $0.80 Cinemax $12.95 $13.75 $0.80

TV Rate IncreaseREMINDER: Due to the rising cost of programming from local and national television networks, VC Co-op television prices will increase on June 1, 2020. The new price reflects the increase that programmers have passed on to us.

Programming for 2019 and 2020 increased about 12% on average across all packages. VC Co-op did not raise our television rates in 2019 and has delayed the 2020 increase until now.

We realize rate increases are unpopular and many members are facing challenging situations during the current pandemic. However, the cooperative cannot continue to provide services at a loss in excess of $25,000 per month, as we have for the last several months. This will only jeopardize other essential communication services we provide. VC Co-op must remain financially stable and strong to continue to serve all our members.

Zachary Ames is leaving his position at VC Co-op as a Network Technician, to serve our country in the U.S. Air force. His continued dedication and commitment to the cooperative, along with his professional, kind and caring manner will be missed among our employees. Zach made significant contributions to our Network Operations Center and assisted in Computer Repair. We wish him well as he travels to Lackland Air force base in San Antonio, TX in June for basic training and on to pursue his new career.Thank you for serving Zach

Premiering On Demand Movies!Check your guide for start dates.

A photograph sends Mae Morton delving into her

mother’s early life and ignites a romance with a journalist.

Harrison Ford stars in a thrilling adventure based on

the classic novel.

Poppy and Branch learn that they are one of six Troll tribes devoted

to six diff erent kinds of music.

Congratulations to VC Co-op’s 2020 scholarship recipients who will receive $750.00 for continuing education.

Noah BenishWestby HS

Josi BishopWestby HS

Torrance CampbellKickapoo HS

Jacob CurtiViroqua HS

Josephine DobbsViroqua HS

Delayni FleehartyKickapoo HS

Claire GriffinWestby HS

Josefine JaynesKickapoo HS

Olivia MeyersCashton HS

Gracey MlsnaCashton HS

Maverick NelsonLa Farge HS

Olivia RottmanViroqua HS

Conor VatlandWestby HS

Sarah VielhaberKickapoo HS

Ireland WiegelKickapoo HS