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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
Action packed afternoon on Sunday at Penticton Speedway
PENTICTON - It’s the final weekend for racing events at Penticton Speedway and the track is going out with a bang — literally. Penticton Speedway owner John Aantjes says the Halloween Destruction stock car races on Sunday will include a hit-to-pass event involving race cars towing boats and travel trailers. “It’s great family entertainment, I...
Police act quickly after young Penticton girl subjected to offensive sexual remarks
PENTICTON - Inappropriate comments made to a school girl by a 40 year old intoxicated man resulted in quick police action by Penticton RCMP on Tuesday, Oct.20. Penticton RCMP Staff Sgt. Kurt Lozinski said today, Oct. 22, RCMP responded to an incident at Carmi School just before 3 p.m Tuesday. It involved a man who...
Photo contest awards best in local escapes and landscapes
PENTICTON - Photographers of the South Okanagan got out their cameras in response to the Sep.t 21 launch of a photography contest sponsored by Tourism Penticton. The organization announced the winners of their “Escapes & Landscapes Photography Contest" on Oct. 19, selecting the top three photos from more than 130 entries. Doug Cox took first...
Fentanyl confirmed in some South Okanagan overdoses
PENTICTON – Test results have confirmed the drug fentanyl was present in some of the…
ELECTION 2015: UPDATE: NDP’s Cannings wins in South Okanagan-West Kootenay
PENTICTON - Like his campaign slogan said, “It’s Cannings time.” The NDP's Richard Cannings, 61, is heading to Ottawa after winning in the new riding of South Okanagan-West Kootenay. Cannings admitted early in the race he expected it to be a tight battle between himself and Conservative candidate Marshall Neufeld, noting many people were looking...
Local filmmaker captures the brilliance of Summerland
PENTICTON - The latest video offered by Okanagan filmmaker Steve Cogbill highlights his hometown. Cogbill’s Three minutes in Summerland captures the diversity and beauty of Cogbill’s home. “It’s such a beautiful place, I wanted to make a video to capture some of its brilliance,” Cogbill says. Cogbill's film captures the natural beauty surrounding the community as...
Overdose suspected in two South Okanagan deaths
PENTICTON – It’s not known yet what substance is responsible for seven overdoses and two…
Osoyoos-based Columbia River Treaty workshop highlights Okanagan impacts
PENTICTON - A public workshop held recently in Osoyoos to discuss the Columbia River Treaty highlighted Okanagan issues stemming from the 50-year-old pact. The workshop, which took place at the Sonora Centre in Osoyoos on Oct. 7, was held in the Okanagan to raise the profile of the treaty’s impacts on the valley and prioritize...
Cross border water conference shares ideas, compares notes during drought year
PENTICTON - Those with a stake in the Okanagan River watershed on both sides of the 49th parallel gathered in Osoyoos last week to exchange ideas, discuss this year’s drought conditions, and work towards a more cooperative relationship in the management of the Okanagan River. The conference, which first took place in 2007, happens every...
Casino looking for new digs as Lakeside Resort looks at expansion of convention facilities
PENTICTON - Penticton Lakeside Resort, Convention Centre and Casino will be sporting a name change, along with other more significant changes over the next two years. The hotel’s General Manager, David Prystay, recently announced the hotel would not be renewing their lease with Lakeside Casino when it expires in 2017. Prystay says the hotel plans...
Man accused of bringing gun into Penticton Law Courts denied bail
PENTICTON - The man accused of bringing a shotgun into the Penticton Law Courts earlier this year will remain in jail for the time being. Jessy Arthur Michaud appeared by video in front of Judge Gale Sinclair this morning, Oct. 13, when he was denied bail on five charges, three of which related to an...
Penticton mother of two faces eviction for paperwork error
'NOW I HAVE LITERALLY NOWHERE TO GO, EXCEPT BACK TO THE WOMEN'S SHELTER WITH MY TWO KIDS' PENTICTON - A Penticton family facing an uncertain future as the eviction deadline on their subsidized housing nears says difficulty with ministry paperwork is to blame and wishes her landlord would show a little bit of compassion for...
