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Good morning, Langley!
With temperatures soaring to 29°C today (feeling like 34°C), it's crucial to stay hydrated, seek shade when possible, and check on elderly neighbors, families with young children, and anyone without air conditioning.
If you or a loved one are in need of a public space for the purposes of seeking air conditioning, please go to the nearest public library. There are a handful of events happening across the FVRL system today (see below), and even if there is no event happening, you can always pull out a book and spend some time reading in a cozy chair!
As we navigate this hot summer day, here's your essential roundup of local Langley news, regional developments, and community events to keep you informed while you stay cool.
Local Langley News
Fatal Collision Claims Third Life in Eight Days on Langley Roads
Another life has been lost on one of Langley's most dangerous arterials, as an SUV driver died Monday morning after colliding with a commercial truck on 56 Avenue.
This marks the third traffic fatality in just eight days across Langley, highlighting the deadly consequences of our car-dependent infrastructure that prioritizes vehicle speed over community safety.
While RCMP continue investigating this latest tragedy, the pattern demands urgent action to redesign these hostile streets with protected bike lanes, reduced speed limits, and safety-first planning that prioritizes the value of human life and safety over all else.
Langley Library hosts free family film night featuring classic adventure
The City of Langley Library welcomes families for a cozy evening screening of "Swallows & Amazons" through their Kanopy service, complete with complimentary snacks and open seating.
This free drop-in program runs from 5:30 to 7:15 PM and exemplifies how public institutions can strengthen community bonds.
The library continues its vital role as a true community hub where culture and connection flourish beyond the reach of the ever-expanding commodification of joy and rest.
Father's 22-year crusade with son's crashed car exposes deadly failings of car-dependent society
After two decades of using his late son's mangled Eagle Talon to warn teens about dangerous driving, Langley father Greg Drew will hold one final presentation Saturday before scrapping the vehicle that became his mission.
Drew's grief-driven advocacy since 17-year-old Jay's death in 2003 highlights the tragic human cost of a transportation system that forces young people into high-powered vehicles on roads designed for speed rather than safety.
While Drew's individual efforts deserve respect, his story underscores the systemic failure of car-centric planning that prioritizes automobile access over accessible public transit, walkable communities, and the kind of sustainable mobility that would give teenagers genuine transportation choices beyond risking their lives behind the wheel.
RibFest Langley Brings BBQ and Big Prize Opportunities
Langley's annual celebration of all things barbecue returns this week with mouth-watering ribs and a chance to win big.
RibFest Langley runs this weekend from August 15 to 17 and offers the perfect opportunity for attendees to purchase tickets for the Mega 50/50 Draw.
The community event promises to deliver its usual mix of smoky flavors, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities.
Beyond the culinary attractions, the festival serves as a major fundraising opportunity for local causes, with the 50/50 draw historically generating significant prizes for lucky winners while supporting community initiatives.
Food Bank Crisis Hits Home as Demand Nearly Doubles
The Archway Food Bank in Abbotsford is sounding the alarm as demand for emergency food assistance has skyrocketed to unprecedented levels.
The organization now serves 6,000 clients each month, nearly doubling from the 3,500 they supported in 2022, reflecting a community grappling with the rising cost of living.
Manager of Food Security Rebecca Thuro notes they're seeing families and individuals from all walks of life who simply can't keep up financially. Summer months are particularly challenging as donations typically decline while people go on vacation, leaving shelves bare faster than they can be restocked.
The food bank desperately needs donations of canned beans, canned tomatoes, canned meat, and cereal to meet current demand, while also accepting financial donations that can be stretched further through bulk purchasing.
Regional Vancouver / Fraser Valley News
Abbotsford Shooting Leaves One Dead, Suspect in Custody
A man is dead following a reported shooting at an Abbotsford apartment complex on Monday afternoon.
The incident occurred around 4 p.m. inside a unit in the 30400 block of Cardinal Avenue, where police found one man deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
A suspect was arrested at the scene and remains in police custody, with authorities emphasizing that there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
The shooting appears to be an isolated incident rather than part of any broader pattern of violence, though investigators are still working to determine the relationship between the victim and the alleged perpetrator.
B.C. government challenges Indigenous land title ruling over Richmond-area Fraser River lands
The provincial government announced Monday it will appeal a B.C. Supreme Court ruling that recognized Cowichan Tribes' Aboriginal title and fishing rights over parts of Lulu Island, revealing how deeply entrenched colonial systems protect private property over Indigenous sovereignty.
Attorney General Niki Sharma's concerns about "unintended consequences" expose the government's real priority: maintaining a land ownership structure that has enriched settlers and corporations at the expense of First Nations for over a century.
While Conservative critic Steve Kooner frets about real estate market uncertainty, the decision represents a rare judicial acknowledgment of Indigenous peoples' rightful connection to territories they stewarded for millennia before European colonization displaced them.
