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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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Every week for 16 years this North Okanagan flower shop has sent bouquets to hospice patients
VERNON – Local florists Jake and Mary Spoor say the vases of fresh flowers they…
Local artists get a Hollywood nod as Merritt mural hits the big screen
MERRITT – There’s a local connection to a new movie that premieres next month in…
Police say Westwold incident posed no threat to public safety
WESTWOLD – Police responded to an incident in the rural community of Westwold earlier this…
Vernon RCMP investigating assault that put local man in hospital
VERNON – Police are investigating an assault that left one man in hospital with serious…
Vernon schools fighting addiction before it begins, as fentanyl crisis looms
VERNON – As drug over dose deaths hit crisis levels across the province, one school…
Lawsuit over North Okanagan horse racing facility finally going to trial
VERNON – A longstanding dispute between the Okanagan Equestrian Society, the city and the regional…
UPDATE: Fire officials continue to investigate cause of Vernon fire
VERNON – Investigation continues this morning into a garage fire on Middleton Mountain. The fire…
Wrestling and rescuing alligators just one more challenge this Vernon woman couldn’t resist
VERNON – Shanda Hill never turns down a chance to try something new — even…
Kamloops couple hopes to spook American-dominated paranormal T.V. industry
KAMLOOPS – A Kamloops couple is looking to get in on a traditionally American dominated…
New ownership takes over The Log Barn
SPALLUMCHEEN – A well-known roadside attraction in Spallumcheen has new owners. The Log Barn 1912…
Local politicians hear details of overdose crisis in Vernon
VERNON – More people died of an illicit drug overdose in Vernon in 2016 than…
Okanagan children ‘aging out’ before getting help with developmental delays
OKANAGAN – Kamloops mother Teresa Martin knew she had a problem when her son turned…
Unexplained police incident leaving Westwold residents with questions
WESTWOLD – Westwold residents are anxiously wondering what prompted a significant police presence in the…
Firearms seized after moose illegally shot in Salmon Arm
SALMON ARM – Conservation officers are investigating after a moose was illegally shot in Salmon…
Survey finds almost 150 people homeless in Vernon
VERNON – Almost 150 people in Vernon consider themselves homeless, according to recent survey, and…
UPDATE: Vernon RCMP locate missing man
UPDATE 11 A.M. JAN 21, 2017 VERNON – Police have located the 34-year-old Vernon man…
Meet Vernon’s ‘Grandpa Bob’ Davison, one of Canada’s volunteer weather watchers
VERNON – Every morning, Bob Davison feeds the donkey, followed by the goats, and then…
Snow biker shares how he survived a night in the North Okanagan backcountry
'I FIGURED I’M PROBABLY SPENDING THE NIGHT, SO I BETTER GET MY ASS OFF THIS…
City councillor thinks Vernon would support a curbside compost program
VERNON – Interest is growing for a city-wide composting program in Vernon. The idea is…
Government to focus on bolstering rental supply in Vernon in effort to get residents housed
VERNON – Getting Vernon residents housed was the focus as politicians, social agencies, and realtors…
There are a few reasons behind the Vernon family doctors’ shortage, and they’re nothing new
VERNON – One of the founding members of a closing Vernon walk-in clinic says physicians…
UPDATE: Snow biker stranded overnight in North Okanagan brought to safety
NORTH OKANAGAN – Search and rescue crews pulled a stranded snow biker to safety this…
Walk your dog, cross country ski, or swing a club at this unique North Okanagan golf course
'WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME UP, DOG WALK, SIGHTSEE, HAVE PICNICS, FAMILY REUNIONS — AND…
MAP: Some Vernon break-ins solved, many others still being investigated
VERNON – Vernon’s trouble with break and enters has carried on despite several recent arrests.…