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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
Multiple cougar sightings along Penticton Creek
PENTICTON - Several cougar sightings have been reported in the last week and conservation officers are cautioning residents to be aware of wildlife moving into the city as winter conditions descend on the region. Several possible cougar sightings in the past week are likely the result of cougars following their prey into city streets, Penticton...
Regional district looks to cut newspaper advertising costs in Okanagan-Similkameen
PENTICTON - After spending nearly $60,000 on advertising in newspapers last year the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is hoping to reduce advertising costs going forward. Staff requested quotes from the region's print newspapers in late September. The hope is to reduce annual advertising costs from last year’s level of between $57,000 and $60,000 by placing...
One dead in collision east of Osoyoos
PENTICTON - One person is dead following a two-vehicle collision east of Osoyoos this evening. Traffic on Highway 3 was impacted for close to two hours this evening, Nov. 23, following a crash about 21 kilometres east of Osoyoos, Sgt. Harold Hallett of South Okanagan Traffic Services says in a release. A westbound Dodge pickup lost...
Okanagan Skaha school district needs can’t be based on long term hopes: board chair
PENTICTON - The chair of Okanagan Skaha school board would like to believe there will be more students moving into the region to attend classes in the future, but won't gamble away potential opportunities for today’s students based on wishful thinking. Chair Linda Van Alphen says none of the proposals out for consideration by the...
Another warrant for accused after missing Penticton court date for a fourth time
PENTICTON - A Penticton man who can’t seem to find his way to Penticton Courthouse faces a warrant for his arrest. Jayson Kenneth Caruso was scheduled to appear for sentencing on a charge of theft under $5,000 but did not make an appearance this morning, Nov. 23. Crown prosecutor Laura Drake described several other instances...
Man subject to July manhunt returns to court
PENTICTON - A habitual offender subject to a manhunt in the South Okanagan last summer will undergo an assessment for the next eight weeks, further delaying his trial. At a court appearance today, Nov. 23, Ronald Arthur Teneycke appeared in Penticton Provincial Court by video to apply for the assessment. He also asked for and...
City of Penticton and Gateway reveal their hands in quest to relocate casino
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton and Gateway Casinos and Entertainment have come to an agreement on a new location for the city’s casino. The new Cascades Casino Penticton will be built on South Okanagan Events Centre property next to the Wine Country Visitor Centre at the corner of Highway 97 and Power Street, taking up existing...
Penticton city council approves 12-story residential tower
PENTICTON - A new development in the south end of Penticton received the go-ahead earlier this week after receiving approval of a development permit from Penticton city council. City of Penticton director of development services Jules Hall told council the property at 3388 Skaha Lake Rd. came before council at a meeting in August to...
WellAhead initiative hopes to improve youth mental health and wellbeing
PENTICTON - The Okanagan Skaha School District is participating in an initiative to improve child and youth mental health and wellbeing. The school district is part of a group of six school districts taking part in the WellAhead initiative, a program aiming to improve child and youth mental health by integrating wellbeing into school communities....
Penticton robbery compared to Disney movie
THEY PICKED 'THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME' PENTICTON - A robbery attempt at a Penticton restaurant last summer, which defence counsel said was “more like the Apple Dumpling Gang” nonetheless resulted in jail time for the accused. Clay Robert Oldershaw of Williams Lake was sentenced in Penticton Provincial Court today, Nov. 19 to...
Future of Three Gables property in Penticton still up in the air
PENTICTON - Even after a lengthy discussion on a variance permit that would allow upgrades to the empty lots where the Three Gables Hotel once stood, council could not come to an agreement this week. At hand was a staff recommendation to approve a development variance permit on the property to formalize the site’s use...
Engineers assess rock slide area following yesterday’s closure on Highway 3
PENTICTON - Traffic is moving along the entirety of Highway 3 from the Okanagan-Similkameen to Hope this afternoon following dual road closures yesterday. Today, Nov. 18, geotechnical engineers completed an assessment of the rock slide that closed the highway nine kilometres west of Keremeos late yesterday afternoon, public affairs officer Sonia Lowe says. The road...
