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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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Police seek answers in Vernon teen’s death
VERNON - Police are working to give a grieving family answers in the tragic boating death of a Vernon teen. Officers are investigating the death of Miles Wohlford, 14, who fell off his tube and was struck by the boat and its propeller June 28 on Okanagan Lake. “The investigation is to thoroughly look into...
New Enderby gas station infused with Splatsin culture
VERNON - Next time you fill up at the Super Save gas station in Enderby, follow the bear prints inside the new building. You’ll find intricately carved wooden pillars and doorways, glass etching on the windows and countless other cultural details infused into the brand new gas station store designed by Kevin Halchuk and Grahame...
HELSTON: Behind the scenes with reporters and mourners
When someone’s death impacts the community, reporters have an uncomfortable job to do. We want…
Lumby murder victim touched many lives through teaching
VERNON - A North Okanagan teacher allegedly murdered by her boyfriend will be remembered for her contagious smile, kindness and compassion. Linda Ross, a teacher in school district 22’s Alternate Learning Program, was found dead at the Trinity Valley Road home she shared with her partner, Howard Everett, who now faces a second degree murder...
Council pay and expenses revealed
VERNON - Three out of seven Vernon councillors spent 88 per cent of the money given to council for expenses last year. According to a financial statement for 2013, council was reimbursed for a total of $13,356 in expenses — such as mileage and accommodation — related to the job. The three highest reimbursements were...
Recreation services getting more expensive
VERNON - It will cost more to take a dip, go for a skate and bounce a basketball at Vernon’s public recreation facilities this September. Prices for rentals, programs and services will rise by 2.6 per cent, even though the department’s costs are inflating by 5.6 per cent owing to wage and utility increases. The...
Vernon councillors backtrack on mixed martial arts ban
VERNON - Vernon councillors are backing down on a decision to ban mixed martial arts events. There’s concern the wording of the ban would prohibit youths from participating in competitions, which was not the initial intent. “We have many young kids that are involved in various martial arts, almost like gym classes they do downtown,”...
Authorities investigate grass fire in Vernon park
VERNON - A grass fire in Becker Park does not appear to be the work of Vernon’s serial arsonist. The fire broke out around 10 p.m. Sunday in Becker Park, off 39 Avenue downtown Vernon. “It is totally out of the norm of all the other fires we are investigating,” police spokesperson Gord Molendyk says....
Cougar discovered inside a home, chewing on a dog toy
VERNON - It wasn’t a 911 call anyone would ever expect to make. “There’s a cougar in my house chewing on a squeaky toy,” says a Westside Road resident who asked to be referred to only by her first name, Verena. “The police initially thought I might be hallucinating.” Verena, 53, just returned home from...
Man accused of online luring, child pornography will stand trial
VERNON - A Vernon man accused of possessing child pornography and luring children has been ordered to stand trial. David Willerth, born in 1974, faces 25 charges including making or publishing child pornography, communicating via computer to to lure children under 16, and invitation to sexual touching. After a five-hour preliminary inquiry June 19, the...
HELSTON: Don’t believe everything you read
It’s always good to check your facts— especially with a government report.
Kelowna chamber to press government on Okanagan corridor
VERNON - Another force is joining the fight to preserve the railway between Vernon and Kelowna for public use. The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has passed a motion to encourage federal, provincial and municipal governments to preserve the railway in a way that benefits the Okanagan. “The concept of a public access use of the...
Judge to determine if alleged child predator will go to trial
VERNON - A Vernon man should learn today if he will be tried for a long list of sexual crimes against children. David Willerth, born in 1974, was arrested last summer on numerous child luring and child pornography charges. He faces 25 charges, including making or publishing child pornography, communicating via computer to lure a...
Regional district payroll disclosed
VERNON - Around half the staff at the Regional District of North Okanagan are taking home at least $75,000 a year. According to this year’s mandatory statement of financial information, 34 employees earned more than $75,000 in 2013, up from 24 employees in 2012. David Sewell, the district’s chief financial officer, says the jump comes...
School bus cuts get rough ride
VERNON - A school board decision to cut Vernon bus routes is getting a rough ride from parents. School District 22 is tightening up the routes to save approximately $125,000 from its budget. Around 300 students living 2.4 km or more from their school will now have to find another way to get to class....
Pedestrian struck on Hospital Hill
VERNON - A man was hit by a tractor trailer unit Wednesday afternoon on Highway 97 in Vernon. The accident occurred around 12:40 p.m. on Hospital Hill. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says the male pedestrian was taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries. The northbound lane remains closed while police investigate the incident. Traffic...
Good luck finding a rental unit for under $645 in Vernon
VERNON - There aren’t many places you can rent in Vernon for $645. Only one residence could be found on Craigslist and Kijiji rental ads since June 1 for $645 or under. For that price, you don’t even get to see pictures of the interior. But why $645? It’s because a report released last week...
School’s out, but provincial exams will be written
NORTH OKANAGAN - There will be picket-free entrances for grade 10-12 students writing their provincial exams in the North Okanagan. While school is out for students across the province, a ruling from the Labour Relations Board means grade 10-12 students will write their provincial exams as scheduled and have them marked. All other school exams...
Surrey man earns jail time for packing heat in Vernon
VERNON - Packing a loaded gun at a Vernon hotel earned a Lower Mainland man four years of hard time. Jonathan Alexander Brown, 23, from Surrey, was sentenced June 4 in Vernon Provincial Court for an incident dating back to 2012. Judge Robin Smith refused a Charter challenge from Brown’s lawyer on the mandatory three-year...
Storage yard latest target in string of suspected arsons
VERNON - Police and the fire department are investigating a suspicious fire at a Vernon storage yard. It is the seventeenth suspected arson under investigation by authorities. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says the fire was reported just after midnight Monday morning. The target was a small wooden structure in a storage lot owned by Chapman...
Search for submerged truck and possible occupants postponed due to safety concerns
VERNON - It could be weeks before dive teams can safely search for a submerged truck and the missing person who might be inside it. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says it’s too dangerous to send divers into fast-moving Shuswap River where a truck reportedly plunged into it. A witness told police the truck went off...
Rescuer still searching after 50 years
VERNON - After a 50-year run with search and rescue, Vernon’s Pete Wise has a quick answer when asked if he’s ready to retire. It’s a negative. Wise, 66, is as ready as ever to drop what he’s doing to drive out to the middle of nowhere as he was when he was 16. “It’s...
Community asked to lend a hand for Taylor Van Diest trail
ARMSTRONG - Murdered Armstrong teen Taylor Van Diest’s family is looking to the community to help keep her memory alive. Taylor’s mother Marie pleaded with the City of Armstrong for assistance weeding and watering along the Taylor Jade Van Diest Memorial Trail, which has become overrun with weeds, but the city will only agree to...
Ski hill calls for improvements on B.C.’s worst road
“WE HAVE A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR RESORT AT THE END OF A CRAPPY DRIVE” VERNON - A major Vernon tourism engine is calling for improvements on the province’s worst road. Silver Star Mountain Resort’s operations manager Brad Baker says something has to be done about Silver Star Road, which was nominated as the worst road in...