APCIC - Vol 05 No 04 - 1980

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO NEWS, Volume 5, Number 4, dated April 1980, is published by the AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER (APCIC) located in Cleveland, Ohio. The cover prominently features a black silhouette of a flying saucer and the headline 'UFO NEWS'. The publication includes a variety of articles detailing UFO sightings and related news from different regions.

Contents and Articles

Page 2: APCIC Staff and Foreign Correspondents

The issue lists the editorial staff of APCIC, including Harry R. Cohen as editor and S. Mac Williams as assistant editor. It also features a list of foreign correspondents from Argentina, Australia, Denmark, France, Japan, Italy, Turkey, West Germany, and Canada, indicating a global scope for UFO reporting.

Page 2: UFO Updates and Network Feedback

This section provides contact information for 'UFO UPDATE' for further inquiries, directed to Tom Grey of the Northeastern UFO Organization in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. It also promotes the 'UFO COMMUNICATORS NETWORK' and 'Page Research Library' for those interested in UFO communication and research.

Page 3-4: UFO Sightings Near Elbe, Ashford Area (Eatonville Wash. Dispatch, Feb 6, 1980)

This article by Barbara Devore details several sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) in the Elbe and North Lewis County area of Washington state over a six-week period. Witnesses described the UFOs as bright, multi-colored lights capable of rapid movement. One account by Cindy Carney describes a strange light that followed her car, exhibiting red, yellow, and blue lights, and appearing to be about 12 to 18 inches tall. Carney reported the lights seemed to be aware of her and disappeared suddenly. Another incident involved Mrs. Mel Ceccanti seeing a stationary, bright orange light. The article notes that the UFO Center in Seattle has received multiple reports of sightings in the Centralia and Chehalis areas, describing lights in triangular shapes that are not conventional aircraft.

Page 4: The Owen Enterprise (Wisconsin, Feb 21, 1980)

This clipping reports on a cigar-shaped UFO sighted in the Rice Lake, Bloomer, and Chippewa Falls area of Wisconsin. It also mentions five people reporting a UFO in the Withee area, with one eyewitness describing a bright pinkish disk. The article emphasizes that 'UFO' means unidentified flying object and could be anything.

Page 4: Antigo (Wis) Journal (March 1, 1980)

This report details UFO sightings in Lincoln County, Wisconsin. Three reports were received by the sheriff's department on a Sunday night. Sightings included an orange-red, yardstick-shaped object, a round red and blue object moving slowly above treetops, and a bright red object also seen near Kings Dam.

Page 5: UFO believer still seeks the things that go swoosh (The Milwaukee Journal Green Sheet, March 7, 1980)

This article focuses on John Lutz, Maryland director of Odyssey Research, an organization investigating UFO reports. Lutz, a self-proclaimed believer, describes his work interviewing witnesses and conducting field trips. He estimates that about 75% of reported aerial phenomena can be identified, with the remaining 25% remaining mysteries. Lutz believes governments may be covering up information about UFOs and that media portrayals can hinder genuine investigation. He also notes that witnesses are often embarrassed and afraid of ridicule.

Page 6: Bright UFO spotted over Fox Valley (Appleton (Wis) Post-Crescent, Feb 28, 1980)

Several Appleton residents and two police officers reported seeing an unidentified flying object around 1:25 a.m. The object was described as radiating a bright, clear light and appeared to disintegrate before falling to earth. Another sighting in Brown County involved a bright object hovering near Austin Straubel Airport that exploded and disappeared.

Page 6: Greenlanders report UFOs (Wausau (Wis) Daily Herald, Feb 22, 1980)

This article reports on residents in Greenland seeing bright objects in the sky since the beginning of the year. While meteorologists suggest atmospheric phenomena, locals remain unconvinced. Reports include twin flying objects, oval vehicles with lighted portholes, and a luminescent object that moved at high speed and changed shape.

