Steve Arstad

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

  • Joined: January 01, 2023
  • Articles: 6731

Fire destroys Okanagan Falls duplex

Fire destroyed a duplex in downtown Okanagan Falls early Friday morning. Okanagan Falls Volunteer Fire Department was called to 1016 Main St. at approximately 2:33 a.m., where they found a duplex at the rear of the building fully involved. Members of the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department were also called in to assist. The fire has...

Penticton meeting to discuss homeless shelter

PENTICTON - There's a local group that wants to help the homeless find shelter in Penticton and they're inviting the public to discuss the matter with them tonight. The meeting was organized by the Lighthouse Penticton Low Barrier Shelter Society, a group formed to respond to what they see as a growing homeless population. Lighthouse...

Rough ride for Maggie Mustangs to seniors volleyball championships

PENTICTON - Members of Princess Margaret’s Mustangs senior boys volleyball team are working on turning a potential tragedy into triumph in Langley. The boys team left Penticton Tuesday headed for Langley to play in the B.C. Senior Boys Volleyball Championships only to have their bus skid off the Hope - Princeton Highway south of Princeton...

Investigation into fatal Oliver crash continues

OLIVER - Police continue their investigation into a pedestrian collision that took the life of a woman in Oliver Tuesday morning. Emergency crews responded to the scene at the corner of Fairview Road and Highway 97 at 6:21 a.m. Tues., Nov. 25. A 73-year-old woman recently identified as Oliver resident Betty Anstey, was struck by...

City crews work to clean up aftermath of season’s first major snowfall

PENTICTON - Workers with the City of Penticton and its residents spent Wednesday morning digging out from a sudden dump of heavy, wet snow that began falling Tuesday evening. By noon, city streets were awash and boots were the footwear of choice as residents dealt with a mixture of snow, slush and water while temperatures...

School buses cancelled in Penticton area

An unexpected snowfall is wreaking havoc in the Penticton area this morning. School District 67 announced the cancellation of all school bus service for all students this morning. The service will be reevaluated this afternoon to see if service could be provided for any students who may make it to school. Power is also out...

Former councillor defines his legacy, offers advice for incoming politicians

After serving three terms on Penticton City Council, John Vassilaki figured it was time to step up or step out. That was Vassilaki’s reasoning behind his recent bid to win the mayor’s position in the November 15 municipal election, when he was defeated by Andrew Jakubeit. "After 12 years in office, I felt my only...

Union wants United Church to get involved in Naramata Centre strike

A lengthy labour dispute at the Naramata Centre continues as CUPE union members on strike seek both intervention by the United Church of Canada and a ruling that the church and the centre are the same employer. The labour action, which began May 15, began as the result of a restructuring plan introduced by the...

New mayor and council prepare to get down to business

Newly elected Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit admitted to some anxious moments as election day progressed prior to winning the mayor’s position on November 15. “I had a fair bit of confidence going into the day, but I did feel some anxious moments,” Jakubeit said recently. “There were long lineups all day, and I found myself...