A new radio station has launched in Surrey. Goodbye SPICE RADIO hello SWIFT.
Sudhir Datt launched Spice Radio in 2005 she became the first Canadian woman to receive a broadcasting license from the CRTC. She's also been named Broadcaster of the Year by the British Columbia Association of Broadcasters and is a Member of the Order of British Columbia.
SPICE RADIO signed off this past Friday and instantly the airwaves were filled with a dynamic mix of news, talk shows, music, current affairs, and community programming in a variety of South Asian languages—including Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, and more. The new radio station will be known as RADIO SWIFT and is located at 1220 on your am radio dial.
Community-Based Cooling Locations and Misting Tents operating in Surrey-White Rock.
Individuals experiencing homelessness face increased risks around heat related illnesses. Please encourage community members in need to access cooling locations and heat response supplies.
As a reminder, civic facilities are available to anyone seeking relief from extreme heat or wildfire smoke during the summer months.
City of Surrey: Visit Staying Cool During Extreme Heat for more information about heat response resources in Surrey (see attached poster).
Surrey and White Rock residents can also receive emergency notifications through the Alertable app.
This app is free and notifications can be received through text, email, phone, social media and more.
July 29, 2025
Join us for the 74th annual White Rock Sea Festival & Semiahmoo Days Saturday & Sunday
The City of White Rock and Semiahmoo First Nation welcome the community back for the 74th annual White Rock Sea Festival and Semiahmoo Days, an unforgettable weekend of sun, surf, and celebration taking place August 2-3, 2025, at the waterfront.
Experience an exciting lineup of activities, performances, and entertainment across three activation zones located at:
Semiahmoo Park: Enjoy a weekend of live music, family-friendly games, Indigenous artisans, and food trucks at the iconic band-shell overlooking Semiahmoo Bay. Musical highlights include Legacy’s tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John (Saturday) the country trio The Heels as well as the soul/Motown sounds of BIG CITY SOUL @ 3 p.m. (Sunday).
Environmental Zone (East Beach): Explore hands-on sustainability exhibits with Parks Canada and dive into marine education at the White Rock (P’Quals) with the Vancouver Aquarium.
Memorial Park: Catch non-stop live music on the Main Stage, with surf-rockers California Surf on Saturday, and the soulful sounds of Sadé Awele on Sunday. Don’t miss the crowd-favourite Waiters Race Saturday evening.
The nighttime Torchlight Parade, presented by Waste Connections of Canada, floats down Marine Drive Saturday evening starting at 8:30 p.m. by Oxford Street and ends at Semiahmoo Park.
Fireworks will conclude the Festival with a spectacular display on Sunday starting at 10:15 p.m. View the show from anywhere along the waterfront.
Admission is free, and all are encouraged to walk, cycle, or take transit to the waterfront.
NOTE: The very popular Saturday and Sunday salmon BBQ in Semiahmoo Park as well as the annual hot rod custom car show on Sunday in semiahmoo Park have both been cancelled this year .
July 28, 2025
Don't Try Drinking and Driving in White Rock
Cst. Ravnit Sandhu
White Rock RCMP officers Cpl. Luc Lamoureux and Cst. Ravnit Sandhu both received Gold recognition from the National Impaired Driving Recognition Program. Cpl. Lamoureux removed 24 impaired drivers from the streets of White Rock in a calendar year, while Cst. Sandhu removed 27 impaired drivers. Gold recognition was issued to officers who removed 24 or more impaired drivers.
Despite updated legislation and increasingly severe judicial measures, impaired driving remains the leading criminal cause of death in Canada. Necessary steps in reducing the negative impact of impaired drivers include the detection of these drivers and intervention by law enforcement officers.
If you observe an impaired driver, call 9-1-1 and provide location and vehicle details to police.
UPDATE July 29;
RCMP arrest impaired driver who was more than four times the legal limit
Friday evening at approximately 11:00 p.m. White Rock RCMP received a 9-1-1 call advising of a dangerous and possibly impaired driver in the 14000 block of North Bluff Road. Police responded quickly and located the vehicle shortly after receiving the call.
A 50-year-old male from White Rock was arrested for impaired driving and is facing charges after providing breath samples that were over four times the legal limit.
