APCIC - Vol 07 No 02 - 1982

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue: Volume 7, No. 2
Date: February 1982
Publisher: Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

This issue of UFO NEWS features a variety of reports on unidentified flying objects (UFOs) from across the United States, alongside expert opinions and ongoing research into the phenomenon.

Key Articles and Reports

"Six report sighting of UFO in skies above Waterloo" (Belleville, Ill. News-Democrat, Jan 6, 1982)

This front-page article details multiple sightings of a UFO over Waterloo, Illinois, on a Saturday midnight. Bob and Ardis Henerfauth, a farmer and his wife, were the first to report the incident, describing a bright blue flame that lit up the sky like daylight, followed by an explosion into a large orange ball. Ronald Fischer and his nephew reported seeing a blue streak that hovered and then disappeared. Two police officers also witnessed the event. The object was described as being about 1,000-1,500 feet above the ground, with a flame described as the length of a football field. Monroe County Sheriff Milton "Pat" Brueggemann stated the department had no previous UFO sighting reports. A spokesman from McDonnell Planetarium suggested the sightings might be related to a meteor shower, but witnesses like Bob Henerfauth disagreed, stating the object moved like it was "flying" rather than falling.

"Local UFO sightings listed" (Newton, Inc. Observer-News Enterprise, Dec. 30, 1981)

This report summarizes the findings of George D. Fawcett, a field investigator for the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), regarding UFO sightings in North Carolina during 1981. North Carolinians experienced an "average" year for close encounters. The report notes severe animal reactions, TV and radio interferences, and car motor stoppages associated with some sightings. UFOs with square windows were reported from Hickory and Charlotte. September was a busy month for sightings. Nationally, UFO sightings averaged at least 150 per day, with reports from all 50 states and 133 world nations.

"'Saucer' spotted by guard" (The World of UFOs by Bob Pratt)

William F. Hunter, a security guard, reported seeing a "round-type saucer" with a dome on it in the afternoon. He described seeing a giant object from which small disc-shaped UFOs emerged and shot off in different directions. He also observed wispy material, like cobwebs, floating down, which would disappear upon touch. His neighbor also witnessed the phenomenon. The article notes that Hunter felt marked as "a looney" for reporting the sighting.

"Former Daltonian Directs UFO Study" (Dalton, Ga. Citizen-News, Jan 6, 1981)

This article profiles Charles Tucker, director of the International UFO Investigative Bureau Inc. and regional director of MUFON. Tucker, who studied UFOs and ancient astronauts for 20 years, aims to enlighten the public about the facts. He believes UFOs and ancient astronauts are not figments of imagination. Tucker recounted his own UFO sighting near Marietta, Georgia, which he described as a bright star that ran cars off the road. His organization has 78 bases worldwide. He has traveled extensively, including to Brazil, where he investigated frequent UFO sightings in the Amazon River territory, with evidence suggesting a possible underwater UFO base.

"UFO sighted over northern part of county, man reports bright lights on object" (Hillsborough, N.C. News of Orange Co., Jan 13, 1982)

Antionette Woods and her husband, Preston, along with about 10 family members, reported seeing a UFO on January 4th. They described bright lights, including one white light at the front that was exceptionally bright. The object was described as somewhat diamond-shaped, with blinking red and green lights on the sides. It was estimated to be 1,000 feet up and 50 feet across. The object hovered and then moved west. Woods was reluctant to report the sighting due to fear of ridicule. The National UFO Reporting Center in Washington, D.C., was contacted, and a spokesman stated they receive approximately eight calls a day, with one in ten classified as a major sighting.

"Killer UFO prowls the sky above a terrorized farming community" (Weekly World News, Feb. 2, 1982)

This sensational article reports on a "killer UFO" described as big as a house and ablaze with blinding lights, terrorizing residents in a remote countryside in Maine. Bud Hendsbee, a veteran cop, recounted an encounter where the craft forced his pickup truck off a hillside. The article links the UFO to the death of a young woman, Kimberley Landry, who crashed her car, with investigators believing she was being chased by the UFO. The article also mentions Kenos, who refuses to stay in his house after dark due to frequent sightings, and other residents who have seen the craft but are reluctant to speak about it.

