Ruralite

Turning Grief Into Help

1 Family's Loss Fuels a Growing Mental Health Project

Hauling Hope To Harney County

A hay convoy crosses the Cascades to help fire-stricken ranchers feed their livestock.

Manager’s Message – September 2026

Data Centers & the Co-op Difference

Completing a ‘Crazy’ Challenge

Local Women Finish Exercise Routine on World Stage

Life’s Great at 104

Martha Lee credits God, friends, fruits and vegetables for a long life.

Manager’s Message – August 2026

What to Do if the Power Goes Out

Learn More Before Going Solar

Don’t let aggressive sales tactics turn a smart investment into a costly mistake.

Manager’s Message – July 2026

Our Power. Our Future. Our Voice.

Ballistic Goes to Houston

Elkton Students and Their Robot Make Their First-Ever World Tournament Appearance

Trees Take the Spotlight

Forestry Convention Highlights Outstanding Tree Farm & Small Woodlands

Manager’s Message – June 2026

Bringing Local Power to Washington, D.C.

Saddle Up to Serve

Oregon Equestrian Trails Members Donate Time and Labor To Keep Backcountry Horse Routes Accessible

Manager’s Message – May 2026

Stay Connected, Stay Prepared

The Time Is Right to Retire

After 32 Years, Board Member Bob Poage Is Ready To Travel, Hunt & Fish

On the Move at 92

Wellness Class Charter Member Remains an Inspiration

Manager’s Message – April 2026

DEC Annual Meeting—Too Much Is at Stake to Leave Rural Communities Behind

A Tree of Reading & Learning

Fallen Wood Becomes Bookshelves at Child Care Center

Douglas Electric Cooperative 2026 Board Elections

3 Douglas Electric Cooperative (DEC) board positions are up for election this year.

Manager’s Message – March 2026

Annual Meeting & Oregon’s 83rd Legislative Assembly

4 Generations, 1 Legacy

Margaret Tilbury Is Honored for Managing the Ranch Her Family Has Stewarded Since 1863

Your Annual Meeting

Saturday, April 4, Community Conference Hall, Douglas County Fairgrounds

Manager’s Message – February 2026

New Year, New Oregon Legislative Session

Passionate About Photography

Camas Valley resident encourages people to see outdoor beauty through his photos and words.

Smarter WiFi for Your Home

Total Home WiFi

Manager’s Message – January 2026

2026 Board Member Election Information

Achieving FFA’s Highest Honor

Determination, Dedication Earn Sutherlin High School Students American Ffa Degrees

How Fiber Internet From DFN Can Power Your Holidays

With fiber internet from DFN, you’ll be prepared for the extra tech and connection demands that come with holiday festivities.

Manager’s Message – December 2025

Happy Holidays From Our Family to Yours

A Final Salute for Fallen Veterans

Honor Guard Members Provide Dignity and Comfort to Grieving Families

It’s Time to Talk, Not Fight

We at Douglas Electric Cooperative do our best to stay out of politics—that’s not our lane.

Manager’s Message – November 2025

Legislation Could Strengthen Wildfire Mitigation

Carrying On Family Fire Traditions

Randy Leming & Rory Collins Are Longtime Managers of the Douglas Forest Protective Association

Shopping For Better Service?

DFN is Oregon’s #1 Choice for Home Internet, Voice, & Data.

Manager’s Message – October 2025

State Energy Strategy Sets a Path Forward

An Educational Trip of a Lifetime

Youth Tour to the Country’s Capital Is Informative & Inspirational

Manager’s Message – September 2025

Power, Safety & a Little Bit of Luck

Remembering Her on AIr Roots

Radio Personality Rescues and Revives Local Broadcast

How DFN Fiber Internet Helps Protect Our Communities from Wildfire Risk

At DFN Fiber, our mission has always been to connect our communities with fast, reliable broadband.

Manager’s Message – August 2025

We’re in This Together

Powering Up a Guatemalan Village

Douglas Electric Lineworker Helps Bring Electricity to Rural Area

Your Co-op Advocates for You

The Oregon Legislative Assembly faced another challenging session in 2025.

Manager’s Message – July 2025

Planning for Fire Season

Cornhole Can Lead to Careers

Sutherlin Throwdown Connects Young Workers With Industry Opportunities

The Grass Just Got Greener

Grand Prize Winner Scores a Timely Gift at Annual Meeting

Manager’s Message – June 2025

Douglas Electric Cooperative Sponsors Student for the 2025 Youth Tour

Wheelie Good Designs

Randi Jo Fabrications Keeps Cyclists Pedaling in Style & Comfort

Manager’s Message – May 2025

The Cost of Keeping the Lights On

The DFN Origin Story: The Douglas Electric Cooperative Connection

Douglas Fast Net (DFN) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Douglas Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Roseburg.

