APCIC - Vol 05 No 09 - 1980

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue: Volume 5, no. 9
Date: September 1980
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

This issue of UFO NEWS delves into various UFO sightings, alleged encounters, and related phenomena, featuring reports from different regions and perspectives, including a critical examination of UFOlogy itself.

Featured Articles and Reports

Loma Rica Family Cites UFO Sightings

This article by Betty Hicks details an experience of the Budro family in Loma Rica, California. Joyce Budro describes seeing a UFO on a clear Thursday night, initially mistaking it for a star. The object, described as "all lit up on top with white, yellowish, green and red lights" and having no lights on the bottom, passed over their house at an estimated 1,000 feet. Jack Budro confirmed the sighting with binoculars. Their daughter, Renee, later saw another UFO with only white lights hovering in a field, which then moved towards them with a bright beam. Joyce expressed frustration that official agencies like Beale Air Force Base and the FBI did not offer assistance or explanation. She also noted the UFO appeared to be on the same flight path as Beale planes. The next morning, Renee reported seeing two more objects hovering over the road near their home.

UFO Hoax That Fooled 'Experts'

Robert C. Cowen reports on the Warminster incident in England, where a flying saucer sighting in 1970 was later revealed to be a hoax orchestrated by physicist David I. Simpson. The incident involved a staged purple spotlight, a bogus magnetic field detector, and pre-exposed photos. Simpson's study, published in The Skeptical Inquirer, highlights the human tendency to see what one wants to believe and criticizes the gullibility of some UFO investigators, warning against "irrational thinking" that can lead to misinterpretations of aerial phenomena. The article concludes that as of spring 1980, no scientifically credible evidence of outer space visitations has been presented, and the credibility of UFOlogy remains questionable.

Fearful Town Breaks Its Long Silence Over Chilling Wave of Sightings

Michael Munro reports on a series of UFO sightings in the small township of Hillsboro, New Hampshire. Residents have reported numerous sightings of glowing, oval-shaped objects. Police Chief Willard Campbell calls for a federal investigation, stating that "too many respectable people have seen too many of these UFOs to be laughed at." The article recounts specific incidents, including a couple who felt terrified as a UFO hovered over their truck, and 30 townsfolk who witnessed several brightly-colored objects hovering. Campbell himself described seeing two glowing objects in a valley in 1976, which disappeared without leaving tracks. Another account details a bright object described as a "great ball of light" that came within 20 feet of a car, defying gravity.

'Thing' Seen by 2 Women - A UFO or Airplane?

This article from the San Francisco Chronicle by Phyllis Uyemura and Joan Boughner recounts their sighting of an object over Sacramento, California. Boughner insists it was a UFO, describing it as silver, oblong, about 15 feet across, with holes in the bottom that appeared to be open bomb bays. It hovered about 10-15 feet above them without noise. Uyemura was less certain, suggesting it might have been a C-5 Air Force jet transport. The report notes that no official report was made at the time, but Thomas Heiman of UFO Education Center Inc. logged two other UFO reports from Northern California on July 28: one near Clear Lake and another near Santa Cruz.

Fairfield Couple Will Take Controversial Photograph to Conference of Ufologists

Ercel Eaton reports on Charles and Geri Wilhelm of Fairfield, Ohio, who are attending a conference of the Coalition of Concerned Ufologists of America. They plan to present a photograph they believe shows the charred body of an alien being, allegedly from a 1948 crash in Mexico. The photograph was reportedly given to them by a military career man who had possessed it since 1948 due to military security. The article mentions an affidavit on file regarding an unidentified flying object tracked on radar across the southwestern U.S. on July 7, 1948, which reportedly crashed in Mexico. The conference aims to unify UFO organizations and improve research, with delegates expressing distress over the lack of progress in identifying "mysterious interlopers."

Scores of UFOs Taunt Ship and Terrify Sailors

This article from Weekly World News describes an encounter in the "Ibiza Triangle" off the coast of Spain, where a merchant ship, the Tamames, reportedly played hide-and-seek with multiple UFOs for six hours. First officer Jose Luis Belizou Conde described seeing bright lights that looked like flares, followed by radar intercepts of numerous large targets that appeared and disappeared. The ship's captain confirmed the radar's reliability and the unusual nature of the event. The report also mentions a German ship in the same area losing power days earlier.

