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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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Contaminated water believed spilled into Shuswap Lake prompts advisory
VERNON – Precautions are being taken after thousands of litres of water polluted with glue…
Police need help finding missing Vernon man
VERNON – Police are searching for a Vernon man who disappeared from a medical facility.…
Kelowna man arrested after stealing truck from Vernon dealership
VERNON – A Kelowna man is facing charges after stealing a truck out of the…
Hefty jail term for man who rammed police cruiser, fled by kayak in Sicamous
SICAMOUS – It sounded like the quintessential Canadian crime story, but a man who fled…
Have you noticed that buzzing sound in the Okanagan?
VERNON – It looks like spring in the Okanagan, and it sounds like it too.…
HELSTON: Victory, or prolonging the inevitable? Here’s hoping school officials use the next year wisely
News this week that two elementary schools in the North Okanagan are being spared for…
Remains of Vernon man missing for years were examined in Bosnia
VERNON – Human remains discovered in Vernon last summer travelled to the other side of…
Human remains identified as those of Vernon man presumed drowned five years ago
CHERRYVILLE – The remains of a Vernon man presumed drowned five years ago have finally…
UPDATE: Body of missing Sicamous snowmobiler recovered from avalanche slide
SICAMOUS – The search for a missing Sicamous man has ended in tragedy. The 34-year-old…
Watch how quickly this car fire grows in video captured by Vernon man
VERNON – Flames quickly engulfed a car this morning, as can be seen in this…
Unusual fish found near shores of Shuswap Lake startles residents, government officials
CANOE – Fisheries staff had quite the scare last month when a strange fish showed…
Owners fear the worst after one dog dead, three sick after visit to Vernon dog park
VERNON – Local pet owners are raising the alarm after reports of four dogs getting…
North Okanagan community mourning loss of young women killed in weekend crash
VERNON – A small North Okanagan community is grieving the loss of two young women…
UPDATE: Missing Vernon woman found suffering from hypothermia
VERNON – An elderly woman reported missing early this morning in Vernon is receiving medical…
Vernon’s Farmer Val wraps up 27-year run teaching kids the importance of nature
VERNON – Farmer Val is taking off her straw hat. After a 27-year run offering…
UPDATE: Money stolen by Enderby gas station manager caused ‘schism’ in Splatsin community: Crown
GAS STATION MANAGER SENTENCED TO HOUSE ARREST AFTER STEALING BAND FUNDS VERNON – The defence…
Search for flushed jewelry gets a happy ending in Salmon Arm
SALMON ARM – Dani Jacobsen couldn’t be happier to get her engagement ring and diamond…
Can’t find pet-friendly housing? The B.C. SPCA is trying to help
VERNON – If you’ve had to make the tough decision between finding housing and keeping…
Hollywood feature film shot in North Okanagan hits theatres in June
ENDERBY – Hollywood stars could be returning to the Okanagan this summer for a special…
Instead of driving a tank or flying a plane for national defence, this Vernon man plays in a band
VERNON – Back in the 1990s as a long-haired, grunge-loving band student at Seaton Secondary…
Vernon dog named Lucky lives up to name after surviving ‘bizarre’ bear encounter
'HE GOT RAKED DOWN BOTH SIDES. YOU COULD SEE THE FOUR, DEEP CLAW MARKS' VERNON…
Drug overdose warning issued in Okanagan communities
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – The public is being warned about an increase in fatal and non-fatal overdoses…
Project combats unhealthy drinking habits at Thompson-Okanagan post-secondary schools
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Post secondary schools around the Thompson-Okanagan are taking a hard look at promoting…
Stranded snowmobilers rescued in North Okanagan; on their own dime to retrieve sleds
"WE DON'T RESCUE SNOWMOBILES, WE RESCUE PEOPLE." NORTH OKANAGAN – A group of people exploring…