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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
Motorcyclist succumbs to injuries following Oliver crash
PENTICTON - A motorcyclist has died after injuries suffered in an accident near Oliver yesterday, June 9. Cpl. Shana McLeod of South Okanagan Traffic Services in Keremeos says the Oliver RCMP attended the scene of a single vehicle motorcycle accident in the 7600-block of Highway 97 on June 9 at approximately 3 p.m. A witness...
Penticton dad identified as murder victim; Police haven’t confirmed
PENTICTON - A former Fort McMurray, Alta., man living in the South Okanagan is believed to be the man police found murdered at a Penticton motel unit last week. Police have not confirmed the name, but social media sources appear to confirm Darren Leadbeater as the man killed following an incident at the Golden Sands...
Dog bylaws set to get beefed up in Penticton
PENTICTON - Anyone caught in violation of a host of new regulations dealing with dogs — including leaving dogs in hot vehicles — better be prepared: The city is about to play ruff. Among the contemplated changes, anyone leaving a dog in a vehicle will face a $300 fine, up from $200. The bylaw, which...
Regional board continues to wrestle with economic development idea
PENTICTON - A question of transparency in how the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen hands out grants for economic development appears to have inspired directors to consider adding more money on it. It started with a simple concept at a committee meeting in February. Instead of giving the Okanagan Film Commission a grant-in-aid every year (last...
Interior Salish art could draw tourists to Southern Interior
PENTICTON - A demand by tourists for local indigenous art is being heard and the Penticton Indian Band has taken the first steps towards making that happen. The Penticton Indian Band hosted a workshop last week as it works to create a strategy to meet the tourist market demand for authentic Interior Salish art. The event, held...
Police confirm murder in Penticton suspicious death
PENTICTON - A police investigation into a death on Lakeshore Drive last week in Penticton continues. RCMP confirmed the suspicious death discovered at Golden Sands Resort early Thursday, June 4, is a homicide. Media spokesperson Cpl. Dave Tyreman confirmed Tuesday, June 9, police are investigating the incident as a murder. He says the investigative team...
Penticton interim CAO responds to the call of the north
PENTICTON - The city’s present interim CAO appears to be following closely in the footsteps of the city manager he replaced. Departing City of Penticton Interim Chief Administrative Officer Chuck Loewen is leaving the warm, sunny beaches of Penticton for the Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo in northern Alberta, where he will take on...
Residents rally to aid puppy struck by a car
PENTICTON - Donations continue to pour into the BC SPCA in Penticton as area residents rally to help cover the medical bills for a 10 month old Labrador pup. Jodi was struck by a car in Penticton on June 2, breaking her leg. Her owners couldn’t afford the vet bill so she was surrendered to...
Bridge construction restricts Green Avenue access from Highway 97
PENTICTON - Road work around the Satik Bridge crossing at the west end of Green Avenue in Penticton has reached new stage. Stage Two of the Penticton Indian Band Development Corporation’s traffic management will be implemented today, June 8. Traffic flow will now switch to the west side of the highway, which means there will...
Penticton Search and Rescue evacuate injured hiker at the bluffs
PENTICTON - Penticton Search and Rescue responded to a call for help at Skaha Bluffs earlier today, June 7. Fifteen search and rescue volunteers responded to a call from B.C. Ambulance Service just after 2:15 p.m. Sunday to assist with an injured climber. The man, who was reportedly seriously injured, was in the an area...
Penticton heart attack victim thanks life savers
PENTICTON - A Penticton man is effusive in his gratitude to the people who saved his life after he suffered a heart attack while playing pickle ball at the community centre gym. Gary Gierlich, 58, says his last memory before collapsing on April 16 was a feeling of dizziness. The next thing he remembers is waking up...
Fire truck pull adds some heat to a hot day in Penticton
PENTICTON - With a forecast calling for temperatures to climb above 30 Celsius for the weekend, many Penticton residents were heading for the beach for the first time this season or just relaxing in the backyard today. Others headed downtown this morning to pull a fire engine down Main Street. The first annual Muscular Dystrophy Canada...
