Alex Browne

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Hundreds turned out to the ‘Peace Walk for Ukraine’ in White Rock on April 2, 2022 organized by the Peninsula Ukrainian community with assistance from White Rock Rotary Club. The club and Rotary District 5050 are now partnering with the Veterans Transition Program at UBC to give ongoing help to Ukrainians in the homeland suffering psychological scars of war. (File photo)

New B.C. program offers mental-health supports to war-traumatized in Ukraine

Ambitious initiative aims to help those facing challenges of war

Hundreds turned out to the ‘Peace Walk for Ukraine’ in White Rock on April 2, 2022 organized by the Peninsula Ukrainian community with assistance from White Rock Rotary Club. The club and Rotary District 5050 are now partnering with the Veterans Transition Program at UBC to give ongoing help to Ukrainians in the homeland suffering psychological scars of war. (File photo)
Surrey RCMP responded to the scene of a fatal shooting in South Surrey in the early morning hours of Sept. 6, 2019. (Tracy Holmes file photo)

Sentence upheld for Surrey senior who killed roommate following rent dispute

George Murray Bragg, 77, argued for a shorter jail term

Surrey RCMP responded to the scene of a fatal shooting in South Surrey in the early morning hours of Sept. 6, 2019. (Tracy Holmes file photo)
A memorial to Paul Prestbakmo (inset) grew quickly on the median adjacent to where he died, after suffering stab wounds, in the early hours of Aug. 16, 2019. (File photo/Facebook photo)

Life sentences for youths convicted in slaying of Surrey mechanic

Perpetrators sentenced as adults, no parole eligibility for seven years

A memorial to Paul Prestbakmo (inset) grew quickly on the median adjacent to where he died, after suffering stab wounds, in the early hours of Aug. 16, 2019. (File photo/Facebook photo)
Bhavkiran Dhesi’s boyfriend Harjot Singh Deo has been sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter and interfering with her remains in the Surrey teens death on Aug. 2, 2017. (Contributed photo)

7-year sentence for boyfriend of manslaughter victim Bhavkiran Dhesi

Harjot Singh Deo sentenced in 2017 death of teen, found in torched SUV in South Surrey

Bhavkiran Dhesi’s boyfriend Harjot Singh Deo has been sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter and interfering with her remains in the Surrey teens death on Aug. 2, 2017. (Contributed photo)
After 44 years in the media industry, White Rock resident Rick O’Connor has retired from his role as CEO of Black Press Media – but says he still plans to be involved in the community, and the continuing development of the news industry. Alex Browne photo

Black Press Media CEO Rick O’Connor retires after 44-year career in news business

Former president and CEO of newspaper group reflects on a long and varied career in media

After 44 years in the media industry, White Rock resident Rick O’Connor has retired from his role as CEO of Black Press Media – but says he still plans to be involved in the community, and the continuing development of the news industry. Alex Browne photo
Writer-producer Kraig Wenman in a set representing a Canadian bank constructed in Georgia for the film Bandit. Contributed photo

New feature film by B.C. writer tells true story of Canada’s ‘Flying Bandit’

Project a labour of love for White Rock screenwriter Kraig Wenman

Writer-producer Kraig Wenman in a set representing a Canadian bank constructed in Georgia for the film Bandit. Contributed photo
Sergey Toporkov and Olena Toporkova in the garden of his uncle and aunt’s South Surrey home.

Ukraine refugees, now in B.C., bear witness to ordeal of war

Sergey Toporkov and his wife Olena arrived in Canada with little but the clothes on their backs

Sergey Toporkov and Olena Toporkova in the garden of his uncle and aunt’s South Surrey home.
BC Appeal Court has dismissed South Surrey mother Lisa Batstone’s appeal of her sentence for second-degree murder in connection with the December 2014 smothering death of her eight-year-old daughter Teagan. (File photos)

B.C. mother fails in appeal of 15-year sentence for her daughter’s murder

Bid to reduce time served without elegibility for parole dismissed in BC Appeal Court

BC Appeal Court has dismissed South Surrey mother Lisa Batstone’s appeal of her sentence for second-degree murder in connection with the December 2014 smothering death of her eight-year-old daughter Teagan. (File photos)
Trevor Halford, Liberal MLA for Surrey-White Rock, and opposition critic for education, children, family development and childcare, said he isn’t about to be intimidated out of asking tough questions in the Legislature on behalf of constituents. (File photo)

No response from B.C. MLA to autism advocacy group’s apology demand

Surrey-White Rock MLA’s comments on autism funding were mocked in B.C. Legislature

Trevor Halford, Liberal MLA for Surrey-White Rock, and opposition critic for education, children, family development and childcare, said he isn’t about to be intimidated out of asking tough questions in the Legislature on behalf of constituents. (File photo)
Conservative MP-elect for South Surrey-White Rock Kerry-Lynne Findlay exchanges a fist-bump with Leader Erin O’Toole during O’Toole’s campaign visit to Surrey last September. On Wednesday, after the CPC voted to replace O’Toole as party leader, Findlay put her name forward for role of interim leader. (Kerry-Lynne Findlay Facebook photo)

