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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.
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Malakwa truck stop devastated by fire
MALAKWA - Emergency crews are at the scene of a major fire at a truck stop on Highway 1 in Malakwa. The Skyline Truck Stop located on the Trans Canada in Malakwa broke out in flames today, Nov. 2. Images show the structure is severely damaged. There is no word yet on whether anyone was...
HELSTON: Light a candle and remember Taylor this Halloween
Whenever a rainbow paints the sky, Marie Van Diest is reminded of her daughter Taylor. Rainbows, particularly doubles, seem to appear during significant moments, often when Marie needs them the most. “Whenever I see the sun breaking out from the rain, I start looking and wonder if she’s saying hello. I know she is,” Marie...
Vernon man sentenced to jail time for child porn possession
VERNON - A Vernon man snared in a nation-wide child pornography investigation has been put behind bars. Rylan Sandberg, 46, was one of 150 Canadians arrested as a result of the investigation, which began in February 2014. A 49-year-old Vernon man and a 29-year-old Kelowna man were also arrested. Sandberg pleaded guilty to possession of...
Pilot project could put baskets of free condoms in Okanagan schools
VERNON - Baskets of condoms could soon be coming to local high schools as way of putting protection in the hands of those who need it — no questions asked. About 14 schools in B.C.’s Interior have free condoms available, but students have to ask for them, Vernon School District health coordinator Christine Balfour says....
Vernon man accused of murder released from custody
VERNON - An 18-year-old Vernon man accused of murder is no longer in custody. Brandon Wellington, who stands accused of second degree murder in connection with the death of Jason Hardy, was released on bail Monday, Oct. 26. His bail is set at $10,000 and he must adhere to a number of court-ordered conditions. Greater...
Everything you wish you didn’t need to know about rats in the Thompson-Okanagan
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Just a few years ago, Thompson-Okanagan residents didn’t have to worry about rats invading attic spaces or chewing up electrical wires, simply because the rodent was a rarity in these parts. That's all changed. Steve Ball owns BugMaster Pest Control, which services the North, Central and South Okanagan, and he says rat complaints...
Another vehicle fire under investigation in Vernon
VERNON - For the third time this month, authorities were called to the scene of a burning vehicle in Vernon. Firefighters were called out at 1:34 a.m. today, Oct. 26, after a truck was reported to be on fire on 35 Avenue in downtown Vernon. Deputy Vernon Fire Chief Jack Blair says the pickup truck...
Four years later: Armstrong family still organizing walk to remember murdered teen
ARMSTRONG - An annual walk in honour of murdered Armstrong teen Taylor Van Diest will be held on a different day this year in hopes of increasing turnout. “Participation is dwindling of course, but that’s to be expected,” Taylor’s mom Marie Van Diest says. “It would be nice to see a few more people turn...
Man accused in Armstrong woman’s death ordered to stand trial
VERNON - The man accused of killing an Armstrong mother of two has been ordered to stand trial. Logan Scott, 31, of Salmon Arm was charged with manslaughter and theft under $5,000 in August 2014, nine months after Jillian McKinty, 27, was found dead in her Armstrong home. Following a preliminary inquiry this week in...
HELSTON: Bed bugs aren’t such a cute nursery rhyme anymore
I travelled across South East Asia for six months, bunking in cheap backpacker’s hostels and bungalows with dirt floors, and not once did I encounter the globetrotter’s worst nightmare: the dreaded bed bug. I was warned repeatedly before my departure to watch out for the nasty insects, to check linens for the telltale brownish stains...
Homeless camps still a reality in Vernon parks
VERNON - With nowhere else to turn, members of the homeless community continue to sleep in public parks in Vernon. A census done in October found six active homeless camps in the city, executive director for the Social Planning Council of the North Okanagan Annette Sharkey says. “That is up from previous counts, but not...
Attempted murder charge laid in connection with Enderby shooting
ENDERBY - An attempted murder charge has been laid in connection with a shooting near Enderby. Norman Dybdal, 58, faces charges of attempted murder with a firearm and aggravated assault in relation to the Oct. 19 incident in Enderby. Dybdal allegedly shot a 55-year-old man multiple times that evening, leaving the victim with life-threatening injuries. The Vernon...