Faceless, Glowing Aliens Abduct and Bleed Painter

This report from World Weekly News details a claim by Nelson Sayego of Argentina, who alleges he was abducted by faceless, glowing creatures. He describes being frozen in his tracks, having blood drained from his body, and then being found on the hood of his car. The incident occurred amidst a rash of UFO sightings and mysterious electrical power failures in the Santa Rosa area.

'Round Thing' Sighted

A brief report from Brussels states that personnel at a Belgian Air Force base saw a "round thing" that changed color and was surrounded by a ring, hovering for seven hours. The Royal Meteorological Institute offered no explanation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO sightings as credible phenomena, often highlighting the frustration of witnesses with official agencies and the perceived lack of serious investigation. There's an underlying theme of potential government secrecy or cover-up, particularly in the context of military involvement and the Warminster hoax. The publication also showcases the efforts of private researchers and organizations to gather evidence and achieve greater credibility for UFOlogy, as seen in the upcoming conference. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging and dissecting instances of potential deception or misinterpretation within the field.

This issue of the Shrewsbury N.J. Register, dated August 6, 1980, features a prominent cover story titled "Search for UFOs ends in lifeguards' dismissal." The issue also includes reports from various other publications, such as the McPherson Kans. Sentinel, The Knoxville News Sentinel, San Bernardino Calif. Sun, The Boston Globe, New York N.Y. Star, Weekly World News, and Chico Calif. Enterprise, all pertaining to UFO sightings and related phenomena.

Cover Story: UFOs and Lifeguards in Long Branch

The main story by J. Scott Orr details an incident in Long Branch, New Jersey, where two top lifeguards were dismissed after a series of events involving a lifeboat, a crowded boardwalk, and unidentified flying objects. On the night of July 21, the department's switchboard received numerous calls about bright green lights hovering and dipping over the ocean near the pier. A crowd gathered, including Mayor Henry R. Cioffi. Simultaneously, a $2,000 lifeguard boat was reported stolen. A group of officials, including the mayor, went to investigate at Morris Avenue beach. They were followed by spectators who assumed they were investigating the UFOs. The boat was found at the beach with the two lifeguards and two women who had taken it out. Philip Sanders, director of city parks and recreation, stated that while guards sometimes use boats for practice, it requires clearance. Since the alleged boat thieves were city employees, the matter was handled departmentally. Sanders described the incident as "an unfortunate set of circumstances" and a "foolish move," stating the guards were "terminated on the spot." He added that the boat was "more misused than it was stolen," and the case was closed. The green lights were later identified as glowing signals attached to a kite flown from a nearby beach.

Other UFO Sightings and Reports

McPherson, Kans. Sentinel (August 8, 1980): Police received a report of a flashing object, apparently a UFO, flying over the First Baptist Church. A woman reported seeing an object with lights fly over the church around 1:35 a.m. Police investigated but had no further information. Dennis Fischer of Fischer Aviation reported no UFO reports but noted several planes in the area.

The Knoxville News Sentinel (August 14, 1980): A 14-year-old boy, Keith Castelle, reported seeing a white, egg-shaped object that turned "blood red" and had multiple motors. He described it as rectangular overall with two motors on each of two wings and another in the middle. His family also witnessed the object. No other UFO sightings were reported that night.

San Bernardino Calif. Sun (August 5, 1980) & Riverside Calif. Enterprise (August 6, 1980): An unidentified flying object, described as a "metallic balloon, flattened on two sides," was sighted near the observation tower at Norton Air Force Base. Two airmen and six Highland residents reported seeing the object, which hovered near a taxiway and then disappeared over the San Bernardino Mountains. It was described as about three feet in diameter, metallic, and emitting no light, but reflecting bright lights. Small dots were seen on its flat sides. The object appeared to land or hover briefly before accelerating northeast. It was tracked for about 10 minutes at 30-40 mph. The Sheriff's Department received six calls from excited residents. A sheriff's helicopter did not locate the object. The object did not appear on base radar or FAA screens.

