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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
UPDATE: Police chase on Channel Parkway
PENTICTON - A police cruiser was damaged by an erratic driver while officers tried to pull over a cargo van Monday evening. At approximately 4 p.m., May 25, police were alerted to a complaint of erratic and possibly impaired driving involving an older cargo van on the Channel Parkway, Penticton RCMP confirms. Police located the...
Penticton Scottish Festival has something for everyone
PENTICTON - If you enjoy everything Scottish, from kilts to haggis and tartan to bagpipes, then the Scottish Festival in Penticton could be right up your alley. While haggis may not actually be on the menu, the Second Annual Penticton Scottish Festival and Highland Games will celebrate Celtic culture with a variety of Scottish oriented...
Smart meter fears prompt director’s motion
PENTICTON - The debate around smart meters in the South Okanagan was recharged following a director’s motion at a Regional District Okanagan SImilkameen board meeting last week. Electoral area 'D' Director Tom Siddon introduced a motion calling for a moratorium on smart meter installation in his area, inciting what Siddon called 'a worthwhile debate' amongst...
Sunday fire destroy Naramata business
PENTICTON - Penticton and other community firefighters were busy this past weekend following a Sunday morning a massive blaze in Naramata that devastated a long running business in that community. Naramata firefighters were called to the scene of Plexus Woodworks, located at 780 Gulch Rd., at approximately 9 a.m. Sunday, May 24. When they arrived they...
Penticton pickleball players to get their own courts
PENTICTON - Pickle ball and tennis don’t go together well, so they will get courts of their own. Penticton City council learned that lesson at its meeting earlier this week. The game which combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong has become quite popular in the city, but with no dedicated courts, those who play...
South Okanagan provincial parks name change reflect aboriginal culture
PENTICTON - Two South Okanagan parks have been renamed to reflect traditional First Nation place names. Environment Minister Mary Polak and Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie made the official announcement, renaming Haynes Point and Okanagan Falls Provincial Parks. The name changes coincide with the Osoyoos band taking over management of the two parks. McIntyre...
Okanagan Correctional Centre stimulates local economy
PENTICTON - The $200 million Okanagan Correctional Centre has entered it's second year of construction with a completion date in the fall of 2016. The facility is rapidly taking shape as one of the three cell “pods” nears completion and the prison’s administration building begins to take shape. More than 375 people have worked on...
Jump in fatal motorcycle crashes has South Okanagan RCMP concerned
PENTICTON - A huge jump in the number of motorcycle crashes — and the number of fatal crashes — has prompted members of the RCMP South Okanagan Traffic Service into action. Sgt. Harold Hallett says up to 2013 the region averaged a single fatal motorcycle crash each year. In 2013, there were two and last...
Bumper crop of itchy, scratchy poison ivy in South Okanagan
PENTICTON - There’s a good reason for outdoor enthusiasts to stay on the trail when hiking in the South Okanagan this spring. Cyclists and pedestrians using the Kettle Valley Railway trail are noticing an abundance of poison ivy this year, particularly on the trail between Penticton and Kaleden. Regional District Okanagan Similkameen parks coordinator Justin...
ELECTION 2015: Defence minister discusses foreign policy on Penticton street
PENTICTON - Signs of an upcoming federal election were apparent in Penticton today as the Conservative candidate for South Okanagan-West Kootenay Marshall Neufeld was seen stumping with Federal Minister of Defence Jason Kenney. The two stopped their door to door campaign on Douglas Avenue for a brief word with the media, May 22. Kenney answered...
Penticton paving stone sales provide funds for hospital care tower
PENTICTON - A city waterfront revitalization project is providing homeowners with an opportunity to get a bargain on their building materials and help fund a worthwhile fundraising effort at the same time. Paving stones currently being removed from the Rotary Park walkway project will be offered for sale by the city in a two week...
Financial muscle for mussel awareness program
PENTICTON - Waterways in the South Okanagan will receive an extra measure of protection in the fight to prevent the spread of an aquatic invasive species this summer. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen received a $100,000 grant from the project this week. The grant will be used to educate and inform the public, working in conjunction...