Filmmakers invited to show their stuff at Peach Fest
PENTICTON - There is going to be a new form of entertainment at the Penticton Peach Festival this year with the addition of Reel Peach Fest, a new venue for both professional and budding filmmakers to show their stuff. Each night, after 9 p.m., between August 5 and 9 as stagehands prepare for each evening’s round...
Oliver man killed in Highway 97 crash
PEACHLAND - A crash between a car and a semi in Peachland yesterday claimed the life of an Oliver man. The B.C. Coroners Service has confirmed Grant Wheeler, 81, was killed in the crash, June 4. Wheeler was driving northbound on Highway 97 when he became involved in a collision with a southbound semi-trailer at...
Pedestrian killed while attempting to cross Highway 97 near Oliver
PENTICTON - A teenager girl is dead after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 97. The accident occurred around 5:35 p.m today, June 4, when a 16-year-old female pedestrian attempted to cross the highway just north of Oliver. A southbound motorhome attempted to avoid striking the girl, but was unable to avoid hitting her....
Council agrees to student rate for non-District 67 schools
PENTICTON - After weeks of dicussion, the city's only French school will get a price break on using city facilities. Penticton City Council took a lengthy look at school rate pricing for the use of city facilities earlier this week. The re-examination of the school pricing policy came following a request from the city’s only...
Three regional district staffers earned more than $100,000 last year
PENTICTON - Nearly $7 million in salaries and expenses was paid to regional district staff in 2014, with the top-19 wage-earners accounting for more than $1.6 million of that. Last year’s salary figures for staffers making $75,000 or more and elected representatives stipends were released by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen in an annual Statement of...
Skaha Lake waterfront plans on display
PENTICTON - Penticton citizens interested in a revitalized Skaha lakefront will have an opportunity to provide input and hear more about a major revitalization project proposed for the Skaha Marina area in the coming days. The proposal put forward by Trio Marine Group would see an expanded 100-slip marina featuring day and seasonal rentals as...
Intersection issues follow major reconstruction in Penticton
PENTICTON - It’s a big improvement, but it’s not complete. Those thoughts appear to be on the minds of many residents and employees working in the vicinity of Industrial Avenue and Atkinson Street this week, just days after an extensive reconstruction of Industrial Avenue was completed. A pedestrian crossing the intersection this afternoon, June 3,...
Penticton casino looks to expand
PENTICTON - Lake City Casino has outgrown its existing facility and is looking at options for future growth, including relocation. The casino, currently housed in the Penticton Lakeside Resort, has currently outgrown its existing facility, Executive General Manager Jerry Pokorny says. “We are always looking for ways to enhance our casinos. We’ve been speaking with...
New trail first step in connecting Summerland to Penticton
PENTICTON - Construction on the first phase of a new trail for the South Okanagan is set to begin next week. The Trail of the Okanagans Society announced a planned construction start day of June 13 for a new recreational pathway on Highway 97. The trail will start at Lakeshore Drive travel south to Summerland...
Court decision favours regional district
PENTICTON - A cooperative road paving initiative between the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen and the Ministry of Transportation ended up in court following a dispute between the regional district and its contractor, Associated Engineering. The problems began as a result of a 2005 water supply improvement project in Naramata that saw the regional district installing...
Naramata residents get help in dealing with problem rats
PENTICTON - Naramata residents dealing with a rat problem are getting some help from the regional district. Regional District Naramata Director Karla Kozakevich says the community developed a problem with rats last summer and fall, with sightings and evidence of rats seen in increasing numbers in the downtown area of the community. Problems with rats...
Penticton interim city manager resigns
PENTICTON - Another Penticton city staffer is moving on. Interim Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager of Recreation and Facilities Chuck Loewen has resigned, City of Penticton Communications Officer Simone Blais confirmed today, Tuesday, June 2. Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says the resignation came as a surprise, just before the regular meeting of council last...