The Boston Globe (August 11, 1980): The article "UFOs over Hillsboro: What do UFOs see in Hillsboro?" by Brad Pokorny, details numerous sightings in the central New Hampshire community. Billy Gould and Laurie Barr reported seeing a "big Contact capsule" glowing yellowish-bluish, about 40 feet tall and 15 feet wide, hovering over their truck, triggering a radar detector. Over four years, more than 60 sightings have been reported in the area, documented by freelance photographer Robert Giglio. Other witnesses described spherical and saucer-shaped objects glowing in various colors. Ronald Ellis, publisher of The Hillsboro Messenger, noted the credibility of witnesses. Joseph Eaton Jr., chairman of the selectmen, stated the town was not concerned, but another selectman recalled seeing a "bright glow" hover over Wolf Hill. Pease Air Force Base and the state Civil Defense office reported no unusual activity. Giglio theorizes the objects are man-made, possibly from a secret organization with advanced technology, and pose a threat to national security. He believes they might be operating from a base near Hillsboro. Billy and Laurie later saw more objects, described as "high red ones, circling the mountains." Laurie has become scared and wants no more to do with them.

New York N.Y. Star (September 9, 1980): "Fearful town breaks its long silence over chilling wave of sightings of glowing UFOs" by Michael Munro, reports on a wave of sightings in rural Hillsboro, New Hampshire. Residents have been shaken by glowing, oval-shaped objects appearing from mist-shrouded mountains. As many as 70 sightings have been made. Police Chief Willard Campbell and other residents are calling for a federal investigation. Campbell described a "cylindrical, brightly lit object" and found no tracks or burn marks. George Hill reported seeing a "great ball of light" come within 20 feet of his car, hovering six feet above the ground, shaped like a saucer with a conning tower. Other witnesses reported similar sightings. James Gaskell saw a "dirigible-shaped" object drift low across the road. Charlie Hogg, a police officer, saw a craft similar to Billy Gould's description hover low over the hills.

Weekly World News (July 15, 1980): "Tiny village terrorized by glowing spaceship carrying bizarre beings" reports on a cigar-shaped UFO in Llanerchymedd, Wales. Farm animals stampeded, and children hid. UFO investigators Derek James and Martin Keatman found physical evidence, including marks in a wheat field. Villagers described the craft as cylindrical and brightly lit. Witnesses saw "human forms" staggering in front of a white light. Vivienne Roberts saw a yellow light change to a triangular shape with purple lights, hovering over the village.

Weekly World News (July 15, 1980): "UFO first visited America 300 years ago" details the first reported sighting in Boston in March 1638, where three men in a river barge saw a strange, lighted object that caused their vessel to reverse direction. John Winthrop's diary described the object as contracting into the figure of a swine and running as swift as an arrow. Dr. J. Allen Hynek interpreted the description as possibly referring to landing gear.

Long Beach Va. Chinoak Observer (July 31, 1980): A young woman reported an unidentified flying object following her vehicle to Ilwaco. She described a bright, round source of white light hovering just above treetop level. The object stopped when she stopped and traveled with her. Others at her workplace also saw the object, which appeared higher in the sky and seemed to hover and dance. Ilwaco police and Coast Guard officials were notified. Long Beach Police attributed similar sightings to signal flares used by National Guardsmen. Other residents reported seeing glowing balls of light and objects shaped like upturned pie plates.

Daily News (January 15, 1980): Police in Townsville, Australia, ruled out distress flares for a fiery object seen plummeting to earth. The object was described as a "big silver ball" with red, green, and yellow fire. Police believe it may have been space debris.

Chico Calif. Enterprise (August 20, 1980): Two Paradise, California residents reported seeing a brilliant light hovering over a ridge for 10 minutes before it took off at high speed. They described seeing a triangle of lights on the bottom of the UFO. Beale Air Force Base reported no other sightings.

Ironwood Mich. Globe (August 21, 1980): Four unidentified flying objects were reported flying towards Duluth, Minnesota. They had windows and lights and seemed to be blinking signals. The objects were flying slowly, about 20 mph.

