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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
Apex community saddened by death of co-owner
PENTICTON - One of the most popular and highly respected residents in the village at Apex Mountain Resort died this week. Resort co-owner Louise Burgart, 68, died of a suspected heart attack on Sunday, Jan. 25. When Burgart hadn't been seen for a few days an Apex staff member, sent to check on her, found...
Lots to do in Penticton on Family Day
PENTICTON - You won’t have far to go to enjoy a full slate of Family Day activities in Penticton. The city’s community centre is teaming up with Coldwell Banker Okanagan Realty to assemble an all-ages road hockey game with the Penticton Vees from noon to 2 p.m. on Feb. 9. Some equipment courtesy of Pacific...
Summerland woman putting the pedal to the metal at ARCA racing event
SUMMERLAND - A Summerland woman is getting ready for the ride of her life as she prepares for an Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) race at Daytona. Sarah Cornett-Ching has been driving for half her life — and she’s only 24. She began her racing career at Penticton Speedway, where she first got behind the...
Lower speed limit in downtown Penticton accepted by most
PENTICTON - Residents appear to be content to slow down, be safe and enjoy the scenery in the Penticton's downtown core. City of Penticton communications officer Simone Blais says the reaction to the recent the drop in the speed limit downtown to 30 kilometres per hour, “Hasn’t been overly surprising.” “We’ve had some positive comments from...
Crime is on the rise in Penticton
PENTICTON — Crime in Penticton appears to have gone up significantly in the last year and calls to Penticton RCMP is rising fast. According to a report by Penticton RCMP Supt. Kevin Hewco, calls for service in 2014 was up seven per cent over 2013 to 4,054 but in the last quarter it was 22 per...
“Mayor’s Minute” blog provides instant update on city happenings
PENTICTON - A new feature on the City of Penticton’s website will update you on all things Penticton in one minute. The “Mayors Minute” blog launched this week as a new feature on the city’s website. The blog gives many residents an easy to access opportunity to read about council news and councillors’ thoughts. Mayor...
Last week to nominate best business in Penticton
PENTICTON - Now is your chance to give your favourite Penticton business some great publicity - but only until Jan. 30 at 4 p.m. That’s the deadline for nominations for the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce’s 28th annual business excellence awards. The awards take place Feb. 21 at the Penticton Trade and Convention...
Penticton taxpayers to face one time tax bite for RDOS building upgrades
PENTICTON - Penticton ratepayers will face a one-time tax bite from the regional district this year. The Regional District of Okanagan - Similkameen gave first reading to the 2015 budget on Jan. 22, and will now hit the road as staff and local politicians seek public approval through numerous municipal and electoral area meetings. Penticton’s...
Continued rally for Roxanne Louie is for all aboriginal women
PENTICTON – A throng of supporters crying for justice for Roxanne Louie and aboriginal women…
School board and council take step toward open dialogue
PENTICTON - School District 67 has needs and Penticton council has the muscle to get things done so the two got together for a lunchtime discussion Monday to start a conversation. During a short Committee of the Whole meeting that followed, school board chair Linda Van Alphen said the two groups had a good conversation....
City’s economic initiatives gaining momentum
PENTICTON - Penticton Economic Development Officer Colleen Pennington is looking forward to 2015 as the city’s initiatives show signs of bearing economic fruit. Pennington said 2014 ended well, with the December announcement of Sangsters takeover of the former Trophic Nutritional Supplements building in the city’s industrial area. Pennington also noted the arrival of Jet Power...
High demand for welding classes at Okanagan College
PENTICTON - In spite of falling oil prices, the demand for welders remains high - and Okanagan College in Penticton is helping to answer that need. South Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Dean Donna Lomas said the college has heard from employers from throughout the South Okanagan and beyond about the need for welders, so the college has...
Study approved to decide locations for smelly composting facilities
PENTICTON - A curbside program to collect kitchen and other organic waste for recycling into compost is moving forward with a study to figure out the best locations for processing facilities. The Regional District Okanagan Similkameen approved the siting study after receiving a Green Municipal Fund Grant for up to half the total budget required...
Downtown Penticton speed limits now consistent at 30 km/h
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton wants you to slow down and take a look at what the city has to offer. Speed limits in the commercial downtown core are now a uniform 30 km/h. Following last year’s Martin Street upgrades, a need to have a more pedestrian-friendly downtown was envisioned by mayor and council....
Second rally planned for Roxanne Louie
PENTICTON – Family and friends of Roxanne Louie are not going to let her memory…
Okanagan Falls man with lengthy criminal record back in court
PENTICTON — An Okanagan Falls man with a long history of offences makes a return appearance in Penticton court today with two new charges. Ronald Arthur Teneycke was charged three days ago with one count of making or possessing explosives and one count of firearms possession. Teneycke’s sister, Linda Walker told reporters today’s court appearance...
Three-year art project celebrates breastfeeding
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Interior Health is searching for artists and community members to create pieces for an expo aimed at exploring the topic of breastfeeding through art. Interior Health Project Coordinator Karen Graham says the three-year project called the Breastfeeding Art Expo is in its preliminary stages but the call went out to the entire Interior...
Directors voice policing issues to region’s top cop
PENTICTON - The recent graffiti epidemic was just one of the topics Penticton RCMP's top cop spoke about during the Regional District board meeting Jan. 22. Penticton RCMP Superintendent Kevin Hewco discussed the RCMP’s annual performance plan with regional directors, a means by which each municipality is able to identify their own exclusive policing needs,...
Penticton councillor files claim against former employer
PENTICTON - Penticton city councillor Judy Sentes launched a small claims court action against former employer Okanagan-Similkameen Neurological Society this week. According to court documents filed Jan. 20, Sentes was employed as executive director with the society from August 1994 until her retirement on July 8, 2013. Sentes claims in the filing she was to...
Sports club receives help from anti-graffiti ‘superhero’
PENTICTON - Graffiti vandalism is no match for a Penticton Facebook group that seems to prefer the anonymity typical of a comic book superhero. Earlier this week, Penticton Pinnacles Football Club executive were paid a visit by a "person unknown" who offered to clean up some graffiti on the football club’s property - for free....
Striking workers continue picket after closure notice at Naramata Centre
PENTICTON - Employees of The Naramata Centre remain on picket lines days after management issued a press release announcing the permanent closure of the facility. Tom O’Leary, National Representative for the Canadian Union of Pubic Employees, said on Jan. 23 the announcement was not unexpected. “It was always their option. What’s puzzling is the timing,...
No appeal for man convicted of assaulting woman, biting her labia
PENTICTON - Brian Douglas Louie will remain behind bars for the completion of a 2.8 year sentence after losing his appeal on Jan. 20. Louie was convicted of aggravated assault and assault causing bodily harm for a violent attack on a woman in 2012, during which he bit off a piece of her labia during...
Snowbirds returning to thrill Penticton
PENTICTON - You will have to look up, way up, to see the highlight of the Peach Festival this year. The Snowbirds are returning to Penticton after a two year absence to kick off the August celebration. The precision flying squadron will perform over Okanagan Lake in celebration of the Peach Festival opening day on...
Low income buildings acquired by South Okanagan Brain Injury Society
PENTICTON - Two low income housing buildings in Penticton have new owners after being acquired by the South Okanagan Brain Injury Society at the beginning of the year. On Jan.1, Abbott Towers and Columbus Park transferred ownership to the SOSBIS at no cost.The two previous non-profit societies that looked after the buildings are in the...