Another year done - and with it, plenty of news headlines in the Royal City. The Record takes a look back at the year that's passed:
January
Royal Columbian Hospital sets up an emergency overflow area in its lobby to accommodate the over-capacity crowd needing medical treatment. The situation occurs nearly a year after the hospital used the Tim Hortons dining area for patient overflow during a busy time at the emergency department.
A local woman is assaulted while walking to work through Queen's Park. Lisa McIntosh received nine stitches after being hit on the head with a bottle; her screams frightened off the two suspects, who didn't manage to get any of her belongings.
A group of New Westminster parents voice concerns about the marks being handed out by a math teacher at New Westminster Secondary School.
February
The City of New Westminster opts to explore the replacement of the Pattullo Bridge as part of its master transportation process rather than participating in TransLink's process. The city wants all possibilities for the bridge replacement explored - rather than the few options being pursued by TransLink.
A New Westminster police officer returns to work after being suspended with pay from his job for nearly four years. Const. Sukhwinder Dosanjh had been disciplined for several incidents of police misconduct.
March
The District Parent Advisory Council forwards a motion to the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory councils calling on the education ministry to "disqualify" acting teachers from serving on boards of education.
The group is concerned that the teacher trustees may be in a conflict of interest or perceived conflict of interest, but teachers argue that people are aware of their profession at election time and believe they have a "valuable" understanding of the school system. Three teachers currently sit on the New Westminster board of education.
Leah Binns is named New Westminster's 2012 May Queen - the second year in a row the title has gone to the diminutive Hume Park Elementary School.
City residents face a 1.91 per cent tax increase in 2012, the lowest increase since 2001.
New Westminster Secondary School students join their teachers on the picket lines. B.C. teachers stage a three-day strike in the ongoing dispute with the provincial government.
April
Plans for two new schools in
the city move forward as the Ministry of Education and the New Westminster School District sign project agreements for more than $30 million. John Robson Elementary School will be rebuilt on the former St.
Mary's hospital site, and a new middle school will be built on the current John Robson site.
The city confirms that the Uptown Property Group has pulled the plug on its partnership with the City of New Westminster on the multi-use civic centre - five months after the decision was made.
The Uptown Property Group had proposed to build a 100,000 square foot office tower above the city's civic centre.
May
Landmark Cinemas opens a new 10-screen complex at the Plaza at New Westminster Station - marking the first time in several years that the Royal City has offered first-run movies.
The City of New Westminster prepares to borrow $59 million so it can build an office tower above its future civic centre. Council believes the project is so critical that it forges ahead on the office tower after the Uptown Property Group pulled out of the project.
June
New Westminster and Surrey residents rally against plans to build a six-lane replacement for the existing Pattullo Bridge. In response to concerns from city officials, TransLink is prepared to work with the City of New Westminster on a "collaborative process" to deal with the Pattullo Bridge replacement project and to consider "all practical" solutions for crossings.
Westminster Pier Park, the city's new $25.1 million park, officially opens on New Westminster's waterfront.
July
The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission proposes new electoral boundaries that would see Queensborough become part of the new Richmond East riding and the rest of the city remain one riding. New Westminster residents and politicians aren't prepared to let go of Queensborough without a fight and later voice their concerns at a September public hearing. A decision is expected early in 2013.
Parents at John Robson Elementary School are excited about getting a new school, but they have concerns about traffic, noise and quality at the Royal Avenue location, especially if TransLink proceeds with plans to build a six-lane replacement for the Pattullo Bridge.
August
The Stanley Cup spends a day in New Westminster when Los Angeles Kings goalie coach/ Royal City resident Bill Ranford gets his day with the cup. He gave local residents a chance to have their photos take with the cup at Queen's Park Arena for a donation to the Royal City Alternate Program.
Nearly 2,100 New Westminster residents sign petitions opposing the city's plan to borrow up to $59 million to build an office tower above the future civic centre - but it falls short of the 4,528 people needed to force the city to hold a referendum on the matter.
September
The New Westminster school district announces it faces a $2.2 million deficit - after projecting a balanced budget. This year's deficit leaves the school district with a $2.8 million deficit, as it already owed $521,000 on a deficit from three years ago and intended to eliminate that deficit this year. In addition to seeking public feedback on how to deal with the deficit, the district hires a consultant to uncover the cause for the surprise deficit and to develop a plan to recover the hefty shortfall.
New Westminster suffers its first homicide of the year when January Marie Lapuz is stabbed in a home on Third Avenue.
Lapuz, who was the first transgender person to hold a coordinator position within Sher Vancouver, was described as a "bright and shining light" with the organization.
October
New Westminster city council gives the green light to the Elizabeth Fry Society's plan to build a three-storey building on Sherbrooke Street next to its head office next door.
The controversial rezoning was vehemently opposed by area residents, who worry that it will lead to more commercial/institutional development along Sherbrooke Street and will negatively impact their residential neighbourhood.
November
A man is shot in an "officer-involved" shooting that began in the early morning of Nov. 8 in a parking lot near Starlight Casino. The incident began when witnesses reported a man holding a gun to the head of a woman, who was later released. Several hours later - after police negotiated with the male suspect and sent a phone to the man via a robot - a shooting occurred. The 48year-old man died 10 days later. Few details were released by year-end as the provincial Independent Investigation Office is overseeing the investigation.
The City of New Westminster announces that the future civic facility will be named Anvil Centre.
The New Westminster school district is in such financial dire straits that the board of education unanimously agrees to ask the auditor general to review the district's books for the school year.
The bid to build long overdue schools in New Westminster makes some headway as the school district selects the builders for the new elementary school on the former St. Mary's Hospital site. The school will be the site of the John Robson Elementary School, with that school's site eventually becoming home to a new middle school.
A kitchen fire destroys a suite in Massey Place apartments, leaving one family temporarily without a home and destroying all their possessions. The fire caused about $300,000 damage to the building.
December
A man is charged in connection with the murder of 26-year-old January Marie Lapuz, who was stabbed and died in New Westminster on Sept. 30.
Charles Jameson "Jamie" Neel is charged with second-degree murder.
The City of New Westminster bans the sale of shark fins products, a decision backed by some local residents who appeal to help address the "disgusting" practice of finning. The city is comfortable banning the sale of shark fin products at a municipal level, even though an Ontario court ruled the City of Toronto's ban fell beyond municipal jurisdiction.
- Compiled by Theresa McManus, staff reporter
