Michael Briones

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)
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)
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)
(File photo)

B.C. senior calls driving exams for seniors aged 80 and up ‘unfair’

Protest being planned for when COVID-19 pandemic restrictions lifted

(File photo)
Two giant grizzly bears engaged in a territorial fight. (Wayne Duke photo)

Trouble’s a bruin: B.C. photographer’s images of grappling grizzlies garner international acclaim

Amazing photos taken on trip to Tahumming River in Toba Inlet picked up by Daily Mail in Britain

Two giant grizzly bears engaged in a territorial fight. (Wayne Duke photo)
Game 1 of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League’s North Island playoff final between the Oceanside Generals and Campbell River Storm, set for March 10 at Oceanside Place in Parksville, has been postponed. (File photo)

Concerns over COVID-19 prompt postponement of Vancouver Island junior hockey game

Several players reported to be self-isolating for influenza-like symptoms

Game 1 of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League’s North Island playoff final between the Oceanside Generals and Campbell River Storm, set for March 10 at Oceanside Place in Parksville, has been postponed. (File photo)
Renowned mountain biker Jordie Lunn of Parksville died after a crash while trail riding in Mexico on Oct. 9. — Facebook photo

Jordie Lunn, world-renowned B.C. mountain biker, dies in Mexico

The 36-year-old from Parksville had been trailriding in Cabo San Lucas with friends

Renowned mountain biker Jordie Lunn of Parksville died after a crash while trail riding in Mexico on Oct. 9. — Facebook photo
Lynne Leclair will join her Mardi Gras touch football teammates in the B.C. Football Hall of Fame. - Michael Briones photo

Meet the women who broke B.C.’s pigskin hall of fame ceiling

Mardi Gras dynasty the first women ever inducted into B.C. Football Hall of Fame

Lynne Leclair will join her Mardi Gras touch football teammates in the B.C. Football Hall of Fame. - Michael Briones photo
This horse was recently ‘parked’ outside the BC Liquor Store at Wembley Mall in Parksville. — Dawn Topolnicki photo

B.C. man ‘parks’ horse during liquor store pit stop

As long as animal wasn’t jaywalking, no problem, says Parksville official

This horse was recently ‘parked’ outside the BC Liquor Store at Wembley Mall in Parksville. — Dawn Topolnicki photo