Local News

Seven wildfires burn in the northern area of Harrison Lake, all caused by lightning. (Screenshot/B.C. Wildfire Service)

UPDATE: One of seven wildfires contained in Harrison Lake area

Evacuation alert for north Long Island remains in effect

Smoke visible from the Bear Creek wildfire in Washington State just south of Chilliwack Lake posted on Facebook on July 30, 2021. (North Cascades National Park Service Complex - Facebook)

Smoke from Washington State wildfire seen in Fraser Valley

Bear Creek wildfire at 100 acres just across the Canada-U.S. border south of Chilliwack Lake

Six wildfires started in the Harrison area on Saturday, July 31. Five are still burning as of about 8 p.m. (Screenshot/BCWS)

UPDATE: 70 lightning strikes in Harrison area as firefighters battle six Saturday wildfires

Lightning sparked a number of fires around the north part of the lake

David Kuntz-Angel was convicted of the most serious charges he faced involving sex with an underage girl in August 2019, but on Nov. 19, 2019 he applied for a mistrial. His retrial began on June 8, 2020, was delayed, and continued in November 2020 but on July 21, 2021 a judge determined the complainant was too ill to continue with cross examination. (Twitter/Brantford Expositor)

Alleged sex crime victim of Chilliwack’s David Lee Roth impersonator can’t continue to testify

David Kuntz-Angel’s retrial on hold as Crown applies to include victim’s testimony from first trial

David Kuntz-Angel was convicted of the most serious charges he faced involving sex with an underage girl in August 2019, but on Nov. 19, 2019 he applied for a mistrial. His retrial began on June 8, 2020, was delayed, and continued in November 2020 but on July 21, 2021 a judge determined the complainant was too ill to continue with cross examination. (Twitter/Brantford Expositor)
(File Photo)

Nearly $50,000 in contraband seized at Kent Institution

Meth, marijuana, tobacco seized in two-month operation

(File Photo)
On one of the hottest days of the summer, June 28, families gathered at Lake of the Woods along Highway 1 for some respite from the heat. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard file)

UPDATE: Hope to open cooling centre amid heat wave

Fraser Health says it’s the responsibility of municipalities to set up cooling stations if needed

On one of the hottest days of the summer, June 28, families gathered at Lake of the Woods along Highway 1 for some respite from the heat. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard file)
Video
Sahtlam Tree Farm owner Robert Russell is photographed in front of his cabin, which he built in the early 70’s, on his 40 acre property in the Cowichan Valley area of Duncan, B.C., on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The recent heat dome and drought have taken a toll on his business of growing trees for the busy Christmas season. Robert farms over 40,000 fir trees including the douglas, grand and noble fir trees. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
B.C. Christmas tree growers say intense heat singes prized trees, kills seedlings
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens as Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam is seen via videoconference during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa on Friday, June 4, 2021. Federal officials are warning that Canada could be on the brink of a fourth wave of COVID-19 driven by the highly contagious Delta variant if the country opens too fast before enough people have been vaccinated. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Federal modelling warns of 4th COVID wave driven by Delta if reopening is too fast
Visitors to the Calgary Stampede line up for tickets in Calgary on Sunday, July 18, 2021. Alberta Health says 71 people likely acquired COVID-19 while attending the Stampede. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Alberta to end isolation rules for COVID-19 cases, close contacts as cases rise
Mary Simon speaks during an announcement at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Simon, an Inuk leader and former Canadian diplomat, has been named as Canada's next governor general — the first Indigenous person to serve in the role. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
VIDEO: Mary Simon becomes Canada’s 1st Indigenous governor general
More Videos 
Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland will finally see wildfire smoke drifting into the region as of July 30, 2021. (FireSmoke Canada)

VIDEO: Wildfire smoke wafting into Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland

Smoke harmful for anyone with existing respiratory illness or other chronic conditions

Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland will finally see wildfire smoke drifting into the region as of July 30, 2021. (FireSmoke Canada)
Fraser Health registered nurse Kai Kayibadi draws a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at a walk-up vaccination clinic at Bear Creek Park, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, May 17, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Fraser Health moves to new ‘vaccine hub model’ for COVID-19 shots

Some community clinics closing as health authority sees improvements in vaccination rates

Fraser Health registered nurse Kai Kayibadi draws a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at a walk-up vaccination clinic at Bear Creek Park, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, May 17, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
(UFV submitted image)

UFV research project teaches personal trainers about air pollution risks

Kinesiology research aims to increase education among practitioners

(UFV submitted image)
Brent Hayden of Canada preparing for his 50m freestyle semifinal at the Olympic Games in London on Thursday August 2, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Mission’s Brent Hayden qualifies for semi-finals for Men’s 50 Metre Freestyle in Tokyo

