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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
Aquatic species ‘musselling’ in on Three Mile Beach
PENTICTON - Three Mile Beach is back on city councillor's minds, but not because of clothing optional issues. The beach also happens to be home to an aquatic species in need of help. Not to be confused with invasive zebra and quagga mussels, which governments are trying to keep out of the lake, the province will...
South Okanagan Transit Future Plan moves into new phase with board approval
PENTICTON - The region’s long term transit plan took a step forward wiht the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board’s approval of the Transit Future Plan. The document describes a vision for the South Okanagan’s transit network over the next 25 years. Regional Transit manager Daniel Pizarro told the board the next steps are not...
RDOS board seeking further information on capital funding reallocation request
PENTICTON - A request by Interior Health to redirect hospital funding has regional district directors asking questions. Interior Health wants the regional district to redirect $37,000 budgeted toward a pediatric patient room at Penticton Regional Hospital in order to provide a personal safety system for the hospital’s Inpatient Psychiatry Unit. A staff report tabled at...
Penticton gas station targeted by suspected arsonist
PENTICTON - A Penticton man is scheduled to appear in court charged with arson in connection with an early morning fire at a Husky gas station. Fire crews and police were called to the gas station on Fairview Road around 2:46 a.m., April 17. They arrived to find a fire on the outside the building,...
RDOS enters agreement for fast charging station
PENTICTON - It will soon be more convenient to drive an electric car from Penticton to Vancouver. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen directors have entered into an agreement with Sunshine Valley Recreation Inc. to lease space for a DC Fast Charging station in Manning Park. The regional district board also agreed to contract BC...
Annual cancer fundraiser facing shortage of registrants in Penticton
PENTICTON - Changes are in the works to this year’s Penticton Relay for Life as organizers deal with a shortage of registrants. “We have not reached our goal for teams registered and want to leave no stone unturned in our efforts to gain awareness for the most important event in our annual calendar,” Relay for...
Penticton not alone in hunt for top bureaucrat
PENTICTON - Finding new, high level municipal bureacrats is neither quick or easy, as two communities in the South Okanagan are discovering as they attempt to replace their Chief Administrative Officers. Penticton has engaged the services of a recruitment agency following Annette Antoniak’s departure in February, while Keremeos is faced with a similar process with...
Popular community market promises to be bigger and better this year
PENTICTON - The start of the popular Penticton Community Market is only a couple of weeks away and as many as 300 vendors can be expected this year. The annual market’s first day of the season is Saturday, May 2. It is scheduled to run until Oct. 12, but may be extended to the end...
Harry Potter on trial during Penticton Law Week event
PENTICTON - Penticton middle and high school students have a date in Penticton courthouse tomorrow. They will be there with members of the Provincial Crown Counsel and those of the local bar to conduct two mock trials as part of Law Week, Friday, April 17. The first trial, beginning at 10 a.m., will have Harry...
Soup Sisters get cooking in third charity soup event
PENTICTON - The Penticton Soup Sisters were 'souped up' for chairty at Brodo Kitchen on Monday. Brodo Kitchen Chef Paul Cecconi oversaw the soup making evening on April 13, as 22 participants prepared 180 servings of soup for the South Okanagan Women in Need Society. Four different kinds of soup were prepared, including chicken mole...
Alpine vehicle restrictions take effect
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Hefty fines await users of off-road vehicles who veer off existing roads and trails when operating at high elevation. ATV and off-road vehicle riders who damage an ecosystem on Crown land can now face fines of up to $100,000, one year in jail, or both. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource...
Car club swap meet
PENTICTON - The South Okanagan & Okanagan Chapter of the Vintage Car Club of Canada will be holding their 25th Annual Automotive, Motorcycle and Antique Swap Meet on Saturday April 18 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Over 100 vendors will be on hand at the South Okanagan Event Centre parking lot and the Penticton...
