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
Family pet succumbs to snake bite
CAWSTON, B.C. - A Cawston couple are extending a note caution to rural residents and those walking their dogs in the wild after a rattlesnake killed the family dog in their yard on the weekend. Sally Taylor let the family dog Pickles out into the front yard Saturday morning, June 27. The dog returned bleeding...
Penticton helicopter team called to multiple rescues around Okanagan Sunday
PENTICTON - A week-long search in the South Okanagan ended on a positive note Sunday, but Penticton Search and Rescue crews were quickly put to work helping with emergencies in other parts of the region. Search and rescue spokesperson Randy Brown says the search for two lost Ontario hikers had no sooner ended in the...
Weekend weather made to order for classic cars and the King of Rock and Roll
PENTICTON - Visitors to Penticton might have found themselves thinking about "the good old days" this weekend. Between the Penticton Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival and the Peach City Beach Cruise with it’s classic cars, the 1950s, 60s, or 70s didn’t seem far in the past. Hundreds of antique, classic and specialty cars and trucks graced...
UPDATE: Missing Princeton teenager found
UPDATE: 8:49 a.m., JUNE 24, 2015 RCMP say Tianna Angstadt has returned home safe and sound. Poilce thank the media and the public for their assistance. 1:10 P.M., JUNE 27, 2015 PRINCETON - Police are asking for help to find a missing Princeton teenager. RCMP say Tianna Angstadt, 13, was last seen at her home...
Penticton’s community radio station wins national recognition
PENTICTON - Penticton’s fledgling online radio station has been given national recognition at an annual radio awards ceremony in New Brunswick. The National Campus and Community Radio Association showed its recognition for the efforts volunteers and staff put forward at member radio stations across Canada, with Peach City Radio being recognized for the second year...
Water main upgrade will impact Main Street traffic
PENTICTON - The City is making preparations in advance of the Penticton Regional Hospital patient care tower expansion project, beginning next week. Water main installation work will take place on Main Street at Carmi Avenue, beginning Monday, June 29. The project, which is necessary to provide adequate water for the upcoming hospital expansion, is expected...
Central City Foundation continues to seek new operator for The Crossing
KEREMEOS - Five months after the Portage residential treatment centre for addicted youth, known as The Crossing at Keremeos closed its doors, the owner of the property says work to reopen the facility continues. Central City Foundation president Jennifer Johnstone says a made-in-B.C. solution is being sought to reopen The Crossing and the foundation has...
Penticton nurse awarded Red Cross medal for exceptional service
PENTICTON - A Penticton nurse has won an International Committee of the Red Cross’ award honouring exceptional nurses and nursing aides. Dawn Anderson was one of 36 nurses from 18 countries recently listed on the Red Cross website as a recipient of the Florence Nightingale Medal, which recognizes the recipient’s courage and devotion to victims...
VIDEO: Animal advocate wants unnecessary suffering by injured wildlife to end
PENTICTON - A Penticton animal advocate believes a change in policy is necessary when it comes to police and conservation officers dealing with injured wildlife. Theresa Nolet was driving along Highway 97 near the intersection of Duncan Avenue and the Channel Parkway in Penticton on June 23 when she saw a wounded deer with a...
Penticton lawyer new vice-president of B.C. branch of Canadian Bar Association
PENTICTON - A Penticton lawyer has been acclaimed vice-president of the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Bar Association. Michael Welsh, an Okanagan lawyer with a practice based out of Penticton with Mott Welsh and Associates Law Offices and Mediation Services accepted the role at the provincial council meeting held in Richmond, B.C. on June 20....
Regional heritage strategy looks at local values
PENTICTON - Seeking grassroots input into what is historically important, rather than relying on historical experts' opinions, is at the heart of the regional district’s heritage program. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen continues work on the Regional Heritage Strategic Plan following a director’s workshop at a board meeting earlier this month. Public consultations were completed...
Hot time in Penticton this weekend
PENTICTON - The Peach city is heating up in more ways than one this weekend as two major events at the same time temperatures expected to soar into the high 30s. The Penticton Elvis Festival runs June 26 to 28 for the 14th year, as Elvis fans come from all over to celebrate the “King...
Tubers reminded of channel restrictions until July 1
PENTICTON - This weekend’s prediction of sizzling temperatures will likely result in one of the busiest weekends so for this year for Penticton channel tubing. Be warned, the full length of the channel will not be open until Canada Day, so floaters are being asked not to go past the under construction Satikw Bridge. Chris...
South Okanagan roadside checks result in arrest for outstanding warrant
PENTICTON - RCMP in the South Okanagan have arrested a man wanted in Calgary in connection with the sexual assault of a young child. Police say it all started with an uninsured driver who was stopped during one of the roadside checks conducted by the police on Saturday, June 20. Four days later, RCMP arrested...
Search efforts escalate for two missing hikers in South Okanagan
PENTICTON - The search for two Ontario hikers missing since Monday in the Similkameen is escalating as the search enters its third full day. Keremeos RCMP first received a report about two hikers overdue to return to the Cathedral Lakes Lodge in the Similkameen Mountains southwest of Keremeos at 8:36 p.m. Monday, June 22. Lynne...