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
Halloween fun in Penticton
PENTICTON - Halloween falls on a the weekend this year and there are a variety of events to celebrate the ghoulish day in Penticton. Downtown Penticton Associations’ annual Trick or Treat on Backstreet' event takes place Saturday, Oct. 31, running from 3 to 7 p.m. on Backstreet Boulevard. There will be trick-or-treating in local businesses, a...
Peach City Radio concluding a progressive year
PENTICTON - Peach City Radio is completing an exceptional year and making plans for next year as the society gets ready to host its annual general meeting next month. The non-profit society has been working to build a unique, community based radio broadcasting initiative in Penticton and 2015 has been a busy one for Peach City Radio,...
Prolific Okanagan property crimes offender looking for rehabilitation
PENTICTON - A man with a lengthy list of property convictions who 'never got a break' will serve 56 more days in jail for his latest string of criminal activity. Harley J. Barich appeared in Penticton court Tuesday, Oct. 27, pleading guilty to charges of possession of property obtained by crime. Osoyoos RCMP were notified...
Rat infestation forces Penticton woman to leave home
PENTICTON - Linda Childs thought she was moving into the perfect home and it was. For rats. She didn’t notice anything before she moved into the Kinney Street home two years ago with her two grandchildren, ages 5 and 7, until a neighbour let her know. “My neighbours were telling me the last few tenants...
Naramata residents get help in dealing with problem rats
PENTICTON - Naramata residents dealing with a rat problem are getting some help from the regional district. Regional District Naramata Director Karla Kozakevich says the community developed a problem with rats last summer and fall, with sightings and evidence of rats seen in increasing numbers in the downtown area of the community. Problems with rats...
Wine connoisseur Aaron Olfert leaves behind a legacy of kinship
PENTICTON - Friends, business associates and customers are still coming to terms with the passing of one of Penticton’s most revered wine connoisseurs. Aaron Peter Olfert, 37, died of natural causes Saturday, Oct 24, at his home in Penticton. Olfert has worked for the last eight years at the VQA Wine Information Centre on Vees...
Jail time for fourth participant in winter crime spree
PENTICTON The fourth man involved in a Naramata crime spree was sentenced in Penticton Provincial court today, Oct. 27. Damian Tyler Baptiste entered guilty pleas to two counts of possession of stolen property and breach of bail conditions, charges stemming from incidents occurring on December 29, 2014. He will serve 45 days of an intermittent...
Cougar stalks couple hiking Skaha Bluffs near Penticton
PENTICTON - A couple hiking the Skaha Bluffs had an usettling encounter with wildlife earlier this week. Penticton RCMP received a call from a man around 2:20 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, after the man and his wife encountered a cougar while hiking in the Skaha Bluffs area. The man told police the cougar was stalking...
Multiple school closures considered for School District 67
PENTICTON - A deficit for the 2016-2017 school year estimated at $1.025 million has forced School District 67 to come up with some tough choices. The school board revealed those options at a public meeting held at Shatford Centre on Monday, Oct. 26. School board chair Linda Van Alphen says seven of the 18 originally...
Penticton court shows mercy on suspended driver with lengthy driving history
PENTICTON - A Naramata man with a notorious driving record was given a break in Penticton court on Monday, Oct. 26 because of his personal circumstances. Peter John Roberts appeared before Judge Meg Shaw on Monday after pleading guilty to one count of driving while his license was suspended. Crown Prosecutor Kurt Froehlich told court...
Third quarter projections anticipate budget surplus at Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District
PENTICTON - The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen is looking forward to a budget surplus this year, based on its third quarter financial report. Finance Manager Sandy Croteau says an overall surplus of $745,000 was anticipated on this year’s $37.2 million budget, amounting to two per cent of the budget total. Croteau reported a $50,000...
Penticton Sears store reopened on the weekend
PENTICTON - The Penticton Sears store closure was only temporary, Sears officials confirmed on the weekend. Sears communications officer Alicia Richler says in an email, Sears Canada took over the Penticton Sears store and reopened the business on Saturday, Oct. 24. A sign on the door last week indicated the closure was temporary, but the...
Martin Street Outreach centre officially opens doors
PENTICTON - The Martin Street Outreach Centre has officially opened its doors. The primary and community based care centre has been operating at 437 Martin Street since May, but had it's officially opening today, Oct. 23. The Outreach Centre is already serving 350 clients, according to Penticton physician Dr. Kyle Stevens, who has played a...
Continuing upgrades announced for Olalla’s water system
PENTICTON - The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has announced the awarding of the engineering design for water main upgrades to Olalla's water system. The upgrades are part of a continuing program to renovate the Olalla water system, part of which was upgraded in 1999 when a new well, pump, concrete reservoir and pump house was...
Oktoberfest in Penticton this weekend
PENTICTON - Crisp, sunny days and cool, frosty nights may be a sign of the impending winter season, but there is still lots going on this weekend in Penticton. The Penticton Trade and Convention Centre plays host to the sixth annual Penticton Oktoberfest, which takes place on Saturday, October 24 starting at 6 p.m. The convention centre...