Penticton firefighters take part in Lyme Sucks Challenge
PENTICTON - The Lyme Sucks Challenge is spreading in Penticton - hopefully faster than the disease itself. Penticton RCMP took the challenge last week, and on Wednesday, April 15, it was the Penticton Fire Department’s turn. The Lyme Sucks Challenge involves being filmed while sucking on half of a lime, nominating three others to take...
Disposal costs for burned materials on the rise
PENTICTON - The tragedy of a structure fire is hard enough, but it is about to be exacerbated by an increase in dumping fees for burned waste at Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen landfills. Burned waste is generally derived from structure fires and some of the materials may contain lead, mercury and other hazards, making...
Busy wildfire season predicted for Interior
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Be prepared for a fire season reminiscent of 2003 — maybe — regional emergency personnel were told at a workshop this week. Comparisons to the year more than 200 homes were destroyed in the Okanagan Mountain Fire and 72 homes lost in the McLure Fire were heard at a spring readiness workshop hosted...
Community Arts Society rooftop party
PENTICTON - The Penmar Community Arts Society will be holding a Rooftop Party Wednesday, April 15, from 5 - 7 p.m. Operations Manager Adam Viklund says everyone interested is invited to attend for the unveiling of the new cooperative and an update on progress of the new arts centre in the former Pen Mar theatre...
Council delays legal action against property owners
PENTICTON - Two property owners have been given two more weeks to resolve their issues before the city against takes legal action against both of them. The injunctive action planned against Action Steel (2365 Barnes St.) and Penticton Self Storage Ltd. (2360 Government St.) stems from a number of long-standing issues regarding a retaining wall...
Youthful Penticton inventor heading for science fair nationals
PENTICTON - After a successful weekend at the regional science fair a youthful Penticton inventor is aiming for the nationals in New Brunswick. Charley Smith entered his project, which involves alternative energy sources for vehicles, in the Regional Science Fair in Summerland, placing Best in Show and winning gold. Next up is a trip to...
Penticton firefighters respond to deck blaze
PENTICTON - Penticton firefighters put out a deck fire started by a child with a lighter Sunday morning. Fire crews were called to a home on McCulloch Road near McGregor Drive around 9:34 a.m., April 12. “It was actually a retired auxiliary member who spotted it. He and the residents had it pretty much under...
Provincial funding for invasive mussel control a good start
PENTICTON - The province is recognizing the need to invest in the control of invasive zebra and quagga mussels. The Okanagan Basin Water Board was pleased to see the province step up with improved protections for zebra and quagga mussels in the Okanagan Valley in late March. The province is providing $1.3 million in funding...
Fest-of-Ale draws thousands
PENTICTON - The suds flowed freely on the weekend at the Penticton Convention Centre during the 20th annual Okanagan Fest of Ale. More than 4,000 people participated in the tasting event that showcased beers and ciders from 47 producers. Changes to the event this year included an outdoor section and a pop-up, on site liquor...
Penticton business stands firmly opposed to national park amid increasing favour
PENTICTON - There is increasing support for a national park in the Okanagan-Similkameen but not everybody is impressed by the idea. Prospects for a national park in the area arose following a feasibility study conducted in 2004. Strong local opposition to the proposal by ranchers and other stakeholders resulted in revisions to the size of...
Dangerous section of Hope-Princeton getting $27-million upgrade
PENTICTON - A winding, dangerous portion of the Hope-Princeton Highway is slated for upgrading thanks to a multi-level funding commitment. Provincial and federal governments have announced funding for a $27.65 million upgrade to Highway 3, west of Princeton. A five-kilometre stretch of the roadway will be relocated and straightened to remove a two sharp curves...
Over $2-million worth of waterfront improvements proposed in Penticton
PENTICTON - The details surrounding a major waterfront improvement along Lakeshore Drive in Penticton are out as the SS Sicamous Master Plan moves forward. Consultant Ed Grifone presented the plan to city council, Tuesday, April 7, and the counsellors endorsed the plan with first reading of a bylaw intended to incorporate the plan into the Official...