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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.
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2015 TOP STORIES: Deaths, and near-drownings, on local waterways
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – It was a deadly year on the region’s waterways, from houseboat-related deaths to…
The Associated Press names ‘Star Wars’ top entertainer of 2015, beating Amy Schumer and Adele
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – "Star Wars" isn't just strong. It's unstoppable.
Blockbuster films propel US, Canadian box office to a record $11B in 2015
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – It's been a record-breaking, $11 billion year at the movies.
Travel in 2016: Rio, 500 years of pure German beer, 100th Indy 500 and Christo’s walk on water
Rio and Cuba. The Pope's Year of Mercy and artist Christo's walk on water. Philadelphia, Cleveland and the next U.S. president. Super Bowl in California and the Indy 500 at 100. A centennial for America's National Park Service, 400 years since Shakespeare died and 500 years of pure German beer.
Submerged, frozen and, yes, probably covered by insurance
VERNON - It’s been cool and snowy in the Okanagan lately, but not cold enough to stop a truck from plunging through the ice on Swan Lake in Vernon. The lake is a popular ice-fishing destination, and it’s not uncommon to see vehicles out on the ice during the winter. But as one driver found...
New date for annual Vernon Polar Bear Swim
VERNON - Keep your pants on — the annual Vernon polar bear swim isn’t happening, officially anyways, until February. Normally held on New Year’s Day at Kalamalka Beach, this year’s polar bear plunge has instead been scheduled to coincide with the Vernon Winter Carnival. The date is set for Sunday, Feb. 7, and as in the...
Vernon man trying to reunite mysterious keepsake box with rightful owners over the holidays
VERNON - Finding an old box of postcards, pictures and other keepsakes in the basement of a Vernon business years ago was like a blast from the past, says Jack Elliman. But not a blast from his own past; from someone named Lorna Rothwell Thompson’s past. Elliman doesn’t know who she is, but he’s trying...
Vernon SPCA seeking help for two dogs after closure of animal rescue
VERNON - The Vernon B.C. SPCA is looking for donations to help brighten the holidays for a pair of dogs in need of expensive medical attention. The dogs, named Girlie and Dash, came into the shelter’s care following the closure of an animal rescue organization in the area, the Vernon shelter says in a release. ...
Two snowmobilers, two separate rescues for search teams in the Shuswap
SHUSWAP - Every minute of daylight counted as search and rescue crews raced to the aid of two snowmobilers during two separate incidents in the Shuswap this week. The first call came in around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, with a report of an injured snowmobiler, possibly with a fractured spine, at Blue Lake near...
Vernon RCMP amping up presence for New Year’s Eve
VERNON - Police will be out in full force in the North Okanagan on New Year’s Eve. That’s the reminder Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy is giving in advance of this Thursday’s New Year’s celebrations. “Our communities can expect to see road blocks, roving traffic patrols and foot patrols of bar areas, as well as our usual...
Weather mellowing out in the Okanagan this week
OKANAGAN - It looks like snowplows will get some time to catch up this week with much less white stuff expected to fall. Communities across the Okanagan got hit with a large dump of snow over the holiday weekend, prompting a snowfall warning from Environment Canada, which ended Dec. 27. Between 7 mm and 10 mm...
Kamloops to get a break after dump of snow
KAMLOOPS - It looks like snowplows will get some time to catch up this week with much less of the white stuff expected to fall. Kamloops got hit with a large dump of snow over the holiday weekend, prompting a snowfall warning which ended Dec. 27. According to Environment Canada, the city got 6.6 cm...
Charges laid against man who barricaded himself in Shuswap home, lit it on fire
SALMON ARM - A man accused of barricading himself inside a home and lighting it on fire during a bizarre episode in the Shuswap is facing criminal charges. Adolf Albert Edward Hemmerling, in his 40s, is charged with uttering threats and arson damaging property, in relation to the Dec. 20, 2015 incident. Hemmerling allegedly barricaded...
What to do with your Christmas tree after the holidays
VERNON - The presents are unwrapped and the ornaments packed up. It’s time for the Christmas tree to go. If you’re ready to part with this year’s Christmas tree, here’s the low-down. Residents of Vernon, Coldstream, and the B.X. are invited to take their Christmas trees to the drop-off site located at 47 Avenue and 20...
Garbage and recycling over the holidays: What Vernon and area residents need to know
VERNON - Between all that wrapping paper, tinsel and empty eggnog cartons, garbage and recycling containers are bound to get filled up this holiday season. Luckily, there aren’t too many changes to local landfill hours and garbage pick-up schudules over Christmas time. The Regional District of North Okanagan says its recycling and disposal facilities will...
Vernon city councillor shares favourite Christmas traditions
VERNON - We reached out to Vernon’s politicians to share their Christmas traditions and what they remember most fondly about Christmas with their families. It’s a busy time of year for everyone, but one Vernon councillor took the time to reply to our questionnaire and give residents a bit of insight into her Christmas traditions....
Enderby locals treated to private screening of Hopkins thriller
ENDERBY – Locals got a sneak peak of the movie Go With Me during a…
MAP: Best spots for winter activities in Vernon
TOP PLACES FOR TOBOGGANING, SKATING, SKIING, SNOWSHOEING AND ICE FISHING LAID OUT ON A MAP VERNON - The winter playground of the North Okanagan awaits. The region might be known for its beaches, hiking trails and parks in the summertime, but it has just as much outdoor fun to offer in the colder months. Icy...
Sad news in search for missing Vernon woman
VERNON - A search for a missing person has ended in tragedy. Vernon RCMP confirmed 65-year-old Aurelia Wedenig, who went missing Dec. 18, was found dead around noon Dec. 23. “The Vernon RCMP were notified by family and friends of the discovery of her body in a thicket and grove of trees bordering a property...
Former Vernon mall Santa will keep going because it ‘feeds the spirit’
VERNON - David Robertson inquired about becoming a mall Santa on a whim. That was about 20 years ago, he says in his lilting Scottish accent. Born in Edinburgh, Robertson moved to Canada in 1958, and to Vernon in the 1970s to teach high school drama. “Just out of sheer, puckish humour I thought I’d...
Forget the scoreboards, simply getting on the field was a triumph for this Vernon team
VERNON - A high school football team in Vernon may not have won any games this year, but it conquered a lot of odds just by getting on the field. The Seaton Sonics junior football team at Seaton Secondary started the year off with next to no equipment, no funding and many players who had...
No car seat, no ride for Armstrong mom and baby trying to board the bus
VERNON - A North Okanagan woman is sharing her experience after being told she couldn’t board a public transit bus without a car seat for her baby. Chelsey Dyer planned to take the Route 60 bus into Vernon from her Armstrong home last week to pick up her car, but wasn’t allowed on. “The driver...
Lavington residents skeptical of pellet plant testing
VERNON - Some local residents continue to ask questions about a wood pellet plant in Lavington. The group Lavington is for Everyone (LIFE) issued a media release earlier this week stating there is still no scientific evidence of air quality improvement at the plant. That’s at odds with the results of a mandatory test conducted...
Eight books by Vernon and area authors to put under the tree this year
VERNON - For die-hard book worms, there’s no greater Christmas gift than a good read. A book, especially one with a personal inscription, makes a thoughtful gift for the book lover in your life. If you’re on the hunt for local titles, we’ve got a few suggestions. For the fiction lover %%Image1%% Turtle Valley by...