Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 - One park, two great hikes

Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 | 🌧 High 19C

Good morning!

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WORTH KNOWING

🌤 Local forecast: Langley | Chilliwack | Abbotsford | Hope

⚠️ Here’s the current smoke forecast / Check the BC Wildfire Dashboard here

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

NEWS

One hiker, two hikes

This is the second installment of the FVC Notebook, where our reporters take readers to events and places throughout the region.

Golden Ears Provincial Park just north of Maple Ridge is popular both locally and with visitors from out of town, and hiking trails proliferate throughout its mountainous expanse. Two popular trails for day trips are Evans Peak and the Lower Falls Trail. The former is a grueling nine-kilometre upward scramble that results in a stunning panoramic view. The latter is a much gentler stroll that ends at a wide, tumbling waterfall.

Both trails start at the end of a long, winding road about 30 minutes from Mission and 40 from Langley.

• On this page of the FVC Notebook, Grace writes about two favourite area hikes.

Need to know

💰 Tenants will face a maximum 3.5% rent increase next year in BC (if they remain in their current home) [CTV]

🔥 Harrison Hot Springs’ fire chief has resigned—the latest departure in a year of turmoil for the village [Agassiz-Harrison Observer] / Council had been scheduled to consider his replacement at a meeting Monday, but the meeting was cancelled / The Current wrote about the Harrison dysfunction this spring [FVC]

⚪ A dozen pickleball courts will be installed at Abbotsford’s Ag-Rec Building [Abbotsford News]

🔥 A small wildfire broke out Monday afternoon in the Chilliwack River Valley [Fraser Valley Today]

👉 The province has created a ‘task force’ to recommend how to address BC’s increasingly frequent climate disasters [CFJC/CP]

⚽ Langley-based Vancouver FC beat Atlético Ottawa to stay in playoff contention [Langley Advance Times]

⚡ Faster electric-vehicle chargers are being added at Manning Park [Fraser Valley Today]

🚧 An excavator reportedly broke a gas line at a Chilliwack construction site [Chilliwack Progress]

🏗 A union-run trades school is relocating to Chilliwack [Chilliwack Progress]

🍻 Brewhalla Chilliwack is at Watson Glen Park on October 7th, featuring 30+ local BC craft beverage makers, live music, food trucks, and more!*

*Sponsored Listing

The Agenda

Disaster preparedness work delayed—by disasters

Active disasters keep complicating the provincial government’s efforts to get ahead of the recurring emergencies plaguing British Columbia. The latest example came late last month, according to Hope’s fire chief.

This fall, the provincial government intends to introduce new emergency management legislation. The new law will reshape how governments and other organizations respond to emergencies and disasters—and how they work together. The provincial government had intended to preview the new rules for local governments, but in a report to Hope council this week, the district’s fire chief says the crucial emergency planning work was put on hold because of the ongoing BC wildfire crisis.

The new legislation is likely to be a hot topic debate this fall. Local governments—especially understaffed regional districts—have long called on the province to provide more support and funding to help them prepare for emergencies.

The Current wrote about the issues in early 2022.

SPONSORED BY SUSTAINABLE CONNECTIONS

Visit Whatcom County for farm tours, delicious local food, and more!

On September 16th from 10am-4pm, twelve farms in Whatcom County will open their (barn) doors for visitors to get a behind-the-scenes look at how food gets from the farm to their plate at the Whatcom County Farm Tour. This family-friendly, free event brings folks from all over the region!

🔓️ Become a Current Insider for 25% off today and get full access to this newsletter. Every Tuesday, members get exclusive information on events, food and drink, and local deals.

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🍴 Oak & Thorne: Langley/Walnut Grove. This upscale pub run by Joseph Richard Group has food, plus arcade games, foosball, and skee-ball. Burgers and sandwiches run between $20 and $23. Opens for lunch on weekdays, brunch on weekends; closes at 2am Friday and Saturday.

🍴 R Restaurant: Central Abbotsford. Modern pub-style restaurant with standard fare and international menu options. A plate of halal wings cost $18. Hours vary considerably day-to-day so check online. Closed Monday & Tuesday.

🍴 Legends Bistro: Cultus Lake. Cultus Lake Golf Club's restaurant has traditional pub fare and a range of entrees. Wild sockeye salmon costs $23. Open 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday; opens at 8am on weekends.

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