Michael Briones

Coombs Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department crews work through the smoke from a fire on Redman Road on Saturday morning, May 8. (Michael Briones photo)

Coombs-Hilliers fire crews quickly douse spreading brush fire in Whiskey Creek

Fire believed caused by campfire left unattended

Coombs Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department crews work through the smoke from a fire on Redman Road on Saturday morning, May 8. (Michael Briones photo)
Willem Whitehead is one of six Vancouver Island athletes to receive one of the 2020 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport. (Submitted photo)
Willem Whitehead is one of six Vancouver Island athletes to receive one of the 2020 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport. (Submitted photo)
Andrew Riddell was instrumental in helping the Oceanside Generals develop young players. (Oceanside Generals photo)

Andrew Riddell steps down as GM of VIJHL’s Oceanside Generals

Former BCHL player from Nanaimo moves on after promotion from full-time employer

Andrew Riddell was instrumental in helping the Oceanside Generals develop young players. (Oceanside Generals photo)
Ed Fergusson competes in the clean and jerk event at the virtual 2021 BC Masters Weightlifting Championships. (Submitted photo)

Parksville’s Fergusson earns gold at 2021 B.C. Masters Weightlifting Championships

85-year-old athlete recovers well after heart attack

Ed Fergusson competes in the clean and jerk event at the virtual 2021 BC Masters Weightlifting Championships. (Submitted photo)
The Cross on the Commons race is one of events organized by the Arrowsmith Cycling Club. (PQB News file photo)

More people than ever mountain biking in Parksville Qualicum Beach area

Arrowsmith Cycling Club VP promotes healthy, fun activity

The Cross on the Commons race is one of events organized by the Arrowsmith Cycling Club. (PQB News file photo)
A Parksville Fire Department’s firefighter hoses down the facade of a Parksville Heritage Centre building after it caught fire on Friday afternoon (April 16). (Michael Briones photo)

Fire crews, roofers work to douse building fire in Parksville

Damage was minimal and workers escaped injury

A Parksville Fire Department’s firefighter hoses down the facade of a Parksville Heritage Centre building after it caught fire on Friday afternoon (April 16). (Michael Briones photo)
Legendary broadcaster Bernie Pascall is among in the Class of 2021 to be inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. (PQB News file photo)

Island broadcasting legend Bernie Pascall named to Canadian Football Hall of Fame

Pascall named by Football Reporters of Canada as inductee in the 2021 class in the media category

Legendary broadcaster Bernie Pascall is among in the Class of 2021 to be inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. (PQB News file photo)
Prince Philip is seen here talking to Alex Rennie about platters of food presented by the culinary deparment at Malaspina College (now Vancouver Island University) in 1983. (Courtesy of Alex Rennie)

Parksville man recalls meeting Prince Philip at what was then Malaspina College

Alex Rennie, a former culinary instructor, got to shake hands with royal visitor

Prince Philip is seen here talking to Alex Rennie about platters of food presented by the culinary deparment at Malaspina College (now Vancouver Island University) in 1983. (Courtesy of Alex Rennie)
The current Ballenas Secondary track requires upgrading. (PQB News file photo)

Parksville allocates $250K to Ballenas track upgrade project

Plan is to withdraw money from gas tax reserve

The current Ballenas Secondary track requires upgrading. (PQB News file photo)
Linda Harbo, Marina Bakker and Leesa Patenaude enjoy their morning swim at Rathtrevor Beach. (Michael Briones photo)

Daily Dippers’close in on 100 consecutive plunges into chilly waters near Parksville

Group members find morning ocean swim fun, healthy

Linda Harbo, Marina Bakker and Leesa Patenaude enjoy their morning swim at Rathtrevor Beach. (Michael Briones photo)
Former Parskville Royals Tim Holyk has been hitting well this season for the Miles Community College Pioneers in Montana. (Tim Holyk Facebook Photo)

Parksville Royals field veteran team for 2021 baseball season

Former star Tim Holyk hitting well in college action in Montana

Former Parskville Royals Tim Holyk has been hitting well this season for the Miles Community College Pioneers in Montana. (Tim Holyk Facebook Photo)
(PQB News file photo)

Mayor wants Qualicum Beach council to rescind decision to ban backyard chickens

Wiese wants community to give more input on the issue

(PQB News file photo)
Quality Foods plans to use electric trucks to help reduce its environmental footprint. (Photo courtesy Quality Foods)

Two big Vancouver Island-based firms switching to electric transport trucks

Charging stations for Tesla Semis to be built for Quality Foods and Mosaic Forest Management

Quality Foods plans to use electric trucks to help reduce its environmental footprint. (Photo courtesy Quality Foods)
The Oceanside Mother’s Day Race will again be cancelled this year but Oceanside Running Club Association members like Jill Davies (239) aim to stage individual solo runs to raise money for charitable groups. (PQB News file photo)

COVID-19: Runners still raising funds for charity in Parksville Qualicum Beach

Despite cancellation of events, ORCA members raise $10,500

The Oceanside Mother’s Day Race will again be cancelled this year but Oceanside Running Club Association members like Jill Davies (239) aim to stage individual solo runs to raise money for charitable groups. (PQB News file photo)
Bow Horn Bay Fire Department captain Doug Prizeman, right, and Allan Horeczy at the scene of a fire on Lynx Road. (Michael Briones photo)
Bow Horn Bay Fire Department captain Doug Prizeman, right, and Allan Horeczy at the scene of a fire on Lynx Road. (Michael Briones photo)
Former Kwalikum Secondary student Harrison Houde directed and produced a new series, Stories of Kindness. (Submitted photo)

Vancouver Island actor/director debuts new online series ‘Stories of Kindness’

Harrison Houde: ‘How can you say no to such a wholesome concept?’

Former Kwalikum Secondary student Harrison Houde directed and produced a new series, Stories of Kindness. (Submitted photo)
Firefighters were on hand to deal with a blaze at a residence on Hodges Road in Parksville on April 1, 2021. (Michael Briones photo)

No injuries reported as 5 departments respond to house fire near Parksville

Lack of fire hydrants in rural area meant extra assistance required

Firefighters were on hand to deal with a blaze at a residence on Hodges Road in Parksville on April 1, 2021. (Michael Briones photo)
The Qualicum Beach Farmers Market is back outdoors and will feature non-food vendors. (PBQ News file photo)

Qualicum Beach, Errington farmers markets to bring back non-food vendors

Organizers pleased with B.C. government’s decision to lift restrictions

The Qualicum Beach Farmers Market is back outdoors and will feature non-food vendors. (PBQ News file photo)
Ballenas Whalers players go hard during spring training. (Michael Briones photo)

Ballenas Whalers draw 40 players to spring football training sessions

Coach Jeremy Conn hopes for return to game action in the fall

Ballenas Whalers players go hard during spring training. (Michael Briones photo)
The new Clean Cart technology makes sure carts are well-sanitized for customer use. (Michael Briones photo)

Quality Foods opens new flagship store in Parksville

Mayor: ‘City is obviously growing out this way so it’s going to be a big help to all the residents’

The new Clean Cart technology makes sure carts are well-sanitized for customer use. (Michael Briones photo)