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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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Fault at Armstrong substation created widespread power outage
NORTH OKANAGAN – Thousands were without power this afternoon due to issues at a major…
Clean, medical-grade heroin for drug users? B.C.’s chief coroner thinks it’s worth considering
VICTORIA – As the number of illicit drug deaths remains on a steady pace, the…
Car blows through stop sign, collides with Vernon building
VERNON – Drivers in Vernon are being reminded to slow down and watch for ice…
Lumby man remembered for working hard, dreaming big and helping others
LUMBY – Ray Smyth put his heart into everything he did, whether it was volunteering…
Vernon woman will run for the Green Party in upcoming provincial election
VERNON – A Vernon woman is vying for a seat in the upcoming provincial election.…
Driver couldn’t see much, but police in North Okanagan noticed him right away
VERNON – A man driving with nothing but a small peephole on his windshield was…
Witnesses describe hearing gunshots on day of Polson Park shootout
VERNON – The manager of the Green Valley Hotel was at home with his wife…
Number of thefts from vehicles nearly doubles in Vernon area
VERNON – Property-related crime continues to plague the Vernon RCMP detachment. From October to December…
Okanagan municipality wants review of RCMP staffing system
OKANAGAN – A municipality in the Okanagan wants to make sure it’s getting a fair…
Trio facing slew of charges for Valentines Day robbery in Armstrong
VERNON – Three people accused of robbing the Armstrong 7-Eleven on Valentine’s Day aren’t feeling…
Impaired driving guilty plea expected from Vernon woman in 2014 fatal crash
VERNON – A woman accused of impaired driving causing death is expected to plead guilty…
Residents invited to have a say on Vernon lake accesses today
VERNON – Vernon residents can get involved in the city’s plan for developing public accesses…
Police costs going up as Armstrong’s population cracks 5,000 people
ARMSTRONG – Armstrong residents will be paying more for police service — the only question…
Vernon rally draws attention to missing and murdered indigenous women
VERNON – For local woman Meagan Louis, a rally for missing and murdered indigenous women…
Polson Park shooting started with a robbery gone wrong at the Green Valley Motel
VERNON- A high profile shootout in Polson Park broke out after a robbery went south…
Vernon MRI announcement for 2018 has nothing to do with election 2017: MLA Foster
VERNON – If you thought the B.C. Liberals’ announcement this week about a new MRI…
Not everyone drove according to road conditions yesterday
VERNON – Concrete barriers and street lights were some of the things driver accidentally plowed…
10 things to do in Vernon over the Family Day long weekend
VERNON – The long weekend is almost here, and so are a number of events…
North Okanagan RCMP canvassing for tips in Lumby break and enter case
LUMBY – Police in the North Okanagan are looking for tips after firearms were stolen…
Mud boggers getting spattered with fines in the North Okanagan
OKANAGAN – The Conservation Service means business when it comes to illegal mud bogging. In…
FENTANYL CRISIS: Health officials consider stepping up overdose prevention services in Vernon, Penticton
VERNON – Rising overdose numbers have health officials plotting their next plan of attack against…
Former Sparkling Hill bookkeeper could go to jail for ‘second salary’ paid in fraudulent cheques
“EFFECTIVELY, MS. MILLIGAN WAS PAYING HERSELF A SECOND SALARY” VERNON – A former bookkeeper at…
North Okanagan man sent to prison for violent convenience store robbery
LUMBY – A North Okanagan man who robbed a convenience store and traumatized the lone…
Joy ride on stolen motorcycle ends with a jail term for North Okanagan man
VERNON – A career criminal who duped a man into letting him test drive his…