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Photo of Tom Vogt

Stories by Tom Vogt

Columbian Science, Military & History Reporter

12/15/99 - Photo by Dave Olson - Clayton Gross deomonstrates the way he held onto a parachute release cable when he parachuted from a plane in WW2. He was so scared he held onto it for and hour after landing and had to pry his hand open to let it go. He was a fighter pilot that flew over Germany.

Off Beat: Vancouver ace’s flight jacket now in World War II museum

12/15/99 - Photo by Dave Olson - Clayton Gross deomonstrates the way he held onto a parachute release cable when he parachuted from a plane in WW2. He was so scared he held onto it for and hour after landing and had to pry his hand open to let it go. He was a fighter pilot that flew over Germany.

April 15, 2018, 5:56pm Clark County News

Clayton Kelly Gross’s jacket seemed to have a swagger of its own, even when he wasn’t wearing it. Read story

A letter from Dr. John McLoughlin written in 1842 at Fort Vancouver describes receiving a shipment of damaged materials needed to repair the Beaver.

Off Beat: Letter sold for a lot, but check out forged-stamp bids

A letter from Dr. John McLoughlin written in 1842 at Fort Vancouver describes receiving a shipment of damaged materials needed to repair the Beaver.

April 8, 2018, 4:35pm Clark County News

People continue to make money off the fur trade at Fort Vancouver. Read story

Junior Rangers can use Chinook-themed masks carved by Bill Rutherford as inspiration for a mask-making activity Saturday at Fort Vancouver’s Visitor Center.

Fort Vancouver to host Junior Ranger day

Junior Rangers can use Chinook-themed masks carved by Bill Rutherford as inspiration for a mask-making activity Saturday at Fort Vancouver’s Visitor Center.

April 8, 2018, 6:02am Clark County News

Mask-making and artifacts will be among the activities Saturday when Fort Vancouver celebrates Junior Ranger Day. It will be based at the Visitor Center, 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd., near the east end of Officers Row, and is free to the public. Read story

The Beaver, the first steam-powered vessel in Pacific waters, arrived at Fort Vancouver in 1836. It is shown near the end of its career in a city of Vancouver, B.C., archive photo taken in 1888, just before it ran onto rocks. (City of Vancouver, B.C., archives LGN 664, Harry T.

Letter hints at Fort Vancouver’s steamy history

The Beaver, the first steam-powered vessel in Pacific waters, arrived at Fort Vancouver in 1836. It is shown near the end of its career in a city of Vancouver, B.C., archive photo taken in 1888, just before it ran onto rocks. (City of Vancouver, B.C., archives LGN 664, Harry T.

April 4, 2018, 6:00am Clark County News

A letter written here in 1842 just sold for $930. Read story

Yvonne Ortega, left, and her mother, Barbara Jo Payne, both of Vancouver, hold Wathen Curtsinger’s ashes and memorial flag Monday at Payne’s home. Curtsinger, Payne’s father and Ortega’s grandfather, was a World War II Marine veteran. He died in 1996, and his ashes were lost in 2002, stolen during a family move. Marine veteran Bill Malloy, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1927, was the link between the family and the Woodland Police Department.

WWII Marine’s stolen ashes finally at ease

Yvonne Ortega, left, and her mother, Barbara Jo Payne, both of Vancouver, hold Wathen Curtsinger’s ashes and memorial flag Monday at Payne’s home. Curtsinger, Payne’s father and Ortega’s grandfather, was a World War II Marine veteran. He died in 1996, and his ashes were lost in 2002, stolen during a family move. Marine veteran Bill Malloy, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1927, was the link between the family and the Woodland Police Department.

April 3, 2018, 6:03am Clark County News

In 2002, Barbara Jo Payne loaded up her dad’s ashes as she was moving to her new home in Vancouver. Read story

Rendering of new mixed-use buildings proposed near Providence Academy.

Historic Trust seeks input on Providence Academy project

Rendering of new mixed-use buildings proposed near Providence Academy.

April 2, 2018, 6:00am Clark County News

The Historic Trust will hold an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. on April 17 at Providence Academy to get public feedback on redevelopment of the Vancouver landmark. Read story

A photo taken in London shows the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral silhouetted against the flame-lit sky after another German bombing raid in 1941 during World War II.

Off Beat: Gripping stories, fascinating histories in Fairway Village

A photo taken in London shows the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral silhouetted against the flame-lit sky after another German bombing raid in 1941 during World War II.

April 1, 2018, 4:12pm Clark County News

Two London-born sisters survived the World War II bombing onslaught known as the Blitz. The husband of one of them bombed Germany. Read story

Fairway Village resident Dave Mercer, left, watches as Elaine Saeed tees off on the second hole during a recent golf outing on the Fairway Village course. The 55-and-older community is part a census block group with the oldest median age — 72.6 — in the county.

Seniors living at Fairway Village find bond in common ground, life paths

Fairway Village resident Dave Mercer, left, watches as Elaine Saeed tees off on the second hole during a recent golf outing on the Fairway Village course. The 55-and-older community is part a census block group with the oldest median age — 72.6 — in the county.

April 1, 2018, 6:03am Clark County Life

At Fairway Village, 70 can be par for the course. Read story

Historian to reveal role of settlers who spoke French

March 28, 2018, 6:01am Clark County News

Not far from a landmark built by Mother Joseph, a historian will discuss an overlooked aspect of the nun’s life: her native tongue, and those who shared it. Read story

Itcixyan (the Swallowing Monster) is the most personal of the nine masks Bill Rutherford carved that are on display at the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center.

Off Beat: One mask was personal for artist who carved them

Itcixyan (the Swallowing Monster) is the most personal of the nine masks Bill Rutherford carved that are on display at the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center.

March 25, 2018, 3:59pm Clark County News

Nine creatures from Northwest legend seem ready to pass judgment on all who enter their chamber. Read story