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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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Lucky movie-goers must win tickets to attend North Okanagan film premiere
ENDERBY – It’s considered to be the first movie premiere at a drive-in theatre in…
Ride for the Okanagan Rail Trail
VERNON – The first fundraising event in support of the Okanagan Rail Trail is getting…
Safety violations discovered after late-night robbery at Lumby convenience store
LUMBY – A new, teenaged employee was working alone for the first time on the…
New Anthony Hopkins thriller to premiere at Enderby’s Starlight drive-in
ENDERBY – A major motion picture shot in Enderby will have its premiere showing at…
HELSTON: Why it’s not so easy for homeless people to ‘just get a job’
The stereotype that all homeless people are lazy alcoholics and drug addicts — and that…
Several Vernon businesses fall victim to thieves
VERNON – A rash of break-ins are taking a toll on local businesses in Vernon,…
Police officer traumatized by murder of Armstrong teen sues RCMP for harassment
VERNON – The police officer who found Armstrong teen Taylor Van Diest brutally beaten and…
Salmon Arm judge sends message about firearm crimes with sentence of RCMP jail guard
SALMON ARM – A provincial court judge has made an example of a jail guard…
Judge orders North Okanagan speedway to keep it down, pay damages to seniors housing developer
SPALLUMCHEEN – The owners of a North Okanagan racetrack have been ordered to pay more…
Police looking for any unreported information in case of missing Armstrong man
VERNON – Police continue to search for a missing Armstrong man last seen around the…
Worker safety being reviewed following violent convenience store robbery in Lumby
LUMBY – The Mac’s Convenience Stores franchise and WorkSafe B.C. aren’t ignoring a violent incident…
UPDATE: Internet restored to Thompson-Okanagan residents
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – If you were having some technical difficulties today, you weren’t alone. Shortly after…
RCMP taking search for missing North Okanagan woman ‘very seriously’
VERNON – North Okanagan RCMP say they haven’t given up on finding a missing Enderby…
Vernon RCMP bust a sixth dial-a-dope drug trafficker
VERNON – Vernon RCMP are cracking down on street level drug traffickers in the community.…
Clerk held at knife point during violent robbery in Lumby
LUMBY – North Okanagan RCMP are looking for tips after a violent robbery in Lumby…
Vernon RCMP investigate shots fired
VERNON – Police are investigating a report of shots fired yesterday evening in Vernon. RCMP…
Vernon man ordered to pay back $70,000 for phoney cheque scam
VERNON – A man who defrauded banks, businesses and even friends of tens of thousands…
North Okanagan-Shuswap teachers’ association president declares loss of confidence in school board
SALMON ARM – Tensions continue to erupt in the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District as employees,…
Help Vernon RCMP locate missing man
VERNON – Vernon RCMP are asking people to keep a look out for a missing…
This Vernon cashier will make your day without saying a word
‘NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE’ VERNON – The hardest part of Kirsten Ward’s job as a cashier…
Visiting Irish artist says Vernon roadsides are ‘clay heaven’
VERNON – An Irish ceramics artist has been bicycling around Vernon, visiting places like Pottery…
Province appoints special advisor to review North Okanagan-Shuswap school board
NORTH OKANAGAN – The province is sending a special advisor to review the activities of…
Bear put down after spending a week in Spallumcheen trailer park
‘UP ON DECKS, IN CARPORTS, PUTTING ITS PAWS UP ON GLASS DOORS’ SPALLUMCHEEN – A…
Okanagan woman wanted on drug trafficking charges winds up in Nanaimo court
VERNON – Police have finally located an Okanagan woman who’s been under the radar for…