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 officers deal with vehicle theft, crashes and break-ins
PENTICTON - A prolific offender is facing new charges in Alberta while local officers deal with a break-in and crashes this past week. Oliver resident Brooks Vandenbroek was detained by police in Medicine Hat, Alta., Friday, Nov. 20, and is being charged with 23 new property offences. The habitual offender last appeared in Penticton court...
One world kitchen — cooking up culinary tradition with seniors
PENTICTON - Multiple cooking demonstrations are being hosted throughout the South Okanagan. The star ingredients of these sessions are seniors, who are the chefs, audience and culinary experts. Dubbed OneWorld Kitchen, Senior Chef’s are providing a hands-on approach of food preparation while sharing a traditional recipe. To date, menu selections have included six cuisines: Indonesian,...
Multiple cougar sightings along Penticton Creek
PENTICTON - Several cougar sightings have been reported in the last week and conservation officers are cautioning residents to be aware of wildlife moving into the city as winter conditions descend on the region. Several possible cougar sightings in the past week are likely the result of cougars following their prey into city streets, Penticton...
Regional district looks to cut newspaper advertising costs in Okanagan-Similkameen
PENTICTON - After spending nearly $60,000 on advertising in newspapers last year the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is hoping to reduce advertising costs going forward. Staff requested quotes from the region's print newspapers in late September. The hope is to reduce annual advertising costs from last year’s level of between $57,000 and $60,000 by placing...
One dead in collision east of Osoyoos
PENTICTON - One person is dead following a two-vehicle collision east of Osoyoos this evening. Traffic on Highway 3 was impacted for close to two hours this evening, Nov. 23, following a crash about 21 kilometres east of Osoyoos, Sgt. Harold Hallett of South Okanagan Traffic Services says in a release. A westbound Dodge pickup lost...
Another warrant for accused after missing Penticton court date for a fourth time
PENTICTON - A Penticton man who can’t seem to find his way to Penticton Courthouse faces a warrant for his arrest. Jayson Kenneth Caruso was scheduled to appear for sentencing on a charge of theft under $5,000 but did not make an appearance this morning, Nov. 23. Crown prosecutor Laura Drake described several other instances...
Okanagan Skaha school district needs can’t be based on long term hopes: board chair
PENTICTON - The chair of Okanagan Skaha school board would like to believe there will be more students moving into the region to attend classes in the future, but won't gamble away potential opportunities for today’s students based on wishful thinking. Chair Linda Van Alphen says none of the proposals out for consideration by the...
Man subject to July manhunt returns to court
PENTICTON - A habitual offender subject to a manhunt in the South Okanagan last summer will undergo an assessment for the next eight weeks, further delaying his trial. At a court appearance today, Nov. 23, Ronald Arthur Teneycke appeared in Penticton Provincial Court by video to apply for the assessment. He also asked for and...
Future of Three Gables property in Penticton still up in the air
PENTICTON - Even after a lengthy discussion on a variance permit that would allow upgrades to the empty lots where the Three Gables Hotel once stood, council could not come to an agreement this week. At hand was a staff recommendation to approve a development variance permit on the property to formalize the site’s use...
Penticton city council approves 12-story residential tower
PENTICTON - A new development in the south end of Penticton received the go-ahead earlier this week after receiving approval of a development permit from Penticton city council. City of Penticton director of development services Jules Hall told council the property at 3388 Skaha Lake Rd. came before council at a meeting in August to...
WellAhead initiative hopes to improve youth mental health and wellbeing
PENTICTON - The Okanagan Skaha School District is participating in an initiative to improve child and youth mental health and wellbeing. The school district is part of a group of six school districts taking part in the WellAhead initiative, a program aiming to improve child and youth mental health by integrating wellbeing into school communities....
Penticton robbery compared to Disney movie
THEY PICKED 'THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME' PENTICTON - A robbery attempt at a Penticton restaurant last summer, which defence counsel said was “more like the Apple Dumpling Gang” nonetheless resulted in jail time for the accused. Clay Robert Oldershaw of Williams Lake was sentenced in Penticton Provincial Court today, Nov. 19 to...
Engineers assess rock slide area following yesterday’s closure on Highway 3
PENTICTON - Traffic is moving along the entirety of Highway 3 from the Okanagan-Similkameen to Hope this afternoon following dual road closures yesterday. Today, Nov. 18, geotechnical engineers completed an assessment of the rock slide that closed the highway nine kilometres west of Keremeos late yesterday afternoon, public affairs officer Sonia Lowe says. The road...
Penticton handyDART applicants face stricter rules
PENTICTON - A new registration process for B.C. Transit handyDART users is aimed at cutting the number of handyDART riders by matching applicants to the appropriate service. Daniel Pizarro, Senior Regional Transit Manager for B.C. Transit, and Accessibility Program Manager Danielle Harriott met with Penticton city council and staff members Monday, Nov.16, to discuss the...
What you need to know about Highway 3 closures today
PENTICTON - Frustrations are mounting as motorists travelling Highway 3 face delays because of road closures in two locations along the highway today, Nov. 18. Highway 3 is now open to single lane, alternating traffic following a closure west of Keremeos yesterday afternoon, but another closure at the Skagit Bluffs remains in effect. The highway...