Community

Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield relaxes before launch, ahead of a past trip to the International Space Station. He spoke to Black Press Media this week about his time at Royal Roads Military College. (Courtesy Cmdr. Chris Hadfield)

B.C. university ‘renames’ stairway after alumni Chris Hadfield

‘For me it all started there, just up the hill from Hatley Castle,’ Canadian astronaut says

Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield relaxes before launch, ahead of a past trip to the International Space Station. He spoke to Black Press Media this week about his time at Royal Roads Military College. (Courtesy Cmdr. Chris Hadfield)
Photo taken Jan. 7, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. The eagle was reported to OWL rehabilitation but was able to shake off ice and fly away before the naturalist arrived. (Sylvia Janz photo)

No worries for ice-covered bald eagle spotted in Chilliwack

The large raptors actually can survive winter conditions remarkably well

Photo taken Jan. 7, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. The eagle was reported to OWL rehabilitation but was able to shake off ice and fly away before the naturalist arrived. (Sylvia Janz photo)
Volunteers from River Wrangler Sportfishing in the Mission Hills community deliver donations by boat after the floods affected dairy farms in Abbotsford in November 2021

BC Dairy thanks the community for over $850,000 flood relief donations, and shines a spotlight on local community heroes

British Columbians have come forward with an incredible show of support for…

  • Jan 10, 2022
Volunteers from River Wrangler Sportfishing in the Mission Hills community deliver donations by boat after the floods affected dairy farms in Abbotsford in November 2021
Light pillars formed by Sarah-Jane Pepper’s home in the Webster’s Corners area. (Sarah-Jane Pepper/Special to The News)

Extreme cold contributes to light pillars spotted above Lower Mainland city

Sarah-Jane Pepper spotted the light columns by her Maple Ridge property

Light pillars formed by Sarah-Jane Pepper’s home in the Webster’s Corners area. (Sarah-Jane Pepper/Special to The News)
Videos from throughout 2021 capture readers’ top animal encounters. (Black Press Media file photos)

Top animal videos from B.C.’s Vancouver Island in 2021

Look back at a year of adorable, breathtaking and unusual footage

Videos from throughout 2021 capture readers’ top animal encounters. (Black Press Media file photos)
(L-R) Les Folles Jambettes’ Vanessa Reyes-Golding, Sarah Leslie and Melanie Shenstone pose for a photo next to a family of snow people displayed at a home on 17th Avenue, near the intersection of 77th Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Grand Forks’ Can Can dancers trot out Christmas flash mobs

City residents with amazing Christmas displays were treated to the surprise dances

(L-R) Les Folles Jambettes’ Vanessa Reyes-Golding, Sarah Leslie and Melanie Shenstone pose for a photo next to a family of snow people displayed at a home on 17th Avenue, near the intersection of 77th Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
The Fraser Valley Toy Drive took place at at 360 Collision Centres in Abbotsford on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. (John Morrow/ Abbotsford News)

Fraser Valley Toy Drive in Abbotsford supports Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau

Cash and toy donations will go to communities throughout the region

The Fraser Valley Toy Drive took place at at 360 Collision Centres in Abbotsford on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. (John Morrow/ Abbotsford News)
Greta on the day she was brought 'home' at four months old, only to run away that very night. (Submitted photo)

Born to be wild: Goat finds family with herd of deer

Greta the Goat sought freedom from the start

Greta on the day she was brought 'home' at four months old, only to run away that very night. (Submitted photo)
The Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau Fraser Valley Toy Drive – coming up Dec. 11 at 360 Collision Centres in Abbotsford – was organized in response to recent flooding. (Contributed photo)

Toy drive to help flood-ravaged cities in joint effort by Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau

Dec. 11 event aimed at ensuring every kid has something under the tree at Christmas

The Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau Fraser Valley Toy Drive – coming up Dec. 11 at 360 Collision Centres in Abbotsford – was organized in response to recent flooding. (Contributed photo)
An in-person BC Craft Brewers Conference, BC Beer Con, will take place in New Westminster come February, says BC Craft Brewers Guild. (Pixabay photo)

Something brewing for craft beer aficionados in new year with BC Beer Con

In-person craft beer conference takes place in February in New Westminster, B.C.

