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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 SPCA seeking help for two dogs after closure of animal rescue
VERNON - The Vernon B.C. SPCA is looking for donations to help brighten the holidays for a pair of dogs in need of expensive medical attention. The dogs, named Girlie and Dash, came into the shelter’s care following the closure of an animal rescue organization in the area, the Vernon shelter says in a release. ...
Two snowmobilers, two separate rescues for search teams in the Shuswap
SHUSWAP - Every minute of daylight counted as search and rescue crews raced to the aid of two snowmobilers during two separate incidents in the Shuswap this week. The first call came in around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, with a report of an injured snowmobiler, possibly with a fractured spine, at Blue Lake near...
Weather mellowing out in the Okanagan this week
OKANAGAN - It looks like snowplows will get some time to catch up this week with much less white stuff expected to fall. Communities across the Okanagan got hit with a large dump of snow over the holiday weekend, prompting a snowfall warning from Environment Canada, which ended Dec. 27. Between 7 mm and 10 mm...
Charges laid against man who barricaded himself in Shuswap home, lit it on fire
SALMON ARM - A man accused of barricading himself inside a home and lighting it on fire during a bizarre episode in the Shuswap is facing criminal charges. Adolf Albert Edward Hemmerling, in his 40s, is charged with uttering threats and arson damaging property, in relation to the Dec. 20, 2015 incident. Hemmerling allegedly barricaded...
Enderby locals treated to private screening of Hopkins thriller
ENDERBY – Locals got a sneak peak of the movie Go With Me during a…
Sad news in search for missing Vernon woman
VERNON - A search for a missing person has ended in tragedy. Vernon RCMP confirmed 65-year-old Aurelia Wedenig, who went missing Dec. 18, was found dead around noon Dec. 23. “The Vernon RCMP were notified by family and friends of the discovery of her body in a thicket and grove of trees bordering a property...
Former Vernon mall Santa will keep going because it ‘feeds the spirit’
VERNON - David Robertson inquired about becoming a mall Santa on a whim. That was about 20 years ago, he says in his lilting Scottish accent. Born in Edinburgh, Robertson moved to Canada in 1958, and to Vernon in the 1970s to teach high school drama. “Just out of sheer, puckish humour I thought I’d...
Forget the scoreboards, simply getting on the field was a triumph for this Vernon team
VERNON - A high school football team in Vernon may not have won any games this year, but it conquered a lot of odds just by getting on the field. The Seaton Sonics junior football team at Seaton Secondary started the year off with next to no equipment, no funding and many players who had...
No car seat, no ride for Armstrong mom and baby trying to board the bus
VERNON - A North Okanagan woman is sharing her experience after being told she couldn’t board a public transit bus without a car seat for her baby. Chelsey Dyer planned to take the Route 60 bus into Vernon from her Armstrong home last week to pick up her car, but wasn’t allowed on. “The driver...
Now that’s service: Vernon mayor offers rides to holiday party-goers
VERNON - It’s not every day your designated driver is also your mayor. But that was the case in Vernon Saturday night after Mayor Akbal Mund posted an offer on his Facebook page inviting anyone who needed a safe, sober ride home to give him a call. %%Image2%% The generous offer has earned the mayor...
Vernon Light a Bulb campaign exceeds goal
VERNON - Holiday cheer is being felt at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. The 28th annual Light a Bulb Campaign has reached its $200,000 goal, the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Association announced in a media release this week. “Support for the hospital is always very strong,” campaign chair Marg Bailey said, “But this year’s Light a Bulb campaign...
Vernon lottery winners ‘struck by lightning twice’
VERNON - While most people only dream of winning the lottery, Vernon couple Diana Cools and Neil Remsbery have won it twice, most recently a $500,000 win on the Nov. 6, 2015, Lotto Max Extra draw. Their last win was in 1993, a $50,000 BC/49 win that helped start their lives together. Now 22 years...
Vernon mayor handed fine for improper tax filings
VERNON - Vernon mayor Akbal Mund has been ordered to pay a fine after some trouble with his taxes. The mayor pleaded guilty to one count of failing to comply with the Income Tax Act in Vernon Provincial Court Thursday, Dec. 17. A second count was stayed, and Mund was handed a $1,000 fine. “The...
