APCIC - Vol 05 No 05 - 1980

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue Date: May 1980
Volume: 5
Issue: 5
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

This issue of UFO NEWS, published by the Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center, focuses heavily on recent UFO sightings reported across various locations, with a particular emphasis on credible witnesses, including law enforcement officers. The magazine presents a collection of news clippings detailing these encounters, alongside information about UFO research organizations and their methodologies.

Key Articles and Reports

"UFOs? Mysterious lights baffle residents" (Des Moines, Wash. News, March 28, 1980)

This article, written by Cathy Stone, details multiple sightings of unusual lights over the Federal Way and Des Moines areas in Washington state over a six-week period. At least eight individuals reported seeing these phenomena. Major Wayne Aho, founder and president of the New Life Foundation, links these sightings to current world crises in Afghanistan and Iran, suggesting that extraterrestrial intelligences are attempting to alert humanity. The report highlights a specific sighting by the Thibodeaux family and Golda Brinson, who observed a bright, blue object that appeared to fade and brighten, moving erratically. The object was described as being about the size of a 50-cent piece at a distance and ringed with pinkish-red, green, and blue lights. Another incident involved two women in a retirement home who saw a bright red object with a bluish cast, estimated to be about the size of the moon, which appeared to 'break right in half' before disappearing. A spokesman for the Sea-Tac air traffic control tower confirmed the presence of 'unidentified' trackings on their radar but noted that they primarily track commercial aircraft and might not register stationary objects.

"Four startled police officers in hour-long car chase of an eerily silent, zig-zagging UFO" (Express and News, San Antonio Texas, April 6, 1980)

This clipping reports on an extraordinary encounter involving four police officers in Gladstone, Michigan. The officers described an unidentified flying object that they watched for nearly an hour. The object displayed speeds and maneuverability impossible for any known aircraft, featuring a brilliant white light at the front and red and green lights on its sides. It was eerily silent and made abrupt turns and phenomenal bursts of acceleration. The officers, including Mark Hager and David Mariin of the Gladstone police, were joined by county sheriff's deputies. Despite extensive observation and pursuit, the object was not detected by radar. UFO investigators Peter Mazzola and Dan Wright of the Scientific Bureau of Investigation and Mutual UFO Network, respectively, commented on the report, with Mazzola calling it the 'most authentic report' he had encountered in over 100 investigations. The article also notes a similar sighting in March 1978, less than 10 miles away.

"UFOs spotted in Walton - fact or fantasy?" (Independence, Ky. Advertiser, March 19, 1980)

This report details sightings in Walton, Kentucky, where several people observed an object in the skies. John Still, an ex-Navy man, reported a stationary, bright, brilliant object directly over the Walton National Guard Armory for two hours on March 10, and again for two and a half hours on March 11. He noted that the object should have been picked up by radar, but the airport reported no such blip. Officials at the National Guard Armory and the U.S. Air Force could offer no explanation.

"How many saw light?" (Detroit Lakes, Minn. Record, March 24, 1980)

This brief report mentions a story from the Detroit Lakes Tribune about residents noticing a 'bright flash of light' in the sky on March 7. It also includes a letter from George Legler, who, along with his wife, observed a bright light east of Lake Park on March 11, describing it as looking like a very bright beacon.

"U.F.O.'s Sighted In New Castle" (New Castle, Ky. Local, March 20, 1980)

Mrs. Anna Ricketts of New Castle reported seeing a strange, very bright object hovering motionless in her yard on March 9. She described it as looking like a piper cub without wings, with three antenna-like sticks protruding from the bottom. The object moved erratically before disappearing. She called the State Police, but the objects were gone by the time an officer arrived.

"Spangled Sky: 8 In Nevada County See UFOs Of Many Colors" (Sacramento, Calif. Bee, February 9, 1980)

This article reports on eight individuals in Nevada County, California, who witnessed multicolored flying objects. The UFOs were described as red and white lights, with blue lights at times, hovering and moving quickly across the sky at altitudes of 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Richard and Lori Hewitt described the object as having a 'circle of lights, red, white and blue' in a horizontal pattern. Officials at Beale Air Force Base stated that no unusual flight activity originated from their base.

"Greenland Has Rash Of UFO Sightings" (Olympia, Wash. The Daily Olympian, February 21, 1980)

This AP report states that since the beginning of the year, residents along Greenland's west coast have been reporting sightings of bright objects in the sky. Lt. Col. H.V. Jensen noted that no observations were made from planes or ships. Meteorologist Leo Thorsager suggested the sightings might be related to a lengthy and strong depression and atmospheric temperature differences, but Greenlanders remain unconvinced.

"Close encounters of the forgettable kind" (The Toronto Sun, December 5, 1979)

This brief report mentions Franck Fontaine, who claims to have seen a UFO and then completely blanked out for a week. His disappearance was confirmed by two friends who were with him at the time.

"UFO investigators say area had real close encounter" (Escanaba, Mich. Press, March 14, 1980)

This article details the investigation by Pete Mazzola and Jim Fillow of the Scientific Bureau of Investigation into the Gladstone, Michigan sighting. They interviewed six area police officers and 24 witnesses, concluding that the event was a genuine UFO sighting due to the number of credible witnesses and the unusual nature of the object's speed, color, and maneuvers. They also address the issue of radar discrepancies, suggesting that the Air Force might be evading the issue due to national security concerns. The Scientific Bureau of Investigation aims to expose suppressed evidence of UFOs and protect the interests of officers involved in sightings.

