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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
Arson suspected in one of two fires to break out in Penticton overnight
PENTICTON - Officials are investigating after two recent blazes in the city — one that caused an explosion in an industrial area last night and a suspicious one at a local grocery store early this morning. A fire started in the loading dock of the Save on More supermarket at Cherry Lane Mall is being...
Pendergraft returned as Chair at regional district board elections
PENTICTON - There were few changes to Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board following the inaugural meeting. Electoral Area “A” Director Mark Pendergraft was elected board chair for his fourth year while Penticton mayor Andrew Jakubeit received the nod as vice-chair for his second year. Electoral Area “F” West Bench director Michael Brydon took on...
Explosions rock industrial area in Penticton
PENTICTON - Emergency personnel responded to a series of explosions in a Penticton industrial area yesterday evening. Around 9:30 p.m. yesterday, Dec. 7, a report of an explosion came in for Commercial Way in Penticton. Eyewitness Skyar Noe-Vack could see a large plume of black smoke coming from the rear of a building at the...
School closures at odds with Summerland’s vision of future growth
PENTICTON - The mayor and council in Summerland have expressed their concern about with the Okanagan Skaha school district plan regarding potential school closures, specifically the possible closure of Giant's Head elementary school. They say school closures are inconsistent with council’s vision for the community and condemned any school closure in the district. "The difficulty...
WWE Road to Wrestlemania coming to Penticton
PENTICTON - Wrestlemania is coming to the South Okanagan Events Centre. WWE Live presents Road to Wrestlemania at the centre on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016. The best of the WWE’s superstars and divas will be part of the Penticton show, including Demon Kane, Dean Ambrose, Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens, Dudley Boyz and Bray Wyatt and...
Christmas season begins in Penticton with Santa Claus Parade and Light Up
PENTICTON - A raw south wind and the threat of rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of hundreds of Pentictonites who braved cool conditions Saturday afternoon to view the Santa Claus parade. The 19th edition of the parade went north on Main Street from White Avenue, terminating at Gyro Park. Even though temperatures were above...
Liveable wage at the heart of South Okanagan labour market study
PENTICTON - Local employers are skittish about hiring oil patch workers, while complaints of the high cost of living in the South Okanagan are largely perception-based by prospective employees, Penticton City Council has learned. Those were two of the findings in a Labour Market study of Penticton and the South Okanagan presented by MDB Insight executive vice-president...
$77,000 worth of temporary hires requested at regional district budget talks
PENTICTON - The Regional District Okanagan Similkameen is looking add $77,600 to the 2016 payroll for temporary and part time positions. At budget talks this week at the Penticton Lakeside Restort, directors considered requests for five positions from several departments. Building Services is seeking three positions, one to help with Kennedy Lake permitting, one to...
Blues, rock and gospel in Penticton Dream Music Festival lineup
PENTICTON - A new group of artists will be centre stage at the 2016 Dream Music Festival. The Dream Cafe Co-op announced the dates and line up for next year’s festival — where Blues and Rock will visit their Gospel roots — today, Dec. 4. The 2016 festival will take place at the Penticton Trade...
Amazing model railroad in Osoyoos is famous
PENTICTON - An Osoyoos entrepreneur’s model train hobby has become a major tourist attraction in the South Okanagan. The Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad has been fascinating visitors to the area for 12 years. The 4,000 square foot display depicting a European style landscape is Canada’s largest Marklin model train layout. "It’s more than a railroad. I’ve...
Penticton launches the Christmas season this weekend
PENTICTON - The festive season launches in Penticton this weekend with the 19th annual Penticton Santa Claus Parade and Christmas Light Up. The parade starts at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, travelling north on Main Street from White Avenue to Gyro Park. There will be time for a visit with Santa prior to the Christmas tree...
No ski season at Mount Baldy
PENTICTON – The prospects for Mount Baldy Ski Area opening this season are all downhill…
Rotary Club of Penticton Wheelbarrow and Food Raffle
PENTICTON - Shoppers can win a wheelbarrow full of groceries while supporting two local causes. The Rotary Club of Penticton is holding their annual Wheelbarrow and Food Raffle to raise money for the Soupateria and the Salvation Army. Last year, the club donated the net proceeds of $1,800 to these causes. There is a prize...