Idaho Falls Id. Post Register (July 31, 1980): Lyman Pierce reported seeing a "round, sort of disc shaped object" over Parkview facility that was too bright to be a star. He observed it through binoculars, describing it as hundreds of bright little squares. The object slowly rose, became smaller, and disappeared. Pierce stated he would not disbelieve anything about flying saucers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence and variety of UFO sightings across different geographical locations and the public's reaction to them, ranging from dismissal and skepticism to fear and calls for official investigation. Several articles highlight the difficulty in definitively identifying these objects, with explanations ranging from kites and signal flares to potential man-made craft or extraterrestrial phenomena. The editorial stance, as inferred from the selection of articles and the reporting style, appears to be one of documenting these events and presenting eyewitness accounts, often with a degree of seriousness and a nod to the ongoing mystery surrounding UFOs. The inclusion of historical context and expert opinions suggests an interest in the broader implications of these sightings, including national security concerns and the possibility of advanced, unknown technology.

This compilation of articles from various newspapers and magazines in mid-to-late 1980 focuses heavily on UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings and the persistent theories surrounding them, including government cover-ups and the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation.

Key Articles and Reports

Roswell 'Cover-up' Theory Probed

The Rocky Mountain News (June 16, 1980) revisits the legendary Roswell, New Mexico UFO incident of 1947. Writer-producer Seth Hill, known for the TV series "In Search Of," investigated claims that the Air Force covered up evidence of UFOs and alien visitors. Hill explored two alleged UFO wreckage findings, one near Roswell and another in Arizona. While Hill himself doesn't believe UFOs are alien visitors, he theorizes that many sightings are actually of top-secret US government test vehicles. He notes a similarity in UFO sightings with areas where US government atomic bomb tests were conducted in the 1940s. Hill emphasizes that the descriptions of UFOs by witnesses are too consistent to be dismissed as conventional aircraft or phenomena like St. Elmo's Fire. He highlights that valid UFO sightings typically report disc-shaped objects with specific modes of travel: either very fast horizontally or a rocking motion when landing. The article also features an interview with retired Air Force Maj. Jesse Marcel, the security intelligence officer at Walker Air Force Base during the 1947 incident. Marcel contradicted official accounts released by Brig. Gen. Roger Ramey, stating that more wreckage was found than reported and that materials resembled parchment and wood. Marcel claims he was ordered to send the wreckage to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, but Ramey overruled him and had it flown to Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth. Hill's program, "The UFO Cover-up," was scheduled to be filmed for broadcast in October.

UFO Encounters and Sightings

Several other reports detail specific UFO encounters:

