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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
Peachfest underway in Penticton
PENTICTON - Penticton’s five-day long Peachfest got underway this morning with the second annual Peach Bin Race taking place in the 100-block of the downtown core. Teams of four raced 'customized' peach bins in the event, sponsored by the Downtown Penticton Association. The Canadian Forces Snowbirds, first time competitors, prevailed in the final heat against 30...
Peachfest kicks off in Penticton today
PENTICTON - The August long weekend has come and gone, now for a week of mostly free fun in Penticton. The 68th annual Penticton Peach Festival starts today, Aug. 5, with an outstanding lineup of free family activities through Sunday, Aug. 9. The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will take to the skies over Okanagan Lake Wednesday...
First annual battle of the chefs coming to Gyro Park
PENTICTON - The Downtown Penticton Association is hosting a new event guaranteed to tantalize taste buds. The inaugural Chef’s Cook Off in Gyro Park, sponsored by Eckert Electric and hosted by the Downtown Penticton Association, will be held on Friday, Aug. 7. Beginning at 2:30 p.m., four Penticton chefs will prepare a main dish of ingredients...
Trio Marine proponents welcome chance to discuss Skaha Lake proposal
PENTICTON - The men behind the Skaha Marina upgrades and the Skaha Waterpark proposal welcome public interest in the project and urge those with questions to pay them a visit. Tom Dyas and Tom Hedquist, the two partners behind the two phase proposal that has garnered more than its share of controversy in Penticton over...
Suspects still on the loose after smash and grabs in Okanagan Falls and Summerland
PENTICTON - Police continue to look for thieves who don't seem to believe in using doors after several businesses in two Okanagan communities were rammed by vehicles over the weekend. Police say they are making some headway in the apprehension of the person or persons responsible for a smash and enter at Tickleberry’s Ice Cream...
Liquor infractions down over ‘family friendly’ long weekend
PENTICTON - While it was a busy long weekend, there were no fatalities on Penticton roads or waterways, local RCMP say. The long weekend began with a busy night in the local detachment as jail cells were full Friday night with 13 people jailed for drunkeness or causing a disturbance charges. RCMP and volunteer continued...
Kettle Valley Railway trail to be expanded
PENTICTON - The Okanagan Similkameen Regional District is building connections on key sections of the Kettle Valley Railway Trail between Oliver and Osoyoos. Regional district spokesperson Debbie Clarke says the plan is to connect Electoral Areas “A” and “C” through the trail, with much of the work to be centred on a section alongside recently...
Rainbow crosswalk appears on main street Princeton
PRINCETON - Downtown Princeton is a whole lot brighter this week after the creation of a rainbow crosswalk on the town’s main thoroughfare. The rainbow crosswalk, which celebrates gay pride and have been painted in cities around the province, happened without a great deal of “muss or fuss," according to Spencer Coyne from Princeton. A...
Construction timing proving costly in creek restoration project
PENTICTON - Timing of restoration work planned for Penticton Creek is proving to be bad news for city taxpayers. Council dealt with cost overruns of $108,171 on the Penticton Creek restoration project at a special meeting of council held this week. Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says the meeting was called in order to allow contractors to...
Climbing advocate concerned about vehicle break ins at Skaha Bluffs
PENTICTON - A Penticton rock climber who also happens to be a director of Climbers Access Society of B.C., is concerned about a growing number of thefts from vehicles at the Skaha Bluffs parking lot. Rolf Rybak says two Alberta vehicles were broken into on July 28 at the popular rock climbing site, prying open...
City of Penticton assesses SOEC hotel proposals
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton has had some interest expressed in building a hotel on the South Okanagan Events Centre property. Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says the city received two written responses to an Expression of Interest soliciting proposals for a hotel to be built on the Events Centre property prior to deadline. “I’m...
Lots going on during hot August long weekend in Penticton
PENTICTON - The weather forecast is calling for a scorching hot weekend for the August long weekend in the Peach City and there are no shortage of things to do. The Sunshine Cabaret returns to Gyro Park today, July 31, from 5 to 10 p.m., with free music in the park. Saturday morning the weekly...
