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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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Medical marijuana patients shocked by Vernon dispensary closures
VERNON - Medical marijuana patients coming to The Herbal Health Centre this week are shocked and upset to see the shelves empty and devoid of their medicine. The health centre, along with a coalition of other local dispensaries, has suspended retail sales in response to an RCMP warning to shut down. The dispensaries are closing...
Local handmade holiday gift ideas
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - If you’re hoping to go a less commercial route this holiday season, look no further than the Thompson-Okanagan, a region that boasts numerous handcrafted gifts. From ceramics to sweet treats, there’s surely a gift to be found for every boy and girl — one that keeps you out of box-store lineups to boot....
Vernon marijuana dispensaries suspend retail sales in response to RCMP warning
VERNON - A coalition of Vernon marijuana dispensaries is calling for a moratorium on RCMP raids. The dispensaries are asking the RCMP to cease intervention until the new Liberal government formalizes its plans for legalization of the product, according to a statement from Imre Kovacs, a spokesperson for the coalition. Vernon’s five marijuana dispensaries were...
The free-for-all of ‘dog rescuing’ and why so much falls through the cracks
“IT’S LIKE THE WILD WEST” VERNON - The words ‘dog rescue’ may have a ring of nobility to them, but according to animal welfare advocates, many home-based operations aren’t what you think. Kim Faulkes, an Ottawa-based animal advocate, says there are no standards in place to ensure so-called ‘dog rescues’ operate ethically. “It’s a free-for-all....
Vernon parking meter thief caught in the act
VERNON - A man suspected of breaking into over 100 parking meters has been caught. Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says in a statement a 34-year-old man was arrested breaking into a parking meter on Centennial Drive on Friday, Dec. 4 at around 1 a.m. “To date, approximately 113 parking meters have been broken into in the...
Why this Vernon dog rescue wasn’t the saving grace it claimed to be
"I THINK SHE IS A DOG FLIPPER AND NOT SOMEBODY WHO REALLY CARES ABOUT DOGS" VERNON - After 16 years working in animal welfare, Patricia Zerr was never asked to steal a dog — until the winter of 2014 after she got involved with a Vernon-based dog rescue. She remembers driving to a home on...
Vernon dog rescue closes doors amid infoNews.ca investigation
VERNON - A controversial dog rescue in Vernon that has been the focus of numerous allegations in recent months appears to be shutting down. Sources say the Saving Grace Dog Rescue is closing and its dogs are being taken in by other agencies. The closure coincides with an infoNEWS.ca investigation into numerous issues at the...
HELSTON: The outlaws in ‘Weed Country’ aren’t going quietly
It might have been novel five years ago in Vernon to see a medical marijuana dispensary, but these days you can find them next-door to downtown cafes, across from the mall, and around the corner from your neighbourhood gym.
Taking the cash out of Christmas: Vernon event brings back the joy of bartering
VERNON - There are two rules at an unconventional Christmas fair in Vernon this holiday season, the first of which is: No cash allowed. That’s because participants will be trading for the goods and services on hand. Hosted by Jaye Coward and her partner Mireille Gourlay of Farm Bound the Holiday Barter Fest is perhaps...
UPDATE: Missing Vernon man found
UPDATE: 1:04 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015 VERNON - Vernon RCMP have confirmed Fraser Gerrard, 25, who last seen on Nov. 19 has been located and is safe and sound. 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015 VERNON - Police are appealing to the public for help finding a man not seen since last week. Fraser...
Damaged Vernon parking meters turn up in ‘weird’ places
VERNON - The number of vandalized parking meters in Vernon continues to climb, and the pieces are turning up in some unusual places. A further 19 meters were damaged Tuesday night, following a reported 74 over the weekend of Nov. 28 and Nov. 29, the City of Vernon’s protective services manager Clint Kanester says. In most...
