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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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Rising frustrations over homeless issues in Vernon’s downtown boil over with violent incident
VERNON – A Vernon businessman says he brandished a baton in self defence during a…
Why these Vernon marmots are not welcome and how they are being removed
VERNON – Marmots sprawl on rocks, nibble at grass and frolic by the creek below.…
Heads up drivers: Highway 97 at Stickle Road construction set to start
VERNON – Changes are coming to a busy Vernon intersection. Road work will start on…
Lawsuit blames Province, District of Sicamous for causing “catastrophic” 2012 flood
VERNON – A catastrophic 2012 flood in Sicamous remains top of mind six years later…
Police investigate possible child luring incident in North Okanagan
ARMSTRONG – Police are spreading the word about another possible case of child luring in…
‘Basically a remote controlled car’: How Vernon is using technology to explore aging pipes
VERNON – It rolls past cracks, gnarly tree roots, wads of grease, spiders — and,…
Vernon pizza shop stung by theft a fourth time
VERNON – A local business that offered a job to the person responsible for a…
Police ‘picking and choosing facts’ led to child porn case against Vernon man being thrown out
VERNON – Serious breaches of an accused’s charter rights by police caused a judge to…
Vernon reopens play fields as wet weather subsides
VERNON – The City of Vernon has reopened its play fields to public use after…
Film crews arrive in North Okanagan to shoot scenes for new movie
LUMBY – Various locations in and around Lumby are being used as the backdrop for…
Vernon shelter believes safe drug use area would reduce overdoses, discarded needles
VERNON – With no supervised drug consumption site currently available in Vernon, one local agency…
Curtis Sagmoen appears in Port Coquitlam court on 2013 assault charge
VERNON – The man associated with a rural North Okanagan property where a young woman’s…
Geotechnical report sheds light on North Okanagan landslide
VERNON – Soggy ground was the likely cause of a landslide earlier this week in…
Big White auctioning off original Powder Chair in support of players, families affected by Humboldt tragedy
KELOWNA – Big White Ski Resort is auctioning off one of its original Powder Chairs…
Why the B.C. Coroner’s Service isn’t investigating fetal remains found in Vernon
VERNON – The disturbing discovery of fetal remains in Vernon will likely never be fully…
How a Vernon man survives by picking bottles
VERNON – The best thing Fred ever found in a dumpster was a live chicken.…
One suspicious fire after another at Lumby home
LUMBY – Emergency crews were called to two suspicious fires at the same house Tuesday…
RCMP not connecting Armstrong house fire with earlier suspected arsons
ARMSTRONG – Police are investigating a suspicious house fire in Armstrong, but say it is…
Vernon RCMP investigating discovery of fetal remains
VERNON – Police in Vernon are investigating the discovery of fetal remains over the weekend.…
The Monte Lake wildfire last year wasn’t caused by a cigarette butt
NORTH OKANAGAN – Fire investigators have their suspicions about how a large wildfire started in…
UPDATE: Crews working to reopen road, restore power for North Okanagan residents impacted by landslide
VERNON – A landslide damaged one property and left numerous residents without power this morning…
Why these Vernon pizza shop owners are offering a job to the thief who broke in three times in 10 days
VERNON – After being broken into three times in 10 days, a Vernon couple is…
Vernon council hears details of local opioid overdose crisis
VERNON – Interior Health has the second highest death rate in the province when it…
B.C. petting zoo operator charged with animal cruelty
REVELSTOKE – The owner of a petting zoo in Revelstoke is facing more than 20…