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
Coroner rules Okanagan Falls drowning death ‘undetermined’
OKANAGAN FALLS - The B.C. Coroner's Service figured out what killed an Edmonton man found floating in the Okanagan River near Okanagan Falls last spring, but questions about why he ended up in the river remain unanswered. Coroner Walter Burns has determined Andrew Scott Gangl drowned in the river and alcohol and drugs were contributed...
South Okanagan cyclists get boost with new tourism initiative
NARAMATA - It was a day of rejoicing for bicycle enthusiasts across the South Okanagan with the announcement of a new cycling tourism strategy for the region. Today’s announcement of the Cycling Tourism and Signage Marketing Program involves a provincial plan to identify the province’s cycling networks and develop a signage program, the initial result...
Regional director seeks accountability from Fortis B.C. and the Utilities Commission
PENTICTON - A South Okanagan politician continues his campaign to make Fortis B.C. and the B.C. Utility Commission more accountable to the public for rate increases. Regional District South Okanagan-Similkameen director Tom Siddon has requested questions about Fortis B.C.'s two-tiered electrical rate system and the Commision's accountability be added to the agenda of the next...
Top Penticton city hall wage earners grab 35 per cent of payroll
PENTICTON - Working for the City of Penticton continues to be one of the more lucrative occupations in the South Okanagan. The City released its Statement of Financial Information this week, listing 69 staffers who made more than $75,000 working for the city last year. Seventeen of those broke the six figure level, earning more...
Luxury condo proposal gets development permit from Penticton city council
PENTICTON - A small, vacant corner lot on Lakeshore Drive, which has not seen any activity since the 1980s, could be the site of a a high-end condominium complex following Penticton city council approval of a development permit. The project envisioned for 88 Lakeshore Drive East, known as The Wedge, consists of a four storey...
Jail n’ Bail puts residents into custody for cancer
PENTICTON - Over $12,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society was collected at the first annual Jail 'n Bail fundraising event in downtown Penticton. The RCMP took part yesterday, June 17, by pretending to arrest high profile members of the communith and holding them until the "perpatrators" raised bail by phoning friends and family for donations. Those...
Windy weather turns tiny tear into major maintenance
PENTICTON - Last Friday’s windy weather turned a small problem into a major concern at Penticton’s only indoor soccer field. A rip in the roof at Penticton’s Adidas Sportsplex has suddenly became a huge, open tear after a windstorm on Friday, June 12, but Ezra Cremers, head coach and executive director of the Pinnacles Football Club...
Aboriginal court case could break new ground in Okanagan
PENTICTON - A woman facing sentencing over a litany of conditional sentence and personation breaches and minor thefts may soon make legal history in Penticton. Mae Lynnette Postel’s sentencing led both counsel and Judge Gregory Koturbash to look into the possibility of diverting her case to a form of aboriginal justice known as a 'sentencing...
Career criminal earns another seven years behind bars
PENTICTON - Call it courthouse math: A man who has been sentenced to 21 years in jail in the last 19 years, yet still managed to find time to commit more crimes, has earned another seven years in prison. Jon Russell Lowe appeared by video before Judge Gregory Koturbash in Penticton Provincial Court today, June...
Protest against Penticton winery liquor license fails
PENTICTON - Local outcry over a Naramata winery’s application for a special events liquor license had the makings of a major protest. When it was all over, there appeared to be little substance to the negative views heard in council chambers earlier this week though. Bench 1775 Manager Val Tait explained the reasons behind her...
Notorious corner claims another vehicle near Penticton
PENTICTON - The sharp curve on Highway 97 at the northern entrance to Penticton was the scene of yet another crash last night, June 15. Witness Tanya Speirs says the vehicle she was in came upon the scene, at the 90-degree corner at the intersection of West Bench Drive, around midnight, moments after it happened....
Penalty for shooting someone with an airsoft gun? More than you might think
PENTICTON - A 19-year-old Penticton man with a penchant for shooting people with an airsoft gun discovered today they are no toys in the eyes of the law. Christian Darren Leggatt will spend 96 more days in jail for one incident and another 90 days for a second occurrence, Judge Gregory Koturbash decided in Penticton...
Neighbours fear ‘another Boonstock’ if Naramata winery gets special liquor licence
PENTICTON - A Naramata winery operator who faced a gallery full of people against an application for a special events liquor licence, hopes to assuage fears at tonight’s council meeting. The matter first came before council on May 4 and council deferred a decision on the licence for Bench 1775 Winery for 30 days following...
Third time proves unlucky as fire destroys Keremeos restaurant
PENTICTON - The Riverbed Bistro in Keremeos was destroyed by fire early this morning, the third fire at the restaurant in the past four years. Firefighters were called to the blaze at about 3:30 a.m., Monday, June 15, at the restaurant directly across the street from the local firehall. Keremeos Chief Jordy Bosscha says the...
First annual Jail n’ Bail coming to Penticton
PENTICTON - High profile Pentictonites — and anyone else, for that matter — beware. You could be 'arrested' when the Downtown Penticton Association stages its first annual Penticton Jail n’ Bail on June 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Colleen Wright of the Canadian Cancer Society and Downtown Penticton Association Executive Director Kerri Milton...