☀️ High 27C

Good morning!

It’s another gorgeous summer day in the Fraser Valley, and I hope you manage to get outdoors and seize the day. It’s my second newsletter for the FVC, and I want to say thank you. Over the past few days, I’ve received many emails from readers welcoming me and sending me story ideas. As I sift through the ideas and start working on stories, today I’m featuring one of the Current’s most popular stories from earlier this year on Abbotsford’s dairy expansion. You’ll see that below.

I was moved by the warm welcome and kind responses from this wonderful community of readers, and I’m excited to be here and to start writing about the stories that matter to you. I’m still getting my bearings, so please be patient for the next few weeks. As always, if you have any comments or story suggestions, please send them to [email protected].

Enjoy the sunshine!

– Lubna

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

Dairy farmers must increase production by 18% before Abbotsford dairy expansion in 2027

The expansion of an Abbotsford plant aimed at turning milk into proteins, prebiotics, and butter is likely to be complete by the fall of 2027—and local dairy farmers have been told to prepare to up their production.

In 2022, The Current reported that processor Vitalus Nutrition was looking to undertake a $300 million expansion on Downes Road in Abbotsford. The expansion, an ALC application said at the time, would allow the company to process more cream and butter—as well as milk concentrate products, which are used in things like dietary supplements. It is the only plant in North America that produces prebiotics from milk, and is also the “plant of last resort” for western Canadian dairy farmers.

The expansion is on track to be finished in 2027, and could create around 100 new jobs in the community, Phil Vanderpol, Vitalus’ president and CEO, said in an emailed statement.

In January, the BC Milk Marketing Board sent a notice to BC’s dairy farmers, telling them to prepare for the expansion project. Production at the new plant will take about four years to get up to full speed, the marketing board said, but farmers will need to increase production much sooner.

Read the full story that was first published in March 2025 here.

Need to Know

📜 BC Premier signs trade agreements with Ontario, Manitoba, Yukon. The agreements are expected to increase choice for shoppers and allow workers to move more freely between provinces.

⛵️ Almost 2,000 dragon boat racers set to compete July 26 on Harrison Lake [Harrison Dragon Boat Festival]

🏒 Annual roller hockey fundraiser for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice to take place July 26 in Chilliwack [Canuck Place Children’s Hospice]

🏃‍♀️ Amazing Race Canada visits Abbotsford and Langley [Abbotsford News]

🌈 Fort Langley Pride crosswalk may be relocated and replaced with “updated decorative version.” Municipal staff to engage with Langley Pride Society [City News]

👮🏼‍♀️ Mission RCMP confirmed the 20-year-old man reported missing on Monday has been located. [Mission City Record]

🔥 Small wildfire sparked near Mission on Monday, July 21. BC Wildfire Service investigating cause, while blaze remains out of control [Mission City Record]

👮🏼‍♀️ Abbotsford Police Department seek public assistance in search for missing 71-year-old man [Abbotsford News]

👩‍🎨 Three Chilliwack arts organizations receive $54K in provincial grants. The three organizations are Chilliwack Museum and Archives, Chilliwack Film Society, Chilliwack Community Arts Council [Chilliwack Progress].

☺ TODAY’S SMILE: Moose on the Loose: A moose was spotted taking a morning swim in Shuswap Lake last Thursday.

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The Agenda

FireSmart BC launches campaign for wildfire preparedness

It’s officially wildfire season in BC, and just last weekend, at least two new wildfires ignited in the Fraser Valley, with one north of Harrison Hot Springs and another near Mission. According to the BC Wildfire Service, there are currently 71 active wildfires across the province. At the time of writing, six fires had started in the past 24 hours alone.

FireSmart BC, a provincial initiative “dedicated to reducing the risk of wildfire damage to homes, communities, and forests,” launched a campaign to help people in the region protect themselves, loved ones, and their property this wildfire season. The new campaign, titled Summer Plans, includes digital guides, infographics, informational videos, checklists, and other tools to help reduce the risk of wildfire damage.

“Before you head out for a weekend at the lake or a family BBQ, take ten minutes for wildfire prep,” said Hannah Swift, FireSmart BC program lead. “Simple actions like sweeping leaves from your stairs and deck, clearing flammable clutter from your yard, or packing a few essentials, like ID, medications, water, and comfort items, can make all the difference if you need to leave quickly. A little effort today can go a long way in protecting your home and your family.”

In the past few years, BC has seen longer wildfire seasons, with hotter weather and prolonged drought conditions. According to FireSmart BC, 2023 was a record year with 2,252 wildfires and 2.84 million hectares burned. “No matter where you live in B.C., now is the time to be prepared for wildfires,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “I urge everyone to do their part, be prepared, stay informed, and FireSmart around your home and neighbourhoods.”

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SPONSORED BY THE MISSION FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL

Come Find Your Folk this weekend!

Come experience a friendly fest bursting with musical energy and more! The Mission Folk Music Festival runs July 25-27 in beautiful Fraser River Heritage Park. See 20+ amazing and diverse artists/groups plus Wee Folks fun, jams, singalongs, the Festival Choir, food/drink/shopping+. Get your day, evening, weekend or weekend+camping passes today!

📸 Current (Satellite) Cam

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🗓 Things to do

Mouthwatering BBQ in Chilliwack: The third Annual Chilliwack Ribfest returns to Vedder Park from July 25–27, 2025 for some mouthwatering BBQ!

Buy Local: Downtown Chilliwack Community Market has fresh local produce and handicrafts made by local artisans.

Live Music: Experience two full days of the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival, free of charge! Festival is on July 24-27.

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

Catch up

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