Vancouver rundown for Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Say goodbye to the London Drugs location on Vancouver's
downtown east side. The BC -based chain says
it's closing the iconic Woodwards location at
the end of the month due to ongoing problems
with crime and violence. President and CEO Clint
Mailman calls it a very difficult decision, noting
the location continues to struggle. He says there's
a transition plan in place for staff. The location
has lost more than $10 million and is 15 years
at the site of the old Woodward's department
store. Other news. A 15 -year -old has been found
dead by those fighting a house fire north of
Aldergrove. The home on 248th Street near 65th
Avenue went up in flames before 7 o 'clock Wednesday
morning. There's no word on the cause. It is
not believed to involve any crime. Investigators
are looking for those responsible for two more
extortion -related shootings south of the Fraser.
At around 1 .30 Wednesday morning, a home on
77A Avenue in Surrey's Newton neighborhood was
riddled with bullets. A few hours later, a home
near 84 Avenue and Brook Road in North Delta
was shot up. There are no injuries in either
shooting. The Lapu Lapu Day Festival will return
to Vancouver nearly a year after a deadly attack
that claimed 11 lives and left dozens of others
hurt. Organizers say they plan to make remembrance
and healing part of this year's event. A man
is still before the courts after a car rammed
into crowds at the end of last year's Filipino
Street Festival. The forecast calling for clouds
and possible showers on Thursday and Friday,
rain for Saturday. For all the details on those
Vancouver -related stories, along with the links,
go to VancouverRundown .substack. .com.