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May 11, 2026, 5:53 pm |
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Crescent Beach Dog Walker
Where You Can Vacation And Be Home The Same Day
TNT The Naked Truth
Don Pitcairn
May 11, 2026
Warrior For The Fallen
After recovering from being seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, South Surrey resident Barry Drews, aka "Brutus", met some CAV members at a bar in 2007 and was immediately impressed by what they were doing for Veterans. I should note that he did not serve in the Canadian military but quickly became a key player in the Canadian Army Veteran's Motorcycle Unit, 3rd CAV, Western Canada. He also became a member of the CAV National Executive and served as their Sergeant-at-Arms for four years. Barry was President of the 3rd CAV Rome Chapter in Mission, named after Battle Honours that Canada received for their part in the Italian campaign during WWII. Mr. Drews early years with the CAV coincided with Canada's military operations in Afghanistan as part of NATO that lasted from 2001 to 2014. During that time, more than 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members were deployed to Afghanistan making this military engagement the largest deployment of personnel since the Second World War. Unfortunately, 158 Canadian men and women were killed while serving in Afghanistan with many more harmed physically, mentally, or both.
In his drive for the CAV to honour veterans, fallen soldiers and their surviving families, Mr. Drews established the Memorial Ride For The Fallen and in 2010 over a thousand motorcycles and many more support vehicles rode from the Trev Deeley motorcycle dealership in Vancouver to Agassiz and on to CFB Chilliwack with seven Silver Cross mothers from B.C. who had lost their sons in the Afghanistan conflict. These mothers actually rode on the backs of the motorcycle procession, many for the first time in their lives that they had been on a bike. In the Memorial Ride poster it asked people to "Come create our west coast Highway of Heroes" following the dedication of a portion of the #401 Hwy in Ontario that was often used for the repatriated remains of fallen soldiers flown to Canada from Afghanistan. A week later, members of the B.C. Highway's Dept. contacted Barry to let him know they wanted to help with the mission of creating a Highway of Heroes in B.C. On June 9, 2011, the Trans-Canada Highway between 152 Street exit in Surrey and the Sumas exit in Abbotsford was dedicated to the memory of the fallen soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan and to the families they left behind. When you see the large blue highway sign a few kilometers east of 232 St., take note of the 3rd CAV and Honour House designation on it and know that Barry still personally changes the Canadian and B.C. flags there twice a year.
Barry Drew's focus on helping the Silver Cross families is legendary and he is known to many as "the son they never wanted" since he has stepped in to look after the thirteen B.C. families who lost their sons in Afghanistan. When the Kandahar Airfield Memorial was repatriated to Canada at the end of the mission, Barry and all of the 158 Silver Cross families from across this country were invited to attend the opening ceremony. The monument is housed in the Afghanistan Memorial Hall at the National Defence Headquarters, Carling Campus in Ottawa. The Canadian government flew all of the moms and dads plus six relatives each to this event and Barry was there representing the CAV and supporting the families of the fallen. This ceremony along with the Memorial Rides and the Highway of Heroes dedication, that now have locations in every province in Canada, led to Barry receiving a Ministry of Veteran Affairs Accomodation in 2013 for his years of service to Veterans and their families through his work through the 3rd CAV.
All of this leads to Mother's Day on the weekend when I visited the Derek Doubleday Arboretum in Langley with my mom and sister to check out this beautiful Langley Park and its collection of trees. One of the most notable aspects of this park is its two war memorials including the "Walk to Remember" Afghan war memorial featuring 158 trees planted for every Canadian killed in service during the Afghanistan war. The central commemorative sculpture is symbolic of a tree whose life has been cut short. Wrapped around the trunk, a steel ribbon ascends towards the sky carrying the names of the 158 men and women who died in this conflict. Around the base are stones painted with poppies, with faded Remembrance Day poppies adorning the sculpture in many locations. Originally spearheaded by two Langley, BC youth, Michael and Elizabeth Prattand their organization Langley Youth for the Fallen, the 3rd CAV immediately got involved with a donation and their name appears on the list of donors right after the Seaforth Highlanders and the Langley Army Cadets. The 3rd Cav was there for the revealing of this monument and to help support the Afghan Veterans and Silver Cross family members who were in attendance.
