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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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HELSTON: The issue behind the issue of panhandling
The instinct to look straight ahead and avoid eye contact tends to kick in when we approach someone asking for cash on the street corner, but as Vernon tackles the touchy topic of panhandling, we can’t simply look away, and here’s why. Ever since a Vernon food truck vendor spoke out about being harassed by...
Church looking for donations, volunteers to help welcome refugee family to Vernon
VERNON - A local church is asking the community to help make a difference in the lives of those impacted by the global refugee crisis. Members of Trinity United Church were moved by the magnitude of the crisis and have decided to sponsor a family, representative Marilyn Erdmann says in a statement. “Members of the...
Workshop to address street safety concerns downtown Vernon
VERNON - Local agencies are responding to concerns about street safety in the downtown core by teaching businesses how to interact with street people in the area. A workshop is being offered next week to help teach businesses and property owners how to manage interactions with Vernon’s street population to prevent things from escalating. The...
Bow hunting pitched as solution for Vernon deer population
VERNON - There’s talk about using bow hunting to help manage the deer population in Vernon. Coun. Brian Quiring made the suggestion at a council meeting Nov. 9, noting the city is overrun with deer. “There are so many deer it’s unbelievable,” Quiring said. He added the sheer volume of deer crossing city roads is...
Vernon cyclists want more wheels on the ground
VERNON - Cycling enthusiasts are gearing up to get a bit more organized in the Vernon area. The Greater Vernon Cycling Advisory Committee has been around for roughly a decade, but members say the current structure isn’t getting the job done. Representative Bruce Mol says they’re looking to reorganize and take a more aggressive approach...
Fewer traffic check stops, drunk driving investigations in North Okanagan a symptom of heavy caseload
VERNON - A heavy case load impacted the Vernon RCMP’s ability to keep up with proactive police work, like traffic checkstops, over the summer. RCMP Superintendent Jim McNamara pointed out a 12.5 per cent rise in criminal code cases, much of it related to property crimes, which jumped 10.9 per cent, during an update on...
Plans for huge new care home in downtown Vernon coming along
VERNON - The creation of a large, multi-storey care home in downtown Vernon is moving along, but there are concerns it won’t be much to look at. The City of Vernon supported several development variances for the project, which includes 90 residential care beds, 52 assisted living units, 72 one- and two-bedroom condo units, and...
Flags of remembrance wave proudly in Vernon
VERNON - A row of over 100 Canadian flags along Highway 97 in Vernon has been turning heads recently. The striking line of flags is displayed outside the Vernon Army Base and greets drivers coming into the city. The flags — 128 of them — were raised Oct. 17 as part of a nation-wide tribute...
Vernon residents still fighting resort’s attempts to build a marina
VERNON - A controversial marina proposal on Okanagan Lake has resurfaced. The Outback Resort has once again applied for permission from the provincial government to build a 72-slip marina in South Bay near Ellison Provincial Park and that’s put a local community group on the defensive. The Friends of South Bay has been boycotting the marina...
Vernon’s Canada Day fireworks could return, but not without your help
'WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO COMPLAINED... WHY DON'T YOU COME OUT AND SUPPORT THIS' VERNON - Vernon’s mayor is asking members of the public to step up and lend a hand in next year’s Canada Day festivities. The longtime tradition of Canada Day fireworks was cancelled in 2015, but looks like...
Trial postponed for Armstrong man facing animal cruelty charges
VERNON - The trial of a man accused of mistreating a large herd of horses in Armstrong has been postponed. Gary Roberts, 69, was scheduled to begin a three-day trial in Vernon Provincial Court Monday, Nov. 9 on charges of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal, failing to provide necessities, and uttering threats...
Vernon council disagrees about panhandling issue
VERNON - A Vernon city councillor insists panhandling is getting out of control, but that view isn’t shared by the rest of council. Coun. Scott Anderson raised the issue after a Vernon food truck vendor spoke out about being harassed and physically assaulted downtown. “We have a duty to help anyone that needs help and...
Vernon minor hockey pledges cash for arena project
VERNON - A local sports organization has thrown financial support behind the construction of a new arena in Vernon. The Greater Vernon Minor Hockey Association board of directors has pledged a $25,000 contribution to the City of Vernon to be used toward the construction of a second ice sheet at Kal Tire Place if the Nov. 28...
Man injured in Vernon highway crash ticketed for bad driving
VERNON - A driver involved in an ugly highway accident in Vernon over the weekend was seen speeding and driving erratically leading up to the crash, police say. The 28-year-old Kelowna man was headed northbound on Highway 97 in a Honda Civic when witnesses saw him strike the median, drive through a red light, hit...
Do you know these people? Police recover stolen iPod loaded with thousands of photos
VERNON - Mounties are searching for the owners of an iPod containing one thing that’s irreplaceable in most thefts: photographs. RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says the iPod was seized during an arrest and is believed to have been stolen from the Greater Vernon area. “RCMP are in possession of the iPod, and would like to...
Vernon RCMP investigating more poppy donation thefts
VERNON - Police in Vernon are looking into new reports of stolen Remembrance Day poppy donations. The Vernon RCMP announced today, Nov. 9, an arrest had been made in connection with a Nov. 2 poppy donation theft at Bosley’s pet store, but Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says police are also investigating two other similar thefts. On Nov....
Vernon poppy donation thief arrested
VERNON - Police have arrested a Vernon man in connection with what they call a ‘despicable’ theft last week. Matthew Stadel, 29, was arrested Nov. 6 and charged with a series of thefts, RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says. Stadel is accused of stealing a jar of poppy donations from Bosley’s pet store on Nov. 2....
Get info, ask questions about arena referendum at these upcoming events
VERNON – You can expect to see local government officials promoting an upcoming arena referendum…
Harassed Vernon food truck vendor says enough is enough
VERNON - Vernon food truck vendor Dave Braybrook had to call the cops three times in one day this week — and now he's speaking out. The friendly Irishman and owner of the Sizzlin’ Shamrock hot dog stand says he’s had problems with transients disrupting business ever since he set up on the sidewalk at...
Happy twist to stolen poppy donations in Vernon
VERNON - Something good has come of an unfortunate crime earlier this week in Vernon. Bosley’s pet store manager Dawn Vipond says after news got out that someone stole a tray of poppy pins and donations from the shop, the community turned the tale around. “We’ve had a bunch of individuals come in just to donate,...
State of the art Splatsin Community Centre to open next month
ENDERBY - A new landmark on the Splatsin First Nation reserve in Enderby is set to open its doors next month. The Splatsin Community Centre on Highway 97A will have a grand opening Dec. 5. The circular building is modelled after the Splatsin’s traditional winter pit houses and features a green roof. With a full-sized...
Silver Star in good shape for opening thanks to dump of snow
VERNON - Silver Star will open up trails for nordic skiing, fat biking and snowshoeing in a week thanks to plentiful snowfall on the mountain. With a 29 centimetre dump of snow last weekend, groomers have been able to prepare a number of trails, the resort said in a media release. With more snowfall in...
Help for Malakwa truck stop workers left jobless after fire
MALAKWA - A fundraising initiative is underway to help support employees of the popular Skyline Truck Stop, which burned to the ground earlier this week in Malakwa. “Not only did we lose a place of employment, the only source of income for some families in a small community that has next to no jobs, but...
First snowflakes fall on Vernon and area
NORTH OKANAGAN - Fall colours are really popping against a contrast of white this morning around parts of the North Okanagan. There are reports that the first snow has fallen around areas of Vernon, Lumby and Cherryville today, Nov. 5. The Kamloops area is also getting its first taste of winter this morning. Environment Canada...