• Weekly World News (July 19, 1980): Lori Dorn reported a UFO, described as a glowing ball of light, that stalked her and her husband Darrel as they drove home in Minnesota. They initially thought it was a shooting star, but the object kept pace with their car before vanishing.
• Weekly World News (August 19, 1980): A young couple near Lodz, Poland, claimed three UFOs hovered over their home for an entire night, causing them to lock themselves inside until morning.
• Lima Ohio News (August 26, 1980): UFO investigators, including Dr. J. Allen Hynek and John P. Timmerman, probed a reported "close encounter" at the Teledyne-Ohio Steel plant. Security guard Phil Battle reported seeing a huge, round object with a ring of lights hovering silently. He claimed his CB radio power was drained, and a mechanical arm with a brilliant orange light flashed, burning his left eye. The object then moved away and reappeared, freezing the witnesses. Battle described the UFO as being controlled and moving in a way that made it certain something was piloting it.
• Hereford Evening News (August 22, 1980): Two Leominster women, Maureen Freeman and Carol Stringer, claimed they were transported back in time while driving along the A49. They described a strange experience involving a narrow track, bright green hedges, and an unusual sky with orange lights. They experienced "piercing pains" in their temples afterward. The report also mentions sports reporter Jeremy Finney seeing a large burning red ball emerge from a cloud near Dinmore.
• The Star, Sheffield (August 23, 1980) & Evening Gazette (August 23, 1980): Housewife Lillian Middleton reported an unidentified flying object hovering above her car near Newcastle and then following her at speeds up to 70 mph. Her husband stated the object was as big as her car and had a brilliant white light.
• Bristol Evening Post (August 16, 1980): Mysterious circles were discovered in fields near Westbury, Wiltshire, reviving talk of the "Warminster Thing," a UFO phenomenon from the mid-1960s. The perfect circles, about 18 yards across, had flattened grain lying in a clockwise direction, baffling local farmers and the Army.
• Wallington-Carshalton Advertiser (August 7, 1980): A pulsating ball of bright light was reported over Wallington, Surrey, described as a crimson object the size of a beach ball moving across the sky.
• Bolton Evening News (August 6, 1980): Two people near Edgworth reported seeing a brightly lit, cone-shaped object flying over fields, which seemed to land. They initially mistook it for a helicopter.
• Gloucester Echo (July 25, 1980): Mr. Kenneth Bishop reported a moving, cigar-shaped orange light over Cheltenham that moved backwards and sideways before disappearing.
• Nuneaton Evening Tribune (July 31, 1980): Several people contacted the Hinckley Aerial Phenomena Investigations group about a large, strange-looking, revolving object seen over Hinckley in broad daylight.
• Grimsby Evening Telegraph (August 9, 1980): A young man in Cleethorpes reported being "terrified" by a cigar-shaped UFO with a bulbous bottom, which hovered silently about 50ft above the ground. He experienced unusual physical sensations. Two other people later saw a white light in the same area.
• Middlesex Advertiser (August 14, 1980): Garrick and Fiona Aird of Ickenham reported seeing an unusual light in the sky, described as about 60 degrees north and twice the size of the brightest star, which moved erratically.
• Glasgow Herald (September 1, 1980): Five police officers and numerous other witnesses reported a UFO over Dumfries. The object was described as oblong, white, with three spaced lights at the front and two at the rear, visible for almost an hour. The Ministry of Defence suggested it could be aircraft or space junk, but police were adamant about what they saw.
• Liverpool Echo (September 1, 1980): Police in Merseyside and Cheshire responded to reports of a strange, cigar-shaped, white, silvery object flying over the area. It was described as highly illuminated with flashing lights.
• Allen Town PA Call Chronicle (August 31, 1980): Albert Trumbauer Jr. reported a two-hour sighting of a large, flying saucer-like object near Macungie, Pennsylvania. He described it as hamburger-shaped with green and red lights, and it made no sound. He believes it may have been draining electricity from a nearby power line. Similar sightings were reported in Ohio.
• Sterling Colo. Journal-Advocate (August 26, 1980): Residents near Crook, Colorado, reported seeing a bright light moving up and down and in circles over their homes, stating it was "definitely not a star or aircraft."

Expert Opinions and Investigations

• The Center for UFO Studies, headed by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, is actively investigating sightings. John P. Timmerman, chairman of the board, personally investigated Ohio sightings and classified Battle's experience as a "close encounter of the second kind" due to the burned eye.
• The British UFO Society in London noted similarities between the Wiltshire crop circles and the "Warminster Thing" from the 1960s, stating no natural explanation was found at the time.
• The Hinckley Aerial Phenomena Investigations group is collecting reports of a large, strange object seen over Hinckley.
• The Royal Ordnance Depot at Moreton-on-Lugg stated they had not held exercises that could cause such sightings.
• The Ministry of Defence generally attributes sightings to aircraft, space junk, or weather conditions, but acknowledges receiving reports and investigating.
• The RAF's West Drayton station collates UFO information for the Ministry of Defence.
• The Pennsylvania Center for UFO Research receives reports and usually explains most sightings, but acknowledged some cases remain "unknown."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout these articles are the persistence of UFO sightings despite official skepticism, the detailed and often consistent descriptions provided by witnesses, and the ongoing debate between conventional explanations and the possibility of advanced technology or extraterrestrial origins. Many articles highlight the emotional impact of these encounters on individuals, ranging from fear and terror to curiosity and a desire for answers. The editorial stance across these publications appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena seriously, giving voice to witnesses, and exploring the investigative efforts of UFO researchers, while also acknowledging the official, more mundane explanations offered by authorities. There's an underlying implication that the sheer volume and consistency of reports warrant further investigation beyond simple dismissals.