"UFO reports 'warp out' night shift" (Howell, Mich. Livingston Co. Press, March 5, 1980)

This report describes a sighting near the Livingston County Airport where Mike Bignell received a call about a multi-colored, blinking object. A retired naval pilot also reported watching the UFO for 15 minutes with binoculars, confirming its rapid departure. Calls to Lansing and Detroit air traffic control yielded no radar confirmation, but Detroit Metro mentioned Windsor air control inquiring about an unidentified object.

"Encounter With A UFO" (Belle Plaine, Iowa Union, March 26, 1980)

Three Belle Plaine residents reported seeing a white light that changed to red, then green, and followed them when they drove into the country. The object reportedly increased and decreased speed and changed direction.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO NEWS are the prevalence of UFO sightings, the credibility of witness testimonies (particularly from law enforcement officers), the unusual characteristics of observed objects (speed, maneuverability, silence, lights), and the potential for government obfuscation or suppression of information regarding UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and a belief in the reality of UFO phenomena, encouraging the public to report sightings and supporting the work of UFO research organizations.

Key Persons Mentioned

• Harry R. Cohen: Editor
• S. Mac Williams: Asst. Editor
• Ron Smotek: Photo Analysis
• Richard Smotek: Research
• Wayne Aho: Founder and President of the New Life Foundation
• Alvin Thibodeaux, Caprice Thibodeaux, Golda Brinson: Witnesses in Federal Way/Des Moines sighting.
• Mark Hager, David Mariin: Gladstone police officers involved in a significant sighting.
• Max Steichert, David Huckstep: County Sheriff's deputies involved in the Gladstone sighting.
• Evelyn Holm: Witness in Des Moines retirement home sighting.
• John Still: Witness in Walton, Kentucky sighting.
• Harriet Legler: Witness in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota sighting.
• George Legler: Writer of a letter to the editor regarding a sighting.
• Anna Ricketts: Witness in New Castle, Kentucky sighting.
• Richard Hewitt, Lori Hewitt: Witnesses in Nevada County, California sighting.
• Michael Giacomini, Patrick Czarnowski, Dave Butler, Pam Butler, Ed Vaughn, Pam Vaughn: Witnesses in Nevada County, California sighting.
• Franck Fontaine: Individual who reported a UFO encounter and subsequent memory lapse.
• Pete Mazzola: Director of the Scientific Bureau of Investigation.
• Jim Fillow: International Director of the Scientific Bureau of Investigation.
• Dan Wright: Mutual UFO Network.
• Lt. Col. H.V. Jensen: Acting commander in chief of Denmark's military forces in Greenland.
• Leo Thorsager: Meteorologist.

Organizations Mentioned

• A.P.I.C.I. (Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center)
• New Life Foundation
• Northeastern UFO Organization
• Page Research Library
• U.S. Air Force
• Sea-Tac air traffic control tower
• Scientific Bureau of Investigation
• Mutual UFO Network
• Beale Air Force Base
• K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base
• Delta County Sheriff's Department
• Escanaba Public Safety Department
• Gladstone Public Safety Department

Locations Mentioned

• Cleveland, Ohio, USA
• Katoomba, Australia
• Perth, Australia
• Nullarbor Plain, Australia
• Kempsey, Australia
• Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
• Federal Way, Washington, USA
• Des Moines, Washington, USA
• Mt. Rainier, Washington, USA
• Chehalis, Washington, USA
• Afghanistan
• Iran
• Puget Sound, Washington, USA
• Gladstone, Michigan, USA
• Walton, Kentucky, USA
• Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, USA
• Callaway, Minnesota, USA
• Audubon, Minnesota, USA
• Height of Land, Minnesota, USA
• Lake Park, Minnesota, USA
• Nevada City, California, USA
• Yuba River, California, USA
• Beale Air Force Base, California, USA
• Godthaab, Greenland
• Cergy-Pontoise, France
• Howell, Michigan, USA
• Belle Plaine, Iowa, USA
• New Castle, Kentucky, USA

Object Characteristics

• Shape: Disk-like, round, cigar-shaped.
• Color: Red, white, blue, orange-red, bluish-green, bright red with a bluish cast.
• Size Estimate: About the size of a 50 cent piece at a distance of a mile or two; about the size of the moon.
• Behavior: Hovering, moving abruptly, oscillating, descending vertically, rising up, traveling laterally, zig-zagging, erratic course, abrupt turns, fast ascending and descending maneuvers, moving up and down, changing direction, moving west, disappeared at high speed, appeared to break in half.
• Speed Estimate: Phenomenal bursts of acceleration, took off at tremendous speed, increased and decreased speed.
• Altitude Estimate: About 45 degrees above the horizon; at least five miles away; about 8,000 to 9,000 feet; about 1,000 to 2,000 feet; about twenty feet from the ground.
• Electromagnetic Effects: Not specified.
• Physical Trace Evidence: Not specified.

