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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
Lightning strikes keep crews hopping dousing wildfires
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Thunderstorms moving through the region ignited several new fires in the Kamloops Fire Centre. The fire danger rating for the Kamloops Fire Centre is high to extreme, with more lightning in the forecast for today, Aug. 13. “We did see lightning move through the area, followed by reports of fires yesterday, so we...
ELECTION 2015: New federal electoral boundaries in place
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Boundary changes for ridings in the Thompson, Okanagan and Similkameen regions are in place for the upcoming federal election. The redistribution process of the most recent review, which is required every 10 years, began in 2012 and new federal electoral districts were approved for the first general election to be called after May...
Why you’ll want to reserve your Okanagan red wines this year
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - All through the Okanagan region, winemakers are getting excited about prospects for this year’s grape crop. Hot, sunny days that have been relatively constant since early June have brought this year’s vintage along at blazing speed, and Okanagan winemakers believe the conditions are right for one of the best vintages ever. “It’s definitely...
Close call for Penticton cat caught in leg hold trap
PENTICTON - 'Look at what the cat dragged in' is rarely used to describe something pleasant and for one Penticton couple that was certainly true this weekend. Terri Lynn Stroomer and Chris Whalen’s cat came home Saturday evening, Aug. 8, dragging a leg hold trap. The feline had been caught in the old trap, which...
South Okanagan woman’s dog saves her during bear attack
PENTICTON - A South Okanagan woman is recovering from a harrowing bear attack in the Willowbrook area last week. The woman was walking her dog when the bear attacked on Aug. 5. She suffered a badly broken arm, which required surgery, claw scratches to her back, and a cut to her face. Conservation Officer Jim Beck...
Quick response stops South Okanagan wildfire
PENTICTON - A rapid response and lack of wind helped firefighters gain a quick upper hand on a wildfire southwest of Kaleden last night. Kaleden fire chief Darlene Bailey says firefighters were called to a smoke sighting near Partington and White Lake Roads at around 6:30 p.m., August 8. They arrived to find a Rank...
Keremeos wildfire leaves two homeless
PENTICTON - A human-caused wildfire west of Keremeos has left two people homeless. The grass fire broke out at about 8:30 a.m. this morning, Aug. 8, along Highway 3 about eight kilometres west of Keremeos, according to Keremeos fire chief Jordy Bosscha. Bosscha says a mobile home, a number of outbuildings and numerous farm implements...
Skaha Bluffs to see increased RCMP and volunteer patrols
PENTICTON - It’s going to be a lot tougher for thieves to vandalize vacationer's vehicles thanks to local RCMP and volunteer initiatives at Skaha Bluffs. Penticton RCMP and Community Policing volunteers were up at the Skaha Bluffs parking lot today, August 7, conducting a patrol and placing auto crime prevention notices on vehicles in the...
Concerns raised about high pressure door-to-door sales pitch
PENTICTON - RCMP have some advice for people concerned about a door-to-door sales pitch making the rounds in Penticton. There has been social media chatter about salespeople trying to get into people’s homes to inspect their furnace and hot water heater to see if they were “outdated and illegal.” Kathy Giguere posted a warning on...
VIDEO: One-girl act entertains Main Street Penticton
PENTICTON - You never know how you’ll be entertained on Main Street during a Penticton summer. Forget about Willy and the Poor Boys, down on the corner — this young lady can do it all. This one-girl band was spotted recently near Knight’s Pharmacy in the downtown core, providing some entertaining free music for passers-by....
Charges possible after children found locked in hot vehicle in Penticton
PENTICTON - For some people, the message just doesn’t seem to be getting through when it comes to leaving kids or pets in locked vehicles. RCMP were called to the Walmart parking lot last Thursday evening, July 30, after bystanders noticed kids left in a car, according to Penticton RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth....
Peachfest kicks off in Penticton today
PENTICTON - The August long weekend has come and gone, now for a week of mostly free fun in Penticton. The 68th annual Penticton Peach Festival starts today, Aug. 5, with an outstanding lineup of free family activities through Sunday, Aug. 9. The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will take to the skies over Okanagan Lake Wednesday...
