Michael Briones

(PQB News file photo)

Qualicum Beach council size question to be included on fall election ballot

Town’s designation would not be changed to city, but guidance sought on expanding council

(PQB News file 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)
Qualicum First Nation Chief Michael Recalma, left, is back on his feet after a kidney transplant in February, made possible by Qualicum Beach Coun. Scott Harrison, right, who donated his own kidney. (Michael Briones photo)

Qualicum First Nation chief makes first official appearance after kidney transplant

‘Forever friends’: Michael Recalma received donation from Coun. Scott Harrison

Qualicum First Nation Chief Michael Recalma, left, is back on his feet after a kidney transplant in February, made possible by Qualicum Beach Coun. Scott Harrison, right, who donated his own kidney. (Michael Briones photo)
Enzo Agostini (65) was a key player on defence and offence for the Ballenas Whalers senior varsity football team. (PQB News file photo)

Vancouver Island football star Agostini named to prestigious national prospect game

Ballenas Whalers coach pleased with special opportunity for towering lineman

Enzo Agostini (65) was a key player on defence and offence for the Ballenas Whalers senior varsity football team. (PQB News file photo)
A crane was used to load trash on to a truck. (Submitted photo)

Parksville student overwhelmed by the volume of trash uncovered by cleanup project

Cleanup crews found appliances, a trailer, needles, tires and more

A crane was used to load trash on to a truck. (Submitted photo)
Garbage has been littered along Claymore Road just past the Qualicum Fish Hatchery. (Benjamin Klein-Beekman photo)

Island high school student organizes major litter cleanup near Qualicum Fish Hatchery

Klein-Beekman ‘sick and tired’ of seing garbage strewn about

Garbage has been littered along Claymore Road just past the Qualicum Fish Hatchery. (Benjamin Klein-Beekman photo)
Volunteers cut broom on a vacant land near Parksville. (Michael Briones photo)

Group wants landowners to sweep Scotch broom from their Vancouver Island properties

Broombusters ask Regional District of Nanaimo for assistance

Volunteers cut broom on a vacant land near Parksville. (Michael Briones photo)
Parksville swimmer Nicholas Bennett set a S14 record of two minutes, 10.22 seconds swimming in the multi-class 200-metre individual medley at the Bell Canadian Swimming Trials held in Victoria. (Swimming Canada Facebook photo)

Parksville swimmer Bennett sets four Canadian records at national trials

High-performance training pays off for former Breakers member

Parksville swimmer Nicholas Bennett set a S14 record of two minutes, 10.22 seconds swimming in the multi-class 200-metre individual medley at the Bell Canadian Swimming Trials held in Victoria. (Swimming Canada Facebook photo)
The eagle immediately flies away after being released by North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre staff member Andrew Cotton. (Michael Briones photo)

VIDEO: Rehabilitated eagle released back into the wild near Errington

Wildlife centre staff honoured to set majestic bird free

The eagle immediately flies away after being released by North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre staff member Andrew Cotton. (Michael Briones photo)
Young riders test out a pump track at the Steve Smith Bike Park in Nanaimo. A pump track project is now being planned for Nanoose Bay. (Black Press file photo)

Pump track proposed for former playground at Nanoose Bay Community Park

Project to benefit youngsters in the community

Young riders test out a pump track at the Steve Smith Bike Park in Nanaimo. A pump track project is now being planned for Nanoose Bay. (Black Press file photo)
The Coombs Fair is a major fundraiser for the Arrowsmith Agricultural Association, which manages the Coombs Fairgrounds. (PQB file photo)

COVID-19 has massive negative impact on Coombs Fairgrounds

Plan still in place to hold popular fair in 2022

The Coombs Fair is a major fundraiser for the Arrowsmith Agricultural Association, which manages the Coombs Fairgrounds. (PQB file photo)
Shayne Vollmers and Carrie Smith. (Facebook photo)

