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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
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...
Penticton’s newest subdivision taking shape
PENTICTON - The Skaha Hills development continues to move forward in the hills above Penticton Regional Airport west of the city. Penticton Indian Band Development Corporation consultant Chris Scott says Phase One sold out in the spring and contracts are now closing on Phase Two. Phase Three is expected to begin sales in another three...
Penticton plays host to international astrophysics conference
PENTICTON - About 250 members of the international astrophysical community gathered in Penticton this week to discuss an joint project dealing with radio astronomy. The scientists from around the world discussed the design work being done on a billion dollar project known as the Square Kilometre Array. Staff at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory near Penticton played...
Concert, harvest event and hockey game highlight weekend activities in Penticton
PENTICTON - The third annual Penticton Harvest Event takes place at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre this weekend. The two day event, Nov. 13 and Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., features Armstrong-based business Rancho Vignola, a family owned and operated operation specializing in nuts and freshly harvested dried fruit. The Penticton Harvest...
Clean up planned for Carmi Road dump sites
PENTICTON - A group of residents concerned about the state of Carmi Road are getting together this weekend to clean up. Members of the South Okanagan Trail Alliance are meeting at the Garnet Fire Interpretive Centre at noon on Saturday, Nov. 14 to clean up roadside dumpsites along the Carmi- Beaverdell Road. The South Okanagan...
Illegal fire proves costly to province, Osoyoos area man
PENTICTON - A fire set to burn cardboard has proved costly for a South Okanagan resident. An Osoyoos area man was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge fee of $750 after pleading guilty to a section of the wildfire act in Penticton Provincial court, Nov. 9. The man was accused of burning...
Two additional options for Penticton school closures
PENTICTON - The public will get a say on realignment options that include school closures as the local school district continues to deal with declining enrolment. The two new options are the result of comments stemming from a resident attending the Oct. 26 public meeting at the Shatford Centre and were discussed by School District...
Dog stolen from Penticton SPCA
PENTICTON - An unneutered male dog was stolen after someone broke into the local branch of the SPCA this week, leaving staff and volunteers very concerned about the dog's welfare. Someone cut through the compound fence, in addition to cutting a hole in one of the kennel fences, sometime between noon yesterday, Nov. 11, and...
Park proposed for Nickel Plate Mine ruins near Hedley
PENTICTON - An offer has been made to the regional district to help with the historical preservation of the Nickel Plate Mine. Representatives from Barrick Gold Inc. presented an offer to help fund the preservation at a regular Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board meeting last week. Daniel Bornstein,Barrick’s closure strategist, and Senior Environmental Specialist...
Remembrance Day an important event for Penticton’s Royal Canadian Legion
PENTICTON - The Penticton branch of the Royal Canadian Legion continues its tradition of being of service to the country’s war vets. The organization takes on added significance as Remembrance Day approaches. The legion will again spearhead Remembrance Day ceremonies Wednesday, Nov. 11. This year two ceremonies take place; one indoors at the Penticton Trade...
Two Christmas toy drives in Penticton this year
PENTICTON - Penticton is going to have two Christmas toy drives this year. The 22nd annual Toys for Tots to Teens will return this year at a new location and with a new format, according to event coordinator Karen Davey. This year’s Toys for Tots to Teens will take place Nov. 24 from 7 a.m....
RDOS governance study looking for resident participation
PENTICTON - The goal of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen’s governance study in Electoral Area D is to get residents involved in the search for new ways to govern the rural area. The governance study offers residents a rare opportunity to share their perspective on how local government works — or how it doesn’t, according...
Penticton cougar sighting; likely big cat hunting deer
PENTICTON - The Penticton Conservation office reports two calls to their office about a cougar sighting in Penticton earlier this week. The calls related to a sighting of a big cat in the area of Ross and Duncan Avenues at about 2:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4, reports B.C. Conservation Service Inspector Barb Leslie. “It was...
Oliver ski resort’s future is up, then down
PENTICTON - The status of a South Okanagan ski resort appear headed downhill once again. Less than a month after Mount Baldy Ski Resort announced it was making preparations to open the hill, even announcing an opening date, the resort has posted notice on it’s website page saying it is once again in jeopardy of...
New Fortis energy conservation program aimed at low income residents, renters
PENTICTON - Fortis BC is introducing a new energy conservation program it hopes will help low and fixed income residents, as well as renters, in the South Okanagan and Similkameen. Fortis manager Carol Suhan introduced the Energy Conservation Assessment Program, along with a second new program which deals with rental apartments, to regional directors at...
Stolen truck smashes Penticton businesses
PENTICTON - Two Penticton businesses were severely damaged in hit and runs by a stolen truck early this morning. Police responded to a 4 a.m. call from a Calgary Avenue resident reporting his truck stolen while it was warming up outside, unattended, this morning, Nov. 6, Penticton RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says. At...
UPDATE: Man accused of threatening Penticton city hall staff arrested after garage fire
PENTICTON - The same man arrested after threatening voicemail messages were left at Penticton city hall is in custody following an early morning fire at this home. Police and Penticton firefighters responded to a garage fire around 5:48 a.m., Nov. 6, at 112 - 2990 South Main St. Penticton RCMP Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says a...
City of Penticton rate review says utility rates must go up
PENTICTON - A key finding of a recently completed review of Penticton’s utility rates is annual rate increases are needed in future years in order for the city to maintain infrastructure and financial sustainability. If the recommendations from the review are adopted, residents will be paying an additional $34 dollars per month on average for...
Penticton RCMP seeking owner of travel trailer
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP would like to find the proper home - and owner - of an abandoned travel trailer. RCMP say the trailer with a stolen British Columbia license plate was found in the Penticton Walmart parking lot on Saturday, Oct. 31. The license plate attached to the trailer had been stolen from an Okanagan...
UPDATE: Threatening messages at Penticton city hall result in armed standoff
PENTICTON – Threatening voicemail messages about the City of Penticton cutting off someone's power sparked…
Penticton fire department seeks $20,000 grant funding for wildfire prevention initiatives
PENTICTON - Penticton city council has thrown their support behind the fire department's grant applications to beef up wildfire prevention initiatives. Deputy Chief Dave Spalding says the department is applying for two Union of BC Municipalities grants worth a total of $20,000. Spalding explained the 10 year old strategic wildfire program needed updates to include spatial...