Michael Briones

House fire in Whiskey Creek photo taken by the Phillip Tiicham Muir, who lives next door.

Vancouver Island couple reeling after death of neighbour from early morning fire

Blaze in rural Whiskey Creek claimed the life of Charlene Priest

House fire in Whiskey Creek photo taken by the Phillip Tiicham Muir, who lives next door.
Team Wes Craig will be defending their BC Masters Curling title. (Malcolm Chalmers photo)

Parksville club set to host BC Masters Curling Championships

Team Shantz hopes to defend title

Team Wes Craig will be defending their BC Masters Curling title. (Malcolm Chalmers photo)
BC SPCA raised safety concerns about the risk of having serval cats as pets. (Submitted photo)

BC SPCA wants provincial ban on serval cats

Organization lobbying local governments to support efforts to limit exotic animal ownership

BC SPCA raised safety concerns about the risk of having serval cats as pets. (Submitted photo)
Broombusters Invasive Plant Society and volunteers work to cut broom in bloom. (PQB News file photo)

Broom busters hoping united Vancouver Island front can help defeat invasive weed

Motion on busting broom coming to this spring’s Vancouver Island municipal convention

Broombusters Invasive Plant Society and volunteers work to cut broom in bloom. (PQB News file photo)
(Michael Briones photo)

Fire investigators probe cause of huge Parksville blaze that destroyed several businesses

Iconic British Bobby restaurant among establishments damaged

(Michael Briones photo)
Nicholas Bennett competes at the FINA Swimming World Cup 2022 in Toronto Oct. 30. (Michael P. Hall/Swimming Canada/FINA)

Vancouver Island swimmer eyes future goals after world-record effort

Coach calls Toronto experience ‘promising’ for Nicholas Bennett

Nicholas Bennett competes at the FINA Swimming World Cup 2022 in Toronto Oct. 30. (Michael P. Hall/Swimming Canada/FINA)
Bright lights have been a concern in Electoral Area F. (PQB News file photo)

Vancouver Island residents ask politicians to help them remain in the dark

Preserving dark skies seen as crucial in Coombs/Errington area

Bright lights have been a concern in Electoral Area F. (PQB News file photo)
Adam Fras leads the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock into Thrifty Foods in Parksville on Sept. 29. (Kevin Forsyth photo)
Adam Fras leads the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock into Thrifty Foods in Parksville on Sept. 29. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

2022 Tour de Rock gets warm welcome in Parksville Qualicum Beach

Kwalikum Secondary raises $8,000 for Canadian Cancer Society

Adam Fras leads the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock into Thrifty Foods in Parksville on Sept. 29. (Kevin Forsyth photo)
Adam Fras leads the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock into Thrifty Foods in Parksville on Sept. 29. (Kevin Forsyth photo)
Parksville Fire Department spent close to four hours working to contain a fire at a commercial mixed-use building on Memorial Avenue on Thursday, Sept. 22. (Michael Briones photo) (Michael Briones photo)
Parksville Fire Department spent close to four hours working to contain a fire at a commercial mixed-use building on Memorial Avenue on Thursday, Sept. 22. (Michael Briones photo) (Michael Briones photo)
A fire destroyed a home in Deep Bay and left a father and daughter homeless. (Hugh Todd gofundme photo)

Father, daughter left homeless after fire destroys Vancouver Island home

23 firefighters called out to battle blaze, fund set up for pair who lost everything

A fire destroyed a home in Deep Bay and left a father and daughter homeless. (Hugh Todd gofundme photo)
The 12th Annual Vancouver Island Motorcycle Ride to Live is set to get underway, Sept. 11. (VI Westcoast Ride to Live Facebook photo)

12th-annual Ride to Live set to rev up on Vancouver Island

Westcoast Motorcycle event is a fundraiser for the Island Prostate Centre

The 12th Annual Vancouver Island Motorcycle Ride to Live is set to get underway, Sept. 11. (VI Westcoast Ride to Live Facebook photo)
Duncan Watson learns the basics of pickleball provided by OPC Pickleball Club’s pilot program to help people with Parkinson’s disease. (Maire Watson photo)

Pickleball for Parkinson’s: B.C. club hopes program can help provide exercise for life

Parksville players learning the game in bid to add life-extending activity to their regular routine

Duncan Watson learns the basics of pickleball provided by OPC Pickleball Club’s pilot program to help people with Parkinson’s disease. (Maire Watson photo)
The rare white raven Blizzard has taken centre stage at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. (NIWRC photo)

Rare white raven grabs the spotlight at Vancouver Island wildlife centre

Iconic bird Blizzard can now be viewed by the public and is soaking up the attention

The rare white raven Blizzard has taken centre stage at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. (NIWRC photo)
Patrick Flewin enjoys a day eFoiling in Qualicum Beach. (Michael Briones photo)

Former movie stuntman brings eFoiling to Vancouver Island

Unique watersport akin to an electric surfboard on a unicycle

Patrick Flewin enjoys a day eFoiling in Qualicum Beach. (Michael Briones photo)
PQB News reporter Michael Briones, left, with pickleball instructor and coach Ernie Pallot. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

Holding court: Vancouver Island reporter tries pickleball for the first time

Briones thoroughly enjoys ‘fun, physical and mental activity’

PQB News reporter Michael Briones, left, with pickleball instructor and coach Ernie Pallot. (Kevin Forsyth photo)
Bears under the care of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. (Michael Briones photo)

Vancouver Island wildlife recovery centre celebrates release of 6 bears back into wild

2 new bruins also taken in for rehabilitation

Bears under the care of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. (Michael Briones photo)
This white raven is now under the care of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington. (NIWRA photo)

Second iconic white raven recovering at Vancouver Island wildlife recovery centre

Ailing bird brought to NIWRA for rehab; bear cub also in care

This white raven is now under the care of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington. (NIWRA photo)
The parish Hall door at St. Anne and St. Edmund Anglican Church in Parksville was torched by someone trying to break into the premises. (Submitted photo)

Thieves torch Parksville church during early morning break-in attempt

Blaze damages Saint Anne and Saint Edmund facility, puts community programs out of commission

The parish Hall door at St. Anne and St. Edmund Anglican Church in Parksville was torched by someone trying to break into the premises. (Submitted photo)
The Erik Goetzinger BMX Park’s bleachers and its shed was targeted by vandals. (Michael Briones Photo)
The Erik Goetzinger BMX Park’s bleachers and its shed was targeted by vandals. (Michael Briones Photo)
Parksville para-swimmer Nicholas Bennett will compete at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in England. (Swimming Canada Facebook photo)

Vancouver Island swimmer to compete at 2022 Commonwealth Games in England

Ravensong Breakers product Nikolas Bennett is one of eight para-swimmers on Canadian team

Parksville para-swimmer Nicholas Bennett will compete at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in England. (Swimming Canada Facebook photo)