Andrew Holota

Now is the time when the importance of accurate, ethical reporting is critical – perhaps as never before.

Facing changes together: Your community, your journalists

We're asking you to lock arms with us, as we look to better days ahead

Now is the time when the importance of accurate, ethical reporting is critical – perhaps as never before.
COLUMN: Obsolescence is a matter of mind

COLUMN: Obsolescence is a matter of mind

Take a jacket, it could get cold and rain later tonight ...

COLUMN: Obsolescence is a matter of mind
COLUMN: Being prepared for the unpredictable

COLUMN: Being prepared for the unpredictable

How many times do people have to be told that they should expect, and be prepared for, a major emergency?

COLUMN: Being prepared for the unpredictable
COLUMN: Drowning in denial over water conservation

COLUMN: Drowning in denial over water conservation

While the great majority of residents are understanding, there are a few who think it’s their “right” to use water as they wish...

COLUMN: Drowning in denial over water conservation
COLUMN: The perilous path of public perception

COLUMN: The perilous path of public perception

After nearly 40 years in the journalism business, one would think I’ve “seen ‘em all"...

COLUMN: The perilous path of public perception
COLUMN: More help needed for kids with mental health issues

COLUMN: More help needed for kids with mental health issues

Perhaps it’s a greater awareness on the part of parents that some child behaviours are indicators something is seriously amiss...

COLUMN: More help needed for kids with mental health issues
COLUMN: The dream of home ownership is slipping away

COLUMN: The dream of home ownership is slipping away

Is the Canadian dream of home ownership beyond the grasp for the majority of the next generation in the Lower Mainland?

COLUMN: The dream of home ownership is slipping away
COLUMN: Immunization a ‘community’ responsibility

COLUMN: Immunization a ‘community’ responsibility

Some provinces require children to be vaccinated before they can attend public school. How long before others follow suit?

COLUMN: Immunization a ‘community’ responsibility
COLUMN: Canadians, for better and for worse

COLUMN: Cruel online condemnation and conjecture

Columns heralding the new year are usually reflective of the past 12 months, or contain heartfelt, hopeful wishes for the next dozen...

COLUMN: Canadians, for better and for worse
COLUMN: Government: Wake up, and hear the cannons

COLUMN: Government: Wake up, and hear the cannons

How do you stop a provincial government in its tracks, and make it run for cover, and hide behind old legislation?

COLUMN: Government: Wake up, and hear the cannons
COLUMN: Sanctioned homeless camp rife with issues

COLUMN: Sanctioned homeless camp rife with issues

Let there be no illusion – this city has a serious homeless problem, with some people living in deplorable conditions

COLUMN: Sanctioned homeless camp rife with issues
COLUMN: More talk, and then hopefully, more action

COLUMN: More talk, and then hopefully, more action

One has to wonder what the task force on homelessness is going to talk about that hasn’t already been jawed and gnawed to the bone...

COLUMN: More talk, and then hopefully, more action
COLUMN: Digital dialogue that’s gone too far

COLUMN: Digital dialogue that’s gone too far

Instead of actually talking to your lunch guest, you can be Tweeting your menu choice, texting your BFF, checking the weather in Bolivia...

COLUMN: Digital dialogue that’s gone too far
COLUMN: Digital dialogue that’s gone too far

COLUMN: On the face of it, city loses if project fails

In the frustrating, sad chess game that has developed between the homeless and city hall in Abbotsford...

COLUMN: Digital dialogue that’s gone too far
Occupants of a homeless camp at Jubilee Park prepare to move their belongings and tents Saturday.

Homeless moving out of Jubilee Park in Abbotsford

Occupants of protest camp obey injunction to leave public park

Occupants of a homeless camp at Jubilee Park prepare to move their belongings and tents Saturday.
A student practices her English alphabet at an MCC-supported kindergarten in Beirut for Syrian children, ages four to six. There are about 70 children attending on a daily basis.

Syrian refugee crisis: Spectrum of aid delivered by MCC

Abbotsford link to couple working for agency in Beirut

A student practices her English alphabet at an MCC-supported kindergarten in Beirut for Syrian children, ages four to six. There are about 70 children attending on a daily basis.
Fatina and her family left Syria after seeing men from her neighbourhood executed.

Syrian refugee crisis: ‘They shoot them all – in front of their mothers’

A Syrian refugee in Jordan describes why she fled from conflict in her home country

Fatina and her family left Syria after seeing men from her neighbourhood executed.
Abdul tells journalists how his family fled fighting in Syria.

Syrian refugee crisis: Life among the stones

Syrian refugees flee conflict in their nation, but find new struggles while living in Jordan

Abdul tells journalists how his family fled fighting in Syria.
COLUMN: A special connection in the produce aisle

COLUMN: A special connection in the produce aisle

It started over carrots – the really fresh ones with the bushy green bits still attached...

COLUMN: A special connection in the produce aisle
COLUMN: Email is a funny thing...

COLUMN: Email is a funny thing…

You can have conversations with people anywhere in the world, and develop a social relationship...

COLUMN: Email is a funny thing...