"UFOs are spaceships of Satan, says expert" (Weekly World News, Jan 26, 1982)

This article features Dr. Norman Geisler, a biblical scholar, who asserts that UFOs are actually spaceships of Satan, devised by the devil to deliver his sermons of evil. Geisler believes UFOs are real and that thousands of sightings have occurred. He argues that the Bible teaches about a real Satan who uses his powers to deceive people, and that UFOs are a way to make people believe they are contacting aliens. He states that those who communicate with UFOs are actually contacting spirits, possibly demons. He also links the growth of cults to demonic influence.

"People Report Shimmering Saucer Hovered over Service Station" (Evening Citizen, Laconia, N.H., Nov 16, 1981)

John Davis, owner of a Sunoco service station in New Hampton, New Hampshire, reported seeing a shimmering silvery saucer, about 35-40 feet across, hovering 75-100 feet over his garage for five to eight minutes. He described it as having pulsating fluorescent lights. Davis was initially unaware of the phenomenon until alerted by women who had followed the object. Linda Brown and her passengers reported encountering a similar object emitting blue flame down towards them on Route 104. The object was also described as having a "boomerang" shape. The article notes that sightings of this kind have been reported in the area, with a mention of two unusual orange lights seen in Richford, Vermont.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO NEWS revolve around the reporting of numerous UFO sightings across different regions of the United States, highlighting the diverse descriptions of objects, their behaviors, and the impact on witnesses. There is a clear emphasis on documenting these events, with various news outlets and research organizations contributing. The issue also presents contrasting interpretations of the phenomenon, ranging from scientific investigation and the possibility of conventional explanations (like meteors) to more controversial theories, such as Dr. Norman Geisler's assertion that UFOs are demonic in origin. The publication appears to be a compilation of news clippings and reports, aiming to inform readers about the ongoing UFO phenomenon and its various facets, including witness accounts, expert analyses, and speculative theories. The editorial stance, as presented through the selection of articles, is to document and explore the UFO phenomenon without necessarily endorsing any single explanation, though the inclusion of the "Satanic" theory suggests an openness to a wide range of interpretations.

This issue of the Weekly World News, dated January 26, 1982, focuses heavily on UFO sightings and related phenomena, with multiple articles detailing personal encounters and official reports from various locations.

Article: UFO sighting reported by Eagle Creek resident

This article by Kate Scrivener details an encounter by Earl Garrick, an Eagle Creek, Oregon resident. Garrick reported waking up to his dogs barking at around 1:30 a.m. on a Wednesday night, and then seeing a huge, bright light hovering over his pump house. He described hearing a squeaking noise, which he likened to alien chatter or weird radar blips. The light remained stationary for a long time before taking off towards Sandy. Garrick expressed uncertainty about what he saw, stating, "I'm not saying it was a real UFO—I'm just saying I don't know what it was." He also mentioned that his dogs were unusually quiet afterward, with one refusing to come out of its doghouse. Garrick shared that he had seen other unexplained lights in Arizona years ago and believes that if more people reported such sightings, there would be more understanding. He finds the unknown nature of these objects frustrating and wonders about their origin and destination. The article also notes that a neighbor in the Wildcat Mountain area of Eagle Creek reported a similar moving light about two weeks prior. In 1979, other families in Eagle Creek and Barton reported seeing UFOs over the Barton flats on Christmas Eve, described as red lights flying at great speeds and making aerial maneuvers. One man claimed to have been pursued by flying objects on Highway 224 and later chased by a white light. Another incident mentioned involved over 40 volunteer firemen and Clackamas County Sheriff's deputies searching for a downed plane after an Eagle Creek woman reported seeing two huge white lights streak toward her house, followed by sounds and smells of burning plastic.

Article: Cosmic forces at work in Bend?

Written by Bob Welch, this article presents a personal reflection on two unusual occurrences. Welch describes seeing a bright streak of light shoot downward toward earth while standing on a friend's porch in southeast Bend on a Thursday. On the following Tuesday morning, he nearly swallowed an earwig while drinking hot chocolate. Welch questions the coincidence of these events happening within four days, suggesting they might be cosmic signs from extraterrestrial beings. He references reports of similar sightings, including a bright light seen by few people, a "burning object" reported by pilots over several western states, and an object that appeared to break apart and drop pieces over Salem. A motorcyclist in Salem reported the ground lighting up around him. Welch also mentions a report from the Statesman Journal newspaper about pilots seeing a "burning object plummeting through the atmosphere." He notes that the "Hill Street Blues" television show was on at the time of the Bend sighting, potentially explaining why fewer people noticed it. He also brings up the idea of an earwig crawling into the ear, referencing a "Night Gallery" episode and Webster's dictionary definition, suggesting a possible connection to messages from other worlds. Welch concludes by questioning if the western states' origin of the hot chocolate and the sightings are a coincidence, and if his 1,452 weeks of life have ever seen such separate incidents before. He also notes that the federal government had abandoned its program for identifying signals from intelligent beings in outer space in the same week.

