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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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Off the streets, the drugs and the alcohol, Vernon men give each other strength and hope
“I REALIZED I WAS GOING TO DIE SO I CAME BACK” VERNON – The meeting…
Unmarked and relatively unknown internment camp on Highway 6 getting recognized
VERNON – Most who stop at the nondescript pullout 12 kilometres from the Gold Panner…
HELSTON: My own journey to appreciating the salmon run
OPINION I was just a kid when my parents took me to watch the salmon…
People throwing rocks at salmon, exceeding quotas reason for Shuswap River fishing ban
ENDERBY – A seasonal fishing ban on part of the Shuswap River near Enderby was…
Salmon Arm shop class accident reviewed by WorkSafe B.C.
SALMON ARM – A Salmon Arm high school student who suffered a serious hand injury…
Silver Star Mountain prepares for wildfire emergency
SILVER STAR – It was a village-wide fire drill, complete with an air siren and…
Public invited to first board meeting with School District 83’s official trustee
SALMON ARM – The North Okanagan-Shuswap School District’s new official trustee is getting down to…
Mental health wait list forces Vernon mom to make heart-breaking decision
'IT'S THE HARDEST THING TO DO' VERNON – After trying to get help for her…
Look what the cat dragged in: Klepto-cat with cache of gloves, dog toys baffles Vernon owners
VERNON – It's a dilemma few people will ever have to face, and that many…
Charges dropped against one of three suspects charged in Vernon murder case
VERNON – Charges have been dropped against one of the people accused in a Vernon…
Appointed trustee will not make everyone happy, but will support student learning in North Okanagan-Shuswap
SALMON ARM – The North Okanagan-Shuswap’s new official trustee isn’t getting into specifics about what…
North Okanagan Regional District staff and politicians wages revealed
NORTH OKANAGAN – Roughly half of the North Okanagan Regional District’s $5.9 million payroll went…
Pedestrian struck by freight train in Salmon Arm
SALMON ARM – A pedestrian was taken to hospital after getting hit by a train…
Oblivious drivers blast through school zone during speed check in Vernon
VERNON – It’s likely no surprise there are people who speed through school zones in…
Spirits low after theft at Vernon fundraiser
VERNON – An apparent theft at a fundraising event in Vernon has left organizers with…
Gastrointestinal outbreak not contained to Lumby luncheon
LUMBY – Reports of people getting sick with a gastrointestinal bug keep climbing in Lumby…
HELSTON: Province left school trustees to play bad cop before saving the day
'HOW ABOUT JUST REGULAR FUNDING ALL YEAR, EVERY YEAR?' OPINION It’s kind of how things…
Vernon man involved in huge cross border drug smuggling ring going to jail
VERNON – A Vernon man caught working as a drug courier in a massive cocaine…
North Okanagan-Shuswap trustee says fired school board was given ‘impossible task’
NORTH OKANAGAN – Trustees in the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District are speaking out after getting…
Swimmers, boaters advised to keep watching out for pipe floating in Okanagan Lake
VERNON – A large pipe continues to pose a hazard to swimmers and boaters in…
City of Vernon spending more money on staff salaries
VERNON – An increase in the amount of money being spent on staff salaries at…
Anonymous caller wants barrel of pot left on North Okanagan country road back
NORTH OKANAGAN – Police made an unusual discovery on a back road in the North…
Driver accidentally plows into Vernon office building
VERNON – There was some commotion outside a downtown Vernon office building today, but everyone…
North Okanagan politicians, firefighters sick after attending Lumby Days luncheon
LUMBY – A luncheon attended by local dignitaries during Lumby Days is being probed by…