Abbotsford news

• A challenging rescue for firefighters

  24-12-2025 03:00 via abbynews.com
  Some Township of Langley firefighters were able to apply recently acquired high angle rescue skills when a vehicle went off the road in Glen Valley on the weekend, landing at the bottom of a steep embankment.
  Deputy Fire Chief Russ Jenkins said crews arrived around 1 p.m on Sunday, Dec. 21 in the 6900-block of 272 St.
  “When we arrived, the RCMP were on scene.,” Jenkins told the Langley Advance Times.
  “It was a single vehicle that had gone down the embankment, and it was roughly
  
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• Dogs anchor us in the reason for the season

  25-12-2025 14:30 via abbynews.com
  The holidays arrive with a long list of expectations such as perfect meals, full calendars and meaningful moments that are somehow supposed to happen on schedule.
  In the middle of all that, a dog does something quietly powerful; they bring us back to what matters. With a dog in the home at Christmas, the season stops being about getting everything right and starts becoming about being present.
  Dogs don’t participate in the holiday rush; they interrupt it. While we hurry from one task to th
  
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• QUIZ: How much do you really know about Christmas?

  25-12-2025 13:50 via abbynews.com
  For many, Christmas on Dec. 25 is a day of celebrating with family and friends, exchanging gifts, carolling and enjoying a special meal.
  The day has a religious significance for many. It is also a special time for family.
  There are plenty of customs and traditions surrounding this time of year.
  How much do you know about Christmas and other related celebrations?
  Pour a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of eggnog and put your knowledge to the test with these 20 questions.
  Good luck.READ MORE: QUIZ:
  
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• Surrey resident just won $89,762.50 in B.C.’s Bright Nights 50/50 raffle

  25-12-2025 00:45 via abbynews.com
  D. Bouillet of Surrey is $89,762.50 richer as winner of this year’s Bright Nights 50/50 raffle.
  The winner takes half of the $179,525 jackpot in the annual raffle, according to a post on brightnightsraffle.com, where tickets were sold to B.C. residents only.
  Entry deadline was Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 11:59 p.m. (end of day), and the draw was held Wednesday at noon (Dec. 24).
  The raffle supports the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, the charity of more than 4,800 professional fire
  
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• ‘Sitting ducks’: Sikh leaders take aim at Canada’s failures on extortion crisis

  25-12-2025 00:35 via abbynews.com
  Three Sikh organizations took the federal government to task for their failure to address B.C.’s ongoing extortion crisis, during a public town hall held in Surrey earlier this month.
  The World Sikh Organization of Canada, Sikh Federation, and British Columbia Gurdwaras Council brought together government officials and high-ranking members of local law enforcement agencies to discuss targeted Indian transnational repression and coordinated extortion towards Sikh communities in Canada. The
  
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• Fire destroys multiple vehicles at Okanagan dealership

  24-12-2025 23:10 via abbynews.com
  An investigation is underway into a Christmas Eve early morning fire at a Vernon auto dealership.
  Social media posts shows heavy smoke and numerous damaged vehicles at Vernon Kia on the Swan Lake Auto Mile.Danni and Chris Van der Molen posted that they were jolted out of bed at around 2 a.m. by sounds of explosions.
  “We jumped out of bed, and ran upstairs to see a multiple vehicle fire at Vernon Kia across the road,” said Danni.
  The fire resulted in no injuries, the dealership confir
  
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• SAY WHAT?!: Settling that essential Christmas debate: reindeer or elves?

  24-12-2025 23:00 via abbynews.com
  Welcome to Say What?, our recurring columnist duel wherein important issues are debated and petty scores get settled.
  In today’s edition, reporters Tom Zytaruk and Tricia Leslie face off over the important question: Reindeer or elves?
  *
  TOM ZYTARUK: REINDEER RULE
  Reindeers are real, elves aren’t. There, I won.
  But just for argument’s sake, let’s suspend our disbelief, against better judgment, and contemplate a scenario where scrawny elves and robust flying red-nosed reind
  
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• White Rock RCMP investigating fatal Dec. 23 hit-and-run

