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
Penticton Community Centre leisure pool reopens
PENTICTON - The Penticton Community Centre Pool is now open in its entirety. The leisure pool is fully operational, according to a City of Penticton media release. The leisure pool has been shut down since September when cracks were discovered in the pool’s drains following renovations to the pool deck this summer. Mayor Andrew Jakubeit...
South Okanagan and Similkameen fire department radio upgrades nearing completion
PENTICTON - Cost savings are being realized as the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen moves into the final phase of its region-wide emergency communications upgrade. Planetworks Consultant Doug Joinson told a recent regional district board meeting the elimination of Okanagan Mountain as a radio repeater site saved $750,000 and $70,000 in annual maintenance costs. The...
Penticton emergency photographer answers call, day or night
PENTICTON - A Penticton man’s interest in photography and emergency services has made his photos a sought after commodity among media, police and fire services. Skylar Noe-Vack, 20, has been following emergency vehicles around the city and throughout the South Okanagan since the fire at the Slack Alice bar back in 2012. He documented that...
Free parking on Saturdays in downtown Penticton
PENTICTON – In the spirit of the season, the City of Penticton is pleased to provide free parking in Downtown Penticton for Saturdays in December. Following up on the Downtown Penticton Association’s “I Heart Penticton” campaign, the free parking is to encourage people to shop local. Free parking will be available on the following dates: Saturday,...
Electrical vehicle charging station opens for business in downtown Penticton
PENTICTON – Residents and visitors will be able to get a charge — literally — from a new partnership between Province of British Columbia, City of Penticton, BC Hydro and FortisBC that has resulted in the installation of an electrical vehicle charging station in Downtown Penticton. Through BC Clean Energy Vehicle Program, BC Hydro is...
Avoid the cold: Indoor things to do this weekend in Penticton
PENTICTON - For those excited about snow and cold weather, Apex Ski Resort opens tomorrow, Nov. 27. For the rest who may not want to spend too much time ouside in the cold, here are a few ways to enjoy the weekend indoors. Indoor activities in the city include a Penticton Vees game Saturday when...
Penticton firefighters called to garage fire
PENTICTON - Penticton firefighters were called to a garage fire early this morning, Nov. 27. The call came in at approximately 12:50 a.m. for a fully involved garage fire on Middle Bench Road, according to witness Skylar Noe-Vack. Everyone was able to exit the two storey structure safely, according to Noe-Vack, who said two engines, an...
Apex Mountain Resort opening early amid best conditions in years
PENTICTON - November weather has been kind to Apex Mountain Resort and as a result the ski hill is opening a week early. The ski area, located 36 kilometres west of Penticton, announced this week they’ll be opening Saturday, Nov. 28, under some of the best early season snow conditions seen in years. “We had...
Nursing student rallies to take the chill off Penticton’s homeless
PENTICTON - With the season’s first cold snap upon us, Penticton’s homeless are finding they have a new champion for their needs in Mike Forster. Forster is currently training to be a licensed practical nurse and while talking to harm reduction nurses from Interior Health during his studies, he began to realize the how much...
Trial for four accused in kidnapping moving forward in Penticton
PENTICTON - The trial of four men accused of kidnapping and beating another man continued to move forward in Penticton court this afternoon, Thursday, Nov. 26. Carey Anderson, Kerry James Ellis, Albert Edgar Fontaine and John Marshall Szanto are accused of kidnapping and aggravated assault, and other charges following a May 21 incident on Shingle...
Cawston man serves jail time for alcohol-induced assaults, threats
PENTICTON - A Cawston man was handed a court order to stop drinking and given time served as part of a sentence handed down in Penticton court today, Nov. 26. Gabriel Julian Labrosse was sentenced to 47 days time served by Judge Gale Sinclair on multiple charges including assault, assault with a weapon and uttering...
Evidence indicates Penticton dog attacked by deer, not cougar
PENTICTON - A Penticton resident’s pet was subject to an encounter with a wild animal yesterday — but was it a predator? Penticton conservation officer Dave Cox says his fellow officer Jeff Hanratty investigated a report of a dog encountering a cougar on Marina Way at approximately 1:30 p.m., Nov. 25. After meeting with the...
Penticton gets busy with sports, toy drives and agri-food
PENTICTON - The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and with it is an increasing number of events taking place in the city. Wednesday Nov. 26, is a Wicked Wednesday event at the South Okanagan Events Centre as the Penticton Vees take on the Vernon Vipers. Tickets are $5 for adults and seniors, students aged 13...
Kip Moore tour coming to the South Okanagan
PENTICTON - Multi-platinum singer-songwriter Kip Moore is bringing his rocking country to Penticton next year. The 2016 Wild Ones tour has been extended to include extra stops in Canada, including the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, according to a press release from the events centre. Moore’s album Wild Ones is a mix of blue-collar country music...
Off-duty officer stops Penticton tire thieves in their tracks
PENTICTON - An alert off-duty officer foiled a pair of tire thieves last week in Penticton. Around 8:45 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 22, the off-duty officer spotted two people in the locked tire bin at Canadian Tire on Railway Avenue. Police responded to find a man and a woman in the compound. The male attempted to...