Elevate your local knowledge
Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!
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
Twitter
Facebook
It’s a ‘free for all’ for Vernon pot shops operating without business licenses
“RIGHT NOW IT’S A FREE FOR ALL” VERNON – Daniel Didio opened a marijuana dispensary…
Vernon council to ban camping in Linear Park, explore task force
VERNON – Vernon council is banning camping in Linear Park effective February 2018 and exploring…
Vernon council considers changing the rules of the game for pot shops
VERNON – Vernon council is considering putting restrictions on the storefront sale of marijuana. Coun.…
UPDATE: Vernon man admits to manslaughter in 2015 Polson Park case
"WE WANT HELP FOR THEM. WE KNOW WHAT JASON WENT THROUGH IN HIS OWN LIFE"…
Human remains found during search of rural North Okanagan property
NORTH OKANAGAN – Police have confirmed that human remains were found at a property being…
Charges laid in mysterious North Okanagan case deemed ‘possible risk to general public’
VERNON – Charges have been laid in relation to a violent incident in a small…
Number of people sleeping on the street in Vernon ‘a travesty’
VERNON – Vernon’s latest homeless survey reveals more people are sleeping rough and in unstable…
Recent police activity not connected to missing women in North Okanagan, families say
SILVER CREEK – The families of three women missing from the North Okanagan say yesterday’s…
O’Keefe Ranch manager and coldstream councillor recovering from accident
VERNON – The general manager of O’Keefe Ranch is taking time off to recover from…
Vernon businesses express frustration over illegal activity and transients downtown
VERNON – Vernon business owner Vicki Eide says she had to clean up vomit, excrement…
STILL GUILTY: Former church pastor loses appeal in North Okanagan assault case
VERNON – A church pastor from Africa who came to B.C. with his wife and…
Round two of wild weather on the way today in the Interior
With many still cleaning up after yesterday’s storm, more wild weather could be on the…
A new chapter begins for Vernon’s infamous Green Valley Motel
VERNON – It’s out with the old, in with the new at a prominent Vernon…
Outreach worker applauds woman for reporting violent encounter in North Okanagan
“IT HAPPENS MORE THAN IT SHOULD” NORTH OKANAGAN – As police in the North Okanagan…
Storm rips through Okanagan and Shuswap
Violent winds and heavy rains battered parts of the Okanagan and Shuswap today. The storm…
Police find man earlier thought drowned in Okanagan Lake alive and well
VERNON – A man police thought drowned in Okanagan Lake has been found alive. Mounties…
How local communities are ensuring these vintage B.C. mountain destinations remain open
Tiny dots of human civilization on a backdrop of pristine wilderness, B.C’s historic fire lookout…
Head-on crash in Monte Lake seriously injures two
MONTE LAKE – Two men were left seriously injured after a head-on collision in the…
Emergency crews respond to Enderby car crash
ENDERBY – Drivers are facing delays this morning on Highway 97A between Enderby and the…
“I was high for my entire stay:” Why B.C. prisons aren’t helping addicts
His parents thought a few months in jail would force him to sober up. They…
Two adults, eight children, and a cat rescued by Vernon Search and Rescue
VERNON – A family visiting from Europe, along with some local youth and a cat,…
After one year, a police stop, a theft and a court case, Lumby man only got a few hours on new motorcycle
VERNON – One mistake has led to a lot of hassle and plenty of lost…
Inquiry by trails group prompted government investigation into tiny cabin at Eagle Pass lookout
SHUSWAP – The ‘complaint’ that prompted a government investigation into the Eagle Pass fire lookout…
High visibility of Vernon’s Linear Park homeless camp is a good thing: RCMP
VERNON – Vernon city council is considering ways to alleviate safety concerns around the Linear…