  24-12-2025 22:55 via abbynews.com
  White Rock RCMP is investigating a fatal hit-and-run collision Tuesday afternoon.
  On Tuesday (Dec. 23) at 12:41 p.m., White Rock RCMP responded to the report of an injured person on the road in the 15600-block of Cliff Avenue.
  Upon police arrival a bystander was administering CPR, but despite lifesaving efforts, the person was declared dead, an RCMP release noted.
  Based on initial observations, it was believed the deceased individual had been struck by a vehicle, and the Integrated Collision Ana
  
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• Kelowna UNESCO gastronomy title questioned amid migrant worker concerns

  24-12-2025 21:30 via abbynews.com
  Earlier this year, Kelowna received international recognition as it was declared a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.
  The designation was historic regionally as well as nationally, as Kelowna is Canada’s first city to receive the honour, and only the third city in North America to do so.
  Director of Secretariat of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, David Schimpky, previously said the designation, “honours Kelowna’s commitment to harnessing the creative field of gastronomy as a powerfu
  
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• Operation Popcorn: Chilliwack liver recipient thanks health care workers in annual tradition

  24-12-2025 20:12 via abbynews.com
  A pediatric liver recipient spent a dreary December morning spreading some joy — and popcorn — to Chilliwack Hospital health care teams.
  Ian Sewell and his mom Amanda were met in the lobby of the hospital on Dec. 3 by BC Transplant staff. It’s become an annual tradition for the Sewell family, as they visit various wards and chat briefly while dropping off a large box of goodies.
  It’s dubbed Operation Popcorn, and happens across hospitals throughout B.C. in December.
  Ian i
  
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• Federal MP Aaron Gunn will not seek B.C. Conservative Party leadership

  24-12-2025 19:00 via abbynews.com
  North Island–Powell River MP Aaron Gunn has ruled himself out of seeking the leadership of the B.C. Conservative Party.
  “While the risk is small that my departure could upend the balance of power in Ottawa and give the Liberals that majority government, any risk is too great a risk for me,” Gunn said in a press release on Dec. 24. “I must put my constituents first.”
  Gunn first hinted at the possibility of running in early December, posting on X, formerly known as Tw
  
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• Calder Cup spending New Year’s Eve at Abbotsford’s Castle Fun Park

  24-12-2025 18:58 via abbynews.com
  The Calder Cup is spending New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31) inside one of Abbotsford’s iconic destinations – Castle Fun Park.
  The family-friendly amusement park announced that they have teamed up with the Abbotsford Canucks to bring in 2026 and celebrate both the new year and CFP’s reopening following the flood.
  Festivities run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at CFP, which is found at 36165 North Parallel Rd in east Abbotsford.
  View this post on InstagramA post shared by Castle Fun Park (@
  
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• Failed MLA drops court challenge of B.C. election results 14 months later

  24-12-2025 18:04 via abbynews.com
  The 2024 election of MLA Garry Begg in Surrey-Guildford is no longer challenged in court, more than 14 months after the very close provincial vote.
  Begg’s 22-vote win in the North Surrey riding — a key victory for the NDP in October 2024 — was subject of legal challenge by Conservative candidate Honveer Singh Randhawa, who alleged potential violations of the Election Act.
  Randhawa’s case in B.C. Supreme Court, which focused on how mail-in ballots from the Argyll Lodge car
  
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• ‘Enjoy life because it’s short’: B.C. man back on his feet after double lung transplant

  24-12-2025 17:30 via abbynews.com
  Duncan resident Ted Harris got a wake-up call about how precious life is when he underwent a double lung transplant in September of 2024.
  He was called to Vancouver the month before to take part in the final testing, which took 14 days. After that he waited only two weeks for a match.
  “This was very miraculous for me otherwise I would not be here today,” said Harris. “I’m very grateful to my donor, and my donor’s family. A transplant is something that saves lives, b
  
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• What to watch: It’s the time of year for B.C.’s holiday movie favourites

  24-12-2025 16:45 via abbynews.com
  Whether you love to watch the same Christmas shows each year or discover new favourites, there’s plenty of options for seasonal viewing at this time of year.
  From Hallmark movies to classics from many decades ago, the range of choice and variety is nearly endless.
  We’ve rounded up a list of recommended viewing from Black Press Media reporters, so grab a blanket, some popcorn (and perhaps some hot cocoa), and tuck into a holiday movie.
  STAFF FAVES
  The Home Alone Franchise (1990-2021)
  
