About Us

The Oceanside area stretching from Deep Bay to the north and Nanoose Bay to the south and west to Cathedral Grove is one of the most diverse on Vancouver Island. It includes a number of rural communities, including Errington, Coombs, Whiskey Creek, Hilliers, Qualicum Bay, Bowser and Deep Bay, as well as the growing City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach. For The Parksville Qualicum Beach News the area's newspaper of record, both on-line and in print it represents a treasure trove of natural wonders, interesting people and a diversity of issues. And you'll find it all here, twice a week.

Your Community News Team

	Publisher Tom Thomas 250-248-4341, ext. 250	Tom has been with Black Press Vancouver Island since 1984. He and his wife Elizabeth have three grown boys, all residing and working in the region. Tom enjoys camping, golfing, and being involved in the community.
	Production Manager Peggy Sidbeck 250-248-4341	Peggy has worked in a production environment since the the early '70s, starting with a jazz magazine in Toronto. Moving to British Columbia in 1977, she worked for the Kelowna Capital News for many years, finally settling on Vancouver Island and working for the News for the past 5 years. She enjoys gardening, getting serious about the Slow Food movement, and spending time with her three cats.
	Editor Steven Heywood 250-248-2545, ext. 215	When he's not a pirate, clown or piniata in big front page photos, editor Steven Heywood is putting his 15 years of media experience to work guiding The News' reporting team to better serve its readership. The hard work of his team led The News to a 2006 Best Newspaper award in its class in B.C.
	Circulation Becky Merrick 250-248-4341, ext. 260	Becky Merrick joined The News team in 2001 beginning in reception then moving into the circulation department the same year. That's where you will find Becky doing her best to make sure our paper gets to your door twice a week
	Classified Sales Classified Advertising 310-3535
	Sales Manager Steve Weldon 250-248-4341, ext. 222	A long time Oceanside resident, Steve attended both Qualicum Beach Senior Secondary and Ballenas Secondary schools. He is active in the community, having served on the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce as a director and is still on many of the committees and task forces. It's the country life for Steve, his wife and two boys on their small acreage. His newspaper career started in 1984, and aside from a three year trip around the world, he has been making and selling award winning advertising ever since. Call Steve today to discuss all of your advertising needs.
	Accounts Pauline Stead 250-248-4341
	Assistant Editor, Columnist Neil Horner 250-248-2545, ext. 219	Neil has been in the newspaper business for nearly 20 years, with postings in Fort. St. James, Quesnel and Oceanside and has won 28 awards of excellence on the company, provincial and national levels. He enjoys kayaking, hiking and diving in his spare time.
	Reporter Alli Vail 250-248-2545, ext. 220	Alli Vail covers Parksville politics, education, health and reviews books for The News.
	Reporter Fred Davies 250-248-2545, ext. 216	Fred Davies covers police, courts, politics, environment and entertainment for The News.