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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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Murder trial begins for North Okanagan man
VERNON – Jury selection began this morning for a murder trial into the death of…
Heartbroken parents speak out after fentanyl crisis claims life of Vernon man
"THIS IS REAL. THIS HAPPENS, AND IT HAPPENED TO US." VERNON – They have to…
‘Vernon is a comparatively safe community’: City
VERNON – The City of Vernon wants to reassure residents the community is safe and…
Kal Tire Place good to go after environmental tests come back clear
VERNON – Kal Tire Place has been given the all clear after a sewer backup…
UPDATE: Woman with three toddlers struck by car while crossing Vernon intersection
VERNON – A daycare worker and three toddlers were taken to hospital today after being…
Locals, and non-locals, line up for Vernon’s French Immersion program
"THEY TAKE 88 KIDS IN KINDERGARTEN. IF YOU'RE NOT IN THAT 88 THEN YOU'RE OUT…
Firefighters douse blaze outside Vernon museum
VERNON – Firefighters were out early this morning extinguishing a fire that started behind the…
Licensed Vernon grow-op raided by police found in violation of city bylaw
VERNON – Police have yet to lay any charges after raiding two grow-ops in Vernon…
Cleanup on track at Kal Tire Place for season opener game
VERNON – It looks like restoration work at Kal Tire Place will be done in…
Keep an eye — and an ear — out for this large, loud invasive frog
SHUSWAP – A conservation group is asking people to keep their eyes and ears open…
Armstrong man struck on the back of the head by apparent gas thieves
ARMSTRONG – An Armstrong man was taken to hospital after an early morning encounter with…
Ron MacLean coming to Vernon to host hometown hockey celebration this winter
VERNON – Vernon is one of the stops on this year’s hometown hockey tour. Rogers…
Convicted Vernon drug dealer on the lam as judge imposes jail sentence
VERNON – On one day alone, roughly 270 calls and 250 text messages were found…
Police find and arrest man accused of robbing Kelowna restaurant
KELOWNA – A Grand Forks man was arrested after allegedly holding up a Kelowna restaurant…
Elevated lead levels found at several North Okanagan schools
VERNON – The Vernon School District says slightly elevated lead levels were found in the…
Air scrubbers, environmental testing required after sewer backup at Vernon’s Kal Tire Place
VERNON – Vernon’s Kal Tire Place is down for the next several days as restoration…
Mayor says recent incidents not representative of overall level of safety in Vernon
VERNON – Vernon council will meet with the city’s top cop to discuss recent incidents…
Nearly 2,000 customers lose power in Vernon area
VERNON – A large area of Vernon and Coldstream is without power this afternoon. B.C.…
HELSTON: Not all stories found at the library are contained in books
OPINION Some characters stay with you long after you’ve returned a good book, and you…
City of Vernon wants your opinion on skateboards, roller blades, and non-motorized scooters
VERNON – Residents are being asked for input on new rules for skateboards, longboards and…
Vernon MLA personally intervened to ‘nix’ proposal without seeing application
"I THINK I DID THEM A FAVOUR" VERNON – The director of an Okanagan festival…
Police investigate brutal assault that left Vernon woman badly injured
“THE ONLY THING THAT MADE HIM STOP WAS WE STARTED SCREAMING CALL 911” VERNON –…
Five overdoses in 48 hours in Vernon; health officials say there is no clear link
VERNON – Health officials say there was a jump in the usual number of overdoses…
Of five different jobs, making you smile is the one this Vernon busker values most
VERNON – Every day at 4 a.m., Carson Holtz heads out the door with a…