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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.
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UPDATE: Missing woman found
MERRITT - The missing woman the Upper Nicola Band and Okanagan Indian Band were in search for has been located. Before she was found, Annie Joe Gottfriedson, 20, of the Upper Nicola Band was last seen Feb. 16 at noon near Nicola Street in Merritt. “Our concerns run deep for Annie Jo and her family,”...
Vernon RCMP still looking for one of two missing women
VERNON - Two women went missing from Vernon medical facilities Monday, Feb. 16. It didn’t take police long to locate the first woman, Natasha Archibald, 51, who was reported found Tuesday morning. She was returned to hospital to complete her medical treatment. The second woman, Heidi Roos, 52, remains missing. Vernon RCMP say the incidents...
UPDATE: Highway 97 A between Grindrod and Sicamous reopens with delays
GRINDROD - Highway 97A is back open following a mud slide Sunday night, but travellers can still expect delays Tuesday. The road will be open to single lane alternating traffic Tuesday, Feb. 17 while crews conduct maintenance work. The work is being conducted from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. according to Drive B.C. and travellers...
Kal Lake water shut off due to increased turbidity, milfoil removal
VERNON - The Kalamalka Lake water supply has been shut off due to increased turbidity and milfoil removal. The Greater Vernon Water Utility turned the water off Monday, Feb. 16. Until it’s back on, water will be supplied through the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant to avoid issuing a boil water advisory. “The decision to...
Vernon RCMP issue warning after rash of thefts from vehicles
VERNON - A rash of thefts from vehicles has police asking the public to take precautions. In the last week alone, there were over 20 thefts from vehicles, RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says. “The Vernon North Okanagan Detachment would like to remind people not to leave items in plain view in your vehicles,” Molendyk says....
A fraudulent credit card, $400 worth of meat, and an off-duty cop
VERNON - A pair of people trying to buy hundreds of dollars worth of meat on Valentine’s Day attracted the attention of an off-duty officer. The individuals, a 31-year-old man from Penticton and a 32-year-old woman, were trying to pay for approximately $400 worth of meat from M&M Meats on Saturday, but the man was...
Salmon Arm man struck with metal pipe during bizarre altercation
POLICE APPEALING TO PUBLIC FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SUSPECTS VERNON - Mounties say a Salmon Arm man was attacked through his car window last week while stopped at an intersection. The unusual assault occurred last Wednesday, Feb. 11, around 9:15 p.m. in front of the Green Valley Motel on 25 Avenue. A 26-year-old Salmon Arm man...
Former U.S. ski coach admitted to peeping on his students
THE STORY YOU ALMOST DIDN'T GET TO READ VERNON - Jason Paur, the former Seattle ski coach arrested for secretly filming young girls while on a school trip to Silver Star, pleaded guilty to three of the counts against him on Jan. 12, 2015. But we couldn’t tell you about that until today. When Paur...
Okanagan window painter bringing a little cheer to city streets
VERNON - Bernie DiDiT—the cartoonist behind window paintings all the way from Armstrong to Keremeos—likes to make people smile. The quirky 60-year-old loves bringing a little cheer to city storefronts during events like the Armstrong IPE, Vernon Winter Carnival and May long weekend in Keremeos. “When someone comes along and says wow, that’s cool—that pat...
Top 7 romantic places in Vernon
VERNON - From postcard perfect lake views to snow covered mountains, this picturesque valley we call home has no shortage of lovely locales. This Valentine’s Day, we’ve decided to celebrate the romantic locations our city boasts, and to help us round up the top seven we caught up with some local photographers. Who better to...
Vernon RCMP looking for person of interest after elderly man assaulted
VERNON - Police are appealing to the public for information after an elderly man was allegedly assaulted Thursday afternoon. According to a Vernon RCMP media release, the 83-year-old man was walking along the sidewalk between Coldstream Avenue and 30 Avenue on 34 Street just before 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. He spoke to a man...
