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
Two additional options for Penticton school closures
PENTICTON - The public will get a say on realignment options that include school closures as the local school district continues to deal with declining enrolment. The two new options are the result of comments stemming from a resident attending the Oct. 26 public meeting at the Shatford Centre and were discussed by School District...
Dog stolen from Penticton SPCA
PENTICTON - An unneutered male dog was stolen after someone broke into the local branch of the SPCA this week, leaving staff and volunteers very concerned about the dog's welfare. Someone cut through the compound fence, in addition to cutting a hole in one of the kennel fences, sometime between noon yesterday, Nov. 11, and...
Park proposed for Nickel Plate Mine ruins near Hedley
PENTICTON - An offer has been made to the regional district to help with the historical preservation of the Nickel Plate Mine. Representatives from Barrick Gold Inc. presented an offer to help fund the preservation at a regular Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board meeting last week. Daniel Bornstein,Barrick’s closure strategist, and Senior Environmental Specialist...
South Okanagan woman’s dog saves her during bear attack
PENTICTON - A South Okanagan woman is recovering from a harrowing bear attack in the Willowbrook area last week. The woman was walking her dog when the bear attacked on Aug. 5. She suffered a badly broken arm, which required surgery, claw scratches to her back, and a cut to her face. Conservation Officer Jim Beck...
Remembrance Day an important event for Penticton’s Royal Canadian Legion
PENTICTON - The Penticton branch of the Royal Canadian Legion continues its tradition of being of service to the country’s war vets. The organization takes on added significance as Remembrance Day approaches. The legion will again spearhead Remembrance Day ceremonies Wednesday, Nov. 11. This year two ceremonies take place; one indoors at the Penticton Trade...
RDOS governance study looking for resident participation
PENTICTON - The goal of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen’s governance study in Electoral Area D is to get residents involved in the search for new ways to govern the rural area. The governance study offers residents a rare opportunity to share their perspective on how local government works — or how it doesn’t, according...
Penticton cougar sighting; likely big cat hunting deer
PENTICTON - The Penticton Conservation office reports two calls to their office about a cougar sighting in Penticton earlier this week. The calls related to a sighting of a big cat in the area of Ross and Duncan Avenues at about 2:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4, reports B.C. Conservation Service Inspector Barb Leslie. “It was...
Oliver ski resort’s future is up, then down
PENTICTON - The status of a South Okanagan ski resort appear headed downhill once again. Less than a month after Mount Baldy Ski Resort announced it was making preparations to open the hill, even announcing an opening date, the resort has posted notice on it’s website page saying it is once again in jeopardy of...
New Fortis energy conservation program aimed at low income residents, renters
PENTICTON - Fortis BC is introducing a new energy conservation program it hopes will help low and fixed income residents, as well as renters, in the South Okanagan and Similkameen. Fortis manager Carol Suhan introduced the Energy Conservation Assessment Program, along with a second new program which deals with rental apartments, to regional directors at...
Stolen truck smashes Penticton businesses
PENTICTON - Two Penticton businesses were severely damaged in hit and runs by a stolen truck early this morning. Police responded to a 4 a.m. call from a Calgary Avenue resident reporting his truck stolen while it was warming up outside, unattended, this morning, Nov. 6, Penticton RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says. At...
UPDATE: Man accused of threatening Penticton city hall staff arrested after garage fire
PENTICTON - The same man arrested after threatening voicemail messages were left at Penticton city hall is in custody following an early morning fire at this home. Police and Penticton firefighters responded to a garage fire around 5:48 a.m., Nov. 6, at 112 - 2990 South Main St. Penticton RCMP Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says a...
Penticton fire department seeks $20,000 grant funding for wildfire prevention initiatives
PENTICTON - Penticton city council has thrown their support behind the fire department's grant applications to beef up wildfire prevention initiatives. Deputy Chief Dave Spalding says the department is applying for two Union of BC Municipalities grants worth a total of $20,000. Spalding explained the 10 year old strategic wildfire program needed updates to include spatial...
City of Penticton rate review says utility rates must go up
PENTICTON - A key finding of a recently completed review of Penticton’s utility rates is annual rate increases are needed in future years in order for the city to maintain infrastructure and financial sustainability. If the recommendations from the review are adopted, residents will be paying an additional $34 dollars per month on average for...
Penticton RCMP seeking owner of travel trailer
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP would like to find the proper home - and owner - of an abandoned travel trailer. RCMP say the trailer with a stolen British Columbia license plate was found in the Penticton Walmart parking lot on Saturday, Oct. 31. The license plate attached to the trailer had been stolen from an Okanagan...
Torchlight ceremony signals major milestone to B.C. Winter Games in Penticton
PENTICTON - The countdown to the Penticton 2016 B.C. Winter Games is underway with an official torch lighting ceremony set for next week. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. outside the South Okanagan Events Centre on the plaza. Local entertainers such as Beamer Wigley, Outma Sqilx’W Cultural School Children’s...