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
Blues, rock and gospel in Penticton Dream Music Festival lineup
PENTICTON - A new group of artists will be centre stage at the 2016 Dream Music Festival. The Dream Cafe Co-op announced the dates and line up for next year’s festival — where Blues and Rock will visit their Gospel roots — today, Dec. 4. The 2016 festival will take place at the Penticton Trade...
Liveable wage at the heart of South Okanagan labour market study
PENTICTON - Local employers are skittish about hiring oil patch workers, while complaints of the high cost of living in the South Okanagan are largely perception-based by prospective employees, Penticton City Council has learned. Those were two of the findings in a Labour Market study of Penticton and the South Okanagan presented by MDB Insight executive vice-president...
Amazing model railroad in Osoyoos is famous
PENTICTON - An Osoyoos entrepreneur’s model train hobby has become a major tourist attraction in the South Okanagan. The Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad has been fascinating visitors to the area for 12 years. The 4,000 square foot display depicting a European style landscape is Canada’s largest Marklin model train layout. "It’s more than a railroad. I’ve...
Penticton launches the Christmas season this weekend
PENTICTON - The festive season launches in Penticton this weekend with the 19th annual Penticton Santa Claus Parade and Christmas Light Up. The parade starts at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, travelling north on Main Street from White Avenue to Gyro Park. There will be time for a visit with Santa prior to the Christmas tree...
Rotary Club of Penticton Wheelbarrow and Food Raffle
PENTICTON - Shoppers can win a wheelbarrow full of groceries while supporting two local causes. The Rotary Club of Penticton is holding their annual Wheelbarrow and Food Raffle to raise money for the Soupateria and the Salvation Army. Last year, the club donated the net proceeds of $1,800 to these causes. There is a prize...
Changing standards trigger request for regional master fire plan
PENTICTON - A Fire Master Plan is being proposed for inclusion into the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen’s 2016 budget at a cost of $50,000. The item was part of budget talks today, Dec. 3, at the regional board budget meeting held at Penticton Lakeside Resort. Community services manager Mark Woods told the board the...
Cant stop the music: Osoyoos high school band plays on after budget cuts
OSOYOOS - When budget cuts led to the cancellation of band class, a small group of determined Osoyoos band students and their volunteer band teacher decided to create their own musical education. Music teacher Anne Murseli has known most of the eight band members since elementary school and when budget cuts cancelled the music class...
Lapse in judgement results in loss of driving privilege
PENTICTON - A moment’s inattention proved to be a costly mistake for a Keremeos man in Penticton court yesterday, Dec. 1. Fausto J. Bernard will not be able to drive for at least six months after Judge Gregory Koturbash convicted him for driving without due care and attention. Bernard was driving on Highway 3A on...
Stolen tools found by Penticton police
PENTICTON - Tools were stolen in Penticton while other tools were discovered in Okanagan Falls last week by Penticton officers, who also dealt with the aftermath of an icy Highway 3A this past week. The owners of a trailer stored at Penticton Self Storage discovered a break and enter on their property Monday, Nov. 23,...
Peach City radio finds a home in Penticton
PENTICTON - Penticton’s Peach City Radio has found a location for its radio station studio. This week the community radio society announced it will be moving into the Cannery Trade Centre in 2016. The society has been extensively looking at possible locations since it obtained its broadcast license earlier this year. A recent vacancy in the...
Sleeping in the wrong place, waking up in a foul mood results in probation
PENTICTON - A Penticton man who "got up on the wrong side of bed” received 12 months’ probation for his crankiness in Penticton court today, December 1. Crown Prosecutor Kurt Froehlich told court Bryson Alexander Diaz, along with his girlfriend, was found sleeping in the vestibule of the Royal Bank of Canada’s Apple Plaza branch...
Penticton police continue to nab impaired drivers
PENTICTON - In what may be a sign of the season, Penticton RCMP found themselves handing out several Immediate Roadside Prohibitions last week, and they weren’t even conducting roadside checks at the time. Detachment officers handed out three 90-day driving prohibitions on Thursday, Nov. 26, alone, Penticton RCMP media spokesperson Corporal Don Wrigglesworth says. A...
Possible cougar encounter near Lakawanna Park in Penticton
PENTICTON - Reports of a possible cougar, or bobcat, in Penticton last night remains unresolved because conservation officers are unable to confirm the sighting. Officers were called to the area of Lakeshore Drive at Lakawanna Park last night, Monday, Nov. 30, after reports of a cougar in the area, Penticton RCMP Media spokesperson Corporal Don...
Penmar Society working against time to save Penmar building
PENTICTON - It’s do or die this month for the PenMar Community Arts Theatre initiative. The Penmar Community Arts Society has just 15 days to raise $190, 000 to complete the restoration of the Penmar theatre building or the project faces the very real prospect of being lost. As of noon on Monday, Nov. 30, $3,575...
Early morning blaze destroys travel trailer in Okanagan Falls
PENTICTON - Okanagan Falls volunteer firefighters were hampered by cold temperatures and a lack of fire hydrants while fighting a blaze just south of the community early this morning. Firefighters arrived at a property at the corner of Highway 97 and Alba Road at about 1:30 a.m., Nov. 30, to find a travel trailer completely...