Charlotte Helston

For almost 30 years, Bob and Tarrel Yee were prepared if and when their Rosedale Grocery in Armstrong was robbed. They share strong feelings on the subject and always kept a baseball bat behind the counter. A few nights ago, Bob finally got to use it. "One of our younger cashiers was working that night,"...

A third robbery in four nights may be the last by a man from Enderby. On Dec. 31, the Rosedale Grocery in Armstrong was robbed, and RCMP believe the suspect is the same man who robbed the Enderby Liquor Store and Enderby Dollar Store. Around 6 p.m., the man jumped over the counter at Rosedale...

The Vernon RCMP aim to enter 2013 with few, if any, New Year's Eve accidents. RCMP Spokesperson Gord Molendyk says a full contingent of officers will help them do that. "There's a good chance you'll encounter a roadcheck, or a few roadchecks," Molendyk says of the roving roadcheckers that will change location throughout the night....

The RCMP are investigating a vehicle fire they say didn't happen by accident.  Just before 5:00 a.m. this morning, a Vernon man reported that his 2002 Honda was on fire in his driveway in the 3200 block of 25th St. The Vernon Fire Department extinguished the fire before it spread anywhere else. Gord Molendyk, Spokesperson...

It would seem the Vernon RCMP got a real life game of cops and robbers for Christmas this year.

Between good snow, additions to the ski hill's amenities, and changes to the seasons and day passes, Silver Star is seeing increased revenue. The Star opened Nov. 29, and is now neck-deep in its craziest time of the year. Everyone—the ticket sellers, the lift attendants, the servers in the restaurants—are on their toes to offer...

With Christmas over, the next big day on everyone's minds is New Year's Eve. Expectations for the special night can be high, and Vernon has no shortage of celebratory events to meet the demand. You may choose to spend the night at the King of Hearts New Years Eve Bash at the Schubert Centre. For...

The 2012-13 NHL lockout has local businesses hurting, turning to football, and changing their game. The NHL season usually draws big crowds to sports bars where groups can root for their favourite teams while sipping on beers. Needless to say, it's a big money making time for bars—in a typical year anyway. The lockout began...

The economy is affecting some local bookstores more than others. Gary Blair, owner of K&K Bookstore on 31st Avenue, says he doesn't expect to turn a high profit this holiday season, he just hopes he breaks even. Three good days of business would help him do that. "There are fewer people buying any type (of...

Shoppers flocked to Vernon's big box stores this Boxing Day, leaving the downtown area empty. Shop fronts on Vernon's 30th Avenue advertised boxing week blow out sales, yet few stores were actually open for the big day. It's hard to say which happened first: stores locking up for Boxing Day, or shoppers failing to come...

With no presents under their shadows, Christmas trees are on their way out the door. In Vernon, there are two options available for disposing of your tree. One raises money for the B.C. Fire Fighters Burn Fund and the other supports the environment. Vernon Fire Rescue Services is hosting a Christmas Tree Drive-Thru on Saturday...

If you ran into a group of twelve-year-olds running around town in Santa hats this week, chances are your spirits were lifted a couple notches.  A Vernon teacher is helping kids spread the Christmas spirit outside the classroom this year in some very creative ways. Students in Ellison Elementary School Kim Ondrik's class took to...

An annual free Christmas dinner put on by members of the community has a surplus of volunteers this year. Dave Hobbs, one of the organizers, says between 70-80 volunteers make Together for Christmas a success. This year, he says the group had to turn away 80 people wanting to volunteer because they have more than...

A Vernon woman leans on her animals when she's feeling down, and wants that comfort to be available to all pet owners this Christmas. Inspiration struck when Sandra Meidinger heard about a couple and their three dogs who found themselves with nowhere to live in Kelowna this winter. The couple had been renting a garden...

A 12-year-old girl inspired her mom to spearhead a community dinner for those in need, and the holiday spirit has only continued to spread. What began as an idea for serving hot chocolate and hot dogs has turned into a full course dinner to be served up at the Upper Room Mission Dec. 28. With...

Although the temptation to bring a fluffy kitten home with a red bow around its neck for Christmas may seem irresistible, it's an action that often ends badly for the pet. "As a policy, we don't do animals as gifts," says Corinne Ross, manager of the B.C. SPCA Vernon & District Branch. Ross' stance on...

Vernon's snow shovelers are working hard to protect citizens from painful falls, especially outside the hospital. Tina Coletti, Vernon Jubilee Hospital's manager of emergency room services, says the holidays always see a spike in injuries, as well as waiting times. "When surfaces are slippery, we see an increased number of injuries from falls, as well...

Words couldn't describe the joy Splatsin First Nation Chief Wayne Christian felt for the re-opening of the Super Save Gas Station in Enderby this morning. Chief Christian simply raised his arms in a hurrah, gesturing at the employees who were once again pumping gas. The gas station had been shut down for a month following...

Vernon Fire Rescue crews had to use the jaws of life to extricate a woman from a crushed truck this morning. Her vehicle collided with another truck on 32nd Avenue. Deputy Chief Jack Blair tells InfoTel News the woman suffered no serious injuries, though the driver's side door was smashed in. "She was transported right...

A new firearms and weapons bylaw dictates what is allowed and what isn't for bow hunters, property owners, and military pageants. The bylaw, which was adopted on Dec.10, regulates, prohibits and imposes requirements on the discharge and use of dangerous weapons. "Bow hunters and property owners with nuisance bears may be particularly interested in some...

A Vernon rancher once labelled a "horse rescuer" and now branded a cruel animal owner, pleaded guilty today to one of the charges laid against her in court. The story goes back to September, 2009 when the SPCA seized what they describe as "28 thin and emaciated horses and 39 terrier mix dogs and puppies" ...