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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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Man discovered under bridge was known to police
VERNON - Police say they are familiar with a man found dead beneath a Vernon bridge. "We know who he is, we have bumped into him numerous times in the last little while," RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says, adding the man is 55-years-old. "I would label him as one of our marginal individuals, street type...
What can be learned from Vernon’s tragic care home homicide
VERNON - It's been nearly two weeks since a 95-year-old man with advanced dementia killed his roommate at a Vernon care home, and what have we learned? The incident has led to more questions than answers. How can a 95-year-old be carted off from a dementia ward to a jail cell? How can he be...
Interior Provincial Exhibition headlines weekend events
VERNON - If all you want to do this weekend is stay in and relax, read no further. If, on the other hand, you're feeling like taking in some long weekend events, here's your guide. Head to the Interior Provincial Exhibition in Armstrong, where there's an event to suit everyone. The five-day fair boats a...
Salmon Arm teen dies in tragic workplace accident
SALMON ARM - Another teen has died in an industrial accident. Shane Mackenzie Gorner, 19, died Wednesday afternoon after getting caught in machinery at Dinoflex Manufacturing in Salmon Arm. His death comes after the death of a Lumby teen at the Tolko Lavington mill in June. A communications officer for WorkSafe B.C. says fatal and...
How Hollywood keeps a big secret in a small town
IT'S LAWYERS!
Fifth dumpster fire this summer has cops concerned
VERNON - Another suspicious dumpster fire has police asking the public for aid. Six weeks after firefighters and police dealt with four cases of arson in dumpsters and recycling bins set within 24 hours of each other, the culprit may have struck again. Shortly before midnight on Tuesday, firefighters put out a fire in a...
More drownings in Okanagan Lake than anywhere else in B.C.
OKANAGAN - So far this year, Okanagan Lake has claimed more lives than any other body of water in the province, including the ocean. There have been four deaths in Okanagan Lake this summer, all of them men. One died while snorkeling, one after jumping off a houseboat, one after hitting a log boom, and...
High-stakes competition set for weekend
VERNON - Some of Canada's best mountain bikers will by vying for top spot—and a $10,000 purse—this weekend at the Silver Star Freeride Festival. The Freeride Mountain Bike World Tour competition, is a two-day bike festival packed with a dirt jump jam, chainless race and bike demos by Norco. “Freeriding is recognized as one of...
Five Class E meat licenses not doing the trick according to local farmer
VERNON - This week, the Ministry of Agriculture announced that bidding is open for five new slaughterhouse licenses in the North Okanagan, but a local cattle farmer isn't sure who is going to apply for them. The Class E licenses allow on-farm slaughters of up to ten animals for direct sale to consumers, rather than...
RCMP warn to watch your stuff at IPE
ARMSTRONG - Following three thefts from vehicles Monday night in Armstrong, police are advising the public to take precautions with their belongings. The Interior Provincial Exhibition launches today, and will draw thousands through its gates. "With the IPE comes an influx of people, and (some) individuals prey on people who are having a good time,"...
Managing risk to patients, nurses in care homes
"THERE WERE CLIENTS WE'D NEVER VISIT ALONE" VERNON – If you think being a bouncer…
Record breaking summer for B.C. Parks
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - It was a record breaking summer for B.C. Parks with the highest ever amount of reservations made at provincial campsites. So far this year, 115,000 camping reservations have been made through Discover Camping, a 12 per cent increase over 2012. Campers had more destinations to choose from this year, including new campgrounds at...
Fire safety improved on Okanagan Indian Reserve
VERNON - Residents and visitors of the Okanagan Indian Band reserve will soon be able to report emergencies through 911. An agreement has been reached between the City of Vernon and the Okanagan Indian Band to share fire emergency dispatch services. With the signing of the agreement, all emergencies requiring the Okanagan Indian Band Fire...
Highway death deemed a suicide
VERNON - Hours before a Salmon Arm man ran into traffic and was struck by a car, he told a family member he intended to end his life. Jason Marcus Greaves, 41, died February 26 just after 11 p.m. A Coroner's report says he had a blood alcohol level of 0.28 per cent and a...
Senior killed in care home was a hero to his sons
"WE HAVE NO HARD FEELINGS FOR THE RESIDENT WHO COMMITTED THE ASSAULT" VERNON - Three Okanagan brothers never thought their dad's death would be accompanied by a police investigation, a press conference, and the question of whether or not it could have been prevented. Phil, Paul and Scott May are mourning the death of their...
Pilot okay after emergency landing
VERNON - It was pretty smooth for a crash landing. No injuries, no fire. Vernon fire rescue deputy chief of operations Jack Blair says they got a report of a downed plane around 5:15 p.m. Sunday, but didn't even have to attend the scene. Blair says the pilot was uninjured after making an emergency landing...
Grass fire sparked near auto wreckers
VERNON - About a dozen cars were damaged after a grass fire broke out in Vernon Sunday night. Luckily, they were just scrap vehicles. Deputy fire chief of operations Jack Blair says a grass fire was sparked sometime around 5:30 p.m. near the 4500 block of 31 Street, just south of the Village Green Mall....
Care home murder suspect a “real sweet old guy”
"HE WAS THE KIND OF GUY YOU WANTED AS YOUR NEIGHBOUR, THAT YOU WANTED AS YOUR FRIEND, AS SOMEONE TO BACK YOU UP" VERNON - Gentle, humble and sweet are the words friends use to describe a 95-year-old war veteran who has been charged with second degree murder. John Furman (Jack to his friends) had...
Kal Lake nominated for greatest place in Canada
"YOU CAN BE IN IT, ON IT, OR AROUND IT, AND IT BRINGS YOU SUCH JOY" VERNON - With its azure blue waters cradled on either side by long mountain ranges, there's no question Kalamalka Lake is one of the most stunning places in the country. But is it the greatest? The online, vote-driven Great...
Senior killed in care home was a joker and a family man
VERNON - The man killed at an extended care home last Sunday is described by his family as ambitious, hardworking and fun to be around. William (Bill) May, 85, died on scene at the Polson Special Care Unit for patients with dementia after being assaulted by his 95-year-old roommate, John Furman, who now stands accused...
Two fires in six months prompts operations review
"THERE'S A BACKSTORY HERE THAT MAY BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE WATER ISSUE" VERNON - Multiple factors were at play when a fire broke out at the Greater Vernon landfill Monday, according to the operations manager. The blaze started when a wood grinder malfunctioned and sent sparks flying onto a nearby wood pile. Accelerated by strong...
UPDATED: 95-year-old war veteran accused of murder to undergo psychiatric assessment
FAMILY OF DECEASED RELEASES NAME UPDATE: 2:15 p.m. Aug. 22, 2013 The family of the man allegedly killed at the hands of his 95-year-old roomate at Polson Extended Care home have released his name. He was William George May, 85, and the family says he was a resident of Vernon for a fairly long time....
Lumby mayor demands flood protection
VERNON - A strongly worded letter from the Mayor of Lumby has garnered the attention of regional district politicians on the topic of flooding. The letter comes on the heels of a major flood in June and the threat of legal action from frustrated residents in May. Mayor Kevin Acton presented the letter to the...
Hundreds pledge to make water work
VERNON – The deadline to join hundreds of Okanagan residents in pledging to conserve water this summer is midnight on Friday. The contest is a valley-wide effort by the Okanagan Basin Water Board, its Okanagan WaterWise program, and local government and water utility partners throughout the valley to encourage outdoor water conservation in the summer,...