APCIC - Vol 07 No 03 - 1982

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue: Volume 7, No. 3
Date: March 1982
Publisher: Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

This issue of UFO NEWS, published by the Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center, presents a collection of articles and reports related to UFO sightings, investigations, and potential government secrecy.

Supreme Court Case: UFO Secrecy

The lead article, "UFO BUFFS SHOT DOWN," by Robert Sangreorge, published in The Cleveland Press on March 8, 1982, details the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to order the National Security Agency (NSA) to release secret documents related to UFOs. The case originated in 1978 when the group Citizens Against UFO Secrecy filed a request for 18 NSA documents under the Freedom of Information Act. The NSA initially refused, claiming exemption, and later admitted to possessing 135 "UFO-related" documents. The agency argued that releasing these documents could reveal its top-secret electronic monitoring and interception techniques, potentially informing foreign governments about which radio communications are intercepted and processed by the NSA. The Supreme Court, without comment, upheld the lower court decisions that denied access, citing national security concerns.

Multiple UFO Sightings Reported

Escanaba, Michigan Sightings:

"Investigation continues: Five more UFO sightings reported" by Melinda Zemper in The Daily Press (Escanaba, Mich., Feb. 17, 1982) highlights several recent sightings in the Delta County area. Tammy Utt reported an object resembling an upside-down cake pan following her car and landing in the road, leaving a 30-foot-long impression in the snow. Subsequent investigations by sheriff's deputies confirmed the snow impression. Since Utt's report, five other residents have come forward with similar sightings around the same time. Jamie Robinette reported seeing a bright white light. Bonnie Lee described a bright object with white lights that turned red. Gary Dubord saw a UFO described as a 30-foot-wide salad bowl with lights around the bottom. Ricky Mercier reported a UFO sighting near the Highland Golf Club. Todd Poquette described an oval-shaped object with four large car lights and a small red light underneath, hovering above treetops.

Tacoma, Washington Sighting:

The Tacoma News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash., Feb. 15, 1982) reported that Olympia police were investigating a "flaming object" that plunged into Capitol Lake. While police spokesman declined to call it a UFO, stating it was an "unidentified flaming object," residents reported it as such, with one suggesting it might have been a meteorite.

Northampton, UK Sightings:

"Mystery object in the sky frightens girls" from the Northampton Chronicle & Echo (Feb. 15, 1982) details an encounter by three schoolgirls who claim to have seen a UFO over Eastfield. Twelve-year-old Louise Mason described it as round with flashing lights and a pyramid dome, making a noise and being about the size of the base of two houses. The object reportedly hovered over houses before zooming off. Mr. David Abbott, a UFO expert, noted that there had been three or four sightings in Northamptonshire recently, calling the girls' experience a "classic low level sighting."

Bath, UK Sighting:

"UFO No.2 seen in West" by Tony Huckle in the Western Daily Press (Bristol, Feb. 15, 1982) recounts a sighting by salesman Steve Law and others over Bath. They observed a large, orange incandescent ball travelling slowly at about 3,000 feet. Law described it as a "strange experience" and reported it to the police and RAF. The Defence Ministry contacted him for a statement, which surprised and intrigued him due to its seriousness. The article also mentions other incidents, including motorists on the M32 in Bristol seeing a "blazing ball of fire" and a ball of flame crashing near Maidenhead, Berkshire, thought to be a meteorite.

Wittenberg, Wisconsin Sighting:

The Shawano, Wis. Leader (Feb. 2, 1982) reported that deputies were requested to investigate a possible UFO sighting by Mrs. Vernon Bucherger, who reported seeing an "orange ball up in the sky" northwest of Wittenberg.

Briar Mountain UFO Activity

"Briar Mountain area is still a hotbed of UFO activity" by Pat Patera in the Iron Mountain Mich. News (Feb. 19, 1982) details ongoing UFO reports in the Norway-Vulcan area. Information collected by Dr. J. Allen Hynek's coordinator, Professor Kenneth C. Schellhase of Northern Michigan University, reveals numerous sightings between October 1976 and March 1977, with almost 50 lodge employees reporting displays. Reports include lights hovering, darting, and projecting beams from crafts described as up to 80 feet long. Some witnesses reported being chased by a "huge device." Despite the radar tower being dismantled in 1981, "The UFOs are still coming around," the report states. A large cigar-shaped craft with bright orange light was spotted in December 1981. The area has been a hotbed of UFO activity for three decades. Witnesses described close encounters, peculiar light behaviors, and objects moving at extreme speeds. Some UFOs reportedly moved out of the way of the mailplane from Escanaba. There were also reports of fighter planes making passes near the area when UFOs were present.

