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
Highway 3 closure west of Keremeos expected to reopen at 9 p.m.,but no word on closure at Skagit Bluffs
PENTICTON - Driving to the Lower Mainland, already difficult due to snow in mountain passes today, just got more so for residents of the South Okanagan. Drive B.C. is reporting the closure of Highway 3 nine kilometres west of Keremeos due to a rock slide. The highway is closed in both directions. No information regarding...
Photos with Santa fundraiser at the South Okanagan SPCA
PENTICTON - The South Okanagan SPCA will host a special event this weekend to get pets and pet owners in the mood for the festive season. 'Photos with Santa' takes place Saturday, Nov. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m at the South Okanagan SPCA branch, located at 2200 Dartmouth Dr. in Penticton. Owners can have...
Several Penticton businesses hit by theft
PENTICTON - A sports store, a pawnbroker and a vehicle dealership were among the targets of thieves this past week in Penticton. Overnight on Nov. 10, Penticton RCMP responded to a break and enter at True Outdoors at 290 Riverside Dr. in Penticton. A vehicle had been backed up to garage-style, glass-paned doors and smashed...
Major facelift proposed for Lakawanna Park concession in Penticton
PENTICTON - If all goes according to plan, Penticton residents could see some big changes to the concession building at Lakawanna Park next year. Concession leasehold owner Gord Ferguson met with the public in October to discuss upgrades to the building and yesterday, Nov. 16, he presented those plans to Penticton city council. Ferguson said...
Fundraising night to support youth sports and B.C. Winter Games legacy
PENTICTON - Come raise Penticton's game and leave a legacy for local youth sports witha fundraising event for the B.C. Winter Games. Friends of the Games are hosting a fundraising night at Tugs Taphouse on Thursday, Nov. 26 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and include a burger, fries, beverage and entertainment. Tickets can bepurchased...
Nine months for Penticton man convicted of robbery at knifepoint
PENTICTON - A Penticton man who held up several youth at knifepoint while on a five-day drinking binge two summers ago will face jail time. Kody Joseph Jack was sentenced in Penticton Provincial Court yesterday, Nov. 16, to nine months jail time on three counts of robbery and one count of uttering threats. The charges...
Penticton Lawn Bowling Club looking for new home after 83 years on Brunswick Street
PENTICTON - The president of the Penticton Lawn Bowling Club is hopeful the group will find a suitable new location following the surprise announcement the land the club sits on will become affordable housing. Plans to build as many as 70 affordable housing units on the Brunswick Street property now occupied by the Penticton Lawn Bowling...
Coalition praises ministry efforts to improve Highway 3 as major project shuts down for winter
PENTICTON - Creation of the Highway 3 Mayors and Chairs Coalition is paying off with major safety improvements to the southern B.C. route. As work on the $16 million realignment of Highway 3 between Sunday Creek and Sunday Summit shuts down for winter, Coalition chair and Castlegar mayor Lawrence Chernoff is praising the efforts of...
RCMP investigating Penticton fire sparked by Molotov cocktail
PENTICTON - RCMP are looking into a garage fire started by a Molotov cocktail in Penticton last night. Fire crews were called to a home on Calgary Avenue around 10:20 p.m., Nov. 15, to find the homeowner trying to put out a small fire on the roof of his garage. Deputy fire chief Dave Spalding...
Sunday evening collision sends three to hospital in Penticton
PENTICTON - A single vehicle accident resulted in three people being transported to Penticton Regional Hospital Sunday evening, Nov. 15. The Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department, RCMP and B.C. Ambulance responded to a call for a single vehicle accident south of Penticton on Highway 97 at approximately 8:05 p.m. The accident occurred approximately two kilometres south...
Penticton’s newest subdivision taking shape
PENTICTON - The Skaha Hills development continues to move forward in the hills above Penticton Regional Airport west of the city. Penticton Indian Band Development Corporation consultant Chris Scott says Phase One sold out in the spring and contracts are now closing on Phase Two. Phase Three is expected to begin sales in another three...
Penticton plays host to international astrophysics conference
PENTICTON - About 250 members of the international astrophysical community gathered in Penticton this week to discuss an joint project dealing with radio astronomy. The scientists from around the world discussed the design work being done on a billion dollar project known as the Square Kilometre Array. Staff at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory near Penticton played...
Concert, harvest event and hockey game highlight weekend activities in Penticton
PENTICTON - The third annual Penticton Harvest Event takes place at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre this weekend. The two day event, Nov. 13 and Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., features Armstrong-based business Rancho Vignola, a family owned and operated operation specializing in nuts and freshly harvested dried fruit. The Penticton Harvest...
Clean up planned for Carmi Road dump sites
PENTICTON - A group of residents concerned about the state of Carmi Road are getting together this weekend to clean up. Members of the South Okanagan Trail Alliance are meeting at the Garnet Fire Interpretive Centre at noon on Saturday, Nov. 14 to clean up roadside dumpsites along the Carmi- Beaverdell Road. The South Okanagan...
Illegal fire proves costly to province, Osoyoos area man
PENTICTON - A fire set to burn cardboard has proved costly for a South Okanagan resident. An Osoyoos area man was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge fee of $750 after pleading guilty to a section of the wildfire act in Penticton Provincial court, Nov. 9. The man was accused of burning...