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• Snowfall warning in place for Coquihalla Highway as 10-15 cm expected

  24-12-2025 16:34 via abbynews.com
  Snow is going to continue to fall on the Coquihalla Highway throughout the day on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24.
  Environment Canada has issued a yellow-coded snowfall warning for the stretches of highway from Hope to Merritt and from Merritt to Kamloops as 10-15 cm is expected.
  “A frontal system approaching from Washington will bring snow to Southwestern B.C.,” said Environment Canada. “The snow began this morning and will intensify later in the day.”
  Visibility will
  
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• B.C.’s Pattullo Bridge replacement project makes its ‘by Christmas’ opening, kind of

  24-12-2025 16:26 via abbynews.com
  Just one of four lanes will open on the new Stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge on Wednesday (Dec. 24), keeping a B.C. government promise to have vehicles use the Pattullo Bridge replacement by Christmas but falling short of what some might consider an “open” bridge.
  More work and time is needed to fully open the Surrey-New Westminster connector, a $1.6-billion project hit with construction delays and questions about the size of the new bridge (some want six lanes, not four) and
  
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• B.C. cities top list of Canada’s most pampered pets, survey finds

  24-12-2025 16:15 via abbynews.com
  At a damp September fundraiser for CARES (Canadian Animal Rescue and Extended Shelter) in Langley’s Derby Reach Regional Park, Cordelia, a one-year-old calico cat, was perfectly dry in a modified stroller with a transparent polycarbonate cover created by her human.
  Her owner, Christopher McDonald, said it was better than using a leash.
  “Walking a cat’s not like walking a dog,” McDonald commented.
  “This way, she doesn’t have to.”
  Cordelia’s stroller
  
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• Advocates worry about increased B.C. risk of domestic violence over the holidays

  24-12-2025 16:05 via abbynews.com
  As families prepare to gather for the holidays, advocates are raising concerns about a troubling seasonal pattern on Vancouver Island.
  Advocates say there is an increase in family violence, particularly violence against women, driven by heightened stress and pressure during this time of the year.
  Although this season is commonly portrayed as joyful, for some women, it can be one of the most difficult and dangerous times of the year.
  To find more about incidents domestic violence, reducing the ri
  
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• Speeding driver barks up wrong tree with excuse during B.C. enforcement night

  24-12-2025 15:00 via abbynews.com
  Almost 200 impaired drivers were caught in this year’s Light Up the Province impaired driving enforcement night, and officers heard some crazy excuses, including one from a driver who was barking up the wrong tree.
  While 200 impaired drivers in one night is still too many people choosing to drive while impaired, it’s slightly less than last year (222), even though more vehicles were checked in 2025 (52,091) than in 2024 (43,713).
  “Most drivers are supportive of police efforts t
  
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• B.C. urged to skip the milk and cookies this year, and help feed those in need

  24-12-2025 14:30 via abbynews.com
  A national food rescue agency is asking Canadians to skip the milk and cookies for Santa this year, and help feed people experiencing hunger instead.
  And, in a letter to the nation, released by the organization Second Harvest, it appears Santa approves too.
  “You know the milk and cookies you leave out for me? They’re delicious, but I’ve had far more than my fair share,” Santa wrote.
  “And truthfully, there are people struggling to put food on the table. There are mor
  
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• Halford avoiding looks in the ‘rear-view mirror’ as he guides B.C. Conservatives

  24-12-2025 13:45 via abbynews.com
  Trevor Halford wants to put 2025 behind him.
  “My job is not to look in the rear-view mirror about what’s happened and try to cast judgment on any of that,” the B.C. Conservative interim leader said in a year-end interview with Black Press Media.
  Instead, Halford wants to use the opportunity of an upcoming leadership race to grow the party, even though he does not plan on running himself.
  “My job is to show some stability within this caucus and within this party and allow
  
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• 2025 IN REVIEW: Community stories that touched readers across Canada

