The public is invited to review and comment before Feb. 18, 2014, on plans to establish more than 18,000 hectares of old growth management areas along the Sunshine Coast.

Eleven local organizations, including the BC Lions, are sharing more than $500,000 in provincial community gaming grants to support public safety measures like restorative justice, youth outreach and traffic safety for children.

Capilano Highway Services has won this year's Deputy Minister's Contractor of the Year Award for highway maintenance, for its work in the Sunshine Coast/Powell River Service Area.

Twelve more First Nations across British Columbia are one step closer to achieving clean-energy developments in their communities, thanks to investments through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund (FNCEBF).

The shishálh Nation, formerly Sechelt Indian Band, will benefit from the most recent round of funding under the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund (FNCEBF).

The City of Port Alberni has become the province's fifth community to achieve Bear Smart status, an honour recognizing the community for their exceptional collaborative approach to reducing human-bear conflicts.

Effective at noon on Friday, Sept. 6, Category 2 open fires (also referred to as backyard burning or debris burning) will be permitted within the Coastal Fire Centre's jurisdiction, due to a decreased risk of wildfires.

Effective at noon on Aug. 26, 2013, the campfire ban in the Coastal Fire Centre was rescinded due to a decreased risk of wildfires. Campfires now will be permitted throughout the Coastal Fire Centre.

Effective at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, campfires and Category 3 open fires will be permitted in the following areas of the Coastal Fire Centre: from Courtenay north on Vancouver Island and on the Mainland from Hotham Sound north.