150 Years of Family Farm History

Extensive Research Leads to a Book & a Special Designation

Fighting Fire With Experience

Douglas Electric Cooperative’s Todd Sherwood Tackles Growing Wildfire Threat

Manager’s Message – April 2025

Lawmakers Recognize the Cooperative Difference

Rooted in Success

Jacob & Mary Huber Are 2024 Douglas County Tree Farmers of the Year

Meet the Douglas Electric Board Candidates

The District 1 and District 2 positions on the Douglas Electric Cooperative board are up for election this year.

Manager’s Message – March 2025

DEC Charges & Board Member Election

A Calling to Help Others

Oregon Volunteers Drive Across the Country To Support Hurricane Victims

Legislative Session Outlook

As you know, last month signaled the dawn of a new Oregon Legislative Assembly, a new U.S. Congress, and a new presidential administration.

Manager’s Message – February 2025

Wildfire Season & Recurring Power Outages

A Dog of Compassion

Award-Winning Lily Brings Relief to Hospital Patients & Staff

New Year, Same Excellent Service!

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, we look forward to another year of doing what we’re most passionate about— keeping Coos, Lane, and Douglas Counties connected with reliable, high-speed fiber internet.

Manager’s Message – January 2025

Board Member Election Information

How Fiber Internet From DFN Can Power Your Holidays

With fiber internet from DFN, you’ll be prepared for the extra tech and connection demands that come with holiday festivities.

Turning Bread Into a Business

Camas Valley Woman Brings Her Sourdough Memories to Life

Manager’s Message – December 2024

Focus on Safety This Holiday Season

Similar Lives Lead to Friendship

Vietnam War veterans discover a bond after service and careers.

The Importance of Choosing a Local Business like DFN

Douglas Fast Net (DFN) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Douglas Electric Cooperative headquartered in Roseburg.

Manager’s Message – November 2024

It’s Time to Give Thanks

Should You Rely on 5G & Mobile Hotspots for Home Internet?

We rely on the internet for so many important things in our daily lives: staying connected to family and friends, entertainment, health care, security, work, and so much more.

Elkton Center Celebrates 25 Years

Educational, Environmental & Entrepreneurial Interests Come Together

Horsin’ Around With Mustangs

Lifelong horse enthusiasts take on rewarding new challenge.

Update Your Contact Information

Please make sure Douglas Electric Cooperative has your current phone number and email address to ensure you receive important messages from us.

Put a Damper on Wildfires

Douglas Forest Protective Association Provides Education & Restrictions

Manager’s Message – August 2024

We Want to Keep You Connected

A Smarter, Safer, More Energy Efficient Home With Fiber Internet

Did you know that fiber internet, with its high speed and symmetrical upload/download rates, enhances home energy conservation and security?

Focus on Forestry

Students Enjoy Hands-On Education in the Woods

Manager’s Message – July 2024

Preparing for Planned — & Unplanned — Outages

Service Academy Milestone

Sadie Olson Is Fulfilling Her Dream of Flying for the U.S. Coast Guard

Oregon Electric Cooperatives Work to Mitigate Wildfire Risks

Wildfire season is approaching.

Manager’s Message – June 2024

Electric Co-ops Carry the Voice of Rural Oregon to Nation’s Capital

A Passion for Food Preparation

Culinary Classes Give Students Options at Home and in the Job Market

Where is DFN Fiber Now?

Connecting Oregon to the World

Manager’s Message – May 2024

Douglas Electric Supports No Barriers Warriors

Accurate With an Axe

Darin Bartholomew Has Advanced Quickly in the Sport of Axe-Throwing

Manager’s Message – April 2024

Douglas Electric Selects Its 2024 Youth Tour Representative

Beware of Cyber Scams!

Protect Yourself Online

Born to Race the Barrels

Young Riders Maintain Family Traditions

Protecting Electric Substations

Utilities Face New Challenges Safeguarding Local Power Grids From Attacks

Manager’s Message – March 2024

How the Snake River Dams Kept Oregon Warm When it Mattered Most

Old-Fashioned Buying & Selling

Porter Creek Mercantile offers homemade and homegrown

Manager’s Message – February 2024

Critical Debate Over the Future of Hydropower

Douglas Fast Net, Part of Your Douglas Electric Cooperative

In 1999, Douglas Electric Cooperative commissioned a community task force to build a fiber-optic internet service network focused on the mission that would ensure our community had access to the connectivity needed for the current times and, more importantly, the future. DFN is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Douglas Electric Cooperative.

Manager’s Message – January 2024

Board Member Elections

Make Your Voice Heard in 2024

1 of the most important words in the electric utility industry is “certainty.”

Fixed on Foresty

Students look forward to careers in timber harvest and forest regeneration

Manager’s Message – December 2023

Member Survey and Holiday Wishes

Grazing Through Goodies

Baker and creator adds personal touches to treats and charcuterie boards

Remembering Those Who Sacrified

Oregon Memorial Traveling Wall honors those who gave their lives

Real Savings in Real Time

Participating in a real-time energy market allows utilities across the West to share power generation and lower power buying costs

Manager’s Message – November 2023

We Are Thankful for Your Membership

Timber Management Recognized

Kesterson Bros. Logging Co. helps turn vision into reality

Manager’s Message – October 2023

Supply Chain Challenges

Manager’s Message – September 2023

There has been a lot of online conversation regarding regional power companies— including Douglas Electric Cooperative— and some misunderstandings about what’s being termed rolling blackouts.

