Elevate your local knowledge
Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!
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
Twitter
Facebook
A friendly push: Police officer helps Vernon driver out of intersection
VERNON – They’re usually the ones pulling you over and handing out tickets, but as…
Ongoing infractions at Log Barn force township to take action
SPALLUMCHEEN – The Township of Spallumcheen says a well-known roadside attraction in the North Okanagan…
Vernon event will pay tribute to the Tragically Hip, raise money for charity
VERNON – Like many, Vernon resident Trevor Perepolkin was disappointed after unsuccessfully trying get tickets…
New curator takes the reins at the Vernon museum
VERNON – There’s a new face at the Vernon Museum. Her name is Tracy Satin,…
Trial begins for Vernon foster father accused of sexual abuse
CONTENT WARNING VERNON – A Vernon man has pleaded not guilty to a number of…
Vernon couple upset about pot odour won’t get much help from Health Canada
HEALTH CANADA NO LONGER CONDUCTING INSPECTIONS OF HOME-BASED GROW-OPS VERNON – There appear to be…
Slide report reinforces concerns around logging activities in Cherryville
CHERRYVILLE – Improper drainage structures directly contributed to a landslide in a North Okanagan community,…
Vernon RCMP vehicle involved in collision with motorcycle
VERNON – An investigation is underway following a crash on Highway 6 near Vernon involving…
Vernon man taking pitch for rainbow crosswalk to city hall
VERNON – A local man is hoping Vernon will become the next city to embrace…
Vernon residents say legal grow-op stinks
VERNON – A Vernon couple says they can’t sit on their porch some days because…
Naked man crashes car into downtown Vernon store
VERNON – A naked man drove his car through the storefront of a Vernon business…
HELSTON: Is it just me, or is summer going by faster than usual?
OPINION I glanced at my calendar the other day and it took me a moment…
UPDATE: RCMP investigating targeted homicide in Rutland
KELOWNA – Police have confirmed an investigation is underway into a targeted homicide at a…
Cooler summer behind drop in Thompson-Okanagan drowning deaths
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Cooler weather this summer may have dampened a few vacation plans, but it…
Sci-fi thriller featuring actors from Breaking Bad and The Expendables being filmed in Vernon
"A LOT MORE PEOPLE WILL BE PAYING FOR THEIR MORTGAGE FROM FILM WORK DONE LOCALLY"…
Alleged robber flees Vernon store empty handed, possibly due to language barrier
VERNON – A language barrier may have foiled an attempted armed robbery in Vernon earlier…
‘She just disappeared’: Family of missing North Okanagan woman searching for answers
NORTH OKANAGAN – The family of Deanna Wertz is desperate for answers after the North…
North Okanagan man dies fighting Interior Health and doctors over missed cancer diagnosis; lawsuit lives on
VERNON – A lawsuit accusing the Interior Health Authority and physicians of negligence for allegedly…
Officials determine cause of Vernon wildfire, and it wasn’t people
VERNON – Investigators have concluded a wildfire that forced some 60 residents from their homes…
Province explains die-off of more than 1,000 fish in Okanagan Lake
OKANAGAN – After getting lab results back, the province strongly believes a die-off of more…
Here’s how police spent the long weekend in Salmon Arm
SALMON ARM – Mounties in Salmon Arm checked numerous boats and vehicles over the long…
Fire near Vernon’s Adventure Bay suspected to be human-caused
VERNON – An aggressive wildfire that forced the evacuations of 60 people over the weekend…
Vernon RCMP release photo of robbery suspect
VERNON – Police are looking for a man who robbed a Vernon gas station last…
UPDATE: Fire contained, Vernon residents can return home
VERNON – A fire burning near homes on the west side of Vernon has been…