B.C. MP makes bid for interim Conservative Party leadership

Kerry-Lynne Findlay tweets intentions after party votes to remove O’Toole

Conservative MP-elect for South Surrey-White Rock Kerry-Lynne Findlay exchanges a fist-bump with Leader Erin O’Toole during O’Toole’s campaign visit to Surrey last September. On Wednesday, after the CPC voted to replace O’Toole as party leader, Findlay put her name forward for role of interim leader. (Kerry-Lynne Findlay Facebook photo)
White Rock firefighters (left to right) Scott Pearson, Capt. Cordell Fulton, Cory McKinnon and Bira Bindra say they were happy to be there to assist in delivering a premature baby girl in a Columbia Avenue residence on Jan. 11. Alex Browne photo

B.C. fire crew helps mom deliver baby at home on the floor

Emergency call for early birth welcomes city of White Rock’s newest resident

White Rock firefighters (left to right) Scott Pearson, Capt. Cordell Fulton, Cory McKinnon and Bira Bindra say they were happy to be there to assist in delivering a premature baby girl in a Columbia Avenue residence on Jan. 11. Alex Browne photo
Film maker Alison MacLean with one of the many ‘fixers’ who helped her during her years in Afghanistan, at Camp Marmal in Mazar E Sharif while she was in a media embed with German and US troops. (Contributed photo)

Former Surrey filmmaker fighting to rescue 5 families from Afghanistan

Alison MacLean and White Rock Rotarians assist refugee relocation

Film maker Alison MacLean with one of the many ‘fixers’ who helped her during her years in Afghanistan, at Camp Marmal in Mazar E Sharif while she was in a media embed with German and US troops. (Contributed photo)
Semiahmoo First Nation Councillor Joanne Charles and former Chief Willard Cook share a celebratory hug at a July 28 event marking the lifting of the boil water advisory on Semiahmoo lands. (Alex Browne photo)

‘Canada has to step up’ says federal Indigenous minister during B.C. stop

Much work remains to be done, Marc Miller acknowledges

Semiahmoo First Nation Councillor Joanne Charles and former Chief Willard Cook share a celebratory hug at a July 28 event marking the lifting of the boil water advisory on Semiahmoo lands. (Alex Browne photo)
DC Krew Hair Company owners Sandra Davies and Madi Clark say that am anonyous spray painter should have talked to them face to face about their mask policy - instead of defacing the front of their Foster Street business. (Contributed photo)

B.C. hair salon target of ‘cowardly’ anti-mask graffiti

DC Krew owners dismayed after ‘#MASK NAZIS’ scrawled on windows in spray paint

DC Krew Hair Company owners Sandra Davies and Madi Clark say that am anonyous spray painter should have talked to them face to face about their mask policy - instead of defacing the front of their Foster Street business. (Contributed photo)
Live concerts could return to venues such as Blue Frog Studios in White Rock by year’s end - provided immunizations make a diference and COVID variants are held in check - according to a recent round table including provincial health officer Dr Bonnie Henry and reprsentatives of performing arts groups. (Submitted photo)

B.C. performing arts groups could see gradual return of live events

Round table between Dr. Bonnie Henry and arts groups gives rise to cautious optimism

Live concerts could return to venues such as Blue Frog Studios in White Rock by year’s end - provided immunizations make a diference and COVID variants are held in check - according to a recent round table including provincial health officer Dr Bonnie Henry and reprsentatives of performing arts groups. (Submitted photo)
John Boros, of City of Surrey water operations turns on two underground roadside taps last December - one for potable water and one for emergency services - marking the completion of the long-awaited connection between SFN and the Surrey water supply. (File photo)

Semiahmoo First Nation tap water safe to drink again, as 16-year boil water advisory is lifted

New distribution system, connected to Surrey water supply, passes safety testing

John Boros, of City of Surrey water operations turns on two underground roadside taps last December - one for potable water and one for emergency services - marking the completion of the long-awaited connection between SFN and the Surrey water supply. (File photo)
The Cerebral Palsy Association of B.C. is warning of soliciting phone calls from imposters posing as team members. (Black Press - file photo)

Cerebral Palsy Association of B.C. warns of scammers

Organization does not solicit donations by phone

The Cerebral Palsy Association of B.C. is warning of soliciting phone calls from imposters posing as team members. (Black Press - file photo)
This photo was taken by Vancouver photographer Walter Calder in 1921, at the first of three dedication ceremonies held for the Peace Arch monument. With the 100th anniversary of the ceremony approaching, a group based in Blaine, Wash., is lobbying postal agencies on both sides of the border to create a commemorative stamp. (White Rock Museum and Archives photo)

International Peace Arch Association lobbies for 100th anniversary stamp

Canada Post considering commemorating centennial of border icon

This photo was taken by Vancouver photographer Walter Calder in 1921, at the first of three dedication ceremonies held for the Peace Arch monument. With the 100th anniversary of the ceremony approaching, a group based in Blaine, Wash., is lobbying postal agencies on both sides of the border to create a commemorative stamp. (White Rock Museum and Archives photo)
Musicians perform during a Surrey City Orchestra “mixer” at board member Erin Anne Beirne’s home in South Surrey in 2017. (File photo: Tom Zillich)

Province announces $3M in funding for arts groups hit by COVID-19 crisis

BC Arts Council to administer support for both organizations and individual artists

Musicians perform during a Surrey City Orchestra “mixer” at board member Erin Anne Beirne’s home in South Surrey in 2017. (File photo: Tom Zillich)
A shattered sailboat and remnants of the pier rest near the white rock, backdropped by the broken structure. (Christy Fox photo)

One year later: Looking back on the storm that broke the White Rock Pier

One year later, the 105 year-old structure is complete again, but fundraising continues

A shattered sailboat and remnants of the pier rest near the white rock, backdropped by the broken structure. (Christy Fox photo)