New West's year in review: 2023 top headlines, stories

School board scandals, a Mann Cup run and an only-in-New West Price is Right delight – it’s been a busy year of news in B.C.’s first capital city.

What made the front pages in 2023?

The New West Record has reviewed the year that was and rounded up this year’s top news stories.

Education

Dee Beattie scandal

In June, New West school trustee Dee Beattie admitted she was behind a fake Twitter account that came under fire for making "inappropriate comments" towards local parents and others.

The "fake account" in question was a Twitter account in the name of "Allan Whitterstone" (@alfromNW) that was exposed when New West parent Sarah Arboleda went public on Twitter with a thread suggesting that "Allan" — who had targeted parents, among others — was, in fact, Beattie.

After calls for her to resign from the school board and the New Westminster district parent advisory council, Beattie officially stepped down from her position in September.

Beattie’s resignation has triggered a school board byelection this February to fill the vacant seat – something to watch for in 2024.

Sports

The Salmonbellies were so close.

After defeating Langley Thunder, the Bellies earned a spot in the national lacrosse championship to face off against the Six Nations Chiefs in the 2023 Mann Cup this past September.

New West hadn’t been to the Mann Cup since 1991.

But the Bellies fell to Six Nations after a hard-fought five-game series.

Series coverage by New West Record reporter Theresa McManus:

Lacrosse dreams: Mann Cup showdown begins Friday in New West
Photos: Six Nations Chiefs triumph in Game 1 of 2023 Mann Cup (Chiefs beat the Bellies 10-7)
Six Nations Chiefs take 2-0 lead over New West in 2023 Mann Cup series (Chiefs beat the Bellies 13-11)
The Creator’s Game: Indigenous heritage highlighted at Mann Cup in New West
Bellies battle but fall short against Chiefs in thrilling Mann Cup match (Chiefs win 8-7)
A nail-biting clash: Salmonbellies defeat Chiefs in do-or-die match (Bellies win 11-10)
Photos: Six Nations Chiefs defeat New West Salmonbellies to win 2023 Mann Cup (Chiefs win 11-9)

Bonus: A Bellies Pale Ale is out right in time for the Mann Cup in New West

Community

The Price is Right contestant enjoys a “priceless” trip to New Westminster (November/December): After Philip Fitzpatrick lost out on a trip to British Columbia that included a six-night stay at the Inn at the Quay, Tourism New Westminster launched a #SearchForPhillip social media campaign with the goal of bringing The Price is Right contestant to town. Fitzpatrick, accompanied by a longtime friend and travel buddy, visited New West from Dec. 5 to 9.

Homelessness soars to unprecedented levels with a 65% rise in New West (November): More than 200 people are homeless in New Westminster – a number that’s grown by 65 per cent in the past three years.

Columbia Square Plaza transformation: Thousands of new homes proposed in New West (June): A transformation of Columbia Square Plaza could see thousands of new homes, retail, and community and public spaces created on the prominent site in downtown New Westminster.

Could New West's loquat leaf oak be the only one in Canada? (February): A tree that’s native to Mexico – and possibly the only one in Canada – got a new home in New Westminster.

Samson V closed after oil spill on Fraser River (July): The Samson V was determined to be the source of an oil spill on the Fraser River.

Changes coming to Belmont Street parklet in uptown New West in 2023/2024 (March): The City of New Westminster’s capital budget includes $290,070 in 2023 and $4.2-million in 2024 for streetscape improvements on Belmont Street, Sixth Street and Sixth Avenue, including intersection improvements at Sixth and Sixth. The work is part of the Sixth Street Great Street initiative, which envisions a people-centred public realm.