Surrey RCMP is advising the public of a shooting in the Grandview Heights area of Surrey that left one person deceased and requesting anyone with information to contact police.
Surrey RCMP is currently on scene following a report of Shots Fired in the 2200 Block of 168th Street, in the Grandview Heights area of Surrey.
At approximately 1954 hours this evening, Surrey RCMP received a report of possible Shots Fired in the area of the 2200 Block of 168th Street. Upon arrival, Surrey RCMP A Watch Frontline Members located a deceased person, in a parked vehicle who appeared to be suffering from gunshot wounds.
The investigation is currently underway, in its early stages, and Surrey RCMP Officers are canvassing for witnesses in the area.
Any further information will be provided by Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
Anyone with further information who has not already spoken to police is asked to contact the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
March 13, 2023
Surrey Council directs staff to revise budget to reduce property tax increase
Surrey Council has voted to refer the proposed 2023-2027 General Operating and Capital Budget back to staff for revision. In light of the $89.9M announced for Surrey through the provincial Growing Communities Fund, Surrey Council has asked staff to work on reducing the overall proposed property tax increase from 17.5% to no more than 12.5%.
“Since the proposed budget was made public two weeks ago, the city has secured nearly $90M from the Province of British Columbia,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “As a result, we are now in a position to revise the budget and bring the overall property tax rate down. The new funding from the province will go to capital improvements, such as the third sheet of ice in Cloverdale and in turn decrease the policing surcharge from the proposed 9.5% to 4.5%. The new lower rate, should it pass, will continue to keep Surrey in the bottom third of property taxes in the Metro region. It is important to note that the proposed 2023 budget is built on the unwinding of the Surrey Police Service and maintaining the RCMP as the police of jurisdiction in Surrey. Should the police transition be allowed to continue, the extra costs would not be covered in the proposed 2023 budget.”
Staff will present a revised budget to Surrey Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting on April 3.
Get Hung Up
For the past week Surrey and White Rock RCMP have been conducting a cell free driving experience. Even though one can use their phone hands free via blue tooth if your vehicle has that capability, the facts still remain the same.
You are distracted when you are driving on the telephone, either hand held of hands free. The fine if found guilty is $368.00
Please seriously consider how important that phone call is.
•No call, text or email is so important it’s worth risking your life or the lives of others. Let calls go to voicemail and ignore your text messages while driving.
•Turn it to silent and keep it out of reach and out of sight, or turn on “Do not disturb while driving” features that will send automatic replies to incoming texts and route incoming calls to voicemail.
•Assign a designated texter. Ask your passengers to make or receive calls and texts for you.
•Plan ahead and make sure you have everything you need before hitting the road, like programming your navigation and infotainment systems in advance so you’re not trying to do it while driving.
•Pull over to make or receive a call when it’s safe and legal to do so. For longer journeys, look for signs at highway rest areas, some of which now provide free Wi-Fi.
•Avoid looking at screens while driving, even if you’re using your phone hands-free.
March 12, 2023
Nothing.......... Semi About It
The Semiahmoo Thunderbirds are the 2023 BC School Sports 4A Boys Tournament champions after defeating Fleetwood Park in an all-Surrey final. photo courtesy of Vancouver Sports Pictures
There would be no heartbreak in 2023 for the Semiahmoo Thunderbirds.
Finalists 12 months ago, the Thunderbirds defeated the Fleetwood Park Dragons 73-40 on Saturday night in an all-Surrey final in front of a record-breaking sell-out crowd at Langley Events Centre at the BC School Sports 4A Boys Basketball Provincial Tournament.
The title is the first senior boys basketball championship in school history.
Thunderbirds head coach Les Brown said the team’s loss in the 2022 title game to the Burnaby South Rebels was a valuable learning lesson for his team, which returned almost the entire roster, many of whom enter Grade 12 next year.
“We watched the game against Burnaby South from last year and their defence was fantastic. They were hungry, they wanted the ball, and we used that as motivation all year, knowing that we had to be the tougher team, hungry for every possession, especially in a game like this: possession is gold, and you have to take care of the ball,” the coach said.
Saturday’s final between the South Fraser rivals started off tentatively, with neither team able to build much of an advantage as the score was tied on four occasions before Semiahmoo took a slim 16-13 lead. The Thunderbirds would find their bearing in the second quarter, surging late for a 36-22 advantage at the half and then dominating the third quarter 25-10.
This one will be for the B.C. basketball history books.
Until last night's final no two Surrey school teams have ever met in the final of the top-tier senior boys basketball provincial championships.
Three Years On - National Day of COVID Observation
Premier David Eby; Adrian Dix, Minister of Health; and Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement to acknowledge the National Day of Observance for people affected by COVID-19:
"Today is Canada’s National Day of Observance. On this day, we take time to remember all those who have died or have had health complications as a result of COVID-19, and honour our health-care and front-line workers who have been working selflessly and courageously since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago.
"It was on March 11, 2020, that the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic. Since then, SARS COV-2 virus has challenged people and communities around the world in unprecedented ways. Today, we stand together and observe a moment of silence to remember and honour those people who have lost their lives, while also thinking of their family and friends. This virus has been particularly hard on seniors and Elders in our families and communities and we hold them in our thoughts again today.
“While we may have had different experiences these last three years, the pandemic has profoundly impacted every single person and community in B.C. We will never forget those who died, and we will always be grateful to the front-line heroes who worked and continue to work tirelessly to keep us safe and support us through these most difficult times.
“We are also grateful to everyone in B.C. who stepped forward to be vaccinated and who followed the public health guidelines to protect themselves, their families and their communities. This commitment has allowed us to get back to our lives and once again enjoy the social activities, entertainment, gatherings, sports, in-person work and school that are so important to our health and well-being.
“We know this was no small request and we are deeply grateful to everyone who stepped up to do their part. Your sacrifices – great and small – made a difference and helped British Columbia emerge from the darkest days of the pandemic.
"As we emerge from the pandemic and look to the future, we must continue to work together to keep each other safe and build a healthier future for all of us.”
Owners of restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries will have more time to make outdoor seating areas permanent, allowing them to serve more people without disruption during the patio season.
Government is extending existing temporary expanded service area (TESA) authorizations one final time until Dec. 31, 2024. TESAs have enabled thousands of liquor-licensed businesses to create new or expanded outdoor seating spaces, such as patios and sampling areas, and give customers more space to gather.
The TESA program was implemented in May 2020 as a measure to help the food-and-beverage sector through difficult financial times during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2021, the Province extended existing TESA authorizations to provide time for local authorities to update their patio policies and for licensees to apply to make those areas permanent.
Businesses wanting to make their current TESA permanent must apply through the Liquor and Cannabis Licensing Portal for a new outdoor patio permanent structural change (for indoor TESAs), or a new interior service area permanent structural change (for outdoor TESAs). Permanent approval of expanded service areas must meet all local bylaws and requirements (e.g., related to parking, building codes and the use of public land
Video of the Day
Chesney's Chestnut
What do you call a witch that lives at the beach?
A sand witch.
Thought for the Day
Our Next Film & Discussion Event
Date: Friday March 31st, 2023 Location: Turnbull Gallery,
South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre, 14601 20th Ave, South Surrey Time: Doors open at 6:00pm, Film starts at 6:30pm
