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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
Retiring RCMP sergeant transitioning into Crime Stoppers role
PENTICTON - The police officer who helped get Crime Stoppers off the ground in Penticton following a riot in 1991 is now going to head the South Okanagan chapter of the organization. Sgt. Rick Dellebuur announced his pending retirement from 38 years as an RCMP officer to members of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen board...
Townhouse development for idle lots on Power Street
PENTICTON - Three lots on Power Street could soon be home to a 15-unit townhouse strata complex after City councillors approved it Monday. Developer Nick Bevanda put together a design for the complex on three lots located at 152, 168 and 184 Power Street that will leave a central, private courtyard for the residents and...
Penticton’s oxbows an important but neglected water resource
PENTICTON - A Penticton group concerned about the health of the Okanagan River oxbows says more can be done to restore and rejuvenate the remaining river channels in Penticton. Rick McKelvey updated Penticton City Council earlier this week on progress his group, “Friends of the Oxbows” was making with respect to restoring the wetland habitat....
Locomotive pulls out of Lakawanna Park
PENTICTON -The Lakawanna Park locomotive has left the station for good. The wooden replica of a train locomotive has been a familiar sight at the small Lakeshore Drive park for years. As part of the children’s playground, it was often used by children for climbing and playing on. City of Penticton spokesperson Simone Blais said...
Woman charged for making up story about Christmas break in: Global Okanagan
PENTICTON - A woman whose story of a lost Christmas captured people’s charity and goodwill last Christmas faces a day in court after being accused of falsely reporting the crime. Global News reported yesterday police received a tip shortly after the Dec. 22, 2014 break-in report that led them to believe Jackie Ann Hooper may have lied about...
Peach City Radio licensed to hit the airwaves
PENTICTON - Penticton’s Peach City Radio moved a big step closer to their goal of an FM radio station this week. Members of the Peach City Radio Society were delighted to hear from the Canadian Radio and Television Commission their license to broadcast a low power community radio signal in Penticton had been approved. “We’re...
Day of recognition for Health Care Auxiliaries
PENTICTON - A volunteer organization that makes life better for hospital patients is holding a special event at Penticton Regional Hospital this week. There will be free cake and coffee from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 8, in recognition of Health Care Auxiliary Day in the front lobby of the hospital. Penticton Hospital...
Resident charged up over electrical bill mailing fee
PENTICTON - A Penticton woman upset over the idea of being charged a $1 postage cost for mailing her electrical bill decided to do something about it. Jean Mitchell sent the City of Penticton a letter after seeing the city's April newsletter, where it cited rising postal costs for instilling a postage fee of one...
Satik Bridge reaches construction milestone
PENTICTON - The last of 36 concrete girders were installed on the Satik Crossing Bridge spanning the Okanagan River at Green Avenue in Penticton this week, meaning the bridge is on pace to open to traffic before the end of June. Penticton Indian Band Chief Johnathan Kruger says the bridge has been 20 years in...
Jail time for Osoyoos man convicted in drunken hit and run
PENTICTON - An Osoyoos man with an apparent alcohol problem will have plenty of time behind bars to test his sobriety after he was sentenced to jail for an Osoyoos hit and run accident in 2014. Steven Troy Fields, 28, was sentenced today, May 4, after pleading guilty to one count of failure to stop...
Beneficial ants being mistaken for invasive species in Naramata
PENTICTON - A beneficial native species of ant is being mistaken for an invasive species that doesn’t, according to a Thompson Rivers University researcher. Following an InfoNews story on the European fire ant last week, several people have taken to social media to express fear those ants have taken up residence in their neighbourhood. University researcher...
Okanagan Spring Wine Festival is happening now
PENTICTON - The clink of wine glasses will be a common sound up and down the valley for the next nine days as the 21st annual Spring Okanagan Wine Festival is underway. The Best of Varietal Awards and Reception was the first signature event in this year’s festival, kicking things off Thursday with the best...
Oliver man sentenced for sex crimes against youth
PENTICTON – A 24-year-old Oliver man learned today how much jail time he faces for…
Beekeepers on the hunt for swarming bees
PENTICTON - Beekeepers are asking for your help to spot swarming bees so they don't become a nuisance and local beekeepers can use them to create new colonies. Uncaptured swarms can sometimes mean problems for homeowners, according to a media release. If they find small openings in roofs, they can establish themselves, resulting in a...
Tenors tour coming to Penticton
PENTICTON - Prepare for a night of powerful voices and memorable melodies as the multi-platinum JUNO award winning vocal group known as The Tenors perform at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. The tour coincides with the release of the group’s fourth album Under One Sky on May 4....
Injured hiker rescued from Skaha Bluffs
PENTICTON - A man from Nova Scotia is being treated at Penticton Regional Hospital this afternoon after being rescued following an accident at Skaha Bluffs. Penticton Search and Rescue members were requested to assist in the man’s rescue by B.C. Ambulance around noon today, April 30. The man, in his 30s, had been hiking in...
Conservation group lets grass grow in fight against invasive plants
PENTICTON - A widely diverse group of biologists, foresters, agrologists, conservationists and members of the general public took to the hills above Okanagan Falls Wednesday to learn more about ways to fight invasive plants. The 35 member tour, April 29, took a look at seeding experiments conducted by the Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society,...
Penticton federal building vandalized by graffiti
PENTICTON - Penticton’s federal building was vandalized with graffiti late this morning, April 30. The building, located at 227 Winnipeg Street, houses Revenue Canada offices. The messages were believed to have been sprayed at approximately 12:30 p.m. Police were called to the scene. Political messages are spray painted in orange on the Nanaimo Avenue side...
Dispute over concrete retaining wall moves toward resolution
PENTICTON - A long running dispute over a deteriorating concrete retaining wall, and the associated drainage problems, in Penticton’s industrial area may be on the way to resolution. City communication officer Simone Blais says the two parties involved in the issue met with city staff and legal council earlier this month and came up with...
Something for everyone at Kaleden firehall annual garage sale
PENTICTON - The weather is warming up, blossoms are blooming, and jackets are being hung up in place of short sleeves. It’s spring — which also means it’s garage sale time. If you are new to the garage sale scene in Penticton and the South Okanagan, you won’t want to miss one of the premier...
Zoning amendment to allow hotel at SOEC complex explained at open house
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton is explaining why it should allow a hotel to be built on the property which contains the South Okanagan Events Centre, the Trade and Convention Centre and the Community Centre at an open house today. Penticton economic development officer Colleen Pennington sees the addition of a premier hotel to...
Penticton tourism groups ready to put past behind them
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton is anxious to pursue its tourist initiatives, and hopes a renewed association and common goals between three organizations involved in tourist marketing in the city will help rebuild Penticton as a tourist destination. Less than a year ago, three separate entities were fighting with each other for tourism dollars...
Judge impressed with man’s attempt to rehabilitate himself
PENTICTON - A Penticton judge was pleased with a man’s attempts to change his ways since he was charged with assault. Judge Gregory Koturbash said in Penticton Provincial court today, April 29, Frederick Nathaniel Williams showed commitment to getting his life back on track after getting mixed up in a scuffle that led to an...
Penticton outreach centre relocating to where need is greatest
PENTICTON - A new outreach centre planned for Penticton will make mental health services more accessible for the people who need it most. Interior Health announced plans Wednesday, April 29, to relocate an outreach program that helps connect clients with physicians and other health services. The Martin Street Outreach Centre, located at 437 Martin St.,...