The reason for all of this history related to Veterans, the Afghanistan war and the 3rd CAV is that last week, Barry Drews received an email from the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG), Chancellery of Honours in Ottawa. In it they revealed that he has been chosen to receive the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers. Any living person who is a Canadian citizen and who has made significant, sustained and unpaid contributions to their community in Canada or abroad is eligible. Living non-Canadians are also eligible if their contributions have brought benefit or honour to Canadians or to Canada. With his decades of service to Afghan war Veterans, the Silver Cross families and the Canadian Legion, Barry Drews has more than earned this honour bestowed on him. At this early point in this process, the acceptance of this medal plus the presentation process has yet to be determined. All I know for sure is that when Barry Drews receives this commendation, I will be there to witness the event, shake his hand and give him a hearty "Well done Sir, well done!"
Here are some links to websites containing detailed information about the various related topics covered in this TNT should you wish to learn more.
Naturally yours,
Don Pitcairn
Local News
May 11, 2026
Two Shootings Sunday In Surrey
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has taken over conduct of a homicide investigation in Surrey following an incident in which two males have died.
At approximately 10:02 pm on Sunday evening (May 10) Surrey Police Service (SPS) Frontline officers responded to calls of a shooting in an underground parking lot in the 7000 block 133B Street, Surrey. Upon arrival, SPS officers located two males suffering from gun shot wounds and provided medical assistance until BCEHS arrived. Despite life saving efforts by police and BCEHS paramedics, the males were both pronounced deceased on scene.
No arrests have been made and at this early stage there is no suspect information to share.
IHIT has now taken over the investigation and is being supported by SPS to complete priority investigative tasks.
Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
As IHIT is now the lead investigative agency, any inquiries should be directed to IHIT.
Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating an early morning shooting (Sunday morning) in the 7100 block 152 Street that has sent two to hospital in critical condition.
At 3:49 am on May 10, 2026, SPS Frontline officers responded to calls that two men had been shot outside the Chevron gas station in the 7100 block 152 Street, Surrey. Officers arrived and found two men suffering from gun shot wounds and administered emergency medical aid. The two men were transported to hospital by BCEHS, where they remain in reportedly critical condition.
SPS’s Major Crime Section has taken over the investigation and police will be examining the scene and area for both physical and digital evidence. The intersection of 72 Avenue and 152 Street is expected to be closed for most of the morning as officers examine the area.
At this early stage of the investigation, there is no suspect information available to share with the public and the motive is unknown, although it is not believed to be extortion related.
Surrey Police Service is asking any witnesses, anyone who may have been in the area at the time and has dashcam footage, or if you live in or own a business in the area and have CCTV footage to contact SPS’s non-emergency number at 604-599-0502 and quote file 26-45524 (SP).
Regular Council Meeting AGENDA
Monday, May 11, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
White Rock Community Centre Council Chambers / 15154 Russell Ave, White Rock
*Live Streaming/Telecast: Please note that all Committees, Task Forces, Council Meetings, and Public Hearings held in the Council Chamber are being recorded and broadcasted as well included on the City’s website at: www.whiterockcity.ca
May 10, 2026
Now & Then
 
The recently opened FUSION restaurant on East Beach now inhabits the location of the original Howe's Market (now located uptown on Johnston Road @ Roper Avenue)
You Don't See This Everyday
A collision between a motorcycle and car on Scott Road yesterday in Newton, sent the motorcycle rider to the hospital with serious but non life threatening injuries.
The roadway was closed for hours as emergency crews pondered how to bring the motorcycle back to earth.
May 09, 2026
I got my census in the mail yesterday
Then I saw some folks sharing content encouraging people to refuse it as a protest against the current federal government. I want to address that directly so you just ... don’t do this.
