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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
Chamber luncheon hopes to inspire Penticton
PENTICTON - Three Penticton men who made it big in the business world are returning to Penticton to inspire others. Penticton Wine Country Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Chamber Luncheon where guest speakers will be Jim Treliving, Brad Treliving and Rick Kozuback. The three Penticton natives had early business success in the city, and...
Koopmans sentencing delayed
PENTICTON - Crown and defence counsel continue to work toward a date for sentencing in the John Koopmans murder trial. A hearing to fix a date for sentencing was adjourned this morning, July 13, as both counsels await a pre-sentence report. Defence lawyer John Skogstad told Penticton court via telephone he and Crown prosecutor Frank...
Farewell party for second departing Penticton city manager a more frugal affair
PENTICTON - Going away parties for city staffers have been scaled back following a large bill submitted earlier this year. City of Penticton Communications Officer Simone Blais says the farewell party for exiting Interim City Manager Chuck Loewen cost the city $235 last month. “That was the total spent in food, for veggies, meat and cheese...
Top NHL draft pick to play in 2015 Young Stars Classic in Penticton
PENTICTON - The 2015 Young Stars Classic is just around the corner and tickets could be in bigger demand than ever this year. TIcket sales for the tournament, which will take place Friday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 14, might be exceptionally brisk this year as the number one National Hockey League draft pick for...
Tile upgrading means no pool in Penticton for the summer
PENTICTON - Penticton residents will have to make do with the two lakes if they wish to swim this summer as the city deals with slippery pool tiles. The Penticton Community Centre Pool will be closed for a seven-week period beginning July 27 in order to have the pool deck’s tiles replaced. It is expected...
Similkameen Barbecue King tantalizes taste buds this Saturday
PENTICTON - A premier food and wine event will take place at a local winery this weekend. The 2015 Similkameen Barbecue King gets underway at the Grist Mill in Keremeos, beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 11. Eight chefs from throughout the South Okanagan and Similkameen will compete to provide the most crowd pleasing...
Penticton pilot’s cross-country flight an adventure
PENTICTON - A local pilot made an adventure out of his trip east to retrieve a new aircraft. Mark Humbke of Naramata recently completed a cross-Canada trip in his brand new, German made Auto-Gyro, an unusual looking aircraft that uses a helicopter style rotor for lift and an engine powered propeller to provide thrust. The...
Early warning to Penticton boaters: obey rules or air show will be cancelled
PENTICTON - As preparations get underway for the return of Canada’s premier aerial aerobatic team to Penticton, boaters are being warned to obey the rules or lose the show. The committee overseeing the performance of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds team, which will be in Penticton Aug. 5, is advising boaters wishing to view the show...
Regional district study leaving Okanagan Falls incorporation out of discussions
PENTICTON - A study looking at the possibility of a new form of governance for Area 'D' in the Okanagan-Similkameen is underway. Last November the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development approved a $50,000 governance study for Electoral Area 'D' of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen. Area director Tom Siddon says six interest groups,...
Cyclists taking over Penticton this weekend
PENTICTON - Penticton and area roads are filling with cyclists this week, and it’s not just because of the great weather the South Okanagan has been experiencing. The city’s motel and hotel rooms promise to be filled to capacity again this weekend as the area hosts the fifth annual Prospera Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan. The...
Why Penticton police hope the city hosts more events like Ribfest
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP resources are feeling the pressures of increasing call volumes and depleted ranks as this year’s crime statistics defy normal patterns. Staff Sgt. Kurt Lozinski describes the call volumes as “wonky” this year, as seasonal call volumes in the off season winter months this year reached summer volumes at times. Lozinski says...
Report clears way for new Penticton BMX track application
PENTICTON - A 10-acre parcel of city owned property at 630 Munson Mountain Rd. received a failing grade for farmland use, allowing Penticton City Council to move forward in its quest to locate a BMX track and other cycling facilities there. Public Works Manager Len Robson says results of a recently commissioned agrologist’s report revealed...
