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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
Lone female in South Okanagan rural crime spree makes court appearance
PENTICTON - The lone female among four alleged thieves involved in a series of break and enters and mailbox damage in the Twin Lakes area may make bail if she can find a $1,000 surety. Chelsey Anne Thorstenson, 28, appeared in court before Judge Gale Sinclair today, Dec. 30, charged with possession of stolen property...
Court appearance for man accused of widely witnessed assault
PENTICTON - A man accused of viciously assaulting his girlfriend and another man was released on bail in Penticton court, Wednesday, Dec. 29. Crown Prosecutor Nashina Devji asked that Randall C. Toews be detained on numerous charges including assault stemming from an incident on Martin Street in Penticton on Sept. 11, 2015. Devji told court...
Queen’s honours list recognized stage and screen stars along with Ebola fighters and others
LONDON – Queen Elizabeth II's New Year honours list makes knights and dames out of some of Britain's best loved stage and screen stars even as it recognizes the sacrifices of doctors who treated Ebola victims and the everyday heroism of those who spent time helping others.
A look at some of the 69 people newly-appointed to the Order of Canada
OTTAWA – Sixty-nine new appointments to the Order of Canada were announced Wednesday by the Governor General. The appointees include six companions of the order, 14 new officers and 49 new members.
A vegan revolution? Taste testing the next generation of fake meats, vegan mayonnaise
CONCORD, N.H. – How far have vegan alternatives come to tasting like the real thing? Not far enough, according to a panel that tasted some options for The Associated Press.
UPDATE: Buses running in School District 53, late in Penticton, no buses in Summerland
PENTICTON - In case you weren’t aware, the snow has been piling up outside. Heavy snow yesterday and last night has covered the region. School District 67 reports Penticton buses are running, but they will be late, while Summerland buses will not run this morning. The Summerland bus situation will be reassessed later today. School...
Penticton photographer has passion for night photography
PENTICTON - A Penticton photographer uses the night sky as his subject and the great Okanagan outdoors as his studio. Stephen Hancock recently took some spectacular photographs of an aurora-filled night sky above Brunell Lake, northwest of Oliver. Over the past two years, Hancock has taken photos of the Okanagan night sky. Locally he often...
Penticton court appreciative of man’s insight into his own behaviour
PENTICTON - A Penticton man showing promise at straightening out his life received a conditional sentence in Penticton court this week for charges stemming from a vehicle theft more than a year ago. Clifford Robert Dranchuk was charged with two counts of theft under $5,000, possession of break-in instruments and driving while prohibited, after police...
Holidays and weather doesn’t stop flow of blood donations in Penticton
PENTICTON - With a blood donor clinic taking place in Penticton this week red has come to signify more than the Christmas season for many South Okanagan and Similkameen residents this year. Canadian Blood Services held a two day clinic in Penticton earlier this week and turnout for holiday clinics can be hard to predict...
Theft and snowball fights keep Penticton RCMP busy Christmas week
PENTICTON - Penticton thieves were especially active Christmas Eve last week. Police responded to 52 files on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. Among the calls were a rash of thefts from vehicles reported Christmas Eve, including: - safety equipment stolen from a vehicle parked on Canyon Court - a vehicle on Wellington Street was rifled through,...
Faulty fireplace results in close call at Naramata home
PENTICTON - A Naramata resident is fortunate damage to his house wasn’t greater following an unusual fire yesterday evening. Naramata Fire Chief Tony Trovao says the fire department responded to a call of a structure fire on Granite Place around 8:50 p.m. Monday, Dec.28. Travao says the resident had the fire mostly out by the...
Twin Lakes crime spree leads to police chase
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP spent a busy day prior to Christmas tracking down thieves in the Twin Lakes area. Police responded to calls of break and enters on Grand Oro Road in the Twin Lakes area on Wednesday morning, Dec. 23, RCMP media spokesperson Don Wrigglesworth says. While investigating the break-ins, police were alerted by another Grand...
No day off for Soupateria volunteers in Penticton
PENTICTON - While many people in Penticton took today off, not so for the volunteers at Penticton Soupateria. They were kept busy through the noon hour serving clients at the Martin Street kitchen, Dec. 28. Soupateria cook Pat Witzraney says the kitchen has been serving a few less people in the last week, down from...
Penticton digging out after heavy snowfall
PENTICTON - Penticton residents with mobility issues faced difficulties getting around today as city crews tried to get a handle on the weekend snowfall. Many sidewalks and street curbs remained snow covered or slushy early Monday afternoon, Dec. 28. City Hall was closed for the Boxing Day stat, so there was no official word available...
Penticton firefighters douse car fire
PENTICTON - Firefighters were called to downtown Penticton this afternoon to put out a car fire. Fire crews arrived at the intersection of Wade Avenue and Martin Street at approximately 12:50 p.m., Dec. 28, to find a Honda Civic parked at the curb with smoke billowing from the hood and flame from the engine compartment....