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
Three regional district staffers earned more than $100,000 last year
PENTICTON - Nearly $7 million in salaries and expenses was paid to regional district staff in 2014, with the top-19 wage-earners accounting for more than $1.6 million of that. Last year’s salary figures for staffers making $75,000 or more and elected representatives stipends were released by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen in an annual Statement of...
Placement of Penticton power poles a problem after paving
PENTICTON - A couple of errant power poles on a newly reconstructed street corner by the City of Penticton has some people shaking their heads. Residents in the area of Industrial Avenue and Atkinson Street have noticed two power poles at that intersection located on the crosswalk beyond the curb following the recent completion of...
Intersection issues follow major reconstruction in Penticton
PENTICTON - It’s a big improvement, but it’s not complete. Those thoughts appear to be on the minds of many residents and employees working in the vicinity of Industrial Avenue and Atkinson Street this week, just days after an extensive reconstruction of Industrial Avenue was completed. A pedestrian crossing the intersection this afternoon, June 3,...
New trail first step in connecting Summerland to Penticton
PENTICTON - Construction on the first phase of a new trail for the South Okanagan is set to begin next week. The Trail of the Okanagans Society announced a planned construction start day of June 13 for a new recreational pathway on Highway 97. The trail will start at Lakeshore Drive travel south to Summerland...
Court decision favours regional district
PENTICTON - A cooperative road paving initiative between the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen and the Ministry of Transportation ended up in court following a dispute between the regional district and its contractor, Associated Engineering. The problems began as a result of a 2005 water supply improvement project in Naramata that saw the regional district installing...
Penticton interim city manager resigns
PENTICTON - Another Penticton city staffer is moving on. Interim Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager of Recreation and Facilities Chuck Loewen has resigned, City of Penticton Communications Officer Simone Blais confirmed today, Tuesday, June 2. Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says the resignation came as a surprise, just before the regular meeting of council last...
Summerland fire leaves man homeless
PENTICTON - A Summerland man is homeless following a fire in the community yesterday, June 1. Summerland Fire Department Chief Glenn Noble said the fire department was called to the Summerland Beach RV Park at 11:30 p.m. Monday for a structure fire. Firefighters arrived to find a large fifth-wheel trailer in the park ablaze. Noble...
Wibit Water Park bringing promise of summer fun to Penticton
PENTICTON - A new way to enjoy the Okanagan Lake waterfront is coming to Penticton later this month. Rylie and his father Randy Gallagher are partners in bringing the Penticton Wibit Water Park to Okanagan Beach. Set up will begin on June 15 and the two entrepreneurs will open their floating water park across from...
Rainfall warning for South Okanagan
PENTICTON - Residents of the South Okanagan are advised to get prepared for possible flooding over the next couple of days as Environment Canada issues a rainfall warning. Forecasters are calling for rainfall amounts between 25 and 40 millimetres tonight and tomorrow, with the rain expected to be heavy at times. An upper disturbance moving...
Regional grants policy revamped
PENTICTON - The Regional District Okanagan Similkameen is making changes to its grants policy. Chief financial officer Sandy Croteau said one facet of the new policy will see gas tax funding only used for projects involving land owned or leased to the regional district, eliminating the funds from the reach of non-profits and societies who...
Local businesses urged to become “Friends of the Games”
PENTICTON - General Manager of the Penticton Lakeside Resort David Prystay is one of the first community sponsors to become a Friend of the Games through his offer of in-kind services to the host society. The Lakeside will be the host hotel for the 2016 B.C. Winter Games, which will take place in Penticton from...
Search continues to fill top job at City of Penticton
PENTICTON - The search for someone to fill the top administrative position at the City of Penticton has narrowed, while a new department head has been hired. Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says advertising for the Chief Administrative Officer job has attracted over 100 applications and the city is compiling a short list and conducting initial interviews....
Lotto 6/49 ticket purchased in Penticton worth $1 million
PENTICTON - Someone who bought a Lotto 6/49 ticket in Penticton is going to be doing a happy dance soon. The B.C. Lottery Corporation reports the $1-million winner in the guaranteed prize of the Saturday, May 30, draw purchased their ticket in Penticton. The winner with the exact match to the winning number — 03362986-03...
Quick action by Penticton firefighters following lightning strike
PENTICTON - Penticton firefighters responded to a couple of structure fires over the weekend, starting with a lightning strike Friday afternoon which caused some anxious moments for residents of Huth Avenue. Deputy Fire Chief Dave Spalding says lightning hit a tree and ignited a garden shed situated just below at about 2:30 p.m. during the...
Mutual aid: why you see your firefighters in neighbouring communities
PENTICTON - The massive shop fire in Naramata last weekend saw fire crews from several outlying communities scrambling to aid Naramata with extra firefighters and equipment. Extra resources were brought to bear through a mutual aid agreement with Penticton, Summerland and Kaleden which saw those departments release equipment and manpower from their fire protection areas...