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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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Finding housing the biggest concern now for Vernon residents displaced by fire
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO" VERNON – With the shock and panic…
UPDATE: Likely months before Vernon residents can return to fire-damaged apartment
VERNON – A fire forced the residents of a Vernon apartment building out of their…
Petition to ‘make Polson Park safe again’ not getting support from elected officials
VERNON – A petition calling on the government to “make Polson Park safe again” is…
Making sense of beach water testing
VERNON – If you go down to Sandy Beach on Okanagan Lake, you’ll find signs…
Okanagan and Thompson rivers proving deadlier than lakes this year
This year, the Thompson-Okanagan has experienced a fairly unusual trend of more people drowning in…
Vernon woman heart broken after brand new car vandalized in driveway
CONTENT ADVISORY VERNON – When Tobi-Lee Kral looked out the window Tuesday morning at her…
Have you seen this missing Vernon man?
VERNON – Police need help finding a missing Vernon man. Kevin Nicholson, 59, was reported…
Traffic stop by gang enforcement unit in Vernon caught on camera going viral, police investigating
VERNON – The province’s gang enforcement unit will review an exchange between two of its…
Combine to undergo inspection following fatal North Okanagan crash
SPALLUMCHEEN – Multiple agencies are investigating a fatality involving a farm combine in the North…
Vernon judge makes an example of man convicted of more than 20 gun, drug and identity charges
VERNON – Ronald Learning will spend six years in jail for putting the community at…
Grab your water bottle, it’s going to get hot — really hot
Weather officials are warning of a long, hot stretch of weather over the coming days.…
Armstrong manslaughter case on hold until September
VERNON – There won’t be any answers in an Armstrong manslaughter case until at least…
Shuswap crash claims life of Burnaby man
VERNON – Police are investigating a deadly car crash on a forest service road in…
Vernon man convicted of numerous gun and drug charges hopes to limit time behind bars
VERNON – Lawyers continue to spar in Vernon court over a fit sentence for a…
UPDATE: Man drowns in Shuswap Lake while on camping trip
SHUSWAP – Over the Canada Day long weekend a man from Surrey drowned while in…
Organizers make final push for spectacular Canada Day celebrations in Vernon
VERNON – With the big event just days away, organizers of the Vernon Canada Day…
Police seek witnesses to brazen daytime shooting in Polson Park
VERNON – Areas of Polson Park remain closed to the public today as police investigate…
Group of tubers rescued after hitting log jam on Shuswap River
ENDERBY – The public is being reminded to stay off the Shuswap River after a…
Vernon’s Upper Room Mission needs your help stockpiling 250 pairs of underwear
VERNON – It’s a basic necessity most of us take for granted: underwear. The Upper…
‘Not possible’ Armstrong woman died of self-strangulation during sex, pathologist testifies
CONTENT ADVISORY VERNON – Logan Scott’s story of what happened the night Armstrong woman Jillian…
How and why each Vernon council member voted on controversial camping in parks bylaw
VERNON – Despite some disagreement, a majority of Vernon council decided earlier this week to…
Watch for these well-known Vernon and Kelowna landmarks on the silver screen
Okanagan residents will recognize numerous locations in the upcoming film Distorted, featuring Christina Ricci and…
Suspected algae bloom in Okanagan Lake a ‘natural occurrence,’ officials say
VERNON – A possible algae bloom at the north end of Okanagan Lake continues to…
SCOTT TRIAL: Pathologist saw no signs of homicide on victim’s body
VERNON – There were no signs of trauma on Jillian McKinty's body two days after…