Olympia Oddities

Live from Odds & Ends in Olympia, Washington. I tell a revamped version of my Ogopogo episode, with updated sightings and new information. The wildly talented and creative Jonah Barnett does a reading of Boggy from their book Moss Covered Claws. We wrap the whole thing up with an informal sit down Q & A with each other. Thank you to Jonah for organizing this event, to Odds & Ends for opening up their doors to the local cryptid lovers of Olympia, and Gorgeous Gorgeous girls for providing spooky tunes.

I'm back! In this episode I recap all the ways I've been pulled in a million directions lately, from the fun (paintball! burlesque!) to the not so fun and everything in between. Once I'm done recapping my life recently, I dive into some very animal centric True Crime and Local News. Catch my exciting announcement at the end of this one. Feels good to be back!

today we’re taking a dive into a well known sticky, and slightly smelly, local oddity in Seattle. Loved by some, and absolutely hated by others, Seattle’s Gum Wall contains more than just wads of pre chewed, aging gum. Among strangers saliva, you can find history, myth, and even the occasional controversy. Let’s peel back some of those layers of gum together, and try to get to the bottom of what’s fact, and what is fiction. https://www.pikeplacemarket.org/vendor/the-gum-wall/ https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2022/03/origin-story-history-gum-wall-seattle-famous-landmarks Atlas Obscura - Gum Wall Unexpected Productions - The Gum Wall https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/11/seattle-gum-wall-steam-cleaners-pike-place-market https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/gum-wall-gets-naked-in-early-morning-steam-cleaning/ Secret Seattle - The Sticky Story Behind Seattle’s Famous Gum Wall https://www.nb cnews.com/news/us-news/bubble-rubble-crews-clean-famed-seattle-gum-wall-n461086 https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.kiro7.com/news/local/artist-pays-tribute-pete-carroll-with-chewy-mural-seattles-iconic-gum-wall/XS2XPB4FIVBTXF3LKVX52A362Q/%3foutputType=amp https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/streamers-gum-wall-licking-stunt-leaves-viewers-feeling-queasy/amp_articleshow/104915291.cms

On this episode of Side Show I talk some recent bizarre news stories out of the PNW, share some strange Washington laws, and leave you with a brief life update.

Bernice Selby was 27 years old in 1962, living in a house on the shores of Lake Cassidy near Marysville, WA and finalizing the details of the divorce of her soon to be ex husband, Donald Selby. She was last seen in October of that year, but wouldn't be reported missing until 2 months later. Investigators had a pretty solid idea of who their main suspect was. Unfortunately, (natural) disaster caught them off course and they ended up with a solid theory, but no one to bring to justice. Sources: The Charley Project - Bernice Selby Facebook - Missing - Please Find Us Seattle Times - Thirty-three years ago, Bernice Selby vanished. She was never seen again., 1995

20 year old Amber Hoopes was funny, goofy, and absolutely devoted to the two kids she was a nanny for. She was also painfully shy and didn't like going places by herself. Because of this, her family immediately knew foul play was involved when she went missing from her grandparent's shop, where she would use their computer to stay in touch with friends. After another teen girl in the area was abducted and shared her experience, investigators felt they had a solid idea on who their main suspect was. But, when the suspect arrived at home to find the place buzzing with cops, he took off and led the police on a chase that ended with tragic consequences. Sources: Charley Project - Amber Shawnell Hoopes Idaho News - 20th anniversary of the disappearance of Amber Hoops, last seen in Idaho Falls, 9/12/2021 Idaho State Journal - East Idaho Cold Cases: Case with little evidence, no body still active, 5/31/2014

I kick off this Side Show episode with an update to the Christopher Hart Bridgeman Jr. Case, then dive into all the random & fun stuff I've been up to the past few months, including face melting metal shows with robots, fangirling over a baby musk ox, and how murder mystery boxes have taken over my remaining brain space.

On April 1st, 1986 Archer Ray Johnson's truck was discovered with the door propped open on the side of the road near Oakville, Washington. When his brother & his brother's wife discovered the scene, they called out to him, but got no reply. In the years that have passed since his disappearance, Archer's case has gone nearly cold. In this episode I cover the circumstances around Archer's disappearance, how local police have dropped the ball repeatedly, and cover Archer's families hard work & clues they've unearthed while doing their own investigation into his case.

In 2007, Jeramy Burt went missing from his father's home in Boise, Idaho. He was dressed nicely, and told his dad that he was going to meet with a friend to discuss hunting. However, his ex-wife received several strange phone calls and texts from him while on a business trip in Vegas. The calls and texts were so strange in fact, that she wasn't convinced that they were sent by Jeremy at all. In this episode I cover Jeramy's life before the day he went missing, the details surrounding his disappearance and the investigation that followed, and conclude with Jeramy's family's and the cops theories on what, or who, might've caused Jeramy to disappear. Sources: Charley Project - Jeramy Carl Burt TVB 7 - No Answers 15 Years Later Regarding Missing Boise Man, 2/12/2022 NBC News - Idaho family seeks answers in 11 year search for Jeramy Burt, 2/18/2018 Idaho News - Cold Case: Detective shares insight on Jeramy Burt; missing since February 2007, 3/9/2018 Idaho State News - American Falls man missing since 2007: mother believes he was the victim of foul play 3/28/2014

For this episode of Side Show, I start the show by giving an update on Matthew Anfeldt's case, cover some updates to the podcast, then wrap the whole thing up with a PNW cryptid ranking list, some bizarre local crimes & news stories and fill you in on what's been going on in my life.

On December 21st, 2014 teenager Jarom Thomas decided to resolve a fight over a minor car accident with a single punch. That punch thrown by one of his friends ended up in Jarom Thomas' death. The next year, his parents revealed to the media that they had heard a different version of the story. The details they heard were upsetting, and conflicted with the original version of the story Jarom's friends and the police had told them. Head to Spotify or your favorite podcast platform to listen.

Today I'm launching the start of a new series on the podcast, Haunted Hiking! Today I tell you about Scaponia Park in Oregon, which is rumored to be the haunting grounds of an 1800s horse thief and his dog, after they both faced their deaths on the banks of the Nehalem River at the hands of an outraged angry mob. From shadowy figures to strange sounds in the woods, this episode is the perfect start to spooky season. Sources: Only in Your State - The Haunted Hike In Oregon That Will Send You Running For The Hills That Oregon Life - 12 Haunted Trails in The Pacific Northwest Where Horror Lurks Hauntedplaces.org - Scaponia Park   Scaponia County Park  Portland Tribune - Haunted Portland: 5 spooky sites to see on Halloween weekend

Today I tell you the story of Helen Doe, an unidentified woman hitchhiker who was discovered dead after the semi truck driver who picked her up was involved in a tragic wreck that killed both him, and his unknown passenger near Kalama, WA in 1991. I cover the details of the wreck, how investigators were able to trace the truck drivers route, and the methods that investigators have used to try to reunite this young woman with her identity and loved ones. Sources: https://www.bia.gov/missing-murdered-cases/helen-doe Yakima Herald Republic - Native woman known as Helen Doe among 145 unidentified human remains in Washington The Chronicle - Genetic Genealogy The Next Step in Identifying Native Woman Killed in Fiery 1991 Crash in Southwest Washington

It's a solo Trista Side Show straight from Olympia Oddities new studio and I'm here to recap the end of summer, including my second ever burlesque show stage kitten experience, the Roy Pioneer Rodeo, and a camping trip. Ft. The coroner leaving the campsite as I show up, Oakville's bigfoot statue, and Trista's True Crime Roundup making it's return

In today's episode, Trista tells you the story of Richard Russell, an unassuming baggage handler at SeaTac who shocked the world and those who knew him by stealing a plane. I cover the flight path his comandeered plane took, the radio communications that transpired between those trying to get him to safety and keep others out of harms way, and the tragic end to his flight. Sources: Rolling Stone - The Sky Thief, June 24th 2021 Seattle Times - Richard Russell was a jokester who complained about work, but SeaTac plane heist still baffles friends, August 19 2018

It's a solo Side Show episode and my return from my summer break! I talk the future of Side Show & some exciting plans coming up, recap my summer so far, including my trip to the Paranormal Circus, a podcast live show, and one of my favorite Washington establishments, Sharkys. Also in this episode: opinons on juggling, buildings shaped like coffee pots, and Godzilla pinball