Stanton T. Friedman on UFO Coverup

"UFO Coverup? Scientist Believes U.S. Hiding Facts" by Steve Grinczel in the Grand Rapids Mich. Press (Jan. 29, 1982) features Stanton T. Friedman, a nuclear physicist who believes UFOs are real and that the U.S. government is hiding knowledge about them, calling it the "cosmic Watergate." Friedman cites "volumes of top secret data" and the involvement of federal agencies as proof of government concern. He argues that Project Blue Book was a public relations cover for more sophisticated efforts by agencies like the Air Intelligence Service Squadron and the National Security Agency. Friedman claims that servicemen who reported sightings were often told to report to the ADC or AISS and not to tell others. He believes the government coverup began in 1947 with the Roswell incident, where alleged remnants of a crashed craft and alien bodies were recovered and secreted away.

Friedman, who previously worked in advanced nuclear and space systems for major corporations, now devotes his time to lecturing on UFOs and is a board member of the Committee Against UFO Secrecy. This committee is seeking access to classified UFO information through the Freedom of Information Act, but federal judges have denied access, citing national security. Friedman suggests that revealing UFO information would provide "a whole new view" of humanity and break down nationalism, as well as potentially revealing alien concerns about Earthlings' own survival.

Larry Cheek's 'Large, Black Disk'

In the Fayetteville N.C. Times (Jan. 25, 1982), a letter from Daniel Edwards describes a "horrendous secret" he experienced on December 17th. Awakened by his dog barking, Edwards saw a huge light illuminating trees behind his house. Upon investigation, he witnessed a "large black disk with hundreds of small red lights rotating in the center," larger than a Greyhound bus. He also perceived "dark, shadowy figures" around it. Overwhelmed by fear, he fled back to his house. He did not report it at the time to avoid being labeled.

UFO Sighting Gives Woman 'Eerie Feeling'

"UFO Sighting Gives Woman 'Eerie Feeling'" by Billy Fields in the Clarksville, Tenn. Leaf Chronicle (Feb. 3, 1982) recounts an experience of Patricia Reder. While watching television, she noticed a bright red light shining through her curtains. Upon investigation, she saw a "brilliant" object hovering over the house across the street. She described it as round, about the size of a dining room tabletop, with four to six red spotlight-like lights aimed at the ground. The object then fell toward the ground behind her neighbor's house. Reder reported the incident to the police and later asked her neighbor if they were aware of the landing, but the neighbor had not seen anything. Reder expressed that the experience left her with an "eerie feeling" and that she would "never wonder again" about UFOs.

Anderson Couple's UFO Photos on National TV

"Anderson couple's 'UFO photos on national TV'" by Joan D. LaGuardia in The Muncie Ind. Press (Jan. 28, 1982) features Rupert and Reba Pring, who claim to have photographed an unidentified flying object on August 12th. The couple appeared on "Good Morning America" with Dr. Allen Hynek, who classified their experience as a "close encounter of the first kind" as it occurred within 300 feet. The Prings' photos, taken with 15-minute exposures, show unusual light tracings. Rupert Pring described a "magnetic force" hitting him and causing him to freeze. The object reportedly disappeared at "terrific speed." The Prings also photographed a "long, white object like a sausage with an orange halo" on November 18th. Hynek is analyzing this film. The couple reported experiencing minor amnesia, nausea, and irritation of the eyes after the August incident. A Civil Defense volunteer found no radiation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO NEWS consistently highlights eyewitness accounts of UFO sightings, emphasizing the variety of shapes, sizes, and behaviors reported. A significant recurring theme is the potential for government secrecy and coverups regarding UFO information, as championed by Stanton T. Friedman and illustrated by the Supreme Court case involving the NSA. The publication appears to present these reports as credible, often quoting experts like Dr. Allen Hynek and providing detailed descriptions from witnesses. The editorial stance seems to favor the serious investigation of UFO phenomena and suggests that official explanations are often insufficient or misleading. The inclusion of international sightings (UK) broadens the scope of reported activity.

This issue of WATCHING magazine, dated March 2, 1982, features a cover story titled "Found: A UFO base in Washington" and a lead article on the cover "WATCHING" with the subtitle "horror as a domed cylinder." The magazine delves into the topic of UFOs, alleged alien bases, and encounters with extraterrestrial beings, drawing on the research of UFO experts.

UFO Bases and Alien Presence

The central theme of the magazine is the assertion by leading UFO researcher Brad Steiger that "SPACE ALIENS have established secret UFO bases in numerous locations in the U.S. and all over the world." Steiger, an author and parapsychologist from Scottsdale, Arizona, claims to have interviewed thousands of people and indicates that these bases are in remote, sparsely populated areas, chosen for isolation and electromagnetic conditions. He suspects at least three underwater bases in the Gulf of Mexico, with one near Corpus Christi, Texas. Reports of UFOs emerging from the water led to this suspicion. Other suspected bases are located near Seattle, Mount Shasta, California, and in remote regions of Vermont, New York, and Maine. Steiger also notes sightings in the Bermuda Triangle and reports from Russian sailors about UFOs in the North Sea. Undersea bases have also been reported off the coast of Argentina. He suggests that aliens may choose rural areas to avoid attracting attention, likening them to 'leprechauns, dwarfs or even fairies' in historical accounts.

Documented UFO Encounters

Ronald Story, an author and aviation expert, is presented as a top UFO expert who has compiled a list of 100 well-documented encounters, claiming "THERE is finally scientific proof that visitors from outer space are studying us." Story believes that for the past 30 years, UFOs have been engaged in a "vast, tireless mission" and that humanity might be candidates for an "intergalactic community." He suggests that science has failed to explain these phenomena and that aliens are under constant surveillance. The magazine highlights 10 key UFO sightings:

1. The Betty and Barney Hill sighting (Sept. 9, 1961): While traveling in New Hampshire, they saw a wingless craft with flashing lights and eight to 11 humanoids. They experienced a 22-hour memory gap and later, under hypnosis, described being taken aboard the craft for examinations.
2. The Nash-Fortenberry sighting (July 14, 1952): Near Norfolk, Virginia, pilots saw six red glowing discs moving at an estimated 12,000 mph.
3. The Lakenheath-Bentwaters sighting (Aug. 13-14, 1956): Near air force bases in England, pilots and radar operators observed round, white, luminous objects moving at 9,000 to 12,000 mph, evading pursuit.
4. The New Zealand Coast sighting (Jan. 1, 1979): Pilots and crewmembers reported sightings over New Zealand's Canterbury coastline.
5. The Levelland sighting (Nov. 2-3, 1957): Near Levelland, Texas, glowing egg-shaped UFOs, about 300 feet in circumference, short-circuited the electrical systems of at least 15 cars.
6. The Teheran Jet Chase sighting (Sept. 19, 1976): An Iranian Air Force jet fighter investigated strange lights, and a small object reportedly tumbled from a UFO and landed, but no trace was found.
7. The Portage County Police Chase sighting (April 17, 1966): A police chase in Portage County, Ohio.
8. The Exeter Sighting (Sept. 3, 1965): In Exeter, New Hampshire, police observed a house-sized object described as fluttering like a falling leaf, with pulsating red lights.
9. The Army Helicopter sighting (Oct. 18, 1973): A helicopter crew gazed at an object between Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio.
10. The Gill Sighting (June 26-27, 1959): At Boianai Mission Station, Papua New Guinea, Rev. William Gill and 38 witnesses saw four aliens on a glowing circular object with projecting legs and a blue light.

Specific Incident Reports

UFO Crashes into Sea off Atlantic City

An object trailing blue-green flames reportedly crashed into the sea a few hundred yards from Atlantic City, New Jersey. Dozens of witnesses reported the incident. Coast Guard and police divers found no wreckage. While some theorized it was a meteor, witnesses described its descent and speed as unlike a meteor's, with some suggesting it resembled rocket exhaust.

East Iowa 'UFO' May Be Venus

Several people in Dubuque and Jackson counties, Iowa, reported seeing a "large, round, bright object" in the sky. News director David Eliason of KDTH received numerous calls, with some callers describing the object as moving and changing colors. However, Frank Miller, director of the Loras College planetarium, suggested that the planet Venus, being at its brightest, is often mistaken for a UFO. He also mentioned the phenomenon of autokinesis, which can make stationary objects appear to move, and how atmospheric conditions can alter an object's color near the horizon.

St. Johnsville Mystified by Unidentified Falling Object

In St. Johnsville, New York, an unidentified object, described as a "bowl-shaped UFO" less than six inches in diameter and made of copper, was found after residents heard an explosion. Police Chief Carlo Polidori stated that the object is not a prank and that reasonable theories are lacking. The object has a polished outside, a partially blackened inside with a sulphur odor, and two pieces of masking tape on the sides. Polidori believes the object could not have fallen from space due to intense heat.

