Skilled trades students in the Qualicum and Alberni school districts will benefit from a three-year, $15-million investment by the B.C. government to support youth trades programs with the purchase of new trades training equipment.

Lantzville is receiving a joint federal-provincial Small Communities Fund grant worth $4,373,332.

Residents of the Parksville and Qualicum Beach region will be growing more local food in 2017 as the Coombs Farmers’ Institute and their partners begin their “Here We Grow” project.

This summer, pedestrians and cyclists in the community of French Creek will find improved safety conditions with planned upgrades to Roberton Boulevard between Barclay Crescent and Lowrys Road, announced Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell on behalf of Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone. 

Students in the Qualicum School District are connecting with skills and technology training development thanks to a $17,500 grant to the district from the Province’s Shoulder Tappers Program.

Students, teachers and staff at three schools in the Qualicum school district will benefit from $202,300 in provincial School Enhancement Program funding.

Families in the Qualicum school district will no longer pay fees for students riding school buses within their schools’ catchment area thanks to $426,341 in funding under the new provincial Student Transportation Fund.

Effective at noon on Sept. 26, 2016, all open fires will once again be permitted throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. Tiki torches, burn barrels, fireworks, sky lanterns and binary exploding targets are also permitted. Accumulated rain and cooler temperatures has reduced the wildfire risk in the region.

Effective at noon on Sept. 1, 2016, campfires and Category 3 open fires will once again be permitted throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction.