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
Three companies short listed for PRH Care Tower selection process
PENTICTON - Three proponents have been short listed to participate in the next stage of the competitive selection process to design, build, partially finance, and maintain the new patient care tower at Penticton Regional Hospital (PRH) The short list for the Request For Proposal stage of the Patient Care Tower at Penticton Regional Hospital was announced today....
Transit fares to increase slightly in South Okanagan
PENTICTON - It’s going to cost a little more to use public transit in the South Okanagan in 2015. B.C. Transit announced Dec.22 cash fares on local trips in Osoyoos will rise from $1.75 from $1.50. Fares between Osoyoos and Penticton, and places in between, are also up 25 cents, but for longer regional trips,...
Assault victim recipient of Christmas generosity
PENTICTON - Assault victim Ken Paton was overwhelmed at the charity shown him after a short fundraising effort was held for him on a friend’s Facebook page. Leigh Follestad recently noted Paton’s plight after being hospitalized following a bizarre confrontation that took place early in the morning of Dec. 1 after Paton answered a knock...
Spirit of Christmas triumphs over theft
PENTICTON - A Penticton mother and son are experiencing the true spirit of the Christmas season after suffering a devastating robbery earlier this week. Jackie Hooper and her son, Brandon Drury left their Atkinson Street home late Monday morning to shop for Christmas gifts. It promised to be great holiday; Brandon, who suffers from VACTERL...
Mount Baldy to reopen this season
PENTICTON - South Okanagan ski enthusiasts should be rejoicing after hearing Mount Baldy will be re-opening this season. Baldy Capital Corporation, a Calgary based company, made the announcement this week after recently reaching a Memorandum of Understanding to purchase the resort. The company has reached an interim financing and management agreement with newly appointed receiver...
Six signs its Christmas time in Penticton
PENTICTON - There are six signs the Christmas season is upon us in Penticton. 1 - It’s not really Christmas in Penticton until you see the SS Sicamous decked out in Christmas lights, not just the standard lighting we are used to throughout the year. It’s worth a look, down at the waterfront at the...
Five local books for under your tree this Christmas
PENTICTON - If you’re looking for some local books this Christmas - for yourself or as gifts - you might be surprised to find the wealth of talent and subject variety coming from a number of Penticton and area authors. Judy Zubriski of "Hooked on Books" in Penticton pointed out five local authors with recently...
Kettle Campaign stalled by lack of volunteers
PENTICTON - With two days left in the Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign, Kettle Coordinator Tricia Dobrik is hoping to bolster volunteer ranks in order to reach this year’s goal. “We barely covered kettle shifts last week, and today we missed three shifts - two at the liquor store and one at Shoppers Drug Mart,” Dobrik...
Garbage pickup and Christmas tree recycling schedule for the Christmas holidays
PENTICTON - The city would like to note some changes to curb side garbage and recycling pickup due to the Christmas holidays for the schedule taking place until Jan. 4, 2015. December 25, 2014 garbage and recycling will be picked up on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014. January 1, 2015 garbage pickup will instead be collected...
Donating for a Christmas cause
PENTICTON - If you’re looking to spread the Christmas spirit this year by donating to a charitable cause, there are Penticton organizations that can put your generosity to good use. The Salvation Army is always a good bet when it comes to donating. Joey Cyr, Food Bank Manager for the Salvation Army, said the organization...
Two Penticton businesses vying for best in B.C. status
PENTICTON - Two Penticton businesses made the semi-finalists list for the 12th annual Small Business B.C. Awards. The two Penticton businesses in the top 10 are White Kennedy LLP for Best Workplace and SO Country Radio with Dennis Walker for Premier People’s Choice. “I’m very pleased. The comments I have received indicate to me that...
City facing electrical rate hikes in 2015
PENTICTON - Hydro rates in the city are going up next year. Exactly how much more Penticton residents will be paying remains to be decided. Penticton City Council took on the issue of electrical rate increases at the Dec. 15 council meeting. Staff told council three increases were coming in the new year, including a...
Major upgrade budgeted for Corry Place in Penticton
PENTICTON - The people living on Corry Place in Penticon recieved an early Christmas present from city council this week. The councillors voted unanimously in favour of a staff recommendation to include the reconstruction of the street in the 2015 budget. Prior to the start of budget talks on Dec. 8, a Corry Place resident made...
Christmas hiatus for young Penticton actor
PENTICTON - A young Penticton actor will be looking for his next project now that the Fox crime drama Gracepoint has come to a close. Nikolas Filipovic played the role of murdered 12-year-old Danny Solano. The final show in the series aired December 11. The 15-year-old actor is a grade 10 student at Penticton High...
Penticton council working to deal with election problems
PENTICTON - It wasn't smooth sailing during the Penticton election in November. There were too many candidates, signage problems and crowded polling stations, according to the city's corporate officer. Dana Schmidt delivered a summary of the election to the newly elected city councillors this week, noting 31.4 per cent of eligible voters, and less than 10...