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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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Vernon Jubilee Hospital recorded the highest number of overdoses in the region — this could be why
VERNON – Staff at Vernon Jubilee Hospital recorded more drug overdoses than their counterparts in…
North Okanagan avalanche victim’s airbag didn’t deploy: Coroner
LANGUAGE ADVISORY NORTH OKANAGAN – The B.C. Coroners Service has finally released its findings into…
Police release video images of missing North Okanagan woman believed murdered
NORTH OKANAGAN – Police put out previously unreleased video images of missing woman Caitlin Potts…
Kelowna cyclist taken to hospital after hitting windshield
KELOWNA – A young Kelowna woman was struck by a car and taken to hospital…
Woman born in Vernon 27 years ago tracks down birth mom
VERNON – Nine days, five hundred messages and more than 100,000 Facebook shares later, Megan…
Accused in Armstrong manslaughter trial Googled: ‘What happens to somebody who is choked to death’
VERNON – A Salmon Arm man accused of manslaughter and an Armstrong mother of two…
Friend speaks out about strange circumstances of North Okanagan man’s death
VERNON – The friend of a man found dead two weeks after being reported missing…
Best friend and best medicine: Why a Penticton woman with PTSD wants her four-legged companion trained as a service dog
PENTICTON – A Penticton woman suffering from PTSD after years as a first responder says…
North Okanagan voters asked to borrow more than $2M for rail trail
NORTH OKANAGAN – North Okanagan residents will be asked to borrow more than $2 million…
Homeless survey finds 21 people sleeping outside in Vernon
VERNON – A homeless count this week in Vernon found shelters full and at least…
The reasons for the huge WorkSafe B.C. fine against Vernon School District
VERNON – WorkSafe B.C. is defending its decision to impose a hefty penalty against the…
Suspect in Vancouver murder case due in Vernon court on separate charge
VERNON – A murder suspect also accused of an attempted sexual assault in Vernon is…
‘The truck just crashed’: Family hits sink hole during trip to Vernon
VERNON – A Kamloops family visiting Vernon over the long weekend had a bit of…
North Okanagan senior receives longest jail sentence in B.C. history for animal cruelty: SPCA
VERNON – The B.C. SPCA hopes a jail sentence imposed against a North Okanagan horse…
Woman born in Vernon 27 years ago searching for birth parents
VERNON – Twenty-seven years ago, on Oct. 10, 1989, a woman gave birth to a…
Conservative candidate drops out of race in Vernon-Monashee
VERNON – The B.C. Conservatives were the last to announce their candidate in Vernon-Monashee and…
House arrest upgraded to jail for North Okanagan horse owner
VERNON – Armstrong senior Gary Roberts will be serving his sentence behind bars rather than…
“All the stuff I lost is material”: Shuswap mother looks at the positive after mudslide topples home
NEAR TAPPEN – Amber Mackie is counting her blessings after a landslide came crashing down…
Man found guilty of gun charges in 2014 Vernon shooting
“HE TOOK CREDIT FOR CHASING THE ROBBERS” VERNON – After two men tried to rip…
Hangs off cliffs, blows stuff up, and collects hundreds of classic cars: He’s the Rasta Blasta
TAPPEN – When Mike Hall gets out of bed at 6 a.m., it’s pedal to…
Vernon bylaw will step up monitoring at homeless camps
VERNON – With the number of homeless camps expected to rise again this summer, efforts…
Vernon Mounties remove yellow stripe to protest pay, working conditions
VERNON – Some Vernon police officers are joining the Canada-wide ‘No-Stripe Campaign’ in protest of…
Vernon to investigate options for putting council meetings online
VERNON – Taping Vernon council meetings and posting them online is not as simple as…
Needles found in Vernon playground an isolated incident: School District
VERNON – The Vernon School District is hoping to find out who scattered dozens of…