Page 6: UFO Reported Near BD High School (Beaver Dam Citizen (Wis), Feb 23, 1980)

Beaver Dam police received reports of an unidentified flying object at 10:29 p.m. Friday, described as a red light that later landed. Police investigated but found no evidence.

Page 7: Wondering what they saw falling? from the sky (Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan 11, 1980)

This article details Leo Manco's sighting of a 'brilliant flash of green light' over Marlton, New Jersey. At the same time, two pilots reported a similar 'comet-like' streak. Checks with FAA, NASA, and NORAD yielded no definitive explanation, with NORAD indicating no man-made object entered the area on radar. Manco, an observer, was convinced it was not a meteor.

Page 7: Three sight UFOs (Rhinelander (Wis) News, Feb 4, 1980)

This report from Merrill, Wisconsin, details three UFO sightings on a Sunday night. One witness described a yardstick-shaped, orange-red object. Another saw a round, red and blue object moving slowly above treetops. A third reported a bright red object moving above treetops near Kings Dam.

Page 7: Report UFO's in Lincoln Co. (Minocqua (Wis.) Lakeland Times, Feb 7, 1980)

This article reiterates the three UFO sightings in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, previously reported by the Rhinelander News. It describes a yardstick-shaped orange-red object, a round red and blue object, and a bright red object.

Page 8: Spangled Sky 8 In Nevada County See UFOs Of Many Colors (The Sacramento Bee, Calif., Feb 8, 1980)

This article reports on eight persons in Nevada County, California, who saw mysterious multicolored flying objects. The objects were described as red and white lights, with blue lights at times, hovering and moving quickly. Officials at Beale Air Force Base reported no unusual activity. Witnesses described the objects as much brighter than stars and emitting a quiet, jet-like sound. Some witnesses became believers in extraterrestrial life.

Page 8: What UFOs Are (Norfolk (Nebr) News, Feb 4, 1980)

This is a letter to the editor referencing UFO sightings and quoting Mrs. Veronica Lueken, who claims the Blessed Virgin says UFOs are real and vehicles of Satan.

Page 8: Driver's now a saucer believer (Toronto Sun, Ont., Can., Feb 3, 1980)

Bob Hope, a map-maker, became a believer after seeing a large, saucer-shaped object hovering over a hydro line near Barrie, Ontario. He described it as a strange, bright white light that moved in a straight line without noise. He is seeking others who may have seen the same light.

Page 9: Times and News publisher says he now believes in UFO's-he saw one (Giddings Texas-Times+News, Jan 3, 1980)

Buddy Preuss, publisher of the Giddings Texas-Times+News, recounts his personal sighting of two UFOs flying in formation with his wife. He describes their incredible speed and maneuverability, far exceeding any known aircraft. Preuss speculates that the flaring oil and gas wells in the area might attract UFOs.

Page 9: Being followed by UFO was "kind of scary", couple reports (Pelican Rapids Minn. Press, Feb 7, 1980)

Lori and Darrell Dorn reported being followed by an unidentified object for several miles near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. The object, described as triangular with concave sides and a squared-off end, emitted white and reddish lights. It followed their vehicle and appeared to hover before disappearing.

Page 10-11: Flying saucers spice of life for local writer (Ford Du Lac (Wis.) Reporter, Jan 20, 1980)

This article features Bob Kuehn, a self-proclaimed believer in flying saucers and extraterrestrial contact. Kuehn describes his theories about different types of UFOs, their propulsion systems, and their alleged landings in the Wisconsin area. He recounts personal experiences, including attempting to contact alien beings via radio and witnessing UFOs refueling each other. The article includes a photograph of a saucer-shaped object that allegedly landed due to low power.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO NEWS revolve around the reporting and investigation of unidentified flying objects. There is a consistent emphasis on witness testimonies, often describing lights, unusual shapes, and extraordinary maneuvers. The publication appears to provide a platform for both believers and those who are open to the possibility of extraterrestrial phenomena, while also acknowledging the skepticism and scientific explanations that are often proposed. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into these unexplained events, presenting various accounts and perspectives without necessarily endorsing any single theory. The inclusion of foreign correspondents and reports from different regions highlights the global nature of UFO interest.

