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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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Worker shortage being felt at Vernon shelter
VERNON – Local shelters are feeling the impacts of a worker shortage in the North…
Semi truck crashes into trees after driver swerves to avoid animal
NEAR SORRENTO – The occupants of a semi-truck walked away with minor injuries after the…
Tiny cabin in the mountains is historic, stunning, and tied up in ‘bureaucratic BS’
SHUSWAP – It looks like something from the Swiss Alps, but it's right here in…
High profile Vernon homeless camp makes issues hard to ignore
"IT PUTS HOW BAD HOMELESSNESS IS RIGHT IN THE PUBLIC'S EYE" VERNON – It’s a…
Charges laid against driver in head-on crash near Enderby
ENDERBY – Charges have been laid in connection to a serious head-on car crash near…
Vernon city councillor elected new interim leader of B.C. Conservative Party
VERNON – Vernon city councillor Scott Anderson says he will maintain his duties in local…
Salmon Arm micro preemie weighing in at 650 grams ‘fighting for her life’
VERNON – She’s only the size of a cob of corn, and is already fighting…
UPDATE: Extensive fire damage at North Okanagan cedar mill
LUMBY – Dozens of firefighters from multiple departments joined forces today after a major blaze…
Murder charge against Vernon man lowered to manslaughter
VERNON – The last remaining person charged in the death of a Vernon man in…
Okanagan man shot in Las Vegas shares how he got out alive
Stories of survival are being shared by Okanagan residents caught in the mayhem of Sunday’s…
Volunteer group aims to make life a little easier for women on the streets of Vernon
VERNON – A group founded in Kelowna years ago to help women on the streets…
Drunk driving believed to be a factor in crash north of Enderby
ENDERBY – Police believe alcohol was a factor in a serious crash yesterday morning near…
Vernon man tells judge he didn’t know his girlfriends were 15
VERNON – A Vernon man in his early twenties who met two 15-year-old girls on…
Serious injuries in crash north of Enderby
ENDERBY – Police continue to investigate a serious crash just north of Enderby. Just before…
Medical marijuana company expects to become ‘significant employer’ in Lumby
LUMBY – True Leaf Medicine has big plans for Lumby. The company, which launched a…
Soup, cereal and cell phones: Distracted driving in the North Okanagan
VERNON – From bowls of soup to rear-view mirror make-up applications, Cpl. Mark Taylor has…
Vernon photographer earns spot in Nikon’s Top 100
VERNON – A uniquely ‘Vernon’ photograph is getting widespread recognition after being selected for Nikon’s…
Seasonal staff at Vernon’s Silver Star mountain struggle to find housing
'WE APPLIED TO SO MANY PLACES IT'S NOT EVEN FUNNY' VERNON – Locals aren’t the…
Vandals hit more than 80 parking meters in Vernon
VERNON – Police are stepping up patrols and asking the public to keep an eye…
Could Uber be useful in a rural community? This North Okanagan municipality thinks so
ENDERBY – Enderby thinks ride-sharing services like Uber could be as popular in rural communities…
Help solve the mystery surrounding these old slides found at B.C. garage sale
A collection of old film slides is going viral after the family who found them…
UPDATE: Alleged Vernon arsonist pleads not guilty to three counts of child porn
VERNON – A Vernon man and former high school teacher pleaded not guilty to three…
Why B.C. isn’t funding new ‘life-changing’ drug for some cystic fibrosis patients
VERNON – The manufacturer of a life-changing drug for cystic fibrosis patients like Vernon’s Melissa…
‘I am terrified’: Vernon woman days away from running out of life-changing drug
VERNON – Time is running out for Melissa Verleg. The Vernon woman, who suffers from…