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Welcome back, friends!
After taking some much needed time to recharge over the summer break, we're excited to reconnect with you and dive back into the stories that matter most to our Langley community.
There's nothing quite like a proper vacation to remind you why we do this work in the first place - to build the kind of informed, engaged community where working people can thrive and have their voices heard.
While we were away, life in Langley certainly didn't pause. Local businesses continued investing in our community, young activists kept organizing for change, and ordinary people kept doing the extraordinary work of building solidarity and mutual support.
Today's newsletter catches us up on the stories that define our summer and sets the stage for the important conversations ahead.
As always, this newsletter belongs to you, our readers and community members. Your word-of-mouth support makes all the difference in keeping independent, locally-owned journalism alive in Langley.
Let's get back to work together.
Local Langley News
Otter Co-op Steps Up as Three-Year Title Sponsor for Langley RibFest
Otter Co-op has officially signed on as the title sponsor for Langley's beloved RibFest, committing to a three-year partnership that promises to elevate one of the region's most anticipated summer events.
The cooperative's investment demonstrates significant confidence in the festival's continued growth and community impact. This sponsorship deal will provide crucial financial stability for organizers as they plan future iterations of the popular food and entertainment celebration.
The partnership represents a meaningful investment in local community events that bring thousands of visitors to Langley each year.
Fort Langley Jazz Festival Brings Mardi Gras Magic to Historic Streets
The Fort Langley Jazz Festival transformed the historic community into a vibrant celebration of music and revelry, complete with street dancing that channeled the spirit of New Orleans.
Festival-goers embraced the festive atmosphere with colorful masks, strings of beads, and feather boas that added a playful Mardi Gras flair to the proceedings.
The event successfully blended the charm of Fort Langley's heritage setting with the infectious energy of jazz music and street performances. Participants of all ages took to the streets, creating an impromptu dance party that captured the true essence of community celebration and musical joy.
Langley Animal Shelter Finds Forever Homes During Weekend Adoption Drive
CARES animal shelter successfully connected numerous cats with loving families during their weekend adoption event held at PetSmart in Langley.
The adoptathon provided a perfect opportunity for potential pet owners to meet animals in need of homes while shopping for pet supplies and accessories. The shelter's strategic partnership with PetSmart created an ideal environment where families could not only find their new furry companions but also immediately purchase everything needed to welcome them home.
The event highlights the ongoing importance of adoption initiatives in addressing pet overpopulation while bringing joy to families ready to open their hearts and homes to rescue animals.
Young Musicians Find Their Rhythm at Langley Ukulele Summer Camp
A week-long ukulele camp in Langley provided aspiring young musicians with the foundation skills and confidence needed to join musical ensembles and continue their instrumental journey.
The program focused on teaching fundamental techniques while fostering a love of music-making in a supportive, collaborative environment. Participants learned not only how to play the ukulele but also gained valuable experience in group performance and musical cooperation.
The camp serves as an important stepping stone for children who may continue with music lessons, join school bands, or participate in community musical groups, making it an investment in the local arts community's future.
Regional Vancouver / Fraser Valley News
Vancouver beaches remain unsafe for swimming as E. coli persists
Health officials continue warning against swimming at Trout Lake and Stanley Park's Third Beach due to dangerous E. coli levels that can cause serious infections.
Six other Vancouver area beaches were recently cleared after similar contamination warnings earlier this month.
While three additional beaches are under investigation for elevated bacteria, swimming remains permitted there as health authorities work to identify contamination sources like sewage discharge or wildlife populations.
North Vancouver twins push province to give 16-year-olds the vote
Jerry and Jason Song, 18-year-old co-directors of BC's #Vote16 campaign, argue that teenagers who can work, pay taxes, and drive should also cast ballots in elections that shape their futures.
The twins have already convinced Squamish council to endorse lowering the voting age and are targeting other municipalities while building support through their political podcast "TwinTalk Politics."
Their grassroots organizing reflects a broader democratic movement, with research showing that early voting participation creates lifelong civic engagement and that concerns about youth political maturity or partisan bias are largely unfounded.
National Canadian News
Alberta Taxpayers on Hook for $30 Million in Oil Company Land Rent Defaults
Alberta's provincial government spent $30 million in 2024 covering unpaid land rent for oil and gas companies that were either unable or unwilling to meet their financial obligations to the Crown.
The staggering figure reveals a troubling pattern where the public essentially subsidizes delinquent energy companies, with government records showing that more than 99% of these advance payments are never recovered.
This practice means Alberta taxpayers are effectively covering the costs when energy companies default on their land lease obligations, raising serious questions about corporate accountability in the oil and gas sector.
The financial arrangement highlights ongoing concerns about whether energy companies should be required to provide more substantial financial assurances before being granted access to public lands for resource extraction.
Bank of Canada Expected to Hold Interest Rates Steady Again
Financial analysts anticipate that the Bank of Canada will maintain its current key interest rate position when it announces its latest monetary policy decision this week.
The expected rate hold reflects the central bank's cautious approach to monetary policy amid ongoing economic uncertainty and inflation concerns.
This decision would continue the pattern of measured responses to economic indicators while balancing the need to support economic growth against the risk of rekindling inflationary pressures.
The rate decision will have significant implications for mortgage holders, businesses, and consumers across British Columbia and the rest of Canada.
Sports News
🏈 Mitchell Leads Dramatic Tiger-Cats Comeback Victory Over B.C. Lions
Bo Levi Mitchell orchestrated a spectacular late-game comeback as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated the B.C. Lions 37-33 in a heart-stopping CFL thriller at BC Place.
With just 16 seconds remaining on the clock, Mitchell connected with Kiondre Smith for the game-winning touchdown that capped off a remarkable fourth-quarter rally. The victory showcased Mitchell's veteran leadership and clutch performance under pressure, overcoming what had appeared to be a comfortable Lions lead.
The dramatic finish provided fans with the kind of edge-of-your-seat entertainment that makes Canadian football so compelling, while dealing a tough blow to the Lions' home crowd who watched their team surrender a late advantage.
🏊♀️ Summer McIntosh Kicks Off World Championships with Golden Performance
Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh launched her ambitious quest for five gold medals at the world championships in Singapore with a dominant victory in the 400-meter freestyle.
The triumph marks the first step in what could be a historic performance for the young Canadian swimmer, who has set her sights on winning five individual gold medals throughout the eight-day competition.
McIntosh's victory demonstrates the exceptional form that has made her one of the most exciting prospects in international swimming.
Her ambitious goal of five golds would represent one of the most impressive individual performances in world championship history, setting the stage for a week of must-watch swimming action.
🚴♂️ Vancouver Cyclists Raise Thousands for Cancer Research During Epic Iceland Adventure
Vancouver residents Christian Jones and Matt Braun completed an extraordinary cycling expedition through Iceland's challenging Westfjords region while raising significant funds for cancer research.
The duo's ambitious bike trek combined their passion for cycling with a meaningful charitable cause, demonstrating how athletic pursuits can serve broader community purposes.
Their journey through Iceland's remote and rugged terrain required considerable physical preparation and mental determination while drawing attention to the ongoing need for cancer research funding.
The successful fundraising effort shows how individual athletic achievements can translate into tangible support for medical research that could benefit countless patients and families affected by cancer.
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