> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.upperfraservalley.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Upper Fraser Valley News Roundup - URL: https://www.upperfraservalley.news/upper-fraser-valley-news-roundup-18/ - Published: 2026-10-19T15:41:08.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-19T15:41:08.000Z - Description: Today's roundup features 14 local stories and developments. The strongest new reporting comes from October 17–19, supplemented by significant upcoming events and municipal decisions. - Author: Editorial Team - Tags: Chilliwack, Chilliwack RCMP, Reece Howden, Chilliwack Film Festival, Cultas Lake, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope, Fraser Canyon **Monday, October 19, 2026 | Morning Edition** **Coverage:** Chilliwack, Rosedale, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope and Fraser Canyon. ## **Today's Leading Stories** **Good news from Chilliwack:** RCMP have confirmed that the 13-year-old girl reported missing Saturday has been located. Meanwhile, two crashes occurred within an hour on Vedder Road Sunday evening, and a lengthy road closure begins today near Majuba Hill. The Fraser Canyon has an important new political development. Attila Banhegyi defeated the incumbent regional director by just 15 votes and is proposing a new forum to bring community leaders together on emergency preparedness and infrastructure. Other highlights include a record-breaking international victory for Cultus Lake ski-cross athlete Reece Howden, new recreational salmon-fishing opportunities, and preparations for Chilliwack's tenth annual independent film festival. ## **CHILLIWACK & ROSEDALE** ### **UPDATE: Missing 13-year-old Chilliwack girl located** Chilliwack RCMP confirmed Sunday that the 13-year-old girl reported missing October 17 has been located. Police thanked the public and media for their assistance. This resolves the urgent missing-person appeal reported over the weekend. The RCMP have not released further details, and the original missing-person notice should no longer be circulated as an active search. ### **Major Old Yale Road closure begins today near Majuba Hill** Old Yale Road is scheduled to close today between Town Road and Wilson Road, including the section through Majuba Hill Road. Construction is expected to continue until November 30, weather permitting. Detour signs will direct motorists around the work, while access for local residents on either side of the closure will be maintained. The roadway is expected to return to two lanes when construction is completed. The closure affects an important rural connection between Chilliwack and Abbotsford, potentially disrupting commuting, agricultural transportation and local deliveries. The closure begins today, with construction progress and weather conditions determining the final reopening date. ### **Two crashes within an hour disrupt Vedder Road Sunday evening** Chilliwack emergency crews responded to two separate collisions along Vedder Road Sunday evening. The first occurred around 7:24 p.m. at the intersection of Vedder and Promontory roads, where a damaged sedan was photographed. A second collision occurred approximately 34 minutes later at the intersection of Vedder and South Sumas roads, apparently involving three vehicles, including an RCMP vehicle. Multiple police vehicles, ambulances, and fire crews attended the second incident, during which part of the intersection was blocked. Both intersections carry significant traffic through southern Chilliwack. The incidents raise immediate road-safety concerns, although injuries and the causes of the crashes have not been confirmed. ### **Rosedale election results reveal different school-board voting preferences** A closer examination of Chilliwack's municipal election results reveals notable differences between voting at Rosedale Traditional Community School and the citywide school trustee totals. At the Rosedale polling station, Michael Carter received 1,024 votes, Cary Moore 988, Hugh Hamilton 973 and Barbara Bednarski 958\. Citywide leader Katie Bartel received 586 votes at that location. The results suggest that voting preferences at the Rosedale polling station differed considerably from those across Chilliwack as a whole. However, polling-station results cannot establish where individual voters live or why they made their choices. The City reports that 1,759 ballots were cast at the Rosedale polling station. ### **Cultus Lake athlete Reece Howden becomes all-time ski-cross wins leader** Reece Howden, who grew up in the Cultus Lake area, has become the winningest male athlete in ski-cross World Cup history. Howden captured his 19th career victory at the October 17 World Cup night race in Arosa, Switzerland, surpassing the previous record held by France's Jean-Frédéric Chapuis. The victory also marked Howden's 31st career World Cup podium finish. This is a major international sporting achievement for an athlete with strong Upper Fraser Valley roots and a significant milestone in Canadian winter sports. ### **Chilliwack Independent Film Festival prepares 110-film anniversary celebration** The Chilliwack Independent Film Festival celebrates its tenth anniversary October 21–25, featuring 110 films from around the world. Screenings and industry activities will take place at several Chilliwack venues, including Galaxy Cinemas, Cowork Chilliwack, The Grand Hall and Basement Cinema. The festival includes 16 world premieres and 14 Canadian premieres, with a special opening-night program showcasing Fraser Valley filmmakers. The festival strengthens Chilliwack's emerging film and creative industries while attracting filmmakers, visitors and industry professionals. ### **Cultus Lake Park Board chair re-elected; Village Centre redevelopment remains priority** Kirk Dzaman has been re-elected to the Cultus Lake Park Board, along with Erika Jartved and Jono Willcocks, who will represent Cultus Lake residents. Darcy Bauer and David Renwick were elected separately by Chilliwack voters to complete the five-member board. Dzaman says important priorities include the proposed Village Centre redevelopment, long-term infrastructure planning, environmental stewardship and emergency preparedness. The board's decisions affect residents, businesses and visitors at one of the Upper Fraser Valley's most important recreational destinations. ### **B.C. Conservative leader visits Chilliwack