According to analytics from www.peacearchnews.com, here’s a ‘top 10′ list of Peace Arch News’ most well-read online stories of 2016.
Geographical data reported that 85 per cent of readers accessed the website from Canada, 10 per cent from the U.S., and the other five per cent was from the rest of the world – including every continent (except Antarctica) and almost every country. Aside from Canada and U.S., the most visits came from the U.K., Mexico, Germany, Australia, Spain, India and Japan.
1. Evacuees amass at Centennial Arena as fire crews tackle Five Corners blaze
A massive May 15 fire in White Rock’s Fire Corners neighbourhood left more than 100 residents homeless after the fire ripped through their condo building in the Fire Corners area. White Rock RCMP later said they believe the fire was “intentionally set.”
2. ‘Brilliant’ South Surrey teacher mourned
South Surrey-raised mother of four, Nichola Baker, 38, unexpectedly died on June 6. Judy Henriques, Baker’s aunt, described the beloved teacher as “a brilliant teacher, a brilliant person; a leader in her family and a leader at the school.”
3. South Surrey siblings share loss
Savanna and Nathan Tsuruda say their brother, Jordan Tsuruda, had “the biggest heart,” a contagious laugh and a passion for spending time at his family’s property on Ruby Lake. The siblings last saw their brother on April 1, in English class at Earl Marriott Secondary, where the 17-year-olds attended Grade 12. Jordan died the next afternoon, while ATVing with family and friends in Roberts Creek. Sunshine Coast RCMP said the man was driving the ATV on a well-used forest service road when he collided with a concrete barrier near a bridge.
4. Last call for longtime White Rock pub
White Rock’s Sandpiper Pub, which was part of the community since 1981, served its last beer on Sept. 15.
5. Superstore site takes shape
Ontario-based Loblaw Companies Ltd. started work in May following approval of building permits for a 122,692-square-foot Real Canadian Superstore, plus gas bar and convenience store. The 119,00-sq.ft. grocery store opened Aug. 26.
6. Family hopes others learn from South Surrey Woman’s overdose death
The family Danika Koltai, 20, shared her story through social media in hopes of preventing similar deaths in the future. Koltai died Sept. 1 as a result of ingesting an “accidental, but deadly concoction of prescription and non-prescription” drugs. Her brother, Tom Koltai, suggested the deadly opiate fentanyl was the culprit.
7. South Surrey weightlifting club homeless after 40 years at Semi
Semi Weightlifting Club, founded by Dieter Stamm, needs a new home after training out of Semiahmoo Secondary for more than four decades. An Oct. 13 email from the Surrey School District notified Dieter that the club could no longer meet at the South Surrey high school.
8. ‘Appalling’ mess at campsite linked to South Surrey grads
For the second time in as many years, Peninsula high school grads are coming under fire in connection with a mess left at a Harrison Lake-area recreation site.
9. Hope heads south for leukemia treatment
Brandon Durieux, a 24-year-old South Surrey native, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. Durieux had exhausted local treatment options, and opted to go to Texas for specialized treatment. His wife, Michelle Durieux, set up a GoFundMe page that was able to secure more than $120,000 for Brandon’s treatment.
10. Police investigate train death
A man was hit and killed by a train at White Rock beach, June 10.