This issue of "UFO" (or a similar publication with a focus on UFO phenomena) from February 1980 presents a collection of eyewitness accounts and reports of unidentified flying objects across various locations in the United States. The cover features a drawing of a UFO and the headline "UFO or something flies over Ovid."

Eyewitness Drawing: UFO or something flies over Ovid

This article details a sighting in Ovid, New York, on a Monday night. Scott Knittle, an 11-year-old boy, and his mother, Beverly Cowan, reported seeing a bright orange, oval-shaped object with about 10 windows hovering over their backyard. The object was described as an "egg shaped" blob about 5 feet wide. After a few seconds, it shot straight up in the air, heading north toward Auburn, and exploded without noise or fire. A small red blinking light was seen afterward until it disappeared. Scott's eyes were bloodshot after the event. Myrtie Bullivant also saw a "round, reddish-gold ball" that appeared to be on fire, but she ruled out it being a flying saucer. Deputy Sheriff Robert Favreau searched the area but found nothing. U.S. Coast Guard personnel at the LORAN-C tower detected no electrical disturbances. Bob Barrow, a field investigator, noted that egg-shaped objects are common in UFO sightings and mentioned that bloodshot eyes and burning sensations are sometimes reported, along with a lack of physical trace evidence.

UFO remains unsolved

This article from Port Lavaca, Texas, dated February 27, 1980, reports on three unusually bright lights identified as planets Mars, Venus, and Jupiter. However, a fourth bright light seen the previous Thursday night, which made an unusual sound and moved from northeast to southwest, remains unidentified. Coast Guard claims no knowledge of it, but several witnesses confirmed the sighting. Men working on Powder Horn Ranch described it as a "big glow hovering over those trees" that moved slowly, sometimes showing different colored lights and a beam from beneath. The object made a sound like a "motor operating real fast" and was visible for about 35-40 minutes. Citizen Band radios became garbled during its pass. This sighting occurred on February 21, 1980.

Woman says she saw object in western sky

This article from Redmond, Oregon, dated February 20, 1980, features a woman who reported seeing a bright light in the western sky on the same night that Don and Edith Winters claimed they saw an unidentified flying object. The Winters reported seeing a "big wheel" with a stripe and colors. The anonymous woman saw an object to the west around 8:20 p.m. on February 5, with a pinkish-red bottom and yellow upper part, sometimes appearing blue. She watched it through binoculars, noting it got fainter and then brighter before disappearing. She was certain it was a UFO. The object went out of sight south of Black Butte.

UFOs Spark Flurry Of LV Phone Calls

This brief report from North Las Vegas, Nevada, dated February 28, 1980, states that two UFOs hovering in the eastern skies over Las Vegas sparked numerous concerned phone calls. Witnesses described "two bright lights hovering right near the moon" that kept changing colors. The lights were visible into Thursday morning. Calls to the Air Force yielded no explanations.

Were UFOs hovering over us last night?

This article from Binghamton, New York, dated March 4, 1980, discusses a sighting of a "blob of orange and yellow lights" over the Binghamton Plaza around 8:15 p.m. the previous night. About 10 people reported seeing anywhere from two to about 10 orange-yellow lights flying in formation, converging, and almost bumping into each other. The object then floated noiselessly above the plaza. Some witnesses saw four lights sitting in the sky for about five minutes before heading north. Another version described "saucer-like, orangish-colored objects moving across the sky." The object seemed about as far away and the same size as stars. Theories included planes, balloons, or a hoax. A spokesman at the Broome County air traffic control tower reported no unusual radar activity. Vivian Arquette of Hillcrest thought she saw two planes, but one stopped mid-air, which she found impossible for a plane. She also considered balloons filled with helium. The object was described as dull yellowish-orange.