Quick action prevents structure fire from spreading
PENTICTON - Penticton residents woke to an ominous cloud of smoke emanating a house fire in the upper Carmi area this morning. Penticton Deputy Fire Chief Dave Spalding says they responded to a structure fire at 6:24 a.m., July 31, on Joy Road. B.C. Wildfire crews also responded to the fire, which was located outside...
Snowbird pilots to hold a meet and greet session in Penticton
PENTICTON - Snowbirds crew members will be getting up close and personable with Penticton residents while they aren't in the air next week. The Royal Canadian Air Force's Snowbirds will be performing their airborne acrobatics on Wednesday, August 5 in a 40 minute show which begins at 6 p.m., but crew members will be in the...
Residents displaced after Summerland kitchen fire
PENTICTON - Residents of a Summerland home have found alternate accommodation following a kitchen fire yesterday. Summerland Assistant Fire Chief George Pugh says firefighters responded to a fire at home on Nixon Road around 3:30 p.m., July 29. Firefighters arrived on scene to find flames "centred around a dishwasher" in the kitchen of the residence....
War canoe races added to Peachfest activities
PENTICTON - Thanks to the restorative efforts of the Penticton Museum and Archives, volunteers and school groups, an Okanagan tradition is being revived for the second year in a row. The Ogopogo War Canoe Regatta will be taking place during the Penticton Peach Festival this year, the city announced in a press release. The second...
No last minute change of heart for Penticton council
PENTICTON - Penticton city council continues to stand firm in its decision not to revisit the Skaha waterpark issue and plans to allow the development to move forward. Council met before the public at noon today, July 29, to deliver the verdict on their decision whether or not to revisit the issue following a strong negative...
Busy year so far for Penticton search and rescue volunteers
PENTICTON - Penticton’s Search and Rescue team are dealing with unprecedented callout volumes this summer, with the busiest tourist weekend in Penticton yet to come. Penticton Search and Rescue’s Public Information Officer Randy Brown reports the organization’s call volume last year was 35 incidents for a total of 6,000 volunteer hours. This year the team...
Vintage warbird arrives in Penticton
PENTICTON - Penticton and South Okanagan residents have an opportunity to get up close to a vintage war machine this week. A Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum aircrew arrived in the city Monday morning, July 27, with the museum’s 'Sentimental Journey,' the museum’s fully restored B-17. The plane will be in Penticton until...
Trail improvements on the way for Three Blind Mice network in Penticton
PENTICTON - Trail upgrades are on the way for Penticton's Three Blind Mice trails network thanks to a winning proposal by the local cycling association. Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Dan Albas announced $34,750 in funding for improvements to Penticton’s cycling trails network in a release from Western Economic Diversification Canada, Monday, July 27. The grant goes to...
Quiet week a break for Penticton RCMP
PENTICTON - A change in the weather last week coincided with a drop in criminal activity in the Peach City. Crime Stoppers Community Policing Coordinator Rick Dellebuur says Penticton RCMP reported few incidents of note last week, a reprieve after weeks of higher than normal call volumes. Thieves planning to go to work were active...
Liquor policy changes good news for local wineries
PENTICTON - Local wineries continue to benefit from promised changes made to the liquor act by the provincial government. Penticton MLA Dan Ashton announced liquor policy changes that will make it easier for wineries to hold special occasions such as weddings at Painted Rock Estate Winery this morning, July 28. “Special occasion licenses were an...
Canucks Young Stars Classic singles and doubles on sale this week
PENTICTON - Tickets to this year’s 2015 Vancouver Canucks Young Stars Classics are selling fast and as a result single tickets are going on sale earlier than usual. Demand has been so strong the single and double header tickets will be made available for purchase two weeks earlier than normally scheduled. Tickets go on sale...
Penticton war vet honoured by France
PENTICTON - A Penticton Second World War vet was recognized for his service by the French government at a ceremony of the Royal Canadian Air Force Wing in Penticton. Retired RCAF Flight Lt. Lance "Lou" Benton received the French Medal of Honour during the ceremony on July 24. Benson was recognized by the French government...