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Good morning,

Whatever your idea of a good time is, the Valley's got you covered this week. Strum a ukulele in Fort Langley, work your way through croissants across the region, or grab a team for some backyard cornhole in Abbotsford. Pick your fun.

– Emily

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🌤 Local forecast: Langley | Chilliwack | Abbotsford | Hope | Mission

🚘 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.

The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce wants business front and centre in this fall's municipal election. The Chamber, which represents about 850 local businesses, released a five-point agenda calling on candidates to commit to specific, measurable action.

"Business issues cannot be overlooked in this election," said Chamber CEO Alex Mitchell. "Our members are creating jobs, making investments and experiencing first-hand where our city is working and where it needs to improve."

The priorities include speeding up business approvals with public service standards, tackling street disorder and crime in commercial areas, building infrastructure like a direct transit link to Abbotsford airport, overhauling the city's approach to economic development, and closing what the Chamber calls an "amenity gap" — think hotel and conference space, major events, and recreation infrastructure.

Mitchell said Abbotsford's ambitions have outgrown its current systems.

"We are a major regional economic centre with a globally significant agricultural sector, an international airport, and growing manufacturing and aerospace industries," he said. "Our challenge is making sure our infrastructure, services and ambition keep pace."

The Chamber plans to bring the agenda directly to candidates throughout the campaign, with responses to follow. It's also hosting a Council Candidate Mingle and Mayoral Debate on October 7.

"We're not telling people how to vote," Mitchell added. "We're making sure business has a strong voice in the election."

This is our province. Together, we’re building for what’s next and powering B.C.’s potential.

Learn more

📢 The District of Hope is accepting Grant-in-Aid applications from local non-profits for community programs and events, with a deadline of October 15. [District of Hope]

🔥 A small wildfire caused by a lightning strike was discovered near Cultus Lake on Wednesday, burning less than one hectare in a forested area south of the lake. [Chilliwack Progress]

🚔 Newly disclosed documents revealed a threatening letter the Bishnoi gang sent to Abbotsford police last year, part of a broader investigation into extortion and violence linked to the group across Canada. [CBC News]

🗳️ B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay said she has no plans to step down despite nine MLAs leaving her caucus since May, addressing the party's internal turmoil at a UBCM speech Thursday. [Today in BC]

♻️ Langley Township's Household Hazardous Waste Plus Collection event returns September 19–20 at George Preston Recreation Centre, giving residents a way to safely dispose of items like fire extinguishers and adhesives. [Langley Advance Times]

🏡 Planning beats reacting. Seniors and their families are using this free Aging in Place Home Walkthrough guide to screen a home for the long run.*

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Fort Langley International Ukulele Festival: Langley hosts free ukulele lessons, workshops, and outdoor performances from September 21 to 26, with ticketed evening concerts rounding out the week.

Croissant Crawl: Metro Vancouver's self-guided pastry tour returns this year, sending croissant lovers to 35 vendors with a passport to stamp along the way.

Taste of Abby Cornhole Classic: Teams face off in Abbotsford's inaugural cornhole tournament on September 23 at Farmhouse Brewing Co.

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