The Regional District of Central Kootenay received $27,500 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.

Merritt received $13,745 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.

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.

The Port Alberni Air Quality Council received $23,500 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.

Campbell River received $15,000 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.

Port Alice received $6,750 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.

B. Cusano Contracting Inc., R.F. Binnie & Associates Ltd. and Kinder Morgan subsidiary Trans Mountain Pipeline L.P. were sentenced in provincial court today to pay $550,000 in fines and penalties for their role in a 2007 oil spill pollution incident in Burnaby.

A Vernon resident is the grand prize winner of a spa retreat and a spelunking adventure at one of B.C.'s top attractions in the Share Your B.C. parks online contest sponsored by British Columbia Magazine and BC Parks in celebration of 100 years of BC Parks.

A 19-year veteran of B.C.'s Conservation Officer Service from the North Island has received the Conservation Officer of the Year award for 2010 in recognition of his outstanding work and professionalism.