By Melissa Wagoner
Beginning in late June the Silverton Police Department began receiving some very bizarre reports. Apparently a “hairy, man-like creature” has been spotted throughout the city, cavorting with locals, high-fiving teens and even testing his soccer skills on one of Silverton High School’s fields.
“Although residents are labeling the creature ‘Sasquatch,’ the Silverton Police are asking citizens not to jump to conclusions,” Police Chief Jim Anglemier stressed. “As calls have been reported, officers have searched the area, but did not find a Sasquatch or anything resembling the fabled large, hairy, ape-like cryptid.”
And yet, eyewitness accounts have continued to emerge – including one from Addie Carstensen, a 41-year-old mother of two, whose loyal companion, a wire-haired griffon named Luna, was forced to take protective measures when the duo were nearly accosted on a morning walk near the library.
“She was clearly protecting me,” Carstensen said, recalling Luna’s attempt to block the creature’s path. “When it became apparent that she was not going to move… the Sasquatch knew he had met his canine match and moved to the other side of the street… attempting to climb a tree.”
Around that same time, and only a few blocks away, Silver Falls YMCA Front Desk Manager Lisa Kearney also encountered the beast as he walked boldly through the front doors of the pool office.
“All my life I’ve heard that there is Bigfoot in Oregon but I’m so shocked and amazed to finally see him in real life,” she said.
“I figure he probably enjoys the Silver Creek area,” she added. “So, you might see him sometime if you go to the pool.”
Also present during Sasquatch’s poolside visit was 11-year-old Hayden Fast who observed the creature’s initial attempt at making friends with the locals by giving out high-fives and fist bumps before heading toward the park.
“[Hayden] has seen him multiple times now,” the boy’s mother, Heather Desmarteau-Fast, said. Perhaps that confirms Kearney’s suspicions that Sasquatch has become enamored with Silver Creek. “He saw him going over the footbridge to the park on a different day as well.”
But it appears Sasquatch is prone to wander. In fact, sisters Lucy and Ellie Hupp spotted him boldly walking down the sidewalk on July 6 at 10 a.m., prompting a call to the Silver Falls YMCA office, where evidence is being compiled.
“[They] confirmed he is not a bad guy or dangerous,” the girls’ mother, Briana Hupp reported to Sports Coordinator Kristi Horner. “He’s friendly and not a threat to the community.”
And thankfully so because, on July 12 Sasquatch was once again observed, this time on the varsity soccer field of Silverton High School, where a week-long summer camp was taking place.
“We were at the far end of the field while the coaches’ scrimmage was underway and campers were cheering on the game,” Coach Marty Limbird said, setting the stage, “Suddenly we heard screams of excitement and kids running over to connect with Sasquatch. It was a surprise and quite the hit with the 190-plus campers we had in soccer camp this week!”
Unfortunately, after that brief encounter, the hairy biped seemingly vanished, prompting the Silver Falls YMCA to post a series of ads extolling all Silverton residents to contact the office immediately – either in-person at 421 S. Water St. or by phone at 503-873-0205 – so that this information may be shared with Silverton Police, who are still investigating the beast’s true identity.
“[We] continue to use all available tools of forensic investigation to confirm the true identity of the elusive person, creature, or Sasquatch that has been spotted in local parks and streets…” Chief Anglemier said in a statement to the press in which he admitted, “Silverton Police are remaining optimistic that the creature is actually a Sasquatch…”
Who and where is ‘Sasquatch’?
To report a “Sasquatch” sighting contact Kristi Horner, Silver Falls YMCA office, 421 S. Water St., Silverton
503-873-0205