Article: Spacenapped! Pat Eudy lost 3 hours of his life - did he spend them in a starship?

This article by John Hamer details the experience of Pat Eudy, who claims to have been abducted by aliens. After two years of tormenting questions, Eudy sought help from a psychologist who put him in a trance. During the session, Eudy recalled an incident from 1979 where he was driving on Morgan Mill Road near his home in Monroe, North Carolina, late at night. He saw an incredibly bright light that blinded him. He then experienced a "foggy recollection" of being on a spaceship and facing a strange creature. He remembers being in a cockpit with a space being wearing a silvery spacesuit with a dark visor. He was then taken to another room with a seat that looked like a dentist's chair, where he believes tests were performed on him, possibly resulting in pain in his fingers from blood and skin sampling. Eudy believes he lost three hours of his life during this encounter. He initially kept his story to himself due to fear of being thought a fool but eventually sought help from a civilian UFO research center and was encouraged to consult psychologist Richard Pinneau. Eudy's account suggests that the aliens might be trying to show earthlings how to behave in a more civilized manner.

Article: Greenish light paints Bay sky, baffles residents

This report by Michael Singer covers sightings of a greenish, fiery light in the sky across the Bay Area on Sunday, November 30, 1981. People from as far south as Monterey to north of Redding reported the phenomenon around 4:16 p.m. A spokesman for the state Office of Emergency Services suggested it was likely a meteor, but noted that if so, "probably nothing landed." There was a report of something touching down near the intersection of Sacramento, Amador, and El Dorado county lines, but the California Highway Patrol found nothing. The CHP confirmed no debris was found. The Air Force reported no missile launches. A Concord couple described it as the "most beautiful meteorite I've ever seen," a huge, greenish-white ball with an orange tail. The Contra Costa County Sheriff's office received at least 10 calls. Lick Observatory scientists did not see the meteor, but suggested it might have exploded high in the atmosphere due to friction. An operator at the national Unidentified Flying Object toll number reported five calls from the San Jose area and mentioned an air traffic controller suggested it was a comet.

Article: Reports of 'bright light' trickle in

This article from The Bulletin in Bend, Oregon, reports on multiple sightings of a bright light streaking across the sky. Three Bend residents reported seeing the phenomenon on Thursday night. Other reports came from Oregon, Washington, and southwest Utah. One report mentioned the object apparently breaking apart and dropping pieces on the Capitol grounds at Salem. A motorcyclist in Salem reported the ground lighting up all around him. Butch Hancock described seeing a bright light, possibly a flare, about 500 feet in the air. Ken Chilcote and Myra Balcom saw the object when their pickup truck broke down on Highway 26, describing it as bright enough to read a paper by and "kind of spooky."

Article: Witnesses report bright, streaking

This report from Renton, Washington, details two incidents involving objects that looked like meteors. On Wednesday, people in the Puget Sound area saw a glowing meteor streaking across the western sky shortly after 11 a.m., described as a rare daytime sighting. On Saturday night, an Issaquah man saw a glowing object fall at a shallow angle and apparently crash near Cougar Mountain, but authorities found nothing. Seri Mei described seeing a "ball of fire" with fragments breaking off over Lake Sammamish at a 30-degree angle, estimating its diameter to be between four and five feet and its altitude at 150 to 200 feet. University of Washington astronomer Donald Brownlee stated that daylight meteors are "slightly less than one chance in a lifetime." Descriptions varied, with some seeing a 30-degree angle and others a 45-degree angle, some flickering green, others white. An airline pilot over southern Oregon also reported seeing the object, which Brownlee estimated might weigh a ton or more. Greg Madsen saw a bright object streak downward at a 30-degree angle, initially thinking it was a plane crash.

Article: A UFO 'as big as an oil tanker'

This report from Madrid, Spain, via UPI, states that more than 100 "Unidentified Flying Objects" were spotted in Spanish airspace in 1981. Juan Jose Benitez, a journalist and UFO enthusiast, reported a slight decrease in sightings compared to the previous year. He cited a report from an Iberia jetliner captain who saw and received radar signals from an "enormous metal object as big as an oil tanker" off Spain's Atlantic coast in August. The same object was registered by the air control tower at Las Palmas. Another sighting involved a "bright shining arrow-shaped object" hovering over the sea.

