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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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Drugs discovered after car used to strike woman in bizarre Vernon hit-and-run, stabbing incident
VERNON – Police are investigating to see if drugs played into a bizarre hit-and-run incident…
Motorcyclist swerved, struck SUV in fatal Vernon crash
VERNON – Vernon RCMP continue to investigate the cause of a fatal motorcycle crash over…
Additional charges might explain the assault with a BMW in Vernon
VERNON – There appears to be more to the story after a bizarre incident in…
First Nation adds voice to drinking water concerns in the North Okanagan
SPALLUMCHEEN – A B.C. First Nation is getting involved in a North Okanagan community’s battle…
Leading talent agency to open office in Kelowna
KELOWNA – A major talent agency is opening up an office in the Okanagan. Boss…
Just horsin’ around at an Armstrong drive-thru
'I FELT BAD BECAUSE I DIDN’T HAVE ANYTHING FOR THE HORSES' ARMSTRONG – You’d think…
From miracle to ‘my little secret’: How four Okanagan patients are using medical marijuana
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Medical marijuana is fraught with politics, from local police departments warning dispensaries to…
Why a Vernon doctor will help patients with their marijuana
"I'VE HAD PEOPLE WITH STAGE FOUR CANCER SAYING 'I'VE GOT TO BUY IT ON THE…
Arsonist admits guilt in Vernon pet shop fire
VERNON – A Vernon man admitted he set a fire outside a local pet shop…
HELSTON: The important life lesson I learned from a man with a debilitating illness
As I walked back to my car after the interview, I felt both uplifted, and…
The reason this Vernon woman was ‘dumped’ by her family doctor
VERNON – We often hear about how difficult it is to get a family doctor,…
Vernon unleashes 10-day Mardi Gras-themed Winter Carnival
VERNON – A ten-day marathon of local events kicks off tomorrow with the 56th annual…
Mountain snow pushing bobcats into Okanagan valley
OKANAGAN – Weather is a likely factor behind a rising number of bobcat sightings this…
Seattle coach sentenced for peeping on students during Vernon ski trip
U.S. SENTENCE SIX TIMES LONGER THAN CANADIAN SENTENCE SEATTLE – An American private school coach…
North Okanagan residents can’t stomach liquid manure in their water
RESIDENTS GET HELP IN FIGHT TO FORCE INTERIOR HEALTH TO HALT FARM PRACTICE SPALLUMCHEEN –…
School board hoping to learn from lockdown incident involving Airsoft gun
VERNON – Administration is taking an incident involving a student who brought an Airsoft gun…
Salmon Arm parents guilty of assault for spanking daughter with hockey stick, skipping rope
SALMON ARM – Two Salmon Arm parents have been found guilty of assault for disciplining…
Communities forge ahead on purchase of rail corridor between Armstrong and Sicamous
ENDERBY – Negotiations continue between CP Rail and a coalition of local governments to buy…
Vernon RCMP not pursuing charges against student who brought Airsoft gun to school
VERNON – Police will not be pursuing criminal charges against a student who brought an…
Vernon RCMP say downtown streaker no laughing matter
‘IT’S NOT SOMETHING WE DEAL WITH EVERY DAY’ VERNON – Police arrested a man running…
Okanagan woman missing last week wanted by police
KELOWNA – Police were on the lookout for an Okanagan woman long before she was…
Shuswap snowmobilers call for help after realizing ‘it was time to save themselves’
VERNON – A pair of snowmobilers in their mid-20s were very happy to see search…
Air pistol leads to lockdown at Vernon high school
VERNON – A Vernon high school was put on lockdown today after a report someone…
Homeowner follows thieves, honks horn to get attention of Salmon Arm RCMP
SALMON ARM – A Salmon Arm homeowner who watched a pair of thieves make off…