Themes

• UFO Sightings
• Unidentified Flying Objects
• Witness Testimonies
• Government Cover-up

Tags

UFO, flying object, sighting, witness, police, radar, Gladstone, Federal Way, Des Moines, Nevada County, Greenland, Michigan, Ohio, Washington, 1980

Key Incidents

• March 1980, Federal Way and Des Moines areas, Washington, USA: At least eight people reported seeing unusual lights in the sky over a six-week period, with one sighting lasting 15-20 minutes and described as a bright, beaming, blue object that faded and brightened.
• February 9, 1980, Des Moines, Washington, USA: Two women saw a bright red object with a bluish cast, estimated to be about the size of the moon, which appeared to break in half before disappearing.
• March 1980, Gladstone, Michigan, USA: Four police officers and several citizens observed a brightly colored, swiftly moving, unidentified flying object for nearly an hour, exhibiting speeds and maneuvers impossible for known aircraft.
• March 10, 1980, Walton, Kentucky, USA: A resident reported a stationary, bright, brilliant object in the sky for two hours, which was not picked up by radar.
• March 11, 1980, Walton, Kentucky, USA: The same resident reported seeing the bright object again for two and a half hours.
• March 7, 1980, Callaway-Audubon-Height of Land areas, Minnesota, USA: Residents reported noticing a 'bright flash of light' in the sky.
• March 11, 1980, East of Lake Park, Minnesota, USA: Two residents observed a bright light east of Lake Park for three to five minutes, which did not seem to be moving.
• January 22, 1980, Nevada County, California, USA: Eight people reported seeing multicolored flying objects with red, white, and blue lights hovering and moving quickly across the sky.
• February 1980, Nevada County, California, USA: Six people reported seeing a white light followed by a pulsing red light, which joined with a blue light to form a triangle before disappearing.
• Since January 1, 1980, Greenland: Residents along Greenland's west coast have been reporting seeing bright objects in the sky, ranging from twin flying objects to oval vehicles.

Notable Quote

"It wasn't any aircraft that I ever saw before,' the key word there is 'aircraft,' he did not say light or anything like that, he said 'aircraft'."

Speaker: Officer (quoted by Jim Fillow)

FAQ

• Question: What is the A.P.I.C.I. and what is its purpose? Answer: A.P.I.C.I. stands for Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center. It is a clipping service that publishes news releases monthly, focusing on UFOs and related phenomena.
• Question: What was the most significant UFO sighting reported in this issue? Answer: The most significant reported sighting involved six police officers and several citizens in Gladstone, Michigan, who witnessed a brightly colored, swiftly moving, unidentified flying object for nearly an hour, exhibiting impossible aerial maneuvers.
• Question: Are there any reports of UFOs being detected by radar? Answer: Several reports indicate that UFOs were not detected by radar, or that radar systems were reportedly turned off, leading to speculation about government cover-ups or the sophisticated nature of the objects.
• Question: What is the New Life Foundation's stance on UFO sightings? Answer: Major Wayne Aho, founder and president of the New Life Foundation, believes that UFO sightings are connected to world crises and that extraterrestrial intelligences are attempting to alert humanity to other goals beyond destruction.

This issue of the Sonora Union-Democrat, dated March 24, 1980, focuses on a significant increase in reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) across Tuolumne County, California. The cover story, "Local Reports of Unidentified Flying Objects Multiply" by Diane Bennett, details numerous sightings received by the local chapter of the Mutual Unidentified Flying Objects Network (MUFON).

Local UFO Sightings in Tuolumne County

MUFON director Mary Taylor reported that the number of UFO reports in Tuolumne County was the largest since a satellite re-entry was sighted the previous year. She noted that numerous UFOs had also been reported in Northern California during the preceding week. The local reports detailed sightings on Thursday, March 13, Sunday, March 16, and early Wednesday morning.

Taylor praised the witnesses for their careful descriptions, noting that they were doing a good job of explaining why the sightings were not refueling or search and rescue operations. Four separate sightings were reported in the southwest part of the county.

One suggestion for the sightings came from a Moccasin powerhouse operator who proposed they might be military aircraft refueling operations. Military bases were unable to confirm or deny practicing in the area on Thursday night, though they acknowledged refueling operations are common.

Thursday, March 13 Sightings:

• Pine Mountain Lake Couple: A couple and their 8-year-old son reported seeing four objects between 6:45 and 7 p.m. while driving east of Groveland. The first object was estimated to be 300-400 feet long. They initially saw an object hovering over a mountain, described as a pale green light that faded to yellowish white, with green and red-orange lights along its body. Porthole-type windows were visible, emitting a pale yellow glow.
• Cuesta Serena Subdivision Resident: A resident reported a sighting between 6:45 and 7 p.m. of a low hovering object about 150 yards away with round windows, described as cone-shaped. The object appeared to barely clear a hill when it took off.
• Jacksonville Road Sighting: A woman driving home saw a low bright light hanging at tree level between 6:30 and 7 p.m. She had previously seen a plane and helicopter in the area, which matched the description of refueling operations, but this bright light was different.
• Chinese Camp Couple: A couple and their daughter spotted an object at 6:45 p.m. while driving along Montezuma Road. They first saw a plane, then a bright, stationary light, and another object traveling to meet it.

Sunday, March 16 Sightings:

• Chicken Ranch Road Area: A local man and his 19-year-old son, heading towards Modesto, spotted two red and white lights in the sky, estimated to be five to 10 miles away, heading northbound and low in the sky.
• LaGrange Road: Three other individuals reported seeing strange lights. A brother and sister reported a bright light followed them along LaGrange Road from the Snelling area to near Highway 103.
• Rancho Sonora Estates: A Sonora woman reported seeing a triangular-shaped object in the sky between 8 and 9 p.m. as she headed home. The object was described as huge and hovering about tree level. Taylor speculated this might have been one of the craft joining others at the LaGrange Road intersection.

Additional Sightings:

• Sherwood Forest Area: A woman reported being awakened around 1:30 a.m. by a sound like a flying helicopter. She saw an object resembling the "moon with two eyes on in," which she watched for about 30 minutes before it took off southeast. The object was bright with green and white lights and at a level higher than pine trees.
• Rolling Hills Subdivision: A couple saw two objects out of their bedroom window from about 3 to 3:30 a.m. Wednesday. The objects were described as much bigger and brighter than anything else in the sky, beside each other, and pulsating. They were observed for about 30 minutes.

