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
Smoky skies advisory issued for Penticton
PENTICTON - Residents with respiratory issues are being advised to limit activities as smoke conditions worsen in the South Okanagan. The Ministry of Environment in collaboration with Interior Health, has issued a smoky skies advisory for the South Okanagan today, August 19. The ministry advises residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activities as smoke concentrations are...
How does a local Penticton company one up an A&W float-thru? One word: Relvis
PENTICTON - Earlier this week, the massive burger chain A&W produced a commercial about a stunt on the Penticton channel. Now a home-grown competitor has one-upped the big guys in style: Elvis style. Ralph "Relvis" Ramsay, owner of Houndogs at the mid-way point on the Penticton channel produced a high-quality commercial celebrating ten years in...
Penticton water users appear unfazed by level four drought conditions
PENTICTON - Recent escalation by the province to a level four drought rating for the Okanagan Valley and the City of Penticton appears to be having little effect on water use in the city. “We’re not meeting our targets,” communications officer Simone Blais says, referring to a July 17 request from the city asking residents...
Cautionary notice from Penticton as B.C. Wildfire crews continue suppression efforts near Oliver
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton is urging residents to take extra care while using interface areas of the municipality. Communications Officer Simone Blais says the city identified high hazard areas last week, including Munson Mountain and the Kettle Valley Trail as places where the public needs to take “that extra step to make sure...
Penticton airport expansion announced
PENTICTON - Rumours of impending expansion of the Penticton Regional Airport are rumour no more. According to a post by Coun. Andre Martin on the Penticton Business website the expansion of the holding area will begin soon. He notes local contractor Greyback Construction was awarded the contract from Public Works and Government Works Canada. The work is expected...
Former mayor blasts council for waterpark decision
PENTICTON - Penticton mayor and council received an earful in council chambers last night as those opposed to the proposed waterpark development at Skaha Park addressed council once more. A deal was signed earlier in the month for redevelopment of the Skaha Marina area, but council agreed to hear, once more, from those opposed to...
Doughnuts, deportation and tossed cigarettes keep Penticton police busy
PENTICTON - Crime appears to be taking a bit of a break in the Peach City, although RCMP were still kept busy working at the wildfires that broke out across the region last week. In the past week RCMP dealt with the following incidents, according to RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth: - Thieves attempted...
Oliver wineries confident wildfires won’t affect quality of crop
OKANAGAN - The full effects of Friday’s wildfires on Oliver wineries may not be known for awhile but winery owners are breathing a sigh of relief no wineries have been lost during the blazes. Fire crews continue to make progress in their efforts to quench the Testalinden Creek and Wilsons Mountain fires this week. What still...
Structure fire at Oliver business
PENTICTON - Oliver has been rocked by another major fire, this time a structure fire to a business. Following two major wildfires near the town last Friday, August 14, the Oliver Fire Department is fighting another fire this afternoon. Members of the Oliver Volunteer Fire Department have been fighting a blaze that broke out at...
Okanagan First Nations develop new business with sustainable sockeye initiative
PENTICTON - Years of hard work and dedication by the Okanagan Nation Alliance to re-establish the Okanagan sockeye has resulted in a new and emerging interior fishery, as well as a new business opportunity for local First Nations. The Alliance reintroduced sockeye fry into Skaha Lake in 2003, entering into cooperative water sharing agreements with...
More to Three Blind Mice than biking, but that’s important, too
PENTICTON - The city and region have 20/20 vision when it comes to seeing recreation opportunities in the Three Blind Mice area. City of Penticton Communications Officer Simone Blais said the city has identified the area, located at 1400 Riddle Road, as an area of potential for sport and recreational use. The Penticton and Area...
Commemorative weekend to honour Hedley’s first war vets
PENTICTON - The community of Hedley is planning a commemorative weekend to honour their First World War vets. The event is planned for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22 to Aug. 23. This year the focus is on the Hedley Boys, a group of 17 men who all signed up the same day in August 1915,...
Wildfires break out in Oliver; evacuations ordered
PENTICTON - Two wildfires are burning out of control north and south of Oliver this evening, Friday, August 14. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen issued an evacuation order tonight for 200 homes in the Wilson Mountain area north of Oliver and in the Testalinden Creek area south of Oliver. Emergency Social Services has been...
Shooting victim facing further victimization by bureaucracy
PENTICTON - The man allegedly shot by prolific offender Ronald Teneycke finds himself frustrated by bureaucracy as he continues to heal from the harrowing experience. Wayne Belleville, 58, says he’s not quite ready to talk about being shot by Teneycke after meeting the man on a remote logging road above Oliver on July 22. As...
Hospital foundation to benefit from bathtub racers event
PENTICTON - The South Okanagan Similkameen Hospital Foundation will be the major benefactor of a new summer event being staged out of Summerland. The Summerland Yacht Club presents the Great Ogopogo Bathtub Race on Saturday, August 22 beginning at 9:30 p.m. in Peach Orchard Park in Summerland. All entry and admission fees, in addition to...