Elevate your local knowledge
Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!
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
Heightened security at Penticton Courthouse
PENTICTON - Following the discovery of a concealed shotgun at the courthouse in Penticton last week, security has been stepped up. People attending the Penticton Law Courts today, July 22, found themselves subject to security screening. A portable walk-through metal detector was set up inside the courthouse foyer in a setup similar to airport screening....
UPDATE: Fugitive Ronald Teneycke believed to have car-jacked a new ride
PENTICTON - RCMP now believe prolific offender Ronald Teneycke has car-jacked another vehicle after assaulting the driver. Teneycke was picked up hitchhiking on Baldy Mountain Forest Service Road by the driver of a 1999 3/4 ton GMC pickup truck with the words Okanagan Rustic Furniture across the back window. The license plate is 6721 GG, Cpl....
Two new fires in the South Okanagan
PENTICTON – B.C. wildfire crews are working to extinguish two new fires in the South…
Accused in Penticton shooting granted bail
PENTICTON - The man accused in a shooting incident near Penticton’s northeast boundary was released on bail today, July 17. Matthew James Cameron, accused of one count of attempted murder in a shooting incident that took place Monday night, July 13, on Lindsay Road in Penticton, was delivered to court but did not make an...
School bus crash near Osoyoos
PENTICTON - A car crash on Highway 3 near Osoyoos yesterday afternoon involving a school bus narrowly avoided tragic consequences. RCMP say a collision between a Dodge pickup towing a travel trailer and the school bus took place on Highway 3, 20 kilometres west of Osoyoos at about 1:30 p.m., Thursday, July 16. According to...
Vehicle ends up in Okanagan River Channel
PENTICTON - An early morning car crash ended with a vehicle in the Okanagan River Channel this morning. Penticton RCMP, B.C. Ambulance and Penticton Fire Department personnel responded to call at 12:34 a.m., July 16, to the crash at the intersection of Skaha Lake Road and Channel Parkway. RCMP ensured everyone had made it out...
Mayor discusses city’s philosophy behind new CAO hire
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton means business as it welcomes a new Chief Administrative Office to city staff. Penticton’s new city manager is coming into the office with no prior experience, but Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says he doesn’t think that will be an issue. The city announced yesterday the hiring of Eric Sorensen as...
Concealed shotgun discovered at Penticton court house
PENTICTON - It's unknown what his intent was but the watchful eye of a Sheriff may have stopped a potentially serious incidents at the Penticton Law Courts Monday after a man was found carrying a concealed shotgun. Penticton RCMP say a man and woman entered the Penticton court house yesterday around noon. The man was...
UPDATE: Police investigation continues at Naramata shooting scene
PENTICTON - Police activity continues today, July 14, at a residence located at the end of Lindsay Road, on the Naramata Bench. Penticton RCMP continue their investigation into a shooting that occurred at the residence at approximately 10:30 last night. According to police, two men were involved in the incident. One is being treated for...
One injured, one in custody following Penticton shooting
PENTICTON - A single victim is in hospital following a shooting incident on the outskirts of Penticton last night. Penticton RCMP received reports of shots fired around 10:30 p.m. yesterday, July 13. Police responded to a residence near the Penticton-Naramata boundary where they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to...
Farewell party for second departing Penticton city manager a more frugal affair
PENTICTON - Going away parties for city staffers have been scaled back following a large bill submitted earlier this year. City of Penticton Communications Officer Simone Blais says the farewell party for exiting Interim City Manager Chuck Loewen cost the city $235 last month. “That was the total spent in food, for veggies, meat and cheese...
Top NHL draft pick to play in 2015 Young Stars Classic in Penticton
PENTICTON - The 2015 Young Stars Classic is just around the corner and tickets could be in bigger demand than ever this year. TIcket sales for the tournament, which will take place Friday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 14, might be exceptionally brisk this year as the number one National Hockey League draft pick for...
