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
Citizens survey helps provide direction for regional district
The Regional District Okanagan - Similkameen’s 2014 Citizen Survey results were revealed in November. The survey takes place every two years, and provides the regional district with feedback on the organization’s performance from taxpayers. The regional district board uses the information to help guide budget and resource allocations. Examples of this year’s data indicated an...
New era in Penticton politics with council inauguration
PENTICTON - The City’s new mayor and council were officially sworn by Judge Gregory Koturbash Monday night prior to getting down to business in their first regular council meeting since the November 15 municipal elections. Penticton will be served for the next four years by Mayor Andrew Jakubeit and councillors Judy Sentes, Helena Konanz, Andre...
O’Donaghey sentenced on two counts of indecent exposure
Roy O’Donaghey will serve nine months in prison for two acts of indecent exposure in 2011. O’Donaghey faced Penticton court judge Gregory Koturbash for his sentencing hearing Monday morning, following a lengthy trial. O’Donaghey was arrested in 2011 for two counts of exposing his genitals to persons under 16, first to one boy on June...
Only five more sleeps ’til Apex ski resort opens
PENTICTON - Last week’s unexpected heavy snowfall was an unwelcome taste of winter for many of us here in the valley, but operators at Apex Mountain Resort aren’t complaining. “We currently have an 80 centimetre base, 72 centimetres of which has fallen in the last nine days,” said Guest Service and Events Manager Emily Childs....
Politicians host meet and greet
PENTICTON - Penticton’s new mayor and council including local representatives from the provincial and federal governments made themselves available to the public at an informal gathering at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Saturday. A moderate turnout of citizens braved icy winds and below normal temperatures from 10 a.m. until noon to meet their...
Business Gives Back fundraising luncheon taking a year off
PENTICTON - Organizers of Penticton's Business Gives Back are taking a year off as Gitta Schoenne and the three other members of the board find themselves too busy for the undertaking this year. “I've been in charge of it for 18 years,” Schoenne says, confident of its return in years to come. “We’ve all just...
Investigation into fatal Oliver crash continues
OLIVER - Police continue their investigation into a pedestrian collision that took the life of a woman in Oliver Tuesday morning. Emergency crews responded to the scene at the corner of Fairview Road and Highway 97 at 6:21 a.m. Tues., Nov. 25. A 73-year-old woman recently identified as Oliver resident Betty Anstey, was struck by...
Penticton meeting to discuss homeless shelter
PENTICTON - There's a local group that wants to help the homeless find shelter in Penticton and they're inviting the public to discuss the matter with them tonight. The meeting was organized by the Lighthouse Penticton Low Barrier Shelter Society, a group formed to respond to what they see as a growing homeless population. Lighthouse...
Rough ride for Maggie Mustangs to seniors volleyball championships
PENTICTON - Members of Princess Margaret’s Mustangs senior boys volleyball team are working on turning a potential tragedy into triumph in Langley. The boys team left Penticton Tuesday headed for Langley to play in the B.C. Senior Boys Volleyball Championships only to have their bus skid off the Hope - Princeton Highway south of Princeton...
Fire destroys Okanagan Falls duplex
Fire destroyed a duplex in downtown Okanagan Falls early Friday morning. Okanagan Falls Volunteer Fire Department was called to 1016 Main St. at approximately 2:33 a.m., where they found a duplex at the rear of the building fully involved. Members of the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department were also called in to assist. The fire has...
School buses cancelled in Penticton area
An unexpected snowfall is wreaking havoc in the Penticton area this morning. School District 67 announced the cancellation of all school bus service for all students this morning. The service will be reevaluated this afternoon to see if service could be provided for any students who may make it to school. Power is also out...
Former councillor defines his legacy, offers advice for incoming politicians
After serving three terms on Penticton City Council, John Vassilaki figured it was time to step up or step out. That was Vassilaki’s reasoning behind his recent bid to win the mayor’s position in the November 15 municipal election, when he was defeated by Andrew Jakubeit. "After 12 years in office, I felt my only...
Union wants United Church to get involved in Naramata Centre strike
A lengthy labour dispute at the Naramata Centre continues as CUPE union members on strike seek both intervention by the United Church of Canada and a ruling that the church and the centre are the same employer. The labour action, which began May 15, began as the result of a restructuring plan introduced by the...
City crews work to clean up aftermath of season’s first major snowfall
PENTICTON - Workers with the City of Penticton and its residents spent Wednesday morning digging out from a sudden dump of heavy, wet snow that began falling Tuesday evening. By noon, city streets were awash and boots were the footwear of choice as residents dealt with a mixture of snow, slush and water while temperatures...
New mayor and council prepare to get down to business
Newly elected Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit admitted to some anxious moments as election day progressed prior to winning the mayor’s position on November 15. “I had a fair bit of confidence going into the day, but I did feel some anxious moments,” Jakubeit said recently. “There were long lineups all day, and I found myself...