UFOs sighted in area

This report from Waseca, Minnesota, dated February 18, 1980, details two sightings of unidentified lights. Bruce Howard saw a "real bright light" about 500 feet off the ground around 8 p.m. on February 15, which changed from yellow to red to green and moved west. He saw a similar light the following Saturday. Lowell Kohnert also reported his family saw a strange light on February 15, where a light followed a car along a gravel road. The object was described as red, close to the ground, turning yellow as it rose. The witnesses were reluctant to share their story for fear of ridicule.

UFO Spotted, Followed To Prattville

This article from Prattville, Alabama, dated February 21, 1980, describes an unidentified flying object seen hovering near Maxwell Air Force Base around midnight Sunday. Four witnesses, including a base security guard, described it as a "large, bright light" with flashes of red and blue, moving erratically north of the base. The object was visible until it went off radar near the Prattville airport, landing about one mile south of the field. Maxwell radar confirmed the object's movement. John Bolender of Maxwell Flight Control observed a target on radar moving northwest toward the Prattville airport at approximately 115 mph, described as similar to a helicopter's movement. Approach lights were on at the Prattville Airport, but no one confirmed a sighting.

UFO SPOTTED AT LEE CITY BY 5 PERSONS

This report from Lee City, Kentucky, dated February 21, 1980, details a sighting by five employees of the Citizens Bank of Jackson. They reported an oval-shaped object with white, red, blue, and green lights floating from a steep wooded hill, crossing the highway, and disappearing. The incident occurred on Tuesday night, February 12. The witnesses, initially skeptical, were certain it was not a helicopter or airplane. The object made no noise and floated silently. The time was 9:43 p.m. The witnesses were afraid to share their story due to fear of ridicule.

UFO Sightings Continue

This article from Ithaca, New York, dated January 30, 1980, reports a wave of sightings of unidentified flying objects over Cayuga Lake on January 23. Callers described an oblong white object with flashing red lights, and some saw green lights. One caller reported watching the craft land near Caroline. Most callers seemed sincere. Cornell University astronomers attributed similar lights to planets, but this explanation did not account for a UFO seen through binoculars before disappearing rapidly.

UFO sightings reported

This report from Wausau, Wisconsin, dated February 4, 1980, details three sightings of unidentified flying objects in Lincoln County on Sunday night. A long-narrow object, reddish-orange, was seen about half a mile above the ground. Another object, described as about a foot in diameter and a half-mile above the ground, was red and blue. A third object was bright and changing colors, moving up and down. Law enforcement officers found nothing unusual in the vicinity.

'UFO' sighting unconfirmed

This report from Laurel, Delaware, dated February 6, 1980, describes a security guard at Sussex County Vocational Technical Center who reported seeing a UFO on Saturday night. The object looked like a bright white light that turned red and then white again. He watched it for about 20 minutes before it broke apart and went down behind the school. State Police and a helicopter searched the area but found nothing, attributing the sighting to an "atmospheric phenomenon."

That sky light was a missile

This article from Livermore, California, dated February 6, 1980, identifies a streaming band of lights seen over Southern Alameda County as a missile launched by Vandenberg Air Force Base. The missile was launched at 6 p.m. and headed southwest, appearing to move back and forth.

UFO researchers hope to shed light on lights

This article from Camden, New Jersey, dated January 31, 1980, discusses strange amber lights sighted over Moorestown and Maple Shade. The Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) launched a two-man investigation. Field investigator Fred Shaeffer mentioned several theories, including a hoax, legitimate UFOs, a prankster, or a temperature inversion. He warned that a hoax involving flares attached to balloons could create a hazardous situation for aircraft. Police officers and residents reported seeing the lights in various formations. Some witnesses reported the lights disappeared instantly, while others saw them disappear one by one. The article notes that the lights could not have been the Aurora Borealis due to cloud cover.

UFO brightens sky again

This report from Beaver, Pennsylvania, dated February 29, 1980, describes an Aliquippa patrolman spotting a "multi-colored, bright, unknown object" changing colors in the sky. The police department received several calls about the object. Robert Boyde, an UFO enthusiast, planned to report the information. A spokesman for the Pennsylvania State Police received no reports of UFOs that night.

