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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.
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UPDATE: Wildfire west of downtown Enderby now out and under investigation
ENDERBY – Emergency personnel weren’t taking any chances with a wildfire just west of downtown…
Future uncertain as North Okanagan speedway left in legal limbo
VERNON – A locked gate and empty bleachers are all you’ll find these days at…
Rescue personnel share advice after dramatic search for father and son on Okanagan Lake
VERNON – Vernon Search and Rescue is reminding the public to take precautions after a…
Police need help finding missing North Okanagan woman
ENDERBY – Police are asking for help as they search for a missing North Okanagan…
RCMP come to the aid of dehydrated hiker in Kelowna park
KELOWNA – A sick and dehydrated hiker was helped out of Okanagan Mountain Park by…
Playground equipment damaged in one of several suspicious Vernon fires
VERNON – Authorities are investigating several suspicious fires that occurred over the past few days…
Paramedics, retired nurse unable to revive woman pulled from Mabel Lake
MABEL LAKE – The B.C. Coroners Service is investigating after a woman died at Mabel…
Pet micro-pig considered a prohibited farm animal in Vernon
VERNON – Vernon’s mayor is open to exploring the idea of allowing pet pigs in…
HELSTON: When prison cells replace treatment beds, we all lose
OPINION To understand how miserably our health care and justice systems are failing the most…
Individuals arrested during Vernon pot raids have been let go
VERNON – Four people arrested earlier this week in a pair of coordinated police raids…
Local men come to aid of Great Horned owls stuck in Vernon soccer net
VERNON – A pair of Great Horned owls tangled up in a soccer net flew…
Rainclouds fail to scare away too many North Okanagan tourists
VERNON – Cool, rainy weather over the past few weeks may have put a bit…
North Okanagan manslaughter case may hinge on police statements
VERNON – Legal arguments in a North Okanagan manslaughter case could determine whether the trial…
Grow-op raided by police same location as Vernon shooting
VERNON – The location of this morning’s police raid at a licensed grow-op in Vernon…
Small blaze in Polson Park contained by firefighters
VERNON – The Vernon Fire Department is applauding members of the public for quickly reporting…
UPDATE: Lots of noise as RCMP raid licensed Vernon grow-ops
VERNON – A loud noise that may have sounded like gunshots early this morning was…
Vernon defence lawyer calls for more treatment beds, mental health services for offenders
VERNON – A Vernon defence lawyer who’s helped a great number of addicts and mentally…
RCMP not letting youth off the hook following prank bomb threat at Vernon mall
VERNON – Police are sending a message after the latest incident of swatting — deceiving…
Vernon’s new kindness meters proving their worth
VERNON – Kindness meters appear to be having an effect on aggressive panhandling in Vernon.…
HELSTON: Splatsin graveyard claim could be a step towards reconciliation
OPINION Sometimes, it’s helpful to go back to the very beginning of a story. For…
Engagement rings, passports and GPS systems among items stolen from Vernon vehicles
VERNON – Leave it and you’ll end up losing it is the message from Vernon…
Controversial referendum on ancestral Splatsin burial site called off
ENDERBY – The voices of the elders have been heard. Splatsin First Nation chief and…
The good, the bad and the reality of the hot North Okanagan housing market
VERNON – North Okanagan home prices may be a steal for those cashing out of…
With referendum just days away, Splatsin increase pressure on band council to call off vote on ancestral burial site
ENDERBY – Public pressure is mounting for the Splatsin band council to cancel a referendum…