Penticton handyDART applicants face stricter rules
PENTICTON - A new registration process for B.C. Transit handyDART users is aimed at cutting the number of handyDART riders by matching applicants to the appropriate service. Daniel Pizarro, Senior Regional Transit Manager for B.C. Transit, and Accessibility Program Manager Danielle Harriott met with Penticton city council and staff members Monday, Nov.16, to discuss the...
What you need to know about Highway 3 closures today
PENTICTON - Frustrations are mounting as motorists travelling Highway 3 face delays because of road closures in two locations along the highway today, Nov. 18. Highway 3 is now open to single lane, alternating traffic following a closure west of Keremeos yesterday afternoon, but another closure at the Skagit Bluffs remains in effect. The highway...
Photos with Santa fundraiser at the South Okanagan SPCA
PENTICTON - The South Okanagan SPCA will host a special event this weekend to get pets and pet owners in the mood for the festive season. 'Photos with Santa' takes place Saturday, Nov. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m at the South Okanagan SPCA branch, located at 2200 Dartmouth Dr. in Penticton. Owners can have...
Major facelift proposed for Lakawanna Park concession in Penticton
PENTICTON - If all goes according to plan, Penticton residents could see some big changes to the concession building at Lakawanna Park next year. Concession leasehold owner Gord Ferguson met with the public in October to discuss upgrades to the building and yesterday, Nov. 16, he presented those plans to Penticton city council. Ferguson said...
Highway 3 closure west of Keremeos expected to reopen at 9 p.m.,but no word on closure at Skagit Bluffs
PENTICTON - Driving to the Lower Mainland, already difficult due to snow in mountain passes today, just got more so for residents of the South Okanagan. Drive B.C. is reporting the closure of Highway 3 nine kilometres west of Keremeos due to a rock slide. The highway is closed in both directions. No information regarding...
Fundraising night to support youth sports and B.C. Winter Games legacy
PENTICTON - Come raise Penticton's game and leave a legacy for local youth sports witha fundraising event for the B.C. Winter Games. Friends of the Games are hosting a fundraising night at Tugs Taphouse on Thursday, Nov. 26 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and include a burger, fries, beverage and entertainment. Tickets can bepurchased...
Several Penticton businesses hit by theft
PENTICTON - A sports store, a pawnbroker and a vehicle dealership were among the targets of thieves this past week in Penticton. Overnight on Nov. 10, Penticton RCMP responded to a break and enter at True Outdoors at 290 Riverside Dr. in Penticton. A vehicle had been backed up to garage-style, glass-paned doors and smashed...
Nine months for Penticton man convicted of robbery at knifepoint
PENTICTON - A Penticton man who held up several youth at knifepoint while on a five-day drinking binge two summers ago will face jail time. Kody Joseph Jack was sentenced in Penticton Provincial Court yesterday, Nov. 16, to nine months jail time on three counts of robbery and one count of uttering threats. The charges...
Penticton Lawn Bowling Club looking for new home after 83 years on Brunswick Street
PENTICTON - The president of the Penticton Lawn Bowling Club is hopeful the group will find a suitable new location following the surprise announcement the land the club sits on will become affordable housing. Plans to build as many as 70 affordable housing units on the Brunswick Street property now occupied by the Penticton Lawn Bowling...
Coalition praises ministry efforts to improve Highway 3 as major project shuts down for winter
PENTICTON - Creation of the Highway 3 Mayors and Chairs Coalition is paying off with major safety improvements to the southern B.C. route. As work on the $16 million realignment of Highway 3 between Sunday Creek and Sunday Summit shuts down for winter, Coalition chair and Castlegar mayor Lawrence Chernoff is praising the efforts of...
RCMP investigating Penticton fire sparked by Molotov cocktail
PENTICTON - RCMP are looking into a garage fire started by a Molotov cocktail in Penticton last night. Fire crews were called to a home on Calgary Avenue around 10:20 p.m., Nov. 15, to find the homeowner trying to put out a small fire on the roof of his garage. Deputy fire chief Dave Spalding...
Sunday evening collision sends three to hospital in Penticton
PENTICTON - A single vehicle accident resulted in three people being transported to Penticton Regional Hospital Sunday evening, Nov. 15. The Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department, RCMP and B.C. Ambulance responded to a call for a single vehicle accident south of Penticton on Highway 97 at approximately 8:05 p.m. The accident occurred approximately two kilometres south...