Other UFO Reports from Across the US

The issue also includes reports from other regions:

• Craig, Colorado (March 27, 1980): The Moffat County Sheriff's Department received a call from a resident who reported seeing lights in the sky west of her home. Deputies investigated but did not observe any suspicious lights.

• Gray, Georgia (April 3, 1980): Residents reported seeing a huge ball of light moving about five to 10 miles per hour toward Macon. James Balkcom described a sphere about the size of a two-story house, about 300 feet above a residence. Mildred and Mr. Evans also saw the sphere, describing bright lights coming from the center, changing from red to green. Mrs. Evans reported hissing and whirling sounds as it moved away. Mrs. Jo Garner reported seeing lighted objects several times, including one on March 13 that came over the treetops from Milledgeville. A motorist reported being "chased" by an unidentified flying object from Athens to Gray. Bob Hunnicutt was investigating these sightings.

• Giddings, Texas (April 3, 1980): Two families reported seeing a bright lighted object hovering in the air about 10 p.m. last Thursday night. The object was described as bright and fixed, hovering higher than tree-top level. Other neighbors also noticed the object. The object disappeared by 10:15 p.m. The Sheriff's Department had received a similar report three months prior.

• Burlington, Iowa (April 3, 1980): A Union couple, David and Jackie Stulz, reported a close encounter with an unknown creature. They heard a strange sound and something shaking their trailer. Mr. Stulz saw a large, black animal enter the river. Officer Jack Prindle suspected a large dog was responsible. The couple reported similar unusual noises in the past.

• Cave Junction, Oregon (April 10, 1980): The pilot of a light aircraft crossing the Siskiyous reported sighting an unidentified flying object Wednesday evening. The pilot described a "black object, moving at an extremely high rate of speed" that came right at his aircraft, then "veered off" and disappeared through a hole in the clouds. Joe Brubaker, assistant chief air traffic controller at Seattle, stated that a controller received the report but the object was not sighted on radar, suggesting it might have been the aircraft's own shadow due to layered clouds at sunset.

• Escanaba, Michigan (April 14, 1980): An informational program on UFOs was scheduled for April 29 at Bay de Noc Community College, featuring UFO investigators Jim Fillow and Pete Mazzola. They had previously investigated a sighting over Gladstone, calling it one of the most important in years. Gladstone police officers Mark Hager and Dave Mariin, who sighted the UFO, were also scheduled to speak.

• Logan, Utah (February 20, 1980): Several Hyde Park residents experienced a UFO sighting. Jerry and Dallas Allen saw a large, orange illuminated form with a shaft of light and a ball-like shape on the end. Gail Dalley described a sphere about one-third the diameter of the moon, hot molten lava color on the bottom, with a rounded top and a narrow orange band. Kim and Tami Lamb and their father, Marlo, also witnessed a large, orange thing appearing in the sky. The object was estimated to be one-fourth to one-third the size of the moon. Frank Salisbury, a professor of plant physiology at Utah State University, suggested the sightings might have been amateur hot-air balloons, noting that the descriptions fit, but acknowledged that without physical evidence, a definite conclusion couldn't be reached. He did not discount the existence of UFOs but suggested this particular sighting likely had a conventional explanation.

• Cumberland, Maryland (April 3, 1980): Three residents reported sighting unidentified flying objects. Bob Shaw reported seeing three or four lights in the Laurel Run area.

• King City, Missouri (April 11, 1980): Kermit and Sally Wells reported seeing a shining mass of light in the sky that illuminated their entire yard. The mass changed colors from whitish to brilliant orange. Neighbors reported a greenish glowing "thing" hovering over outbuildings. The Wells attempted to relocate the object without success. The animals in a nearby lot appeared agitated. The Tri-County News contacted the U.S. Weather Bureau, which found no weather balloons in the area. Robert Gribble from the National UFO Reporting Center described the mass of light with changing colors as a common UFO sighting description and noted that disturbances of animals are often associated with UFO events.

• Gladstone, Michigan (March 12, 1980): Four local law enforcement officials reported sighting and following a UFO. Officers Dave Mariin and Mark Hager described a bright light that banked left, showing a green light on the rear and red lights on the sides. They estimated its size to be that of a football field or four football fields. They could hear no noise while the object hovered. Undersheriff Roger Good and deputies Max Steichert and Dave Huckstep also observed the object for about eight minutes before it ascended and disappeared. The UFO Center in Chicago expressed interest due to the number of reports and the fact that law enforcement officials were witnesses.

• Oconto Falls, Wisconsin (April 9, 1980): Residents at Kelly Lake heard a terrific roar and saw a cigar-shaped object with large bright windows, apparently without wings, that climbed fast to the southwest.

Investigator's Perspectives and Theories

Henry "Punky" Morton, a UFO investigator, stated that an average of 50 UFO reports are made annually in his area, with about a hundred incidents occurring daily worldwide. He estimated only one out of 25 reports are documented. Morton believes UFOs have been seen since ancient times and that increased scientific understanding has made people more receptive to the idea. He noted that a Gallup Poll in the 70s indicated 55 percent of Americans believed in UFOs. Morton explained that while many sightings can be explained by natural phenomena, about 30 percent of unexplained cases involve landings or daylight sightings. He mentioned North Carolina was once the second state in frequency of UFO reports. He described common UFO characteristics, including shiny discs and whirling sounds.

