New West Spotlight
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SkyTrain’s Mark V + Fake Gun Arrest

SkyTrain’s Mark V + Fake Gun Arrest

Issue #309

Carla McNeil
July 31, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

🌤️ Weather - A mix of sun and cloud

😜 Rain Joke - Why do clouds always get invited to parties? 🎉

💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Shannon C.!

🗓️ New West Events - Lots to choose from

🗞️ New West Local News - SkyTrain’s Mark V + Fake Gun Arrest

😆 Meme of the Day

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Iolanda Esposito - Personal Real Estate Corporation

Thank you, Shannon - you are so sweet!

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 27.8 2022 - Record low 12.7 2023

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Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

July 31, 2025

🔍️ Unique Survival Scavenger Hunt - New West – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

📖 Storytime and Craft (2-6 years) – 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM

🧶 Youth Knitting and Crochet Club (6-18 years) – 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM

🌱 Sprout Club – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🍅 Farmers Market – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🎸 Ukulele Jam – 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

🎨 Original Gravity Art Gallery Reception – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

🎙️ Karaoke Night at Georgie's – 7:00 PM

🎭️ New West Bingpot! Thursday Trivia - Howe Sound – 7:00 PM

🎶 Queen's Park 2025 Summer Concert Series – 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🎙️ Colossal Thursdays Karaoke at The Terminal Pub – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎤 Open Mic Jam at Notorious Grey Fox – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

August 01, 2025

🔍️ Unique Survival Scavenger Hunt - New West – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples - New West Area – 1:00 PM

🍺 Burger and Beer Social at RCCC – Doors open at 4:00 PM

🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – Doors open at 6:00 PM

❤️ Reignite Us : A Sacred Evening of Intimacy, Truth & Love – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎲 Hitmix Bingo - Howe Sound – 7:00 PM

🎙️ Weekly Karaoke Every Friday – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🎸 Live Music at The Terminal - Mike Van Eyes – 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM

🎙️ Karaoke Friday Nights at Notorious Grey Fox – 9:00 PM until Close

💈 Libre Hair Salon Give Away – Any day in August to enter

🎲 Board Night Game – Phantom Alley

August 02, 2025

🔍️ Unique Survival Scavenger Hunt - New West – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

🗣️ Spanish Conversation Drop-in – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

😎 Summer Discovery Days: Rockin’ the River – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🎶 Uptown Live Summer Series – 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples - New West Area – 1:00 PM

🚲️ Youth Cycle Express: Drop-in for Youth Ages 13 - 18 – 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

🛼 Pink Pony Club Pride Double Header – 4:30 PM at RCCC

🎲 Drop-In D&D Nights @ New West Youth Centre – 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM

🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's – 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

🚆 SkyTrain’s Mark V Arrives: More Space, Comfort, and Culture on the Expo Line 🚅

Metro Vancouver’s SkyTrain system has entered a new era with the launch of the Mark V on the Expo Line. These next-generation trains promise a faster, more comfortable ride—especially for New Westminster residents.

The Mark V is the first of 47 new five-car trains arriving by 2029, offering 25% more capacity than current models. Built in Canada, this is TransLink’s largest-ever SkyTrain fleet expansion, aimed at meeting growing demand across the region.

New Westminster commuters using stations like Columbia, New Westminster, and 22nd Street will notice immediate improvements. The Mark V features wider aisles, expanded standing room, and multi-use areas for bikes, strollers, and mobility devices. Better signage and safety features enhance accessibility and rider confidence.

Each train also includes a blend of forward and side seating and showcases Indigenous artwork on the windscreen—created by artists from the Katzie, Kwantlen, Musqueam, and Squamish Nations. The designs celebrate the culture and heritage of the region’s First Nations communities.

The launch comes at a critical time, with TransLink expecting a 20% rise in Expo Line ridership over the next five years. The new trains also support future SkyTrain expansions to Broadway and Surrey-Langley.

Jointly funded by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the Mark V project is a key part of TransLink’s long-term vision for a more efficient and inclusive transit system.

Check out TransLink’s website for more details on the Mark V and future upgrades.

👮 Replica Rifle on Bus Sparks Swift Police Response in New Westminster 🚨

Courtesy: NWPD Media Release

A police operation in downtown New Westminster on July 23 resulted in the arrest of a man carrying what appeared to be a rifle aboard a public bus. A 9-1-1 call reporting the suspicious item—described as a firearm wrapped in a garbage bag—came in around 3:51 p.m. near Sixth Street and Carnarvon Street.

New Westminster Police officers quickly tracked the bus and located the individual just 10 minutes later in the 700 block of Sixth Street. The situation was resolved peacefully using de-escalation tactics and clear verbal commands.

Upon further investigation, the weapon was determined to be a replica firearm. Police are reminding the public that carrying replica weapons in public spaces can lead to serious consequences, as officers must treat all suspected firearms as real until confirmed otherwise.

The NWPD commends the resident who reported the incident and urges the public to always report suspicious activity, especially when there are safety concerns. Officers also remind people to keep a safe distance when police are managing potentially armed individuals. The investigation remains active.

View the official NWPD media statement