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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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Vernon unleashes 10-day Mardi Gras-themed Winter Carnival
VERNON – A ten-day marathon of local events kicks off tomorrow with the 56th annual…
Health authority may have little to offer North Okanagan residents fighting for clean drinking water
SPALLUMCHEEN – The Interior Health Authority is reviewing its options after receiving a request to…
Mountain snow pushing bobcats into Okanagan valley
OKANAGAN – Weather is a likely factor behind a rising number of bobcat sightings this…
Board members to decide next week on fate of North Okanagan-Shuswap schools
NORTH OKANAGAN – Communities are expected to learn the fate of schools in Armstrong, Salmon…
Seattle coach sentenced for peeping on students during Vernon ski trip
U.S. SENTENCE SIX TIMES LONGER THAN CANADIAN SENTENCE SEATTLE – An American private school coach…
Equestrian society threatens to take City of Vernon to court
VERNON – The president of the Okanagan Equestrian Society believes the only way an ongoing…
North Okanagan residents can’t stomach liquid manure in their water
RESIDENTS GET HELP IN FIGHT TO FORCE INTERIOR HEALTH TO HALT FARM PRACTICE SPALLUMCHEEN –…
Police seek tips in Vernon hobby store break-in
VERNON – Only two items were taken from a Vernon hobby shop during a weekend…
Suspect steals Hummer while victim is working out at the gym
VERNON – Instead of cooling down after a workout at a local fitness centre last…
Suspects caught wearing stolen clothing in Vernon
VERNON – A man and a woman weren't exactly caught in the act, but they…
Improvements at Camp Hurlburt site, plus other Vernon parks coming this year
VERNON – Parkland improvements at Camp Hurlburt is just one of the projects Greater Vernon…
School board hoping to learn from lockdown incident involving Airsoft gun
VERNON – Administration is taking an incident involving a student who brought an Airsoft gun…
Same road work, different price tag as construction costs rise in Vernon
VERNON – It costs the city more to do the same construction project today than…
HELSTON: When politicians give you cash back, don’t complain
It’s not uncommon to hear people grumble about rising taxes, but have you ever heard…
Salmon Arm parents guilty of assault for spanking daughter with hockey stick, skipping rope
SALMON ARM – Two Salmon Arm parents have been found guilty of assault for disciplining…
How decals are helping bridge a literacy gap in Vernon
VERNON – A literacy project in Vernon is proving words aren’t just for the pages…
Communities forge ahead on purchase of rail corridor between Armstrong and Sicamous
ENDERBY – Negotiations continue between CP Rail and a coalition of local governments to buy…
Police believe ‘driver inattentiveness’ caused Falkland semi truck crash
FALKLAND – Police say it’s very lucky no one was hurt after a semi truck…
Vernon RCMP not pursuing charges against student who brought Airsoft gun to school
VERNON – Police will not be pursuing criminal charges against a student who brought an…
Love of the game could make Lumby the next hockeyville
LUMBY – Lumby is a small town with a big love of hockey. The rural…
Vernon RCMP say downtown streaker no laughing matter
‘IT’S NOT SOMETHING WE DEAL WITH EVERY DAY’ VERNON – Police arrested a man running…
Okanagan woman missing last week wanted by police
KELOWNA – Police were on the lookout for an Okanagan woman long before she was…
Truck goes off road into Falkland home
FALKLAND – A truck knocked out power lines and drove into a house in Falkland…
Shuswap snowmobilers call for help after realizing ‘it was time to save themselves’
VERNON – A pair of snowmobilers in their mid-20s were very happy to see search…