Local News

B.C. smokers lit up phone lines calling 8-1-1 last week to get help quitting. A total of 7,107 nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) orders were taken during the first week of the province's smoking cessation program coming into effect Friday, Sept. 30.

Providing hope and support to some of the province's most vulnerable children and youth - thousands of foster families make this remarkable contribution to society every day. October is Foster Family Month in B.C.

The British Columbia Youth Parliament (BCYP) is after 95 fine young men and women to visit Victoria this Christmas, debate important service projects to benefit the youth of the province, and put those plans in place in 2012.

Nature Canada is excited to announce the launch of its national Hug a Tree photo contest, in celebration of the International Year of Forests. The contest is part of an effort to promote dialogue about trees and forest conservation -and it's simple.

Your on-line vote could result in a new accessible playground for West Sechelt. The West Sechelt Elementary School Playground Enhancement Committee (WSESPEC) has entered their vision plan for an inclusive playground to the Aviva Community Fund.

Brian Sadler is throwing his hat in the ring again, announcing this week his candidacy for Gibsons council in the Nov. 19 municipal election.

After initially not planning to run again in the Nov. 19 municipal election, incumbent councillor Gerry Tretick has announced he will seek re-election to Gibsons council. Tretick said he was inspired by Coun. Wayne Rowe's announcement on Sept.

The leaders of 11 coastal regional districts and the Islands Trust, together representing 70 per cent of the British Columbian population, got an ear with the provincial government at last week's Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention in

This year's Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) was busy, but beneficial for local politicians who took part in the five-day convention in Vancouver. UBCM is an annual gathering of representatives from 193 different communities across B.

Vital Signs 2011 shows expanding senior and dwindling young adult populations on the Coast dealing with a lack of affordable housing and a high cost of living, almost equal to that of Metro Vancouver.