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Happy hump day, friends!
Good morning, Langley. The weather today calls for cloudy skies with temperatures around 6°C.
Today's roundup brings significant news from our bike infrastructure challenges to provincial recognition for local sports leadership, plus important legal developments in the Lytton fire case and political drama unfolding in Alberta.
We've also got updates on library innovations, community giving, and opportunities to connect with local wildlife.
Langley's bike network tour reveals infrastructure gaps and dead ends
A cycling tour through Willoughby on Saturday exposed the fractured state of Langley Township's bike infrastructure.
HUB Cycling Langley led riders along 16 kilometres of paths that abruptly ended at ditches, forced detours onto busy roads, and featured gates that trapped bike trailers.
The Township's own maps misrepresent what actually exists on the ground, showing continuous routes where cyclists must navigate crumbling shoulders and drainage holes.
While neighbouring Surrey has built more connected networks, Langley Township continues prioritizing large road projects over the relatively simple fixes that would make cycling safe and practical for residents.
Langley Rivermen Close November with Impressive Back-to-Back Victories
The Langley Rivermen are ending November on a high note, securing back-to-back wins that showcase their growing momentum this season.
The team faced a demanding schedule, playing three games in just five days, but rose to the challenge with determination and skill. These consecutive victories demonstrate the Rivermen's resilience and ability to perform under pressure, even with a compressed game schedule that tests both physical endurance and mental fortitude.
The wins provide crucial momentum as the team heads into December, potentially positioning them well in their league standings. Fans who've been following the team closely have witnessed steady improvement throughout the month, and these latest performances suggest the Rivermen are finding their groove at just the right time.
Get Up Close with Mysterious Owls at Upcoming Langley Park Events
Nature enthusiasts in Langley have a unique opportunity to learn about and observe one of the region's most enigmatic creatures—the owl.
Metro Vancouver is organizing a special combined event featuring both an educational webinar and an exciting guided night walk, giving participants a comprehensive owl experience. The webinar will provide fascinating insights into owl behavior, habitat, and conservation, while the night walk offers the rare chance to potentially spot these nocturnal hunters in their natural environment.
This dual-format event caters to different learning styles and comfort levels, allowing those who prefer indoor education to join the webinar, while more adventurous participants can brave the evening darkness for an immersive outdoor experience. The events highlight Metro Vancouver's commitment to environmental education and connecting residents with local wildlife.
It's a perfect opportunity for families, photography enthusiasts, and anyone curious about these magnificent birds of prey that silently patrol Langley's parks after dark.
Vancouver Bandits president Dylan Kular wins provincial award for breaking barriers
Vancouver Bandits president Dylan Kular received a 2025 BC Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Award for his work building inclusive communities through basketball.
The Langley-based team has partnered with Indigenous organizations including I-SPARC and the Junior All Native Tournament to address systemic barriers and foster meaningful engagement across the province.
Kular, who also earned CEBL Executive of the Year honours for a record third time in 2025, leads initiatives through the Bandits Community Foundation that connect diverse populations and remote communities through sport.
Fraser Valley Regional Library Celebrates 10 Years of "The Playground" Collection
What started as a grassroots initiative has blossomed into a decade-long success story at the Fraser Valley Regional Library.
"The Playground" collection, which allows patrons to borrow innovative items supporting STEAM learning, healthy living, and environmental sustainability, is approaching its 10th anniversary. The program originated in 2016 when the CUTIE Circle (Coquitlam Ukulele Tiny Instruments Enthusiasts) partnered with FVRL to provide free ukulele access—a collaboration that sparked an idea that would transform library services across the region.
Today, the collection has grown to include 15 borrowable items ranging from telescopes and disc golf kits to radon detectors and thermal leak detectors, plus many more items available through library programs. The collection has inspired countless "firsts"—first library cards, first scientific experiments at home, and even life-saving discoveries, like one patron who found their home had five times the safe radon levels after borrowing a detector.
Beyond the physical items, The Playground represents the library's evolving role as a community hub for hands-on learning and experimentation. Brandon, FVRL's STEAM Specialist, hints at exciting new additions coming in 2026 as the program continues to grow and adapt to community needs.
Langley City Council Seeks Public Input on Major Infrastructure Investments
Langley City is asking residents to weigh in on two significant long-term infrastructure projects that could reshape community amenities over the next decade.