Changing standards trigger request for regional master fire plan
PENTICTON - A Fire Master Plan is being proposed for inclusion into the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen’s 2016 budget at a cost of $50,000. The item was part of budget talks today, Dec. 3, at the regional board budget meeting held at Penticton Lakeside Resort. Community services manager Mark Woods told the board the...
Christmas celebrations begin Friday in downtown Penticton
PENTICTON - Downtown community Christmas celebrations start Friday in downtown Penticton. The Downtown Penticton Association is inviting preschool children to add decorations to the Community Christmas Tree in Gyro Park on Friday, Dec. 4 at 11:30 a.m. Penticton residents are also invited to add their favourite decorations to the tree on Friday Dec. 4 between...
Salvation Army kettle campaign ramping up
PENTICTON - The Salvation Army Kettle Campaign is well underway in Penticton with kettles up around the city. The campaign began almost two weeks ago and will kicking into high gear this coming weekend. “We’re now at all our locations in Penticton, including the Penticton Liquor Store,” coordinator Hilma Labelle says. Kettles have also been...
Cant stop the music: Osoyoos high school band plays on after budget cuts
OSOYOOS - When budget cuts led to the cancellation of band class, a small group of determined Osoyoos band students and their volunteer band teacher decided to create their own musical education. Music teacher Anne Murseli has known most of the eight band members since elementary school and when budget cuts cancelled the music class...
Lapse in judgement results in loss of driving privilege
PENTICTON - A moment’s inattention proved to be a costly mistake for a Keremeos man in Penticton court yesterday, Dec. 1. Fausto J. Bernard will not be able to drive for at least six months after Judge Gregory Koturbash convicted him for driving without due care and attention. Bernard was driving on Highway 3A on...
Stolen tools found by Penticton police
PENTICTON - Tools were stolen in Penticton while other tools were discovered in Okanagan Falls last week by Penticton officers, who also dealt with the aftermath of an icy Highway 3A this past week. The owners of a trailer stored at Penticton Self Storage discovered a break and enter on their property Monday, Nov. 23,...
Peach City radio finds a home in Penticton
PENTICTON - Penticton’s Peach City Radio has found a location for its radio station studio. This week the community radio society announced it will be moving into the Cannery Trade Centre in 2016. The society has been extensively looking at possible locations since it obtained its broadcast license earlier this year. A recent vacancy in the...
Sleeping in the wrong place, waking up in a foul mood results in probation
PENTICTON - A Penticton man who "got up on the wrong side of bed” received 12 months’ probation for his crankiness in Penticton court today, December 1. Crown Prosecutor Kurt Froehlich told court Bryson Alexander Diaz, along with his girlfriend, was found sleeping in the vestibule of the Royal Bank of Canada’s Apple Plaza branch...
Penticton gets a peek at new casino plans
PENTICTON - Residents had their voices heard during the second day of public meetings for the casino relocation plans this morning. The second in a series of public meetings to share details of Gateway Casinos and Entertainment’s casino relocation plans, which were announced last week, and hear public input was well attended this morning, Dec....
Penticton police continue to nab impaired drivers
PENTICTON - In what may be a sign of the season, Penticton RCMP found themselves handing out several Immediate Roadside Prohibitions last week, and they weren’t even conducting roadside checks at the time. Detachment officers handed out three 90-day driving prohibitions on Thursday, Nov. 26, alone, Penticton RCMP media spokesperson Corporal Don Wrigglesworth says. A...
Possible cougar encounter near Lakawanna Park in Penticton
PENTICTON - Reports of a possible cougar, or bobcat, in Penticton last night remains unresolved because conservation officers are unable to confirm the sighting. Officers were called to the area of Lakeshore Drive at Lakawanna Park last night, Monday, Nov. 30, after reports of a cougar in the area, Penticton RCMP Media spokesperson Corporal Don...