Visual phenomenons captured on camera, concerts, charcuterie and orcas topped the list of the most-read stories on the Peace Arch News’ website in 2023.
While obituaries and the e-editions sections of the website are always popular with visitors, there were some interesting articles that caught readers’ attention more than others throughout the year.
Here’s a list of the top 10 stories on the Peace Arch News website this year:
1) South Surrey resident captures unique visual phenomenon called Fata Morgana
People most wanted to know about how a South Surrey resident captured an interesting visual phenomenon while enjoying the sunset in July.
Don Pitcairn was at what he calls Crescent Rock Beach when a strange, mirage-like image appeared across Mud Bay.
“You look across the bay – you see Tsawwassen and you see into Ladner – and there was this thing… it look like a structure, almost like a Roman aqueduct kind of look, there were all these columns,” he said.
The illusion is called Fata Morgana, Pitcairn noted, after he researched it.
2) Summer concerts series returns to White Rock with ‘best ever’ lineup
The second most-read article was about the White Rock BIA-presented TD Concerts at the Pier series.
An outstanding line-up of musical headliners – including South Surrey’s own Lee Aaron, Colin James, Men Without Hats and The Matinee – were scheduled to hit White Rock’s waterfront for five concerts through July and August.
Although increasing production costs forced the axing of the popular Five Corners venue, the series occupied two temporary Marine Drive stage venues: West Beach (at the White Rock Museum and Archives and Memorial Park) and East Beach (in the parking lot adjacent to Grand Chief Bernard Robert Charles Memorial Plaza).
3) Guinness World Record-breaking gastronomy coming to White Rock dock
The third most-read story was all about cured meats and cheeses, with the spring announcement of the Charcuterie on the Pier fundraising event that happened Sept. 2.
A fundraiser that benefited Sources food banks as well as Friends of the Pier, the event also featured a consecutive 500-foot charcuterie board, long enough to break the Guinness World Record, set right down the centre of White Rock’s iconic pier.
“(The world record) was 155 feet. It’s 200 now,” said Sheila’s Catering owner Wes Levesque, who owns the business with Brant Darling. “We’re going to absolutely crush that.”
Sheila’s Catering was a partner to Friends of the Pier, a charity created from the need to raise funds to repair the White Rock Pier after it was severely damaged in a Dec. 20, 2018 storm, Levesque noted.
Plans are now underway to replace the entire pier over the next two years, bringing it up to modern safety and design standards that will retain the historic feel of the original pier, he added.
Attendees received a certificate for participating in the Guinness World Record-breaking event.
4) Orcas spotted off White Rock shores
The fourth-favourite Peace Arch News story was about a pod of killer whales spotted in Semiahmoo Bay in late August. Richard Hannusch said he saw the group of at least five of the mammals from the beach just before 7 p.m. and watched them for around 15 minutes.
The whales were likely Bigg’s whales said Andrew Newman, owner of White Rock Sea Tours. Also known at Transients, they’re a common sighting year-round on tours, but never cease to amaze, he said.
5) Hundreds of B.C. Hells Angels celebrate anniversary in Langley
A story about a biker club’s anniversary was the fifth-most read story.
Red and white banners reading “AFFA” for “Angels Forever, Forever Angels” greeted arrivals at the White Rock chapter of the Hells Angles at their Langley clubhouse. They were there to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the club in B.C.
While none were willing to be interviewed, one Hells Angels member could be heard explaining the event marked the date a B.C. biker club joined the Hells Angels.
“That was the day we patched over from Satan’s Angels,” he said.
6) Surrey police investigating reported ‘disgusting’ mob attack on Surrey soccer pitch
A mob of men reportedly stormed a soccer field at Newton Athletic Park and assaulted players on the opposing team, apparently triggered by a foul during a Vancouver Metro Soccer League game between a team from Surrey and a team from Vancouver.
“It was one of the worst things I’ve ever seen in my whole entire life,” said a spectator, who requested anonymity. “I couldn’t believe what happened. They start throwing punches at this guy; it was like a brawl. They stormed the field, basically.”
7) South Surrey cafe owner drops Uber Eats over delivery fee dispute
A South Surrey coffee shop owner announced she would cut ties with food-delivery service Uber Eats, citing a “never-ending loop of terribleness” in attempts to address fee increases she is confident she did not sign up for. An update to the original story notes that an Uber Eats representative acknowledged to Peace Arch News on June 28 that Everbean had indeed signed up for its ‘lite’ plan in January, but was overcharged at the 30 per cent level “due to human error.”
8) Snowbirds set to return to skies over White Rock this summer
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds’ visit on Aug. 9 garnered plenty of attention from PAN readers. The abbreviated aerial demonstration was accompanied by the unveiling of a commemorative sign on the promenade, in recognition of the longstanding relationship between White Rock and Canada’s beloved formation-flying team, who have performed high above the city’s iconic pier many times over the years.
9) Human remains found in wooded area of Surrey
Human remains were found in a Cloverdale-area neighbourhood Feb. 15, with Surrey RCMP reporting that the forensics team was called to the scene.
10) White Rock RCMP stop allegedly impaired ‘N’ driver clocked at triple the speed limit
The 10th most-read article on peacearchnews.com was about a costly evening – in more ways than one – for a new driver who was pulled over by White Rock RCMP on Marine Drive on Aug. 23.
The driver, who had an ‘N’ licence, was going three times the posted 30 km/h speed limit on Marine Drive around 11:30 p.m., when an officer who was conducting traffic enforcement pulled the driver over, said White Rock RCMP Sgt. Rob Dixon.
The driver was issued an immediate roadside suspension, as they were allegedly impaired by alcohol.
While many might know young drivers with the green ‘N’, it’s important to mention that not everyone who has an ‘N’ on the back of their car is a youth, Dixon noted.