Chilliwack
Coverage: Chilliwack, Rosedale, Greendale, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope and Fraser Canyon.
Chilliwack also launches its tenth annual Independent Film Festival today, while an international ethics initiative is being presented from the city.
In Agassiz, a major community services organization celebrates its 50th anniversary, and Evergreen Park officially reopens after improvements. Meanwhile, Lytton's extraordinary tied mayoral election is heading toward a judicial recount.
CHILLIWACK & ROSEDALE
BREAKING: Police seek missing woman last seen near Chilliwack General Hospital
Police are requesting public assistance locating 26-year-old Vanessa, who was last seen near Chilliwack General Hospital on Friday, October 16. She was reported missing on October 18, and investigators say she is known to frequent Chilliwack, Maple Ridge and Coquitlam, often using public transportation.
Vanessa is approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, with shoulder-length brown hair, hazel eyes and glasses. She was last seen wearing a teal hoodie and grey-brown sweatpants.
Police and family members are concerned for her well-being.
Anyone with information should contact Delta Police at 604-946-4444, referencing file 2026-19513, or call 911.
Chilliwack launches public consultation on 2027 municipal budget
The City of Chilliwack is inviting residents to help establish priorities for its 2027 budget and updated ten-year financial plan.
An online survey is open until November 8, asking residents which municipal services they consider most important. The City says the financial plan must balance infrastructure investment, service delivery, and reasonable property tax rates while continuing its approach of avoiding borrowing.
This is an early opportunity for residents and businesses to influence spending priorities before the newly elected council finalizes next year's financial plan.
Public feedback will be presented to council, with a further public information meeting tentatively planned for January 2027.
New Chilliwack family physician begins seeing patients Thursday
Dr. Evans C. Onwubiko is preparing to begin seeing patients at Gracelink Medical Clinic on Thursday, October 22.
The UK-trained physician brings experience in family medicine, geriatrics, palliative care and complex medical conditions. The clinic confirms that it is still accepting requests for new-patient intake forms.
Access to family physicians remains a major concern for Chilliwack residents, making the addition of another primary-care provider particularly welcome.
Residents seeking a family doctor can contact the clinic at 1-800-506-5041 or visit its location inside Heritage Pharmacy.
RCMP investigate theft of heavy equipment from Greendale property
Chilliwack RCMP are seeking public assistance following the theft of a Bobcat skid steer from a property in Greendale.
The equipment was reported stolen on October 14, and investigators are interested in any sightings of unusual heavy-equipment movement, trailers, or towing vehicles in the area. Police are also requesting surveillance or dashcam footage that could assist their investigation.
Theft of expensive machinery can create substantial financial and operational problems for agricultural businesses and construction contractors.
Anyone with information should contact Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611, referencing file 2026-46077.
Chilliwack mother advocates for better emergency alerts for vulnerable missing people
Chilliwack resident Rachel Young is helping raise awareness of gaps in Canada's missing-person alert systems.
Young, whose six-year-old autistic son is minimally speaking and at risk of wandering, is involved with Indigo Alert Canada's British Columbia team. The organization is promoting a parliamentary petition seeking national standards for emergency alerts involving vulnerable missing children and adults who may not qualify for existing AMBER Alerts.
The initiative raises an important public-safety question: how can communities respond quickly when a vulnerable person disappears but the circumstances do not meet existing emergency-alert criteria?
The petition proposes changes; no new national alert system has been approved.
Chilliwack Independent Film Festival opens today with 110 films
The Chilliwack Independent Film Festival opens its tenth-anniversary edition today, beginning five days of screenings, filmmaker discussions and industry activities.
The festival features 110 films from around the world, with events at Galaxy Cinemas, Cowork Chilliwack, The Grand Hall and Basement Cinema. The program concludes Sunday, October 25, with an awards ceremony at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.
The festival has become a significant cultural event, creating opportunities for filmmakers, attracting visitors, and generating activity for Chilliwack businesses.
Global Ethics Day brings international innovation initiative to Chilliwack
The World Ethics Organization is presenting three internationally livestreamed innovation sessions today as part of Global Ethics Day 2026.
The sessions, filmed at Cowork Chilliwack, explore ethical innovation in education, healthcare and artificial intelligence. Developed in partnership with the Art of Science Learning, the program demonstrates collaborative methods aimed at producing practical solutions rather than merely discussing ethical challenges.
The event connects Chilliwack with an international initiative preparing to launch its Global Incubator for Innovation in Ethics in 2027.
The in-person sessions are by invitation, while the online program is open to a global audience.
Major agricultural equipment auction begins today at Heritage Park
Beekman Auctions begins its fall agricultural equipment auction at Chilliwack Heritage Park today.
Equipment viewing runs from 8 a.m. into the evening, with a free community dinner beginning at 5 p.m. The online auction closes throughout Thursday, October 22, beginning at 9 a.m.