UPDATE: Missing Vernon teen located
UPDATE: 9:35 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015 VERNON - RCMP say the 17-year-old girl who was reported missing on Nov. 28, 2015, and was the subject of a media release on Dec. 2, 2015, has been located. No other information about the case has been released. 3:32 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015 VERNON - Police...
RCMP say ‘possible actions’ may be taken against Vernon marijuana dispensaries
VERNON - Police are confirming they visited five marijuana dispensaries in Vernon and say further action could be taken in the future. Officers visited the dispensaries to ‘outline our concerns and the potential ramifications related to business practices which do not comply with the current Controlled Drugs and Substances Act’, Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says in...
Vernon firefighters rescue man stuck in dumpster
VERNON - Emergency responders in Vernon recently came to the aid of a man in a rotten situation. Reported as a 'confined space rescue,' the unusual incident occurred when a man was taking out his garbage around 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. He accidentally tossed his keys in the dumpster along with the trash, and...
Vernon marijuana dispensaries warned by police to shut down
VERNON - Medical marijuana dispensaries in Vernon have been warned to close their doors. Hasia Glaim co-owns MMJ Total Health Care on 31 Avenue downtown Vernon and was surprised to get a visit from the Vernon RCMP Nov. 24. “We were given a verbal warning to shut down as we are operating illegally and we...
Vandalism spree leaves 74 Vernon parking meters damaged
VERNON - The City of Vernon is looking for information after numerous parking meters were vandalized, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage. Communications officer Tanya Laing Gahr says 74 meters were damaged in total, with the clocks from 72 broken or removed over the weekend. Damage is estimated at around $20,000. There was no...
Vernon Farmers’ Market disappointed with arena vote
VERNON - The manager of the Vernon Farmers' Market believes some vendors will feel the squeeze as the group downsizes for upcoming arena construction. Manager Ingrid Baron is expecting the market will need to shrink by a third to fit into reduced parking lot space at Kal Tire Place while the facility is expanded. Greater...
Greater Vernon voters say ‘YES’ to a new arena
VERNON - Greater Vernon will get a brand new, multi-million dollar arena, voters decided today. The ‘yes’ vote for a new ice sheet to replace the aging Civic Arena was victorious in the Saturday, Nov. 28 referendum. According to preliminary results, 4,265 votes were cast in favour of the new arena, and 3,331 against. The...
Rail removal to cause weekend traffic disruptions in Lake Country
LAKE COUNTRY – Crews are working their way north as they dismantle an old railroad…
HELSTON: How I fared for a day without a car
There are many things we neglect to do in our own hometowns, and for me, one of those things was riding the bus. Before this week, I had never used Vernon’s public transit system. So, after a recent trip to Vancouver in which I relied on buses and skytrains, I decided it was time to...
Vernon photographer creates magical Disney photos featuring her daughter
VERNON - A Vernon photographer brought a little magic home from Disneyland. It all started with an elaborate Elsa dress Camillia Courts bought her daughter Layla, who was five years old at the time, during a family trip to Disneyland last year. “When we brought it back home, I was thinking where the heck is...
Migrant workers safe and with families in Mexico after going missing in the Okanagan
VERNON - Four temporary foreign workers who went missing in the Okanagan this past summer are back home in Mexico, the country’s consulate confirmed today, Nov. 26. Vernon RCMP reported the men missing in July 2015, nearly a month after they were last seen taking a cab into Vernon to cash some cheques. They arrived...
Highway 97C back open following police incident
VERNON - A police incident forced the closure of a major highway today. According to Drive B.C., what is described as a ‘police incident’ shut down Highway 97C in both directions between Huston Street and Menzies Street in Merritt Wednesday, Nov. 25. As of 4:35 p.m., the road was back open and traffic flowing. No...
Woman pursues driver suspected of vehicle theft in Vernon
VERNON - A member of the public went above and beyond by tailing a driver who allegedly stole a truck earlier this week. Vernon RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says police got a heads up around 7:20 p.m. Nov. 22 that a community member was following a 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup truck she’d just witnessed stolen...