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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
Earthquake south of the border felt in the Okanagan
OKANAGAN - Did you feel the earth move this morning? If so, you’re not alone. Natural Resources Canada’s Earthquakes Canada website is reporting a 4.3 magnitude earthquake, with an approximate epicentre east of Grand Coulee, Washington, struck around 9:40 a.m today, Sept. 1. Natural Resources Canada reports the earthquake was lightly felt in Bridesville, Kelowna and...
ELECTION 2015: Promises abound as federal NDP leader rallies Penticton troops
PENTICTON - The first federal leader to make a campaign stop in Penticton drew hundreds of party faithfuls Monday evening. Hundreds of South Okanagan residents crammed into two salon rooms at the convention centre Monday, Aug. 31, to hear federal New Democratic Party leader Tom Mulcair rally the troops for the upcoming Oct. 19 election....
Out of season moose hunt proves costly to Oliver man
PENTICTON - An Oliver hunter will pay a hefty fine and lose his hunting privileges for shooting game out of season. David Joseph Oscar Martin pled guilty to four counts related to an incident that took place in June 2014, including hunting without a license, hunting out of season, unlawful possession of dead wildlife and...
Oliver and area residents could see increase in smoke as winds pick up
PENTICTON - Cooler, wetter weather slowed the Testalinden Creek fire on the weekend, but strong winds could give the blaze some renewed vigour this afternoon. B.C. Wildfire spokesperson Heather Rice says the calmer, cooler conditions over the weekend and this morning, Aug. 31, have decreased fire activity. Rice says while the fire has not grown...
Winners dig deep at Penticton Challenge triathlon
PENTICTON - Over 1,100 athletes from across North America and as far away as Europe and Asia braved the cool, wet weather to take park in the Challenge Penticton triathlon on the weekend. Sunday was race day with Victoria's Brent McMahon winning the men's event and Jennifer Spieldenner from Illinois grabbing the women's title. “I...
Evacuation order rescinded for properties affected by Testalinden Creek fire
PENTICTON – An evacuation order for 27 properties near the Testalinden Creek wildfire has been…
Keremeos resident launches anti-national park website
PENTICTON - Those opposed to a proposal for a national park in the South Okanagan-Similkameen now have a voice on the internet. Keremeos resident Arlene Arlow recently launched a website called No National Park designed to tell the complete story of the national park proposal. “I don’t like people being duped, and in my opinion,...
Consultant selected for Area “D” governance study
PENTICTON - The committee looking at alternative options for governance of Area "D" has selected a consultant for the study. Leftside Partners Inc. has been selected as the consulting firm to lead the governance study committee in engaging citizens to accurately assess governance and service issues in the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameeen’s rural Electoral ...
Changes coming to the 2016 version of Challenge Penticton
PENTICTON - As athletes mill around the Challenge Penticton athletes village at Okanagan Lake Park preparing for this Sunday's race, race organizers are already planning for next year's event. Changes are on the horizon for Challenge Penticton as race organizers set their sights on 2016. Organizers say the 2016 version of the race will be run...
UPDATE: Evacuation order expands near Testalinden Creek wildfire
PENTICTON - The evacuation order issued earlier this afternoon for residents near the Testalinden Creek wildfire has been expanded to include recreational areas and Crown land. The recreational areas around Burnell (Sawmill) Lake, Ripley Lake and Madden Lake, to the west of Oliver have been placed within the expanded evacuation order today, Aug. 28. As...
Fire crews anxiously watch weather at Testalinden Creek
PENTICTON - B.C. Wildfire firefighters expect to spend an anxious day on the front lines in the battle against the Testalinden Creek wildfire with strong wind in the forecast. Fire information officer Heather Rice says the wind is expected to pick up from the south around noon today, Aug. 28, which could be detrimental to...
Evacuation alert expanded for Testalinden Creek wildfire
PENTICTON - A forecast for increased wind has resulted in an expansion of the evacuation alert for the Testalinden Creek wildfire. The Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen issued the evacuation alert expansion late in the day yesterday, August 27. The notice applies to properties north of the Testalinden Creek fire area, along Tinhorn Creek, Old Golf Course...
