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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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Okanagan youth conflicted on provincial student walkout
OKANAGAN - As teachers strike in shifts across the province this week, it appears students have found a day to voice their own opinions. The B.C. Student Walkout for Students, launched by Surrey teen Victoria Barker, is set for Wednesday, the only day this week not scheduled to have strike action. A Facebook group created...
A student’s thoughts on the teacher strike
“I AM SCARED TO ENTER A PROFESSION HATED BY THE PUBLIC” SALMON ARM - An anonymous high school student in Salmon Arm has a message for teachers. “What I want to say to each and every one of you is that I appreciate you and everything you do for your students,” wrote the grade 12...
Vernon’s justification for MMA ban is a secret
POLICE REPORT TO COUNCIL HELD BEHIND CLOSED DOORS VERNON - City officials and the police say their hands are tied when it comes to sharing the information behind allegations that mixed martial arts events are connected to organized crime. Vernon council has asked staff to prepare a bylaw banning mixed martial arts (MMA) events in...
Martial Arts community kicks back at “offensive” remarks by Vernon council
VERNON - The mixed martial arts community is in an uproar over what they feel were offensive and uneducated comments made about their sport earlier this week by Vernon councillors. The City of Vernon wants to ban mixed martial arts (MMA) events because, as Coun. Bob Spiers put it, “the association with the type of...
Study finds multi-million dollar benefits to Okanagan Rail Trail
OYAMA - Converting the rail bed between Vernon and Kelowna into a multi-use pathway would drive over $3 million in visitor spending in the first year alone, states a consulting report on predicted benefits. The Okanagan Rail Trail held a press conference Tuesday morning in Oyama to release the findings of a 70 page impact...
Crews respond to lightning-caused fire near Fintry
VERNON - Efforts are underway to extinguish a fire sparked by lightning in the Fintry area Friday afternoon. Fire information officer Kayla Pepper says a three person attack crew and an air tanker were deployed to the area around 2:30 p.m. The Wildfire Management branch is standing by in case further resources are required. The...
Gas prices skyrocket for long weekend
THOMPSON OKANAGAN - Gas prices have skyrocketed just in time for the long weekend. Many pumps across the Thompson-Okanagan are advertising a ten cent jump today. In Vernon, many gas stations are selling at 143.9 cents per litre. It’s the same story in Kelowna, with most places selling at 143.9 and one, the Superstore on...
Marijuana reform still a pipe dream in Vernon
VERNON - Shopkeepers weren’t so eager to support the efforts of marijuana activists in Vernon. In the three month Sensible B.C. campaign period, only one business allowed them on its premises, a hemp shop called Kush Organics. In other ridings, like Penticton, several businesses offered up their support by the second month. Vernon organizer Boyd...
Car share program gaining traction in Kelowna
KELOWNA - Cruising via Kelowna’s new car share program is gaining popularity. Since its official launch in August, Okanagan Car Share Co-op “OGO” has doubled its members, now over 60. There’s enough demand that the program is looking to add a third vehicle (a pick-up truck), something executive director Christian Brandt expects will soon become...
Parties interested in reopening defunct rail line
VERNON - It may not be the end of a working railway between Vernon and Kelowna. The deadline for expressions of interest to be submitted is today, and CN spokesperson Emily Hamer says several groups have come forward. CN is not providing further details at this time, such as the actual, number of applicants, who...
Prosecution not in the public’s interest: son of slain senior
VERNON – Families on both sides of a tragic care home assault resulting in the…
New fire chief announced for North Westside
VERNON - The Regional District of Central Okanagan has named its new fire chief for the North Westside service area. Effective Sunday, Doug Gardiner, who has been acting as interim chief following the suspension and subsequent resignation of Wayne Carson, will take on the full time management position. “Over the past few months as Interim...
Less than a month left before government gets first right of refusal for rail line
VERNON - The concept of preserving a transportation corridor on the railway tracks between Vernon and Kelowna is picking up steam. The District of Coldstream is looking at options to keep the line—which shut down in July and hasn’t reopened—intact for transportation, even if the mode isn’t rail. “Our first priority is to see if...
Police investigating more victims of child lurer
VERNON - The number of complainants in a child pornography case may have risen to seven from two. David Willerth, 39, faces charges of luring, invitation to sexual touching, obtaining sexual services of a person under 18, possession of child pornography and making or publishing child pornography. He was arrested July 17 after police searched...
Domino like you’ve never seen before
These domino tricks pretty much put all the ones we made as kids to shame. %%Video1%%
Did you purchase your poppy from Bob?
KELOWNA - If you flew out of the Kelowna airport in the week before Remembrance Day, you might have met Bob. If you did, you probably found yourself sitting down with him, listening to his war stories and laughing at his disarming jokes. Vernon resident Bob Hannah, 86, has been giving out poppies at the...
Charges against cop in Salmon Arm fatal?
DID OFFICER IGNORE ORDER TO ABANDON PURSUIT? SALMON ARM - A Salmon Arm police officer may face charges after it appears he failed to call off a police chase that resulted in the death of a young Cherryville woman in June, according to an independent investigation. The Independent Investigations Office investigated the June 21 crash...
North Okanagan politicians to consider rail trail pitch
“CONCEPTUALLY, I DON’T THINK ANYONE’S AGAINST THE IDEA” VERNON - At least one North Okanagan politician is hesitant to support the idea of a rail trail, largely because the district has been down that road before with poor results. Vernon’s Brad Clements came before the Regional District of North Okanagan Wednesday to pitch the idea...
Okanagan businesses fighting to regain the rail
500 LOCAL JOBS ON THE LINE VERNON - Industry players believe a niche production hub and some 500 jobs have been thrown on the tracks with the closure of rail service between Vernon and Kelowna. Kelowna Pacific Railway went bankrupt in July, and while Canadian National has since resumed service on 75 per cent of...
UPDATE: Revelstoke man winner of $20 million jackpot
VERNON - Peter Mueller of Revelstoke was announced today as the big winner of the $20 million Lotto 6/49, about 24 hours after verifying his ticket at the B.C. Lottery Centre in Vernon's Village Green Mall. The 68-year-old retiree says he was on his way to Vernon when he heard on the radio the winning...
How you can get a DUI without actually taking the wheel
VERNON - In B.C., you don’t necessarily have to be behind the wheel to get a drunk driving charge, something a Sorrento grandfather found out the hard way. Peter Norman, 64, was the sole passenger of a vehicle being driven by his grandson, who had his Learner’s license, when they went through a police road...
Father will stand trial for accessory to teen’s murder
VERNON - A Cherryville man will stand trial for accessory after the fact to murder in connection to the death of Armstrong teen Taylor Van Diest. Stephen Foerster, 59, the father of the man charged with Van Diest’s murder Halloween night two years ago, is also charged with obstruction of justice. Evidence was reviewed by...
Anniversary of teen’s death brings both sorrow and light
ARMSTRONG - Talking about her death is never easy, the uncle of slain teen Taylor Van Diest says. But around Halloween, the anniversary of her death, it hurts more than ever. Van Diest, 18, loved Halloween and left home Oct. 31, 2011 dressed up as a zombie. She was on her way to meet with...
Okanagan Regional Library to improve equity among branches
OKANAGAN - Some communities have been getting too good a bang for their buck when it comes to library services, but a new page is about to be turned. A financial review of the Okanagan Regional Library conducted by the auditing firm Grant Thornton has revealed some inequity between its branches. “In general, it showed...