Michael Briones

A one-year-old rehabilitated bald eagle from the North Island Recovery Centre flaps its mighty wings as it is released back to the wild. (Michael Briones photo)

Former Calgary zookeeper emotional releasing B.C. eagle back into wild

B.C.’s North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre lets year-old bald eagle go after nursing it to health

A one-year-old rehabilitated bald eagle from the North Island Recovery Centre flaps its mighty wings as it is released back to the wild. (Michael Briones photo)
Gerry James played in both the CFL and NHL. (PQB News file photo)

B.C. man played for Stanley Cup, Grey Cup in same year: Gerry James dead at 89

Award-winning Canadian football star also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Gerry James played in both the CFL and NHL. (PQB News file photo)
Climate change can cause high tides and this incident 2022 caused major damage to the Qualicum Beach waterfront and businesses in the area. (Earl Geddes photo)

B.C. town commits to class-action lawsuit against fossil fuel companies

Council voted 4-1 but next steps are contingent on Qualicum Beach acquiring legal opinion

Climate change can cause high tides and this incident 2022 caused major damage to the Qualicum Beach waterfront and businesses in the area. (Earl Geddes photo)
Vienna Matthews and Jordan King don their T. rex costumes and drew a lot of attention at the Parksville Community Park on Saturday, Jan. 6. (Michael Briones photo)

T. rex pair brings joy turning B.C. park into Jurassic Park

Costumes provided plenty of smiles and chuckles at Parksville Community Park on Vancouver Island

Vienna Matthews and Jordan King don their T. rex costumes and drew a lot of attention at the Parksville Community Park on Saturday, Jan. 6. (Michael Briones photo)
(File photo)

Man dies 2 days after being released from B.C. police custody

IIO investigation launched after man was arrested, taken to Oceanside RCMP cells on July 18

(File photo)
Parksville’s Gavyn Knight hits out of the sand trap at 2023 B.C. Amateur Men’s Golf Championship Morningstar Golf Course on Friday, July 14. (Michael Briones photo)

Vernon’s Humphreys cruises to B.C. Amateur men’s golf title in Parksville

Teen finishes six shots ahead of runner-up Jace Minni

Parksville’s Gavyn Knight hits out of the sand trap at 2023 B.C. Amateur Men’s Golf Championship Morningstar Golf Course on Friday, July 14. (Michael Briones photo)
Morningstar Golf Club member Gavyn Knight is one of the local golfers who will seek top honours at the B.C. Men’s Amateur Golf Championships, July 10 to July 14. (PQB News file photo)

21st B.C. Men’s Amateur Golf ­Championship set to tee off in Parksville

More than 150 golfers entered in event set for July to 10 July 14 at Morningstar Golf Club

Morningstar Golf Club member Gavyn Knight is one of the local golfers who will seek top honours at the B.C. Men’s Amateur Golf Championships, July 10 to July 14. (PQB News file photo)
‘Leave fawns where they lie’ is the advice of the North Island Wildlife Rescue Centre. (Submitted photo)

B.C. wildlife group advises the public to leave fawns alone

They’re cute but curb the urge to pick them up: North Island Wildlife Rescue Centre

‘Leave fawns where they lie’ is the advice of the North Island Wildlife Rescue Centre. (Submitted photo)
Ascent Helicopters owner Trent Lemke excited to have landed a major contract with Emergency Health Services. (PQN News file photo)

Parksville helicopter company wins $544-million B.C. air ambulance contract

Ascent Helicopters to purchase 7 new aircraft to be located in major B.C. centres

Ascent Helicopters owner Trent Lemke excited to have landed a major contract with Emergency Health Services. (PQN News file photo)
Denise Foster of the French Creek Estuary Nature Preserve releases the rehabilitated eagle back to its natural elements, with North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre’s Animal care supervisor Derek Downes assisting her. (Deb Freeman photo)

Vancouver Island wildlife recovery centre releases rehabilitated eagle

Save Estuary Land Society member selected to free bird of prey

Denise Foster of the French Creek Estuary Nature Preserve releases the rehabilitated eagle back to its natural elements, with North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre’s Animal care supervisor Derek Downes assisting her. (Deb Freeman 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)
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)
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)
Qualicum First Nations chief Michael Recalma is grateful for Qualicum Beach councillor Scott Harrison (inset) for donating his kidney to him. (Submitted photo)

B.C. town councillor to donate kidney to Qualicum First Nation Chief

‘I really can’t express the feeling, because it’s such a gift and a sacrifice’

Qualicum First Nations chief Michael Recalma is grateful for Qualicum Beach councillor Scott Harrison (inset) for donating his kidney to him. (Submitted photo)
Kristian McIntyre and Karen Thompson in the old Knox Church, where his parents and sister were previously married. The wedding ceremony was conducted by Parksville marriage commissioner Carol Nelson. (Michael Briones photo)

Couple travels thousands of miles to marry in Vancouver Island heritage church

Couple wanted to continue a sentimental family tradition

Kristian McIntyre and Karen Thompson in the old Knox Church, where his parents and sister were previously married. The wedding ceremony was conducted by Parksville marriage commissioner Carol Nelson. (Michael Briones photo)
Qualicum Beach-based pilot Sigmund Bering Sort during one of his recent flood relief flights. (Sigmund Bering Sort photo)

B.C. pilot joins volunteer team flying relief supplies to flood-ravaged communities

‘It has been a crazy human experience’

Qualicum Beach-based pilot Sigmund Bering Sort during one of his recent flood relief flights. (Sigmund Bering Sort photo)
The high level of water on the Englishman River has caused flooding in some areas in Parksville. (Michael Briones photo)

Financial aid may be available for B.C. residents affected by massive flooding

Important steps remain after evacuation orders rescinded

The high level of water on the Englishman River has caused flooding in some areas in Parksville. (Michael Briones photo)
The strain begins to show on Mitchel Cook’s face as he attempts to set a new Guinness World Record for burpees. (Michael Briones photo)

155 burpees short: B.C. man performs whopping 796 burpees in world record attempt

Mitchel Cook says he’ll likely take another shot at breaking standard of 951 in one hour

The strain begins to show on Mitchel Cook’s face as he attempts to set a new Guinness World Record for burpees. (Michael Briones photo)
Mitchel Cook is aiming to do 1000 burpees in an hour to set a new Guinness World Records mark. (Submitted photo)

B.C. man aims to set Guinness World Record with 1,000 burpees in 1 hour

21-year-old ready to make public attempt Nov. 5 in Parksville

Mitchel Cook is aiming to do 1000 burpees in an hour to set a new Guinness World Records mark. (Submitted photo)