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Happy Friday, Langley! It's mostly cloudy and a mild 5°C this morning, with temperatures climbing to a pleasant 13°C later today. Enjoy it while it lasts, as rain moves in for the weekend.
Today's roundup covers serious concerns about stalled mental health funding, with local leaders frustrated that the promised Car 67 crisis response program still hasn't received the support it needs to get off the ground.
We're also looking at Langley Township's unique financial position as one of the only Metro Vancouver municipalities carrying net debt.
On a brighter note, folk music fans can catch an intimate double bill at Bez Arts Hub tonight, and Giants defenseman Ryan Lin has been named alternate captain for the upcoming WHL Prospects Game right here at Langley Events Centre.
Award-winning folk artists perform double bill at Bez Arts Hub tonight
Sarah Jane Scouten and Marin Patenaude bring folk music to Langley's Bez Arts Hub tonight in an intimate double bill.
Scouten is an award-winning singer-songwriter, while Patenaude delivers raw, passionate performances.
Bez Arts Hub hosts notable artists from across North America in a close-quarters venue that emphasizes community atmosphere and direct artist engagement.
Langley Leaders Frustrated Over Stalled Mental Health Police Program
Local officials are raising the alarm about broken promises for the Car 67 mental health response program in Langley.
The innovative initiative pairs specially trained police officers with registered psychiatric nurses to respond to mental health crisis calls, offering a more compassionate and effective approach than traditional law enforcement responses alone.
Despite provincial commitments and proven effectiveness in other communities, the promised funding to launch the program in Langley has yet to materialize, leaving city leaders and mental health advocates deeply concerned about vulnerable residents who continue to fall through the cracks.
The Car 67 model has been successfully implemented in other Fraser Valley communities, demonstrating reduced emergency room visits and better outcomes for people in crisis. Langley's leadership argues that the program is not prohibitively expensive but requires dedicated provincial support to get off the ground.
With mental health calls continuing to strain both police resources and emergency services, the delay has real consequences for a community desperate for better crisis intervention options.
Langley Township carries net debt while Langley City maintains $51 million in assets
Langley Township is the only Metro Vancouver municipality with net debt at $8.5 million, while neighboring Langley City holds $51.6 million in net financial assets, according to 2024 local government financial data released by the provincial government.
Net debt indicates a municipality will need additional tax revenue or provincial funding to maintain infrastructure like roads, sewers, and parks, while net assets mean a community can invest using existing resources.
The Township's position suggests capital spending has outpaced revenue growth, though this doesn't signal financial crisis.
Burnaby leads the region with over $2.1 billion in net financial assets, followed by Vancouver at $1.5 billion and Richmond at $1.2 billion.
Roger Potter plays acoustic set at Farm Country Brewing tonight
Roger Potter performs live acoustic music at Farm Country Brewing tonight from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The evening features classic covers in a relaxed atmosphere paired with craft beer.
Farm Country Brewing regularly hosts live music events at its Langley taproom, make sure to check them out and support live music in our community!
Old-School Arcade Gets New Life in Aldergrove Home
Nostalgia meets technical know-how in an Aldergrove resident's unique hobby project.
Martin Smeaton has transformed part of his home into a retro arcade paradise, rescuing classic gaming machines from obsolescence and giving them a second chance at bringing joy to players. These aren't just any games—they're authentic vintage arcade cabinets from the golden age of gaming, complete with original artwork, joysticks, and that distinctive electronic charm that modern gaming can't quite replicate.
The restoration process is a labor of love requiring electrical expertise, woodworking skills, and a deep appreciation for gaming history. Smeaton carefully sources aging machines, many of which were headed for the scrap heap, and painstakingly brings them back to working condition. The collection includes beloved classics that defined a generation's gaming experience.
Beyond personal enjoyment, the project preserves an important piece of entertainment history and showcases the craftsmanship and engineering ingenuity of early video game designers.
Grand Chief Steven Point Joins BC First Nations Justice Council
A respected Indigenous leader has been appointed to a crucial role in reimagining justice in British Columbia.
Grand Chief Steven Point has been named to the BC First Nations Justice Council, where he'll serve a three-year term focusing specifically on Corrections and Courts portfolios. The appointment brings decades of legal expertise and lived Indigenous experience to ongoing efforts to address systemic inequities in the provincial justice system.
Point's background uniquely positions him to tackle complex questions about how Indigenous peoples interact with—and are often failed by—mainstream justice institutions. His portfolio will examine everything from sentencing disparities to the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in correctional facilities, as well as exploring restorative justice approaches rooted in traditional Indigenous practices.
The Justice Council's work aims to create meaningful alternatives to a justice system that has historically been a tool of colonization rather than reconciliation. Point's leadership comes at a critical moment when British Columbia is attempting to align its justice practices with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Archway Community Services Hosts Black History Month Celebration
Abbotsford residents are invited to an evening celebrating Black voices and contributions to the Fraser Valley community.
The Diversity Education team at Archway Community Services is hosting "Many Voices, One City" on Thursday, February 12th from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium.
The event will feature an impressive panel of community leaders including Ryan Leonard from the Abbotsford Downtown Business Association, Murad Ahmed from Archway's Immigrant Youth Services, and cultural ambassador Irene Nviiri, among others.
These panelists will share personal stories, discuss the lived experiences of Black and newcomer communities, and explore how Abbotsford can continue building a more inclusive future.
Beyond the panel discussion, attendees can expect dynamic dance performances, soulful music, and powerful spoken word poetry that reflects the richness of Black culture and artistic expression.
Local Black-owned businesses will also be showcased, providing an opportunity for community members to learn about and support these enterprises. Light refreshments will be served throughout the evening. "This event is a chance to listen to diverse voices, learn from lived experiences, and build a more connected and inclusive Abbotsford," said Muhi Bakini, supervisor of Diversity Education at Archway.
Those interested in attending can RSVP on the Archway website, linked below.
Vancouver Giants' Ryan Lin Named Alternate Captain for WHL Prospects Game
A rising hockey star from the Fraser Valley is getting recognition on one of junior hockey's biggest stages.
Ryan Lin, the Vancouver Giants' standout defenseman from Richmond, has been selected to wear an 'A' as an alternate captain for Team West at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game, scheduled for February 18th at Langley Events Centre. The 6-foot, 177-pound blueliner leads the Giants in scoring with 50 points in 42 games and is ranked 13th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, putting him firmly on the radar for the upcoming NHL Draft. Lin's offensive prowess from the blue line, combined with his defensive reliability, makes him one of the most complete young defensemen in the Western Hockey League.
The leadership appointment recognizes not just Lin's on-ice abilities but also his maturity and character—qualities that make him a natural leader despite his youth. He'll join Prince George Cougars defenseman Carson Carels (who will captain Team West), along with alternate captains JP Hurlbert of Kamloops and Jakub Vanecek of Tri-City. The WHL Prospects Game showcases the league's top draft-eligible talent, and Lin's prominent role indicates that professional scouts see him as more than just a skilled player—they see a future leader. Tickets are available now for fans who want to watch the Fraser Valley's own homegrown talent compete against the best the WHL has to offer.
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