Michael Briones

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 Vancouver Islanders 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Important steps remain after evacuation orders rescinded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)
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue helped evacuate residents impacted by the flooding on Martindale Road on Monday, Nov. 15. (Michael Briones photo)
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue helped evacuate residents impacted by the flooding on Martindale Road on Monday, Nov. 15. (Michael Briones photo)
Martindale Road in Parksville was flooded on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. (Michael Briones photo)

Residents evacuated from Qualicum Beach, Parksville as flood waters rise

Search and rescue crews on alert in various locations

Martindale Road in Parksville was flooded on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. (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)
Alex Parker gets some air time as he sails over a wave. (Michael Briones photo)

PHOTOS: Stormy conditions delight Vancouver Island windsurfers

French Creek’s Columbia Beach a popular spot for fans of the sport during this week’s wind

Alex Parker gets some air time as he sails over a wave. (Michael Briones photo)
This Andromeda Galaxy photo was snapped by Qualicum Beach’s Ron Fisher from his backyard using a Canon EOS with a 300mm telephoto lens on an equatorial tracking mount. (Ron Fisher photo)

Vancouver Island man captures photo of Andromeda Galaxy from his backyard

Fisher uses Canon EOS with 300mm lens to snap pic

This Andromeda Galaxy photo was snapped by Qualicum Beach’s Ron Fisher from his backyard using a Canon EOS with a 300mm telephoto lens on an equatorial tracking mount. (Ron Fisher photo)
Walking soccer has become a popular senior recreational activity. (Michael Briones photo)

B.C. walking soccer tournament set for Oct. 23 in Nanoose Bay

‘It’s the fastest-growing senior sports activity in the world’

Walking soccer has become a popular senior recreational activity. (Michael Briones photo)
Nanoose Bay fitness enthusiast Mitchel Cook is training for an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for burpees on Nov. 5. (Submitted photo)

Vancouver Island man aims to set new Guinness World Records standard for burpees

Former VIJHL player plans to reach 1,000 mark in one hour

Nanoose Bay fitness enthusiast Mitchel Cook is training for an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for burpees on Nov. 5. (Submitted photo)
Morningstar Golf Club deals with 250 to 300 geese daily. (PQB News file photo)

6 birds shot after goose poop becomes a foul problem at Parksville golf course

‘Kill to scare’ permit acquired; club deals with 250 to 300 Canada geese daily

Morningstar Golf Club deals with 250 to 300 geese daily. (PQB News file photo)
The North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre’s senior bear Knut and caretaker Robin Campbell had a special relationship. (NIWRA photo)

Beloved black bear ‘Knut’ dies at North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre at age 25

Senior bruin was an ‘iconic animal ambassador’

The North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre’s senior bear Knut and caretaker Robin Campbell had a special relationship. (NIWRA photo)
Ex-CFL coach and player Chuck McMann has died at age 70. (Submitted photo)

Former CFL player, Grey Cup champion Chuck McMann of Qualicum Beach dies at age 70

‘He was a wonderful father and grandfather, as well as a great friend and neighbour’

Ex-CFL coach and player Chuck McMann has died at age 70. (Submitted photo)
The rare white raven continues to be nursed back to health at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington. (Michael Briones photo)

Rare white raven still recovering at Vancouver Island wildlife centre

Bird is now feeding on its own at facility in Errington

The rare white raven continues to be nursed back to health at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington. (Michael Briones photo)
(PQB News file photo)

Firework bans don’t work, says Canadian group pushing for more education on contentious issue

Concerns raised in Regional District of Nanaimo regarding negative impact on animals

(PQB News file photo)
Parksville golfer Gavyn Knight putts on the Hole No. 2 during the final round of the B.C. Junior Boys Championship at Morningstar Golf Club on July 2. (Michael Briones Photo)

Vancouver Island golfer Gavyn Knight clinches 2021 B.C. junior boys crown in Parksville

17-year-old plays steady and composed game to top the field

Parksville golfer Gavyn Knight putts on the Hole No. 2 during the final round of the B.C. Junior Boys Championship at Morningstar Golf Club on July 2. (Michael Briones Photo)
Alycia Butterworth of Parksville finished second in the steeplechase at the Harry Jerome Track Classic just missing the Olympic qualifying time. (Sean W Burges/Mundo Sport Images).

Island steeplechase athlete still has sights set on Canadian Olympic team spot

Butterworth short of time standard by 1.27 seconds

Alycia Butterworth of Parksville finished second in the steeplechase at the Harry Jerome Track Classic just missing the Olympic qualifying time. (Sean W Burges/Mundo Sport Images).
This young fledgling white raven was spotted in the Coombs area on May 16. (Mike Yip photo)

Expert says 2 sets of parents producing rare white ravens on Vancouver Island

One of the iconic birds is currently recovering at wildlife centre after being rescued

This young fledgling white raven was spotted in the Coombs area on May 16. (Mike Yip photo)
Parksville swimmer Nicholas Bennett has earned a chance to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. (Submitted photo)

Parksville swimmer earns spot on Canadian Paralympic team for Tokyo Games

Nicholas Bennett heads to Japan in August

Parksville swimmer Nicholas Bennett has earned a chance to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. (Submitted photo)
Founder and operations manager of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, Robin Campbell, shows a rare white raven being nursed back to health. (Michael Briones photo)

Rare white raven, 2 orphaned bear cubs nursed back to health at B.C. wildlife rescue centre

Animal care technicians ‘hoping for the best’ for juvenile bird

Founder and operations manager of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, Robin Campbell, shows a rare white raven being nursed back to health. (Michael Briones photo)