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
ELECTION 2015: Desire to help at heart of Conservative candidate’s motivation
PENTICTON - The Conservative candidate for South Okanagan-West Kootenay has seen how helpful a Member of Parliament can be to his constituents, and wants an opportunity to do similar work. Marshall Neufeld, 34, was born and raised in Penticton. He says his interest in politics dates back to the 1995 Quebec referendum. “I’ve been interested...
ELECTION 2015: Promises abound as federal NDP leader rallies Penticton troops
PENTICTON - The first federal leader to make a campaign stop in Penticton drew hundreds of party faithfuls Monday evening. Hundreds of South Okanagan residents crammed into two salon rooms at the convention centre Monday, Aug. 31, to hear federal New Democratic Party leader Tom Mulcair rally the troops for the upcoming Oct. 19 election....
Young Stars Classic begins with Canucks training camp in Penticton
PENTICTON - Hockey season is almost here again, and nowhere will that be more evident than Penticton's South Okanagan Events Centre this week. The roster and schedule for the Vancouver Canucks Young Stars Classic Tournament was announced today, Aug. 31. The tournament begins with the Canucks training camp on Sept. 10. Practices on the arena's main...
Evacuation alert expanded for Testalinden Creek wildfire
PENTICTON - A forecast for increased wind has resulted in an expansion of the evacuation alert for the Testalinden Creek wildfire. The Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen issued the evacuation alert expansion late in the day yesterday, August 27. The notice applies to properties north of the Testalinden Creek fire area, along Tinhorn Creek, Old Golf Course...
Fire crews anxiously watch weather at Testalinden Creek
PENTICTON - B.C. Wildfire firefighters expect to spend an anxious day on the front lines in the battle against the Testalinden Creek wildfire with strong wind in the forecast. Fire information officer Heather Rice says the wind is expected to pick up from the south around noon today, Aug. 28, which could be detrimental to...
Oliver and area residents could see increase in smoke as winds pick up
PENTICTON - Cooler, wetter weather slowed the Testalinden Creek fire on the weekend, but strong winds could give the blaze some renewed vigour this afternoon. B.C. Wildfire spokesperson Heather Rice says the calmer, cooler conditions over the weekend and this morning, Aug. 31, have decreased fire activity. Rice says while the fire has not grown...
Grist Mill’s Apple Day too late for early harvest
PENTICTON - An early season harvest has forced a change of plans for one of Keremeos Grist Mill’s most popular late season events. Apple Day at the Grist Mill usually takes place in October, but due to the early harvest this year most apple varieties will be ready long before that. Grist Mill Manager Chris...
Why the bridge to nowhere in Penticton is actually going somewhere
PENTICTON - It’s being called a “bridge to nowhere” by some on social media, but developers building the Satikw Bridge at Green Avenue on the Penticton river channel say that’s an unfair label for a project which has taken two decades to come to fruition. Penticton Indian Band Development Corporation’s economic development consultant Chris Scott...
Ministry seeks solution to off road vehicle use and ecosystem conflicts
PENTICTON - A desire to minimize the impacts of off road vehicle use in sensitive areas in the Okanagan has the province seeking further public input. Residents are being asked to provide input into how grassland ecosystems in the area of Oliver Mountain can be protected from off road vehicle use, while at the same...
Gaining ground in fight against Naramata’s fire ants
NARAMATA - A biologist from Thompson Rivers University has made some progress in his battle to stop an invasive species of fire ant from gaining a foot hold in the South Okanagan. Dr. Robert J. Higgins and assistant Naomi Harder have been working to find an effective method of eliminating the invasive species discovered in Naramata...
Penticton firefighters called to townhouse bedroom blaze
PENTICTON - Quick action by Penticton firefighters kept a bedroom blaze from spreading in a townhouse complex yesterday. Penticton Fire Chief Wayne Williams says the department received a call to 3099 South Main St. at 6:38 p.m., Sept. 3, to find a bedroom in one of the units at the Chateau Village ablaze. “The truck...
Penticton RCMP ask for your help to find a stolen truck
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP hope the public can help locate a vintage pickup truck reported stolen earlier this week. Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says the pickup truck was stolen from the Okanagan Marina parking lot on Marina Way in the early hours of Sept. 2. Police are looking for a grey, custom built 1950 Chevrolet short...
What’s happening on the last long weekend of summer
PENTICTON - The last long weekend of summer will be a low-key affair in Penticton this year. The entertainment agenda is light on this year’s Labour Day long weekend, as the city takes a pause before ramping up the schedule the following weekend with the Pentastic Jazz Festival, the Vancouver Canucks Young Stars Classic and...
Penticton’s economic development office heading into a busy fall season
PENTICTON - This fall promises to be a busy time for Penticton’s Economic Development office. Economic development officer Colleen Pennington says she is working on several initiatives in addition to preparing for the GoMedia convention slated for Sept. 27 to Oct.1 at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. One of those projects is the Virtual...
New executive director for Chamber of Commerce
PENTICTON - The Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director. Brandy Maslowski was selected by the chamber board earlier this week to head the organization as it seeks to build a thriving business community in Penticton. Maslowski has been with the chamber since May working as the events planner and...