today** Lorne Doerkson is scheduled to visit Chilliwack today as the provincial election campaign enters its final week. Following a morning policy announcement in Maple Ridge, Doerkson will attend a meet-and-greet at Serene Stay and Play Café in Sardis from noon until 1:30 p.m. The café's co-owner clarified that the business is hosting the event rather than sponsoring the party. The visit places Chilliwack on the provincial campaign trail ahead of the October 24 election, w ## **AGASSIZ & DISTRICT OF KENT** ### **Recreational chum salmon fishing opens on Harrison and Chehalis rivers** Fisheries and Oceans Canada has authorized recreational chum salmon retention in designated Fraser Valley waterways following an estimated Fraser River chum salmon return of 1.23 million. The opening includes specified sections of the Harrison and Chehalis rivers, as well as the Chilliwack/Vedder system. The daily retention limit is two chum salmon in the designated waters, effective October 17 through November 30. The opening creates additional recreational fishing opportunities and potential business for local tackle shops, guides and tourism operators. Anglers must follow the exact geographic boundaries, licensing requirements and applicable fishing restrictions. ### **Agassiz veterinary clinic proposal approaches October 26 decision** The District of Kent is preparing to consider a zoning amendment allowing a mixed-animal veterinary clinic at 5402 Lougheed Highway. The proposed facility would be located within a new agricultural building on an 8.2-hectare property, alongside agricultural activities and dog boarding. The project could expand veterinary services for livestock producers, farmers, and pet owners while creating additional agricultural business activity. Council will consider the amendment on October 26\. Written public submissions are being accepted until 12:30 p.m. that day. ## **HARRISON HOT SPRINGS** ### **Harrison council meets tonight following municipal election** The Village of Harrison Hot Springs has scheduled a regular council meeting for tonight, October 19, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall. The meeting follows Saturday's municipal election, in which incumbent Mayor Fred Talen secured another term, and voters selected four councillors. The meeting provides an opportunity to follow continuing municipal business during the transition between councils. The newly elected council's inaugural meeting is scheduled for November 2. Residents can attend in person or join the meeting via the Village's online meeting platform. ## **HOPE** ### **Fraser-Cascade school trustee election results confirmed** The Fraser Valley Regional District has published preliminary results identifying the successful candidates for the Fraser-Cascade School District 78 Board of Education. In the Hope trustee area, Pattie Desjardins, Linda Kerr and Heather Stewin were elected. The Agassiz-Harrison trustee area elected Wendy Clark, Benita Hatt and Andrea Hensen. The new trustees will oversee educational priorities, school facilities, budgets, and student services across a district that serves several geographically separated communities. The regional district says formal election declarations will take place during the week of October 19. ### **Hope community-services hub prepares for October 30 opening celebration** Chilliwack Community Services is preparing to welcome residents to its new downtown Hope location. An open house is scheduled for Friday, October 30, from 9 a.m. until noon at The Commons, Unit A, 895 Third Avenue. The facility is intended to strengthen access to community programs and improve collaboration among service providers supporting residents of Hope, Sunshine Valley, and Fraser Canyon. A permanent local presence could make services easier to access and strengthen cooperation among organizations serving smaller communities. ## **FRASER CANYON** ### **New Fraser Canyon director wins by 15 votes and proposes regional leaders forum** Attila Banhegyi has narrowly defeated incumbent Diane Johnson in the Fraser Valley Regional District's Electoral Area A election. The reported vote was **140–125**, a margin of just 15 votes. Banhegyi, whose family was affected by the Brunswick Creek wildfires, says the experience helped motivate his campaign and strengthened his interest in emergency preparedness, communication and infrastructure. He now proposes establishing a **Fraser Canyon Leaders Forum** to bring together local governments, First Nations, educational organizations, provincial representatives, utilities and community groups. The proposal could create a new mechanism for coordinating responses to the Fraser Canyon's recurring challenges involving wildfires, transportation, infrastructure and emergency services. The forum is a proposal, not yet an established organization. Banhegyi says he intends to begin discussions with community partners. ## **DEVELOPING STORIES** **Chilliwack road safety:** Sunday's two Vedder Road collisions warrant follow-up once police confirm injuries, causes and whether any charges are being considered. **Old Yale Road construction:** The closure beginning today could affect traffic for approximately six weeks. Detours, local access and any schedule changes deserve continuing attention. **Municipal election declarations:** Chilliwack, Kent, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope and the FVRD are completing the formal election process. Official declarations will supersede preliminary results. **Fraser Canyon leadership:** Attila Banhegyi's proposed leaders forum deserves follow-up, particularly whether First Nations and emergency-management organizations agree to participate. **Provincial election:** Advance voting continues ahead of Saturday, October 24\. Healthcare, infrastructure, housing, and economic development remain the strongest issues with direct implications for the Upper Fraser Valley. **Regional infrastructure:** The Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge rehabilitation, Chilliwack's Main Street reconstruction and Hope's road improvements remain important continuing projects. No significant new construction milestone was verified this morning. Research drew on multiple sources, including Fraser Valley Today, Fraser Valley News Network, the RCMP, Fisheries and Oceans Canada notices, municipal governments, the Fraser Valley Regional District and local event organizers.