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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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Did you purchase your poppy from Bob?
KELOWNA - If you flew out of the Kelowna airport in the week before Remembrance Day, you might have met Bob. If you did, you probably found yourself sitting down with him, listening to his war stories and laughing at his disarming jokes. Vernon resident Bob Hannah, 86, has been giving out poppies at the...
Charges against cop in Salmon Arm fatal?
DID OFFICER IGNORE ORDER TO ABANDON PURSUIT? SALMON ARM - A Salmon Arm police officer may face charges after it appears he failed to call off a police chase that resulted in the death of a young Cherryville woman in June, according to an independent investigation. The Independent Investigations Office investigated the June 21 crash...
North Okanagan politicians to consider rail trail pitch
“CONCEPTUALLY, I DON’T THINK ANYONE’S AGAINST THE IDEA” VERNON - At least one North Okanagan politician is hesitant to support the idea of a rail trail, largely because the district has been down that road before with poor results. Vernon’s Brad Clements came before the Regional District of North Okanagan Wednesday to pitch the idea...
Where to be over the long weekend
VERNON - Wondering how to fill your three-day weekend? Here’s a list of places to be, from Remembrance Day ceremonies to holiday markets. Keep an eye on the sky, as the weather is expected to jump around over the weekend. Environment Canada is calling for a 60 per cent chance of rain or flurries Friday...
Locals relish Vernon hot dog stand
VERNON - Food trucks aren’t just for music festivals and carnivals; they’re becoming a beloved, and all the rage facet of culinary scenes across North America. Just tune into the popular show Eat St., check out Kelowna’s summertime food truck rally, or Kamloops' food truck fare to see—and taste—for yourself. Vernon is no exception to the...
Support assembling for amalgamation review
VERNON - Support for the amalgamation of Greater Vernon’s municipal structures is amassing. The Society for the Future Governance of Greater Vernon reports it has exceeded, by double, the minimum number of signatures it set out to collect. The society targeted at least 10 per cent of the voter turnout from the 2011 municipal election...
Okanagan businesses fighting to regain the rail
500 LOCAL JOBS ON THE LINE VERNON - Industry players believe a niche production hub and some 500 jobs have been thrown on the tracks with the closure of rail service between Vernon and Kelowna. Kelowna Pacific Railway went bankrupt in July, and while Canadian National has since resumed service on 75 per cent of...
Plight of Armstrong family brings community together
"WE'RE CHERISHING EVERY MOMENT WE HAVE WITH HER" ARMSTRONG - A group of grade five students at Highland Park Elementary School in Armstrong know Emma Tucker probably won’t live long enough to sit where they do today. They know she’ll never be able to sit up or walk around. They know her nerves are slowly...
RCMP spokesperson shakes head at recent car crash
VERNON - Bad driving led to a needless accident last week. Around 7 p.m. Oct 28, a Vernon mother and her 12-year-old daughter were turning right into the parking lot of the Esso gas station on 32 Street when they were struck by a vehicle trying to squeeze around them. “The victim and witnesses told...
Hydroplaning on highway put family in danger
VERNON - Seat belts helped a pregnant woman and her family evade serious injury in a car accident over the weekend. Around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, a northbound Toyota Celica began to hydroplane on Highway 97 near Bailey Road. The driver lost control and drifted sideways into the south bound lane where he struck a Toyota...
Cops may have lead on commercial break and enters
VERNON - The rash of break and enters plaguing Vernon businesses appears to have come to a halt, and the RCMP have a hunch as to why. Following the arrest last Wednesday of Matthew Barber, 31, who was wanted on a province-wide warrant for break and enter, mischief and breach of probation, police haven’t been...
UPDATE: Revelstoke man winner of $20 million jackpot
VERNON - Peter Mueller of Revelstoke was announced today as the big winner of the $20 million Lotto 6/49, about 24 hours after verifying his ticket at the B.C. Lottery Centre in Vernon's Village Green Mall. The 68-year-old retiree says he was on his way to Vernon when he heard on the radio the winning...
