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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
Penticton robbery compared to Disney movie
THEY PICKED 'THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME' PENTICTON - A robbery attempt at a Penticton restaurant last summer, which defence counsel said was “more like the Apple Dumpling Gang” nonetheless resulted in jail time for the accused. Clay Robert Oldershaw of Williams Lake was sentenced in Penticton Provincial Court today, Nov. 19 to...
What you need to know about Highway 3 closures today
PENTICTON - Frustrations are mounting as motorists travelling Highway 3 face delays because of road closures in two locations along the highway today, Nov. 18. Highway 3 is now open to single lane, alternating traffic following a closure west of Keremeos yesterday afternoon, but another closure at the Skagit Bluffs remains in effect. The highway...
Nine months for Penticton man convicted of robbery at knifepoint
PENTICTON - A Penticton man who held up several youth at knifepoint while on a five-day drinking binge two summers ago will face jail time. Kody Joseph Jack was sentenced in Penticton Provincial Court yesterday, Nov. 16, to nine months jail time on three counts of robbery and one count of uttering threats. The charges...
RCMP investigating Penticton fire sparked by Molotov cocktail
PENTICTON - RCMP are looking into a garage fire started by a Molotov cocktail in Penticton last night. Fire crews were called to a home on Calgary Avenue around 10:20 p.m., Nov. 15, to find the homeowner trying to put out a small fire on the roof of his garage. Deputy fire chief Dave Spalding...
Sunday evening collision sends three to hospital in Penticton
PENTICTON - A single vehicle accident resulted in three people being transported to Penticton Regional Hospital Sunday evening, Nov. 15. The Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department, RCMP and B.C. Ambulance responded to a call for a single vehicle accident south of Penticton on Highway 97 at approximately 8:05 p.m. The accident occurred approximately two kilometres south...
Penticton plays host to international astrophysics conference
PENTICTON - About 250 members of the international astrophysical community gathered in Penticton this week to discuss an joint project dealing with radio astronomy. The scientists from around the world discussed the design work being done on a billion dollar project known as the Square Kilometre Array. Staff at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory near Penticton played...
Illegal fire proves costly to province, Osoyoos area man
PENTICTON - A fire set to burn cardboard has proved costly for a South Okanagan resident. An Osoyoos area man was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge fee of $750 after pleading guilty to a section of the wildfire act in Penticton Provincial court, Nov. 9. The man was accused of burning...
Dog stolen from Penticton SPCA
PENTICTON - An unneutered male dog was stolen after someone broke into the local branch of the SPCA this week, leaving staff and volunteers very concerned about the dog's welfare. Someone cut through the compound fence, in addition to cutting a hole in one of the kennel fences, sometime between noon yesterday, Nov. 11, and...
Oliver ski resort’s future is up, then down
PENTICTON - The status of a South Okanagan ski resort appear headed downhill once again. Less than a month after Mount Baldy Ski Resort announced it was making preparations to open the hill, even announcing an opening date, the resort has posted notice on it’s website page saying it is once again in jeopardy of...
UPDATE: Man accused of threatening Penticton city hall staff arrested after garage fire
PENTICTON - The same man arrested after threatening voicemail messages were left at Penticton city hall is in custody following an early morning fire at this home. Police and Penticton firefighters responded to a garage fire around 5:48 a.m., Nov. 6, at 112 - 2990 South Main St. Penticton RCMP Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says a...
Penticton RCMP seeking owner of travel trailer
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP would like to find the proper home - and owner - of an abandoned travel trailer. RCMP say the trailer with a stolen British Columbia license plate was found in the Penticton Walmart parking lot on Saturday, Oct. 31. The license plate attached to the trailer had been stolen from an Okanagan...
UPDATE: Threatening messages at Penticton city hall result in armed standoff
PENTICTON – Threatening voicemail messages about the City of Penticton cutting off someone's power sparked…
Another former tenant of Penticton rental speaks out about rat issue
PENTICTON - Another former tenant of a Penticton rental house says he was forced out of the house because of rodent issues. Bram Avery told Infonews he and his wife rented the house, located at 292 Kinney Ave., prior to Linda Childs, who moved out last month because rats were overrunning the property. Avery says...
Oliver family feels marijuana-laced baked goods to blame for sick dog
OLIVER - A family pet needed emergency care after ingesting enough marijuana to cause THC toxicity this past weekend, leaving his Oliver family to believe a Halloween prank is to blame. Faith Speed started 'Rangers Medical Support Fund' after her dog got sick this past weekend, which she believes was caused when someone left something...
Senior ordered to abstain after series of booze related disturbances
PENTICTON - An elderly man who threatened a police officer and caused a disturbance at Cherry Lane Mall last month was released today, Nov. 2 after being sentenced to time already served. Gerzon Kovacs was arrested Sept. 3, 2015, at Cherry Lane Mall after Penticton RCMP were called to deal with a disturbance. Police arrested...
Penticton crash sends motorcyclist to hospital
PENTICTON - A car crash on Skaha Lake Road Sunday afternoon sent one person to hospital. A car and a motorcyle were involved in the crash at around 12:45 pm., Nov. 1, in the 3500-block of Skaha Lake Road, according to reports. Witnesses say the man riding the motorcycle was lying in the middle of...
Construction of South Okanagan private racetrack set to begin next week
PENTICTON – Plans to construct a five-kilometre motorsport race track in the South Okanagan received…
Rat infestation forces Penticton woman to leave home
PENTICTON - Linda Childs thought she was moving into the perfect home and it was. For rats. She didn’t notice anything before she moved into the Kinney Street home two years ago with her two grandchildren, ages 5 and 7, until a neighbour let her know. “My neighbours were telling me the last few tenants...
Penticton Indian Band hopes to win over Gateway Casinos in bid for new location
PENTICTON – With the future location of the Lakeside Casino in Penticton up in the…
Multiple school closures considered for School District 67
PENTICTON - A deficit for the 2016-2017 school year estimated at $1.025 million has forced School District 67 to come up with some tough choices. The school board revealed those options at a public meeting held at Shatford Centre on Monday, Oct. 26. School board chair Linda Van Alphen says seven of the 18 originally...
Jail time for fourth participant in winter crime spree
PENTICTON The fourth man involved in a Naramata crime spree was sentenced in Penticton Provincial court today, Oct. 27. Damian Tyler Baptiste entered guilty pleas to two counts of possession of stolen property and breach of bail conditions, charges stemming from incidents occurring on December 29, 2014. He will serve 45 days of an intermittent...
Penticton court shows mercy on suspended driver with lengthy driving history
PENTICTON - A Naramata man with a notorious driving record was given a break in Penticton court on Monday, Oct. 26 because of his personal circumstances. Peter John Roberts appeared before Judge Meg Shaw on Monday after pleading guilty to one count of driving while his license was suspended. Crown Prosecutor Kurt Froehlich told court...
Cougar stalks couple hiking Skaha Bluffs near Penticton
PENTICTON - A couple hiking the Skaha Bluffs had an usettling encounter with wildlife earlier this week. Penticton RCMP received a call from a man around 2:20 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, after the man and his wife encountered a cougar while hiking in the Skaha Bluffs area. The man told police the cougar was stalking...
Penticton to play host to 2017 Western Canada Cup
PENTICTON - The road to the 2017 National Junior A hockey championship, the RBC Cup, will pass through Penticton in two years. The Penticton Vees will host the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup between April 29 and May 7, 2017. The Vees will participate in a five team tournament that will also include the...