Elevate your local knowledge
Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!
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
Addicted youth suffer from lack of treatment facilities
PENTICTON - The closing of Portage’s youth treatment centre near Keremeos last week eliminated an important treatment facility for addicted Canadian youth, says an addiction specialist and certified interventionist. The Crossing, a residential rehabilitation centre for addicted adolescents between the ages of 14 - 18, closed suddenly last week due to a funding disagreement with...
Local cop walks the beat old style
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP Corporal Don Wrigglesworth is common sight on Penticton city streets these days. But he’s a rare sight as well. Wrigglesworth is the city’s full-time community policing corporal, and in taking on the job has brought some good old-fashioned tradition to Penticton’s police force. Wrigglesworth is a rare sight because he is...
Layoffs announced as Keremeos youth treatment centre closes doors
PENTICTON - A Keremeos residential treatment facility for addicted youth known as The Crossing suddenly closed its doors yesterday, ending the service and sending roughly 20 people out of work. The facility was operated by Portage British Columbia, which confirmed the closure today, March 6. Portage spokesperson Christina Panagio said after a dispute with the...
KOOPMANS TRIAL: More oddities as key witness wraps up testimony
PENTICTON - The key witness in the John Ike Koopmans murder trial continued to grapple with defence lawyers under cross-examination today. Bradley Martin took the witness stand for the third day in Penticton Supreme Court on Friday, March 6. He already told the jury he overheard Koopmans arguing with two other friends, Rose Fox and...
Few viable options for reducing “penalizing” electrical connection fees
PENTICTON - Penticton's city councillors are concerned with the high fee the city charges to hook up or to disconnect someone's electricity, but according to the city's utility manager, there's not much they can do about it. The city charges $68 to disconnect the electricity to a home for non-payment and then another $68 to...
Early morning blaze in West Bench
PENTICTON - The quick response by Penticton firefighters limited damage to West Bench property this morning. Penticton firefighters responded to the report of a fire on Jonathan Drive at 4:36 a.m., Friday, March 6, Penticton Deputy Fire Chief Dave Spalding says they sent two engines with on shift crews, with extra staff called in. The...
KOOPMANS TRIAL: Court hears bizarre testimony from key witness
PENTICTON - Witness testimony in the Koopmans murder trial took on a decidedly different direction as a key witness took the stand for a second day. Bradley Martin continued his testimony today, March 5, in Penticton Supreme Court in the trial of John Ike Koopmans, who is charged with two counts of first degree murder and...
KOOPMANS TRIAL: Victim describes shooting in Koopmans trial
PENTICTON - A Penticton courtroom heard Bradley Martin describe how he was shot in a residence near Princeton on March 30, 2013, as the trial of accused murderer John Koopmans continued today. “I looked down and found blood pouring down my chest," Martin said, taking a long pause. “I realized what I had heard was...
Penticton Vees raffles benefit kid’s breakfast and women’s charitable programs
PENTICTON - Penticton Vees “Wicked Wednesdays” events have been a big help to the Penticton Speedway Foundation’s fundraising efforts. The Penticton Speedway Foundation teamed up with the Vees and Underwriters Insurance, raising more than $15,000 through a number of raffles that took place in conjunction with Wicked Wednesdays promotions. The promotions were part of Penticton...
Medical foundation receives funding pledge
PENTICTON - Penticton’s Patient Care Tower Project received a big financial boost from a Summerland fundraising group. The Summerland Health Care Auxiliary, which operates a thrift shop on Victoria Road in Summerland, recently pledged to raise $1 million over the next five years, to go towards the $20 million fundraising effort being undertaken by the...
City staff to investigate choices for clothing optional beach
PENTICTON - The solution to the Three Mile Beach clothing optional issue was pared down from a list of 10 staff submitted options to two during Monday's council meeting. The discussion followed a presentation to council by local naturist Kevin Proteau and Canadian Naturist Organization’s Judy Williams. The 10 options were put forward by staff...
KOOPMANS TRIAL: Mother describes finding her son shot
'I TOLD THE POLICE TO PLEASE GO HELP MY SON, HE'S STILL BREATHING....' PENTICTON - Jurors in the John Ike Koopmans murder trial heard dramatic testimony today, Feb. 3, as the mother of shooting victim Keith Wharton described finding her son and his girlfriend dead in their Princeton trailer. Carol Wharton’s voice broke as she...
What the Irish Rovers have in common with Clancy the cat
PENTICTON - Clancy the cat's incredible story of a journey from the wilderness of the Yukon back to his home town Penticton has caught the attention of a well-known Canadian band. The Irish Rovers were so impressed by Clancy's tale, they decided to help him complete his journey back to a loving home. The legendary...
Bail decision angers Louie supporters
PENTICTON – Friends and family of Roxanne Louie called a decision to grant bail to…
Two break and enters to start the month in Osoyoos
PENTICTON - Osoyoos RCMP are hoping you can help solve two break and enters on March 1. A garage on 87th Street was entered by thieves who made off with a 1988 black Ford Mustang, a black and yellow coloured Bombardier XP Seadoo and several tools valued at approximately $15,000. On the same date, Osoyoos...
Robotti bail decision tomorrow
PENTICTON – A decision on whether two people arrested in the death of Roxanne Louie…
Naturists to present their side in Three Mile Beach controversy
PENTICTON - Penticton City Council will be revisiting a contentious issue this evening. Penticton City council will receive a report from staff suggesting options for resolving the issue of nudity at Three Mile Beach at tonight’s council meeting, March 2. Staff will be presenting 10 potential avenues for council to pursue, including amendments to the...
New housing for medical students
PENTICTON - A new residence facility for visiting medical students and locum physicians is being prepared near Penticton Regional Hospital’s psychiatric unit. The second half of a factory built, single storey residence was lowered into place Feb. 28 on the hospital grounds. A $500,000 donation by Lloyd and Lota Jobling to the South Okanagan Similkameen...
Retiring regional district public works manager turning hobby into second career
PENTICTON - More art is in the future of retiring Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen Public Works Manager Doug French. French will be retiring from his position at the end of March, when Roger Huston joins the regional district to take over the public works reins. French has been with the RDOS for five years....
Charitable concern fulfills daily need in the city
PENTICTON - The Christmas season and the accompanying generosity and goodwill that goes along with it has been over for a couple of months now, but that doesn’t mean the need for charity has diminished in the community. Whether its Christmas or not, those in need can continue to count on the Penticton Community Soupateria...
Penticton RCMP threatening letter investigation winding down
PENTICTON - Police presence at Penticton schools following the discovery of a threatening letter will be scaled back after classes end on Feb. 27 with Penticton RCMP saying they have exhausted all leads. The threatening letter found on school grounds Feb. 18, 2015 prompted a swift response from Mounties, but the investigation offered no new developments this...
The one thing you must know before renting out your home this summer
PENTICTON – Summer is on the way, and local governments have some words of advice…
Hazy regulations helping to create smoky air
PENTICTON - The kind of smoke that comes from burning wet leaves and brush might be harmful to your health and the health of neighbours in the valley, but it may not be clear which days are best for burning because of how that information is distributed in the south Okanagan. With warm February weather...
Future of Naramata Centre still undecided
PENTICTON - Two upcoming meetings of the Naramata Centre Board of Directors will hopefully define the immediate future of the retreat, board spokesman Gerry Anderson said Feb. 26. “We have a board meeting Sunday and our Annual General Meeting in June. Those meetings will go a long way to deciding our future direction,” Anderson said....