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Charlotte Helston
REPORTER
Charlotte Helston grew up in Armstrong and after four years studying writing at the University of Victoria, she came back to do what she loves most: Connect with the community and bringing its stories to life.
Covering Vernon for iNFOnews.ca has reinforced her belief in community. The people and the stories she encounters every day—at the courthouse, City Hall or on the street—show the big tales in a small town.
If you have an opinion to share or a story you'd like covered, contact Charlotte at Charlotte Helston or call 250-309-5230.
Charlotte Helston's Stories
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HELSTON: Knowing who your real friends are
Usually, we only hear about the girls who kept their conversations with strange men a secret. The girls who found themselves trapped in a vicious circle of extortion; nude photos or exposure of what was already obtained to their friends, family, classmates. We hear their stories, recounted in courtrooms, of how it all began, innocently...
UPDATE: Missing Okanagan woman located
UPDATE 2:49 P.M. JAN. 26, 2016 Lumby RCMP report the 24-year-old woman has been in…
UPDATE: Vernon teen located
UPDATE: 11:38 A.M., MARCH 16, 2016 RCMP say the teen has been located. All personal…
UPDATE: Missing Vernon man located
UPDATE: 5:01 p.m., Oct. 28, 2016 VERNON – RCMP say a missing 80-year-old Vernon man…
Marijuana 101: Okanagan College launches new course about pot industry
OKANAGAN – A new course at Okanagan College will teach students about the emerging marijuana…
Government approved cannabis facility expected to break ground soon in Lumby
VERNON – A medical marijuana company has the green light from Health Canada to build…
“It’s going to be massive”: What pot legalization means for the economy in the North Okanagan
VERNON – Just how much of an economic impact is legalization of marijuana going to…
Bus drivers ask Vernon council to ban smoking in public spaces
VERNON – Vernon transit drivers want the City of Vernon to ban smoking cigarettes, joints…
Vernon politician says something must be done to regulate public pot use
VERNON – A proposed smoking bylaw in Vernon is getting some early support from several…
City putting some of Vernon’s pot shops out of business
VERNON – The City of Vernon will be telling some local pot shops to shut…
“We still have fight left in us”: Vernon cannabis shop forced to close
VERNON – One of Vernon’s first cannabis shops is closing its doors at the end…
An inside look at one of the Okanagan’s first licensed marijuana production facilities
FALKLAND – Just off Highway 97 on the way to Falkland is a large, warehouse-style…
YO MAMA: Mommy and Me New Year’s workout
It was New Year’s Day and my son was playing happily with some new building…
YO MAMA: Toddler’s first ‘real’ Christmas
We first spotted his red hat through the window of the store. He was scurrying…
YO MAMA: A toddler’s guide to tidying up
I started reading celebrity organizer Marie Kondo’s book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” right…
YO MAMA: I’ll have peeta putta and jam any day
“Me scoopa no vroom vroom, scoopa hitchy wee-oooh-weee-oooh.” I chuckled from the kitchen as I…
YO MAMA: 20 ways I’ll get even with my crazy toddler when he’s older
There is no shortage of hilariously absurd moments when you live with a toddler. My…
YO MAMA: 10 ways having a kid has made me a better person
I’m not talking about all those cliches about unconditional love and selflessness. This isn’t that…
YO MAMA: Dear library patrons, sorry my toddler took a casual poop
Dear library patrons who were browsing for books while my toddler took a casual poop…
YO MAMA: Hiking with a two-month-old versus a two-year-old
I finally did it. I passed on my beloved baby-wearing wrap to another mom because…
YO MAMA: The disregarded perks of maternity leave
Head to the local science centre on a weekday morning, and you are bound to…
YO MAMA: An unexpected guest
Bob arrived at the door on my son’s second birthday, riding atop my father-in-law’s shoulders.…
YO MAMA: The hierarchy of kid’s music
The very first jingle my son took a liking to was the CBC News intro.…
YO MAMA: Choo-Choo Charlie
Choo-Choo Charlie was one of those old-timey looking rides, with an art style that was…