Warning issued following rash of overdoses in the South Okanagan
PENTICTON – Concern over the rash of drug overdoses in the South Okanagan is growing,…
Mount Baldy to open for the upcoming ski season
PENTICTON - South Okanagan ski enthusiasts can begin preparations for a new ski season at Mount Baldy. Following fears the ski resort, about 40 kilometres east of Oliver, may not be ready for the coming season, the Baldy Capital Corporation announced today, Oct. 9, preparations are being undertaken to fully open the ski resort for...
Rash of overdoses prompts warning from Oliver and Osoyoos RCMP
PENTICTON – Osoyoos and Oliver RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance following a spike in…
South Okangan burning ban lifted in time for long weekend
PENTICTON - Residents of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen can get out the marshmallows and light their campfires, just in time for Thanksgiving weekend. The regional district will be rescinding their burning ban effective noon tomorrow, Oct. 9, emergency services supervisor Dale Kronebusch says. The ban was extended this year due to dry conditions...
Okanagan wineries report progress in efforts to rein in legislation
OKANAGAN - Small and medium sized wineries say efforts are working to slow the province’s issuing of liquor licenses to allow wine sales in grocery stores. Following a meeting held at Poplar Grove Winery in Penticton last week, the B.C. Alliance for Smart Liquor Retail Choice reported the group met with staff of Premier Christy...
Multiple offender tests court’s compassion one more time
PENTICTON - A 25-year-old man who has already chalked up 57 prior convictions was warned in Penticton Provincial Court today, Oct. 7, “the ice is getting thin” over repeated failed promises to rehabilitate. Lawrence Jordan Brown appeared by video in court this afternoon, facing sentencing on several counts stemming from an attempted theft at a...
Okanagan group returning favour to rat breeder hit by flood
OLIVER - A rehabilitation centre for owls and other raptors in the South Okanagan will return a food supply favour by sending a rat breeder some new stock. Abbotsford rat breeder Mike Hopecraft "The Reptile Guy" took a major a hit last week when he lost almost 200 of the animals when a water line...
Penticton poet waxes political in ‘The Cut’
PENTICTON - It’s Shane Koyczan at his political best. Koyczan, who is from Penticton, takes Prime Minister Stephen Harper to task in this piece written for the Imagine Oct. 20 campaign, organized by Dan Mangan in association with leadnow.ca. Likening the election campaign to a job interview, Koyczan says the Conservative leader's approach to avoiding...
Police find 18-month old child crying, alone on Penticton street early Saturday
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP report a happy ending to an incident that could have had tragic consequences. RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says police received a call at approximately 4:45 a.m. Saturday morning, October 3, of an 18-month-old girl crying in the street at Eckhardt Avenue and Argyle Street. Police located the child and walked...
Not all wineries sold on idea of selling wine in grocery stores
PENTICTON - British Columbia’s small and medium sized wineries are asking the province to put the brakes on their wine and liquor modernization initiative. Approximately 100 winemakers, local politicians and stakeholders gathered at Poplar Grove Winery this week for a town hall meeting hosted by the B.C. Alliance for Smart Liquor Retail Choices. The meeting...
Disc golf tournament to take place on traditional golf course in Penticton
PENTICTON - A Penticton golf course is breaking with tradition this weekend. Skaha Meadows Golf Course will be teaming up with the Penticton Disc Golf Club to host “Mayhem at the Meadows” Disc Golf tournament on Saturday, Oct. 3. The nine hole course will become an 18 hole disc golf course with the addition of...
Naramata Centre suggested for Syrian refugee housing
PENTICTON - As Naramata Centre’s new board of directors try to plot a course for the future, one suggested use appears to be gaining favour: Supporting Syrian refugees. Directors of the former retreat have sought input from the community of Naramata about how best to use the facility, which is owned by the United Church...