🌧️ High 19C

Good morning,

Today's news roundup is a tough one — several vehicle accidents across the region, including two involving children, and a missing teenager in Langley. We don't say that to alarm you, just to flag that it's a heavier-than-usual day in the news section.

If you're still looking for Canada Day plans, check out Monday's newsletter for a full rundown of what's happening across the Fraser Valley

– 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.

Thirty people gathered in Langley City this past weekend for a hands-on emergency preparedness workshop, hosted in partnership with the Waceya Métis Society.

The session brought together Waceya leadership, the Langley City Emergency Program, ESS Volunteer Responders, and members of Mayor and Council to walk through the basics of preparing for an emergency: building a household plan, putting together a kit for sheltering in place, and packing a grab-and-go bag for quick evacuation.

Waceya Métis Society serves more than 1,100 Métis citizens and families across Langley, White Rock, and the Lower Fraser Valley, offering everything from cultural programming to food security initiatives.

"Emergency preparedness is about more than having supplies ready. It is about making sure our families, Elders, youth, and community members feel informed, supported, and confident in knowing what to do when an emergency happens," said Anthony Wingham, president of Waceya Métis Society.

Participants worked through the specifics of what a grab-and-go bag should include — identification, medications, water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, clothing, and comfort items — along with how to keep those supplies current and where to store them. The workshop also touched on the role insurance plays in recovery, and where to find reliable emergency information before, during, and after a crisis.

"Emergency preparedness is strongest when it is built through trusted relationships and shared knowledge," said Mayor Nathan Pachal. "This partnership with Waceya Métis Society reflects the kind of community-based approach we need to strengthen resilience, advance reconciliation in meaningful ways, and help ensure more people feel informed, connected, and better prepared when emergencies happen."

Vancouver’s iconic Khatsahlano Street Party returns to West 4th Avenue on Saturday, July 11, transforming 10 blocks into a whimsical "Khatsahlano Wonderland." Curated by Zulu Records, this massive, free festival features a powerhouse lineup of regional talent, including headliners Uncle Strut and glam-pop innovator Art d'Ecco across multiple vibrant stages.

Festivalgoers are invited to fall down the rabbit hole to explore free live music, over 300 local merchants, 50+ food trucks, and lively beverage gardens. From the family-friendly Khats Kids Zone to immersive art installations, this event celebrates everything that makes this community-wide summer tradition so special. Attendees can explore, dance, and discover incredible homegrown artists right in the heart of Kitsilano.

More details and stage schedules are available here.

🔍 Langley RCMP are asking for help locating 13-year-old Zayn Johnston, last seen June 18. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. [Langley Advance Times]

🚑 A child was airlifted in critical condition after an incident on McSween Road in Chilliwack on June 27, the second such incident on the same road in roughly a month. [Fraser Valley Today]

🏍️ One youth was hospitalized in stable condition after a dirt bike collision on Liumchen Creek Forest Service Road in the Chilliwack River Valley on June 27. [Fraser Valley Today]

🧭 Fraser Valley tourism organizations are launching a new analysis project with Destination BC to identify gaps in the region's tourism industry, with proposals due July 24. [Hope Standard]

🚗 An impaired Abbotsford driver fled a hit-and-run before crashing into a residential yard on June 28. He blew more than 2.5 times the legal limit and was among 30 impaired drivers police stopped over the weekend. [CTV News]

🏡 Seniors and their families are thinking ahead about a home’s long-term fit for aging in place. This free screening guide helps with the process.*

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Free Yoga in the Park: A free yoga session led by Yoga with Mel at Hope Memorial Park on July 4.

Summer Bash at Clearbrook Library: Kick off Summer Reading Club with a free summer bash at Clearbrook Library on July 4, featuring ventriloquist Kellie Haines, games, crafts, and treats.

Forest Echoes Music Festival: A weekend of live music and camping at Forest Echoes Cabins near Cultus Lake, running July 3–5.

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