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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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Mental health wait list forces Vernon mom to make heart-breaking decision
'IT'S THE HARDEST THING TO DO' VERNON – After trying to get help for her…
Look what the cat dragged in: Klepto-cat with cache of gloves, dog toys baffles Vernon owners
VERNON – It's a dilemma few people will ever have to face, and that many…
Charges dropped against one of three suspects charged in Vernon murder case
VERNON – Charges have been dropped against one of the people accused in a Vernon…
Appointed trustee will not make everyone happy, but will support student learning in North Okanagan-Shuswap
SALMON ARM – The North Okanagan-Shuswap’s new official trustee isn’t getting into specifics about what…
Pedestrian struck by freight train in Salmon Arm
SALMON ARM – A pedestrian was taken to hospital after getting hit by a train…
Oblivious drivers blast through school zone during speed check in Vernon
VERNON – It’s likely no surprise there are people who speed through school zones in…
Gastrointestinal outbreak not contained to Lumby luncheon
LUMBY – Reports of people getting sick with a gastrointestinal bug keep climbing in Lumby…
HELSTON: Province left school trustees to play bad cop before saving the day
'HOW ABOUT JUST REGULAR FUNDING ALL YEAR, EVERY YEAR?' OPINION It’s kind of how things…
Vernon man involved in huge cross border drug smuggling ring going to jail
VERNON – A Vernon man caught working as a drug courier in a massive cocaine…
North Okanagan-Shuswap trustee says fired school board was given ‘impossible task’
NORTH OKANAGAN – Trustees in the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District are speaking out after getting…
Swimmers, boaters advised to keep watching out for pipe floating in Okanagan Lake
VERNON – A large pipe continues to pose a hazard to swimmers and boaters in…
Anonymous caller wants barrel of pot left on North Okanagan country road back
NORTH OKANAGAN – Police made an unusual discovery on a back road in the North…
North Okanagan politicians, firefighters sick after attending Lumby Days luncheon
LUMBY – A luncheon attended by local dignitaries during Lumby Days is being probed by…
Alleged Vernon arsonist now also facing child porn charges
VERNON – Charges are piling up for a Vernon man accused to setting fires in…
Watch out for floating storm main on Okanagan Lake
VERNON – Swimmers and boaters are being warned of a hazard in Okanagan Lake. An…
Historic release of sockeye salmon fry in Okanagan Lake symbolizes a long journey
OKANAGAN – A ceremonial release of thousands of sockeye salmon fry at Six Mile Creek…
Province installs ‘no camping’ signs at Okanagan courthouses
OKANAGAN – The provincial government is making sure everyone knows you can’t camp outside government…
Vernon to tackle panhandling concerns with balance of kindness, enforcement
VERNON – The City of Vernon will try to reduce panhandling issues with a combination…
Details coming together for Hockeyville week in Lumby
LUMBY – More details are being released about the much anticipated Hockeyville week in Lumby…
Body found in Calgary is not Caitlin Potts
CALGARY – The body of a woman found last week in Calgary does not belong…
Fishing to be prohibited on portion of Shuswap River near Enderby
ENDERBY – Fishing is being banned on a portion of the Shuswap River to protect…
‘Brutal assault’ in Vernon leaves man with serious injuries, RCMP with questions
VERNON – A man who was found with multiple stab wounds in downtown Vernon last…
Police investigate possible connection between body found and missing North Okanagan woman
CALGARY – Investigators are looking into the possibility that a woman’s body found this week…
Accidental gun shot identified as cause of North Okanagan house fire
LUMBY – A devastating house fire in Lumby was caused by an accidental gun shot,…