Here’s what the census actually is… it’s the closest thing civic life has to a sacred scroll of national self-knowledge. It helps make sense of what you’re seeing… with numbers. It is how the invisible become countable. It is the long game made visible.
The census is not a Liberal document. It is not a Conservative document. It belongs to every community that needs to know who it’s serving. When you refuse to be counted as a protest against the people currently counting… you don’t hurt the government. You hurt the next generation of planners, advocates, and community builders who needed to know you were here.
Here’s what census data actually drives:
1. Where hospitals get built
2. How many schools a community needs
3. Federal transfer payments to your province and city
4. Your representation in Parliament
5. Housing policy and affordable housing investment
6. Where newcomers get settlement services
7. Funding for Indigenous communities and language programs
8. Where food banks and social services get located
9. Roads, transit, bridges, and broadband planning
10. Emergency preparedness and disaster response
No government lasts forever. But the data that shapes the next hospital,the next school, the next dollar allocated to your community… that outlasts every election cycle.
Refusing the census to protest a government you don’t like is counterproductive at best and absurd reasoning at worst. You don’t hurt Ottawa. You just make your community invisible to whoever comes next.
May 08, 2026
If You Go Out In The Woods Today
The Coastal Fire Centre covers the Lower Mainland, Sea-to-Sky corridor, Vancouver Island, the Central Coast (BC Interior) and Haida Gwaii.
Fe Fi Fo Fun............Surrey Soccer Fan Zones kick off with opening celebration on June 12
Fans invited to free live viewing of Canada’s first FIFA World Cup 26™ match on the big screen . The City of Surrey will officially launch its Surrey Soccer Fan Zones with a free opening celebration on June 12 at Civic Plaza, where fans can gather to watch Canada’s first match of the FIFA World Cup 26™ on the big screen. In honour of this once-in-a-lifetime moment, the first 250 fans will receive a $10 coupon redeemable at all food and beverage vendors onsite, along with additional giveaways. This celebration kicks off six weeks of more than 100 free live match broadcasts at three locations, offering residents and visitors the chance to share the excitement of the world’s biggest sporting event.
The opening celebration will feature a live broadcast of the Canadian men’s team taking on Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fans can enjoy a full day of activities, featuring the Surrey Sports Hall of Fame booth, Whitecaps FC and local soccer clubs, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, community exhibitors, food trucks, and a beer garden. Programming also extends to Kick It! at Central City Plaza.
Two additional Surrey Soccer Fan Zones will open later in the tournament:
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Cloverdale Agriplex on July 1, in conjunction with Surrey’s Canada Day festivities
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South Surrey Athletic Park on July 14
For detailed schedules, programming, and event information, visit surreysoccerfanzones.ca.
From The Pages Of The White Rock Sun
 November 1966
It is rather hard to believe the Guildford Town Centre opened some 60 odd years ago.
When we made the decision to launch CANADA'S FIRST INTERNET NEWSPAPER the natural name for the paper was The White Rock Sun. The White Rock Sun was created in 1957 as The Semiahmoo Sun morphed into the new weekly newspaper version called the White Rock Sun.
The White Rock Sun was purchased in 1976 and became The Peace Arch News. The parent company of the Peace Arch News did not see the value in retaining the name The White Rock Sun.
We did.
May 06, 2026
ALEX BROWNE in this week's Peace Arch News reveals how White Rock's population is changing
-we continue to grow in population
-our average residents age is above the national average
-the racial mix is changing
Rotary Club of South Surrey / Missing Signs:
Rotary Club of South Surrey, bi-annual Shred-It coming up on Saturday May 16th and our lawn signs are going missing?? one of our biggest advertising methods for the event, – a big expense to the club- each sign costs the club approximately. $15.00. If you find these signs or know where they are please phone (#phone number on sign) and we will come and pick them up – very much appreciated – not sure why they are being taken. We have permission from the City of White Rock and City of Surrey to have them up for the month of May – thank you to both cities for their support
Kind regards,
Deirdre O’Ruairc
May 05, 2026
Join MAYOR LOCKE on May 14 at 12:30pm to hear Mayor Brenda Locke deliver her 2026 State of the City address. The Mayor will share her vision for Surrey’s future, along with updates on City achievements and upcoming projects.
