In 1992 electricity began to be viewed less as an essential service and more as a commodity when deregulation was enacted with the passage of the Energy Policy Act. Previously, public and investor owned utilities controlled power generation, transmission and distribution within a set region. The Energy Policy Act, however, allowed for the trading of electricity over wide geographic areas, known as long distance “wheeling”, to the highest bidder. The promise of deregulation was that competition in a free market would keep electric rates low.

-- Work starts on a microwave system to bring KGW-TV to Coquille viewers. A tower in Coos Bay will link with the Portland ABC station, a coaxial cable will then bring signal to Coquille television sets.
-- CHS performs ‘Who Dun It?’ a mystery directed by Kit Kitteredge. The play stars David Farr, Marvin Pemberton, Karen Cross, Curtis Flood, Jereda Prince, Bill Haddix, Linda Malthu, Gordon Turley, Sue Ashenfelter, Vivian Stein and Judy Baker.
-- Safeway hosts Kids Day at the Liberty and Roxy Theatres. 1200 youngsters showed for the free matinees. The new Safeway building opened March 16.
-- At that up-to-the-minute modern Safeway Store -- Hill Brothers Coffee, 92 cents 1-lb can. Bar-S fully cooked holiday ham 89 cents a pound. Scamper dishwashing detergent 87 cents the 32-oz tin. Lucerne milk, two half gallons 83 cents.
-- At Lounsbury Ford -- A new sporty 1958 V8-powered Ranch Wagon station wagon can be yours for $60 a month.

Researching Coquille’s past? Make the Coquille Valley Museum your first stop. Resources include access to the Coquille Valley Sentinel archives and many historical items and records from around the valley. The museum is open Saturday afternoons. For more museum information, contact Bob Taylor at 396-2773.

The regular monthly meeting of Operation Coquille, Inc. is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., today April 2 at the Coquille Garden Shop (66 W 2nd). Members of the public are invited to attend, especially those interested in being involved in the hanging flower basket project. The meeting date was advanced to accommodate new President, John Spencer’s return to Coquille after a few months in Southern California.

Upcomming community events - be sure to mark your calendars!

Installation of Officers for the 2008-2009 lodge year were held recently at the Coquille Valley Elks Lodge.
New Exalted Ruler for the Lodge, Lance Bjornerud, was installed by the Past Exalted Rulers, prior to dinner and dance music. Also installed were Leading Knight, Jess Thurman, Loyal Knight Ron Lecce, Lecturing Knight Al Corlis, Secretary Troy Jones, Treasurer Norma Jean Yager, Esquire Greg Paluch, Chaplain John Goodwin, Trustees Andy Jackson, Gary Gangewer, Rich Taylor, Bob O'Connor, Phil Dykes, Inside Guard Matt Goodwin and Tyler Al Cunningham.
Outgoing Exalted Ruler John Goodwin presented the Elk of the Year award to Don Calvert, the Officer of the Year to Rich Taylor and the Citizen of the Year to Curtis Jack. He also presented Grand Lodge Outstanding Service Commendation certificates to Norma Jean Yager and Bob "Doc" Ley.
Grand Lodge Service citations were presented to Bugs Bishop and Pete Pedersen.

Come to a fun-filled Trivia Night on Saturday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Small Auditorim of the Coquille Community Center, 115 N. Birch St. Cost is $10. The proceeds benefit the New Coquille Library Building Fund. Great door prizes given out all evening. Reservations recommended, call 396- 2166. Walk-ins welcome too. Come share you knowledge, win prizes, and have fun. No host bar available.