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Happy Friday, Langley!
It's a cloudy and chilly one out there, with temperatures hovering around 1°C and highs only reaching about 3°C. Bundle up if you're heading out tonight (especially if you're hitting Salsa Night at the Senior Resource Centre!)
Today's roundup has a lot to unpack. Langley's drug death numbers are rising even as the rest of BC sees a decline, raising hard questions about local harm reduction efforts. Glen Valley residents scored a win after a proposed 62-metre Telus cell tower was officially scrapped following community pushback.
The BC Greens are calling the NDP's new budget a betrayal of working people, pointing to public sector cuts and missed opportunities for a wealth tax.
Meanwhile, the province is spending $18 million on American-made naloxone while a Vancouver company says it could do the job cheaper and closer to home.
On the hockey front, the Vancouver Giants pulled off a thrilling shootout win over Penticton at Langley Events Centre, and Canada's Olympic men's team punched their ticket to the gold-medal game with a last-minute comeback against Finland.
Plus, there's live music this weekend at Bez Arts Hub and the Langley Community Music School, and Cup of Cheer is bringing a hot beverage tour to downtown Abbotsford on Saturday.
Langley Salsa Night brings dancing to the Senior Society Hall tonight
Langley Salsa Night returns this evening at the Langley Senior Resources Society Hall on 51B Avenue!
Doors open at 7 p.m. with a beginner-friendly salsa lesson running from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m., followed by open social dancing for the rest of the night.
No partner or prior experience is needed, and admission is just $15.
It's a welcoming, low-barrier way to kick off the weekend with great music and good company.
Langley's Drug Death Crisis Deepens Despite Provincial Decline
While British Columbia celebrated an overall decline in drug-related deaths, Langley bucked the trend with a troubling surge in overdose fatalities.
The concerning statistics highlight a localized crisis that stands in stark contrast to provincial improvements. Though death rates have dropped across B.C., they remain significantly elevated compared to pre-fentanyl levels, reminding residents that the opioid crisis is far from over.
Langley's spike raises questions about the effectiveness of harm reduction strategies and access to treatment services in the community. Health officials are now examining what factors may be contributing to the increased fatalities in the area.
J. Plank brings blues and roots to Bez Arts Hub this Sunday
BC-based singer-songwriter Jeff Plankenhorn, known as J. Plank, will perform at Bez Arts Hub this Sunday (February 22) from 7 to 9 p.m.
A master of the lap steel guitar, Plankenhorn has toured across North America, Europe, and Japan, blending blues, folk, and roots into a sound that is distinctly his own.
The show opens with a set from Ivan Boudreau, a longtime Bez favourite and wandering songwriter with over 45 years of experience.
Tickets are $32.89 and available at the door or online.
Glen Valley Residents Celebrate Victory as Proposed Telus Cell Tower Project Declared 'Dead'
The Friends of Glen Valley group is breathing a sigh of relief after the proposed 62-metre Telus cell tower project has been officially declared dead.
Township councillors and Member of Parliament Tako Van Popta joined community members in opposing the massive structure, which residents feared would mar the rural character of the Glen Valley area. The tower would have been significantly taller than surrounding trees and structures, creating what opponents called a visual blight.
Community organizing proved effective, with residents presenting concerns about property values, aesthetics, and the availability of alternative locations for the telecommunications infrastructure. The sustained opposition ultimately convinced Telus to abandon the project.
While the company had argued the tower was necessary to improve cellular coverage in the area, residents maintained that less intrusive solutions could achieve the same goal without compromising the neighbourhood's character.
Cup of Cheer brings a hot beverage tour to downtown Abbotsford Saturday
Cup of Cheer is a family-friendly self-guided beverage tasting event running Saturday, February 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Abbotsford.
For $15, participants get a keepsake mug and visit six local spots serving everything from peppermint hot chocolate to chai lattes to coffee.
The event starts at Open Space on Essendene Avenue, where the Craft Collective Market will also be running with local makers and artisans.
Mug pickup begins at 9:30 a.m., and kids are welcome at no charge.
Trio Harmonie brings romance and classical music to Langley Sunday
Vancouver-based ensemble Trio Harmonie performs at the Rose Gellert Hall at the Langley Community Music School this Sunday, February 22, starting at 2:30 p.m.
The clarinet, cello, and piano trio will play works by FrĂĽhling, Rota, and Piazzolla, blending romantic, cinematic, and sultry sounds into an hour-long concert.
The event opens with an informal conversation with the artists and complimentary coffee and refreshments before the 3:15 p.m. performance.
Tickets are $28 for adults, $26 for seniors, and $10 for students.
BC Greens call NDP budget a betrayal of working people
The BC Green Party says the NDP's new provincial budget is austerity dressed up as progress.
Leader Emily Lowan argues the budget raises taxes on working people, guts $10-a-day childcare, and cuts thousands of public sector jobs.
The Greens point to research showing BC has lost $16.8 billion in annual revenue since the BC Liberals slashed taxes in 2001, a pattern the NDP has done little to reverse.
They say a wealth tax could have wiped out the deficit and funded delayed healthcare infrastructure, but the NDP chose corporate approval over working families instead.
Province Purchases U.S. Naloxone While Local Manufacturer Offers Cheaper Alternative
British Columbia is spending $18 million to purchase anti-overdose nasal spray from American suppliers, even as a Vancouver-based company claims it can produce a more affordable option domestically.