Weekend events sure to impress
VERNON - If you haven't got Friday night or weekend plans yet, check out this list of local events and take your pick. Environment Canada is predicting a cloudy Saturday with a 30 per cent chance of showers and high of 7 C. Sunday looks similar, with a mix of sun and cloud and 40...
How Vernon did Halloween
VERNON - Clowns, cowboys and all kinds of critters packed the streets of Vernon Thursday afternoon, hot on the 'Treat Trail' of local businesses. Many visited MC College on 31 St. where hair and make-up professionals kicked costumes up a notch—and kept them there with plenty of hairspray. Some businesses even had safe Halloween treats for...
How you can get a DUI without actually taking the wheel
VERNON - In B.C., you don’t necessarily have to be behind the wheel to get a drunk driving charge, something a Sorrento grandfather found out the hard way. Peter Norman, 64, was the sole passenger of a vehicle being driven by his grandson, who had his Learner’s license, when they went through a police road...
Closure of only certified organic abattoir “decimated” capacity
VERNON - In August, a Lumby rancher described his worst nightmare as the closure of the North Okanagan’s sole certified organic abattoir. Less than two months later, it became reality. In the eyes of Don Hladych, owner of Vale Farms in Lumby, the closure of Riverside Natural Meats Ltd. in Salmon Arm has pushed the...
Father will stand trial for accessory to teen’s murder
VERNON - A Cherryville man will stand trial for accessory after the fact to murder in connection to the death of Armstrong teen Taylor Van Diest. Stephen Foerster, 59, the father of the man charged with Van Diest’s murder Halloween night two years ago, is also charged with obstruction of justice. Evidence was reviewed by...
Anniversary of teen’s death brings both sorrow and light
ARMSTRONG - Talking about her death is never easy, the uncle of slain teen Taylor Van Diest says. But around Halloween, the anniversary of her death, it hurts more than ever. Van Diest, 18, loved Halloween and left home Oct. 31, 2011 dressed up as a zombie. She was on her way to meet with...
Trick-or-treat in style and safety
VERNON - As you make final costume adjustments and gather goody-bags before heading out this Halloween, make sure you aren’t forgetting anything else with these helpful tips from Health Canada and ICBC. Then, when you’re all set to go, check out a rundown of local events, included below this list. 1. Check the weather. Environment...
Vernon men arrested in Saskatoon drug bust
VERNON - Two Vernon men got themselves into a heap of trouble when they left a Saskatoon hotel room with 13 pounds of marijuana. Jason Fedirchuk, 30, and James Rinsma, 45, appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court Monday and were released on bail while the Kelowna residents they appear to have gotten the pot from weren't...
Gravel pit continues to unearth controversy
VERNON - A businessman with plans to open a gravel pit in Vernon has found himself on a very bumpy road. Klayton Mertion, owner of Mertion Excavating, has applied to the Agricultural Land Commission and the Ministry of Mines for permission to extract gravel from his two hectare property on Brentwood Road, which is in...
Spooktacular Halloween events and more this weekend
VERNON - From film festivals to masquerade balls, there’s something up everyone’s alley this weekend. - The REEL Change SustainAbility Film Festivals is presenting a series of documentary films focusing on social, cultural, environmental and economic issues Friday at 7 p.m. and all day Saturday at the Schubert Centre. - O’Keefe Ranch welcomes one and...
Sports facility construction underway
VERNON - Construction of a new sports facility beside Okanagan College is now visibly underway. Elected officials and community members visited the site Wednesday for a ground breaking ceremony. Excavation equipment is now on site preparing the land for construction. This first step will wrap up in December, at which time the ground will be...
What Enderby and Hollywood have in common: Rick Dugdale
ENDERBY - As a music and movie obsessed kid growing up in the small North Okanagan community of Enderby B.C., Rick Dugdale not only yearned for a different zip code, he had a pretty specific one in mind: 90210. The write-up in his high school yearbook predicted you’d find him ten years later living in...