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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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Love of animals comes first for these newlyweds who rescue pets from evacuation zones
FALKLAND – A newlywed husband-and-wife team who rescue animals from wildfire evacuation zones dropped their…
Trio having a campfire in North Okanagan ‘didn’t seem to get it or care’
COLDSTREAM – Three men received fines of $1,150 each for lighting a campfire on a…
Fundraiser launched for Monte Lake family who lost home in wildfire
MONTE LAKE – Support is pouring in for a Monte Lake family who lost their…
Alberta man slapped with $1,150 fine for illegal campfire in Kelowna
KELOWNA – An Alberta man has been lit up for having an illegal campfire in…
BREAKING: Wildfire near Monte Lake at 100 hectares, dozens of properties evacuated
MONTE LAKE – Dozens of properties have now been evacuated and B.C. Wildfire crews are…
Newfoundland man’s unique vehicle stolen in Vernon
VERNON – It’s a vehicle that turns a lot of heads and appears to have…
Pit bull owner comes forward with a different story about ‘stolen’ puppies
NORTH OKANAGAN – A 100 Mile House man who claims to be the owner of…
Police watchdog concludes Mountie may have committed offence in North Okanagan collision with motorcycle
VERNON – Crown counsel is now considering charges against a Mountie involved in a motor…
Charges being considered against Mountie involved in 2015 Shuswap shooting
SALMON ARM – B.C.’s police watchdog has submitted a report to Crown counsel for consideration…
Fines for open burning handed out in North Okanagan
ARMSTRONG – Some people just aren’t getting the message. Armstrong-Spallumcheen Fire Chief Ian Cummings says…
One step closer to an Armstrong-Sicamous rail trail
NORTH OKANAGAN – Efforts to acquire a discontinued rail corridor between Armstrong and Sicamous have…
Sicamous community ‘relieved’ after trio of grizzly bears relocated
SICAMOUS – The Conservation Officer Service hopes a group of three female grizzly bears will…
‘They have no clue how he survived’: North Okanagan woman recounts husband’s terrifying electrocution in creek
ARMSTRONG – A Spallumcheen man was rushed to hospital yesterday after getting electrocuted while trying…
Vernon woman sentenced for making fake armed robbery report
VERNON – A Vernon woman apologized in court and expressed her embarrassment for stealing roughly…
Windstorm makes a mess in North Okanagan and Shuswap
NORTH OKANAGAN – Strong winds whipped the North Okanagan and Shuswap Sunday evening. Evidence of…
Friends and family shocked by suspicious death of Vernon man
VERNON – Family members have identified the victim of a suspicious death earlier this week…
Boaters regain access to Kalamalka and Okanagan Lakes in North Okanagan
VERNON – Some Vernon boat launches are back in business. The North Okanagan Regional District…
North Okanagan man sentenced for ‘brutal’ killing of Lumby teacher
VERNON – A Vernon judge called convicted murderer Howard Krewson “selfish” and “narcissistic” as he…
Man ejected from truck in Vernon crash dies of injuries
VERNON – Police are investigating a car crash in Vernon that left one man dead…
Pit bull puppies taken by SPCA in bizarre North Okanagan case of alleged ‘puppy mill’
'WE ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE OWNERSHIP. WE ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE A WHOLE LOT OF…
Vernon Tim Hortons drive-thru becomes a ride-thru
VERNON – Tim Hortons employees had a surprise the other day in Vernon when a…
High lake level brings North Okanagan septic concerns to the surface
VERNON – The chief of the Okanagan Indian Band says this year’s flooding event is…
North Okanagan RCMP make arrest after suspect gets stuck inside crashed, stolen semi truck
VERNON – A trail of damage was left in the wake of what police are…
Flooding still has some waterfront properties in North Okanagan under evacuation order
NORTH OKANAGAN – As wildfires rage across the province, some people in the North Okanagan…