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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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Mother and daughter thrown from bicycles in Coldstream hit and run
VERNON – Police are appealing to the public for information after a mother and daughter…
Impatient driver tries to speed through fiery highway crash near Armstrong
VERNON – Fire crews are reminding people to be patient and stay back after someone…
Hot weather already having an impact on Greater Vernon water supply
VERNON – Unseasonably warm weather has caused Greater Vernon’s water reservoirs to spill earlier than…
Homeless camp at Kin Race Track in Vernon closed down
VERNON – After first saying it wouldn’t touch a homeless camp at the vacant Kin…
Number of North Okanagan groups denied provincial gaming grants grows
OTHERS WARNED THEY MAY NOT GET FUTURE GRANTS VERNON – More local non-profit agencies are…
UPDATE: Missing Kelowna woman has been located
UPDATE: 8:41 a.m., Friday, May 6, 2016 KELOWNA – RCMP say the 42-year-old Kelowna woman…
Lightning strikes Vernon home
VERNON – A house was struck by lightning yesterday evening in Vernon, and the local…
Lumby couple’s 13-year engagement comes to an end this Mother’s Day with shotgun wedding
VERNON – When Shawn and Jessica show their wedding album to grandkids, they won’t be…
Would you know what to do if there was an evacuation in the North Okanagan?
VERNON – It’s one of those things you hope you never need to know: how…
Vernon man found guilty of role in cross-border drug smuggling operation
VERNON – A Vernon man has been found guilty for his part in a drug…
Trial date set for woman facing eight charges in fatal Vernon car crash
VERNON – A woman charged with impaired driving causing death in connection with a tragic…
Arrests made in violent store robbery in Lumby
VERNON – Police have arrested two men in connection to a violent robbery at Mac’s…
Lucky movie-goers must win tickets to attend North Okanagan film premiere
ENDERBY – It’s considered to be the first movie premiere at a drive-in theatre in…
Ride for the Okanagan Rail Trail
VERNON – The first fundraising event in support of the Okanagan Rail Trail is getting…
Safety violations discovered after late-night robbery at Lumby convenience store
LUMBY – A new, teenaged employee was working alone for the first time on the…
New Anthony Hopkins thriller to premiere at Enderby’s Starlight drive-in
ENDERBY – A major motion picture shot in Enderby will have its premiere showing at…
Weekend boat show in Vernon promises family fun
VERNON – The Vernon Yacht Club will be making waves this weekend with its annual…
HELSTON: Why it’s not so easy for homeless people to ‘just get a job’
The stereotype that all homeless people are lazy alcoholics and drug addicts — and that…
Several Vernon businesses fall victim to thieves
VERNON – A rash of break-ins are taking a toll on local businesses in Vernon,…
Police officer traumatized by murder of Armstrong teen sues RCMP for harassment
VERNON – The police officer who found Armstrong teen Taylor Van Diest brutally beaten and…
Census shows spike in number of homeless in Vernon
VERNON – Young adults, couples, seniors and the working poor are among those sleeping outdoors…
Salmon Arm judge sends message about firearm crimes with sentence of RCMP jail guard
SALMON ARM – A provincial court judge has made an example of a jail guard…
Pay-by-phone parking option coming to Vernon
VERNON – People will soon be able to pay for parking in downtown Vernon using…
Judge orders North Okanagan speedway to keep it down, pay damages to seniors housing developer
SPALLUMCHEEN – The owners of a North Okanagan racetrack have been ordered to pay more…