Penticton lawyer fined for professional misconduct
PENTICTON - A Penticton lawyer recently found himself subject of a disciplinary hearing by the Law Society of British Columbia. Charles Louis Albas—father of Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Dan Albas—was cited for preparing a will for a client, naming himself as a beneficiary, and in another instance prepared a will naming his wife as beneficiary. The incidents...
Funding to help with mussel control in South Okanagan
PENTICTON - The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen is getting some financial help in its fight to prevent quagga and zebra mussels from finding their way into the Okanagan. The RBC Blue Water project recently announced $100,000 in grant funding will be made available to the regional district to bolster their Okanagan Aquatic Invasive Species...
Waterslides returning to Penticton with Skaha Lake Marine development
PENTICTON - Waterfront redevelopment has seen a new pedestrian walkway along Lakeshore Drive and plans are in the works for a redesign of the area around the S.S. Sicamous as Penticton’s Okanagan Lake shoreline sees renewal. Now it’s Skaha Lake’s turn. Plans were unveiled at the Tuesday, May 19, council meeting for major redevelopment along...
Council pedals bike park on Munson Mountain
PENTICTON - The prospect of a BMX track and mountain biking skills park on Munson Mountain isn’t sitting to well with some area residents. A number of landowners surrounding Munson Mountain turned out in front of city hall prior to the start of Tuesday's council meeting on May 19, placards in hand, to protest use...
Penticton council frustrated by electrical rate hikes
PENTICTON - Another price hike in the cost of power has city council scrambling to find a solution that won't impact taxpayers. City of Penticton councillors appear to be well aware of the public’s distaste for another power price hike, following a 4.4 per cent increase earlier this year, but finding a solution that will not...
Penticton to host first international triathlon festival in 2017
FIRST IN WORLD TO BE AWARDED MASSIVE 10-DAY FESTIVAL FORMAT PENTICTON - Penticton will host a new format of world series triathlon events in 2017, according to a recent announcement by the International Triathlon Union. The first ever Multisport Triathlon Festival will be staged in Penticton, most likely in late August of 2017, said co-organizer...
Naturists concerned as more signage appears at Three Mile Beach
PENTICTON - Controversy at Penticton’s clothing optional beach continues to heat up with the temperatures in the South Okanagan. Today’s summer-like weather had several naturists basking in the warm sun and calm winds of Three Mile Beach, just days after new signage and what some say is a camera was erected on the property line...
Another increase in electrical rates on council’s agenda
PENTICTON - Penticton City Council faces an ambitious agenda tonight as they face two presentations and five delegations in addition to dealing with a number of potentially contentious issues including another electrical rate increase. The city was recently advised of Fortis's plans for a 2.2 per cent electrical rate increase effective July 1. Staff will...
Lakawanna Park a priceless playground born in the Depression
PENTICTON - Lakawanna Park lost a landmark earlier this month when the wooden locomotive parked alongside the washroom building was hauled away by the City of Penticton due to age and safety concerns. The park continues to thrive in spite of losing the popular icon. The child friendly park has been a fixture on the...
Be a tourist in your own town
PENTICTON - It’s the May long weekend, the first long weekend of summer, but as we in the South Okanagan know all too well, there is no guarantee the weather will be summer-like at this time of year, which sometimes makes it difficult to enjoy the summer activities Penticton is best known for. So, what...
City of Penticton announces a summer’s worth of capital projects
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton is preparing to move forward with a number of infrastructure repair and renewal projects with the approach of summer. Public Works Department has put together a timetable of road, sewer and waterworks projects scheduled to take place this year. The city’s plans reveal seven construction hotspots residents might wish...
Challenge Penticton adds cash prizes to half distance race
PENTICTON - The 2015 Valley First Challenge Penticton Triathlon is upping the ante for half distance racers. This year’s professional race will move to the half distance with a $30,000 purse now available to the top five men and women in each category. First place finishers will receive $6,000. It’s the largest purse offered for...