Friday - Feb. 14, 2025 - By-elections on the way in Chilliwack, Hope

⛅ High 4C

Good morning!

Today is a day of love—and right before a long weekend too! I’ll keep this intro short and simply say that I hope all of you take some time to share love with your family, your friends, and yourself this Valentine’s Day. We’ll be away on Monday for Family Day, but back in your inboxes Tuesday. See you then!

– Grace

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Traffic & Weather

🌤 Local forecast: Langley | Chilliwack | Abbotsford | Hope 

🚘 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google, and find DriveBC’s latest updates.

🛣 Click here for links to road cameras across the Fraser Valley, including those for the Coquihalla, Highway 7, Hope-Princeton, Fraser Canyon, and Highway 1 in Langley and Abbotsford.

NEWS

Cows, flu, and an American outbreak

Something was spreading through the dairy herds of Texas and Kansas in the spring of 2024.

The cows had spiked a fever. They weren’t eating. Some had stopped producing much milk, and what did come out was lumpy and clotted. Officials took samples of their milk and sent it for testing.

Then, on March 25, several American health authorities made an announcement: the cattle had bird flu.

Since last spring, avian influenza has spread to more than 950 dairy farms in the United States. And although it has yet to be found on dairy farms elsewhere in the world, farmers in Canada—and especially border communities like the Fraser Valley—are preparing for what will happen if the virus eventually arrives.

• Today, Grace reports on how Canadian farmers are working to protect their herds from an evolving virus, and examines how avian influenza got a foothold on American dairy farms.

Related

Need to Know

📱 Abbotsford students have largely been willingly restricting their phone use during school hours, the district says [Abbotsford News]

🚧 Construction on 208th Street in Langley has slowed due to freezing weather [Langley Advance Times]

👀 Abbotsford school trustee Jared White’s social media is under review after he posted anti-trans content on his official Facebook page [Abbotsford News]

🌳 Mission is reviewing how it maintains natural ecosystems with its land clearing management program [Mission Record]

🔎 Abbotsford police are investigating after a resident found bullet holes in their home [Abbotsford News]

🗺 Hope’s visitor centre is selling maps to help fill the local food bank [Hope Standard]

👉 Workers at LifeLabs in BC have said they will go on strike this weekend [CTV]

🗳 BC is banning new hires in public service and cancelling its promised grocery rebate [Chek News]

🎓 Maximize your prior learning! KPU’s Flex program streamlines graduation by translating previous experience into credits. Achieve your degree on your terms. Learn how today!*

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MEMBERS ONLY

This week’s FVC Insiders’ Edition

In tomorrow’s members-only newsletter, Grace writes about Fraser Valley scientists and why reporting on research is an important part of local news. We’ll also share which month our FVC Insiders love the most.

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The Agenda

Chilliwack by-election inching closer; Hope by-election planned

People in Chilliwack and Hope will need to head back to the polls this spring to pick new representatives for the school board and council.

Last year, Chilliwack North MLA Heather Maahs vacated her seat on the school board after she was elected to the legislature with the BC Conservatives. Three people are now vying for her place on the board: Chilliwack DPAC chair Katie Bartel, former Chilliwack MLA Laurie Throness, and private school student Shane Kooyman.

Voting for the by-election will take place on Saturday, March 1 from 8am to 8pm at either Vedder Middle School or the Chilliwack Landing Sports Centre. Advance voting is available on Wednesday, Feb. 19 and Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 8am to 8pm at the Chilliwack Landing Sports Centre.

Mail-in ballots are still available; they can be requested online until Thursday, Feb. 27. The City of Chilliwack, which is organizing the election, recommends that people drop off the mail-in ballots at city hall. (A drop box outside is available if city hall is closed. It will remain accessible until 8pm on voting day.)

Chilliwack residents will need to bring two pieces of ID to prove they live in Chilliwack. Collectively, the ID needs to show your name, address, and signature. (For example, you could bring a driver’s license and a utility bill, or a BC Services Card and your passport.)

In Hope, the resignation this week of councillor Zachary Wells has prompted a by-election there. Hope residents wanting to run for council will be able to pick up their nomination packages on Tuesday, Feb. 25, with candidates being declared on Friday, March 21. The by-election itself will take place on Saturday, April 26.

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🗓 Things to do

Biodiversity day: The Fort Langley National Historic Site celebrates biodiversity on Family Day (Monday). The day features an owl meeting, Indigenous teachings from two Kwantlen elders, wildlife photography tips, and more. Admission is free for kids 17 and under. Details online.

Free flight fun: Langley's Canadian Museum of Flight hosts a free Family Day event on Monday from 10am to 4pm. Take part in crafts, a scavenger hunt, games, and more. Although the event is free, participants must register online.

Movie screening: The Clarke Theatre in Mission hosts a free screening of The Princess Bride at 3pm on Monday. Details online.

Have an event to tell us about? Fill out this form to have it highlighted here.

Catch up

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