Watch it live right here on our Facebook page.
Learn more: https://ow.ly/MUVX50YS59E
...Meanwhile
Mayor Brenda Locke is calling for a public inquiry into Metro Vancouver pushing for clearer answers on decisions, governance, and rising costs that impact residents and businesses across the region.
This is about building trust, strengthening oversight, and ensuring our communities are being represented the right way.
In My Opinion
David Chesney
With the recent run of summer like weather, our waterfront in White Rock is beginning to sound and look like summer.
Hear no evil, see no evil......so that means it is time to start speaking.
Electric Scooters
Neither Surrey or White Rock are taking part in the pilot program to allow electric scooters to operate in the cities.
Why then are the RCMP and Surrey Police turning a blind eye? Good question.
Loud Exhausts on Motorbikes and Cars
Determining whether a vehicle is too loud usually comes down to a police officer’s subjective opinion. Police are not required to carry equipment to measure sound levels and there is no requirement for police to empirically determine sound levels. So why are we plagued on Marine Drive and up and down Johnston Road with incredibly loud vehicles that literally shake the windows. The officer can write a ticket based on his observation, the courts will decide if contested. Another good question.
Safety On The Waterfront
Last week all the members of council were invited to a Community Policing "Thank You" social event. While there a lady came up to me who was attending the event ( I later realized she was a Community Police volunteer) she asked me if there was anything the city could do about the large groups gathering at night along Marine Drive in the area of Marine Drive/Memorial Park and the west beach parking lots? I explained to her that she was not the first person to express concern. The White Rock RCMP staff sergeant was in attendance at the event and I asked if we could meet the next morning. He replied in the affirmative./ We met the next morning in his office and I expressed the concern I was hearing back from the community about what seemed like a lack of presence by the RCMP along our waterfront. Staff Sergent DIXON informed me extra shifts for the waterfront would soon be in place and he was hopeful this would alleviate some of the residents concerns. Time will tell.
Dogs On The Promenade and the Pier
A common problem. There is probably not a time that I visit the waterfront, which is often that I don't see people merrily walking their dogs along the promenade right in front of the NO DOGS allowed signs. Which by the way there are 7 of them from the pier to the end of the museum. Our bylaw officers (when they are actually patrolling the promenade) ask violators to please take their dogs off the promenade. For the most part violators respond in a positive manner. Our Bylaw officers DO NOT issue tickets for dog violations.
Rundown Boarded Up Businesses
I agree they look like s___t. Yet there is nothing the city can do, we do not have a bylaw that we could enforce for vacant unkempt businesses. Several members of the current council are attempting to work with staff to develop some form of enforcement method. Even if they are empty there is no reason for the vacant businesses to look so damn rundown and uncared for. Wish us luck.
P.S. Before you ask, there is absolutely nothing the city can do about the mix of businesses on the waterfront if they meet the zoning bylaws. Too many fish n chip shops? Too many ice cream parlours? Too many Indian food restaurants.
The market will decide who stays and who goes.
Thank you for reading and writing.
David Chesney Editor/Publisher and third term city councillor
11 1/2 years of service and counting.
Email - editor@whiterockcity.ca
Thought For The Day
Our presentation on May 14th will be " Discovering Wildlife in the Fraser Delta'" given by Anne Murray. A life-long birdwatcher and naturalist, Anne is a past-president of BC Nature and the author of two books on the Fraser delta's natural history: A Nature Guide to Boundary Bay and Tracing our Past ~ a Heritage Guide to Boundary Bay. Copies of both books will be available for purchase at the meeting.
White Rock/Crescent Beach Daily Tide Chart
Waterfront West Beach Live Camera
Check the weather @ the beach 24/7
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