Families in the Southeast Kootenay school district will benefit from improved transportation services, thanks to $361,459 in funding under the new provincial Student Transportation Fund.

Recreation Sites and Trails BC is warning residents and visitors to keep pets on leash in the Cranbrook Community Forest, or avoid the area altogether, after two dogs died recently from ingesting a poisonous substance.

Premier Christy Clark announced $450,000 to support the transition and planning work that will allow nursing students at the College of the Rockies to complete the four-year University of Victoria degree program in the region.

Aboriginal students at the College of the Rockies and Selkirk College will benefit from a range of new and expanded programs as the result of receiving $75,000 in one-time funding.

Two new made-in-British Columbia high-tech wildlife detection systems to help motorists avoid wildlife are now operational on Highway 3 near Elko and Sparwood.

An Aboriginal organization in the East Kootenay will receive provincial government funding to launch its culture-based domestic violence program for Aboriginal families and communities.

This past weekend, the Wildfire Management Branch's Southeast Fire Centre responded to four new wildfires in the East Kootenay.

Young people considering what skills they will need for tomorrow's in-demand occupations will have an interactive, hands-on experience at WorkBC's Find Your Fit tour stop at Laurie Middle school on Friday, Feb. 13.