Stories by Ashley Swanson

Columbian Features News Coordinator

Hockinson resident Josh McEllrath, left, will compete on Team USA at the World Armwrestling Championship in September in Lithuania.

Bits ‘n’ Pieces: Arm wrestler to compete for world title

August 1, 2014, 12:00am Clark County News

Nearly everyone has challenged someone to an arm wresting match at least once. But few can claim to represent their country in the hand-to-hand sport. Hockinson resident Josh McEllrath qualified for a spot on Team USA to compete at the World Armwrestling Championship in September, held in Lithuania's capital city… Read story

Kalei Sukhabut, left, choses a pua for her daughter Sydney, with the help of Kuulei Gumapac, center, at the Hawaiian festival in Esther Short Park in Vancouver, Wa., Saturday July 27, 2013.

Try This: Say aloha to weekend

July 26, 2014, 12:00am Clark County News

Thousands of visitors will spread out on the lawn of Esther Short Park to enjoy the sounds of the Pacific Islands at the annual Ho'ike and Hawaiian Festival. The day begins with the 5K Aloha Fun Run/Walk at 8 a.m. along the waterfront trail. The festival kicks off at 10… Read story

Volunteer Ralph Parker, 73, center, runs a steam drag saw that once operated at a mill in Carson, during the Rural Heritage Fair.

Try This: Rural heritage feted

July 19, 2014, 12:00am Clark County News

The 20th annual Rural Heritage Fair, hosted by the Fort Vancouver Antique Equipment Association, showcases the tools used in Clark County during the 19th and 20th centuries. There will be live blacksmith demonstrations and displays of early electric and steam-powered machines, tractors, classic cars and fire engines. There will also… Read story

Penny Hughes, left, Richard Mahurin and Justine Hanrahan

Bits ‘n’ Pieces: Archaeology students dig Mayan city

July 19, 2014, 12:00am Clark County News

An archaeological dig site in Belize had plenty of Cougars. Read story

The Amboy Territorial Days logging competition is today and Sunday at Territorial Park in Amboy.

Try This: Amboy fun is a cut above

July 12, 2014, 12:00am Clark County News

The furious thunder of saws will sound during Amboy Territorial Days' annual logging competition. Participants will compete in numerous events including saw races, pole climbs and ax throws from noon to 6 p.m. today. Before the competition visitors can check out the annual parade beginning at 10 a.m. from Amboy… Read story

Try This: Head ’em up, move out

The final night of the 44th annual Vancouver Rodeo is tonight at the Clark County Saddle Club.

The final night of the 44th annual Vancouver Rodeo will feature all eight cowboy competitions, from rough-stock events to roping contests, along with crowd favorite mutton-busting. There also will be a community dance after the rodeo. Read story

Try This: Art, tossed and found

The Recycled Arts Festival is today and Sunday at Esther Short Park.

The Recycled Arts Festival is one of Vancouver's best-known events, as more than 120 artists will fill Esther Short Park with their creative uses of recycled items. Visitors can discover sculptures made from soda cans, purses woven from plastic bags and garden art created from wrenches. Stop by the tossed-and-found… Read story

Bits ‘n’ Pieces: Aquanauts see the world underwater

Courtesy of Billy Snook and Marc Ostrick
Fabien Cousteau, left, with Vancouver diver Billy Snook during the production of Mission 31. Cousteau, grandson of Jacques Cousteau, is living underwater continuously for 31 days in the Aquarius, a research lab off the coast of Florida.

In the world of ocean exploration, the name Cousteau sparks the imagination. On June 1, Fabien Cousteau, grandson of famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, began Mission 31, to live underwater for 31 days in the marine lab Aquarius. Read story