Why the City of Kelowna wants your dog on a leash
KELOWNA - The warm weather means more residents and their dogs are out enjoying the outdoors, and in some cases, that's leading to conflicts with wildlife. The City of Kelowna issued a press release Thursday afternoon asking dog walkers to help ensure wildlife can enjoy the nice weather too. Park Services was recently notified of...
Honouring one of Vernon’s last standing historical Chinatown buildings
VERNON - It was a gathering place for Vernon’s Chinese at a time when the wider community did not accept them as equals. A place they held meetings, engaged in social activities, and cooked traditional feasts. The large, beige, three-storey building at the corner of 28 Avenue and 33 Street, now the Gateway Men and...
Former Vernon Mountie facing child porn allegations arrested on unrelated charges in Alberta
VERNON - A former Vernon Mountie awaiting trial on child pornography charges was arrested in Alberta last week for impaired driving and possession of stolen property. RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Sharon Franks says Ryan Hampton, 37, was arrested Feb. 2 by police in Strathmore, Alta. After pulling him over, officers searched the vehicle and...
Vernon School District seeks feedback on busing changes
VERNON - The Vernon School District is reaching out to parents for input on contentious bussing changes implemented this year. In a recent survey, parents were asked for feedback on School District 22’s transportation policy, which now enforces a 2.4 km walk limit at all its schools. About 300 students living within the walk limit...
Lumby man will stand trial for school teacher’s murder
VERNON - A Lumby man accused of murdering his girlfriend, a local school teacher, will stand trial in Supreme Court. Following a preliminary inquiry at the Vernon Courthouse last week, the judge ruled there is enough evidence to order Howard Everett Krewson, 55, to stand trial. Krewson is accused of killing Vernon school teacher Linda...
Vernon’s top cop stepping into retirement
VERNON - Vernon’s top cop is retiring. Supt. Reg Burgess made the announcement in front of Vernon City Council Tuesday afternoon. “I think he did really well. In recent years, we were doing better than the national average in terms of addressing crime,” Coun. Juliette Cunningham says. “It was great working with him.” Burgess...
Armstrong horses find new homes
"EVERYBODY WAS WORKING TOGETHER" ARMSTRONG – There was standing room only at an auction Saturday…
How one woman is bringing hope and dignity to those affected by the Ebola outbreak
RAISED IN SALMON ARM, NOW FIGHTING EBOLA IN LIBERIA LIBERIA - Working in the Ebola treatment unit, Bev Kauffeldt would hold her hands together in front of her to resist the urge to console patients with a shoulder squeeze, or a hug. On occasion, if she dipped her three layers of gloves into chlorine, she...
Salvation Army adjusts Vernon thrift store staffing
VERNON - The Salvation Army is reducing the number of employee positions at its Vernon thrift stores as a way to put more money back into the community. It wasn’t an easy decision, says Captain Jean-Curtis Plante, with the Salvation Army, but it had to be done. The non-profit has been struggling financially since at...
Family pleads for witnesses after father backed over by a car
“HE WAS IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME” VERNON - Andrew Raab walked the same route to the Upper Room Mission for lunch every single day, not because he couldn’t afford food—he paid for all his meals—but because he liked the company. “He didn’t like being alone, he liked being out in the...
The amazing tale of Peaches the horse
FALKLAND - You might notice something slightly unusual about Peaches, a rescue horse in the North Okanagan. The Arabian/ Quarter Horse cross has only a stump where her tail should be. When Outbackjack’s Horse Rescue in Falkland took her in, she had a football-sized tumour on her tail. The surgery would cost $1,800. “People said...
Bobcat sightings becoming more common in the North Okanagan
VERNON - North Okanagan residents spotted an increasing number of bobcats in recent years. Conservation officer Mike Richardson says there have already been 16 bobcat reports since April of 2014. That’s not out of line with the last few years—14 last year and 18 the year before. But it’s a lot more than it used...
Vernon Winter Carnival ready to rock your socks off
VERNON - This year’s Vernon Winter Carnival is ready to rock and roll with only a couple last minute changes due to the weather. The event kicks off Feb. 6 and runs until Feb. 15. A recent warning about thin ice on Swan Lake, an area where the carnival's hot air balloon events often take...