Construction has officially begun on the new Newton Community Centre in Surrey, marking one of the largest investment projects in the city’s history. According to the City of Surrey, construction crews are currently removing the old structures and preparing and levelling the site. Mayor Brenda Locke said the 175,000-square-foot modern community hub will bring a major transformation to Newton by bringing recreation, cultural and library services together under one roof. The $310-million project near King George Boulevard will feature a 50-metre swimming pool, a leisure pool, two gymnasiums, a

Surrey police have issued a public warning as another high-risk offender, 49-year-old Jonathan Anders Muzichka, is set to be released. The Surrey Police Service said Tuesday that Muzichka has a history of violent attacks against people and property-related offences. He will be subject to several strict court-ordered conditions and will also be monitored through an ankle monitor. Police are urging the public to call 911 immediately if they see Muzichka violating any of his court conditions. The warning comes just a day after Surrey police issued a similar alert regarding the release of 26-year-

A 77-year-old man has died under suspicious circumstances in Fort St. James, B.C., with RCMP’s Major Crime Unit investigating the death as a possible homicide. Police said officers were called to a home in the 800-block of Spruce Road at around 2:40 a.m. Monday. They found the elderly man seriously injured at the scene and rushed him to hospital, where he later died despite medical efforts. The suspected attackers had fled before police arrived. RCMP Major Crime investigators have since taken over the case. Staff Sgt. Chris Clarke said the preliminary investigation indicates the incident was

Seven mayors have already been elected unopposed in cities across Vancouver Island, nearly a month before general voting in British Columbia’s municipal elections. The municipalities include Sidney, Duncan, Lantzville, Cumberland, Comox, Port McNeill and Port Hardy. In each community, only one candidate filed a nomination for mayor, resulting in an automatic victory without a contested election. Political experts and local leaders say the trend may reflect today’s increasingly toxic political environment, personal attacks on social media and growing mental-health pressures. They believe th

Surrey Police Service has issued a warning about a high-risk offender who has been released in Surrey. Police say 26-year-old Skyler Wayne Pelletier has a history of violent and sexual offences involving members of the public, including women. According to SPS, Pelletier is an Indigenous man who is 6-foot-2, heavy-set, with short black hair and brown eyes. He has been released under strict court-ordered conditions, including no contact with victims or their families and a prohibition from entering within two blocks of the 2500-block of Woodland Drive in Vancouver. He must also follow a curfew

B.C. Conservative MLA Donegal Wilson has announced that she is joining Peter Milobar’s new political party, becoming the seventh MLA in the newly formed group. Wilson, who represents Boundary-Similkameen, said in a statement that she left the B.C. Conservatives because of disagreements with party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s policies. She said Milobar’s new party aims to provide British Columbians with a strong alternative to the B.C. NDP. With Wilson’s move, the new party will now become the third-largest group in the B.C. legislature. The governing NDP currently holds 47 seats, while

Home sales in British Columbia declined in August compared with the same month last year, according to the B.C. Real Estate Association. The association said 5,653 residential units were sold across the province last month, down 4.7 per cent from August 2025 and 25.4 per cent below the 10-year average for the month. B.C. Real Estate Association chief economist Brendon Ogmundson said the housing market continues to show signs of a gradual recovery. However, he noted that new tariffs and a recent rise in long-term interest rates remain risks for the housing market. The report said the average ho

Nomination proceedings have closed for the upcoming municipal election in Surrey, with about 100 candidates seeking 15 positions, including one mayor, eight city councillors and six school trustees. Seven candidates are running for mayor: Linda Annis, Brenda Locke, Doug McCallum, Honveer Singh Randhawa, Mike Starchuk, Troy Van-Vliet and Eagle Emans. A total of 65 candidates are contesting the eight city council seats, while 23 candidates are running for the six school trustee positions. Among the school trustee candidates are Harjit Kaur Bhullar, Amrit Warring, Gurleen Kaur Chahal, Meena Kocha

A fishing vessel sank near the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal on Sunday, prompting a rescue operation for two people who were left in the water. Officials received a report at around 3:15 p.m. that a boat had sunk near the terminal. B.C. Ferries spokesperson Sheila Reynolds said the Spirit of British Columbia and Coastal Renaissance immediately deployed a rescue boat and safely pulled both people from the water. Police and B.C. Emergency Health Services paramedics later attended the terminal. After receiving first aid, both individuals were taken to hospital in stable condition. The incident also c