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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

Smaller South Okanagan communities benefit from age-friendly grants

PENTICTON - The province is helping 28 B.C. communities help their resident seniors stay mobile, active and socially connected. Okanagan Falls and Keremeos are two local communities benefitting from  2016 Age-friendly Community Planning and Project grants. Keremeos has been awarded $20,000 to help the village build an age-friendly outdoor fitness park to provide additional fitness...

Penmar society dream down, but not out

PENTICTON - The Penmar Community Arts Society is not giving up on their dream to turn the former Penmar Theatre into a community arts centre. Following the passing of a deadline last week for a Kickstarter funding campaign, Penmar Society President Kerri Milton says the group who owns the Penmar property needs to have the option...

‘Turtles’ lure man to Holden Road residence

PENTICTON - Thefts and mayhem on the road following the first significant snowfall of the season kept Penticton RCMP busy last week. Police responded to an address on Holden Road at 3 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, after receiving calls of a man trying to push his way through the patio door, Penticton RCMP media spokesperson...

Thief with a penchant for Wal-Mart won’t be home for Christmas

PENTICTON - A Penticton man won’t get his wish to spend Christmas with family following a Tuesday Penticton court appearance on today, Dec. 22. Brandon Michael Hurren was sentenced on counts of driving while prohibited, theft under $5,000 and breach of recognizance for a number of incidents that occurred in Penticton and Kelowna this year....

Keremeos self storage lockers targeted by thieves

PENTICTON - Several customers are missing items following a break in at a Keremeos self storage compound. Thieves cut locks on several units in the Keremeos self storage facility, located on Veterans Avenue sometime between 10 p.m., Monday, Dec. 20, and 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 21, Keremeos RCMP Cpl. Kathleen Thien says. A chain link fence...

Penticton property tax increase on the way

PENTICTON - Penticton City Council and staff are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel following a lengthy budget meeting in council chambers this week, and it could cost taxpayers upwards of $81 per year. Council took a long look at the 2016 operating budget yesterday morning, Dec. 21, followed by a longer...

It’s not Christmas in Penticton until…

PENTICTON - There are several signs the Christmas season is upon us in Penticton. 1. It’s a sign of Christmas in Penticton when you see emergency vehicles, buses, taxis and personal vehicles adorned with antlers. What other time of the year does anyone attach fake antlers to their vehicles? It's a trend that seems to be on the rise...

‘Lesser evil’ driving infraction earns fines, lengthy licence suspension

PENTICTON - A man who called his choice to drive while his license was suspended a “lesser of two evils” will spend at least another year without his licence following a courtroom appearance in Penticton. Steven Gary Mason faced Judge Gale Sinclair in Penticton court on today, Dec. 21, on two counts of driving while...

Okanagan Similkameen Regional District office upgrades, upgraded

PENTICTON - The upgrade to the Okanagan Similkameen Regional District office building is on budget thanks to a gas tax grant from the Union of B.C. Municipalities. The board of directors have approved some add ons to the building renovations, in addition to giving final budget approval to the project. Chief administrative officer Bill Newell...

Government, charities work towards a solution to homelessness in Penticton

PENTICTON - Progress is being made by a coaltion of several groups involved in a mission to find a solution to homelessness in Penticton. About 25 people from government and local community groups have met to exchange information and ideas, and plan how they will move forward to find a solution to homelessness in the...

Regional District and City of Penticton operating hours over the holidays

PENTICTON - The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen and the City of Penticton will be open during the holiday season, taking three days off through Christmas. The main office at 101 Martin St. will close Friday, Dec. 25, Monday, Dec. 28 and Friday, Jan. 1, but will be open regular hours the remaining days, from...

Christmas tree recycling in the South Okanagan

PENTICTON - It's easy to recycle your Christmas tree in the South Okanagan. Penticton firefighters will pick up Christmas trees from Dec. 27 to Jan. 18 for a donation which will go the the B.C. Professional Firefighters Burn Fund and Muscular Dystrophy charities. You can call 250-490-2315 to arrange for collection. Trees can also be dropped off at...

Naramata and Summerland refugee groups coordinate efforts with MP Cannings

PENTICTON - Two refugee support groups in the South Okanagan are going to work together with help from local MP Dick Cannings. Representatives from the Naramata Syrian Refugee Initiative and the Summerland Refugee Group meet with the South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP this week to discuss refugee issues in the two communities, according to a media release. Laura...

Penticton council seeks clarification of fleet expense

PENTICTON - Penticton city councillors have taken exception with the name of a budget item they feel is misleading to taxpayers. City staff have a budget line called "mayor and council" worth $11,000. The expense is for the operation and maintenance of SUVs owned by the city for use by some employees and council. Chief financial...

Oliver emergency services called to lake rescue

PENTICTON - Emergency services converged on Tuc el nuit Lake in Oliver yesterday afternoon after a teenager went through the ice. Oliver Volunteer Fire Department spokesperson Rob Graham says the fire department, Oliver RCMP and B.C. Ambulance were called to the scene at approximately 3:30 p.m., Dec. 17, after receiving a call of a person...

Man accused of slashing pizza deliverer released on bail

PENTICTON - A  Penticton man alleged to have attacked a pizza delivery man with a box cutter has been released on bail. Dayne Douglas Jones, charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and resisting a police officer, was granted release on $5,000 bail following an appearance in Penticton court this afternoon, Dec. 17. The...

Christmas hamper deliveries set for this weekend in Penticton

PENTICTON - The Society of St. Vincent De Paul Christmas Hamper drive is coming to a conclusion with final preparations being made for delivery of Christmas hampers this weekend. St. Ann’s Parish Office Manager Melinda Edis says volunteers are busy packing hampers today, Dec. 17, for delivery tomorrow. More than 400 hampers are being prepared....

Break-ins and thefts from vehicles keep Penticton RCMP hopping

PENTICTON - Thefts from vehicles and break-ins have kept Penticton RCMP busy. There were a rash of vehicle break-ins on Rogers Place in the city on Dec. 8, according to Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth. The next day an unlocked vehicle on South Main was entered and a GPS and sunglasses were taken. Wrigglesworth says police also responded...

Penticton council looking at property tax increases

PENTICTON - Minimal tax increases over the past few years have caught up with the City of Penticton as staff and council met yesterday to begin scrutinizing the 2016 budget. This was council’s first major budget session this year and they didn't get a lot off good news from staff. Chief administrative officer Eric Sorenson...

Keremeos restaurant target of armed robbery

PENTICTON - Keremeos RCMP are investigating an armed robbery in the quiet agricultural community. The Keremeos Subway restaurant was held up at around 9 p.m. last night, Dec. 16, according to a media release from RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Dan Moskaluk. Moskaluk says a lone man entered the business wielding a knife and demanding cash from...

Oliver food bank powers up with solar panel donation

PENTICTON - The Oliver Food Bank will be saving on their electrical bills thanks to the generosity of a local firm. Argon Solar of Oliver recently donated two solar panels to the food bank, which will provide 10 per cent of the food bank’s electrical needs over the next 25 years. Dave Malmberg, manager of...

Penticton resident reports cougar with house cat in its jaws

PENTICTON - A pet owner in the upper Penticton Avenue area may be missing their cat following a pair of cougar sightings in the area earlier this week. Two sightings were reported to Penticton conservation officers on Monday, Dec.14. Conservation officer Dave Cox says the sightings were reported to the conservation office around 8 p.m....