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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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Tips sought in unsolved robbery, fraud and theft cases in Kelowna area
KELOWNA – Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers are hoping you have the missing link that will…
Vernon trying to support homeless people after camps decommissioned
VERNON – Several homeless camps are being shut down in Vernon and local agencies are…
UPDATE: Shuswap school bomb threat ‘unsubstantiated’
SALMON ARM – Police have determined a bomb threat phoned into Shuswap Middle School earlier…
Water intake shut off after fuel spill in Shuswap River
GRINDROD – A diesel spill in the Shuswap River forced a shut-off of the Grindrod…
Armstrong athlete back doing what she loves after losing leg
ARMSTRONG – After a fluke infection left doctors with no choice but to amputate her…
Sentence reduced due to errors in Vernon child sex assault case
CONTINUES TO SHOW NO GUILT OR REMORSE VERNON – A man convicted of raping his…
Lumby purchases more than 80 acres of land for flood mitigation
LUMBY – The Village of Lumby has purchased a large chunk of land to help…
Support for those facing addictions, mental health issues expands in Vernon
VERNON – Individuals struggling with mental health and substance use issues in the North Okanagan…
Stolen silent auction items a setback for Vernon non-profit
VERNON – A non-profit group in Vernon is shocked and upset after someone broke into…
Passerby alerts Vernon residents to midnight house fire
VERNON – The occupants of a home that caught fire late last night made it…
The simple but beautiful reason you may hear chimes in Kamloops, Okanagan hospitals
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – If you heard the soft sound of chimes during your last hospital visit…
Straight razors, history, and Movember come together in Vernon
VERNON – As Gabriel Newman started going through collections at the Greater Vernon Museum and…
Teen charged for prank bomb threat in Vernon
VERNON – A youth has been criminally charged in relation to a prank bomb threat…
Vernon schools to get plumbing upgrades after high lead levels discovered
VERNON – Funding is coming down the pipes in the Vernon School District. A number…
Coroner’s report on Kamloops care home death calls for changes
KAMLOOPS – The B.C. Coroners Service has made two recommendations following the death of a…
Vernon man facing assault, possession charges after violent incident at 7-Eleven
VERNON – A Vernon man is facing numerous charges after a violent incident at 7-Eleven.…
Vernon man facing arson charges still has teachers certificate
ALSO CHARGED WITH CHILD PORN; SUSPENDED IN AUGUST PENDING HEARING VERNON – A Vernon man…
Final public vigil marks five year anniversary of Armstrong teen’s murder
ARMSTRONG – Tonight will mark the last public memorial walk for Armstrong’s Taylor Van Diest.…
Why all those discarded needles are signs of progress for HIV, Hep C in Southern Interior
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Nearly 400 new Hepatitis C cases and as many as 15 HIV cases…
After $75 K fine, Vernon School District broke asbestos rules again
VERNON – Another investigation by WorkSafe B.C. found the Vernon School District in violation of…
UPDATE: Missing Vernon man located
UPDATE: 5:01 p.m., Oct. 28, 2016 VERNON – RCMP say a missing 80-year-old Vernon man…
Investigation reveals issues with maintenance, government response to North Okanagan flash flood event
NORTH OKANAGAN – An investigation launched after a 2014 flash flood near Enderby has found…
Coroner wants Ministry of Transportation to review crash that killed a North Okanagan mother and daughter
ICY ROAD CONDITIONS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR NORTH OKANAGAN – Icy road conditions were a factor…
Vernon man charged with 15 new counts of arson including Kin Race Track fire
ALREADY CHARGED WITH FOUR ARSONS, CHILD PORN VERNON – Two years after a rash of…