ELECTION 2015: Desire to help at heart of Conservative candidate’s motivation
PENTICTON - The Conservative candidate for South Okanagan-West Kootenay has seen how helpful a Member of Parliament can be to his constituents, and wants an opportunity to do similar work. Marshall Neufeld, 34, was born and raised in Penticton. He says his interest in politics dates back to the 1995 Quebec referendum. “I’ve been interested...
Road closures and highway advisories for Challenge Penticton on Sunday
PENTICTON - Motorists using Penticton and area roads will face delays and road closures on Sunday, Aug. 30 during the Challenge Penticton event. Drivers using Highways 97, 3 and 3A in the Okanagan - Similkameen are advised lane closures will be in effect along sections of Highway 97 during the race’s cycling portion, with single...
ELECTION 2015: Federal NDP leader to make campaign stops in Thompson-Okanagan
PENTICTON - The leader of the federal New Democratic Party will bring his campaign machine to the Thompson-Okanagan next week. Tom Mulcair will be making campaign stops in Penticton and Kamloops, according to a media release. A political rally will be held at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre at 273 Power Street on Monday,...
Penticton triathlon facing a challenge with long distance race
PENTICTON - The Challenge Penticton triathlon has been changing since its inception and nowhere does that seem more apparent than in the event’s race participant statistics. This year’s race involves a total of 1,171 registered athletes as of August 23. Of that total, 201 solo athletes will compete in the full distance race, including 39 relay...
Busy week for Penticton RCMP as thieves target vehicles
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP Community policing coordinator Rick Dellebuur reports the Penticton detachment responded to a number of thefts and break and enters in the past week. Beginning last Tuesday, Aug. 18, police recovered a 2011 Ford F-150 pickup that had been stolen from a Fairview Avenue address. The Alberta plated vehicle, which had keys...
Penticton seeks to be a more inclusive community
RAINBOW CROSSWALKS? PENTICTON - Penticton City Council wants to be an inclusive community, and they are seeking ways to demonstrate that idea. Noting the recent installation of rainbow crosswalks in nearby communities such as Princeton, Summerland and Kelowna to demonstrate inclusivity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning community, council recently asked city staff...
Challenge week underway in Penticton
PENTICTON - Challenge Penticton weekend is descending upon the city, and along with the main event on Sunday there are numerous other events that involve the whole family. In addition to Challenge races for kids and casual participants, the Downtown Penticton Association will be hosting numerous activities and entertainment in Gyro Park on Friday, Aug....
Chronic offender Ronald Teneycke in hospital
PENTICTON - The man who led police on a recent manhunt in the South Okanagan is in hospital and unable to make a routine court appearance. Ronald Arthur Teneycke’s counsel, Michael Welsh, appeared in court without the accused, and was not in a position to speak to a bail hearing. Welsh also noted he lacked...
VIDEO: Penticton offers background for commercial starring Carey Price, Kaylyn Kyle
PENTICTON - Where does one of the biggest stars in the National Hockey League shoot a commercial? Penticton, of course. Montreal Canadiens goaltender and MVP Carey Price stars in a commercial for Under Armour that was shot last month in Penticton. It also features Canadian women’s soccer world cup midfielder Kaylyn Kyle. The commercial is...
Improved visibility allows limited air support on Testalinden Creek fire
PENTICTON - Firefighters working the Testalinden Creek blaze are receiving some limited air support today, Aug. 25, as South Okanagan skies clear of heavy smoke. B.C. Wildfire Fire Information Officer Heather Rice said 245 firefighters are currently working the blaze, aided by 11 helicopters. “Flying is still at a minimum, but there has been some...
City concession stands targeted by thieves
PENTICTON - Beach concessions took a beating this week in the Peach City. Penticton’s Community policing Coordinator Rick Dellebuur reports a number of break and enters at the city’s various beach concessions during the past week. Overnight on Wednesday, Aug. 19, the concession at Lakawanna Park was broken into and cash stolen from the till. The...
ELECTION 2015: NDP candidate for South Okanagan – West Kootenay predicting tight race
PENTICTON - Penticton-born Richard Cannings thinks this year’s federal election will be a race between the NDP and Conservative parties in the new riding of South Okanagan - West Kootenay. The 61 year old isn’t a stranger to politics, having run as a provincial NDP candidate three years ago. “We did well, but not well...