This issue, dated August 30, 1980, primarily focuses on numerous UFO sightings reported across the United Kingdom during August 1980. The publication features reports from various local newspapers, highlighting a range of aerial phenomena and witness accounts.

Key Articles and Reports

Denton, UK: 'Jumbo' UFO Sighting

The South Wales Echo reports on Mrs Agnes Bradbury of Denton, who dismissed claims of an unidentified flying object hovering over the town. She described seeing a large, white, humming light that moved erratically. Initially frightening, she later identified it as a Jumbo plane, noting that Denton was on a flight path to Ringway. A police spokesman stated no UFO reports were received from the Denton area, though a sighting at Newton was communicated to the Reporter. Experts at Manchester Airport confirmed Denton and Audenshaw were on flight paths.

Dumfries, Scotland: Baffling UFO Sighting

Multiple newspapers, including the Dublin Sunday Press, Greenock Telegraph, and Barnsley Chronicle, cover reports of a large, unidentified flying object over Dumfries. Residents and workers at Dumfries Infirmary reported an oblong, well-illuminated object with no sound. Some described it as clusters of lights hanging just below cloud level for about 20 minutes before vanishing. A police spokesman stated that while other reports were traced to car lights, this one could not be explained. A later report in the Wolverhampton Express Star suggested the UFO seen by five police officers might have been post office engineers working at a transmitting station.

Blofield, UK: Close Encounter with UFO

The Eastern Evening News Norwich details a 'close encounter' reported by a young couple, Mr. Kim Sergeant and Miss Carole Grundy, near Blofield. They described a massive ball of red light that seemed to trail their car, descend rapidly to the height of a house, and then disappear. They were left shaken by the 'eerie experience'. Norwich Police confirmed the report but noted it was an isolated incident.

Easton Area, UK: 'V' Shaped Light

Another report from the Eastern Evening News mentions a sighting by Mr. Bernard Wooner and his girlfriend in the Easton area. They saw a 'V' shaped light, about three times bigger than a hovering aircraft, which stopped and then veered off. Mr. Wooner described it as if it was 'watching us'.

Accrington, UK: Alien Contact Claim

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph features a sensational claim by a spinster from Green Haworth, Accrington, who stated she had made love by telepathy with an alien being from a UFO. She also alleged that beings had 'cut her open' by telepathy to make her well when she was ill. A UFO investigations group, RIGAP, planned to hypnotise her to retrieve more details. The group keeps her name secret and aims to investigate further.

St Albans, UK: Mysterious Oval Object

The Watford Evening Echo reports on a mysterious oval object seen streaking across the sky over St Albans. Described as about six feet long and silver-coloured, it was seen hovering at about 100 feet and travelling towards Hemel Hempstead. Pensioner Miss Avril Newell, who witnessed it with her siblings, expressed mystification, stating it was not an aeroplane or helicopter due to the silence and size. The Ministry of Defence stated no UFOs had been reported in the St Albans area for several years.

Cambridge Airport: UFO Sighting Leaves Airport 'in a fog'

The Cambridge News discusses a UFO sighting that occurred nearly three years prior, on October 16, 1977. UFO researcher Peter Paget mentions a Ministry of Defence report about an object seen over Cambridge Airport, estimated at 15,000 feet, travelling too fast for a conventional aircraft. However, airport staff at the time had no record of a UFO sighting, noting that mist had reduced visibility to 200 metres. The report described the object as returning in a half-circle, rotating, and leaving at high speed.

Kendray, UK: Man Encounters UFO

The Barnsley Chronicle details an encounter by Michael Evans, who reported seeing a large, dusty-red, saucer-shaped object hovering about 50 feet above ground near Kendray. He described it as hanging for a while before ascending rapidly. He stated he was not under the influence of drink and hoped others who saw anything unusual would come forward.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the prevalence of UFO sightings and the public's fascination and confusion surrounding them. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these events, often quoting police spokesmen who express bafflement or attribute some sightings to misidentification, while also giving space to more extraordinary claims, such as alien contact. The articles highlight the difficulty in explaining many of these phenomena, with a consistent mention of objects being silent, well-illuminated, and exhibiting unusual flight characteristics. The issue reflects a period of significant public interest in UFOs, with reports drawn from various regional newspapers across the UK.