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
Fire rips through North Okanagan lumber mill
NEAR SPALLUMCHEEN – A witness says a fire at a North Okanagan lumber yard this…
Vernon RCMP seek owner of abandoned suitcase
VERNON – Police are looking for the rightful owner of a suitcase. The luggage bag…
Identity of man who died in Vernon rock-climbing incident released
VERNON – The identity of a man who died in a rock climbing incident in…
Lavington pellet plant makes changes to prevent another fire
LAVINGTON – Actions have been taken to prevent a fire at Lavington’s new pellet plant…
Sudden death in Vernon not considered suspicious
VERNON – Police investigated a sudden death in Vernon today, but have now turned the…
Firefighters frustrated by pair of human-caused fires in North Okanagan
“IT’S A LACK OF COMMON SENSE THAT DRIVES ME CRAZY” VERNON – Firefighters in the…
North Okanagan-Shuswap school trustees urged to submit ‘needs-based’ budget for increased government funding
SALMON ARM – The North Okanagan-Shuswap school board has been asked to take a stand…
Suspicious fires in Vernon now at 77 in past two years
VERNON – If you paid attention to the news during the past couple of years,…
Okanagan Indian Band says B.C. author appropriated cultural story in new children’s book
VERNON – The Okanagan Indian Band is voicing outrage after it says a non-indigenous author…
Vernon man sentenced for setting fire outside pet shop had history of arson
LIGHTING FIRES MADE HIM FEEL BETTER VERNON – In sentencing a Vernon man to three…
Police believe Vernon shootings are linked to the drug trade
VERNON – Police believe four violent incidents in the past month, three of which involved…
HELSTON: If spanking for sexting isn’t the answer, what is?
OPINION An old-fashioned form of discipline, spanking, was used to punish a relatively new activity,…
Salmon Arm residents can aid search for missing senior by checking properties, vehicles and outbuildings
SALMON ARM – As Shuswap Search and Rescue enters its third day searching for a…
Driver’s blocked view contributed to death of Vernon senior backed over by car
VERNON – A driver’s obstructed view due in part to a large cardboard box in…
Rescuer recalls intense moments after Armstrong car crash
SPALLUMCHEEN – One of the bystanders who helped a mother and son out of a…
Smaller budget transfer will allow School District 83 to avoid program cuts
VERNON – Instead of transferring $1 million into capital funds this year, the North Okanagan-Shuswap…
‘They saved his life’: Father searching for men who pulled his son from a burning car near Armstrong
ARMSTRONG – The father of a man who was pulled from a burning vehicle near…
Province issues orders to several North Okanagan farms in light of high nitrate levels
SPALLUMCHEEN – Provincial authorities have issued orders to several farms in the Hullcar area believed…
‘I just want to know where she is:’ Sister desperate for answers in the disappearance of Caitlin Potts
ENDERBY – The family and friends of a missing woman are in agony not knowing…
Former Salmon Arm parents spared criminal records for ‘excessive corporal punishment’
DAUGHTER BEATEN FOR SEXTING ON SNAPCHAT SALMON ARM – A mother and father found guilty…
North Okanagan-Shuswap School District testing for elevate lead levels
NORTH OKANAGAN – The North Okanagan-Shuswap is joining school districts around the province in testing…
Residents asked to help keep Vernon safe amid upswing in syringes being found
VERNON – With the number of needles being found in Vernon on the rise, community…
Woman shaken up after encounter with bear and cub in Vernon
VERNON – A woman out walking her dog had a nerve-wracking encounter with a bear…
Armstrong man’s animal cruelty trial delayed, again
VERNON – Unexpected circumstances have put the brakes on an Armstrong man’s animal cruelty trial…