Steve Arstad

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing. As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys. I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products. As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board. I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs. Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively. Steve Arstad's Stories

  • Joined: January 01, 2023
  • Articles: 6735

Two properties in South Okanagan make top 100 assessment list

PENTICTON  - Only two South Okanagan properties made it on to this year’s Thompson - Okanagan top 100 valued residential properties list in 2016. The two properties are both located in Summerland. Coming in 48th on the list is 903 Dent Road, waterfront property valued at $4,398,000. The second, placing 84th on the list, is...

Mother nature not cooperating with City of Penticton’s efforts to clear snow

PENTICTON - A lengthy period of cold temperatures is hindering City of Penticton efforts to clear the city’s streets. City Communications Officer Simone Blais says Mother Nature isn’t playing nice as the city’s public works department plugs away at city streets. “Penticton has received over 17 centimetres of snow in the last week. Road crews...

Penticton Search and Rescue’s busiest year yet

PENTICTON - Penticton Search and Rescue was called upon in 2015 like no other year before it. Search and Rescue President Dale Jorgensen says 2015 was “one heck of a year” for the search and rescue team as he offered year-end reflections to the media today, Dec. 30. He said Penticton Search and Rescue answered...

Taser used to subdue man threatening shoppers and police at Penticton mall

PENTICTON - A man who allegedly assaulted a senior and threatened shoppers and police with scissors at Cherry Lane Mall this weekend was eventually calmed by officers but not before they had to use a taser to subdue him. Police responded to calls of a man being assaulted in the northwest parking lot of Cherry...

City and Penticton Indian Band sign agreement to grow local economy together

PENTICTON - The City of Penticton and the Penticton Indian Band have agreed to work together to develop the local economy. The two governments signed an agreement today, Jan. 4, to work together on tourism and economic development, according to a media release. The Penticton Indian Band has agreed to zone some of its land for...

Hundreds of hardy souls take New Year’s plunge in Okanagan Lake

PENTICTON - Sub zero temperatures and a snow covered beach failed to deter hundreds from participating in this year’s Summerland Polar Bear Dip. Summerland Kinsman Club President Mike Petkau says roughly 200 dippers took to Okanagan Lake today, Jan.1, to start the new year with an icy plunge. Petkau estimates up to 500 in total...

City hopes economic investment zone keeps casino in Penticton

PENTICTON - City hall staff hope to build on the success of Penticton’s Economic Incentive Zones with the introduction of a new city-wide tax break for developers which is aimed at keeping Gateway Casino in town. After hearing the Penticton Lakeside Resort will not renew the Lake City Casino lease when it expires in May...

Casino looking for new digs as Lakeside Resort looks at expansion of convention facilities

PENTICTON - Penticton Lakeside Resort, Convention Centre and Casino will be sporting a name change, along with other more significant changes over the next two years. The hotel’s General Manager, David Prystay, recently announced the hotel would not be renewing their lease with Lakeside Casino when it expires in 2017. Prystay says the hotel plans...

Penticton casino looks to expand

PENTICTON - Lake City Casino has outgrown its existing facility and is looking at options for future growth, including relocation. The casino, currently housed in the Penticton Lakeside Resort, has currently outgrown its existing facility, Executive General Manager Jerry Pokorny says. “We are always looking for ways to enhance our casinos. We’ve been speaking with...

Penticton gets a peek at new casino plans

PENTICTON - Residents had their voices heard during the second day of public meetings for the casino relocation plans this morning. The second in a series of public meetings to share details of Gateway Casinos and Entertainment’s casino relocation plans, which were announced last week, and hear public input was well attended this morning, Dec....

City of Penticton and Gateway reveal their hands in quest to relocate casino

PENTICTON - The City of Penticton and Gateway Casinos and Entertainment have come to an agreement on a new location for the city’s casino. The new Cascades Casino Penticton will be built on South Okanagan Events Centre property next to the Wine Country Visitor Centre at the corner of Highway 97 and Power Street, taking up existing...

Break-ins and thefts from vehicles keep Penticton RCMP hopping

PENTICTON - Thefts from vehicles and break-ins have kept Penticton RCMP busy. There were a rash of vehicle break-ins on Rogers Place in the city on Dec. 8, according to Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth. The next day an unlocked vehicle on South Main was entered and a GPS and sunglasses were taken. Wrigglesworth says police also responded...

Propane theft prompts Penticton police to seek public assistance

PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP are looking for a person or persons with an excessive need for propane. Thirteen propane tanks were reported missing from the Skaha Lake Road 7-11 gas bar on Tuesday, Dec. 29. The tanks are believed to have gone missing between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day, stolen from an exterior...

Summerland Polar Bear Dip offers symbolic way to signify new beginnings

SUMMERLAND - If you haven't already, it’s time to start thinking of New Year’s resolutions, and what better way to kick off a new year and turn over a new leaf than with a bracing plunge in Okanagan Lake? This is the 31st year the Summerland Kinsmen have sponsored the annual Summerland Polar Bear Dip. ...