Here's our recording of our first ever live show, recorded at the first ever PNW True Crime Fest. Matthew Anfeldt was just 20 years old when he disappeared from his family's home in Grand Mound, Washington under incredibly bizarre circumstances. After telling his sister he was going to grab his phone, he ended up in a nearby roadway in a panic, yelling at cars that his family had been killed and that someone was after him. He was last seen at the Speedway Grocery before fleeing out the side door, and police discovered that his family was perfectly fine. Matthew has never been seen since. We explore the details of the case and explore some possible theories behind his disappearance. Thank you to everyone who came out to make this live show possible! Sources: Records Request with Thurston County Sheriff's Office Charley Project - Matthew Anfeldt Q13 Fox - Detectives investigating whether young man's disappearance is linked to previous attack in Lacey, February 23rd, 2020 KOMO News - 'They're after me!' Thurston County man disappears after bizarre rampage, March 7th, 2019

Today we're covering a bizarre missing person's case from Lacey, Washington from January of 1963. 33 year old Christopher Hart Bridgeman Jr. was a country artist who just had a hit song hit the radio waves when he disappeared from a motel, leaving behind his 6 year old child. We get into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, the mystery of trying to track down his song, and another mystery in this case, caused by a couple of thieves grabbing some suitcases containing important contents.  Sources:  The Doe Network - Christopher Hart Bridgeman Jr.   Charley Project - Christopher Hart Bridgeman Jr.  The Olympian - Burglars make off with Rainier woman’s evidence in the case of her missing dad, October 2017 Whereaboutstillunknown.wordpress.com - Christopher Bridgeman

On February 28th 2001, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the lower Puget Sound area, near Olympia. Trista shares her own story of experiencing the earthquake as a first grader in the lunchroom, we cover the type of earthquake it was, the damage caused by it, and how things have changed since then.  Ft. an Ember Goods shout-out, the worst Stevie Nicks impersonation you have ever heard, and being misquoted in the newspaper as a kid  Sources:  Wikipedia - 2001 Nisqually Earthquake Wikipedia - Intraplate Earthquake Wikipedia - 1700 Cascadia Earthquake KIRO7 - Nisqually Earthquake: 20 Years Later

Today we tell you all about the urban legend of Polybius. During 1981 strange new arcade game machines began popping up in Portland, Oregon arcades. The machines drew long lines, at first because they were brand new, but then because playing the game was starting to cause players to become aggressive and possessive over the machine. Players began suffering strange side effects, and people began to notice strange men wearing black examining the machine and high scores. Were Portland arcades the site of a shady government experiment? Come listen to find out. Ft. the missing character from The Goonies, world record breaking attempts, and drinking too many cokes Sources: Wikipedia - Polybius (Urban Legend) Eugene Register Guard - Tummy Derails Asteroids Champ

Today we tell you about a child star's reluctant return to his hometown, and his mysterious disappearance that followed. Joe Pichler moved to Hollywood as a kid to pursue an acting career in TV and movies. He moved back to Bremerton, WA to be closer to his family and graduate high school, and while the move was tough on him at first, he seemed to settle back in to life in his hometown. Shockingly, he disappeared without a trace after a night out with friends, leaving his car abandoned near an intersection with an unsettling note inside. Where did Joe Pichler go?  TW: suicide, depression  Sources:  Wikipedia - Joe Pichler Charley Project USAToday - Former child actor Joe Pichler missing

Today we kick off our episode by having Steven recount his time going to a Hell House and all the hellish hilarity that ensued. Then we tell you the story of Albert Ostman, a Canadian prospector who claimed to have been kidnapped by a family of sasquatch and held hostage for a week. We explore how he allegedly survived his time with the sasquatch family, his description of the bizarre creatures, and how he was able to make his daring dash to safety.  Ft. Jokers as the Devil, vegetarian sasquatch, and good ol fashioned nicotine saving the day  Sources: Wikipedia - Albert Ostman Life Magazine - Mystery Man of the Cascades The Province - Kidnapped by a Sasquatch