Article: Decline noted in UFO reports

This article, also from Madrid, Spain, via UPI, reiterates the information about the 100+ UFO sightings in Spanish airspace in 1981. It mentions the Iberia jetliner sighting of an "enormous metal object as big as an oil tanker" and the registration by the air control tower at Las Palmas. The air force had no comment.

Article: Spacepeople to take children from Earth

This opinion piece by Randy MacIntosh discusses the impact of geomagnetic storms, sunspots, and solar flares on human behavior. Flying saucer expert Laura Mundo suggests that these celestial disturbances affect human lives, making behavior more erratic during peak sunspot cycles. Mundo believes aliens are here to show earthlings how to behave in a more civilized manner and warns of an impending "holocaust" and "emergency," with the current snow storm being a result of increased solar activity. She theorizes that increased sunspot activity correlates with admissions to psychiatric hospitals, changes in blood serum, and heart attacks. Mundo predicts that "spacepeople" will remove Earth children to safety before the major sunspot peak arrives.

Article: High court encounters appeal from UFO buffs

This article from Cleveland, Ohio, reports that a group called Citizens Against UFO Secrecy wants the Supreme Court to order the release of 135 documents held by the National Security Agency concerning purported voyagers from outer space. The group filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act, but the NSA refused, claiming the documents are exempt and their disclosure would reveal top-secret monitoring and interception techniques.

Article: Air Controllers Spot Strange Square UFOs

This report from Lattana, Florida, details an incident where stunned air traffic controllers at Australia's Perth Airport witnessed one, then three unidentified flying objects on their radar screens. When an Air Force jet was scrambled to intercept, the objects disappeared. The objects, viewed through binoculars, were described as squares or rectangles made of gleaming silver, not disk- or cigar-shaped. Air controller Graeme Moyle commented, "It was something that was obviously not of this Earth." Fellow controller Stephen Jorgensen, a former Air Force pilot, stated, "What we saw was very real, and totally unexplainable." The objects were tracked on radar at a height of 26,000 feet and disappeared at 65,000 feet. Ken Fairfield, an Australian Air Force staff officer, confirmed that a jet from a nearby air force base was dispatched but arrived after the crafts had disappeared. The file on the sighting remains open.

Article: Mystery of object in the sky

This article from Stretford, Lancs, London, reports on a Chorlton woman who is helping three UFO investigators after sighting a mysterious bright object traveling erratically through the sky. The incident occurred on a Tuesday evening between 5 and 6 p.m. The object was described as "just like a very, very bright, big, intensive star with a red light 'flashing on one side every four seconds." The spokesman for the investigators is Alan Bramhill. The woman's account has been verified by three people, and unusual aspects like electrical interference with a car (MVI) were noted.

Article: Holiday photo a heavenly mystery

This article from Preston, London, features teenager Maxine Gaffney, who took a photograph during her holiday in Crete that appears to show a shiny metal object flying in the sky. She did not see the object at the time but was excited about the photograph, which she wants the UFO Society of Great Britain to investigate. Her mother, Barbara, expressed excitement and anticipation for a scientific investigation. Maxine's father, Austin, a pharmacist, is skeptical but acknowledges the picture is clear. The photo was part of a set of three taken from a hotel balcony at Aghios Nicholaos around 5 a.m. The first snap showed hills and a bay, the second showed the sky with the shiny object, and the third showed the sky empty.

Article: Mystery lights baffle sky-watchers

This report from Burnley, Lancs, London, describes Nora Richards of Nelson being mystified by bright lights seen in the evening sky on two consecutive nights. The lights, appearing over Brierfield, were also seen by her daughter and a neighbor. Richards described them as "two very bright lights" that looked like "two very bright stars linked together," with sparks coming from the top one. Jason Verity, a seventeen-year-old student, could offer no explanation. Police in Nelson had received no reports of any "out-of-the-ordinary" sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alien encounters, and unexplained aerial phenomena. The articles present a variety of accounts, from personal sightings to official reports and expert opinions. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these phenomena with a degree of sensationalism, often highlighting the mystery and the potential implications for humanity, while also including skeptical viewpoints and attempts at rational explanations. The publication seems to lean towards presenting these events as potentially significant and indicative of extraterrestrial activity.