Kokanee salmon population explodes in Okanagan Lake with biggest spawn in quarter century
OKANAGAN - It’s a record year for Kokanee salmon spawning on Okanagan Lake. Jason Webster, a Vernon-based fisheries biologist, says more than 300,000 shore spawners were counted during this year’s annual survey — the most in more than 25 years. “It’s turning into a cyclical thing where every four years there’s a great big run,...
Curious bobcat pokes head into Okanagan home
VERNON - A curious animal believed to be a bobcat stuck its head inside a Vernon home recently. Conservation officer Tanner Beck says a homeowner in the Silver Star Road area left her door open around 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 18 and a bobcat 'poked its head in to see what was going on.’ “It...
Okanagan ranch offers $10,000 reward after finding poached cows
**CONTENT ADVISORY: GRAPHIC IMAGES** VERNON – A $10,000 reward is on the table for information…
UPDATE: Vernon woman missing for weeks finally located
UPDATE: 6:22 A.M. OCT. 27, 2015 A 26-year-old woman missing for weeks has been located. Police say Celina White was found safe and sound Oct. 26. 8 P.M., OCT. 20, 2015 VERNON - Police in Vernon say a young woman who went missing weeks ago has still not been located. Celina White, 26, was reported...
Man in critical condition after North Okanagan shooting
ENDERBY - Police are investigating a shooting in the North Okanagan that left a man in critical condition. RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says police were called to a rural property in the Enderby area about 5:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19. Officers located a 55-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds, Noseworthy says. He was transported to...
ELECTION 2015: Conservative win in North Okanagan-Shuswap
VERNON - Conservative candidate Mel Arnold is the North Okanagan-Shuswap’s new Member of Parliament. Arnold had a healthy lead right off the bat Monday evening, and while Liberal candidate Cindy Derkaz was on his tail, he was declared elected as of 8:30 p.m. with about 40 per cent of the vote. Derkaz stood about 10...
Accident south of Vernon sends four to hospital
VERNON - Police say a car crash just south of Vernon today was caused when a driver failed to yield while merging onto the highway. RCMP Cpl. Spencer Hornoi says a truck was making a left hand turn off Birnie Road onto Highway 97 and collided with a southbound car shortly before noon, Oct. 19....
UPDATE: Vernon men identified as victims of northeastern B.C. plane crash
VERNON - A Vernon construction company has been linked to a fatal plane crash in northeastern B.C. last week. A privately owned Cessna 207 was taking off from the Chapman gravel site in Baldonnel, about 15 kilometres south of Fort St. John of Friday, Oct.16, when it crashed and caught fire, leaving two people on...
Crown drops charges against North Okanagan man accused of dangerous driving causing death of three people
VERNON - Charges have been dropped against a North Okanagan driver involved in a tragic accident over two years ago. Crown spokesperson Neil MacKenzie says evidence in the dangerous driving causing death case of Brandon McGregor did not support a conviction. McGregor, 23, from Spallumcheen, was previously scheduled to go on trial Oct. 19 on...
Help these local musicians win the chance of a lifetime
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Your vote could help a local artist win over $100,000 and some serious musical cred. The B.C. Peak Performance Project opens up the public voting portion of its contest today, Oct. 16. Online voting runs until Oct. 23. Two artists from around the Thompson-Okanagan are in the running this year: Vernon’s Corey Myraas...
HELSTON: Learning to vote is like learning to drive, we all need a little practice
In Canada, you might be born with the democratic right to vote, but you’re not born with a magical gene that makes you a natural voter. That’s a skill that takes time and patience to cultivate. And, no, I’m not talking about the basic hand-eye coordination required to draw an ‘X’ on a piece of...
Destructive Vernon fire deemed suspicious
VERNON - Police are appealing to the public for tips as they investigate a recent fire. The Oct. 14 blaze destroyed three vehicles at a property on Davidson Road. Police and the Vernon Fire Department were called to extinguish the fire just after 4 a.m. Among the wreckage was a commercial truck and two personal...