Michael Briones

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)
Grade 3 Arrowview Elementary student Emilie van den Hout is happy to meet Darrell Fox, the brother of Canadian icon Terry Fox. (Submitted photo)

Qualicum Beach Grade 3 student aims to keep raising funds for Terry Fox Foundation

Youngster meets Canadian icon’s brother, Darrell Fox

Grade 3 Arrowview Elementary student Emilie van den Hout is happy to meet Darrell Fox, the brother of Canadian icon Terry Fox. (Submitted photo)
Snaw-Naw-As Chief Gordon Edwards tosses the ball to get the children to start playing on its new mini soccer pitch. (Michael Briones photo)

Whitecaps FC members on hand as Snaw-Naw-As First Nation unveils special mini soccer pitch

Hope and Health wants to establish pitches in 6 Indigenous communities.

Snaw-Naw-As Chief Gordon Edwards tosses the ball to get the children to start playing on its new mini soccer pitch. (Michael Briones 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)
The owners of the Qualicum Beach Bakery, Helena and Peter Schneider, said their farewell to patrons and community on their last day at their place of business on Wednesday, Aug. 31. (Michael Briones photo)

Qualicum Beach Bakery owners sell business after more than 20 years in town

Schneiders say they will miss their customers the most

The owners of the Qualicum Beach Bakery, Helena and Peter Schneider, said their farewell to patrons and community on their last day at their place of business on Wednesday, Aug. 31. (Michael Briones photo)
The towering Ballenas Whalers defensive lineman Enzo Agostini will be joining a high school in Massachusetts. (PQB News file photo)

Ballenas Whalers’ top lineman to play for school in Massachusetts

Agostini sad to leave friends, family in his last year of high school

The towering Ballenas Whalers defensive lineman Enzo Agostini will be joining a high school in Massachusetts. (PQB News file photo)
Parksville junior golfer Gavyn Knight continues to hone his skills after just finishing second at the 2022 Canadian Junior Championships. (Michael Briones photo)

Parksville golfer finishes tied for 2nd at 2022 Canadian Junior Golf Championships

Knight leaves this week to play for Boise State University in Idaho

Parksville junior golfer Gavyn Knight continues to hone his skills after just finishing second at the 2022 Canadian Junior Championships. (Michael Briones 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)
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)
Ted ‘Guido’ Siebert puts the finishing touches on godfather Al Capone which part of their mob scene theme. (Michael Briones photo)
Ted ‘Guido’ Siebert puts the finishing touches on godfather Al Capone which part of their mob scene theme. (Michael Briones photo)
Kim, left, and Randy Longmuir, head coaches of the Mid Island Distance Running Club, have retired from coaching. (PQB News file photo)

Longtime Parksville running coaches retiring after more than 40 years

Kim and Randy Longmuir were fixtures on the PQB track and field scene

Kim, left, and Randy Longmuir, head coaches of the Mid Island Distance Running Club, have retired from coaching. (PQB News file photo)
(PQB News file photo)
(PQB News file 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)
Cascadia Martial Arts member Matteo Bennett will represent Canada at the Pan American Junior and Cadet Taekwondo Championships in Costa Rica, June 29-30. (Submitted photo)

Qualicum Beach martial artist to compete for Canadian team in Costa Rica

Matteo Bennett looks forward to taekwondo championships

Cascadia Martial Arts member Matteo Bennett will represent Canada at the Pan American Junior and Cadet Taekwondo Championships in Costa Rica, June 29-30. (Submitted 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 brought to wildlife recovery centre in Errington

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)
(Black Press file photo)

2 ‘new’ drivers cited for excessive speed in Nanoose Bay area

Police say drivers showed signs of impairment; children were also in vehicles

(Black Press file 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)