The sale includes tractors, skid steers, excavators, agricultural implements, attachments and other equipment.
The event brings together farmers, contractors, equipment dealers and buyers, supporting Chilliwack's agricultural economy and local service businesses.
AGASSIZ & DISTRICT OF KENT
Agassiz-Harrison Community Services celebrates 50 years today
Agassiz-Harrison Community Services is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a public open house at Agassiz Agricultural Hall today.
The celebration runs from 3–7 p.m. and includes presentations, community stories, program information, children's activities and opportunities to learn about the organization's future plans.
Reaching 50 years is a significant milestone for an organization providing social services and community support throughout Agassiz, Harrison and surrounding communities.
The event is free and open to everyone.
Evergreen Park officially reopens following accessibility improvements
The District of Kent is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to celebrate improvements to Evergreen Park at 1700 Evergreen Drive.
The project includes new playground equipment and poured-in-place rubber surfacing designed to improve safety and accessibility. Originally opened in 1991, the park has now undergone its third major refresh.
The investment improves an established neighbourhood recreation space and makes playground activities more accessible to local families.
The ceremony begins at 11 a.m.
Inmate assaulted at Kent Institution; police investigation underway
Correctional Service Canada has confirmed that an inmate was assaulted at Kent Institution on October 12.
The injured inmate was taken to an outside hospital for treatment and has since returned to the institution. Officials say the alleged assailant has been identified, and the Agassiz RCMP and correctional authorities are investigating.
The incident raises questions about the safety of the institution at one of the region's major federal correctional facilities.
The investigation remains ongoing. No other inmates or staff members were reported injured.
HARRISON HOT SPRINGS & HARRISON MILLS
Big Easy Funk Ensemble returns to Harrison Friday
The Harrison Festival Society is bringing Vancouver's Big Easy Funk Ensemble to Harrison Memorial Hall on Friday, October 23.
The nine-piece group combines New Orleans-inspired funk, jazz, blues and soul. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the performance scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Cultural programming outside the peak summer season helps sustain Harrison's visitor economy while providing entertainment for local residents.
HOPE
More than one-third of Hope home listings show asking-price reductions
A new analysis from real estate search platform Zealty suggests that a substantial share of properties listed for sale in Hope have undergone asking-price reductions.
Of 132 active residential listings examined, 49 properties, or 37%, were advertised below an earlier asking price. Comparable figures were 33% in Chilliwack and 35% in Sardis.
The findings suggest that sellers in Hope and Chilliwack are adjusting expectations in response to a slower housing market.
The figures measure reductions in advertised prices, not actual selling prices, and should not be interpreted as a 37% decline in home values.
New Hope community-services hub prepares for October 30 open house
Chilliwack Community Services is preparing to welcome residents to its new downtown Hope location.
The Commons, at Unit A, 895 Third Avenue, will host an open house Friday, October 30, from 9 a.m. to noon. The organization plans to strengthen its existing services and partnerships that support residents throughout Hope, Sunshine Valley, and the Fraser Canyon.
Establishing a permanent local facility could improve access to community programs and facilitate collaboration among organizations serving smaller communities.
FRASER CANYON
Lytton mayoral election heads toward judicial recount after 45–45 tie
The Lytton mayoral election remains unresolved after incumbent Denise O'Connor and challenger Jennifer Thoss each received exactly 45 votes.
The Village has officially declared the tied result and is applying for a judicial recount. If the recount confirms the tie, a judge will determine the successful candidate by drawing lots.
The outcome will determine who leads a community still navigating reconstruction, infrastructure investment and financial challenges following the devastating 2021 wildfire.
The judicial recount must take place between October 27 and 30.
DEVELOPING STORIES
Chilliwack missing-person investigation: Police continue seeking information about Vanessa, last seen near Chilliwack General Hospital. Any verified update should receive immediate attention.
2027 Chilliwack budget: The newly launched consultation deserves follow-up, particularly the results of the public survey and the implications for municipal taxation and infrastructure spending.
Regional healthcare: The arrival of Dr. Onwubiko is positive, but family-doctor availability remains an important regional issue. Actual patient attachment numbers would provide a useful measure of the clinic's impact.
Chilliwack infrastructure: Installation of the $70,000 Ripple in Time sculpture begins today at the Lickman Road roundabout. Work is scheduled through November 27, and motorists should watch for changes to traffic patterns.
Agassiz development: Kent council will consider the proposed mixed-animal veterinary clinic at 5402 Lougheed Highway on October 26. The project could expand agricultural services.
Provincial election: Advance voting continues ahead of Saturday, October 24. The Chilliwack North, Chilliwack-Cultus Lake and Fraser-Nicola ridings remain the principal contests affecting the Upper Fraser Valley.
Fraser Canyon governance: Lytton's judicial recount is one of the region's most unusual unresolved election stories. The new FVRD Electoral Area A director's proposed Fraser Canyon Leaders Forum also deserves follow-up.
Members Discussion