Early warning to Penticton boaters: obey rules or air show will be cancelled
PENTICTON - As preparations get underway for the return of Canada’s premier aerial aerobatic team to Penticton, boaters are being warned to obey the rules or lose the show. The committee overseeing the performance of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds team, which will be in Penticton Aug. 5, is advising boaters wishing to view the show...
Pilot in critical condition after suffering burns in Osoyoos crash
OSOYOOS - A 46-year-old Surrey man lies in critical condition in a Vancouver hospital a day after crashing his single engine Beechcraft plane on Highway 97 just north of Osoyoos. The pilot has been identified as Todd Lewendon of Surrey, a husband and father with three daughters. He is a veteran pilot with nearly 20...
B.C. Wildfire crews find weed in the Okanagan wild
PENTICTON - A grow-op in the woods above Naramata was discovered by B.C. Wildfire crews who were called to the area to fight a small wildfire yesterday. RCMP Staff Sgt. Kurt Lozinski says members were called after firefighters tending a small wildfire made the discovery on Tuesday afternoon, July 7. The firefighters were in the...
Mental health issues at root of Osoyoos convenience store robberies
PENTICTON - A Penticton provincial court judge sympathized with a young man suffering from mental issues after two bungled robbery attempts in Osoyoos. Twenty-four year old Aaron Paul Hillstad will only spend one day in jail after receiving credit for time served, but will face two years’ probation under a number of strict terms following...
Seasonal workers add to Penticton soup kitchen clientele
PENTICTON - It may be summer, but there is no sign of diminishing need at the Penticton Soupateria. Past President Keray Lavant says the volunteers fed 185 people on Friday, July 3. That’s up from a normal summer day of 160. “We’re normally cleaned up and out of here by 12:30 p.m., but it’s 1...
Boat inspectors at work in Okanagan
PENTICTON - Inspectors are making sure Penticton beaches remain mussel-free this summer. Inspectors Branden Beck and Graham Wheating say it’s their second time to be stationed at the Kaleden scales, inspecting boats for any sign of invasive zebra and quagga mussels, part of a provincial program that has three crews monitoring highways, beaches and boat launches...
Penticton Indian Band steps toward self-governance
PENTICTON -The Penticton Indian Band took a big step forward in its ability to self govern as the band formally announced their participation in the First Nations Land Management Regime today, June 30. The regime will allow the Penticton band opportunity to opt out of 32 land-related sections of the Indian Act in order to...
Gyro Park in Penticton the place to be for Canada Day
PENTICTON - There are lots of things planned in Penticton to ensure people can celebrate Canada’s 148th birthday. Main events for Canada Day on Wednesday, July 1, in Gyro Park include the pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., a Public Market and Food Fair at 9 a.m., along with the opening ceremonies and cake cutting at...
Search continues for man missing in Osoyoos Lake
PENTICTON - Search and Rescue volunteers and the RCMP dive team have joined the search for a missing man in Osoyoos Lake today. The 34-year-old man from West Vancouver went missing after falling of a personal watercraft into the lake around 6 p.m., Sunday, June 28, according to a RCMP media release. Police say the missing...
Family pet succumbs to snake bite
CAWSTON, B.C. - A Cawston couple are extending a note caution to rural residents and those walking their dogs in the wild after a rattlesnake killed the family dog in their yard on the weekend. Sally Taylor let the family dog Pickles out into the front yard Saturday morning, June 27. The dog returned bleeding...
Penticton helicopter team called to multiple rescues around Okanagan Sunday
PENTICTON - A week-long search in the South Okanagan ended on a positive note Sunday, but Penticton Search and Rescue crews were quickly put to work helping with emergencies in other parts of the region. Search and rescue spokesperson Randy Brown says the search for two lost Ontario hikers had no sooner ended in the...
Weekend weather made to order for classic cars and the King of Rock and Roll
PENTICTON - Visitors to Penticton might have found themselves thinking about "the good old days" this weekend. Between the Penticton Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival and the Peach City Beach Cruise with it’s classic cars, the 1950s, 60s, or 70s didn’t seem far in the past. Hundreds of antique, classic and specialty cars and trucks graced...