From Here'n There

This brief report from Perkins, Oklahoma, dated February 7, 1980, mentions a bright blinking light seen west of Ingalls around 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. on a Friday night. Witnesses described it as brighter than a star and unusual, moving quickly and disappearing from sight.

Bright Light Is Sighted By Dairy Employee

This article from Columbia City, Indiana, dated February 12, 1980, reports a Babcock Dairy employee sighting a UFO Monday evening. Ernie Coy described a bright light that looked like an airplane with landing lights on but moved away slowly, taking about two hours to cross the sky and disappear. Officer Jim Acres and Deputy Sheriff Delmar Wagoner observed the light, which moved from east to west. They suspected it was a satellite and planned to check with the FAA. The article notes several recent UFO sightings in the area.

UFO brightens sky again (continued)

This continuation from Beaver, Pennsylvania, dated February 29, 1980, details the sighting of a "multi-colored, bright, unknown object" by an Aliquippa patrolman. The object was changing colors. The police department received several calls. Robert Boyde, interested in UFOs, planned to report the information. Mrs. Boyde mentioned that the phone was going crazy. A Pennsylvania State Police spokesman received no reports of UFOs that night.

UFO SPOTTED AT LEE CITY BY 5 PERSONS (continued)

This continuation from Campton News, Kentucky, dated February 15, 1980, reiterates the sighting by five bank employees of an oval-shaped object with colored lights. The incident occurred on February 12. The witnesses were afraid to share their story due to fear of ridicule. They were sure it was not a helicopter, airplane, or balloon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this collection of articles are the widespread nature of UFO sightings across different regions of the United States in early 1980, the variety of descriptions for the objects and their behaviors, and the commonality of witnesses being reluctant to report due to fear of ridicule. Many articles highlight the lack of definitive explanations, with authorities often attributing sightings to known phenomena like planets, aircraft, or atmospheric conditions, while acknowledging that some cases remain unexplained. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these events as they occurred, presenting eyewitness accounts and official responses without strong bias, though the focus on UFOs inherently suggests an interest in the unexplained.

This issue of the Express and News, dated March 9, 1980, features a prominent cover story titled "The lights in the sky aren't stars" by Dennis Stacy. The magazine delves into various UFO sightings and the ongoing investigations into these phenomena.

San Antonio Sightings and MUFON Investigations

The lead article details a sighting by a South Side San Antonio car dealer on December 15th of last year. He described a metallic, dark-gray object shaped like a sting-ray, estimated to be about 1,500 feet above the ground and traveling at 300 mph. This sighting led him to contact MUFON (Mutual UFO Network), a worldwide organization headquartered in Seguin, Texas, led by engineer Walt Andrus Jr.

MUFON's mission is to investigate UFO phenomena as scientifically as possible, even after the U.S. Air Force closed Project Blue Book on December 17, 1969. The Air Force's three-fold conclusion was that UFOs posed no threat to national security, there was insufficient evidence of extraterrestrial technology, and further study would not advance science. However, many individuals and organizations like MUFON continue to investigate.

Irene Immerman, vice-president of the San Antonio chapter of MUFON, stated that witnesses report "something strange" and that the group has no definitive answers but is interested in investigating objectively. Robert Morgan, MUFON's director of field investigations, interviewed the car dealer and noted the object was ribbed underneath, about 250 feet wide, made no sound, and had no lights of its own.

Another significant report from San Antonio involved a 21-year-old woman and her mother who witnessed a triangular, heavily lighted object maneuver over the city for nearly three hours on December 23rd. An 18-year-old brother and two younger sisters also saw the object, described as metallic and dark silver, the largest thing they had ever seen in the sky. It disappeared around 10:30 p.m. after making a loud, roaring noise.

