Seniors in Sechelt now have increased access to affordable housing at the Jack Nelson Annex, a new 65-unit building funded by the governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with community partners.

During these long cold winter nights, people light their fireplaces to stay warm. But do you know where your firewood came from? Was it legally harvested?

B.C.'s chief forester has set the allowable annual cut for the Sunshine Coast timber supply area at 1,197,949 cubic metres, unchanged from the previous level.

The Sunshine Coast Clean Air Society received $25,000 from the wood stove exchange program to encourage residents to trade in their smoky old wood stoves for a high-efficiency model or other clean-burning appliance, Environment Minister Terry Lake announced today.

More than 20 partnerships or agreements have been signed between B.C. and Chinese post-secondary institutions and organizations over this past week, as both look to increase learning opportunities for post-secondary students on both sides of the Pacific. It is estimated more than 2,500 students will come to B.C. communities over five years as a result of these agreements.

Trades students on the Sunshine Coast can now enjoy an enhanced training experience in new, energy-efficient surroundings thanks to a timely renovation of the trades centre at Vancouver Island University's Powell River campus.

Effective at 12 noon on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, backyard burning will be permitted within parts of the Coastal Fire Centre due to a decreased risk of wildfire.