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
Independent investigators to probe motorcycle collision with police car
CRUISER DID U-TURN IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY PENTICTON - A collision between an RCMP cruiser and a motorcycle in Osoyoos this past weekend is now under investigation by the province’s Independent Investigations Office. Spokesperson Kelly Kilpatrick confirmed today, May 12, two investigators were sent to Osoyoos on Monday to begin an investigation into the crash....
Summerland family refuses to give up on lost pup
PENTICTON - A Summerland family whose dog was lost in late April haven’t given up hope of being reunited. Rob and Jodie Conti of Summerland are heartbroken after losing Grace, their four-month-old puppy, on April 30, but they continue to believe the dog will return to its rightful home. Jodie spends most of her day...
Penticton firefighters kept busy Monday afternoon
PENTICTON - Penticton firefighters were ready for action Monday when dispatch paged them to a structure fire right at a shift change. Fire Chief Wayne Williams says the crew was able to make a quick response to Neighbourhood Auto Body on Rosetown Avenue at 5:43 p.m., yesterday, May 11. An employee at the shop was...
Showcase project for Penticton Creek
PENTICTON - One of Penticton’s most important waterways is benefitting from the city’s plan to enhance downtown. A Penticton staff report notes a key component arising from the 2012 downtown revitalization objective was recognition of the importance Penticton Creek has to the overall objective. Grant funding was sought by city staff in 2013 for the...
Lyme Sucks Challenge creating sour faces in South Okanagan
PENTICTON - Penticton has a lot of sour faces lately. Maybe it has something to do with the Lyme Sucks Challenge, which appears to making its way through every political body, service and civil servant group in town. The challenge is to suck on a quarter of a lime and make a video, post the video...
Penticton crime stats on the rise
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP are fighting more crime, if statistics are any indication. Penticton RCMP Superintendent Kevin Hewco tabled a report at the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen board meeting on May 7, which said the detachment responded to 19 per cent more calls in the first quarter of 2015 compared to last year. The officers...
Councillor objects to amended purchasing policy
PENTICTON - One city councillor isn’t happy about amendments made to Penticton’s purchasing policy approved earlier this week. Penticton city staff approached council with a recommendation to approve an amended purchasing policy for the city. The policy describes the method by which quotes are obtained for for different values of purchases, in addition to assigning...
PNE prize home made in Okanagan Falls
PENTICTON - An Okanagan Falls modular home manufacturer will get some serious advertising exposure when the Pacific National Exhibition opens this year in Vancouver. Karoleena has been chosen to build this year’s PNE prize home. The 3,080 square foot, $ 2.1-million modular home was a six month project for the company. It took 30 days...
Penticton RCMP nab prolific Lower Mainland offenders
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP had a busy but successful night May 6. Police previously responded to a number of break ins of both vehicles and residences in Okanagan Falls and Penticton on May 5, where identification, credit and bank cards, cash, jewellery, garage door remotes, keys and various other items were taken. Investigation revealed a...
Noise issues unite neighbours against Naramata winery
PENTICTON - An application for a winery lounge and special event area beverage license for a Naramata bench winery turned out to be a controversial item on the agenda at Penticton city council's regular meeting this week. Bench 1775 Winery applied for the license to add food and beverage service to the main areas of...
Retiring RCMP sergeant transitioning into Crime Stoppers role
PENTICTON - The police officer who helped get Crime Stoppers off the ground in Penticton following a riot in 1991 is now going to head the South Okanagan chapter of the organization. Sgt. Rick Dellebuur announced his pending retirement from 38 years as an RCMP officer to members of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen board...
Townhouse development for idle lots on Power Street
PENTICTON - Three lots on Power Street could soon be home to a 15-unit townhouse strata complex after City councillors approved it Monday. Developer Nick Bevanda put together a design for the complex on three lots located at 152, 168 and 184 Power Street that will leave a central, private courtyard for the residents and...
Penticton’s oxbows an important but neglected water resource
PENTICTON - A Penticton group concerned about the health of the Okanagan River oxbows says more can be done to restore and rejuvenate the remaining river channels in Penticton. Rick McKelvey updated Penticton City Council earlier this week on progress his group, “Friends of the Oxbows” was making with respect to restoring the wetland habitat....
Woman charged for making up story about Christmas break in: Global Okanagan
PENTICTON - A woman whose story of a lost Christmas captured people’s charity and goodwill last Christmas faces a day in court after being accused of falsely reporting the crime. Global News reported yesterday police received a tip shortly after the Dec. 22, 2014 break-in report that led them to believe Jackie Ann Hooper may have lied about...
Locomotive pulls out of Lakawanna Park
PENTICTON -The Lakawanna Park locomotive has left the station for good. The wooden replica of a train locomotive has been a familiar sight at the small Lakeshore Drive park for years. As part of the children’s playground, it was often used by children for climbing and playing on. City of Penticton spokesperson Simone Blais said...