The provincial investment in nasal naloxone comes amid ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis and provide life-saving medication to those at risk of overdose. Nasal naloxone is easier to administer than injectable versions and can be used by bystanders without medical training.
The Vancouver company's assertion that it can manufacture a cheaper alternative raises questions about procurement processes and whether the province is getting the best value for taxpayers' money. Critics suggest supporting local manufacturers could create jobs while potentially reducing costs.
Health officials defend the purchase, emphasizing the urgent need for widespread naloxone distribution to prevent overdose deaths across the province.
Health Workers Snooped on Lapu Lapu Tragedy Victims 71 Times, Report Finds
B.C.'s privacy commissioner found 36 health-care workers illegally accessed the medical records of victims from the April 2025 Lapu Lapu Day vehicle attack in Vancouver.
Half of the people sent to medical facilities had their privacy breached.
The report made nine recommendations including stronger disciplinary measures and better monitoring of digital records.
Health Minister Josie Osborne called the snooping "illegal, unethical, and completely unacceptable," noting some workers were suspended or lost their jobs.
Vancouver Giants Edge Penticton Vees in Thrilling Shootout at Langley Events Centre
The Vancouver Giants pulled off an impressive 3-2 shootout victory over the B.C. Division-leading Penticton Vees, thanks to a spectacular 37-save performance from goaltender Kelton Pyne.
Playing on home ice at the Langley Events Centre, the Giants jumped to an early lead before the Vees stormed back to tie the game and eventually take a late third-period advantage. With just three minutes remaining in regulation, Penticton appeared poised for victory.
But Misha Volotovskii had other plans, scoring a clutch equalizer just 33 seconds after the Vees' go-ahead goal to force overtime. When the extra frame solved nothing, Jakob Oreskovic became the hero by scoring the only shootout goal on Vancouver's third attempt.
The victory was particularly sweet for the Giants, who improved to 20-30-1-2 while handing the second-place Western Conference team a rare defeat. Pyne's stellar performance between the pipes—including stopping all three shootout attempts—earned him first-star honours and kept his team in contention throughout the comeback-filled contest.
India Trade Deal Could Be Signed Within a Year, Says Envoy Ahead of PM's Visit
India's ambassador to Canada is striking an optimistic tone about trade relations, suggesting a comprehensive agreement could be finalized within a year.
The surprisingly upbeat timeline comes despite the fact that formal trade negotiations between the two nations had previously been suspended amid diplomatic tensions.
The envoy's comments arrive just ahead of the Prime Minister's planned visit to New Delhi, signaling a potential thaw in what has been a frosty relationship.
A trade deal with India, the world's most populous nation and a rapidly growing economy, could provide significant benefits for Canadian exporters and create new opportunities for bilateral investment.
Agriculture, technology, and education are expected to be key sectors in any agreement.
However, skeptics note that previous optimism about India-Canada trade talks has not always translated into concrete results, and significant political and diplomatic hurdles remain before negotiations can resume in earnest.
First Nations People Urged to Carry Passports When Crossing U.S. Border
The federal government has issued updated travel advice for First Nations people crossing into the United States, strongly recommending they carry passports in addition to other forms of identification.
The guidance represents a shift in messaging about what documentation is sufficient for First Nations individuals exercising their traditional cross-border rights. While the Jay Treaty theoretically allows Indigenous peoples to move freely across the Canada-U.S. border, practical application has proven complicated.
Indigenous travelers have increasingly reported difficulties at U.S. border crossings when presenting Status cards or enhanced driver's licenses instead of passports. U.S. border officials have become more stringent about acceptable identification, leading to delays, denials, and frustrating encounters.
The updated advisory acknowledges this reality and encourages First Nations travelers to carry passports to avoid potential complications, even though doing so may feel like a contradiction of their treaty rights to unrestricted border crossing.
Heartbreak in Overtime: Team USA Edges Canada for Olympic Gold
Canada's quest for Olympic hockey gold ended in crushing overtime defeat as the United States prevailed in a thriller at the Milano Cortina Olympics.
The highly anticipated showdown between hockey's fiercest rivals lived up to the hype, with both teams battling through regulation time before the Americans found the decisive goal in the extra frame. The loss means Canada will settle for silver in what was expected to be a coronation.
Despite dominating possession for stretches of the game, Canada couldn't solve the American goaltender when it mattered most. The defeat continues a recent trend of close calls for Canadian hockey on the international stage, leaving fans wondering what adjustments are needed.
The silver medal is still a commendable achievement, but for a Canadian hockey program that measures success in gold, this overtime loss will sting for some time. Players and coaches will face difficult questions about tactical decisions and missed opportunities in the aftermath of the heartbreaking result.
Canada's men's hockey team rallies to reach Olympic gold-medal game
Nathan MacKinnon scored on a power play with 35 seconds left to lift Canada to a 3-2 comeback win over Finland in the Olympic men's hockey semifinal in Milan.
The Canadians trailed 2-0 before goals from Sam Reinhart and Shea Theodore tied it up, setting the stage for MacKinnon's heroics.
Connor McDavid picked up two assists to set the all-time record for points by an NHL player at a single Olympics with 13.
Canada now heads to Sunday's gold-medal game, chasing their first Olympic title since 2014.
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