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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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Thompson-Okanagan bracing for more wet weather this week
OKANAGAN – Flooded communities across the Thompson-Okanagan are getting a short reprieve over the next…
Court case alleges heroin mixed with fentanyl, methylfentanyl was dealt in Vernon
VERNON – A man accused of trafficking heroin laced with fentanyl and methylfentanyl won’t have…
UPDATE: Armstrong declares state of local emergency due to flooding
ARMSTRONG – Armstrong has declared a state of local emergency in response to flooding. Significant…
Judge restricts evidence in Armstrong manslaughter case due to charter breach
VERNON – Internet searches made by the accused in a North Okanagan manslaughter case cannot…
UPDATE: Enderby residents put on mandatory water conservation and boil water advisory
ENDERBY – High turbidity caused by last night’s rainfall is creating water issues in Enderby.…
Heavy rain creating flooding concerns in North Okanagan
LUMBY – Residents from Lumby to Spallumcheen are experiencing localized flooding today. According to the…
Sandbags available throughout North Okanagan as region experiences above-average rainfall
VERNON – With a much wetter spring than normal, the North Okanagan Regional District is…
Salmon Arm RCMP hand out nearly 30 traffic tickets in three hours
SALMON ARM – Driving infractions were plentiful in Salmon Arm earlier this week as Mounties…
Organizers hope hundreds will join walk for missing North Okanagan women
NORTH OKANAGAN – Meagan Louis is hoping for a turnout of 500 people for a…
Conservation Service responds to North Okanagan cougar incident
VERNON – Traps are set for a cougar that killed an alpaca yesterday in Vernon.…
Defence says accused’s rights were violated in Armstrong manslaughter case
VERNON – Legal arguments are wrapping up for a Salmon Arm man who says his…
Lavington manufacturing plant nearing launch date
LAVINGTON – A new manufacturing plant in Lavington hasn’t even opened yet, and already its…
‘Not a single answer or clue’ in case of North Okanagan woman who went for a hike and never returned
NORTH OKANAGAN – As the weather warms up and people begin heading out into the…
Dealer caught in Vernon drug investigation gets six months
VERNON – A drug dealer nabbed in an undercover investigation last November was sentenced to…
North Okanagan man leaves $1M legacy to hospital foundation
VERNON – When he passed away two years ago, North Okanagan resident Frank Yanavicius left…
Ontario family still doesn’t know what happened to daughter who went missing one year ago in North Okanagan
NORTH OKANAGAN – The family of a young woman who vanished without a trace in…
Mother of missing North Okanagan woman believed murdered still waiting for answers
NORTH OKANAGAN – More than a year after her daughter went missing from the North…
Calls for service on the rise at Vernon RCMP detachment
VERNON – Vernon Mounties continue to receive more and more calls for service, according to…
UPDATE: Missing Vernon man has been found
UPDATE: 3:39 p.m., Tuesday, May 2, 2017 VERNON – RCMP say a missing 29-year-old Vernon…
Vernon cash store employee expected to plead guilty to fabricating an armed robbery
VERNON – A woman accused of making up an armed robbery at Vernon Cash Solutions…
Vernon man homeless for ten months one of many looking for long-term housing
VERNON – Most days, Dave Fromow bikes from the homeless shelter to Tim Hortons where…
Vernon School District focusses funds on board offices, student supports
VERNON – The Vernon School District plans to bolster programs for mental health, at risk…
Portion of road in Shuswap completely swept away in washout
SHUSWAP – Part of a Shuswap road was completely washed out by a sudden rush…
Vernon Jubilee Hospital recorded the highest number of overdoses in the region — this could be why
VERNON – Staff at Vernon Jubilee Hospital recorded more drug overdoses than their counterparts in…