Morgan also investigated a sighting on January 14th in Leon Valley, where a resident saw a steady, orange glow with a blinking red light hovering near a radio tower. International Airport control tower confirmed a target in the vicinity, described as a weak radar target, possibly a helicopter or small plane, but with no positive identification.

MUFON has established working arrangements with local police and airport authorities to be notified of incoming UFO calls. Irene Immerman emphasized the need to avoid confusion due to public misunderstanding of the phenomenon. The local chapter includes members from various professions, including Civil Service employees, retired military personnel, and those in aviation. All investigative reports are forwarded to MUFON International Headquarters in Seguin.

Other UFO Sightings Reported

The issue also compiles reports from various other locations:

• Kerrville, Texas Times (March 9, 1980): Two science teachers, Karen Stieler and Elizabeth Barnes, reported seeing a silent, distinct, brilliant blue object shaped like a light bulb hovering over Highway 46 between New Braunfels and Boerne. It glowed for an instant, leaving an indelible impression.

• Johnstown, PA Tribune-Democrat (March 5, 1980): Dennis Boyer, a Richland Township man, captured three night-time photographs of an unidentified object over the Baltimore skyline. The object, visible in only one photo, was cone-shaped with a triangular structure underneath and showed motion. He planned to make the negatives available to Dr. J. Allen Hynek of the Center for UFO Studies.

• Cambridge, Ohio Jeffersonian (March 13, 1980): Police officer Mark Hager of Gladstone, Michigan, described a bizarre unidentified flying object he helped track for half an hour as giving him chills but not fear, stating he now believes in UFOs.

• Escanaba, Mich. Press (March 14, 1980): News of a UFO sighting in Gladstone, Michigan, led to hundreds of calls from across the U.S. and Australia. Gladstone police officers Mark Hager and Dave Mariin, along with two sheriff's deputies, observed an object with red, green, and blue oscillating lights and a bright white light. They tracked it for about 30 minutes, noting its high speed and sharp turns. Escanaba officers also reported seeing the object. Officials at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, the Coast Guard, and DNR reported no aircraft in the area.

• Houghton, Mich. Mining Gazette (March 12, 1980): Law enforcement officials in Delta County reported an unidentified flying object sighted by two road patrol deputies. Sightings were also reported by Gladstone and Escanaba officers. The object was described as multi-colored and zooming upwards. K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base reported no aircraft in the area.

• Petoskey, Mich. New Review (March 13, 1980): A quote from Mark Hager reiterates his newfound belief in UFOs after witnessing an object he previously dismissed.

• Green Bay Press-Gazette, Wis. (March 13, 1980): Officers in Gladstone, Michigan, investigated a report of an unidentified flying object. Officers observed an object with red, green, and blue oscillating lights and a bright white light, moving at high speed with sharp turns. The object was also seen by Escanaba officers. Investigations by K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, the Coast Guard, and DNR found no aircraft in the area. A DNR spokesman suggested it might have been a private helicopter.

• Milwaukee (Wis) Sentinel (March 13, 1980): Gladstone police officer Mark Hager, who previously scoffed at UFO reports, became a believer after witnessing an unidentified flying object with a bright white light, two red lights, and a green light. He and another officer were joined by sheriff's deputies, and they tracked the object for about 30 minutes. Escanaba police also reported seeing the object. No aircraft were reported by military or government agencies in the area.

• Juneau, Alaska Southeast Alaska Empire (January 25, 1980): Residents of Kake reported an unidentified flying object, described as a flaming orange ball, hovering near the village for about 15 minutes. Marvin Kadake, head of the local search and rescue squad, was the first to spot it. The object was visible to most of the town's 600 residents. It stopped for about 10 minutes before abruptly turning and speeding away without noise.

• Redmond, OR Spokesman (February 20, 1980): A woman in Redmond reported seeing a bright light in the western sky, described as pinkish-red and yellow, or blue, which she was certain was a UFO.

