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
Regional building stats point to heightened construction activity
PENTICTON - After several years of slow growth, the Okanagan Similkameen Regional District is seeing a surge in building activity. Development services manager Donna Butler says 2014 was "a very busy year" and statistics so far indicate 2015 on track to meet or exceed last year’s building activity. To date, the regional district has issued...
Regional district office renovations to start in September
PENTICTON - The first major renovation to the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen’s headquarters on Martin Street in Penticton is late in starting, but still expected to be completed this year. The project was supposed to get started shortly after this year's budget was tabled, but a change in staff and lengthy discussions over how to...
Curbside collection initiatives could benefit from contract extension
PENTICTON - The regional district is following up on a contract option included in its curb side collection agreement to extend the present service an additional two years. With the Okanagan Similkameen Regional District’s contract with BFI Canada, which is now called Progressive Waste Solutions, slated to end on June 30, 2016, solid waste management...
Where there’s smoke, there’s sanitary sewer testing
PENTICTON - Sanitary sewer smoke testing is set to begin next week at a various locations around Penticton. The city's contractor Coast Pipeline will be using smoke to locate storm water entering the sewer system, starting Monday, July 27, according to a media release. Crews will attach a smoke blower to the top of a...
Midweek crimes include man shot with an arrow
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP were kept busy late Wednesday afternoon and evening with assaults and an attempted robbery in the city. Penticton RCMP received a call to an assault in progress at 5:18 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15 in the vicinity of West Bench Hill Road above Doc’s Golf Centre on Highway 97. Police were...
Both sides plan city hall rally over Penticton waterfront revitalization plans
PENTICTON – Groups for and against the proposed waterfront renewal projects around Skaha Lake Marina are planning to make their views known in front of Penticton city hall Monday.
Challenge Penticton seeks funding commitment from regional district
PENTICTON - Valley First Challenge Penticton has invited the regional district to take a sponsorship role in Challenge’s triathlon races to the tune of $48,000 over three years. Challenge Penticton owners Kevin Cutjar and Michael Brown met with Regional District Okanagan Similkameen directors Thursday, July 16 to offer the board the opportunity to be the naming sponsor...
Fruit pest prevalence prompts regional district reminder
PENTICTON - As cherry season peaks in the South Okanagan, backyard fruit growers are being reminded to be vigilant about controlling fruit tree pests. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has had a bylaw in place since 2001 for all rural electoral areas and the Town of Oliver requiring residents with cherry trees to control...
Accused in Penticton shooting granted bail
PENTICTON - The man accused in a shooting incident near Penticton’s northeast boundary was released on bail today, July 17. Matthew James Cameron, accused of one count of attempted murder in a shooting incident that took place Monday night, July 13, on Lindsay Road in Penticton, was delivered to court but did not make an...
School bus crash near Osoyoos
PENTICTON - A car crash on Highway 3 near Osoyoos yesterday afternoon involving a school bus narrowly avoided tragic consequences. RCMP say a collision between a Dodge pickup towing a travel trailer and the school bus took place on Highway 3, 20 kilometres west of Osoyoos at about 1:30 p.m., Thursday, July 16. According to...
Weekend events include Peach Classic Triathlon and Bull-a-rama
PENTICTON - The oldest triathlon race in the Okanagan takes place for the 33rd time this weekend starting from Rotary Park. The Peach Classic, which goes Sunday July 19 at 7 a.m., is an Olympic and sprint distance race which involves a 1.5 and 750 meter sprint swim, a 40 kilometre Olympic or 20 kilometre...
New Penticton city manager ready to assume the reins
PENTICTON - Penticton’s new Chief Administrative Officer has been busy this week getting acquainted with city personnel and procedures as he comes out of retirement to take on the city manager’s job Eric Sorensen does not have any municipal government experience, but has an extensive background in the private sector. He was president and CEO...
Police reveal second victim in Penticton shooting
PENTICTON - Police have revealed further information regarding a shooting incident near the city’s northeast boundary earlier this week. Penticton RCMP say a second person was wounded following a shooting in the 2000-block of Lindsay Road at approximately 10:20 p.m. on July 13. Police say the persons involved knew each other. The suspect and one...
Mayor discusses city’s philosophy behind new CAO hire
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton means business as it welcomes a new Chief Administrative Office to city staff. Penticton’s new city manager is coming into the office with no prior experience, but Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says he doesn’t think that will be an issue. The city announced yesterday the hiring of Eric Sorensen as...
Vehicle ends up in Okanagan River Channel
PENTICTON - An early morning car crash ended with a vehicle in the Okanagan River Channel this morning. Penticton RCMP, B.C. Ambulance and Penticton Fire Department personnel responded to call at 12:34 a.m., July 16, to the crash at the intersection of Skaha Lake Road and Channel Parkway. RCMP ensured everyone had made it out...