  24-12-2025 13:30 via abbynews.com
  The year brought a mix of stories to Black Press Media sites across Western Canada, with no shortage of community stories brought to readers by local journalists.
  People who made the news across CanadaFrom massive lottery wins to a magician trying to get his spark back and the world’s richest man on a weekend getaway in B.C., here are the people that made headlines in community news.
  Abbotsford man named one of Canada’s favourite crossing guards
  For a quarter of a century, Abbotsford
  
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• Bystanders restrain alleged Okanagan sexual assault suspect until RCMP arrive

  24-12-2025 01:00 via abbynews.com
  One man was arrested after an alleged sexual assault in Penticton was interrupted by bystanders.
  Penticton RCMP announced on Dec. 23 that the man, named as Josiah Foisy, had been charged with sexual assault and assault and remains in custody.
  Police were called to the reported in-progress sexual assault at approximately 5:48 p.m. on Dec. 22, in the 200 block of Orchard Avenue.
  Bystanders intervened and restrained Foisy until police arrived on scene and took him into custody.
  The survivor was tra
  
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• Dallas Brodie back in charge of One B.C. party, will sit as party’s lone MLA

  23-12-2025 23:30 via abbynews.com
  Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie is back in charge of the One B.C. party after a disagreement with Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong led to a party split.
  “As you may be aware, OneBC has gone through a difficult ten days where control over the party was being contested,” Brodie wrote in a Dec. 21 social media post. “After negotiations, I have regained control of the party and have reassumed my position as leader of OneBC effective immediately.”
  Brodi
  
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• Harlem Globetrotters celebrate 100 years of wowing crowds with Abbotsford show

  23-12-2025 23:10 via abbynews.com
  For an entire century, audiences around the world have been watching the entertaining antics of the Harlem Globetrotters.
  To celebrate this major milestone, the team of acrobatic athletes is once again bringing their unique brand of basketball to B.C., including a show right here in Abbotsford.
  The event taking place at Rogers Forum on Jan. 29 features not just an elevated game of basketball, but also some additional opportunities, such as meet-and-greets with the players and an interactive on-c
  
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• Judge tells failed Okanagan AirBNB venture business partners to ‘move on with lives’

  23-12-2025 22:40 via abbynews.com
  A “vicious and prolonged” private litigation battle came to an end on Dec. 18, mostly in a stalemate.
  After a failed Airbnb venture, the relationship between an ex-Kelowna realtor and a former Alberta CIBC mortgage advisor soured as the two tried to get each other arrested, fired and ultimately sued each other.
  In April 2021, plaintiff Jennifer Schwitzer had entered into an informal agreement to become partners in a business venture with defendant Jillian Little as the two came into
  
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• Elderly Kelowna couple grateful for donations after fire destroys house, cars

  23-12-2025 22:10 via abbynews.com
  A senior couple in Kelowna remains in good spirits despite being displaced after a fire ripped through their home on Orchard Drive Saturday night, Dec. 20.
  Elaine and Chuck Staton, their 19-year-old cat Sobey, and the two tenants in the home all made it out safely after a fire sparked in the carport around 4:30 p.m.
  The only items saved from the home were a laptop and a tablet of the tenants and photo albums of the Staton’s, including photos of Elaine’s late parents.Physical donation
  
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• Thief snatches necklace off 98-year-old woman in busy B.C. neighbourhood

  23-12-2025 21:55 via abbynews.com
  Oak Bay police are working with officers across the region to identify someone who snatched a gold chain from the neck of a 98-year-old resident.Officers from Oak Bay and Saanich flooded the area of the 2000-block of Goldsmith Avenue after the incident on Dec. 21, but did not locate a suspect.
  The thief is described as female, 5’8” with a heavy build and wearing all black.The necklace is valued at $3,000.“Targeting a member of our senior community is unacceptable,” Oak Ba
  
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• Thief snatches necklace off 98-year-old in busy B.C. neighbourhood

  23-12-2025 21:55 via abbynews.com
  Oak Bay police are working with officers across the region to identify someone who snatched a gold chain from the neck of a 98-year-old resident.Officers from Oak Bay and Saanich flooded the area of the 2000-block of Goldsmith Avenue after the incident on Dec. 21, but did not locate a suspect.
  The thief is described as female, 5’8” with a heavy build and wearing all black.The necklace is valued at $3,000.READ ALSO: Greater Victoria teen transforms ‘pain into purpose’ in l
  
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