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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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Two years in jail not the end for Shuswap pot grower accused of drug smuggling
VERNON - A Shuswap pot grower recently handed two years in jail will likely face further allegations in the U.S. upon his release. In Vancouver Supreme Court Nov. 7, Colin Martin was sentenced on marijuana production for the purpose of trafficking charges in connection to a large, sophisticated grow-operation located in Malakwa. When police raided...
Lavington’s ongoing battle against a proposed pellet plant
CONCERNED CITIZENS TO REQUEST ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND JUDICIAL REVIEW VERNON - When Lavington resident Geoffrey Nielsen attended a town hall meeting about a proposed pellet plant in the small North Okanagan community, he brought an open mind. The mechanical engineer and father says he was even leaning in favour of it. Then he read the...
HELSTON: How a child lurer got away with it, and how we can stop the next one
If you’re caught drunk driving, you’ll likely find a breathalyzer device on your car to prevent a repeat offense. Likewise, convicted drug dealers on probation are checked up on by police. But it seems there was little supervision in place to prevent sex offender David Willerth from attempting to lure more girls over the computer....
Social media campaigns fire up to improve voter turnout in the North Okanagan
HOW SOCIAL MEDIA IS BEING USED TO GET RESIDENTS OUT ON VOTING DAY VERNON - Local groups and municipalities are hoping social media campaigns can help boost voter turnout this civic election. The City of Vernon is encouraging voters to use the #ivotedvernon hashtag and to post selfies on Facebook and Twitter of themselves wearing...
Witnesses come forward in fatal Vernon car crash
VERNON - Valuable information has come forward in an impaired driving causing death investigation. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says two men who were at the scene of a fatal accident downtown Vernon Oct. 23 contacted the detachment after a call out was posted in the media. At first, the men didn’t think they were the...
Collision on Highway 6 in Vernon sends two to hospital
VERNON - A head-on collision Wednesday evening on Highway 6 sent two people to hospital. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says a black Volkswagen Jetta traveling west on Highway 6 around 5:30 p.m. suddenly veered into the oncoming lane near Aberdeen Road, hitting a Dodge Ram pick-up. “There was extensive front end damage to both vehicles,”...
North Okanagan voters prepare to make multi-million dollar decision
NORTH OKANAGAN REGIONAL DISTRICT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IT WILL DO IF RESIDENTS VOTE NO VERNON - If North Okanagan voters say yes to borrowing millions of dollars for improvements to the water system in an upcoming referendum, the answer is easy: the upgrades get done. But if they say no, things get complicated. Right now,...
What Enderby extras would do for a Hollywood movie role
EXTRAS ASKED IF THEY CAN GROW A BEARD FOR SIR ANTHONY HOPKINS FILM ENDERBY - Some locals would grow a beard—or shave one off—for the chance to act in the film Go With Me, starring Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins. Facial hair was just one topic on a list of questions movie staff asked over...
Okanagan Regional Library axes service in some communities
OKANAGAN - The Okanagan Regional Library has already cut services at some branches, and more are on the chopping block. It’s all part of a process to improve equity at the regional library’s 29 service locations, after a financial audit found some discrepancies. Some branches, including those in West Kelowna, the City of Kelowna, the...
What a Vernon sex offender learned from his last conviction
CROWN WANTS CHILD LURER TO SPEND 6-7 YEARS BEHIND BARS AFTER GUILTY PLEA VERNON - Planned and predatory are the words Crown counsel used to describe the actions of a man who lured Okanagan girls over the Internet and asked them for nude photographs. David Clayton Willerth, born in 1974, pleaded guilty to 18 of...
Vernon man facing luring, child porn charges to be sentenced
VERNON - A Vernon man facing luring and child pornography charges will be sentenced this week. David Clayton Willerth, born in 1974, is charged with 25 counts, including luring children under 16 by computer, making or publishing child pornography, and invitation to sexual touching of a person under 16. Willerth’s lawyer, David Johnson, appeared in...
Good citizens lend a hand in Vernon police pursuit
VERNON - Members of the public played a big role helping authorities track down a man running from police. Police first tried to arrest the 21-year-old suspect on Oct. 28 after he allegedly assaulted a pedestrian. When the officer approached him, he ran. On Oct. 30, around 4:40 p.m., the officer recognized the suspect walking...