Morton discussed the origin of the term "flying saucer" from Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting. He criticized government reports as vague and suggested that civilian investigating groups formed due to the lack of concrete answers. Morton proposed three possible explanations for government secrecy: ignorance, contact with another planet, or a desire to prevent public panic. He cited documented incidents, including an acrobatic show witnessed by 8,000 fans in South America and a "Snoopy" police helicopter incident in Charlotte involving two UFOs.

Morton addressed the question of why UFOs don't make direct contact, likening it to observing wildlife in Africa. He suggested that beings from advanced civilizations might view humans as an archaeological or psychological curiosity. He believes UFOs avoid confrontation to prevent global panic and disruption of religious and philosophical concepts. Morton speculated that UFOs might be monitoring Earth's development or are from different planets, possibly just amusing themselves.

Frank Salisbury, a professor of plant physiology, suggested that many UFO sightings can be explained. He noted the visibility of planets like Jupiter, Mars, and Venus. However, he stated that the described movements of the objects did not match planetary behavior and the duration of sightings ruled out meteorites. Salisbury proposed that the sightings in Utah might have been amateur hot-air balloons, citing their potential for serious fire hazards. He also mentioned that the government has a toll-free number for reporting UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the increasing number of UFO sightings, the variety of descriptions provided by witnesses, and the ongoing efforts by investigators and organizations like MUFON to document and understand these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting the facts and witness accounts, while also presenting possible explanations, ranging from military activity and natural phenomena to the more speculative theories about extraterrestrial intelligence. The inclusion of reports from various states indicates a broader interest in the topic beyond the local area.

This document compiles several newspaper articles from April 1980 detailing numerous UFO sightings across the United States and the United Kingdom. The articles highlight witness accounts, official explanations, and the growing public interest in unidentified flying objects.

UFO Reported off North Shore (The Garden Island, April 4, 1980)

This article reports on a UFO sighting off Port Allen, Hawaii. Alan Reiser and Lou Kono of Ha'ena described an object hovering above the ocean, brighter than any star, with a bright white light that sometimes flashed red. They watched it for ten minutes near Lumaha'i Beach. The object eventually "faded... like someone dimmed the light" and became invisible. Reiser noted the similarity to a 1975 sighting reported in the same newspaper, where Florence Hamamoto of 'Ele'ele also reported a bell-shaped object hovering. The 1975 object had light sides and a dark center. Reiser, who had never before seen an unidentified flying object, was prompted to report his experience after reading about the 1975 incident.

Strangest Story of the Week (Buffalo, MO. Reflex, April 17, 1980)

A man from Buffalo, Missouri, who preferred to remain anonymous, reported a possible UFO sighting near his father-in-law's farm in northeast Polk County, west of Louisburg. The object, described as a "very bright light" like a planet but brighter than any other celestial body, appeared in the northwest sky over the Pittsburg area. Initially bright white, it moved slowly northward and began blinking red. After five minutes, it appeared to move farther away and become smaller, then turned solid red, and later blinking red. It then moved away quickly and disappeared, only to reappear blinking on and off, still a red light. After another disappearance, it reappeared and then vanished again. The man, his wife, and his parents-in-law witnessed the event. They are described as sane, rational individuals. The skies were clear, and no explanation was offered, though the article speculates about interplanetary craft or natural phenomena.

Watchful Eyes on the Skies (Gladstone, Mich. Delta Reporter, March 19, 1980)

Following a UFO sighting over Gladstone the previous week, residents have been actively watching the skies. The Delta County Sheriff's Department has received numerous calls from people reporting "something weird." Carlton Mineau of the Gladstone Police Department stated that callers are sincere and ask for sightings to be checked. Many residents now automatically look out their windows at 3 a.m. to check for lights. Investigations by law enforcement agencies have often revealed the lights to be street light reflections or stars. Mineau recalled a personal sighting of a light on the bay years ago that turned out to be the morning star. However, he noted that the recent reports from officers last week were not explainable by such common phenomena. The officers who reported the sighting have been inundated with calls from across the country. State Police mentioned astrological explanations, like Venus being close to Earth, for some sightings.

UFO? Residents say yes, officials call it plane with banner (Anchorage, Alaska News, April 21, 1980)

This article details a bright, lighted object seen over south Anchorage, Alaska, on a Friday night, prompting about 50 residents to report it as a UFO. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Anchorage Police Department, and Alaska State Troopers all received calls. FAA Duty Officer Bill Schofield stated it was an airplane towing a lighted banner. However, at least four local residents disagreed, describing the object as round, tilting in different directions, and silent, unlike a conventional airplane. Doris Coles and her sons saw it clearly through binoculars, noting its quietness and round, tilting shape. Don Coles, Doris's son, distinguished it from an airplane towing a banner he saw on Saturday night. A local resident who wished to remain anonymous reported seeing an object hovering about 30 feet off the ground with lights spinning around, stating it was not a conventional aircraft and made no sound. A student also reported seeing the object, not an airplane, with a "light moaning noise." FAA's Schofield described the object as oblong and determined it was the banner-towing plane due to callers describing its movement as "waving" or "undulating." Officer Wade Lacey of the Anchorage Police Department also concluded it was an airplane.

Was It A Plane? At Bowmantown? (Greenville, Tenn. Sun, April 22, 1980)

Several Greene County residents responded to a previous article about a possible UFO in Bowmantown. One woman reported seeing a white light that appeared to be three smaller lights blinking in sequence, low in the night sky. She initially thought it was something strange but later realized it was an airplane with a dim red tail light. Other reports from travelers indicated the vehicle was a plane with its landing lights on. The article notes that in all instances, the vehicle appeared as one bright light until it came closer, at which point its airplane shape became discernible.