The government's rush to appeal demonstrates how reconciliation rhetoric crumbles when it threatens the foundational wealth extraction that built British Columbia's settler economy.
Veteran volunteer shares insider tips for landing best 2026 World Cup positions in Vancouver
With Vancouver needing over 3,000 volunteers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an expert is dishing out advice on which volunteer positions to seek and which ones to avoid.
Local organizers are preparing for seven men's World Cup games at BC Place and need an army of volunteers to handle everything from hospitality to logistics during next summer's tournament.
The expert warns potential volunteers to "beware the parking lots" when selecting their preferred assignments, suggesting some roles offer better experiences than others.
With applications likely to far exceed available positions, knowing which volunteer opportunities provide the best access to the action versus mundane tasks could make the difference between a memorable World Cup experience and spending weeks directing traffic.
National Canadian News
Canada faces crucial digital sovereignty battle against Trump's Big Tech protection campaign
As President Trump weaponizes tariffs and sanctions to shield U.S. tech giants from accountability, Canada confronts a defining moment in its fight for digital independence from American corporate dominance.
The administration's aggressive retaliation against Brazil for attempting to regulate disinformation reveals how far the U.S. will go to protect Silicon Valley's profits over democratic institutions worldwide.
With upcoming CUSMA review negotiations and EU digital trade talks, Canada has two critical opportunities to break free from trade agreements that prioritize corporate immunity over citizens' safety and sovereignty.
The choice is clear: continue capitulating to American pressure like the recent abandonment of the Digital Services Tax, or join Europe in building a regulatory framework that puts people before US Big Tech's bottom line.
Federal government abandons Indigenous communities as HBC auctions off sacred artifacts to highest bidder
The Canadian government will not acquire, coordinate museum efforts to purchase, or halt the Hudson's Bay Company auction of 4,400 historic artifacts, many of Indigenous origin and potentially including sacred items that should be repatriated to their communities.
Despite having the authority to intervene through cultural property laws and the resources of national museums, federal heritage officials have refused to consult with First Nations or assess the collection's contents, instead allowing corporate liquidation proceedings to dictate the fate of irreplaceable cultural treasures.
While the collection likely contains stolen sacred belongings, wampum, and ancestral artwork that HBC acquired without consent during centuries of colonial expansion, the government chooses to protect auction house profits over Indigenous cultural sovereignty.
This deliberate inaction demonstrates that despite reconciliation rhetoric, Canada remains committed to enabling the very corporate interests that built their wealth through Indigenous dispossession.
Sports News
⚽ Vancouver FC Suffers Defeat to Pacific FC
Vancouver FC's struggles continued as they fell to Pacific FC in what marked the first back-to-back victories of the year for their opponents.
The loss extends Vancouver FC's disappointing season and highlights the challenges the club has faced in finding consistent form throughout the campaign.
Pacific FC capitalized on their opportunities to secure consecutive wins for the first time this year, suggesting they may be finding their rhythm at a crucial point in the season.
The result adds pressure on Vancouver FC's coaching staff and players as they seek to turn around their fortunes in the remaining fixtures.
🏃 Indigenous Ultra-Runner Takes on Marathon Challenge for Cancer Research
Noah Allison, a 28-year-old Tahltan-Tsimshian ultra-runner, is pushing his body to extraordinary limits by running a marathon every day for seven consecutive days.
The incredible endurance challenge involves covering 300 kilometres from Prince Rupert to Terrace and back, all in memory of his father Markus and to raise funds for the B.C. Cancer Foundation's patient relief fund.
Allison's grueling schedule of daily 42.2-kilometre runs demonstrates the dedication athletes will show when running for a cause close to their hearts.
The fundraising effort combines his exceptional athletic ability with a deeply personal mission to help cancer patients and their families access the support they need during their most challenging times.
Events Happening Today
Close Knit
- Time: 2:00 to 5:00pm
- Location: City of Langley Library, 20399 Douglas Crescent
Langley BC V3A 4B3 - Description: Join knitters, crocheters, and yarn enthusiasts of all ages and abilities for our warm, welcoming drop-in group. Children and beginners are welcome. Yarn crafts are fun, relaxing, and a great way to connect across the generations.
The group offers opportunities to donate completed projects to local organizations in need.
LEGO® and KEVA Club
- Time: 3:30 to 4:30pm
- Location: Aldergrove Library, 26770 29 Avenue
Aldergrove BC V4W 3B8 - Description: Love LEGO® and KEVA? We provide the LEGO® and KEVA Planks, you bring your imagination.
Come play, create, and experiment!
Free Family Movie Night - Swallows and Amazons
- Time: 5:30 to 7:15pm
- Location: City of Langley Library, 20399 Douglas Crescent
Langley BC V3A 4B3 - Description: Join us for a viewing of Swallows & Amazons on Kanopy! There will be some snacks to enjoy.
Seating is first come first serve. It is a free drop in program for all ages.
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