Sammy Davis Jr.'s Encounters

Famed entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. is convinced that alien beings are ready to make contact to help save humanity. He claims to have seen 20 UFOs and believes aliens possess all the information they require about Earth. Davis feels the U.S. government has engineered a massive UFO cover-up over the last 30 years to prevent panic. He recounts his first UFO encounter in 1966 near Miami, Florida, where he saw four hovering objects. He also reported seeing a "football-shaped craft with red and green lights" above the White House in 1969.

Area Man Spots UFO

Donald B. Daddario of Franklin, Massachusetts, reported seeing a "glowing, glaring, powder blue light" in the sky around 4:30 a.m. He described the object as not being a plane, with a different movement and color-changing capabilities. The object appeared to stop and hover before darting away, with Daddario in pursuit. He also recalled an earlier experience of finding identical tracks, seven sets, near the Franklin town pool.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the pervasive presence of UFOs and aliens on Earth, the existence of hidden UFO bases, and the potential for alien contact. The magazine appears to adopt a stance that UFO phenomena are real, scientifically significant, and often unexplained by conventional means. It highlights the testimony of various witnesses, including law enforcement officers, pilots, and celebrities, to bolster the credibility of these claims. There is an underlying suggestion of government secrecy or a cover-up regarding UFO information. The overall tone is one of investigation and revelation, aiming to present "proof at last of alien spies."

This issue of the magazine, dated February 5, 1982, features a prominent cover story titled "UFO expert convinced we are not alone" by Michael Lynch. The publication appears to be the WORKSHOP GUARDIAN LONDON, with issue number 12 and volume 28.

Cover Story: UFO Expert Convinced We Are Not Alone

The main article by Michael Lynch introduces Charles Lockwood, a 50-year-old UFO Research Group founder member from the Midlands, UK. Lockwood, who is also a Head of Sixth Form at Worksop Portland School, firmly believes that humanity is not alone in the universe. He asserts that UFOs cannot be dismissed as a joke and that modern science may eventually explain phenomena like telepathy and clairvoyance, drawing a parallel to the potential explanation of UFOs.

Lockwood highlights that the North Nottinghamshire area has been a frequent location for UFO sightings. He recounts a 1977 incident where a large orange-coloured ball was seen floating above trees in Clumber Park, with no explanation provided. Another case involved a Mansfield housewife who reported observing a grey, aluminum-colored disc-shaped vehicle hovering outside her window, which then vanished. Lockwood notes that hoax calls are rare and that public skepticism towards UFOs has decreased.

He describes common characteristics of unusual UFO reports, including high-speed changes in velocity, hovering lights, and sudden appearances and disappearances. Lockwood shares a personal experience of seeing lights that stood still and then disappeared, though he remains cautious about classifying it as extraordinary. He carries a camera, hoping to capture verifiable evidence.

Night When Green Man Was Flashing His Code!

Another article by Michael Lynch recounts a personal UFO sighting. The author, initially skeptical of UFO stories, describes seeing two flashing lights in the moonlight sky above Cuckney, UK. These lights, displaying red, green, and white colors, remained stationary for about ten minutes before one shot westwards in a puff of light, while the other remained steady. The author humorously notes his initial thought of Mars being a chocolate bar.

Local UFO observers found the sighting "quite interesting," though they could not offer a specific explanation without further details. The author concludes by stating he will continue to take his 'tablets,' implying a lighthearted approach to his experience.

Woman Injured in Vicious UFO Attack

This article, by Dick Donovan, details a harrowing experience of Denise Bishop, a 23-year-old accounting clerk from Weston Mill Hill, UK. Bishop claims she was attacked by a UFO while approaching her house. She describes a massive, rounded ship with flashing pink, purple, and white lights hovering over her garden. An "eerie lime-green ray" beamed from the UFO and struck her hand on the doorknob, paralyzing her and leaving a burn-like mark. She describes the event as a horrifying nightmare that felt like an eternity.

Her 18-year-old sister, Kerry, was informed, and within minutes, the spaceship vanished. Bishop now believes in UFOs but finds the strangeness of encounters makes people hesitant to discuss them for fear of appearing insane.

