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Today's main story is an uplifting one: two Fraser Health programs aimed at helping seniors age at home have landed $2.6 million in new funding, with both programs rooted right here in the Fraser Valley. We've also got the story of a Pitt Meadows cranberry farmer and UFV alumnus who turned a $130,000 frost disaster into a smarter, more sustainable farm.

– Emily

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Two Fraser Health programs have received a combined $2.6 million in new funding from Health Research BC. Both are rooted in the Fraser Valley: one supports Indigenous elders in Chilliwack, while the other builds on a social prescribing program that has already connected thousands of seniors to care across the region.

Social prescribing takes an unconventional approach to health care. Rather than treating medical conditions alone, it connects seniors with community workers who link them to social programs, physical activity, and other non-clinical supports. The idea is that loneliness, housing stress, and isolation are health issues too — they just don't always come up in a doctor's office.

"Social health is a huge part of health, especially for older and more vulnerable people," says Dr. Grace Park, one of the project's co-leads. "When seniors meet with a community connector through social prescribing, different concerns come up, such as fear of becoming homeless because of rising rent costs, issues that have a huge impact on their lives but don't usually surface when talking to a physician."

Keep reading»

🌊 A $130,000 frost disaster in 2021 pushed Pitt Meadows cranberry farmer and UFV alumnus Travis Hopcott to invest in a solar-powered precision irrigation system that has since cut water use by around 10 per cent and improved crop quality. [UFV]

🗑️ Chilliwack council is considering a new solid-waste bylaw that would introduce automated cart-based collection, add curbside pickup for flexible plastics in a pink bin starting in June, and raise monthly fees to between $27 and $34.80. [Fraser Valley Today]

🔥 BC Wildfire Service received approximately 2,400 applications for just 200 to 250 seasonal firefighter positions, with bootcamps beginning in early April ahead of what could be a challenging fire season. [The Hope Standard]

🇯🇵 Mission and its Japanese sister city Oyama are marking 30 years of ties in 2026, a relationship that began when Oyama sought an English-speaking host community for a student speech contest. [Mission City Record]

🚨 Chilliwack RCMP closed Rockwood Drive in Promontory early Monday morning due to an undisclosed incident involving police, ambulance, and fire crews; the road reopened by 11 a.m. [Chilliwack Progress]

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Tulip Build n' Sip: Build your own tulip out of bricks while sipping cider at Taves Estate Cidery in Abbotsford on March 21 — a relaxed, no-experience-needed event perfect for friends, dates, or a solo outing.

Relive the Music: Catch a high-energy trip through five decades of rock and disco at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on March 22, featuring tributes to artists like ABBA, Queen, Led Zeppelin, and the Bee Gees, performed by World Rock & Roll Champion Luisa Marshall and a full live band.

Spring Break Camps at Matsqui Recreation Centre: Keep the kids busy with spring-themed activities, crafts, games, and daily swimming from 1–3 p.m. at Matsqui Recreation Centre, running March 23–27; visit the City of Abbotsford website to book.

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