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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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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…
Police looking for any unreported information in case of missing Armstrong man
VERNON – Police continue to search for a missing Armstrong man last seen around the…
Worker safety being reviewed following violent convenience store robbery in Lumby
LUMBY – The Mac’s Convenience Stores franchise and WorkSafe B.C. aren’t ignoring a violent incident…
City of Vernon continues to investigate foul odour at Polson Park
VERNON – City staff are following their noses when it comes to an odour problem…
Homeless population grows as funding dries up in Vernon
VERNON – The City of Vernon is facing a dire situation with its homeless population.…
Hydrogeologists point to liquid manure as probable source of North Okanagan drinking water contamination
SPALLUMCHEEN – More voices are joining the call for a moratorium on a North Okanagan…
UPDATE: Internet restored to Thompson-Okanagan residents
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – If you were having some technical difficulties today, you weren’t alone. Shortly after…
Vernon mountain bikers ask city to support skills park
VERNON – Mountain bikers have made a pitch to Vernon City Council for a new…
Man rescued from steep cliff near Vernon’s Turtle Mountain
VERNON – A man was rescued from a steep cliff and taken to hospital yesterday…
Vernon politicians discuss easing up on skateboard rules
VERNON – Skateboarders have got local politicians talking about the possibility of revising an old…
RCMP taking search for missing North Okanagan woman ‘very seriously’
VERNON – North Okanagan RCMP say they haven’t given up on finding a missing Enderby…
Unpleasant surprise greets Mabel Lake cottage owners
VERNON – A cottage in the Mabel Lake area may not have been attractive to…
Thief makes off with eco-friendly clothing in Vernon store break-in
VERNON – A downtown Vernon clothing store was broken into early Saturday morning. Police say…