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
Pickup truck dislodges concrete barriers after losing control on Highway 97
PENTICTON - Frozen, snowy roads continue to take their toll on traffic in the South Okanagan. The driver of a Toyota Tundra pickup narrowly missed plunging down a steep, 300-foot embankment when her vehicle went out of control and struck several concrete barriers lining Highway 97 late Sunday afternoon.The truck dislodged two of the barriers,...
Are changes coming for Penticton’s two tourism associations in 2016?
PENTICTON - The city is looking everywhere it can to find ways to cut costs and operate city interests more efficiently and that includes both city entities entrusted with promoting the region's tourism industry. Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says the overlap in function between the Penticton Hospitality Association and Tourism Penticton could be leveraged to the...
Winter break activities to keep you busy in Penticton
PENTICTON - Christmas 2015 looks like it will be white in Penticton this year, which will be a blessing to those looking for winter activities on the valley bottom. With Apex Mountain Resort a 40-minute drive from downtown Penticton, winter is never far away, no matter what kind of winter we’re experiencing, however. The resort...
Osoyoos woman absolved of assaulting an officer
PENTICTON - An Osoyoos woman charged with willfully resisting or obstructing a police officer and assaulting a police officer walked away from a Penticton courtroom a free woman today, Dec. 23 after a judge preferred her evidence over that of police. Judge Roy Dickey handed down a decision of not guilty on both counts against...
Police respond to mail theft south of Penticton
PENTICTON - Police responded to reports of a mail theft south of Penticton today, only to find the suspects throwing stolen property and weapons out of the vehicle as they tried to make their get away. Community Policing Coordinator Rick Dellebuur says unconfirmed reports of mailbox and residential theft in the Twin Lakes area prompted...
Town of Oliver familiar with new CAO hire
PENTICTON - Keremeos’ loss will be Oliver’s gain as village Cathy Cowan recently accepted the Chief Administrative Officer position in the Town of Oliver. Cowan’s departure from Keremeos will come less than eight months after she was hired as CAO of the Similkameen village. She’ll be bringing 20 years worth of experience with the Regional...
Smaller South Okanagan communities benefit from age-friendly grants
PENTICTON - The province is helping 28 B.C. communities help their resident seniors stay mobile, active and socially connected. Okanagan Falls and Keremeos are two local communities benefitting from 2016 Age-friendly Community Planning and Project grants. Keremeos has been awarded $20,000 to help the village build an age-friendly outdoor fitness park to provide additional fitness...
Thief with a penchant for Wal-Mart won’t be home for Christmas
PENTICTON - A Penticton man won’t get his wish to spend Christmas with family following a Tuesday Penticton court appearance on today, Dec. 22. Brandon Michael Hurren was sentenced on counts of driving while prohibited, theft under $5,000 and breach of recognizance for a number of incidents that occurred in Penticton and Kelowna this year....
‘Turtles’ lure man to Holden Road residence
PENTICTON - Thefts and mayhem on the road following the first significant snowfall of the season kept Penticton RCMP busy last week. Police responded to an address on Holden Road at 3 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, after receiving calls of a man trying to push his way through the patio door, Penticton RCMP media spokesperson...
Penmar society dream down, but not out
PENTICTON - The Penmar Community Arts Society is not giving up on their dream to turn the former Penmar Theatre into a community arts centre. Following the passing of a deadline last week for a Kickstarter funding campaign, Penmar Society President Kerri Milton says the group who owns the Penmar property needs to have the option...
Keremeos self storage lockers targeted by thieves
PENTICTON - Several customers are missing items following a break in at a Keremeos self storage compound. Thieves cut locks on several units in the Keremeos self storage facility, located on Veterans Avenue sometime between 10 p.m., Monday, Dec. 20, and 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 21, Keremeos RCMP Cpl. Kathleen Thien says. A chain link fence...
Penticton property tax increase on the way
PENTICTON - Penticton City Council and staff are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel following a lengthy budget meeting in council chambers this week, and it could cost taxpayers upwards of $81 per year. Council took a long look at the 2016 operating budget yesterday morning, Dec. 21, followed by a longer...
Penticton city councillors share their festive season traditions
PENTICTON - We asked Penticton’s politicians to share their memories about their Christmas traditions, what they remembered most fondly about Christmas with their families and what traditions they follow from year to year. It’s a busy time for everyone but two Penticton councillors took the time to reply to our questionnaire to give residents a...
It’s not Christmas in Penticton until…
PENTICTON - There are several signs the Christmas season is upon us in Penticton. 1. It’s a sign of Christmas in Penticton when you see emergency vehicles, buses, taxis and personal vehicles adorned with antlers. What other time of the year does anyone attach fake antlers to their vehicles? It's a trend that seems to be on the rise...
‘Lesser evil’ driving infraction earns fines, lengthy licence suspension
PENTICTON - A man who called his choice to drive while his license was suspended a “lesser of two evils” will spend at least another year without his licence following a courtroom appearance in Penticton. Steven Gary Mason faced Judge Gale Sinclair in Penticton court on today, Dec. 21, on two counts of driving while...