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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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Air pistol leads to lockdown at Vernon high school
VERNON – A Vernon high school was put on lockdown today after a report someone…
Decision on North Okanagan school closures, reconfigurations expected next month
VERNON – A decision on school closures and reconfigurations in the North Okanagan is looming. …
City-owned buildings to be demolished in Vernon
VERNON – The city will be tearing down a building and creating more parking in…
Bus stop to stay at Vernon mall for now
VERNON – Plans to move a bus stop at the Vernon mall are on hold.…
Vernon council will ‘sit back and wait’ when it comes to pot dispensaries
VERNON – A Vernon pot dispensary made a pitch to work openly, transparently and collaboratively…
Crunch time for runway extension at the Vernon airport
VERNON – It’s now or never when it comes to extending the runway at the…
Homeowner follows thieves, honks horn to get attention of Salmon Arm RCMP
SALMON ARM – A Salmon Arm homeowner who watched a pair of thieves make off…
Vernon councillor alarmed over ‘cavalier’ attitude over agricultural land
VERNON – A Vernon councillor is concerned her colleagues are letting the preservation of agricultural…
Vernon RCMP appeal to public for tips about stolen truck
VERNON – Vernon RCMP are asking people to keep an eye out for a truck…
Canadian Tire hosts job fair for new Vernon store
VERNON – Dozens of jobs are up for grabs as Canadian Tire prepares to open…
UPDATE: Missing Okanagan woman located
UPDATE 2:49 P.M. JAN. 26, 2016 Lumby RCMP report the 24-year-old woman has been in…
How a tip from Vancouver helped Vernon RCMP intercept a break-in
VERNON – Security personnel all the way in Vancouver were able to tip off police…
Man who stole a snack during Vernon break-in handed jail time
VERNON – A man who broke into a Vernon woman’s home and made himself a…
Sponsoring a refugee 101 workshop set for Vernon
VERNON – Interested in sponsoring a refugee, but don’t know where to start? You might…
HELSTON: Why the Okanagan Indian Band refuses to sit back and wait
The rough, dirt road leading to the Madeline Lake range takes you off Highway 97…
UPDATE: Suspect facing several charges after fleeing Vernon police on tires deflated by spike belt
VERNON – Police nabbed a driver behind the wheel of a suspected stolen vehicle Wednesday…
UPDATE: Missing Okanagan woman located
UPDATE 2:49 P.M. JAN. 26, 2016 Lumby RCMP report the 24-year-old woman has been in…
How locals can get a leg up in the growing Okanagan film industry
OKANAGAN – With more and more Hollywood stars like Sir Anthony Hopkins and George Clooney…
City, equestrian society have no plans to evict homeless from horse barns
VERNON – While Kin Race Track sits vacant amidst an ongoing legal dispute, the facility’s…
Vernon driver killed in car crash
VERNON – A crash on Highway 97 in Vernon claimed the life of a local…
Removing military explosives from Okanagan band land ‘not as simple as putting money at it’: DND
VERNON – The Department of National Defence is responding to criticism from a local First…
Petition calls for boating restrictions on Sugar Lake
LUMBY – Efforts to restrict boats on Sugar Lake and the Shuswap River have been…
More cases of whooping cough in Vernon than normal
VERNON – A jump in the number of people coming down with the whooping cough…
Why a private developer got $11M to remove bombs while the Okanagan Indian Band is still waiting
‘THE RICH GET RICHER AND THE FIRST NATIONS ARE LEFT IN THE AVENUES LAID OUT…