Multimedia journalist with The Abbotsford News, bookworm, avid disc golfer, mom of four, grandma of two and cat mom of three. vikki.hopes@abbynews.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3miz46utp4c2aA man who was initially charged with second-degree murder in the 2022 death of Chad Colivas of Abbotsford has now pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. https://abbynews.com/2026/04/08/man-serving-time-for-surrey-murder-pleads-guilty-to-abbotsford-killing/08 Apr 2026 20:13 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3miz46utp4c2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3miwmhk5hxs2xOnline voting opened on Tuesday (April 7) for a competition in which an Abbotsford country singer – and the only one from B.C. – is among the top eight semifinalists. https://abbynews.com/2026/04/07/abbotsford-country-singer-vying-for-top-three-spot-in-national-competition/07 Apr 2026 20:27 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3miwmhk5hxs2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mijybts5fk2mA UN Gang member who was among those who conspired to kill the rival Bacon brothers when they were living in Abbotsford in 2008 and 2009 has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. https://abbynews.com/2026/04/02/gangster-gets-15-years-for-plot-to-kill-bacon-brothers-in-abbotsford/02 Apr 2026 19:53 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mijybts5fk2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mi2nalslok2bPolice are warning the public that a former Port Alberni man who sexually assaulted and choked sex trade workers is being released from prison and will reside in Abbotsford. https://abbynews.com/2026/03/27/man-who-assaulted-sex-trade-workers-in-nanaimo-to-be-released-in-abbotsford/27 Mar 2026 17:26 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi2nalslok2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mhszebefo22vA fatal shooting took place Monday night at a large homeless encampment in Abbotsford. Read more at: https://abbynews.com/2026/03/24/man-dies-in-shooting-at-abbotsford-homeless-camp/24 Mar 2026 16:41 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhszebefo22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mhdwh5bgws2dPolice have released a video of an Abbotsford teen who crashed into a parked dump truck after reaching speeds of 180 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. https://abbynews.com/2026/03/18/video-abbotsford-teen-crashes-after-reaching-180-km-h-in-100-km-h-zone/18 Mar 2026 16:39 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhdwh5bgws2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mhbu5h547k2rA former Summerland lifeguard who was previously sentenced to six years in jail for preying on young boys has now been charged in Abbotsford. https://abbynews.com/2026/03/17/convicted-summerland-sex-offender-faces-new-charges-in-abbotsford/17 Mar 2026 20:53 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhbu5h547k2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mh7jevkbsk2fUPDATE: Lockdown lifted at Abbotsford hospital after weapon report https://abbynews.com/2026/03/16/abbotsford-hospital-on-lockdown-after-report-of-weapon/16 Mar 2026 22:35 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh7jevkbsk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mh7hd6a4wk2lAbbotsford Regional Hospital is on lockdown after reports of a weapon on site. Story will be updates as more information becomes available. https://abbynews.com/2026/03/16/abbotsford-hospital-on-lockdown-after-report-of-weapon/16 Mar 2026 21:58 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh7hd6a4wk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mgspx7k57s22Verdict in May for 3 Surrey men accused of double murder in Abbotsford Read more at: https://abbynews.com/2026/03/11/verdict-in-may-for-3-surrey-men-accused-of-double-murder-in-abbotsford/11 Mar 2026 20:28 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgspx7k57s22https://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mgsibgzcsk2nAdding a new 50-metre training pool at the MSA Arena site and replacing the existing pools at the Matsqui and Abbotsford recreation centres are among the recommendations in a city report presented on Tuesday. https://abbynews.com/2026/03/11/city-report-proposes-3-new-pools-in-abbotsford/11 Mar 2026 18:10 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgsibgzcsk2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mgpv5ylbds2gThe Abbotsford Police Department is looking for four men who are alleged to have been involved in the sexual assault of a woman in early February. https://abbynews.com/2026/03/10/four-men-allegedly-involved-in-sexual-assault-in-abbotsford/10 Mar 2026 17:23 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgpv5ylbds2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mgnlhi4lik2rDangerous offender charged in Abbotsford with having child sex-abuse materials Read more at: https://abbynews.com/2026/03/09/dangerous-offender-charged-in-abbotsford-with-having-child-sex-abuse-materials/09 Mar 2026 19:24 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgnlhi4lik2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mggjb4miyk25Three men accused of killing an elderly Abbotsford couple in 2022 should share equal blame “no matter who inflicted the mortal injuries,” a Crown lawyer stated Friday morning in court. Read more at: https://abbynews.com/2026/03/06/crown-3-surrey-men-equally-culpable-for-killing-of-senior-abbotsford-couple/06 Mar 2026 23:56 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mggjb4miyk25https://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mgdtmafl4s2eAn online fundraiser is underway for a woman who was seriously injured in an explosion and fire in Abbotsford on Monday night. Read more at: https://abbynews.com/2026/03/05/abbotsford-woman-loses-everything-in-rv-explosion-and-fire/05 Mar 2026 22:23 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgdtmafl4s2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mgdfs56agk2iTraffic on the Mt. Lehman overpass in Abbotsford will go