All About the Bees

Umpqua Valley association supports tiny, interesting creatures

Mitigation Preparation

Staff support and multimillion-dollar grant keep Douglas Electric Cooperative in front of devastation

Turn Up Savings With Proper Use of Ceiling Fans

If you are like most Americans, you have at least one ceiling fan in your home.

Manager’s Message – August 2023

Summer is here! Nice weather calls for barbecuing, swimming, community events and a variety of other fun activities.

Seal in Savings

Energy-efficient doors can save you money

Racing Against The Curves

Umpqua Valley biking team welcomes competitive youth riders

Manager’s Message – July 2023

We invite you, our member-owners, to the Douglas Electric Cooperative (DEC) open house Saturday, August 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1981 Northeast Stephens Street.

Manager’s Message – June 2023

Gaining Ground in Washington, D.C.

A Place of Family Memories

Billicks have been gathering alongside the Umpqua River since 1930

Manager’s Message – May 2023

Grant Supports Wildfire Preparation

A Lifetime Passion for the Game

Sutherlin High graduate transitions from playing to coaching basketball

Manager’s Message – April 2023

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

Manager’s Message – March 2023

The Annual Meeting of the Members of Douglas Electric Cooperative (DEC) is Saturday, April 1, in the Community Conference Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

Scaling up the Log Ladder

From planting seedlings to sending logs into a mill, bureau manager knows about trees

A More Efficient, Responsive Co-op

Douglas Electric Cooperative staff and board members are excited to work in new surroundings

Manager’s Message – February 2023

I encourage you to attend the Douglas Electric Cooperative (DEC) annual membership meeting Saturday, April 1, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

Working to Be Good Stewards

Couple honored for their dedication to timber management

Manager’s Message – January 2023

Board Member Elections

Manager’s Message – December 2022

Manager's Message

A Christmas Full of Santas

Hobbyist has been collecting the jolly icon for 25 years

Proud of His Service

Raymond Bourque’s daughter shares his World War II experiences

Manager’s Message – November 2022

Common Sense on Dams

Manager’s Message – October 2022

Playing it Safe During Fire Season

Standing Strong Against Cancer

Young boy endures chemo treatment, beats disease

Advocating With Passion

Dedicated leader credits FFA for inspiring her multiple roles in the local community

Manager’s Message – September 2022

New Building Opens This Month

Growing Olives in Oregon

Many Oregonians are agriculturalists at heart.

A Memorable Morning Pursuit

Young hunter tags record blacktail buck

Manager’s Message – August 2022

Material Shortages, Delivery Delays

Opportunities in Agriculture

Like its soils, Oregon’s history in agriculture is deeply rooted and full of rich culture.

Understanding Your Bill

Breaking down your co-op’s fixed operating costs and the purchase of power.

Documenting Devastation

Photographer travels with Heart to Heart International to show plight of refugees

Workers in a Powerful Profession

Co-op works to attract and train homegrown talent

Manager’s Message – June 2022

Wildfire season is coming

Manager’s Message – May 2022

A Career of Service

U.S. Army provides structure and experiences for Col. Ryan Shipley

Thriving on Rural Childhood

The Henrikson children experience a variety of agricultural activities

The Power Behind Your Power

You likely have noticed Douglas Electric Cooperative crews working on power lines and other electrical equipment in our community.

A Blessing & A Privilege

Donated heifer leads to responsibility and a potential future in agriculture

Meet the Douglas Electric Board Candidates

District 1 Board Candidate Terry Nelson and District 2 Board Candidate Evan Barnes

Manager’s Message — February 2022

Right now, our meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, at 10 a.m.

Old West History Lessons

Saddle collection dates back to the 1860s

Creating a Park-like Forest

Couple is recognized for management of their 66-acre woodland property

Board Member Elections

If you are interested in getting involved in your cooperative, director positions for District 1 and District 2 are up for election.

Create Holiday Beauty

Events help attendees turn non-timber items into Christmas joy.

Bronze Medalist Honored for Service

Vietnam War veteran reflects on his role as a young soldier in combat

Co-op Digs Into Building Project

Construction on new Douglas Electric facility is underway

Linemen to the Rescue

Cooperative employees help stop fire from spreading through neighborhood.

Get Familiar With Cybersecurity Basics

Mitigate risks and stay one step ahead of malefactors with these quick tips.

Manager’s Message — September 2021

In July, the state of Oregon filed a motion in Federal District Court to force a massive increase in water spilled across the Lower Snake River dams and the Columbia River dams, primarily to benefit salmon recovery on the rivers.

Hay! Teens Find Business Opportunity

Lucas Saylor and Ryland O’Toole turn out bales and a profit