• Lawrenceville, GA Gwinnett New (February 19, 1980): Security police at Maxwell Air Force Base near Huntsville, Alabama, reported multiple sightings of an unidentified flying object. The object was described as having bright, pulsating white lights with intermittent red and blue lights, moving up and down. It was also reported near Stone Mountain. A second sighting was reported by a different policeman, and a third by a fourth policeman who saw it heading west and appearing to land near Prattville. The Air Force stated it no longer investigates UFO sightings but files the information.

• Pomona, CA (Los Angeles Co.) Progress Bulletin (February 10, 1980): An Upland woman reported an "Encounter with the Third Kind" after seeing an unidentified flying object hovering over a store. The circular object had blinking lights and darted toward the freeway before disappearing.

• Green Bay Press Gazette, Wis. (February 24, 1980): Authorities in Perth, Australia, were planning an air and land search for a rocket-like object that slammed into a remote corner of southwest Australia. Phil Arlidge, coordinator of emergency services, stated they had gathered reports from about 15 people who saw the object and a dozen others who heard it explode.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this issue are the persistent reports of unidentified flying objects, the eyewitness accounts describing various shapes, colors, and behaviors, and the ongoing efforts by civilian organizations like MUFON to investigate these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting the reports and investigations without definitive conclusions but acknowledging the intriguing nature of the sightings. The inclusion of multiple reports from different regions and dates suggests a widespread and ongoing interest in UFOs during this period. The articles highlight the contrast between official government disinterest (like the closure of Project Blue Book) and the continued public fascination and investigation.

This issue of the Daily Ledger, dated March 12, 1980, features a prominent cover story about a 'beautiful' UFO sighting by a woman in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The publication includes multiple reports of UFO sightings from various locations, alongside discussions of potential explanations and official stances on the phenomenon.

BA Woman Claims 'Beautiful' UFO Sighting

The lead article by Kevin Conway details the experience of Martha L. Reimer, a resident of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, who claims to have witnessed an unidentified flying object (UFO) on Sunday night. Reimer described the object as 'beautiful,' 'pure gold in color and very bright,' and stated it hovered over a hill outside her apartment window for approximately eight to ten minutes. She provided a detailed pencil sketch of the cigar-shaped object with five rod-like sections. Reimer mentioned that she usually checks her window before bed and that this sighting was unusual. She also reported hearing a talk show caller on Monday morning who claimed to have seen something similar in the sky, though she could not recall the station or the caller's name.

Matt Skinner, a news announcer for KXXO, stated that his station did a story on UFOs the previous month due to a rash of alleged sightings in the Tulsa area. Skinner noted that astronomical experts suggest that some sightings can be explained by the alignment of planets Venus and Mars, which can produce strange visual effects. He also mentioned that the Broken Arrow area is particularly good for astral viewing due to clearer skies.

Graham Kendall, a UFO enthusiast and instructor at Tulsa Junior College, commented on Mrs. Reimer's description, calling it 'one of the more interesting ones I've heard of.' Kendall shared his own experience of viewing an authentic UFO chased by an Air Force plane while attending Rice University. He acknowledged that some aerial phenomena can be mistaken for UFOs, such as stars refracting light, but did not confirm whether this applied to Reimer's incident. Despite any conventional explanations, Mrs. Reimer remains certain of her experience, stating, 'It's something I'll never forget.'

Other UFO Sightings and Reports

Sonora, California: Mary Taylor, local director of the Mutual Unidentified Flying Objects Network (MUFON), reported sightings in the Second Garrotte area near Groveland on Thursday night. A family described an object similar to those seen on Sunday, estimating its length at 300 to 400 feet, with porthole-type windows. The object was described as looking like the Goodyear blimp. A Moccasin powerhouse operator suggested that local sightings might be military aircraft refueling operations. Several military air bases were contacted to determine if their aircraft were in the area.

Two separate UFO sightings were also reported in Sonora on Sunday night. A woman saw a triangular-shaped object at a low level, and a brother and sister reported being followed by an object as they drove along LaGrange Rd. They stopped multiple times, and the object hovered. Taylor noted numerous UFO reports in California and the Midwest in the past week, suggesting a broader pattern of UFO activity.

