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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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Vernon man taking pitch for rainbow crosswalk to city hall
VERNON – A local man is hoping Vernon will become the next city to embrace…
Vernon residents say legal grow-op stinks
VERNON – A Vernon couple says they can’t sit on their porch some days because…
Naked man crashes car into downtown Vernon store
VERNON – A naked man drove his car through the storefront of a Vernon business…
HELSTON: Is it just me, or is summer going by faster than usual?
OPINION I glanced at my calendar the other day and it took me a moment…
UPDATE: RCMP investigating targeted homicide in Rutland
KELOWNA – Police have confirmed an investigation is underway into a targeted homicide at a…
Cooler summer behind drop in Thompson-Okanagan drowning deaths
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Cooler weather this summer may have dampened a few vacation plans, but it…
Sci-fi thriller featuring actors from Breaking Bad and The Expendables being filmed in Vernon
"A LOT MORE PEOPLE WILL BE PAYING FOR THEIR MORTGAGE FROM FILM WORK DONE LOCALLY"…
‘She just disappeared’: Family of missing North Okanagan woman searching for answers
NORTH OKANAGAN – The family of Deanna Wertz is desperate for answers after the North…
North Okanagan man dies fighting Interior Health and doctors over missed cancer diagnosis; lawsuit lives on
VERNON – A lawsuit accusing the Interior Health Authority and physicians of negligence for allegedly…
Officials determine cause of Vernon wildfire, and it wasn’t people
VERNON – Investigators have concluded a wildfire that forced some 60 residents from their homes…
Province explains die-off of more than 1,000 fish in Okanagan Lake
OKANAGAN – After getting lab results back, the province strongly believes a die-off of more…
Fire near Vernon’s Adventure Bay suspected to be human-caused
VERNON – An aggressive wildfire that forced the evacuations of 60 people over the weekend…
Vernon RCMP release photo of robbery suspect
VERNON – Police are looking for a man who robbed a Vernon gas station last…
UPDATE: Fire contained, Vernon residents can return home
VERNON – A fire burning near homes on the west side of Vernon has been…
UPDATE: Shuswap beach reopens following E. coli related closure
VERNON – Health officials are letting the public know they can safely swim at a…
Vernon residents asked to stay alert as number of suspicious fires grows
VERNON – The number of suspicious fires in a Vernon neighbourhood continues to grow. Last…
HELSTON: The foodie movement has gone too far
OPINION The other day I found myself watching a cooking video on Facebook about how…
Suspicious fire at former Vernon Legion under investigation
VERNON – A suspicious fire at the former Legion building in downtown Vernon early this…
WestJet finds lost gecko, owner wants airline to change policy on cabin access
VANCOUVER – A pet gecko that disappeared after its owner put it on a WestJet…
“Enough is enough”: Man upset after roadside memorial damaged in Vernon
VERNON – A grieving man is shocked and upset after finding a roadside memorial for…
Obama boosts Clinton; Trump talks emails and Russia
PHILADELPHIA – Their political fates now entwined, President Barack Obama is imploring voters to elect…
Drinking water now, pipeline debate later: Saskatchewan premier on oil spill
PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says his top concern right now is…
Police meet with city over recent Vernon shootings
VERNON – Vernon’s mayor confirms council has met with the RCMP to discuss a recent…
UPDATE: Wildfire west of downtown Enderby now out and under investigation
ENDERBY – Emergency personnel weren’t taking any chances with a wildfire just west of downtown…