The B.C. government has proclaimed May 2016 as “Invasive Species Action Month” to help raise awareness of the environmental and economic damage that invasive plants and animals can cause if they become established in the province.

Eighteen job seekers will gain valuable work experience and contribute to the success of five local festivals, sports and community events, thanks to almost $110,000 in provincial funding from the Community and Employer Partnerships program.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure advises motorists that Highway 97 from Sexsmith/Old Vernon Road to Edwards Road in Kelowna will be closed from 9 p.m. Saturday, April 30 to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 1 while utilities work is conducted as part of the six-laning along this corridor.

Heli-One of Delta will refurbish two helicopters for the Sultan of Johor, Malaysia, under a new $8-million (US) contract, concluded during the recent three-day visit of His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.

Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender was joined by Ron McKinnon, MP for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and TransLink board chair Don Rose to announce that the Evergreen station plazas will be built over the summer and to give a sneak peek tour of Inlet Centre Station in Port Moody.

As part of the public safety funding announced in the 2016 provincial budget, the Province of B.C. is committing $1.1 million in funding toward a shoreline protection and restoration project in Comox.

The B.C. government is distributing over $1.7 million in new grants to help control the spread of invasive plants in the province.

The College of the Rockies is receiving $843,000 toward the purchase of new training equipment, including two L3 Mobile Truck Driving Training simulators and health care training mannequins.

After just four years in operation, WorkBC Employment Services Centres have helped put more than 77,000 British Columbians back to work.

The ministry is reminding motorists that while the winter tire rules end Thursday, March 31, those planning to travel on provincial highways throughout the province should still be prepared for possible winter conditions at higher elevations.