Title: WEEKLY WORLD
Issue Date: February 16, 1982
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Weekly World features several reports on unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related mysteries, spanning different locations and time periods.

Villager Dies After Death Ray Attack From Space

This lead article by Dick Donovan recounts a bloodcurdling mystery from Aracariguama, Brazil, where a 44-year-old man, Prestes Filho, died in 1946 after being struck by a beam of greenish light from the sky. His sister, Maria, described how his flesh melted like candle wax, exposing his internal organs. The event, which occurred shortly after Prestes had been fishing, has remained unexplained by investigators. Villagers believe an 'alien killer' was responsible. The incident occurred on Ash Wednesday eve, and Prestes' wife had left a window open for him. His friend, Salvador dos Santos, and neighbor Aracy Gomide witnessed his horrifying death. Police found no evidence of conventional causes, and the clear weather ruled out lightning.

UFOs or Just Flights of Fancy? (Devon Reports)

Arthur Robyns reports on numerous UFO encounters in Devon over the years. The article begins with a mysterious tidal wave at Ilfracombe in 1910. It then recounts a sighting by the author's grandmother of a 'silver ball' over the Bristol Channel in the 1930s. More recent sightings include two Devon policemen observing a bright cross for 45 minutes in 1967, which stopped over a field before taking off again, joined by a second cross. In 1968, fishermen at Brixham saw a cone-shaped, shining object described as 'the size of a street of houses'. The Ministry of Defence initially suggested U.S. planes but later admitted no rational explanation. The chief coastguard at Berry Head dismissed a sighting as 'laughable' given it was midday. An editorial from the Express and Echo in 1976 is quoted, suggesting officials knew more about unexplained phenomena than they admitted. The article concludes by stating that while we are not alone in space, the vast distances make visits unlikely, and suggests that many UFOs might be natural or man-made phenomena, but flying saucers 'do exist'.

UFO Slips Fast and Silent Over Cumbria

This report from the Whitby Gazette covers sightings of a UFO in West Cumbria on January 15, 1982. Police and RAF were baffled. Chris Bates, a teacher, described an oval object, elliptical with a dome, moving very fast and silently from the south-east, with red lights around the side and a large central light. It moved across the sky in an arc in about 10 seconds. Two girls also reported seeing a 'large star with flashing lights'. The UFO was also seen over Thursby and Dearham. Terry Kirton, editor of 'Workington Times and Star', saw a large floating light moving silently across the sky. RAF Carlisle referred the sighting to the Ministry of Defence.

A separate report from the Whitby Gazette dated December 31, 1981, mentions a Whitby resident claiming to have seen a UFO hovering over Whitby cemetery, described as a purple, incandescent sphere, 'bigger than the moon'.

'Fuzzy UFO' Sighting by Student (North Wales)

This article from the North Wales Weekly News details a sighting by 17-year-old Alex Brereton of Rydal School in Colwyn Bay, who saw a white 'fuzzy' object in the early hours of January 20, 1982. He described it as bright, with flashing lights, and it seemed to change shape. Amateur astronomer Mr. Eric Mills suggested possibilities such as a satellite, Venus, or a meteor. He also commented that intelligent visitors would likely communicate more directly than just flashing lights.

A Close Encounter: Cumbria Flying Saucer Mystery

This article from the Cumberland Evening News, Carlisle, dated January 16, 1982, revisits the Cumbria UFO sightings. It includes a drawing of the object as described by Mr. Bates, an oval shape with a dome and flashing lights. Chris Bates recounts his sighting, emphasizing the silence and speed. He noted red lights around the side and a large central light. He was not frightened but astonished. The article also mentions two girls reporting a 'large star with flashing lights' and Terry Kirton's sighting of a large floating light near Dearham. The RAF were investigating.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and the investigation into such events. The magazine presents various eyewitness accounts, ranging from historical sightings in Devon to more recent reports from Cumbria and Wales, and a disturbing case from Brazil. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, acknowledging the possibility of extraterrestrial life and phenomena while also considering more conventional explanations. There's a clear interest in documenting these events and exploring the mysteries they present, often highlighting the bafflement of authorities like the police and RAF. The Brazil case, in particular, leans towards the sensational and the unexplained, framing it as a 'space murder mystery'. The article by Arthur Robyns explicitly states, "The universe is teeming with intelligent life," suggesting a belief in the broader context of extraterrestrial possibilities.