Another U.F.O. sighting - over Forfar (Dundee Courier Advertiser, April 1, 1980)

An off-duty policeman, P.C. David Cathro, reported a UFO sighting over Forfar, UK, on a Saturday evening. He saw a "strange orange glow" in the sky that faded to a pinpoint and then re-emerged as a bright glow with four lights. He described it as appearing to hover and float about two to three miles away. His wife and neighbors also witnessed it and were baffled. The object was described as rugby-ball shaped with a white top and a glowing orange base. Police confirmed no aircraft were reported in the area.

Yellow light in the sky! (Chelmsford Evening Herald, April 14, 1980)

A UFO was spotted over Marconi's Rivenhall Airfield. Night security guard John Cluro reported seeing a strange object flash across the sky. He described it as a "yellow light" that fell away after 30 seconds at 12:30 a.m. Marconi spokesmen stated that if anything appears to land in the disused airfield area, they contact Luton Airport, which then reports it to the police for checks.

MYSTERY LIGHT OVER ENGLAND (Evening Express, Aberdeen, April 10, 1980)

A light, described as almost as bright as the sun, was seen over northern England. In Manchester, 40 people called the police reporting flare flashes. A South Wales police spokesman suggested it was likely a meteorite shower burning up in the Earth's atmosphere.

Fireball lights sky (Evening Courier, Halifax, England, April 11, 1980)

A "ball of white fire" was spotted over Halifax and other parts of the North. Mr. Brian Sanders described seeing a gold-colored object with blue and red on the edges. In Manchester, 40 people reported seeing flashes as bright as the sun. Police, fire, and ambulance services were called to a field in Stockport where an object was said to have landed, but nothing was found. Air traffic controllers noted the sky was brilliantly lit for a few seconds. The explanation offered was that an unusually large piece of space debris had re-entered the atmosphere. An RAF spokesman reported two separate meteor showers.

MANY SEE 'UFO' HOVER OVER OIL PORT (Western Mail, Cardiff, March 31, 1980)

Investigations were to begin into a UFO sighting in West Wales. Many people in Milford Haven reported seeing a bright object in the sky on Saturday night. Local UFO investigator Randall Jones Pugh called it one of the best reports so far, with at least 10 people in one street reportedly watching the UFO for over 30 minutes as it hovered. Independent sketches by one family were similar. A schoolboy described it as high in the sky with an orange and red light on top. RAF Brawdy stated a helicopter may have passed over, but not for that duration. The Civil Aviation Authority had no record of anything extraordinary.

Villagers in UFO mystery (Peterborough Evening Telegraph, April 8, 1980)

Four villagers in Yaxley reported seeing an unidentified object hovering over the village for several minutes. Mrs. Lian Hyde and her husband Tim saw a flashing white light. UFO expert John Barton predicted an increase in UFO activity in the Peterborough area. Police had no reports, and RAF Wittering stated nothing was in the air.

Giant UFO seen over Marshall's airfield (Cambridge News, January 25, 1980)

A Cambridge bus conductress, Miss Elaine Granger, and bus driver Ron Andrews reported seeing a giant, glowing UFO, shaped like a semi-circle, hovering low over Marshall's Airport. They described it as a large, orange shape. It shot away very fast, then reappeared, glowing red, and moved slowly. They could not identify it as an aircraft, noting it was bigger than a house and made a low whirring noise. Marshall's Airport had closed at 6 p.m. that day, and no reports of anything over the airfield had been received.

U.F.O. hunt after sighting by policeman (Dundee Courier Advertiser, March 31, 1980)

An off-duty police officer from Tayside Police, along with two milk boys, reported a UFO sighting west of Dundee. The officer and his wife were awakened by a "hollow metal hum" and saw four "glows" moving in a diamond formation. The noises grew louder and changed pitch. One light detached and moved smoothly down to ground level near Benvie, disappearing with noises. The object was described as dull lights, possibly metallic objects reflecting the moon, about three-quarters of a mile away. A spokesman for RAF Leuchars confirmed no air traffic in the area. A police search proved negative. Two milk boys also reported hearing similar noises. An anonymous caller reported a "buzzing-cum-whooshing" noise.

Lights in sky a UFO? (Harlow West Essex Gazette, April 11, 1980)

Mrs. Marion Mills reported seeing a huge, brightly-lit, noiseless flying object from her window in Harlow. She described it as a jumbo-jet sized object flying low, about the height of a plane coming in to land. It was round with a ring of bright lights, possibly 20-30. She is sure it was not an airplane. Her five-year-old daughter Sarah also saw the bright lights. Mrs. Mills wonders if anyone else saw it.

Objects in sky startled teenage brothers (Grantham Journal, April 18, 1980)

Peter Watkin (18) and his brother Kevin (17) reported seeing two distinct objects in the sky near Barrowby Lodge Farm. The first was a roundish object emitting a white light with illuminated yellow portholes. The second had a long white illuminated tail and seemed to be climbing. They sketched both objects but did not report the sighting to anyone.

