Attention PBTV Extra Subscribers:

The Blaze has announced it will shut down its traditional cable channel at the end of the year.

As a result it will no longer be available as part of PBTV Extra through Paul Bunyan Television effective December 31.

Get in to win with the 5th Annual Paul Bunyan Communications Pick-it Bowl Challenge, a free online contest for participants to pick the winners for the 2019-20 College Bowl games for a chance to win a credit on a Paul Bunyan Communications account.

The top 10 finishers will win a credit on their Paul Bunyan Communications account. First place winner will receive a $500 credit, second place is a $250 credit.

To sign up for the Pick It Bowl Challenge go to http://paulbunyan.pickitchallenge.com

The first official College Bowl game is Friday, December 20 so be sure to register and make your picks by December 20 for the best chance at winning!

The Pick-it Bowl Challenge is a fun and free way to interact with others in northern Minnesota and enjoy a little friendly competition.  Must be 18 years of age or older. Limit one entry per person. Prizes not redeemable for cash. Void where prohibited. Some restrictions may apply. See Pick It Bowl Challenge website for complete contest rules.

Our offices will close early at 2 p.m. on December 24 and December 31.  Our offices will be closed all day on December 25 and January 1.

Tuesday, December 24

Offices will be close early at 2 p.m. in observation of Christmas holiday

Wednesday, December 25

Offices will be closed in observation of Christmas holiday

Tuesday, December 31

Offices will close early at 2 p.m. in observation of New Year’s holiday

Wednesday, January 1

Offices will be closed in observation of New Year’s holiday

Emergency 24 hour repair will remain available and can be reached at 1-800-475-8309.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from all of us at Paul Bunyan Communications!

The annual Paul Bunyan Communications Holiday Open House is Friday, December 13 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.   Stop in to either of our offices in Bemidji or Grand Rapids!

*Free Hot Apple Cider and Cookies

*Pick up our 2019 collector ornament

*Pick up a 2020 desktop or sticky calendar

*Pick up a new 2020 Minnesota Gold Telephone Directory

All while supplies last.  ‘

Come celebrate the holiday season with your local cooperative.  We’re Right Here!

Congratulations to the Deer River Football team on making it to the Minnesota High School State Football Tournament!

The Warriors will play BOLD High School in the State Class A Quarterfinals this Saturday at Noon in Brainerd.

The game will not be televised but can be seen online at http://www.prepspotlight.tv/MSHSL or it can be heard on KMFY, 96.9 FM which is also on PBTV channel 968, PBTV Fusion channel 1068 or online at https://www.kozyradio.com/

The winner advances to the Class A State Semifinals on Saturday, November 16 at 9 a.m. at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Good luck Warriors from all of us at Paul Bunyan Communications!

An estimated crowd of over 4,000 attended the 4th annual GigaZone Gaming Championship on Saturday, November 2 at the Sanford Center George W. Neilson Convention Center. The event featured free gaming, numerous gaming tournaments, virtual reality, door prizes, and more.

This one of a kind regional gaming event showcases Paul Bunyan Communications’ IT and web development team which custom built and integrated much of the online technology and leverages the speed of the GigaZone one of the largest rural all-fiber optic Gigabit networks in the country. The entire event was run off a single residential GigaZone Internet connection.

Hunter Branson of Duluth won the 4th annual GigaZone Gaming Championship Main Stage Super Smash Bros Ultimate tournament and the top prize of $500.  Elsa Overland of Grand Rapids made it from the losers bracket all the way back to the grand final to secure second place and $400. A total of 64 of northern Minnesota’s best Super Smash Bros Ultimate players competed on the main stadium stage in the GigaZone Championship Arena.

2019 GigaZone Gaming Champtionship Official Results

In addition to the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Touranment, there was several other open tournaments including Fortnite, Mario Kart 8, Madden 20, and Overwatch 3v3, plus high score competitions in Beat Saber Virtual Reality, Ms Pac-Man, Galaga, and Donkey Kong.  There was also two Magic the Gathering Booster Drafts, Admission was free and lots of door prizes including an Xbox One X with $75 Game Stop gift certificate won by Nicholas Krotzer of Akeley and a Occulus Qwest Virtual Reality system won by Kent Wolback of Bemidji.

“It has been incredible to see the attendance grow exponentially the past couple of years! There is a large gaming community in our area and the GigaZone Gaming Championship not only showcases some of the region’s best gamers but it gives everyone a chance to get in on the action!  It was awesome to see so many people from right here and all over come together!” said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO/General Manager

.“Our cooperative continues to expand one of the largest rural fiber gigabit networks in the country and that brings many advantages to our members.  The GigaZone provides extreme speed and low latency which are critical for the best online gaming experience and the GigaZone Gaming Championship showcases just that,” added Leo Anderson, Paul Bunyan Communications Technology Experience Manager.

“This event has garnered national attention. There is no other gaming event like it anywhere I’ve seen. It’s unique to our area and we are very proud of our team for making it happen. We’re already looking forward to next year!” added Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.

This Paul Bunyan Communications event includes the talents of many local partners including NLFX, Accidently Cool Games, Northern Amusement, the Sanford Center as well support from several regional and national partners.

For more information on the GigaZone Gaming Championship visit www.gigazonegaming.com

The Bemidji Sunrise Rotary, Sons of Norway, and Beltrami County Historical Society annual Lefse Festival is Thursday, November 7 from 5-7 pm at the Bemidji Eagles Club.  Tickets are $5 at the door.

The fun includes a Lefse workshop, free samples, Lefse & Krumkake for sale, craft vendors, door prizes, and more!

Our cooperative is a proud sponsor of the event again this year.

The Community Cafe Inc. is dedicated to reducing hunger and building a stronger community.

Be a part of their annual Empty Bowls fundraiser Wednesday, October 23 at Timberlake Lodge Hotel​ in Grand Rapids from 11 am-2pm and 4-7pm! $20 gets you Soup-Sandwich-Dessert and an amazing handmade pottery bowl from local potters. There will also be a silent auction, raffle, live music, and cash bar.

Our cooperative is a proud presenting sponsor of Empty Bowls.