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
SPCA offers pet advice for cold weather and Christmas
PENTICTON - As Penticton experiences its second cold snap of the season, the Penticton SPCA offers some words of advice for animal lovers. “Bring animals in from the cold,” is some simple advice Corinne Ross, Branch Manager for the Penticton SPCA, offers. “It depends on the dog, as to how much cold they can experience,...
Coming to grips with the Christmas season
PENTICTON - Several residents braved a sudden snow squall Friday to discuss how to survive and thrive in the holiday season. The title of the Penticton library’s “Learning Lunch” meeting was Preparing for the Holiday Season Without Losing Your Mind or Your Heart. Librarian Karen Kellerman facilitated the discussion, which involved half a dozen Penticton...
Penticton high tech company a cut above
PENTICTON - A Penticton company is surviving and thriving on world markets because of its investment in high technology and local know-how. Cut Technologies is the most advanced saw manufacturer for the sawmill industry in North America, Cut Technologies Penticton plant manager Daryl Clarke says. “We’re also the largest producer of round saws for the...
Def Leppard coming to SOEC
PENTICTON - Def Leppard is coming to Penticton’s South Okanagan Events Centre. The British heavy metal rock band will play the SOEC on April 15, 2015. The group is one of the world’s best selling music artists having more than 100 million records worldwide between 1977 -2014, on the solid performances of such hits as...
Return of stolen dog “best present ever” for SPCA
PENTICTON - Staff and volunteers at the Penticton SPCA are celebrating the return of Cooper, a one year old miniature pinscher-pug mix stolen from the Penticton SPCA in October. Someone scaled the shelter fence and cut a hole in the building to steal the dog, which was one of 14 dogs and seven horses seized...
Penticton house fire illustrates need to be ‘fire aware’ during the holiday season
PENTICTON - A house fire in Penticton Sunday, believed to have been started by a candle, brings a reminder from the Penticton Fire Department to be careful when using candles during this holiday season. The fire, which occurred in the 200 block of Okanagan Avenue West at 1:48 p.m. Dec.14, was knocked down quickly, according...
Water order for Wolfe Creek rescinded
PENTICTON - A Dec. 11 Do Not Use order issued by Interior Health for water from Wolfe Creek immediately downstream from Copper Mountain Mine to the mouth of the Similkameen River has been rescinded. The decision to lift the order came after a review of water samples out of Wolfe Creek and Lorne Lake. Results...
Council feels the love following public hearing
PENTICTON - Monday’s public hearing packed the gallery at city hall with residents, some of whom spilled out into the corridors. The business at hand concerned a piece of city-owned property located at 1400 Riddle Road, to be re-designated in the Official Community Plan from residential to parks and recreation prior to Monday’s council meeting...
Cemetery options discussed at committee meeting
PENTICTON -Penticton city council was given a refresher course on the state of Lakeview Cemetery at a Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, Dec. 15. The cemetery issue raised some controversy during council’s initial budget discussions on Dec. 8. At that time, Councillor Helena Konanz asked Penticton Public Works Manager Len Robson to describe...
Have you entered the Penticton Arts Awards?
PENTICTON - If the nominations are as good as this promotional video from the Penticton Arts Council, the Penticton Arts Awards this February should be spectacular. The arts council is hosting its second annual art celebration on Feb. 26, 2015 to recognize winning nominees for their outstanding artistic achievements. The council put out the video...
Summerland man escapes child porn charge in ‘cautionary tale’
"A FEW SECONDS OF DRUNKEN STUPIDITY AND YOU COULD BE COMMITTING A CRIME WITH MANDATORY MINIMUMS OF ONE YEAR:" CROWN PENTICTON - A Summerland man pled guilty to voyeurism in Penticton Provincial Court Monday for actions Judge Gale Sinclair called “stupid in the extreme.” The 19-year-old man, who can't be identified because of a publication...
New school board brings skill and experience to the table
PENTICTON - With three new faces elected to School District 67’s board of trustees, new Chair Linda Van Alphen and Vice Chair Ginny Manning believe the board that will lead the school district for the next four years has experience as well as “diverse skill sets.” Even though there are three newcomers to the board...
New RDOS board promoting regionalism
PENTICTON - The regional district's new chair and vice chair are both taking a regional view to the table as the new board held its inaugural meeting on December 11. Several new faces joined the Regional District Okanagan -SiImilkameen board following the November 15 municipal elections. New members of the board include Terry Schafer (Area...
Suspect in assault released, arrested again
PENTICTON - A Penticton man arrested last week for roughing up a resident in his own home was arrested just a few days later for breaching his probation and allegedly harrassing another resident. Kyle Bachman says he was entering the London Drugs corner of Cherry Lane Shopping Centre on Wednesday, Dec. 3 when he was...
UPDATE: Highway 3 remains closed due to rockslide
PENTICTON - Highway 3 continues to be closed in both directions this morning after a rockslide occurred nine kilometres west of Keremeos yesterday afternoon. Estimated time of opening is presently unknown as an assessment is being carried out. Detours via 5A and Highway 97 C. We’ll have more details as they become available. Check Drive...