Celebration of life held in Parksville for 2 people killed in car crash

Petition started to name island after Ballenas teacher and partner

Shayne Vollmers and Carrie Smith. (Facebook photo)
Oceanside Generals forward Greyson Weme scores his third goal as he redirects a shot past Peninsula Panthers goalie Ashton Lukan in Game 5 of their Vancouver Island Junior Hockey league final series played at Howie Meeker Arena on Wednesday, March 30. (Michael Briones photo)

VIJHL: Weme nets 3 as Oceanside Generals earn 7-4 win over Panthers

Peninsula still leads best-of-seven league final series 3-2

Oceanside Generals forward Greyson Weme scores his third goal as he redirects a shot past Peninsula Panthers goalie Ashton Lukan in Game 5 of their Vancouver Island Junior Hockey league final series played at Howie Meeker Arena on Wednesday, March 30. (Michael Briones photo)
Qualicum Beach welcomes back ‘Chesapeake Shores’. (PQB News file photo)
Qualicum Beach welcomes back ‘Chesapeake Shores’. (PQB News file photo)
Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne and Qualicum Beach Mayor Brian Wiese drop ceremonial pucks to launch Game 1 of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League final between the Oceanside Generals and Peninsula Panthers March 23 at Oceanside Place. (Michael Briones photo)

VIJHL final: Panthers strike first with 2-1 win over Oceanside Generals

Peninsula converts on late power play to capture Game 1

Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne and Qualicum Beach Mayor Brian Wiese drop ceremonial pucks to launch Game 1 of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League final between the Oceanside Generals and Peninsula Panthers March 23 at Oceanside Place. (Michael Briones photo)
Carrie Smith, left, and Shayne Vollmers. (Facebook photos)

Beloved Ballenas teacher, partner die in tragic motor-vehicle incident near Lillooet

Petition launched to rename West Ballenas Island as Vollmers-Smith Island

Carrie Smith, left, and Shayne Vollmers. (Facebook photos)
The Quality Foods Oceanside Generals celebrate their win against Campbell River Storm in their VIJHL North Division final series. They now face the Peninsula Panthers in the VIJHL final. (PQB News file photo)

Parksville, Qualicum Beach mayors issue friendly wager ahead of VIJHL final

Mayne, Wiese make bet with North Saanich’s Geoff Orr as Peninsula Panthers face Oceanside Generals

The Quality Foods Oceanside Generals celebrate their win against Campbell River Storm in their VIJHL North Division final series. They now face the Peninsula Panthers in the VIJHL final. (PQB News file photo)
Town of Qualicum Beach Coun. Scott Harrison, bottom right, is welcomed back by Mayor Brian Wiese and fellow councillors Teunis Westbroek and Anne Skipsey. (Facebook screen grab)

B.C. municipal councillor returns to job just weeks after donating kidney

Scott Harrison says recipient, Qualicum First Nation Chief Michael Recalma, faring well

Town of Qualicum Beach Coun. Scott Harrison, bottom right, is welcomed back by Mayor Brian Wiese and fellow councillors Teunis Westbroek and Anne Skipsey. (Facebook screen grab)
Former Parksville Royals players Brandon Nicoll, left, and Tim Holyk are having impressive baseball seasons playing for the Southern Arkansas University Muleriders and Miles Community College Pioneers, respectively. (Submitted photos)

Former Parksville Royals baseball standouts shine south of the border

Holyk, Nicoll have strong starts to season

Former Parksville Royals players Brandon Nicoll, left, and Tim Holyk are having impressive baseball seasons playing for the Southern Arkansas University Muleriders and Miles Community College Pioneers, respectively. (Submitted photos)
Oceanside Generals player Nolan Wyatt redirects the puck past the Campbell River Storm goalkeeper in Game 2 of their VIJHL North Division final, March 12 at Oceanside Place. (Michael Briones photo)
Oceanside Generals player Nolan Wyatt redirects the puck past the Campbell River Storm goalkeeper in Game 2 of their VIJHL North Division final, March 12 at Oceanside Place. (Michael Briones photo)