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Mario Bartel

Mario Bartel

Mario Bartel has been a journalist for over 30 years. More than half that tenure was spent peering through the viewfinder of a camera as a photojournalist.

As they suffered the brunt of a contracting industry, he started spending more time at the keyboard, covering everything from civic affairs to features to sports.

Over the course of his diverse career, Bartel has covered visits by prime ministers, championship junior hockey teams, the early morning toil of a tug captain, late-night fires, the 106th birthday celebration of a community icon, the challenges of a professional hockey player trying to come back from triple cancer diagnoses and more election night celebrations in dark, crowded pubs or community halls than he cares to remember.

Alas, he's yet to have the opportunity to ride in a blimp.

When Bartel's not pounding out Port Moody council stories, setting up lights for a feature portrait, or shivering in the cold rain shooting high school soccer, he is riding his bike, usually out to the Fraser Valley, up Mt. Seymour or along urban routes that take advantage of Vancouver's extensive cycling network. Often those rides involve a stop at a coffee shop, even though he doesn’t imbibe in hot beverages. But he does enjoy a good pain au chocolat and he can attest Blacksmith bakery in Fort Langley makes the best this side of Paris.

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Recent Work by Mario

Want to shop Canadian? This Port Moody student has developed an app to help

Want to shop Canadian? This Port Moody student has developed an app to help

The free Canalens app allows users to take a photo of a product in the store and retrieve information whether it's Canadian, as well as any ethical concerns.
Coquitlam Express sign son of beloved former Vancouver Canucks defenceman

Coquitlam Express sign son of beloved former Vancouver Canucks defenceman

Cole Bieksa is the son for Kevin Bieksa, who was a defenceman for the Vancouver Canucks for 10 years before ending his career with the Anaheim Ducks.
Port Moody police need help identifying break-in suspects

Port Moody police need help identifying break-in suspects

The suspects were captured on CCTV breaking into a shop in Port Moody's NewPort Village at about 4 a.m. Feb. 25.
This sweet, sticky-fingered treat is coming to Coquitlam Centre

This sweet, sticky-fingered treat is coming to Coquitlam Centre

Lee's Donuts was started in 1979 on Granville Island in Vancouver
Port Moody councillor seeks provincial regulation of mobile live animal displays like petting zoos

Port Moody councillor seeks provincial regulation of mobile live animal displays like petting zoos

Port Moody council tasked staff in January to create a corporate policy banning mobile live animal programs from operating anywhere in the city.
Don't invite these guys for Valentine's Day dinner. They're British Columbia's most-wanted fugitives

Don't invite these guys for Valentine's Day dinner. They're British Columbia's most-wanted fugitives

Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers releases its six most-wanted fugitives and least-wanted guests for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner.
One man dead after fight outside Coquitlam pub

One man dead after fight outside Coquitlam pub

A customer at the John B pub in Coquitlam said the incident may have started with an argument in the bathroom
'It's a joyous change room': How this Port Coquitlam hockey team has kept playing for 50 years

'It's a joyous change room': How this Port Coquitlam hockey team has kept playing for 50 years

The PoCo Coachmen formed in 1975 when four minor hockey coaches took advantage of some unused ice time to play a game of shinny.
'It is certainly concerning': Port Moody police arrest suspect after intruder enters occupied home

'It is certainly concerning': Port Moody police arrest suspect after intruder enters occupied home

Port Moody police received a call about an intruder in a home at about 3:45 a.m. Wednesday morning
Petting zoos and other live animal programs not welcome in Port Moody

Petting zoos and other live animal programs not welcome in Port Moody

Port Moody to enact a policy banning live animal programs from public and private property in the city
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