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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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Downtown Vernon business owners scared, fed up and losing money
VERNON – Safe injection sites, public washrooms and hired security are some of the ideas…
The length a Vernon family took to keep loved ones housed
VERNON – Vernon’s tight rental market has some families getting creative when it comes to…
Province makes $23M investment in three Vernon properties to enhance affordable housing
VERNON – The provincial government will purchase and fix up two apartment buildings in Vernon…
You can ski for $5 this Sunday at Silver Star Mountain
VERNON – Skiing doesn’t get much cheaper than this. Silver Star Mountain Resort is selling…
Small club, big talent: Vernon photographers thrilled over gold medal win
VERNON – They may not be the biggest club around, and indeed some members may…
Why Vernon has the cheapest gas in the province right now — but probably not for much longer
VERNON – Drivers are taking advantage of an apparent gas war in Vernon that’s driving…
Vernon man arrested after threatening taxi driver with a knife
VERNON – Mounties were led on a foot chase after a 20-year-old man allegedly robbed…
100 Women Who Care donate funds for Vernon suicide prevention
VERNON – Support is growing for those struggling with thoughts of suicide in Vernon. 100…
Vernon man’s erratic, dangerous driving leads to court date
VERNON – A Vernon man was arrested over the weekend after driving into oncoming traffic…
How a Vernon teen solved a crime and got two innocent people released
VERNON – Two people arrested for a crime they didn’t commit have a Vernon teen…
Body of Enderby woman found in Shuswap River
ENDERBY – A woman's body was recovered from the Shuswap River yesterday afternoon. The discovery…
Vernon to hold town hall meeting on impacts of street-entrenched population
VERNON – A public town hall meeting is being held in Vernon to discuss business…
Hair-pulling, spitting earns Shuswap man criminal charges
SALMON ARM – The justice system evidently did not take a man’s hair-pulling and spitting…
Why no one’s coming to rescue Okanagan Indian Band firefighters
“THIS CREATES A ‘FREE-FOR-ALL’ ENVIRONMENT THAT WE ARE NO LONGER WILLING TO WORK UNDER” OKANAGAN…
Augmented reality app helping to revitalize endangered Secwepemctsin language
SPLATSIN – A young girl brushes the hair out of her face and raises an…
Vernon youth recognized for keen investigative skills in auto theft that didn’t add up
VERNON – A Vernon youth is being commended by the city’s top cop for helping…
Three vehicles damaged outside Vernon resort complex in suspected arson
VERNON – Police are investigating after three vehicles were damaged in a suspected arson over…
Armstrong declares local state of emergency over flooding
ARMSTRONG – The City of Armstrong has declared a state of local emergency due to…
How a Shuswap man smuggled loads of cocaine, ecstasy and pot across the border
He used a fictitious company, helicopters, and encrypted Blackberries to move the drugs back and…
Charges laid in traumatic 2017 Vernon robbery where suspect crashed through ceiling
"IT WAS A MISSION IMPOSSIBLE TYPE OF ROBBERY" VERNON – It was a morning just…
Vernon man spared prison sentence for having sex with minors
VERNON – A judge has thrown out a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in…
How Okanagan sex trade workers mitigate the risks of the job
SAFETY TOP OF MIND AFTER ALLEGED ASSAULTS, BODY FOUND ON NORTH OKANAGAN FARM Lucy is…
Volunteers step up to save the Vernon Legion from closure
VERNON – A last minute call for help to keep the Vernon Legion open has…
Good news for North Okanagan Good Food Box Program
VERNON – Community members have rallied to save the longstanding Good Food Box program in…