Canton, Illinois: A quote from police officer Mark Hager described an unidentified flying object he tracked for half an hour, stating it was 'bizarre' and gave him 'the chills,' leading him to believe in UFOs after previously not.

Bristol, Virginia: Kenneth Salyer reported seeing a clear, cylinder-shaped object, weighing one pound and 10 ounces and one inch in diameter, fall to the ground on November 20th. The object buried itself in the dirt at an angle, about two feet long and sunk 20 inches deep. Salyer contacted various agencies, including the Scott County Sheriff's Department, the highway department, Cape Kennedy, and a UFO center in Washington D.C., but received no definitive answers. Gary Brink, regional director of Orian and founder of TRICO, planned to examine the object, speculating it might have fallen from an airplane or been carried by a severe wind storm.

Baltimore, Maryland: A report from the Daily Telegraph detailed an incident where a man called police after seeing a strange object in the sky that changed from dull red to blue, causing his car to run funny. John Lutz, Maryland director of Odyssey Research, described his interest in UFOs as a 'hobby that has mushroomed,' and his organization interviews people who claim to have seen UFOs or other unexplained phenomena. Odyssey Research had investigated about 480 claims in Maryland since 1970, with 90 reported sightings in 1979. Lutz believes that earthlings are not in danger from extraterrestrials and that they may be here for experimentation. He also noted that government cover-ups and sensationalized media portrayals hinder UFO investigations.

Rome, Italy: A report from the Italian Ministry of Defense, kept secret for over two years, revealed a UFO sighting on October 27, 1977. A flight controller at the Elmas military base in Sardinia reported an object traveling at approximately 500 knots (926 km/h) behind a helicopter during night maneuvers. The UFO was also seen by several pilots and was visible for about four minutes at an altitude of 1,500 feet. This sighting involved exchanges of messages between Elmas base, the NATO base at Decimomannu, the aircraft carrier Saratoga, and other military aircraft.

Nantes, France: A photograph of a UFO was taken off Croisic by an amateur photographer. The image captured a large, bright, twinkling white light moving over the sea, which official sources stated could not be mistaken for a ship's light or aircraft navigation lights. The photographer's son alerted him, and gendarmes also observed the phenomenon. Other witnesses without links to the photographer also reported the same sighting.

Plounévez-Lochrist, France: Two young people reported seeing an intense blue-green winking light over the horizon towards Saint-Pol-de-Leon in December 1979. The light moved rapidly, leaving a shower of sparks before disappearing. Coincidentally, the radars at the Aero-naval base of Landivisiau were reportedly down that night.

Surrey, UK: A group of boys from Charterhouse School in Godalming reported seeing a cigar-shaped object hovering silently in the sky for about half an hour. They initially thought it might be a star or a balloon but concluded it was neither due to its speed and changing colored lights. Another group of young people saw a pink light near the Shere by-pass. A motorist, David McCarthy, also reported seeing a brilliant pink light in the shape of a star, larger and brighter than any star, heading towards Albury.

Peterborough, UK: A second UFO sighting was reported over Fenland, with a man seeing something like a ball of orange fire hovering in the March area. A parson from Drove also reported a similar sighting.

Moscow, Russia: The official Soviet press, including the newspaper Pravda, renewed its attacks on flying-saucer enthusiasts, insisting that no scientific evidence confirms UFO sightings. Pravda accused the 'bourgeois Press' in the West of creating sensations out of UFO sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings and the ongoing debate surrounding their nature and origin. Multiple eyewitness accounts from diverse geographical locations highlight the persistent interest in unexplained aerial phenomena. The articles present a range of perspectives, from detailed witness testimonies and photographic evidence to scientific and astronomical explanations. There is also a clear contrast between the open reporting of sightings in Western media and the official debunking of such phenomena by Soviet authorities. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these events and accounts, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also acknowledging the efforts of organizations like MUFON to investigate these claims.