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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

The unusual reason why a judge delayed sentencing

PENTICTON - A Naramata man will spend four months in jail because of an exchange of vitriolic text messages that turned into an armed altercation. But jail comes later. Before he was sentenced for mischief and assault with a weapon, Daryn E. Semancik asked court for a delay in sentencing so he could make arrangements...

Weather and electrical issues take toll on Penticton arenas

PENTICTON - The City of Penticton’s recreation department took a few hits over the holidays, with weather playing a role in damage to some of the city’s recreational facilities. Communications officer Simone Blais says the last few weeks of snow build up on the north side of the Memorial Arena roof partially collapsed two of...

Man accused of thefts admits he needs help to overcome his addictions

PENTICTON - A man caught stealing from his roommate told court he’s had enough of a life driven by addiction, saying he had “thrown his hands up” in the knowledge he needed help to change his self imposed lifestyle. Jayson Kenneth Caruso pled guilty to two counts of theft under $5,000 in a Penticton courtroom...

Penticton RCMP report quiet New Year’s Eve

PENTICTON - Police report few incidents New Year's Eve in Penticton, but answered several calls for vehicle thefts last week. Penticton RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says it was a relatively peaceful New Year’s Eve in the city, with only three impaired drivers. Wrigglesworth says festivities were quiet at Apex Mountain Resort as well,...

Man tasered at Cherry Lane Mall to undergo psych evaluation

PENTICTON - The man at the centre of a police incident at Cherry Lane Mall on Jan. 3 made a court appearance today, Jan. 8. Danny Douglas Ross appeared by video in Penticton Provincial Court facing charges of assault, possessing a weapon for dangerous purpose, and willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer, stemming from the...

Emergency crews respond to man down at Penticton intersection

PENTICTON - Emergency crews responded to a call of a pedestrian struck at a Penticton intersection this evening, Jan. 7. According to witness Skylar Noe-Vack, who was on scene, a pedestrian was struck at Main Street and Duncan Avenue at approximately 6:15 p.m. The victim is believed to be male, and was conscious when members...

Lots of Penticton break-ins over the holidays

PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP responded to a series of home break-ins over the holidays. RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says police received a call from a Yorkton Avenue resident on Dec. 25 who was complaining of thefts of alcohol from an outdoor refrigerator. The resident told police he had also filled a wine bottle...

New school closure option presented for Summerland

PENTICTON - The Okanagan Skaha school board is looking at another option as it plans for a possible school closure in Summerland. Board Chair Linda Van Alphen says in an email, feedback from surveys, emails and presentations in Summerland have indicated there may be another publicly acceptable option to closing Giants Head school and moving 350 students...

Sex offender arrested on outstanding warrants

PENTICTON - A man convicted of possessing child pornography is behind bars this morning awaiting a court appearance in Penticton. Jason David Anderson was arrested in the Penticton area this morning for failing to comply with his probation order. Anderson was sentenced to a 90-day intermittent jail term for possessing child pornography in August 2013....

Skaha Hills adds name to Dragon Boat Festival sponsorship

PENTICTON - The Penticton Dragon Boat Festival is gearing up for the 2016 event, which is expected to attract more than 2,100 athletes. During the second week of September, the 15 year old festival will play host to more than 2,100 athletes from Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest as they compete along the north shore...

Child safety programs get a boost in Penticton

PENTICTON - Bicycling and fire safety programs in Penticton will be getting a boost thanks to a provincial grant. The Penticton Safety Village Society will put the $20,000 provincial Community Gaming Grant towards bicycle and fire safety programs for children, B.C. government caucus media spokesperson Dave Paulson says. Non-profit organizations can apply for provincial gaming...

Tire fire in vacant Penticton house accidentally set by homeless squatter

PENTICTON - A New Year’s Eve house fire in a vacant Wade Avenue building was not set deliberately, according to police. The fire, first spotted around 4:15 p.m. on Dec. 31, was the result of a tire catching fire, RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says. The tire was being used as a cooktop sitting on a...

Penticton council approves casino relocation proposal

PENTICTON - A proposal to relocate the Lakeside Casino in Penticton received approval from council this week. City council approved the relocation to a site on the South Okanagan Events Centre property following a series of open houses that followed the unveiling of the proposal in early November. A staff report to council Monday, Jan....

Investigation continues into single vehicle fatality near Penticton

PENTICTON - The Summerland woman who died after her vehicle slid off Highway 97 between Penticton and Summerland was driving below the posted speed limit, police have determined. Investigators have determined  the 42-year-old Summerland woman was driving below the speed limit just prior to her losing control, RCMP media spokesperson Dan Moskaluk says in a...

Two properties in South Okanagan make top 100 assessment list

PENTICTON  - Only two South Okanagan properties made it on to this year’s Thompson - Okanagan top 100 valued residential properties list in 2016. The two properties are both located in Summerland. Coming in 48th on the list is 903 Dent Road, waterfront property valued at $4,398,000. The second, placing 84th on the list, is...

Dryer fire results in temporary evacuation of Penticton apartment building

PENTICTON - Residents of a Brunswick Street apartment were forced from their residences for a short period yesterday evening. Firefighters responded to a call of a dryer fire on the fourth floor of a Brunswick Street apartment complex around 6:40 p.m., Monday, Jan. 4, Penticton Fire Department Deputy Chief Dave Spalding says. Firefighters arrived to find...

Taser used to subdue man threatening shoppers and police at Penticton mall

PENTICTON - A man who allegedly assaulted a senior and threatened shoppers and police with scissors at Cherry Lane Mall this weekend was eventually calmed by officers but not before they had to use a taser to subdue him. Police responded to calls of a man being assaulted in the northwest parking lot of Cherry...

City and Penticton Indian Band sign agreement to grow local economy together

PENTICTON - The City of Penticton and the Penticton Indian Band have agreed to work together to develop the local economy. The two governments signed an agreement today, Jan. 4, to work together on tourism and economic development, according to a media release. The Penticton Indian Band has agreed to zone some of its land for...

Mother nature not cooperating with City of Penticton’s efforts to clear snow

PENTICTON - A lengthy period of cold temperatures is hindering City of Penticton efforts to clear the city’s streets. City Communications Officer Simone Blais says Mother Nature isn’t playing nice as the city’s public works department plugs away at city streets. “Penticton has received over 17 centimetres of snow in the last week. Road crews...

Penticton Search and Rescue’s busiest year yet

PENTICTON - Penticton Search and Rescue was called upon in 2015 like no other year before it. Search and Rescue President Dale Jorgensen says 2015 was “one heck of a year” for the search and rescue team as he offered year-end reflections to the media today, Dec. 30. He said Penticton Search and Rescue answered...

Hundreds of hardy souls take New Year’s plunge in Okanagan Lake

PENTICTON - Sub zero temperatures and a snow covered beach failed to deter hundreds from participating in this year’s Summerland Polar Bear Dip. Summerland Kinsman Club President Mike Petkau says roughly 200 dippers took to Okanagan Lake today, Jan.1, to start the new year with an icy plunge. Petkau estimates up to 500 in total...