Riders in the sky (Northern Despatch Darlington, April 7, 1980)

Aircraft expert Derek Read, who previously didn't believe in UFOs, reported seeing something speeding low in the skies above Darlington. He described a "spherical, global shape with flickering fairlyland-type lights." It sped along at about 2,000ft, gradually dropping to 1,500ft, and then stopped about two miles away for about three-quarters of an hour. He watched it through binoculars and noted jet noise coming from high above. He stated it was definitely not an aeroplane. Teesside Airport and RAF Leeming denied knowledge of any aircraft activity at that time. The article suggests the sightings might be correlated with paramilitary or civil activity, but not in this case.

'The night I saw a UFO' (Northern Despatch Darlington, April 7, 1980)

This section continues the report from Derek Read, who saw a "spherical, global shape with flickering fairlyland-type lights" speeding low over Darlington. He described it as not being an aeroplane and stated it was not a hoax. He had always treated UFOs with doubt but this experience changed his mind. Airport and RAF spokesmen denied knowledge of any aircraft activity. The article mentions that the sightings could be paramilitary or civil activity, but not in this instance.

Goodness gracious-great balls of fire (The Star Sheffield, April 10, 1980)

Vivid "flashes in the sky" were seen over Sheffield, surprising astronomers who were not expecting a meteor shower for another ten days. Dr. David Hughes of Sheffield University suggested the flashes were caused by meteors or spacecraft debris falling to Earth. Eye witness reports were considered valuable for astronomers. Sightings came from Sheffield, Derbyshire, and North Yorkshire. One Derbyshire policeman described the flashes as "Sheet lightening." The article notes that the flashes were likely caused by meteors.

Police see suspected U.F.O.s (Hartlepool Mail, April 10, 1980)

Mystery lights gave a police patrol a "close encounter." Officers reported seeing suspected unidentified flying objects in the night sky over Durham. Police forces were flooded with inquiries about flashing lights seen across Durham and Lancashire. Newcastle Weather Centre suggested the sightings were of space debris burning up in the atmosphere, a phenomenon that happens periodically.

Carl's picture of an invader (Northern Echo Darlington, March 15, 1980)

A nine-year-old boy, Carl Williams, reportedly saw a UFO over Cleashy, North Yorkshire, and drew a picture of it. His stepfather, Bill Wilson, confirmed Carl's account, describing the object as bright orange, claw-shaped with a white trail. Three other callers backed up a report from Marilyn Shackleton, who saw a bright orange and white oval light hovering. The sightings were to be passed to the British UFO Society. Carl described the object as hovering for four or five minutes. Margaret Richards also reported seeing a similar strange light moving in the sky.

Tyersal woman spots UFO (Bradford Telegraph + Argus, March 15, 1980)

Mrs. Jane Holdsworth, 84, of Tyersal, reported seeing a brightly-lit red object travelling swiftly across the sky near her home. She described it as revolving very quickly and stated it was definitely not an aircraft. The sighting occurred around 8:30 p.m. She often watches the stars but had not seen anything like this before.

Strange end to midnight drive (Worcester Evening News, April 1980)

Ian Hawker reported a strange experience during a midnight drive through Worcestershire. He saw a large bright ball with a long stem appear on the horizon. He and his girlfriend both felt an eerie sensation. He noted other people around who seemed panicked. Hawker's description matched objects spotted recently in the Evesham area, where Mr. Gordon Gregory keeps records of UFO sightings. Gregory noted that bright round objects with a cigar-like stem are frequently reported, and that sightings increase during longer evenings and clear skies. He is considering starting a UFO club.

Floodlit sky leads to county UFO alert (Worcester Evening News, April 10, 1980)

Police in West Mercia received four separate reports of UFO sightings over the area between midnight and 1 a.m., described as a "ball of fire" or "an orange flash." These reports included one from night duty officers. Initial thoughts were of a plane crash, but air traffic control and local airfields had no knowledge of any civilian or military aircraft in trouble. London air traffic experts confirmed similar reports from other areas. Investigations were ongoing, with no immediate rational explanation. Mr. Chris Mowbray described seeing a "ball of light with a meteorite-type tail" over Worcestershire, possibly greenish in color. Birmingham's Edgbaston Observatory could offer no explanation for the phenomenon based on weather conditions. Worcester's Skyscan group stated UFO reports would be investigated.

UFO over Flixton (Stretford & Urmston Journal, April 17, 1980)

Mr. Ken Stewart and his wife, Janet, reported seeing a large, bright, white balloon-type craft descending silently behind houses in Flixton. Mrs. Stewart described the light as so bright she had to get up and see it. She stated she had never seen anything like it before. The object was seen at approximately 12:30 a.m. She compared it to familiar red glows from Shell but noted this was "something quite different." Reports from the North-west mentioned blue flashes, rumblings, and "bumps in the night." Experts at Jodrell Bank dismissed fears of invaders, attributing the phenomena to meteorites or man-made space hardware.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

A recurring theme across these articles is the contrast between the detailed, often vivid, accounts from witnesses and the more mundane explanations offered by official sources such as police, military, and aviation authorities. These explanations frequently cite conventional aircraft, weather phenomena (like meteor showers or atmospheric conditions), or misidentification of celestial bodies. However, the sheer volume and consistency of some reports, coupled with the insistence of witnesses on the unusual nature of their sightings, suggest a persistent public fascination and a degree of unresolved mystery surrounding UFO phenomena. The articles generally present the witness accounts factually, while also including the official perspectives, creating a balanced, albeit often inconclusive, narrative.

Editorial stances vary, but there's a general tendency to report the events without definitive judgment, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. Some articles express skepticism or lean towards official explanations, while others highlight the baffling nature of the sightings and the credibility of the witnesses.

Title: EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
Issue Date: January 19, 1980
Volume: 3/28
Cover Headline: Have we covered up too long for UFOs?

