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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
Federal government hiring for this year’s census
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – This year’s federal census will provide some job opportunities for residents in the…
Naramata support group waits for word on Syrian refugees; focuses on funding
PENTICTON – While the Naramata Refugee Support Initiative waits to hear about the arrival of…
Penticton waterpark debate reaches new low with misguided message
PENTICTON - A Penticton woman expressing support for a waterpark in Skaha Park is dismayed and offended after receiving a personal attack simply because of her stance on the development. Amber Fradin has a sign in her window that reads “Support the Skaha Marina Improvement Project” along with directions to the group’s Facebook page. “No...
Farm outbuilding destroyed in Summerland fire
PENTICTON - A farm building is Summerland was heavily damage by fire yesterday morning. Summerland firefighters were called at about 11:10 a.m., Jan. 13, to the fire in an outbuilding at 9505 Gilman Road. The first crews on the scene say the 1,200 square foot building was engulfed in flames. Crews had some difficulties fighting the...
Summerland community comes out to discuss possible Trout Creek Elementary closure
SUMMERLAND - It was a packed house of parents, concerned residents, students, and Summerland councillors during a meeting this week to discuss possible school closures in the school district. Yesterday, Jan. 13, a meeting was held at Trout Creek Elementary School to allow the public to express concerns about a recently announced option for school...
Petition hopes to raise $1B for biking in B.C.
OKANAGAN - The B.C. Cycling Coalition is mounting a campaign to petition the province to provide $1 billion for bike trails in B.C., and a local group working to make an Okanagan Valley-long trail more public is supporting the initiative. “We want the provincial government to help enable everyone in the province to cycle and...
Trucks being targeted by thieves in the South Okanagan
PENTICTON - Thieves appear to be targeting Ford trucks in the South Okanagan, and RCMP believe this rash of stolen trucks is related to other thefts as well. A man who left his 1995 Chrysler Intrepid to warm up at the Holiday House Motel returned to find it missing at approximately 8 a.m. Wednesday morning,...
Wine in grocery stores could soon be coming to Penticton
PENTICTON – A grocery chain is hoping to start selling wine in Penticton but will…
Sentence for weapons infractions includes restorative justice
PENTICTON - Sentencing passed on an Oliver man who pled guilty to firearms and mischief infractions has left the door open for participation in a restorative justice program following a hearing in Penticton court today, Jan. 11. Judge Meg Shaw left mandatory conditions off orders to the accused not to go near the two victims...
Defence complains about disclosure prior to start of Roxanne Louie preliminary inquiry
PENTICTON – With a preliminary inquiry scheduled to begin in early February, defence counsel for…
The unusual reason why a judge delayed sentencing
PENTICTON - A Naramata man will spend four months in jail because of an exchange of vitriolic text messages that turned into an armed altercation. But jail comes later. Before he was sentenced for mischief and assault with a weapon, Daryn E. Semancik asked court for a delay in sentencing so he could make arrangements...
Sex offender arrested on outstanding warrants
PENTICTON - A man convicted of possessing child pornography is behind bars this morning awaiting a court appearance in Penticton. Jason David Anderson was arrested in the Penticton area this morning for failing to comply with his probation order. Anderson was sentenced to a 90-day intermittent jail term for possessing child pornography in August 2013....
Taser used to subdue man threatening shoppers and police at Penticton mall
PENTICTON - A man who allegedly assaulted a senior and threatened shoppers and police with scissors at Cherry Lane Mall this weekend was eventually calmed by officers but not before they had to use a taser to subdue him. Police responded to calls of a man being assaulted in the northwest parking lot of Cherry...
City and Penticton Indian Band sign agreement to grow local economy together
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton and the Penticton Indian Band have agreed to work together to develop the local economy. The two governments signed an agreement today, Jan. 4, to work together on tourism and economic development, according to a media release. The Penticton Indian Band has agreed to zone some of its land for...
Hundreds of hardy souls take New Year’s plunge in Okanagan Lake
PENTICTON - Sub zero temperatures and a snow covered beach failed to deter hundreds from participating in this year’s Summerland Polar Bear Dip. Summerland Kinsman Club President Mike Petkau says roughly 200 dippers took to Okanagan Lake today, Jan.1, to start the new year with an icy plunge. Petkau estimates up to 500 in total...
Propane theft prompts Penticton police to seek public assistance
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP are looking for a person or persons with an excessive need for propane. Thirteen propane tanks were reported missing from the Skaha Lake Road 7-11 gas bar on Tuesday, Dec. 29. The tanks are believed to have gone missing between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day, stolen from an exterior...
A vegan revolution? Taste testing the next generation of fake meats, vegan mayonnaise
CONCORD, N.H. – How far have vegan alternatives come to tasting like the real thing? Not far enough, according to a panel that tasted some options for The Associated Press.
A look at some of the 69 people newly-appointed to the Order of Canada
OTTAWA – Sixty-nine new appointments to the Order of Canada were announced Wednesday by the Governor General. The appointees include six companions of the order, 14 new officers and 49 new members.
Court appearance for man accused of widely witnessed assault
PENTICTON - A man accused of viciously assaulting his girlfriend and another man was released on bail in Penticton court, Wednesday, Dec. 29. Crown Prosecutor Nashina Devji asked that Randall C. Toews be detained on numerous charges including assault stemming from an incident on Martin Street in Penticton on Sept. 11, 2015. Devji told court...
Lone female in South Okanagan rural crime spree makes court appearance
PENTICTON - The lone female among four alleged thieves involved in a series of break and enters and mailbox damage in the Twin Lakes area may make bail if she can find a $1,000 surety. Chelsey Anne Thorstenson, 28, appeared in court before Judge Gale Sinclair today, Dec. 30, charged with possession of stolen property...
Penticton firefighters douse car fire
PENTICTON - Firefighters were called to downtown Penticton this afternoon to put out a car fire. Fire crews arrived at the intersection of Wade Avenue and Martin Street at approximately 12:50 p.m., Dec. 28, to find a Honda Civic parked at the curb with smoke billowing from the hood and flame from the engine compartment....
Christmas laser lights causing problems for Okanagan airport
PENTICTON - A new form of Christmas lighting may have been at issue behind a police incident at Penticton Regional Airport earlier this month. RCMP were called to Penticton Regional Airport on Sunday evening, Dec. 13, after a pilot reported seeing a green laser light flash in the cockpit as he was about to land,...
Osoyoos woman absolved of assaulting an officer
PENTICTON - An Osoyoos woman charged with willfully resisting or obstructing a police officer and assaulting a police officer walked away from a Penticton courtroom a free woman today, Dec. 23 after a judge preferred her evidence over that of police. Judge Roy Dickey handed down a decision of not guilty on both counts against...
Police respond to mail theft south of Penticton
PENTICTON - Police responded to reports of a mail theft south of Penticton today, only to find the suspects throwing stolen property and weapons out of the vehicle as they tried to make their get away. Community Policing Coordinator Rick Dellebuur says unconfirmed reports of mailbox and residential theft in the Twin Lakes area prompted...