Other UFO Sightings and Reports

Several other brief reports from various locations are included:

• EXTER EXPRESS & ECHO, DEVON (Feb 22, 1982): Eric Morris of Plymouth UFO Investigation Centre appeals for public reports of UFO sightings, emphasizing the importance of keeping records. He mentions that PUFOIC will issue a summary of recent "flying cross" sightings.
• OLYMPIA, WA. DAILY OLYMPIAN (Jan 7, 1982): An Agate Road resident and his wife reported seeing two silver objects with bright lights flying parallel to the ground before shooting straight up.
• SOUTHERN EVENING ECHO, SOUTHAMPTON (Jan 22, 1982): Coastguards suggest that Miss Muriel Upton and Miss Alathea Richards likely saw the planet Venus, which can appear as a gold globe and turn red before setting, rather than a UFO.
• BEND, OR. BULLETIN (Dec 10, 1981): A huge fireball was reported streaking across the sky in four states (Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma), described as a ball of fire with a flare and green and yellow lights. Dr. J. Allen Hynek suggested it was likely a fireball meteor.
• DONCASTER EVENING POST (Feb 20, 1982): A story about Armthorpe schoolboy David McDonagh, who allegedly captured images of UFOs with his Polaroid camera. His father is seeking an explanation for the photos, which appear to show saucer-shaped objects.
• MANKATO MINN FREE PRESS (Mar 1, 1982): Le Sueur County Deputy Terry Wento and a passenger reported seeing a "blue-white light" traveling horizontally, described as a "strange phenomenon" unlike any airplane. The incident was dismissed as "unfounded."
• LANTANA FL. WEEKLY WORLD NEWS (Mar 16, 1982): This appears to be a duplicate of the "Woman injured in vicious UFO attack" article.
• BIG SPRING, TEXAS. HERALD (Mar 3, 1982): Police received a report of an "unknown object in the sky" hovering in the western sky for about three hours. The incident was dismissed as "unfounded."

Russian Planes Attack UFOs & Drag U.S.A. into Space War

This article by Henry Gris and Charles Parmiter, published in the EXAMINER (Mar 30, 1982), discusses Soviet military encounters with UFOs. It claims that Soviet forces have engaged in numerous attacks against UFOs, leading top American ufologists to fear an interplanetary war. Robert Barry, director of the 20th Century UFO Bureau, is quoted stating that firing on UFOs makes aliens regard humans as a threat. The article details alleged Soviet UFO encounters, including:

• Ultrasonic systems used by aliens to immobilize attackers.
• Alien capacity to destroy military targets and devastate the planet by inflicting power failures.
• Reports of alien spaceships disrupting electrical circuits, blocking radio operations, and stopping aircraft engines.
• Russian pilots firing on UFOs since the Second World War, with specific incidents in the 1960s.
• The Kouril Island incident: Described in a classified paper from the U.S. Air Force Academy, involving Russian pilots firing on brilliant, circular UFOs.
• The Aprajsim incident: A Russian pilot ordered to fire on a cigar-shaped UFO, which then blinded him and caused a complete power failure in his aircraft.
• The missile base incident: Three circular UFOs passed over a Soviet missile base near Moscow. One returned and destroyed the base with a ball of fire.
• The Dubstov incident: A Russian pilot encountered a huge circular UFO that engaged in unbelievable maneuvers, causing his plane's instruments to malfunction.

The article also discusses the possibility of underwater UFO bases, citing Dr. Vladimir Azhazha, head of a special Soviet commission to investigate UFOs. Azhazha revealed documented cases of UFOs traveling underwater and making bases beneath the sea, particularly in the Arctic and Pacific Oceans. He speculates that aliens might be seeking new sources of minerals and chemical elements, able to conduct underwater explorations undisturbed.

NE Ohio 'Sightings' Checked

This article from THE CANTON REPOSITORY (Mar 8, 1982) by Gary Brown explores the theory that Northeast Ohio might be a "home" for space visitors. Paul Rozich of Unidentified Flying Objects Researchers Alliance (UFORA) is interviewed. He has spoken to 1,200 to 1,500 local residents claiming to have seen something in the sky.

Rozich states that about 70 percent of reported cases can be logically explained, but some remain unexplained. He mentions a couple who heard a beeping sound and lost an hour of time, and three teenagers who saw a light descending. The article also touches on other phenomena like "Big Foot" sightings and a farmer discovering wheat depressed in a counterclockwise fashion, similar to a UFO landing.

Rozich believes Northeast Ohio is attractive to aliens due to its diverse environment, heavy industry, water, and woods, and its biological paradise status. He also notes that the most likely seasons for UFO sightings in Northeast Ohio are spring and fall, with the majority occurring on Wednesday nights around 10 p.m.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, expert opinions on extraterrestrial life, and alleged encounters between humans (including military forces) and UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious consideration of UFO phenomena, presenting witness testimonies and expert analyses without outright dismissal, while also acknowledging the need for logical explanations and verifiable evidence. There's a clear interest in documenting a wide range of sightings, from personal encounters to potential military confrontations and the possibility of alien bases.