Suspects still on the loose after smash and grabs in Okanagan Falls and Summerland
PENTICTON - Police continue to look for thieves who don't seem to believe in using doors after several businesses in two Okanagan communities were rammed by vehicles over the weekend. Police say they are making some headway in the apprehension of the person or persons responsible for a smash and enter at Tickleberry’s Ice Cream...
Climbing advocate concerned about vehicle break ins at Skaha Bluffs
PENTICTON - A Penticton rock climber who also happens to be a director of Climbers Access Society of B.C., is concerned about a growing number of thefts from vehicles at the Skaha Bluffs parking lot. Rolf Rybak says two Alberta vehicles were broken into on July 28 at the popular rock climbing site, prying open...
Quick action prevents structure fire from spreading
PENTICTON - Penticton residents woke to an ominous cloud of smoke emanating a house fire in the upper Carmi area this morning. Penticton Deputy Fire Chief Dave Spalding says they responded to a structure fire at 6:24 a.m., July 31, on Joy Road. B.C. Wildfire crews also responded to the fire, which was located outside...
Snowbird pilots to hold a meet and greet session in Penticton
PENTICTON - Snowbirds crew members will be getting up close and personable with Penticton residents while they aren't in the air next week. The Royal Canadian Air Force's Snowbirds will be performing their airborne acrobatics on Wednesday, August 5 in a 40 minute show which begins at 6 p.m., but crew members will be in the...
Residents displaced after Summerland kitchen fire
PENTICTON - Residents of a Summerland home have found alternate accommodation following a kitchen fire yesterday. Summerland Assistant Fire Chief George Pugh says firefighters responded to a fire at home on Nixon Road around 3:30 p.m., July 29. Firefighters arrived on scene to find flames "centred around a dishwasher" in the kitchen of the residence....
Busy year so far for Penticton search and rescue volunteers
PENTICTON - Penticton’s Search and Rescue team are dealing with unprecedented callout volumes this summer, with the busiest tourist weekend in Penticton yet to come. Penticton Search and Rescue’s Public Information Officer Randy Brown reports the organization’s call volume last year was 35 incidents for a total of 6,000 volunteer hours. This year the team...
Vintage warbird arrives in Penticton
PENTICTON - Penticton and South Okanagan residents have an opportunity to get up close to a vintage war machine this week. A Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum aircrew arrived in the city Monday morning, July 27, with the museum’s 'Sentimental Journey,' the museum’s fully restored B-17. The plane will be in Penticton until...
Liquor policy changes good news for local wineries
PENTICTON - Local wineries continue to benefit from promised changes made to the liquor act by the provincial government. Penticton MLA Dan Ashton announced liquor policy changes that will make it easier for wineries to hold special occasions such as weddings at Painted Rock Estate Winery this morning, July 28. “Special occasion licenses were an...
Canucks Young Stars Classic singles and doubles on sale this week
PENTICTON - Tickets to this year’s 2015 Vancouver Canucks Young Stars Classics are selling fast and as a result single tickets are going on sale earlier than usual. Demand has been so strong the single and double header tickets will be made available for purchase two weeks earlier than normally scheduled. Tickets go on sale...
Member loses land claim against Penticton Indian Band
MEMBER CLAIMED ORAL TRADITION GRANTING LANDS PENTICTON - A Penticton Indian Band member has lost another round in court against his own band as he tries to reclaim land he says his grandfather was verbally granted in the early 1900s. The dispute dates back to 2008 when Lavern Jack took up residence on Lots 197...
Boston Pizza founder returns to Penticton to share wisdom
PENTICTON - Three former Pentictonites who have made a name for themselves in the business world enjoyed a relaxing luncheon discussing their successes and passing some advice along to members of the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce. Jim and Brad Treliving and Rick Kozuback were guest speakers yesterday, July 23, briefly discussing their...
RCMP have their man; prolific offender in custody
PENTICTON – The RCMP manhunt for prolific offender Ronald Teneycke has ended with his arrest…