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
Grenade, pipe bomb and vehicles thefts keep Penticton officers on their toes
PENTICTON - It was a break from the ordinary for Penticton RCMP this week as they dealt with a grenade and a pipe bomb. Penticton RCMP were kept busy last week answering numerous calls for vehicle thefts and vehicle break-ins last week. They also dealt with an errant hand grenade and pipe bomb. A Penticton...
Peachfest underway in Penticton
PENTICTON - Penticton’s five-day long Peachfest got underway this morning with the second annual Peach Bin Race taking place in the 100-block of the downtown core. Teams of four raced 'customized' peach bins in the event, sponsored by the Downtown Penticton Association. The Canadian Forces Snowbirds, first time competitors, prevailed in the final heat against 30...
First annual battle of the chefs coming to Gyro Park
PENTICTON - The Downtown Penticton Association is hosting a new event guaranteed to tantalize taste buds. The inaugural Chef’s Cook Off in Gyro Park, sponsored by Eckert Electric and hosted by the Downtown Penticton Association, will be held on Friday, Aug. 7. Beginning at 2:30 p.m., four Penticton chefs will prepare a main dish of ingredients...
Peachfest kicks off in Penticton today
PENTICTON - The August long weekend has come and gone, now for a week of mostly free fun in Penticton. The 68th annual Penticton Peach Festival starts today, Aug. 5, with an outstanding lineup of free family activities through Sunday, Aug. 9. The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will take to the skies over Okanagan Lake Wednesday...
Trio Marine proponents welcome chance to discuss Skaha Lake proposal
PENTICTON - The men behind the Skaha Marina upgrades and the Skaha Waterpark proposal welcome public interest in the project and urge those with questions to pay them a visit. Tom Dyas and Tom Hedquist, the two partners behind the two phase proposal that has garnered more than its share of controversy in Penticton over...
Suspects still on the loose after smash and grabs in Okanagan Falls and Summerland
PENTICTON - Police continue to look for thieves who don't seem to believe in using doors after several businesses in two Okanagan communities were rammed by vehicles over the weekend. Police say they are making some headway in the apprehension of the person or persons responsible for a smash and enter at Tickleberry’s Ice Cream...
Liquor infractions down over ‘family friendly’ long weekend
PENTICTON - While it was a busy long weekend, there were no fatalities on Penticton roads or waterways, local RCMP say. The long weekend began with a busy night in the local detachment as jail cells were full Friday night with 13 people jailed for drunkeness or causing a disturbance charges. RCMP and volunteer continued...
Penticton council stands resolute in waterpark decision
PENTICTON - Several hundred residents converged on city hall Monday to voice support for and against a Skaha Lake Marina waterfront proposal, but Penticton council appears to be unfazed by demands of those opposed to the plans. Those against the plan called on council to call a referendum, or otherwise force a re-thinking, on the...
Anti-waterpark group disrupts Penticton council meeting
PENTICTON - Hundreds of people showed up at City Hall to let council know their feelings about waterfront revitalization at the city’s south end. Enduring 35 Celsius heat, a huge crowd formed in front of Penticton City Hall well before the designated time of 5 p.m. today, July 20. Police cordoned off the 100-block of...
Council unwavering in spite of opposition to waterfront development
PENTICTON - Penticton Council gave the go-ahead for Skaha Lake waterfront development Monday, but citizen approval was anything but unanimous. Plans for a major waterfront facelift at the south end of the city were first unveiled at the May 19 council meeting. According to all reports, including postings on social media sites and a series...
Penticton city councillors seeking input on waterfront upgrades at special council meeting
PENTICTON - Penticton City Council is holding a special meeting tonight at City Hall to discuss revitalization along the Skaha Marine portion of the Skaha Lake waterfront. The proposed development agreements for an upgraded marina and new waterpark at the City’s south end were originally brought before council on May 19, following which council decided to...
Skaha Lake waterfront plans on display
PENTICTON - Penticton citizens interested in a revitalized Skaha lakefront will have an opportunity to provide input and hear more about a major revitalization project proposed for the Skaha Marina area in the coming days. The proposal put forward by Trio Marine Group would see an expanded 100-slip marina featuring day and seasonal rentals as...
Waterslides returning to Penticton with Skaha Lake Marine development
PENTICTON - Waterfront redevelopment has seen a new pedestrian walkway along Lakeshore Drive and plans are in the works for a redesign of the area around the S.S. Sicamous as Penticton’s Okanagan Lake shoreline sees renewal. Now it’s Skaha Lake’s turn. Plans were unveiled at the Tuesday, May 19, council meeting for major redevelopment along...
Kettle Valley Railway trail to be expanded
PENTICTON - The Okanagan Similkameen Regional District is building connections on key sections of the Kettle Valley Railway Trail between Oliver and Osoyoos. Regional district spokesperson Debbie Clarke says the plan is to connect Electoral Areas “A” and “C” through the trail, with much of the work to be centred on a section alongside recently...
Rainbow crosswalk appears on main street Princeton
PRINCETON - Downtown Princeton is a whole lot brighter this week after the creation of a rainbow crosswalk on the town’s main thoroughfare. The rainbow crosswalk, which celebrates gay pride and have been painted in cities around the province, happened without a great deal of “muss or fuss," according to Spencer Coyne from Princeton. A...