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
Bare-all beach to maintain status quo
PENTICTON - After months of discussion and rhetoric, no changes are forthcoming to the status of Penticton’s controversial nude beach. Faced with a number of possible options from staff to deal with the clothing optional issue at Three Mile Beach, Penticton City Council last night made the most simple one: Do nothing. The issue came...
KOOPMANS TRIAL: Court hears bizarre testimony from key witness
PENTICTON - Witness testimony in the Koopmans murder trial took on a decidedly different direction as a key witness took the stand for a second day. Bradley Martin continued his testimony today, March 5, in Penticton Supreme Court in the trial of John Ike Koopmans, who is charged with two counts of first degree murder and...
Naturist issue at Three Mile Beach back before council
PENTICTON - Three Mile Beach is back at the table Tuesday as staff are set to present a number of options on how to deal with the contentious issue of naturists using the Penticton beach. Staff will be presenting a number of options to council members at a meeting tonight, April 7, and some do...
Striking employees at Naramata Centre reach agreement
PENTICTON - After 11 months of labour dispute and the closure of the Naramata Centre earlier this year, the long strike by union staff at the centre has finally come to an end. The Naramata Centre Society and CUPE 608 announced an agreement today, April 7, noting they have finally come to a 'mutually agreeable...
Regional District looks at transit future in South Okanagan
PENTICTON - The future of transit in the South Okanagan and Similkameen includes more connections to Kelowna and increased ridership. B.C. Transit staff have been busy meeting with local politicians across the province about the developing Regional Tranist Future Plan and made a stop in Penticton on April 2 to update Okanagan Similkameen Regional District...
Search for a Penticton family doctor proves to be daunting task
PENTICTON - Finding a family doctor in Penticton is next to impossible for newcomers to the Peach City. Holly Stengel and her husband moved to the city in February. “My husband and I split the responsibilities to find health care professionals. I said I would take on getting us a physician,” Stengle says. They lined up...
Good Friday fire destroys a home in Cawston
PENTICTON - A house was reduced to rubble after a fire last night in Cawston and the cause of the blaze is under investigation. Keremeos and District Volunteer firefighters were called to the fire at a home on Armstrong Drive just before 10 p.m., Friday, April 3. “The fire was located at the south end...
Okanagan College tuition going up
OKANAGAN - Tuition fees are going up two per cent with Okanagan College’s board of governors approval of a $94.95 million operating budget. Okanagan College Board of Governors Chair Tom Styffe says the board initially faced "a seven digit issue, created by a number of pressures,” according to a media release. He says administration and...
KOOPMANS TRIAL: Accused had no ill will toward shooting victim: Friend
PENTICTON - The last witness in the John Koopmans murder trial said he’d never seen the accused show any ill will towards victim Keith Wharton. Robert Hart, a friend of Koopmans, testified if Koopmans had guns, he was unaware of it, calling him an “even-tempered man” who he had never seen angry. The double murder...
New president for Penticton Hospitality Association
PENTICTON - As the new President of the Penticton Hospitality Association Barb Haynes is excited to help move the organization forward. The hospitality association reflected on last year’s successes, including the court case with the City of Penticton over allegations of financial mismanagement, which the association won, and planned for a busy 2015 at its annual general...
Sticker shock for City of Penticton’s CAO sendoff
PENTICTON - A going away party for Pencticton’s former city manager is raising a few eyebrows — including the mayor’s — after the bill for the event was tallied up. The farewell bash for Annette Antoniak at the Vault Restaurant on Feb. 12 cost taxpayers $1,400 for food and beverages. Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit admitted...
KOOPMANS TRIAL: ‘You were there to settle a score:’ Crown
PENTICTON - Crown Prosecutor Frank Dubenski continued to pummel accused murderer John Koopmans with questions regarding Koopmans’ strange social behaviour the night three people were shot in Princeton. In Koopmans' third day on the stand in his own defence today, March 30, Dubenski demanded to know why he would walk for miles late in the...
Osoyoos incidents keep RCMP busy
PENTICTON - An illegal border crossing and two stolen vehicles kept Osoyoos RCMP busy overnight March 30 and throughout the following day in two separate incidents. Police were alerted by the U.S. Border Patrol just before 10 p.m. Monday of three males illegally crossing the U.S. - Canada border near Highway 3 on Anarchist Mountain....
Cherry Lane losing three fashion retailers
PENTICTON - Penticton’s largest shopping mall is losing three high profile tenants at the end of April. Cleo, Bootlegger and Ricki’s will be closing their doors in Cherry Lane Mall around the end of April, according to media spokesperson Nick Anstett. The three stores operate under the umbrella of parent organization Comark, a Canadian specialty...
Ridership steady on new transit route to OK Falls
PENTICTON - If you like the new bus service linking Okanagan Falls and east Skaha Lake to Penticton, you should probably get on it—it's under review. Regional District Okanagan Similkameen Project Coordinator Lindsay Bourque says the regional district has been receiving “lots of feedback” from those using the new bus route which began service along...