from three lanes to two lanes starting as early as Monday (March 9), according to the ministry of transportation. Read more at: https://abbynews.com/2026/03/05/lanes-reduced-on-mt-lehman-overpass-in-abbotsford-until-end-of-2026/05 Mar 2026 18:16 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgdfs56agk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mg6jewfaas2nAn 86-year-old man who was charged with driving into two teens who were playing Nicky Nicky Nine Doors in Abbotsford in 2024 has been sentenced to a one-year driving ban and one year of probation. https://abbynews.com/2026/03/03/senior-who-ran-into-2-teens-in-abbotsford-gets-1-year-driving-ban/03 Mar 2026 19:37 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg6jewfaas2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mg6ai5zvhs2hA 68-year-old woman was airlifted to hospital after a fire in an RV park in Abbotsford on Monday night. https://abbynews.com/2026/03/03/injured-woman-airlifted-after-explosion-and-fire-at-abbotsford-rv-park/03 Mar 2026 16:58 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg6ai5zvhs2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mfulpgnmcs2zA proposed plan for the future of sport fields and courts in Abbotsford includes adding three to six fields over the next 10 years, adding three or four new baseball diamonds and upgrading existing ones, and looking at possibilities for a new sports and recreation park. https://abbynews.com/2026/02/27/more-sport-fields-and-baseball-diamonds-recommended-in-abbotsford/27 Feb 2026 20:52 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfulpgnmcs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mfpjxlgkus2uA proposed supportive-housing project near an Abbotsford school has been rejected, with city councillors primarily citing concerns about its location. https://abbynews.com/2026/02/25/abbotsford-council-votes-down-supportive-housing-project-near-school/25 Feb 2026 20:38 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfpjxlgkus2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3mfd65rsmuk2hThree men charged this week with a fatal shooting in Chilliwack have criminal histories in Abbotsford. https://abbynews.com/2026/02/20/3-men-charged-with-chilliwack-killing-have-abbotsford-connections/20 Feb 2026 22:34 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfd65rsmuk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3lhmkjkmsbk2iA man who is the subject of a civil forfeiture lawsuit launched last year has now been charged with 21 drug-related offences in Abbotsford. https://www.abbynews.com/local-news/21-drug-charges-for-man-with-abbotsford-and-maple-ridge-connections-780909707 Feb 2025 21:34 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhmkjkmsbk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3lhjn3pgfy22sAn Abbotsford daycare operator has been charged with six counts of assault related to children ages two to six. https://www.abbynews.com/local-news/abbotsford-daycare-operator-charged-with-assaulting-kids-780486806 Feb 2025 17:42 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhjn3pgfy22shttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3lgdwxzxfnc26Kolton Fowlie, the young Abbotsford man I wrote about who received a lung transplant, left the hospital today – only two weeks after his surgery – to start his new life without an oxygen tank or a wheelchair. If you haven't already, please consider registering as an organ donor. https://register.transplant.bc.ca/22 Jan 2025 17:58 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lgdwxzxfnc26https://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3lgdwiwrnbk26A service station, drive-thru restaurant, and convenience store are being proposed on the west side of Mt. Lehman Road near Abbotsford International Airport. https://www.abbynews.com/local-news/gas-station-and-drive-thru-restaurant-proposed-for-abbotsford-airport-777231122 Jan 2025 17:49 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lgdwiwrnbk26https://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3lfxdkwkylk2hI wrote about this guy a few years ago when he was living in Abbotsford. Now he has been charged with committing child sex crimes in Castlegar. https://www.abbynews.com/local-news/convicted-sexual-offender-charged-with-castlegar-child-sex-crimes-776579717 Jan 2025 17:38 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lfxdkwkylk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3lfnxhuohl223Two men involved in a home invasion in Abbotsford in June 2023 were sentenced Monday after pleading guilty on what was supposed to be the first day of their trial. https://www.abbynews.com/local-news/2-plead-guilty-to-abbotsford-home-invasion-where-victim-was-stabbed-775625714 Jan 2025 00:08 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lfnxhuohl223https://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3lfg45n33ms2tTwo men with extensive criminal histories have been charged in relation to an incident on Wednesday in Abbotsford in which they allegedly sped away from police in a stolen vehicle and crashed into two cars. https://www.abbynews.com/local-news/2-charged-with-driving-stolen-car-speeding-from-police-in-abbotsford-775251410 Jan 2025 21:10 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lfg45n33ms2thttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3lfay5zknvc2aA man and a woman have been charged in Abbotsford with defrauding a cellphone company of almost $900,000. https://www.abbynews.com/local-news/2-abbotsford-workers-accused-of-defrauding-cellphone-company-of-891k-774726608 Jan 2025 20:16 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lfay5zknvc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/vikkihopes.bsky.social/post/3lfauqkmsxk2qInvestigators have now confirmed that the remains of two individuals were found inside a torched vehicle Friday at Sumas Mountain Regional Park in Abbotsford. https://www.abbynews.com/local-news/remains-of-2-people-found-in-torched-vehicle-in-abbotsford-says-ihit-774705408 Jan 2025 19:14 +0000at://did:plc:b355cps5i2e6ir264bzxxo2d/app.bsky.feed.post/3lfauqkmsxk2q