An in-person BC Craft Brewers Conference, BC Beer Con, will take place in New Westminster come February, says BC Craft Brewers Guild. (Pixabay photo)
Jillian Harris and Team Jilly have joined with Do Some Good to engage the community, support local causes and amplify the many amazing stories that non-profit organizations share. Join her for the 12 Days of Christmas campaign, Dec. 1 to 12.

Jillian Harris joins Do Some Good to drive more community impact

Team Jilly’s 12 Days of Giving campaign runs Dec. 1 to 12

  • Nov 22, 2021
Jillian Harris and Team Jilly have joined with Do Some Good to engage the community, support local causes and amplify the many amazing stories that non-profit organizations share. Join her for the 12 Days of Christmas campaign, Dec. 1 to 12.
“That money has to last 365 days a year, because that’s how many days we’re on the street helping vulnerable individuals.” (Breanna Himmelright/Black Press Media)

Salvation Army kicks off red kettle campaign with extra flood donation goal

Divisional secretary Mike Leland says this year’s need is ‘through the roof’

  • Nov 22, 2021
“That money has to last 365 days a year, because that’s how many days we’re on the street helping vulnerable individuals.” (Breanna Himmelright/Black Press Media)
Hope the golden retriever puppy is surrounded by volunteers at Hope Secondary School. The adorable guest was renamed as a way of saying thank you to the many volunteers who helped hundreds of people during the floods in Hope. (Photo/Hope Secondary School)

‘It’s a mascot!’: Rescued puppy renamed as salute to flood aid volunteers in Hope

“Hope” sheltered at HSS for three days with their family

Hope the golden retriever puppy is surrounded by volunteers at Hope Secondary School. The adorable guest was renamed as a way of saying thank you to the many volunteers who helped hundreds of people during the floods in Hope. (Photo/Hope Secondary School)
The Salvation Army’s emergency response units are on the ground providing food and other items to flood victims and first responders in B.C. communities that have been impacted. (Salvation Army photo)

Salvation Army launches emergency response in support of flood victims

Agency on front lines in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Kamloops and Kelowna

The Salvation Army’s emergency response units are on the ground providing food and other items to flood victims and first responders in B.C. communities that have been impacted. (Salvation Army photo)
Last year, the Christmas in Williams Park event in Langley was limited to six days due to COVID-19. This year, it will run for three weeks, but will still be a drive-through event. (Barbara Sharp/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Drive-through Christmas lights event hopes to avoid wait list

Last year, there were long lineups for Langley’s Christmas in Williams Park

Last year, the Christmas in Williams Park event in Langley was limited to six days due to COVID-19. This year, it will run for three weeks, but will still be a drive-through event. (Barbara Sharp/Special to Langley Advance Times)
Von Rywaczuk laughs as he cradles Halo the Swan in his arms after rescuing her from Elliot Lake. (Photo submitted)

Swan gets ‘second-chance at life’ after being rescued near 100 Mile

The swan was unable to migrate south due to an injured wing

Von Rywaczuk laughs as he cradles Halo the Swan in his arms after rescuing her from Elliot Lake. (Photo submitted)
CP Holiday train at Port Haney Wharf. (Colleen Flanagan-THE NEWS)

CP Holiday Train goes virtual again for 2021, no stops in B.C. or Alberta

The 23rd annual event would have stopped in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

CP Holiday train at Port Haney Wharf. (Colleen Flanagan-THE NEWS)
Bon Ga is a Korean restaurant located in the Glenmore neighbourhood in Kelowna. (Bon Ga/Facebook)

Kelowna residents rally behind Korean restaurant targeted with racist graffiti

Bon Ga was vandalized with racist graffiti on Saturday morning, Oct. 30

Bon Ga is a Korean restaurant located in the Glenmore neighbourhood in Kelowna. (Bon Ga/Facebook)
The pigs at Happy Herd Farm getting ready to eat their favourite snack (Aldergrove Star files)

Happy Herd Farm looking for volunteers

Animals at Aldergrove’s Happy Herd need pumpkin drop-off, Monday, Nov. 1.

  • Oct 29, 2021
The pigs at Happy Herd Farm getting ready to eat their favourite snack (Aldergrove Star files)
Josh Waters and his one-year-old English Staffy cross, Rocky. (Twila Amato/Black Press Media)

COVID, heartbreak among speedbumps in Australian’s road to residency in Kelowna

Josh Waters shares his experience in the hopes to help others like him

Josh Waters and his one-year-old English Staffy cross, Rocky. (Twila Amato/Black Press Media)