RCMP thanked the vigilant caller who reported the incident and emphasized the crucial role the public plays in helping keep roads safe.
The male was released from custody after having his drivers licence suspended with a court date scheduled in November.
White Rock RCMP urge anyone who suspects an impaired driver to call 9-1-1 immediately.
July 26, 2025
Welcome To "City By The Sea"
The first of three new murals in White Rock has been completed.
Located on the back of the Balsam Street Comfort Station, the mural, titled “City by the Sea” was created by artist, Rory Doyle.
According to the artist:
“The mural intends to celebrate a vintage era of White Rock’s oceanside strip through blockbuster type, housing a panoramic look at West to East. Nodding to the classic Greetings from postcard, each word holds its own experience including classic cars cruising the strip, the historic train passing through and the sun setting behind vibrant sea life.”
The next two murals will be located on the front of the Balsam Street Comfort Station as well as the city's Parkade on West Beach.
Canada names 3 Local Players to Women's Rugby World Cup 2025
World number 2-ranked Canada name their squad of 32 to compete at Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 in England.
Head Coach Kevin Rouet has named Canada’s 32-player squad for Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, which kicks off in Sunderland, England on 22 August.
Canada will compete in Pool B with matches against Fiji at the York Community Stadium on Saturday, 23 August, before further matches against Wales in Salford on 30 August and Scotland in Exeter on 6 September.
Forwards
Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – University of British Columbia
Backs
Shoshanah Seumanutafa
July 25, 2025
Road Safety? We Have A 50/50 Chance
On July 22, 2025, Surrey Bylaw Enforcement - Commercial Vehicle Unit hosted a commercial vehicle enforcement check with our partners from Coquitlam Bylaw, Township of Langley Bylaw, New West Police, and the BC RCMP Hwy Patrol. The check was setup on the 7400 block of 128 Street, targeting commercial vehicles.
43 vehicles were inspected with 21 vehicles placed out of service (49%) for various safety, mechanical, and regulatory issues.
Through the duration of the check, a total of 42 tickets were issued with 74 violations identified.
Community Alert: Ricki Randall Taysup
In July 2024, Ricki Randall Taysup, now 37, was arrested in connection with an incident on June 22, 2024, in the 13600-block of 18 Avenue, where he allegedly chased and threatened a woman in the Ocean Park area. He was charged with uttering threats and has since been released on probation with strict conditions.
There have been unconfirmed reports of Taysup being seen in areas such as Crescent Beach, 16th Avenue, and Crescent Park in early 2025, potentially in violation of his probation terms. These sightings suggest he may have appeared under the influence, raising concerns for public safety, particularly in the Ocean Park area where prior incidents occurred. However, these reports could not be verified through official sources. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any parole violations to the Surrey Police Service (SPS) non-emergency line at 604-599-0502. If you believe there is an immediate threat, call 911.
Taysup should not be confronted. If you see him, maintain a safe distance.
Taysup is under court-ordered conditions:
● prohibited from being in certain areas of the South Surrey/White Rock peninsula (see map below)
● possessing non-prescribed drugs or alcohol (except personal-use marijuana)
● carrying weapons, including knives, bear spray, or other incapacitating sprays.
Taysup’s July 2024 arrest followed community reports of harassment targeting women and girls in Ocean Park, prompting significant concern. His history allegedly includes a prior conviction for sexual assault, though specific details are not publicly available.
In what has now become a yearly PSA, here is my fifth installment on Foxtail Barley or Spear Grass (horde um jubatum) that is a threat to your furry friend if you are a dog owner. Last year's TNT on this prickly subject was on June 8 titled "Spear Grass Stabbing Dogs which you can scroll down in the online archives to read. While I have done my best to bring this pet threat to both the public and other media attention, there are many people who are blissfully aware of the risk this plant poses. Unfortunately little is being done to manage its spread and with our warmer drier summers foxtail barley is moving from marginal growth areas right into people's manicured lawns.
Cst. Ravnit Sandhu
Crescent Park: meet at the main picnic area on the big field by parking lot 3!
9:30 - 11:30AM
July 30, Aug 6, 13
Don’t forget your hat, water bottle, sunscreen, and blanket! 
