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
Oliver food bank powers up with solar panel donation
PENTICTON - The Oliver Food Bank will be saving on their electrical bills thanks to the generosity of a local firm. Argon Solar of Oliver recently donated two solar panels to the food bank, which will provide 10 per cent of the food bank’s electrical needs over the next 25 years. Dave Malmberg, manager of...
Penticton resident reports cougar with house cat in its jaws
PENTICTON - A pet owner in the upper Penticton Avenue area may be missing their cat following a pair of cougar sightings in the area earlier this week. Two sightings were reported to Penticton conservation officers on Monday, Dec.14. Conservation officer Dave Cox says the sightings were reported to the conservation office around 8 p.m....
Penticton woman gets reprieve after lapse in good behaviour
PENTICTON - A Penticton woman who straightened out her life five years ago only to slip up was given a second chance in Penticton court this week. Angela Robyn Keith received a suspended sentence for two counts of theft under $5,000. She faces strict probation terms but was granted a reprieve by Judge Gale Sinclair,...
Three-year art project celebrates breastfeeding
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Interior Health is searching for artists and community members to create pieces for an expo aimed at exploring the topic of breastfeeding through art. Interior Health Project Coordinator Karen Graham says the three-year project called the Breastfeeding Art Expo is in its preliminary stages but the call went out to the entire Interior...
Penticton hospital care facility temporarily locked down after verbal threat
PENTICTON - A fired employee threatened a manager last week, putting a long term care facility at Penticton Regional Hospital in lockdown. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, an employee of the facility who was fired threatened a manager while leaving, stating the manager 'wouldn’t make it out of the building alive,' Penticton RCMP media spokesperson Cpl....
New Interior Health CEO praises South Okanagan-Similkameen health care
PENTICTON - Provincial capital funding for health has been outstanding in the past decade, according to the new Chief Executive Officer of Interior Health. Chris Mazurkewich and other Interior Health officials met with members of the press this week to discuss local health issues as he toured the South Okanagan-Similkameen. “I think the track record...
Charges laid in collisions that killed five bighorn sheep in South Okanagan
PENTICTON - Two drivers are facing multiple charges after killing five bighorn sheep in two separate collisions on Highway 3 west of Keremeos in October. The collisions occurred on Oct. 1, 2015, around 4 p.m. when an eastbound Ford F250 pickup driven by a 56-year-old man and a Dodge Ram pickup driven by a 75-year-old...
Community toy drive aims to give Penticton kids a special Christmas
PENTICTON - A new collaborative effort between two Penticton businesses hopes to make Christmas a little more special for local children in need. Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, through Lake City Casino in Penticton, is partnering with Locolanding Adventure Park to collect new, unwrapped gifts for underprivileged children in the South Okanagan. The first annual Community...
Salvation Army kettle campaign ramping up
PENTICTON - The Salvation Army Kettle Campaign is well underway in Penticton with kettles up around the city. The campaign began almost two weeks ago and will kicking into high gear this coming weekend. “We’re now at all our locations in Penticton, including the Penticton Liquor Store,” coordinator Hilma Labelle says. Kettles have also been...
Two Christmas toy drives in Penticton this year
PENTICTON - Penticton is going to have two Christmas toy drives this year. The 22nd annual Toys for Tots to Teens will return this year at a new location and with a new format, according to event coordinator Karen Davey. This year’s Toys for Tots to Teens will take place Nov. 24 from 7 a.m....
Unique gifts for sale at Indigenous Arts and Craft Fair in Penticton
PENTICTON - A 10-year-old Christmas tradition continues on the Penticton Indian Reserve this weekend. The Indigenous Arts & Craft Fair takes place at the En’owkin Centre from 10 a.m until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. Those looking for unique Christmas gift ideas could find what they are looking for a short drive west of...
Christmas celebrations begin Friday in downtown Penticton
PENTICTON - Downtown community Christmas celebrations start Friday in downtown Penticton. The Downtown Penticton Association is inviting preschool children to add decorations to the Community Christmas Tree in Gyro Park on Friday, Dec. 4 at 11:30 a.m. Penticton residents are also invited to add their favourite decorations to the tree on Friday Dec. 4 between...
Summerland Christmas Express nearly sold out
PENTICTON - For those wishing to take a ride on the Summerland Christmas Express, the last train with any room on board will be leaving the station sooner, rather than later. Kettle Valley Steam Railway marketing manager Tracey Slattery says this year’s Christmas schedule is nearly completely sold out - and that includes an additional...
Breach of conditions puts Maple Ridge man behind Penticton bars
PENTICTON - A man accused of multiple weapons charges will remain in custody a few more days following an appearance in Penticton court earlier this week. Donavin Francios Costa appeared before Judge Gale Sinclair Monday, Dec. 14, on a charge of breaching bail conditions. Crown Prosecutor John Swanson called Costa's case a 'reverse onus situation.'...
Surveillance cameras coming to Penticton library and museum complex
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton is in the market for video surveillance equipment. The city released a request for proposal in late November, seeking suppliers to provide, install and maintain video surveillance remote devices in city facilities. City Communications Officer Simone Blais says video surveillance is part of the municipality’s general risk management initiatives...