This issue of the Edinburgh Evening News, dated January 19, 1980, features a prominent cover story by Judson Bennett questioning the extent of government secrecy surrounding UFO phenomena. The magazine presents a collection of recent UFO sightings from around the world, highlighting eyewitness accounts and the challenges in obtaining official explanations.

Key Articles and Reports

Livingston, Scotland: Bob Taylor's Close Encounter

The lead story details the baffling experience of Bob Taylor, a forestry worker from Livingston, Scotland. Taylor claimed to have been rendered unconscious after a close encounter with two strange, cylindrical objects that emerged from a stationary craft. Police investigating the incident discovered mysterious marks in a forest clearing, including grass pressed down in parallel ladder-like patterns and four holes indicating supporting struts, consistent with Taylor's description of the objects' landing gear. Senior police officers stated they could find no satisfactory explanation and were certain Taylor was not a hoaxer.

International Sightings

Saudi Arabia: "Multi-coloured objects" were reported streaking across the sky above Al-Jahra.

Norway: Strange blobs were detected flashing at over 100 miles an hour on radar screens at the town of Bodo.

United Kingdom (Derby): A kite-like object with four amber lights, described as "menacing and slow-moving," was reported.

Spain: Captain Javier Tejada of a Spanish Caravelle reported being threatened by two piercing red lights that forced his aircraft to make an emergency landing at Valencia. The object was tracked by Madrid radar. Later, hundreds in Madrid claimed to have seen a circular object emitting blue light flashes.

France: M. Frank Fontaine reported a bizarre experience in Clergy Pontoise, Val d'Oise, where he felt a strong tingling in his eyes and blacked out after spotting a light the size of a tennis court that approached his car.

Expert Opinions and Government Secrecy

An UFO expert in Edinburgh suggested Bob Taylor might have seen ball lightning. The Aetherius Society, an international UFO-spotting organisation, noted an increase in sightings and highlighted the Spanish Caravelle incident. Richard Lawrence, a senior member, criticized the destruction of Ministry of Defence UFO files in the UK and called for governments to be more open. He stated, "We are pressing governments everywhere to set up an international investigations committee to look into the entire topic of UFOs."

US Government Document Releases

The article mentions that the Pentagon, under pressure from the Freedom of Information Act, has been forced to release Department of Defence documents to Ground Saucer Watch. These documents reportedly revealed that in 1975, a string of sensitive nuclear missile launch sites and bomber bases in the US had apparently been visited by UFOs, leading to extensive air force attempts to trace them.

Iranian Air Force Encounter

A year prior to the publication, two Iranian Air Force F-4 Phantom fighters encountered a brightly lit object over the Persian Gulf. The object was tracked by Iranian radar and seen by an airliner crew. The F-4s experienced electrical system breakdowns when they neared the object.

Local Sightings and Investigations

The issue also includes reports from various UK newspapers detailing local sightings:

• Whitstable Times: Two schoolboys, Jeremy Rigden and Trevor Mulford, reported seeing two strong beams of light moving towards Thanet Way.
• Northern Despatch (Darlington): Skywatchers reported a "pyramid" of eight lights drifting silently through the sky.
• Bradford Telegraph & Argus: A UFO was spotted over Baildon Moor and Ilkley Moor, described as a cluster of red flashing lights.
• Evening Gazette (Teesside): Miss Marilyn Shackleston reported seeing a bright orange and white oval object hovering over the A1 Motorway.
• Stoke-on-Trent Evening Sentinel: A report from the Gratton area described an orange-coloured object emitting a powerful beam of white light.
• Gloucester Echo (Cheltenham): The Charlton Kings family reported seeing a series of 15 objects, described as bright lights of different colours, flying over their area.
• Cambridge News: A Histon couple claimed to have seen a UFO hovering over Teversham, and two 12-year-old girls reported seeing two similar objects.
• Lancashire Evening Telegraph (Blackburn): A three-piece band reported seeing a large bright light that curved across the sky, emitting a coloured glow.
• Liverpool Echo: Reports of UFOs in Wirral, with the Merseyside Investigatory Group forming a local branch.
• Glasgow Evening Times: A policeman in Easter Ross reported seeing a yellow-glowing round object.
• Surrey Daily Advertiser (Guildford): Sightings of a strange, cigar-shaped object near Charterhouse School sparked an investigation.
• South Wales Argus (Newport): Pontypool police received a report of a large, bright red, cigar-shaped object resembling a rocket.
• Bradford Telegraph & Argus: Mrs. Lorna Mandel claimed to have seen a circular object with a glowing centre and shimmering edges land in a field near Bradford. Mr. and Mrs. Alan Tomlinson reported seeing a rose-pink, flickering object over Baildon Moor.
• Hereford Evening News: Sylvia Turner reported seeing a blinding light hovering in the sky over Worcester.

Time to Come Clean

Investigator Todd Zechel of Ground Saucer Watch commented on the difficulty of obtaining information. Richard Lawrence of the Aetherius Society questioned why Ministry of Defence UFO files were destroyed and noted that the United Nations has a Committee for Peaceful Uses of Outer Space that monitors UFO reports. He advocated for international investigations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings across diverse locations, the consistent descriptions of objects (often circular, cigar-shaped, or characterized by lights), and the perceived reluctance of governments to disclose information. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging openness and investigation into these phenomena, highlighting the growing number of reports and the potential significance of UFOs. The article implicitly suggests that the public has a right to know and that the era of complete secrecy may be drawing to a close.