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It's a partly sunny Wednesday in Langley, with temperatures sitting around 3°C and a slight chance of snow later in the evening, so layer up if you're heading out.
Here's what's making news across the Valley today.
Langley Township is taking a step forward on democratic access, adding closed captioning to council meetings so residents with hearing impairments can follow along.
Meanwhile, budget transparency remains a flashpoint for Township leadership, with independent councillors and Mayor Eric Woodward still at odds over when the public will get a clear picture of what's coming for property taxes.
Fraser Valley Regional Library is reminding us that storytime programs are doing far more than reading books, helping newcomer families build language skills and lasting community connections.
On the provincial level, B.C.'s $10-a-Day childcare program is hitting pause on new enrolments while the government works to stabilize what already exists, cold comfort for families still stuck on waitlists.
And in the wake of the Tumbler Ridge school shooting, a researcher is pushing back hard against calls for more police and surveillance in schools, arguing the evidence points toward investing in relationships and mental health instead.
On a brighter note, Langley's own Tyler Tardi is living out an Olympic dream in Milano Cortina, and the whole community should be watching.
Langley Township Council Meetings Getting More Accessible with Closed Captioning
Langley Township is catching up with its Metro Vancouver neighbours by introducing closed captioning for council meetings.
The accessibility feature, already in place across other municipalities in the region, will help ensure that residents with hearing impairments can fully participate in local democracy. Council meetings can be dense affairs packed with important discussions about budgets, development, and community services—and now everyone will have equal access to that information.
The move reflects a broader commitment to inclusive governance and removes barriers that have long prevented some residents from engaging with their local representatives.
Budget Showdown: Langley Township's Financial Details Still Under Wraps
If you've been waiting to find out what Langley Township's budget will mean for your property taxes, you might get answers as early as February 23.
The "might" is doing a lot of heavy lifting there, though.
Independent councillors have been publicly sparring with Mayor Eric Woodward over what they see as a lack of transparency around taxes and spending. The tension highlights ongoing divisions on council about how much financial information should be shared with the public, and when.
Budget season is always a bit of a political theatre, but this year's edition in Langley Township seems to have extra drama baked in.
Residents eager to understand how their tax dollars will be spent are left checking the calendar and hoping for clarity.
Fraser Valley Libraries Building Bridges Through Storytime Programs
Fraser Valley Regional Library's early literacy programs are doing double duty: teaching language skills while building community connections.
For newcomer families, Storytime and Babytime programs offer more than just entertainment.
They're practical language lessons disguised as play.
A reading adviser at FVRL, who is herself the daughter of immigrants, explains how her mother learned English by watching Sesame Street, demonstrating that starting with the basics works for learners of all ages.
During these library programs, children and caregivers hear rich, expressive language, learn new vocabulary, and practice sounds through songs and rhymes. The social aspect is equally valuable, with many families forming lasting friendships that extend beyond the library walls to coffee dates and ongoing support networks.
These programs are available across FVRL locations, with options ranging from traditional Storytime to Pyjama Storytime and Baby Socials, plus virtual options for those who can't make it in person.
$10-a-Day Childcare Expansion Hits Pause in Provincial Budget
Parents hoping for expanded access to B.C.'s $10-a-Day ChildCareBC program will need to exercise some patience.
Budget 2026 puts new provider enrolment on pause, though the Finance Minister has announced $330 million for childcare alongside what's being called a "stabilization period."
Translation: the program isn't growing right now while the government figures out how to sustain what already exists.
The childcare sector has been under significant pressure, with providers struggling with funding models and staffing shortages even as demand for affordable spaces remains intense.
This pause reflects the reality that rapidly expanding a program without ensuring its financial sustainability can create bigger problems down the line.
For families on waitlists, though, that's cold comfort when they're still facing sky-high childcare costs or scrambling to find any care at all.
Surveillance and Police Won't Make Schools Safer, Research Shows
A researcher who studies surveillance technology in Canadian schools is warning that the push for more police and security measures following the Tumbler Ridge school shooting is unlikely to prevent future tragedies.
Decades of evidence from the U.S. show that expanding visible security has little effect on serious violent incidents, while increased police presence has been linked to higher rates of suspension and criminalization for Black, Indigenous, and disabled students.
The real drivers of school violence, researchers say, are social disconnection and a lack of mental health support, problems that surveillance cameras and resource officers cannot fix.
Building safer schools means investing in relationships and care, not in systems that watch and punish the students who need the most help.
NDP Leadership Race Heats Up Ahead of Final Debate
The membership sales are done, the entry fees are paid, and now NDP leadership candidates are preparing for their second and final debate.
This is crunch time for candidates trying to distinguish themselves from the pack and convince party members they deserve to lead Canada's New Democrats.
Leadership races are always interesting studies in party dynamics. Candidates must appeal to the party faithful while also demonstrating they can connect with broader Canadian voters.
The NDP's choice of leader could significantly impact Canada's political landscape heading into the next election.
The final debate will be each candidate's last major opportunity to make their case on a national stage before party members cast their votes.
B.C. Triathlete Hannah Henry Killed by Alleged Hit-and-Run Driver While Cycling in Phoenix
Hannah Henry, a 26-year-old Victoria triathlete and two-time gold medallist at the 2017 Canada Games, was struck and killed by a driver who allegedly fled the scene while she was cycling in Phoenix on Feb. 8.
The suspected driver, Eric Dustin Hodge, faces charges including leaving the scene of a fatal accident and drug possession.
Henry, a celebrated athlete who also won silver with Team Canada at the 2019 Pan American Games, was remembered by Triathlon BC as someone who "could always be found with a smile."
A ghost bike was placed at Tempe Town Lake in her honour on Feb. 15.
The tragedy is a quiet but powerful reminder that for people on bikes, road safety is not an inconvenience or a policy debate. It is a matter of life and death.
From Langley Ice to Olympic Dreams: Tyler Tardi's Curling Journey
A curler who learned the sport on Langley ice is now competing on the world's biggest stage.
Tyler Tardi has made his Olympic debut at Milano Cortina, bringing his skills honed in local rinks to international competition. It's one of those feel-good local success stories that reminds us how community sports programs can launch athletes to the highest levels.
Tardi's journey from Langley curling clubs to the Olympics represents years of dedication, early morning practices, and countless ends thrown on local ice.
For young athletes watching from Langley, Tardi's appearance at the Games proves that Olympic dreams can start right in their own backyard.
The community will no doubt be watching with pride as he competes for gold.
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