Hayden finishes 8th overall in qualifying round, top 16 face off tonight

Brent Hayden of Canada preparing for his 50m freestyle semifinal at the Olympic Games in London on Thursday August 2, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Two orphaned bear cubs were rescued June 15, 2020, from Skagit Valley, after their mother was shot by a hunter two days prior. They were turned over to Critter Care Wildlife Society in Langley, where they spent the last year learning how to be wild bears before being released earlier this month. (Hope Mountain Black Bear Committee photo)

Orphaned bear cubs released into wild after a year in wilderness rehab

After their mother was shot, the cubs were raised by a wildlife rescue until big enough for release

Two orphaned bear cubs were rescued June 15, 2020, from Skagit Valley, after their mother was shot by a hunter two days prior. They were turned over to Critter Care Wildlife Society in Langley, where they spent the last year learning how to be wild bears before being released earlier this month. (Hope Mountain Black Bear Committee photo)
RCMP are looking for a man and woman suspected of shoplifting from a Sardis-area business and pulling a knife on one of its employees. (RCMP photos)

Chilliwack RCMP ask for public help tracking down robbery suspects

One of the people allegedly pulled a knife on a loss-prevention officer on their way out the door

RCMP are looking for a man and woman suspected of shoplifting from a Sardis-area business and pulling a knife on one of its employees. (RCMP photos)
....

Abbotsford artist Julia Martens releases new set of paintings

Local illustrator also working on a mural in downtown Abbotsford next month

....
Campfire. (Phil McLachlan - Black Press Media - File)

Campfire ban lifted in Prince George area as wildfire risk remains high elsewhere in B.C.

Campfires allowed throughout Prince George, Northwest Fire Centres

Campfire. (Phil McLachlan - Black Press Media - File)
A BC Wildfire Service Helicopter approaches the fire, carrying a bucket of water. (Photo/Laurie Tritschler)

UPDATE: Second wildfire in Spuzzum area quickly extinguished

First fire on July 27 was quickly extinguished

A BC Wildfire Service Helicopter approaches the fire, carrying a bucket of water. (Photo/Laurie Tritschler)
Two volunteers with Chilliwack’s City Watch program used one of these Naloxone kits to save the life of a teenager who experienced an apparent drug overdose on July 25, 2021. (Darryl Dick/The Canadian Press)

Quick-thinking volunteers with Chilliwack City Watch save life of teenage boy

The volunteers administered Naloxone to a 16-year-old suffering an apparent drug overdose

Two volunteers with Chilliwack’s City Watch program used one of these Naloxone kits to save the life of a teenager who experienced an apparent drug overdose on July 25, 2021. (Darryl Dick/The Canadian Press)
The suspect, seen here in CTTV footage, is described as white, in his late 20s, no visible facial hair, tall and slim, and wearing a pink collared shirt, and a black baseball cap. Photo courtesy of Mission RCMP.

Bank robber makes off with undisclosed amount of cash from Mission bank

Mission RCMP seeking public’s help to identify suspect

The suspect, seen here in CTTV footage, is described as white, in his late 20s, no visible facial hair, tall and slim, and wearing a pink collared shirt, and a black baseball cap. Photo courtesy of Mission RCMP.
The July Mountain wildfire south of Merritt has grown to 1,800 hectares. The Coquihalla Highway is not in immediate danger at this time. (Screenshot/B.C. Wildfire Service)

July Mountain wildfire grows to 1,800 hectares

No threat to Highway 5

The July Mountain wildfire south of Merritt has grown to 1,800 hectares. The Coquihalla Highway is not in immediate danger at this time. (Screenshot/B.C. Wildfire Service)
Barry Marsden was one of the founding members of Conair Group Inc., as well as chairman and CEO. The company announced his passing on July 29. (Submitted photo)

Founder of Abbotsford aerial firefighting company Conair dies

Barry Marsden contributed to firefighting from the skies for more than 50 years

Barry Marsden was one of the founding members of Conair Group Inc., as well as chairman and CEO. The company announced his passing on July 29. (Submitted photo)
The trails and forested areas around Fraser River Heritage Park have been closed. Lorraine Irvine-Roberts photo.

Forested areas of Fraser River Heritage Park, Westminster Abbey closed due to wildfire risk

Park joins Mission’s tree farm on list of local closures amid provincial state of emergency

The trails and forested areas around Fraser River Heritage Park have been closed. Lorraine Irvine-Roberts photo.