RCMP K9 Unit + 2026 Senior Utilities Waiver

Issue #452

Author

Carla McNeil
December 21, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌧️ Weather - Rain

 😜 Rain Joke - How does the rain stay so organized?📊

 🗓️ New West Events - Lots to choose from…

 🗞️ New West Local News - RCMP K9 Unit + 2026 Senior Utilities Waiver

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Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 10.2 2024 - Record low -12.9 2022

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

December 21, 2025

☃️ Frosty Adventures: Animal Adaptations – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🎹 Jingle Jam with Nicole Walker – 11:00 AM

🎁 New West Craft Holiday Markets at River Market – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🎅 Santa Photos at Royal City Centre Mall – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

🎄 Holiday at Irving House – 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎶 The Dimes – Christmas Special – 2:00 PM

🎨 Collage Workshop at Arrieta Art Studio – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Sunday Night Open Mic! – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎄 Holiday Sip & Stroll Scavenger Hunt – Downtown Neighbourhood

December 22, 2025

☃️ Frosty Adventures: Animal Adaptations Uncovered – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🧘 Peace, Be Still Monday Meditation – 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

🛍️ Churi at the Quay Christmas Market – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🎅 Santa Photos at Royal City Centre Mall – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

🧩 Steel & Oak Puzzle Mondays – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🎁 The Night Before Queer-mas – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🎙️ Begbie's Open Mic – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🎄 Holiday Sip & Stroll Scavenger Hunt – Downtown Neighbourhood

December 23, 2025

☃️ Frosty Adventures: Animal Adaptations Uncovered – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🛍️ Churi at the Quay Christmas Market – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🎅 Santa Photos at Royal City Centre Mall – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

📱 Bring Your Own Device Tech Cafe! – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🍺 Steel & Oak Beer and Board Games – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hot B*tch Rock & Roll Bingo – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎭️ Notorious Grey Fox Trivia Tuesdays – 7:00 PM

🎤 Itilia Kitchen Karaoke Nights – 8:00 PM

🎄 Holiday Sip & Stroll Scavenger Hunt – Downtown Neighbourhood

If you have an event you would like us to list please CLICK HERE.

Welcome Shelby, Sammy, and Sultan!

New Westminster is getting some extra four-legged support! 🐕🐕🐕

Police Service Dogs Shelby, Sammy, and Sultan have officially joined the Lower Mainland District Integrated Police Dog Service, bringing extra paws, power, and protection to communities—including New Westminster.

Fresh from completing their training, these three German shepherds are now hard at work supporting frontline policing and explosives detection. That means when New Westminster hosts busy events, responds to serious calls, or needs extra support, these highly trained pups are ready to jump into action alongside their handlers.

Each dog brings their own personality to the job—from Shelby’s toy-loving enthusiasm, to Sammy’s fondness for swimming and sirens, to Sultan’s confident voice and strong bond with his handler. Behind the cuteness is years of careful training and teamwork, all designed to help keep officers and the public safe.

As part of an integrated regional unit, these new K9 teams give New Westminster residents an extra layer of safety—proving once again that sometimes the best crime-fighters have four legs and a wagging tail.

Welcome to New West, Shelby, Sammy, and Sultan! 🐶💙

Image via AI

The City of New Westminster is reminding eligible residents to apply for the 2026 Senior Utilities Waiver, which offers financial relief on household utility costs. The waiver provides a credit equal to 25 per cent of annual water, sewer, and solid waste charges, applied directly to an approved applicant’s 2026 flat-rate utilities account.

The application deadline is January 31, 2026, and applications must be submitted for approval in order to receive the credit.

To qualify, applicants must meet all eligibility requirements. Residents must be 65 years of age or older during the calendar year, live alone in a single-family residence, and be a registered owner of the property, either individually or jointly with others. The waiver applies only to the residence in which the applicant lives.

The program is intended to support seniors living independently by helping offset rising utility costs. Application forms and additional details are available through the City of New Westminster’s property taxes and utilities webpage.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌨️ How does the rain stay so organized?📊

☔It has a great system of drops!📐

Groan O' Meter

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