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Steve Arstad

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

  • Joined: January 01, 2023
  • Articles: 6735

Aging City of Penticton facilities could cost $31 million to repair or replace

PENTICTON - Penticton’s public buildings are getting old and in need of repair, replacement or upgrades, city council learned this week. Council received an overview of the city's Facitlities Master Plan from its consultant which says the 25 facilities have an average age of 40 years and repairs or upgrades in the order of $31...

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...

Strong finish to 2015 for South Okanagan real estate markets

PENTICTON - The South Okanagan real estate market had a strong 2015 and is already starting the new year off on an optimistic note, according to a local real estate agent. Penticton real estate agent Scott Rowlands says 2015 was a very good market locally, with units sold up 19 per cent over 2014. “Listings...

Penticton looking for federal funding to help with water meter project

PENTICTON - The city has decided which project it hopes to get support from the federal government on, and water meters for irrigation systems were the winner. Penticton City Council prioritized the projects put forward by staff as candidates for funding through the Building Canada Fund Small Communities grant during a council meeting, Jan. 11....

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...

Free parking getting scarce as Penticton moves to more paid lots

PENTICTON - Parking is going to get more expensive in Penticton, with parking pay machines set to be installed at several locations throughout the city and fees to rise at hourly and monthly lots. First implemented in 2012, council agreed to expand to the next phase of the parking strategy for 2016-2017. During the first...

Penticton council scrounges to find additional revenue to offset tax hike

PENTICTON - Penticton City Council began the City Hall equivalent of looking under the living room furniture upholstery for loose change as it took a look at fees charged in the recreation and building departments. Council scrutinized booking and administration fees for recreation and building fees, fines and business licenses during the Jan. 11 council...

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...

Get the facts on how the regional district operates

PENTICTON - The regional district is trying to make it easier for residents to understand exactly what services are offered by the government body. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen’s Area 'D' ongoing governance study released the first series of fact sheets last week in an effort to deliver information about services currently provided by...

Break and enters dominate new year for Penticton police

PENTICTON - With break and enters being reported nearly every day over the past week, Penticton RCMP have been kept busy as 2016 gets underway. During a break and enter last Wednesday, Jan. 6, on Apex Mountain Road the front door of a residence was damaged. Video surveillance shows a truck on scene with a...

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,...

Everyone welcome to citizenship ceremony

PENTICTON - Penticton and area residents have an opportunity to welcome new arrivals to the area when the second annual Canadian Citizenship Ceremony takes place othis week. South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services will host the event, which is also partnered by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada and the City of Penticton. Taking part in...

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...

Penticton city council gets update on energy retrofit program

PENTICTON - The City of Penticton’s Energy Retrofit Loan Program has proved to be very successful as it moves into its final year of operation. A status update on the program will be presented to Penticton City Council at tonight’smeeting, Jan. 11, with an alternative option to look at extending the program for another year....

Regional board misses out on initial round of deer management funding

PENTICTON - The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen won’t be able to take advantage of a hastily released interim cost sharing program with the provincial government to pay for deer management projects. Chief administrative officer Bill Newell says an announcement was made during last year’s Union of B.C. Municipalities convention about a short term program,...