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
Penticton tourism groups ready to put past behind them
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton is anxious to pursue its tourist initiatives, and hopes a renewed association and common goals between three organizations involved in tourist marketing in the city will help rebuild Penticton as a tourist destination. Less than a year ago, three separate entities were fighting with each other for tourism dollars...
Judge impressed with man’s attempt to rehabilitate himself
PENTICTON - A Penticton judge was pleased with a man’s attempts to change his ways since he was charged with assault. Judge Gregory Koturbash said in Penticton Provincial court today, April 29, Frederick Nathaniel Williams showed commitment to getting his life back on track after getting mixed up in a scuffle that led to an...
Penticton outreach centre relocating to where need is greatest
PENTICTON - A new outreach centre planned for Penticton will make mental health services more accessible for the people who need it most. Interior Health announced plans Wednesday, April 29, to relocate an outreach program that helps connect clients with physicians and other health services. The Martin Street Outreach Centre, located at 437 Martin St.,...
On the hunt for summer weather in Penticton
PENTICTON - With temperatures hitting 24 Celsius in Penticton Tuesday, April 28, city residents were out in full force lounging in parks, walking the Okanagan lakefront in comfortable summer attire, or in the case of Syd Birch of the Okanagan Treasure Hunters Club, exploring Gyro Park for lost treasures. Birch says he was 'just killing...
Pedestrian walkway nearing completion
PENTICTON - Kaleden’s first sidewalk is reshaping and urbanizing the community’s major road. Regional District Okanagan Similkameen Community Services Manager Mark Woods says the Lakehill Road project is 'going very well' and expects the walkway to be completed sometime in May. He says construction fell a few weeks behind due to negotiations for further land...
School superintendent’s salary subject to scrutiny
PENTICTON - School District 67 is getting plenty of reaction to news Superintendent Wendy Hyer was given a significant pay raise at a board meeting last December. “I’ve been on the phone, in interviews all morning,” Chair Linda Van Alphen said today, April 28. The Penticton Herald reported yesterday Wendy Hyer got a $17,000 pay...
Missing Penticton hiker located after weekend search
PENTICTON - With more than a foot of fresh snow in the Brent Mountain area on Saturday a hiker was left out in the cold that night as rescue crews worked quickly to locate the man, who was reported missing after not returning from a day hike. The family of a 19-year-old Penticton man called...
Massive sale big news for bookworms
PENTICTON - Read any good books lately? If you haven’t, you won’t want to miss this week’s golden opportunity to find some spring reading at the Rotary Club of Penticton-Okanagan’s annual book sale on right now. You'll also be contributing to worthy causes. Past President Ian Esson says this is the clubs' 11th year running the...
Keremeos bank teller to repay fraudulent funds
PENTICTON - A former cash-strapped customer service representative for a Keremeos bank will have to pay back $25,000 she fraudulently took from customers' accounts, Judge Gregory Koturbash ruled in Penticton provincial court today, April 27. Elizabeth Natalie Elgie was working at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Keremeos in 2011 when her supervisor discovered...
Penmar Arts Society creating investment cooperative
PENTICTON - The Penmar Community Arts Society has an investment opportunity for budding Ed Mirvish types in Penticton. The society held a rooftop party to announce a new investment opportunity for theatre-goers. The group plans to create a cooperative following discussions with Penmar property owners, who gave the society an option to purchase the property...
Repair cafe offers a new approach to recycling
PENTICTON - A Penticton group hopes a European recycling idea will turn Penticton's trash back into treasure today. Okanagan Upcycle Resource Society is hosting a Repair Cafe at their centre located at 180 Industrial Ave. Laurel Burnham with the society is enthusiastic about the opportunities offered by things people throw away. Burnham says the repair...
Money for merchants from moorage: city official
PENTICTON - Moorage space means money to business in Penticton, according to the city's economic development officer. A contested aspect of planned improvements outlined in the SS Sicamous Master Plan is the addition of seven day moorage slips on the jetty north of the SS Sicamous. About 30 people rallied against the planned moorage prior to...
Hospital Foundation celebrates new residence, imaging equipment
PENTICTON - Penticton Regional Hospital has some of the most state of the art X-ray equipment in the Okanagan following the completion of a major upgrade to the hospital’s radiology department. The hospital’s recent upgrades include updated X-ray rooms and a new portable, digital X-ray unit. The South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation held an open...
Osoyoos RCMP help save hawk’s life
PENTICTON - Osoyoos RCMP handled a trio of incidents that involved land, water and air this week. In the air, on Friday, April 24, a Kestral Hawk flew into the grill of a commercial truck driver’s rig while travelling between Rock Creek and Osoyoos. The driver sought help at the Osoyoos RCMP detachment after finding...
School board frustrated with education ministry following AGM address
PENTICTON - B.C. school trustees, including those on the Okanagan-Skaha School Board, want the Minister of Education to live up to its Memorandum of Understanding on Co-Governance with the trustees. Board chair Linda Van Alphen said trustees from across the province expressed that sentiment at the recent Annual General Meeting. Part of Deputy Minister of...