The city wants to confirm whether two ambitious projects remain community priorities: building a new Aquatic Centre and developing a Performing Arts & Cultural Centre combined with an expanded Timms Community Centre.
These aren't small undertakings—they represent major investments in the health, wellness, and cultural life of Langley City residents for years to come.
The dual consultation approach demonstrates Langley City's commitment to ensuring major investments align with what residents actually want and need.
Public input at this stage can significantly influence whether these projects move forward and how they're ultimately designed and prioritized within the city's long-term capital plans.
BC Passes Groundbreaking Legislation to Sue Vaping Companies
British Columbia has taken a bold step in public health policy by passing legislation that allows the province to sue vaping companies for health impacts.
The new bill follows a legal framework similar to successful lawsuits against opioid and tobacco manufacturers, suggesting BC is positioning itself to hold the vaping industry accountable for potential health costs and damages. This approach has proven effective in the past, with tobacco lawsuits resulting in billions of dollars in settlements that helped offset healthcare costs associated with smoking-related illnesses.
The legislation comes amid growing concerns about youth vaping rates and emerging research about long-term health effects of e-cigarettes. By enabling legal action against vaping companies, BC joins a growing movement of jurisdictions pushing back against what many health advocates view as predatory marketing practices that have created a new generation addicted to nicotine.
The bill represents a proactive approach to public health, potentially recovering costs while also serving as a deterrent to marketing practices that target young people. It signals BC's willingness to use legal tools to protect public health and hold corporations accountable for products that burden the healthcare system.
Archway Raises Over $52,000 and Collects Nearly 2,000 Toys at Annual Christmas Brunch
The spirit of giving was alive and well in Abbotsford as the 13th Annual Archway Toys for Tots Christmas Brunch shattered expectations.
Archway Community Services announced the event raised over $52,000 and collected an impressive 1,954 toys for the Archway Christmas Bureau, demonstrating the Fraser Valley community's generous response to families in need. Over 1,200 guests attended the event at the Clarion Hotel, enjoying brunch, entertainment, photos with Santa, and the unique opportunity to see the Calder Cup won by the Abbotsford Canucks.
The donations will stock the Christmas Bureau Toy Room, ensuring more than 1,500 children, 600 teens, and 230 seniors receive gifts this holiday season. This year's need is particularly acute, with over 1,300 families applying for assistance—the highest demand Archway has seen.
"Without a break in the high cost of living, more people in Abbotsford are experiencing food insecurity than ever before," explained Rebecca Thuro, manager of food security at Archway, noting the organization is working toward raising $1.3 million before year-end to continue supporting people through difficult times. The event's success reflects the community rallying together, but the growing need suggests continued support will be essential throughout the winter months and beyond.
Lytton fire class action against railways cleared for trial
A BC Supreme Court judge ruled there's enough evidence for Lytton residents to proceed with their class action lawsuit against CN and CP Rail over the 2021 fire that destroyed 90 per cent of the village.
New evidence shows a CP locomotive experienced high brake temperatures before the fire, but the crew apparently didn't inform CN when the train switched hands in Kamloops.
The train passed through Lytton at 4:31 pm, dispersing coal dust near where the fire is believed to have started, with wheel temperatures reaching 278 degrees.
Justice Ward Branch criticized the "bloated certification process" for delaying justice, noting that despite multiple investigations, no official cause has been determined for the fire that killed two people and destroyed an entire community.
Massive pro-Canada petition forces Smith to choose between UCP separatists and economic reality
Nearly half a million Albertans signed the Forever Canadian petition, forcing Premier Danielle Smith into a near-impossible position.
She must either bring the question to the legislature and expose how many UCP MLAs support separatism, or allow a provincewide referendum that would likely fail and drive away investment.
Former PC deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, who led the campaign, deliberately chose the legislative pathway to give Smith an off-ramp from the separation debate that her own party cultivated.
The petition's success came after UCP separatists publicly booed Smith at the party's annual general meeting over her pipeline deal with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
People who are actively employed now make up nearly one in five food bank visits across Canada, more than people reporting no income at all.
The Archway Food Bank in Abbotsford serves over 6,200 people each month (including 38% children) and needs to raise $1.3 million before year's end to keep providing nutritious food hampers to neighbours who've exhausted every other option.
Please donate to ensure no family in our community goes hungry this winter.
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