Pilot in critical condition after suffering burns in Osoyoos crash
OSOYOOS - A 46-year-old Surrey man lies in critical condition in a Vancouver hospital a day after crashing his single engine Beechcraft plane on Highway 97 just north of Osoyoos. The pilot has been identified as Todd Lewendon of Surrey, a husband and father with three daughters. He is a veteran pilot with nearly 20...
Concern over safety for proposed hospital parking in Penticton
PENTICTON - More information on safety issues is needed before a temporary use permit for hospital parking on Camrose Street will be granted. City planner Blake Laven explained the request at Monday’s council meeting, where concerns were raised by citizens and counsellors over safety issues stemming from a large number of pedestrians crossing Industrial Avenue,...
B.C. Wildfire crews find weed in the Okanagan wild
PENTICTON - A grow-op in the woods above Naramata was discovered by B.C. Wildfire crews who were called to the area to fight a small wildfire yesterday. RCMP Staff Sgt. Kurt Lozinski says members were called after firefighters tending a small wildfire made the discovery on Tuesday afternoon, July 7. The firefighters were in the...
Local produce retailer caught in competitive Penticton grocery market
PENTICTON - Penticton lost another small business last week, just as seasonal farm producers begin looking for local outlets. The Old Town Farm Market, located at 104-2100 Main St., closed its doors July 1. Market owner Dave (Doc) Willoughby says the rise of big box stores made the location uneconomic. He says the store got 'tons...
South Okanagan gets on board with transit plan
PENTICTON - A plan to see transit improved in the Penticton area is moving forward after getting the green light from city council this week. The Okanagan Similkameen Transit Future Plan received thumbs up from Penticton City Council, clearing the way forward for initial steps in the implementation of a plan that attempts to project...
Court case could determine naturist use of Three Mile Beach
PENTICTON - The impasse over naturist use of Three Mile Beach could be decided by the courts with Penticton RCMP recommending public nudity charges. RCMP Staff Sergeant Kurt Lozinski says police responded to a public nudity complaint at the beach on July 1. They arrested an individual for obstruction and public nudity after the person...
Mental health issues at root of Osoyoos convenience store robberies
PENTICTON - A Penticton provincial court judge sympathized with a young man suffering from mental issues after two bungled robbery attempts in Osoyoos. Twenty-four year old Aaron Paul Hillstad will only spend one day in jail after receiving credit for time served, but will face two years’ probation under a number of strict terms following...
Ribfest ready to return to Penticton next year
PENTICTON - A first-time event that took place in Penticton this weekend looks like it has staying power. The Penticton Rotary’s first ever Ribfest completed a three-day run in the city’s Lakeside Park this past weekend. A tired but content Ribfest chairperson, Barb Hoolaeff, calls it an 'awesome weekend.' “The Ribbers estimated 20,000 people attended...
Seasonal workers add to Penticton soup kitchen clientele
PENTICTON - It may be summer, but there is no sign of diminishing need at the Penticton Soupateria. Past President Keray Lavant says the volunteers fed 185 people on Friday, July 3. That’s up from a normal summer day of 160. “We’re normally cleaned up and out of here by 12:30 p.m., but it’s 1...
Regional district celebrates pedestrians, transit
PENTICTON - The regional district kicked off July by celebrating a new community walkway and showing its appreciation for ridership on the South Okanagan Transit system. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen held an official ribbon cutting ceremony on Canada Day with local political dignitaries and a handful of Kaleden residents. In a regional district release,...
Eats, arts, and all things Scottish in Penticton this weekend
PENTICTON - Penticton is the place to be this weekend if you like food, art or just about anything Scottish. The Rotary Club’s Ribfest is already underway in Okanagan Park, and promises to be a very busy place this weekend. “It’s our first and hopefully to become an annual event," Rotary Chair for Volunteers Craig...
No changes planned for city traffic system in spite of increased volume
PENTICTON - Penticton motorists don’t have much to complain about when it comes to traffic issues in the city but with summer here, traffic on city streets is on the rise. The influx of summer visitors and the corresponding increase in vehicles on local highways, combined with traffic changes in the city’s south end this...