Vancouver Rundown Thursday November 9, 2023
Local news with those links you can't post or read on Facebook
Summary

A new photo has been released of Randall Hopley as a Canada Wide search continues for the 58-year-old perv who didn’t return to his halfway house on Nov 4. He’s the same man who served time after abducting a young boy from the bedroom of a home in Sparwood in 2011. Police have received about 40 tips so far but nothing to indicate where Hopley is hiding. In total, Hopley has been convicted of sex crimes involving three children as well as a number of assaults and property offences.
Other stories…
Municipalities will have even less say when it comes to residential zoning - especially near transit hubs. The provincial government has introduced a new law to allow higher density development in areas well-served by SkyTrain and other high volume people movers. That means areas like Clayton Heights and downtown Langley could see towers up to 20 stories high when the new SkyTrain line is complete.
One of the best known Vancouver developers is trying to squash ‘malicious rumours’ that it’s having big money problems. Glacier Media (Bob Mackin in Business in Vancouver) is reporting it’s obtained a statement from Westbank saying, “it’s disappointing to see so much energy being wasted on fabricated speculation about our business.” This follows a deal that fell through between Westbank and EllisDon Construction in Toronto and three multi-million dollar lawsuits filed against Westbank. Construction continues on the high profile redevelopment of Westbank’s residential tower project at Oakridge and its part in the early stages of the Squamish Nation project next to the Burrard Street Bridge. Westbank is the developer behind TELUS Garden, Rogers Tower, Shangri-La and Vancouver House.
But will this work? A new provincial campaign has been launched in B.C. schools to educate students about the risks of vaping. The Ministry says this includes posters, pamphlets and signate…oh, and also ‘resources.’ Canada ranks among the highest in the world when it comes to teens using e-cigarettes.
Showers, more showers and then rain. That’s what’s in the forecast starting Thursday and continuing for the next few days. Here are the latest conditions from our private weather station in Surrey.
Top five stories to know
Vancouver Sun: VPD release new photos as search for convicted child abductor continues
CityNews: Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says he doesn’t regret DTES decampment
Global News: New B.C. law would force cities to allow density near transit hubs
Surrey-Now Leader: Delta Chamber urges province to delay fixing overpass damaged by truck
CBC: Campaign in B.C. schools aims to educate students on risks of vaping
Business stories to know
Global News: ‘Ecstatic’: B.C. film industry celebrates tentative deal in Hollywood actors’ strike
Opinion
Vancouver Sun: Vaughn Palmer: Federal jurisdictional creep causes tension on housing in B.C.
Journalism matters
That’s cool
Daily Hive: Low-cost airline Zipair to launch frequent route from Vancouver to Tokyo
Bonus
Vancouver Is Awesome: Andy Prest: Vancouver Cheese and Meat Festival does two things very well