Conviction thrown out for man accused of driving into Vernon firefighter
VERNON - A man convicted of dangerous driving causing bodily harm will have his case heard again due to a technicality. Ian Douglas Burns, 28, was found guilty of hitting BX/Swan Lake firefighter Stephan Hidasi with his truck, but a judge has now deemed that ruling null because court procedures weren’t followed. Crown spokesperson Neil...
A dog bite, an arrest, an RCMP firing and lots of finger-pointing in Vernon neighbour dispute
VERNON - A bitter dispute between neighbours is playing out publicly in Vernon after one man claims to have been set up by a retired policeman, who has since been fired from a civilian position with the Vernon detachment. The case, which began with an alleged dog bite, was supposed to be heard in court,...
The story behind this collection of quirky salt and pepper shakers
VERNON - Hundreds of endearing salt and pepper shakers on display at a Vernon coffee shop are capturing peoples’ hearts and their curiosity. Looking like something out of miniature world, the collection of salt and pepper shakers can be found at the Bean Scene Coffee House on 30 Avenue in downtown Vernon. Inside the glass...
Vernon city council endorses controversial marina on Okanagan Lake
VERNON - Vernon city council has done a 180-degree-turn when it comes to a controversial marina on Okanagan Lake. Outback Resort’s proposed marina in South Bay, near Ellison Provincial Park, got support from Vernon council today, Dec. 14 — with a few conditions. The support hinges upon the removal of all the resort’s existing buoys...
How the SPCA approves dog rescue groups
VERNON - There’s a wide range of standards among rescue groups across the province, and while animals are directly involved, that doesn’t mean the SPCA has a hand in how they operate. Aspects of dog rescuing such as fostering and adoption procedures, holding periods, and vet-checks simply aren’t something the SPCA has a mechanism to...
‘My daughter’s future is in jeopardy’: Vernon mom speaks out at medical marijuana rally
VERNON - A drop of cannabis oil eaten on a cracker is making 13-year-old Tanniel’s seizure’s drop from 170 a day, to 30. “It was our life saver,” her mom, Elizabeth Bakker says. Doctors tried a number of different things, Bakker says, but Tanniel’s non-epileptic seizures weren’t getting better. Frustrated and heartbroken at seeing her...
‘Put it on your roof’: Vernon woman shares tale of stolen Christmas decor
VERNON - A grinch stole a Vernon woman’s Christmas spirit. Deb Robertson says close to $600 worth of LED Christmas decorations were stolen from her yard in the East Hill area of Vernon. “It’s bad to steal from anyone any time of year, but Christmas is just the lowest of the low,” Robertson says. Taken...
State-of-the-art amphitheatre proposed for Vernon’s Okanagan College
VERNON - A large outdoor amphitheatre is being proposed for the Vernon campus of Okanagan College. The Okanagan Summer Festival Society proposed the amphitheatre, which would accommodate up to 5,500 people, at a Greater Vernon Advisory Council meeting Thursday, Dec. 10. “We see the opportunity to develop a significant addition to the cultural infrastructure...
Medical cannabis customers to peacefully protest Vernon RCMP warning
VERNON - A public event is set for Friday to raise awareness about access to medical marijuana. The event comes on the heels of an RCMP warning to all Vernon dispensaries telling them to shut down. The warning created uncertainty for thousands of patients who buy medical marijuana from the dispensaries. A newly formed coalition...
Theft allegation behind Vernon dog rescue closure
VERNON - A controversial dog rescue in Vernon shut down its operations last week largely because of a specific allegation of theft involving the rescue's president caught on video, sources tell infoNEWS.ca. According to a volunteer, who has not yet agreed to be quoted for this story, she found her wallet missing following a Nov....
Park users asked to report suspicious activity after illegal tree cutting in Shuswap nature reserve
SHUSWAP - Illegal tree cutting in a Shuswap nature reserve has community members outraged. Two mature trees were felled in the Eagle River Nature reserve and chopped up, presumably for firewood, the Shuswap Trail Alliance says in a press release. The value of the downed hemlock and fir trees is estimated to be around $1,000...