Today we travel back in time to tell you the tale of Joseph Henry Loveless, bootlegger, outlaw, and accused murderer. After escaping from jail after being arrested for the murder of his wife, Joseph Loveless disappeared without a trace. Decades later, a family searching for arrowheads in an Idaho cave discovered a headless torso in a burlap bag, and set off the events that would help solve a multi-generational unsolved mystery. Ft. a personal spooky story, cops just really enjoying the thrill of the hunt, a composite picture made up of relatives that will haunt your nightmares, and "so what, no head?" references Sources: Wikipedia - Joseph Henry Loveless, NBC News - Human remains found in Idaho cave identified as outlaw who died over 100 years ago, CBS News - headless torso found in Idaho cave identified as outlaw who escaped jail in 1916

Today we tell you about how in the early 2000's claims of a multiple winged raptor-like creature said to roam the hills of California started to pop up on the internet. Today we get into the legend, where we think the origin of this creature came from, and our ideas on what this mysterious being could be, if it does exist. 

Today we tell you about the incredibly bizarre disappearance of Bryce Laspisa, a 19 year old college student living in California. After suddenly breaking up with his girlfriend, Bryce began to drive south. He sat in his car for hours, but appeared normal to everyone who interacted with him. Hours later, his car crashed over a 25 foot embankment but Bryce was nowhere to be seen after the car's discovery. Where did Bryce go? Where was he headed? What was the cause of his erratic behavior? TW: mentions of drug abuse, suicide, and alcoholism Sources:  VIZACA - Mysterious Disappearance Story of 19-Year-Old College Boy Bryce Laspisa TRUECRIMETIMESBLOG - The Strange Vanishing of Bryce Laspisa

We kick off our episode today by doing a recap of our time at SquatchFest 2021! Then we dive into a wildly brutal true crime story that involves some of the weirdest details we've ever come across! Join us as we tell you about the 1999 murders of Anouchka Baldwin, Salome Holle and Amanda Baldwin, Cross's bizarre suicide attempt after being arrested, and the resolution of the case in court. Ft. telling your own lawyer that times up, vampire behavior, and cornbread  TW: domestic violence, violence against women and children, suicide

In today's episode we cover the insanely courageous dogs & mushers who delivered a diphtheria antitoxin to Nome in 1925. We cover the most famous dog, Balto, but also others like Fox and Togo, who played just as much part in helping save the entire community. Ft. comic sans, me accidentally saying Rome a few times, crying about how we don't deserve dogs at all, and this being one of the most unexpectedly brutal episodes we've done. TW: child death, illness, animal cruelty, animal death Our sources for this episode were the Wikipedia pages for Balto and The 1925 Serum Run to Nome

Today we tell you about the murder of Vanda Boone, a woman who had just recently moved to Yelm, Washington from New York City, and a small towns horror at the realization that their local meat truck salesman was capable of murder. We also explore the possibility of Bernard Howell Jr. being involved in other cases in the area. Ft. the worst excuse we've ever heard from a killer, selling meat out of trucks, and 10 lb weights. TW: violence against women, necrophilia

Today, Steven and I kick off our bigfoot coverage with the most well known bigfoot footage of all time! Join us as we discuss the lives of Patterson and Gimlin before their bigfoot expedition, the legendary footage they captured and what it contains, the aftermath of the footage, dive into what skeptics and believers have to say about it, and finish up with our own thoughts on the film's authenticity. Ft. Roy Rodgers, the Palm Springs of Washington, rockabilly, and tig ol sasquatch bitties 

Today I tell you about the disappearance and unsolved death of Lindsey Baum, a 10 year old who went missing from McCleary, Washington while walking home from her friends house, the discovery of her remains in a remote area of Eastern Washington, and cover some of the people of interest and suspects in the case, including the Emery Brothers and their house of horrors.

In today's mini episode I tell you all about the time in 2006 when a group of raccoons in West Olympia completely lost their shit.