Vernon RCMP investigate gun theft
VERNON - Police are appealing to the public for information about a break-and-enter over the weekend. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says around 3:45 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to a report of a break-and-enter in the 9500 block of Highway 97. An entire gun safe containing 17 rifles and five handguns was stolen from a shed...
Learn more about Vernon school board candidates at upcoming forum
VERNON - A chance to learn more about your Vernon school board candidates is approaching. The Vernon Teachers’ Association, in partnership with the District Parent Advisory Council, will hold a public forum for Vernon and Coldstream school trustee candidates on Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Vernon Secondary School Theatre. “Teachers and parents...
City questions regional district over unpaid fire bill
VERNON - There’s some financial confusion between local governments about an unpaid firefighting bill. The City of Vernon invoiced the Regional District of North Okanagan for $78,777 in relation to fire protection services at a devastating landfill fire in August 2013. “The bills are still not paid,” Vernon mayor Rob Sawatzky says. “I’m a bit...
Vote Elephant Storage signs mock actions at Vernon City Hall
VERNON - When he heard his city councillors were openly breaking one of their own bylaws, Vernon resident Wade Cantalope decided to have some fun. You may have noticed a slightly unusual political sign along the roadways: Vote Elephant Storage Centre. Cantalope, who owns the storage company, isn’t actually running in the election. His campaign...
Mountie acquitted on dangerous driving charges
SALMON ARM - A mountie on trial for dangerous driving in relation to the death of a Cherryville woman has been acquitted, according to court documents. Micah Chan, born in 1977, was charged with one count of dangerous driving after a short chase that ended with the death of 21-year-old Courtenay Eggen. The charge was laid...
HELSTON: We should expect more from our MP
The Vernon mayor and our MP are duking things out in a war of words, sparring over the federal government’s role in reducing homelessness. But never mind the federal government, what is the role of our local MP? Colin Mayes, the Member of Parliament for the Okanagan-Shuswap riding, is our elected representative at the House...
MP’s remarks were ‘uninformed and disappointing’: Vernon homeless shelter
‘I WISH I HAD CONFIDENCE THAT I HAVE SUPPORT FROM MY MP’ VERNON - The executive director of a local organization committed to getting Vernon’s homeless people off the streets says recent comments made by the region’s MP are misinformed, especially considering the high number of deaths on its streets the past two years. Barbara...
Judge throws cold water on this short cut police use to get warrants
LAKE COUNTRY - Police in B.C. may find it a little tougher to obtain a search warrant after a B.C. Supreme Court justice in the Okanagan put a roadblock on a common short cut used by police for years. Justice Gary Weatherill tossed out a search warrant in a Lake Country pot case Oct. 23,...
Complementary enterprise pitched for Vernon visitor centre
VERNON - A local politician wants to bring Vernon’s arts and culture to a main pit stop on any tourist’s jaunt through town. Expressions of interest are being accepted for a vacant section of the new visitor centre on 39 Avenue, and City of Vernon councillor Mary-Jo O’Keefe sees it as an opportunity. “I would...
Vernon RCMP seek victims of early morning theft from vehicles
VERNON - If items went missing from your car overnight, there’s a chance police have both the culprit and your belongings. Just before 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, police were called to the 900 block of Waddington Drive, where two employees caught a man rummaging through a staff vehicle. The suspect was flipping through papers and...
Food Network to showcase Shuswap Pie Company
SALMON ARM - Camera crews and a Food Network host rolled in to Salmon Arm recently for a little piece of the pie. The TV Series You Gotta Eat Here, hosted by comedian John Catucci, will feature the Shuswap Pie Company, along with The Jammery and The Burner Restaurant and Lounge, in an upcoming episode....
Tough-looking locals sought for Anthony Hopkins film
VERNON - A talent agency is on the hunt for some 'tough-looking locals' to act in an upcoming film starring Sir Anthony Hopkins. The movie Go With Me begins filming in the Lumby and Enderby areas in early November and extras are needed pronto. The modeling and talent agency Jager International Management posted a call...