• Rob Phillips

    December 17, 1957 – December 27, 2025
    1. Corinthians 13:13
    And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE.
    The Phillips family mourns the loss of Rob Phillips on December 27, 2025 in Clearwater County, AB.
    A loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and cousin. We will always love and cherish the memories we shared together.
    Rob was born December 17, 1957 in Abbotsford BC. He made friends during his life’s journey, his beautiful smi
  • Abbotsford Canucks season-long win streak ends at 3 following 1-0 loss to Gulls

    The Abbotsford Canucks season-long win streak of three games was snapped after falling 1-0 to the San Diego Gulls on Friday (Jan. 16).
    The loss marks the sixth time this season that Abbotsford has been blanked and the third time San Diego had held them without a goal. It’s also the first-ever 1-0 win in the history of the Gulls franchise.
    A scoreless first period saw Abbotsford goalie Jiri Patera again come up big with 11 saves, while the Canucks fired just six shots on San Diego goalie Ca
  • VIDEO: Aviation enthusiasts treated to Mosquito engine run in Kelowna

    The public was invited to hear the engine run of a great piece of Canadian history on Jan. 16.
    At the KF Centre for Excellence in Kelowna, a Mosquito bomber plane has been restored and her engines turned on to wow aviation enthusiasts in attendance.
    The plane is one of more than 7,000 built to fight in the Second World War, but is one of an estiamted five worldwide that is still airworthy.@kf_aerospace Centre for Excellence held a live engine run of a Mosquito plane on Jan. 16. The plane is just
  • Court says feds’ use of Emergencies Act ‘unreasonable’ as Ottawa loses appeal

    The Federal Court of Appeal says former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s government “did not have reasonable grounds to believe that a national emergency existed” when it invoked the Emergencies Act during the 2022 Freedom Convoy.
    The decision upholds a 2024 ruling by the federal courts in which Justice Richard Mosley found that the reasons provided to declare a public order emergency did not satisfy the requirements of the Emergencies Act, and that some temporary measures infri
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  • Experts point to climate change as root cause of Victoria’s January blossoms

    Its early blooming season has long been something Victoria has long liked to flaunt before its neighbours in less mild climates across the province and the country.
    But avid walkers in and around B.C.’s capital region have noticed spring blossoms showing up this year in volumes that are considered untimely even below the 49th parallel.
    And the pictures of early flowers that have been circulating on social media since late December might not be something people should necessarily be boastin
  • B.C.’s sport fishing industry balks at salmon re-allocation that could put it last

    B.C.’s recreational and sportfishing community is up in arms over a potential change to how the province allocates Pacific salmon stock, which proposes eliminating the principle that salmon are a public resource.
    British Columbia’s salmon allocation policy (SAP) was created in 1999 to guide the allocation and priority of allowable Pacific salmon harvest among First Nations, as well as commercial and recreational harvest groups.
    However, in 2018, the B.C. Supreme Court determined that
  • Political commentator Caroline Elliott enters B.C. Conservative leadership contest

    Caroline Elliott, a conservative commentator and former vice-president of the B.C. United Party, officially declared her candidacy for B.C. Conservative leadership in a social media video on Friday (Jan. 16).
    She criticized the current government’s “radical reconciliation” agenda and attacked “race-based hiring policies.”
    “For years, I’ve stood up for our natural resources, called out the denigration of our history, and pushed back against ideology in ou
  • 300,000 records being auctioned off from iconic B.C. store in vinyl free-for-all

    Record collectors came to Langley for a chance to buy some of the approximately 300,000 records from the closed Krazy Bob’s Emporium record store.
    Bob consigned the stock from his Langley City store for sale with Able Auctions which held an auction at its Murrayville location on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
    “We had people that spent all day in here looking at all the records, because there were so many,” said Able manager Sam Garandza.
    The auction wasn’t for the sale of individual r
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  • MP Brad Vis to hold townhall on Bill C-9

    Brad Vis, MP for Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, along with MPs Sukhman Gill and Andrew Lawton, will be hosting a public townhall on Bill C‐9 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code — hate propaganda, hate crime, and access to religious or cultural places) on Thursday, Jan. 22 in Abbotsford.
    According to a statement released by Brad Vis’ office, “there has been overwhelming public interest regarding Bill C‐9 and its implications for religious freedom and freedom
  • Surrey Union of Drug Users slams B.C. government’s decision to end decriminalization

    The Surrey Union of Drug Users (SUDU) is “disappointed but not surprised” by Wednesday’s announcement from the B.C. Ministry of Health to end the decriminalization pilot.
    “We shame the government for choosing to further isolate drug users and increase the likelihood of drug poisoning in the community,” SUDU said in a press release Friday (Jan. 16).
    Decriminalization began in January of 2023, allowing people to possess small amounts of illicit drugs in certain places
  • ‘Policy kills’: Drug users advocacy group slams B.C. government reversal

    The Surrey Union of Drug Users (SUDU) is “disappointed but not surprised” by Wednesday’s announcement from the B.C. Ministry of Health to end the decriminalization pilot.
    “We shame the government for choosing to further isolate drug users and increase the likelihood of drug poisoning in the community,” SUDU said in a press release Friday (Jan. 16).
    Decriminalization began in January of 2023, allowing people to possess small amounts of illicit drugs in certain places
  • Charges laid in Abbotsford hotel homicide

    Charges have been laid and a man is in custody in relation to a homicide that took place Thursday night (Jan. 15) in Abbotsford.
    Court records indicate that Sondeep Singh Gill, 26, has been charged with murder and interference with a dead body.
    The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is now leading the investigation and has not yet released details, including the victim’s name.
    Gill does not have any prior criminal charges in B.C., according to the provincial court database.
    The Abbotsf
  • Abbotsford keeps title of B.C.’s cheapest city to rent in

    Abbotsford finished 2025 in the same way it started – being the cheapest city to rent an apartment in all of B.C.
    The latest report from Rentals.ca determined that the average asking price in Abbotsford was $1,847 in December, remaining almost identical to the number reported in November.
    This was enough to keep the title of the most affordable city in the province, which is an accolade Abbotsford successfully held for the entirety of 2025.
    However, unlike the increasingly dropping housing
  • Maple Ridge teen dies in fall from chairlift

    A teen from Maple Ridge died after falling from a chairlift while skiing.
    West Vancouver Police report they “saddened to confirm that a fatality occurred on Cypress Mountain Resort yesterday evening.”
    Emergency Services were called at approximately 7:27 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, after reports of someone in medical distress after a fall from a chairlift. The 18-year-old man from Maple Ridge was pronounced dead at the scene.
    “All available evidence points to this being a tragic
  • Maple Ridge teen dead after fall from chairlift on B.C. ski hill

    A teen from Maple Ridge died after falling from a chairlift while skiing.
    West Vancouver Police report they “saddened to confirm that a fatality occurred on Cypress Mountain Resort yesterday evening.”
    Emergency Services were called at approximately 7:27 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, after reports of someone in medical distress after a fall from a chairlift. The 18-year-old man from Maple Ridge was pronounced dead at the scene.
    “All available evidence points to this being a tragic
  • ‘Overwhelming, Heartbreaking’: Okanagan Humane Society overburdened by dog surrenders

    The Okanagan Humane Society (OHS) is facing an ‘unprecedented crisis’ two weeks into the new year, stretching its resources very thin.
    Just 15 days into the new year, OHS has taken in 42 dogs and puppies so far on top of their steady intake of kittens and cats.
    “We’ve started the year off with a bang,” said OHS executive director Romany Runnalls. “The need is immediate, overwhelming, and heartbreaking.”
    OHS has seen some of the most distressing cases in
  • Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar makes bid for B.C. Conservative leadership

    Peter Milobar, the former Kamloops mayor and current MLA for Kamloops Centre, is entering the race to be the next leader of the B.C. Conservative Party.
    Milobar wants to bring “full accountability” to government in B.C., he told media during his announcement in Victoria on Friday (Jan. 16).
    He said he wants to lead a Conservative party that is working to be an “effective opposition,” as well as to have the party taken seriously and “clearly demonstrate we are a gove
  • Mayor pleads for federal extension of EI program for displaced Crofton mill workers

    North Cowichan’s mayor wants the federal government to extend its temporary Employment Insurance program to include workers at the Crofton pulp mill who will be working until mid-April.
    In letters to Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu and Jeff Kibble, MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, Rob Douglas said the temporary EI measures that Ottawa introduced last summer in response to major economic conditions across the country, including mill closures, are set to expire on April 11.
    That&r
  • Vancouver’s Sarah Nurse returns from injury ahead of game against former team

    Star forward Sarah Nurse of the Vancouver Goldeneyes is back after suffering an upper-body injury during the first game of the season.Nurse had been on long-term injured reserve since suffering an upper-body injury during the first game of the season on Nov. 21. The announcement was made Thursday (Jan. 16) ahead of Saturday’s game, where Vancouver will take on Nurse’s former team, the Toronto Sceptres.
    Vancouver is scheduled to play Toronto at 12 p.m. PT/ 3 p.m. ET at the Scotiabank
  • Now 4 Bruno Mars concerts at BC Place Stadium, setting venue record

    Taylor Swift-level ticket demand means Bruno Mars will now be playing four concerts at B.C.’s largest stadium this fall, setting a record for most shows at BC Place on a single tour.
    His lengthy tour of North America and Europe was set to end Oct. 15 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Live Nation Entertainment announced Jan. 8.
    But strong ticket demand during an “artist presale” Wednesday led to the announcement of a second concert for Mars at the 54,000-seat stadium, quickly fo
  • Now 4 Bruno Mars at BC Place Stadium, setting venue record

    Taylor Swift-level ticket demand means Bruno Mars will now be playing four concerts at B.C.’s largest stadium this fall, setting a record for most shows at BC Place on a single tour.
    His lengthy tour of North America and Europe was set to end Oct. 15 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Live Nation Entertainment announced Jan. 8.
    But strong ticket demand during an “artist presale” Wednesday led to the announcement of a second concert for Mars at the 54,000-seat stadium, quickly fo
  • Police investigate homicide at Abbotsford hotel

    A man was arrested after a homicide at a hotel in Abbotsford on Thursday (Jan. 15).
    Abbotsford Police Department officers responded to a “suspicious circumstance” at a hotel in the 32100 block of Marshall Road at approximately 11:42 a.m.
    “Upon arrival, officers secured the scene and confirmed the incident was contained to a room within the hotel. Further evidence was quickly obtained, confirming the incident as a homicide,” the department said in a news release.
    The man a
  • VIDEO: Street crime, disorder prompts watchful eye over downtown Kelowna

    Downtown Kelowna streets are growing quieter as businesses face a surge in crime that owners say is driving customers away and putting staff at risk.
    Diners, shoe stores, book shops and even chocolate makers are just some of the downtown businesses that have been affected by crime and disorder, as people are becoming “more and more brazen,” according to one area representative.
    Todd Daniels, owner of Gallery Streetwear on Bernard Avenue, had his storefront broken into Jan. 2, and som
  • Canucks dumped 4-1 by Blue Jackets as losing skid reaches 9 games

    The skid continues for the Vancouver Canucks.
    The Canucks dropped their ninth straight game, falling 4-1 to the host Columbus Blue Jackets in NHL action Thursday at Nationwide Arena.
    Charlie Coyle, Kirill Marchenko, Zach Werenski and Kent Johnson scored for the Blue Jackets (21-19-7). Elvis Merzlikins earned the win in goal, stopping 30 shots.
    Brock Boeser scored the lone goal for Vancouver (16-25-5), his first marker since Nov. 28. Kevin Lankinen took the loss in net, making 32 saves.
    Coyle got
  • $10K fine upheld against Edgewood ostrich farm

    After losing all of their animals, Universal Ostrich Farm must also pay a $10,000 fine.
    The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued the fine and violation to the Edgewood farm after it failed to report an outbreak in the approximately 400 bird herd in December of 2024.
    The entire flock was ultimately killed due to the outbreak, but the farm contested the violation notice and attached fine with the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal.
    Tribunal chairperson Emily Crocco upheld the decision in
  • Okanagan’s En’owkin Centre receives federal funds for national arts program

    For over 20 years, the En’owkin Centre in Penticton has supported the education and development of Indigenous artists across Canada, and with recently announced funding, it will continue to do so for the next three.
    Kelowna MP Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, presented the Jan. 15 announcement at the En’owkin Centre on Sn’pnktn (Penticton) Indian Band on the behalf of Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller.
    The $960,000 in funding from th
  • Bishnoi gang news surprises B.C. premier on 1st day of India trip

    Premier David Eby said he was “incredibly concerned” to see news reports about an internal RCMP memo containing talk of an alleged link between the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the Indian government right after he landed in the country on a trade mission.
    “It was challenging,” he said on a Thursday Zoom call with reporters. “We almost cancelled meetings here until we were able to see the full document.”
    Eby downplayed the significance of the information after see
  • Lonn Lawrence Kirschbaum

    April 22,1969 – January 2, 2026
    I am heartbroken to announce the sudden passing of my son Lonn at ARH following a brief illness.
    Predeceased by his dad on October 30, 2025, he is lovingly survived by his mother, Dorothy, son Tyler, daughter Ashley, five grandsons, and Lyrics, his cat. Cherished by his family and many friends, he was the joy of our lives.
    Lonn was a beloved Bowen Islander, part of the zest of old Bowen. ”….he had a good heart and will never be forgotten”.
  • B.C. paramedics union pursuing mandate to serve strike notice

    B.C.’s paramedics union is taking steps towards job action after last month’s breakdown in negotiations with the province.
    On Thursday, Jan. 15, the Ambulance Paramedics of BC (APBC)/CUPE 873 warned via social media that a looming provincewide strike vote could “seriously cripple our already fragile healthcare system.”
    “We need to return to the bargaining table – now,” said APBC, noting a disruption to paramedic services “risks serious impacts to 9

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