Today I tell you about the history of cattle mutilations, starting with the first ever recorded instance in history, to the panic that swept through ranches in the 70s to modern day ones happening in Oregon. Ft. Cowboys vs aliens, ruining peanut butter forever, and shots fired by Canada

Today I tell you about the 1998 Thurston High School shooting. Let's get into the life of Kip Kinkle, and the events that lead up to the tragic murders of his parents, and an attack on his own classmates. Ft. The 1996 film adaption of Romeo & Juliet, me dunking on Marilyn Manson fans and wanting to punch Mickey Mouse in the nose

Today I tell you about one of the pacific northwest's most perplexing missing persons cases, the disappearance of Sky Metalwala. Sky's mother claimed that he was sick, and loaded her kids up in the car to go to the hospital. On the way, they allegedly ran out of gas, and when she returned to the car, Sky was gone. Let's get into the rocky relationship of his parents, the many inconsistencies in his mother's story, and how a heated custody battle might have something to do with his disappearance. Ft. Frantic late night vacuuming, public arguments in gas stations, and leaving an actual infant alone in freezing weather to go to Target

Today it's all about Winlock, Washington as I tell you about a new spooky house in my life and dive into the history of Winlock's most bizarre claim to fame, a 12 foot long giant egg. Ft. Bookcases that lead into small creepy rooms, bribing small towns with a new bell for their school, and post 9/11 patriotism

Today I tell you about one Alaska woman's scary surprise when she was attacked by a bear, in an outhouse. Ft. Toilet bears, Valentine's Day trips, and yurts

It's a 2 for 1 episode this week! First I tell you all about a stretch of road near Prosser, WA that amazes drivers by seemingly pulling their cars up hill. Then I tell you about White Death, a cryptid big cat spotted in the swamps of Alaska. Ft. Child ghost handprints, haunted grain elevators, and more bad cryptid hunting shows

Today I tell you all about a bizarre mural that once graced the walls of the Centralia McDonald's, and how one Portland man's visit unearthed the long lost art of a famed theme park designer. Ft. Grimace in a straw hat, DELICIOUS BURGER, and the crucifixion of Ronald Mcdonald.

Today I tell you about the unsolved murder of Karen Bodine, a mother of 3 whose body was discovered in an abandoned gravel quarry lot after a night out.

Today I tell you about a cryptid to the north of us, a possible living dinosaur spotted near Canada's Partridge Creek.

Today I tell you all about the mystery of a Willy Wonka factory style vending machine that spits out mystery sodas, despite no one ever seeing anyone coming or going from the machine. Ft. A mystery within a mystery, "vendy" machines, and Crystal Pepsi

Today I tell you about Chris McCandless's time adventuring in Alaska, the events that led up to his death, and what happened afterwards. Ft. Cabin vandalism, porcupines, and me doing my best with these big science words

Today we start my first ever multi-part series by covering the early life, hitchhiking adventures and canoe trip to Mexico of Chris McCandless. Ft. Crazy Ernie, third person journal entries, and fast food managers being on your case about wearing socks

Today I tell you about the curious geological feature called the Mima Mounds, and explore some of the theories of what or who could have created them.

Today I tell you the story of the mysterious death of Betty Satlow & how her remains may have started a fire that nearly burned down a funeral home. Ft. Singing families, human candles, and pigs in a blanket

Today I tell you the story of the Maury Island Incident, one of the PNW's most notorious UFO sightings. Ft. Submachine gun alien robot fights, missing sons, and Will Smith.

Today we take our first dive into the world of Idaho cryptids together & I tell you all about the legend of the Swan Valley Monster. Ft. Having (12) legs and knowing how to use them, rainbow fish, and me really wanting to call this thing the Swan Lake Monster for some reason. Sources: Non Alien Creatures Wiki - Swan Valley Monster, Wikipedia - Swan Valley, Swan Valley Monster, and A Book of Creatures - Swan Valley Monster

For this years Halloween episode I tell you all about Randall Woodfield, a terrifying serial also known as the "I-5 Killer". Ft. That time the Packers drafted a serial killer, the God Squad and taking time out of your murder spree to plan a valentine's day party

Today I tell you all about how mysterious blobs began washing up on Oregon beaches in the spring of 2017, revealing an invasion that stumped scientists. Ft. That sketchy corner in Spencer's, our friends the salps, and me laughing like a middle school boy

In today's mini episode I tell you all about Oregon's cryptid claim to fame, Colossal Claude!