Effective at noon on Thursday, April 13, 2017, Category 3 open fires will be prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

The approval of the long-term water management plan for Mount Polley means the mine can continue to operate providing 350 well-paying jobs in the region.

The long-term water management plan for the Mount Polley mine site has been approved by an independent statutory-decision maker from the Ministry of Environment.

More than 350 homes and businesses in Dugan Lake and McLeese Lake will be better able to access faster Internet speeds, thanks to the B.C. government's $159,161 investment in a new connectivity project that will soon get underway by ABC Communications.

Anahim Lake and Williams Lake airports will receive $78,750 in combined funding from the B.C. Air Access Program this year.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations plans to conduct a series of prescribed burns at sites west and south of Williams Lake between April 1 and May 15, 2017, weather conditions permitting.

Improving the safety and reliability of the Cariboo Connector between Cache Creek and Prince George remains a priority for the Province of British Columbia, with the final section of four-laning and intersection improvements of Phase 2 going out to tender.

Students in the Cariboo Chilcotin School District will benefit from $1.1 million in provincial funding for school upgrade projects, classroom supplies and new school buses, MLA Donna Barnett announced on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier.