Abbotsford news

• UPDATE: Body found inside burned house in Maple Ridge

  22-09-2026 19:50 via abbynews.com
  
  A body has been found inside a house that burned on Tuesday morning, Sept. 22, in Maple Ridge.
  Firefighters spent the morning looking for the resident, and at 1 p.m. police issued a statement that a deceased individual had been found in the house. Their identity had not been confirmed.
  Maple Ridge fire chief Dave Samson explained the unsafe condition of the gutted residence, and large amount of debris, combined to hamper firefighters searching the home. The house in the 21000-block of 123 Avenue
  
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• Phased project, surveying to determine overall health of Okanagan Lake, shorelines

  23-09-2026 22:22 via abbynews.com
  
  Lakes are like people, they need check-ups too.
  Starting this month and taking place in phases over three years, Living Lakes Canada, the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) and Westbank First Nation (WFN) will be working with many industry partners to survey all 290 kilometres of Okanagan Lake’s shoreline.
  The survey, which Living Lakes Canada coins as a “physical exam” will involve checking land use, shoreline condition, vegetation, streams, and human-made structures.
  “Human ac
  
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• City of Abbotsford, Abbotsford School District sign master joint use agreement

  23-09-2026 22:02 via abbynews.com
  
  The Abbotsford School District and the city of Abbotsford have approved a new master joint use agreement, which includes several key changes including the inclusion of specific school gymnasiums and designated times for city and community use.
  The school board and city council announced the agreement at their respective meetings on Tuesday (Sept. 22). The new agreement starts on Jan. 1, 2027 and runs for the next five years.
  Community access to school gymnasiums has existed under previous agreem
  
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• City of Abbotsford, Abbotford School District sign master joint use agreement

  23-09-2026 22:02 via abbynews.com
  
  The Abbotsford School District and the city of Abbotsford have approved a new master joint use agreement, which includes several key changes including the inclusion of specific school gymnasiums and designated times for city and community use.
  The school board and city council announced the agreement at their respective meetings on Tuesday (Sept. 22). The new agreement starts on Jan. 1, 2027 and runs for the next five years.
  Community access to school gymnasiums has existed under previous agreem
  
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• Food and Farm Awards presented in Abbotsford

  23-09-2026 21:29 via abbynews.com
  
  The recipients of the 2026 Food and Farm Awards were recently announced in Abbotsford.
  The awards, hosted by Envision Financial and the Tourism Abbotsford Society, were presented during the Taste of Abby Night Market on Sept. 18 at Jubilee Park.
  The market brought together residents and visitors to enjoy local food, drink and entertainment with the opportunity to sample many different offerings all in one place.
  The annual awards celebrate the outstanding businesses, experiences and individuals
  
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• Former B.C. finance minister Brenda Bailey not seeking re-election

  23-09-2026 21:07 via abbynews.com
  
  Former finance minister Brenda Bailey will not be running in the provincial election.
  Bailey, who was first elected in 2020, made the announcement in a social media post Wednesday (Sept. 23).
  More to come.
  
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• Bailey out: Another member of Eby’s cabinet not running in B.C. snap election

  23-09-2026 21:07 via abbynews.com
  
  Former finance minister Brenda Bailey will not be running in the provincial election.
  Bailey, who was first elected in 2020, made the announcement in a social media post Wednesday (Sept. 23).
  “I am proud of the work I have done in every portfolio I have been given, but I am especially proud of the work we did to create and protect good jobs and to build B.C.’s technology, innovation and life sciences sectors. We invested in talent. We worked to help B.C. companies grow here and creat
  
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• New upgraded MRI now open at Abbotsford Regional Hospital

  23-09-2026 20:58 via abbynews.com
  
  Upgraded MRI services at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre are now open.
  The Crystal Gala Foundation MRI suite is a $4.95 million upgrade that was made possible through a partnership of the province, the Fraser Valley Regional Hospital District, the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation (FVHCF) and the Crystal Gala Foundation, which contributed $1 million.
  The newly upgraded MRI, a Signa Artist 1.5 EVO MR30, uses AI technology, improved imaging equipment, and advanced software to cre
  
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• 328 kilograms of cocaine, worth $5.8M, seized from Vancouver shipping container

  23-09-2026 20:35 via abbynews.com
  
  Vancouver police say it made its largest cocaine seizure ever after staff at a company found drugs.
  Police were called to a Vancouver-based company on July 21 after staff found 14 duffle bags of drugs hidden among boxes of T-shirts, according to a news release Wednesday (Sept. 23). Police added the shirts were a legitimate order to the company.
  “Obviously, the business was shocked by what it found. They called police right away and are in no way associated with the seized cocaine,” S
  
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• B.C. Greens Leader Lowan to run in Saanich North and the Islands

  23-09-2026 20:03 via abbynews.com
  
  B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan will be running in the Saanich North and the Islands riding, while incumbent Rob Botterell is out.Botterell says this was his decision, and that he always planned to serve only one term. It does give Lowan a chance to run in one of the safest ridings for a Green candidate.
  Botterell has held the seat since the 2024 provincial election. Before that is was held by Adam Olsen, who was first elected in the riding in 2017.
  West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Jeremy Valer
  
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• Courtenay-Comox MLA Brennan Day has rejoined Conservative Party as snap election looms

  23-09-2026 19:59 via abbynews.com
  
  Brennan Day, the incumbent MLA for Courtenay-Comox, has announced he is rejoining the Conservative Party of British Columbia as he launches his re-election campaign.
  “The last week has involved some hard conversations. I left because I believed the party had lost its way. My values have not changed. But the leadership and direction over the last few weeks have. Moderation has won out over division, and it is time to focus on the much bigger challenges facing British Columbia,” Day po
  
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• Incumbent MLA Á’a:líya Warbus returns to Conservatives

  23-09-2026 19:51 via abbynews.com
  
  Á’a:líya Warbus, incumbent MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake, has returned to the Conservative Party of BC.
  Warbus made the announcement in a statement made to social media on Tuesday (Sept. 22), hours after Premier David Eby called a snap election for Oct. 24.
  “I left the BC Conservative caucus because I believed I had to. I could not stay silent when the direction of the party no longer reflected the kind of principled, responsible and centre-right conservatism we all ne
  
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• Chilliwack-Cultus Lake incumbent Á’a:líya Warbus returns to B.C. Conservatives

  23-09-2026 19:51 via abbynews.com
  
  Á’a:líya Warbus, incumbent MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake, has returned to the Conservative Party of BC.
  Warbus made the announcement in a statement made to social media on Tuesday (Sept. 22), hours after Premier David Eby called a snap election for Oct. 24.
  “I left the BC Conservative caucus because I believed I had to. I could not stay silent when the direction of the party no longer reflected the kind of principled, responsible and centre-right conservatism we all ne
  
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• Elections BC needs to hire 17K workers to run snap election

  23-09-2026 19:21 via abbynews.com
  
  Elections BC is gearing up for a snap provincial election and needs to hire 17,000 workers to run it.
  “The previous election, we had 17,000 people,” B.C. Chief Electoral Officer Shipra Verma said Wednesday. “We still need to hire the same amount of people to deliver the same level of service.”
  Verma would not say how many people Elections BC has hired so far.Elections BC may also have some challenges securing enough polling places. Advance voting will run for the provinci
  
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• BC RCMP should review vulnerable prisoner care after in-custody death: Inquest

  23-09-2026 19:19 via abbynews.com
  
  The jury in the BC Coroners Service inquest into the death of a woman in White Rock RCMP cells more than a decade ago has made eight recommendations — with several focusing on reviewing current practices and training — for the RCMP, city of White Rock, and BC Emergency Health Services.The inquest, which started on Sept. 15, was a non-fault-finding public inquiry that looked into how Patricia Ann Wilson, 58, died while in custody at the White Rock RCMP detachment on March 29, 2016.
  Af
  
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• Memorial services announced for Abbotsford worship singer

  23-09-2026 19:18 via abbynews.com
  
  A longtime voice in the B.C. worship music scene is being celebrated with two Abbotsford memorial services.
  For decades, Abbotsford’s Brian Doerksen had been writing and performing music all around the world, building a fanbase of more than 275,000 monthly listeners.
  Fans, friends, and family will now have a chance to honour his legacy at one of the recently announced memorial services on October 17.
  One of the people who best understood the extent to which Doerksen touched the lives of ot
  
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• Pickleball tournament raises money towards Burnaby hospital foundation

  23-09-2026 18:29 via abbynews.com
  
  A Burnaby pickleball facility held a tournament on Sept. 19 with the proceeds going towards the Burnaby Hospital & Community Foundation.The Inclusive Place of Pickleball (IPOP) saw people of all ages come out and play, including the Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley.IPOP opened in 2024 and has 10 indoor courts for players of all skill levels. The company also recently opened a new facility earlier this year in Surrey.“Pickleball is the hot sport right now and it was great to present the first
  
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• Abbotsford Film Society opens new season with original Godzilla

  23-09-2026 18:00 via abbynews.com
  
  The Abbotsford Film Society (AFS) kicks offs its fifth season on Friday, Sept. 25 with a screening of the original Godzilla.
  The film will be shown at 8 p.m. at the Abbotsford Arts Centre, 2329 Crescent Way.
  AFS president Aaron Dawson said he’s excited about this season’s lineup because it’s the most diverse season yet.
  “We’re screening films from six different countries, spanning 100 years of filmmaking, and covering a wide range of genres,” he said.
  The seas
  
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• Violet May Collins

  23-09-2026 17:30 via abbynews.com
  
  In Loving Memory ~
  January 9, 1930 – September 15, 2026
  After nearly 40 moves, on Sept. 15th at the age of 96, our dear mom, Violet May Collins, made one more move to her Heavenly Home to be with the Lord she loved and cherished friends and family gone before.
  Born in Castor AB, 8th of 14 children to Milton and Pearl Strome, mom lived a life full of grace, strength, & joy and was known for her ready smile, playful spirit, and servant heart which touched many.
  Predeceased by our dad, Gr
  
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• ‘Gone far too soon’: Motorcyclist who died in Kelowna crash identified

  23-09-2026 16:38 via abbynews.com
  
  The individual who died in a fiery motorcycle crash in Kelowna has been identified.
  Stefan Vracarevic, a member of the Kelowna Crows rugby team, died after the motorbike he was riding crashed at the intersection of Harvey Avenue and Ethel Street on Thursday, Sept. 17 around 10 a.m.
  The Crows posted on social media, honouring Vracarevic.“Stefan was more than just a Crows player, he was a son, a brother, a cousin, a family member, a best friend, and a warm presence within every community he
  
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• Chilliwack RCMP search for missing 67-year-old woman

  23-09-2026 16:27 via abbynews.com
  
  Chilliwack RCMP are asking for the public’s help finding a missing 67-year-old woman.Stephanie Gould was last seen on (Tuesday) Sept. 22 and was reported missing the same day, according to a news release from the detachment.She is described as a 5’6, 150-lb Caucasian woman with brown-grey hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a pink and blue shirt, Lululemon hoodie, and black shoes.“Police are very concerned for Stephanie Gould’s health and well-being and friends
  
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• Chilliwack housing roundtable discusses Indigenous development hurdles

  23-09-2026 14:30 via abbynews.com
  
  A recent housing roundtable in Chilliwack addressed developments on First Nations land, how housing units are counted, and misconceptions about how some farm land is released to First Nations communities.
  The event was hosted by Á’a:líya Warbus, incumbent MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake at The Grand Hall on Friday, Sept. 11.
  “In order to push forward on the things that are needed for both Chilliwack and the region, I think we can be leaders in having the conversations, o
  
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• B.C.’s fire season moderated by recent weeks of cool weather

  23-09-2026 03:00 via abbynews.com
  
  After an intense summer wildfire season, rain and cooler weather in late August and early September moderated fire behaviour across British Columbia, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
  Neal McLoughlin, superintendent of predictive services with BCWS, said fire activity in the B.C. Interior peaked in July and August.
  However, while precipitation has helped, fire activity continues and underlying drought concerns remain present.
  Dryer-than-normal conditions are expected during the fall, with th
  
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• Lightfoot’s music returns to Kelowna 12 years after singer’s last visit

  23-09-2026 02:38 via abbynews.com
  
  A local Kelowna band is honouring Canadian music legend Gordon Lightfoot with a tribute show on Oct. 4.John Paul Byrne, singer for the group, said the moment will be a special one as he saw Lightfoot’s last show in the city 12 years ago, on Oct. 29, 2014.“I was lucky to meet him that night and in the short chat we had, I suggested to him, that his huge 1970 hit, ‘If You Could Read My Mind’, might well be the best song ever written,” said Byrne. “He looked righ
  
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• Kelowna sees heroes fly in the Landmark District for Easter Seals

  23-09-2026 02:08 via abbynews.com
  
  There were 38 brave souls who rappelled down 23 storeys in Kelowna to support people with disabilities.
  On Sept. 22, the Easter Seals Drop Zone was held in the Landmark District. People came out dressed in their superhero best to soar above the clouds, rappell down the tower, and raise funds for the organization.
  Could you rappel down 23 storeys? 38 brave souls in #Kelowna did today in support of @EasterSealsBCY Check it out! @KelownaCapNews pic.twitter.com/F7rEBCZ3rf
  — Brittany Webster (@
  
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• B.C. Conservative Leader Doerkson responds to election call

  23-09-2026 01:38 via abbynews.com
  
  B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson called the NDP’s decision to go to a snap election “cynical,” slamming NDP Leader David Eby for comparing wildfires to the trade dispute with the United States.
  Eby triggered a snap election earlier Tuesday, saying his party needs to gain a renewed mandate to deal with the economic impact of tariffs.
  Doerkson sought to put to rest any confusion about his “interim” leader tag. The party board appointed him to take over from Ker
  
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• Canucks, Kalamazoo Wings continuing partnership for 2026-27 season

  23-09-2026 01:32 via abbynews.com
  
  The affiliate arrangement between the Kalamazoo Wings and the Canucks organization will continue for this season.
  A Wings spokesperson confirmed to The News earlier this month that the partnership has been extended for the 2026-27 campaign.
  The two organizations began this current collaboration back in 2023 and it was originally a one-year deal. The following year saw the affiliation renewed for two seasons. That arrangement expired this summer, but the two sides agreed to continue at some point
  
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• Health Minister Ravi Kahlon says he does not plan to run in upcoming election

  23-09-2026 01:13 via abbynews.com
  
  Health Minister Ravi Kahlon is not running for re-election.
  “After three election cycles, I believe this is the right time for the next champion of North Delta to step forward and carry this work on,” Kahlon said in a social media post.
  B.C. NDP Leader David Eby called a snap election earlier Tuesday.
  Kahlon has served in several high-profile ministerial roles under Eby, holding the housing and jobs files before health, since taking office in 2017.
  He thanked the people of Delta for
  
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• Health Minister Ravi Kahlon say he does not plan to run in upcoming election

  23-09-2026 01:13 via abbynews.com
  
  Health Minister Ravi Kahlon is not running for re-election.
  “After three election cycles, I believe this is the right time for the next champion of North Delta to step forward and carry this work on,” Kahlon said in a social media post.
  B.C. NDP Leader David Eby called a snap election earlier Tuesday.
  More to come.
  
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• Surrey’s Elenore Sturko named leader of CentreBC as MLAs leave

  23-09-2026 01:08 via abbynews.com
  
  Elenore Sturko has been named leader of CentreBC, the party announced Tuesday afternoon.
  “I am proud to be a part of CentreBC and to continue to offer a choice for British Columbians,” Sturko, the incumbent MLA in Surrey-Cloverdale, said in a statement released by the party. “Like many people I have found a political home with CentreBC, and I am ready to fight for the people of this Province.”
  CentreBC’s president, Mike Wignall, embraced Sturko as the right choice.
  
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