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
Council delays legal action against property owners
PENTICTON - Two property owners have been given two more weeks to resolve their issues before the city against takes legal action against both of them. The injunctive action planned against Action Steel (2365 Barnes St.) and Penticton Self Storage Ltd. (2360 Government St.) stems from a number of long-standing issues regarding a retaining wall...
Youthful Penticton inventor heading for science fair nationals
PENTICTON - After a successful weekend at the regional science fair a youthful Penticton inventor is aiming for the nationals in New Brunswick. Charley Smith entered his project, which involves alternative energy sources for vehicles, in the Regional Science Fair in Summerland, placing Best in Show and winning gold. Next up is a trip to...
Penticton firefighters respond to deck blaze
PENTICTON - Penticton firefighters put out a deck fire started by a child with a lighter Sunday morning. Fire crews were called to a home on McCulloch Road near McGregor Drive around 9:34 a.m., April 12. “It was actually a retired auxiliary member who spotted it. He and the residents had it pretty much under...
Fest-of-Ale draws thousands
PENTICTON - The suds flowed freely on the weekend at the Penticton Convention Centre during the 20th annual Okanagan Fest of Ale. More than 4,000 people participated in the tasting event that showcased beers and ciders from 47 producers. Changes to the event this year included an outdoor section and a pop-up, on site liquor...
Lumberjacks coming to Peachfest
PENTICTON - A group of unlikely television celebrities are set to return to Penticton this summer. The West Coast Lumberjacks will bring their show to Okanagan Lake Park during the Penticton Peach Festival Aug. 5 to 8. The group have recently become television celebrities, appearing on Bachelor Canada, the Amazing Race and Canada’s Got Talent....
Rail trail north of Princeton closed due to slide
PENTICTON - The Trans Canada Trail and Kettle Valley Rail Trail has been closed until further notice between Princeton and Coalmont. A large rockslide came down on the former rail bed approximately 10 kilometres west of Princeton at the 125 kilometre marker of the Trans Canada Trail. Deemed unsafe for recreational use, the trail is...
KOOPMANS TRIAL: Key witnesses can’t be trusted: Defence
PENTICTON - The lawyer for John Koopmans attacked the credibility of key Crown witnesses—including one of the complainants—telling jurors they can’t be believed. Don Skogstad got his chance in Penticton Supreme Court today, April 7, to make some sense of six weeks of evidence the 12-member jury heard in the double murder trial. John Ike...
PUCKER UP: RCMP members suck limes for a good cause
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP members were told to suck it Wednesday, but it's for a good cause so they played along. Penticton RCMP members took the Lyme Sucks Challenge April 8 as they attempted to kick off a national Lyme Sucks Challenge amongst the nation’s RCMP detachments. In an effort to raise awareness and money...
Naturist group appeals for respect and cooperation
PENTICTON - A local naturist group is appealing for calm following the latest debate over Three Mile Beach. The Okanagan Naturist Association issued a plea for naturists to be respectful following Penticton council’s decision not to endorse clothing optional use of Three Mile Beach. In a press release issued April 8, the Okanagan Naturist Association...
Industry insiders getting down to specifics of B.C. wine regions
PENTICTON - B.C. wines continue to grow in sophistication. The province recently announced the formation of a task force to make recommendations on ways to improve the B.C. appellation system for wine produced from 100 per cent B.C. grapes. An appellation is a legal means of describing the location of where grapes are grown in B.C....
Dangerous section of Hope-Princeton getting $27-million upgrade
PENTICTON - A winding, dangerous portion of the Hope-Princeton Highway is slated for upgrading thanks to a multi-level funding commitment. Provincial and federal governments have announced funding for a $27.65 million upgrade to Highway 3, west of Princeton. A five-kilometre stretch of the roadway will be relocated and straightened to remove a two sharp curves...
Over $2-million worth of waterfront improvements proposed in Penticton
PENTICTON - The details surrounding a major waterfront improvement along Lakeshore Drive in Penticton are out as the SS Sicamous Master Plan moves forward. Consultant Ed Grifone presented the plan to city council, Tuesday, April 7, and the counsellors endorsed the plan with first reading of a bylaw intended to incorporate the plan into the Official...
How council ended up in a two-day meeting
PENTICTON - Tuesday’s council meeting may have been a record-setter for length, thanks to three public hearings that pushed the meeting into a second day. Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said he suspects the six-and-a-half hour meeting that ended at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday broke some kind of record; it was certainly the longest meeting in his...
Daycare needs highlighted in Penticton debate
PENTICTON - Residents of a south Penticton neighbourhood made their feelings, good and bad, known about a proposed daycare this week. The zoning amendment application for 96 Yorkton Ave. first came before council Jan. 12 where it was read for a first time and forwarded to a public hearing three weeks later. Opposition to the...
No change in park status for south Penticton streets
PENTICTON - It may have been an innocent initiative put forward by a Penticton city staffer, but the citizen backlash resulted in the biggest turnout to a public hearing and regular council meeting Penticton’s present council has seen. Several hundred residents packed council chambers and other rooms on the second floor of city hall Tuesday,...