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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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UPDATE: Police investigate daytime shooting near high school
VERNON – Police have a parking lot across from a Vernon high school draped in…
Lost bees take North Okanagan woman on wild chase around the city
VERNON – Under usual circumstances, lost animals include dogs, cats, and sometimes the odd budgie,…
The single biggest reason behind the spike in homelessness in Vernon
VERNON – There’s no question homelessness has become much more visible on the streets of…
Pocket dialled 911 lately? Nearly 2,000 abandoned calls to North Okanagan RCMP
VERNON – Abandoned 911 calls were the second most common type of call made to…
Why a Vernon business owner was fined for pushing cart, garbage to homeless shelter
VERNON – Vernon bylaw is clearing up some misconceptions about what it can and can’t…
How B.C.’s proposed speculation tax could impact Vernon
VERNON – One of Vernon’s biggest housing developers says it’s already had a drop in…
‘I wish I could bring them back’: Drunk driver apologizes for causing the deaths of two friends
VERNON – Two lives were lost and many more changed forever as a result of…
Housing market a major challenge for Vernon businesses
VERNON – The challenging housing market and lack of affordable homes is making it difficult…
Rising frustrations over homeless issues in Vernon’s downtown boil over with violent incident
VERNON – A Vernon businessman says he brandished a baton in self defence during a…
Why these Vernon marmots are not welcome and how they are being removed
VERNON – Marmots sprawl on rocks, nibble at grass and frolic by the creek below.…
Lawsuit blames Province, District of Sicamous for causing “catastrophic” 2012 flood
VERNON – A catastrophic 2012 flood in Sicamous remains top of mind six years later…
Police investigate possible child luring incident in North Okanagan
ARMSTRONG – Police are spreading the word about another possible case of child luring in…
‘Basically a remote controlled car’: How Vernon is using technology to explore aging pipes
VERNON – It rolls past cracks, gnarly tree roots, wads of grease, spiders — and,…
Vernon pizza shop stung by theft a fourth time
VERNON – A local business that offered a job to the person responsible for a…
Police ‘picking and choosing facts’ led to child porn case against Vernon man being thrown out
VERNON – Serious breaches of an accused’s charter rights by police caused a judge to…
Film crews arrive in North Okanagan to shoot scenes for new movie
LUMBY – Various locations in and around Lumby are being used as the backdrop for…
Big White auctioning off original Powder Chair in support of players, families affected by Humboldt tragedy
KELOWNA – Big White Ski Resort is auctioning off one of its original Powder Chairs…
Why the B.C. Coroner’s Service isn’t investigating fetal remains found in Vernon
VERNON – The disturbing discovery of fetal remains in Vernon will likely never be fully…
How a Vernon man survives by picking bottles
VERNON – The best thing Fred ever found in a dumpster was a live chicken.…
Vernon RCMP investigating discovery of fetal remains
VERNON – Police in Vernon are investigating the discovery of fetal remains over the weekend.…
The Monte Lake wildfire last year wasn’t caused by a cigarette butt
NORTH OKANAGAN – Fire investigators have their suspicions about how a large wildfire started in…
Why these Vernon pizza shop owners are offering a job to the thief who broke in three times in 10 days
VERNON – After being broken into three times in 10 days, a Vernon couple is…
B.C. petting zoo operator charged with animal cruelty
REVELSTOKE – The owner of a petting zoo in Revelstoke is facing more than 20…
Downtown Vernon business owners scared, fed up and losing money
VERNON – Safe injection sites, public washrooms and hired security are some of the ideas…