Wednesday, January 21, 2026
ADVT 
National

Charges laid for fire that razed Coptic Orthodox Church, 35 year old woman arrested

Darpan News Desk Surrey RCMP, 30 Aug, 2021 02:10 PM
  • Charges laid for fire that razed Coptic Orthodox Church, 35 year old woman arrested

Surrey RCMP is updating the public on the investigation into a fire that destroyed the St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, in Whalley.

The St. George church was the target of two incidents of arson, the first on July 14, the second on July 19, 2021, that destroyed the church. 

Following an investigation by the Surrey RCMP Major Crime Section, a 35-year old woman was arrested on August 26, 2021.

Kathleen Panek of no fixed address has now been charged with two counts of arson in connection with the incidents on July 14, and July 19, 2021.

“The loss of the St. George Coptic Orthodox Church has had a significant impact on members of that congregation and the greater community,” says Sergeant Elenore Sturko. “We hope that this announcement of an arrest and charges will bring some comfort to those who were impacted.”

 

MORE National ARTICLES

GG likely to agree to a Trudeau election request

GG likely to agree to a Trudeau election request
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has asked Simon to refuse any request from Trudeau to dissolve Parliament and send voters to the ballot box, noting that the fixed-election law states that every general election must be held on the third Monday of October four calendar years after the last one.

GG likely to agree to a Trudeau election request

Calgary Stampede linked to at least 71 COVID cases

Calgary Stampede linked to at least 71 COVID cases
Dr. Stephanie Smith, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Alberta, said it's too early to know the repercussions of Stampede.

Calgary Stampede linked to at least 71 COVID cases

B.C. deficit lower than forecast at $5.5 billion

B.C. deficit lower than forecast at $5.5 billion
Finance Minister Selina Robinson says the final numbers show a deficit of $5.46 billion compared to the original forecast of almost $8.2 billion.

B.C. deficit lower than forecast at $5.5 billion

Health agency wants five years to answer request

Health agency wants five years to answer request
The applicant recently asked the Public Health Agency of Canada for emails, texts and messages that president Iain Stewart had sent or received from June 14 to 21.

Health agency wants five years to answer request

Grits eye fall for moves on free tampons at work

Grits eye fall for moves on free tampons at work
The March briefing note to Filomena Tassi estimated the annual employer costs would likely be $1.17 million to provide free tampons and pads, based on an annual, per-employee cost of almost $60 and assuming a 50-per-cent take-up rate.

Grits eye fall for moves on free tampons at work

Heat wave, drought leave us vulnerable: farmers

Heat wave, drought leave us vulnerable: farmers
When an unprecedented heat wave "cooked" the cherries growing at his family's farm in Oliver, B.C., Pravin Dhaliwal tried to see past the financial loss to the passion that spurred him to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

Heat wave, drought leave us vulnerable: farmers