APCIC - Vol 07 No 05 - 1982

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue Date: May 1982
Volume: 7, No. 5
Publisher: Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center (A.P.C.I.C.)
Location: Cleveland, Ohio

This issue of UFO News provides a collection of reports on unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings from various locations, primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom, during the early 1980s. The magazine features witness accounts, investigative efforts by UFO research organizations, and discussions on the nature of these phenomena.

Key Articles and Reports

Monroe, North Carolina Sighting

The front page article, "Residents report 'something' in sky," details a sighting near Monroe, North Carolina, on April 19, 1982. Roland Lowery, a retired farmer, and his family reported seeing a cluster of lights in the sky, including a red and blue light, and two amber-red lights. His sons searched the field but found nothing. Tiffany Gill, a fifth-grader, and her family also witnessed a similar phenomenon, describing a large red light with a smaller one beneath, and blue and yellow lights. They speculated it might be a new tower, but airport manager Alan Pfaffinger stated no new equipment could account for it. The family also reported seeing a helicopter with a glider.

Stanley, North Carolina UFO Photograph

"Stanley man reports UFO described as silver ball" by Sally Griffin reports on Slade Hicks, who claims to have photographed an unidentified flying object on Tuesday afternoon. Hicks described the object as round and silver, moving rapidly and silently. George Fawcett, a UFO expert, examined the photograph and believes the sighting is not a hoax. Fawcett also noted that North Carolina ranks fourth in the U.S. for UFO reports.

Charlottesville, Virginia Sighting

"Mother, Daughter Claim UFO Sighted" by Eileen Mead covers a report from Nannette Morrison and her mother, Carolyn Morrison, who claimed to have seen an Unidentified Flying Object on Tuesday night in Charlottesville, Virginia. Ms. Morrison, a coordinator at the University of Virginia Medical Center, described a great, big, very white light that paced her car and hovered overhead. She noted it had five distinct sections and made no sound. Dr. J. Allen Hynek of the Center for UFO Studies commented that it's not unusual for people to report a bright light pacing their car.

South Butler, New York Sightings

Under "South Butler Personals," Katharine Harvie reports on UFO sightings. Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Marsden saw an object in the sky that was standing still, with a big light, and a plane flew towards it. Mrs. Carrie Radel also reported seeing something that scared her as it looked like it was following her car.

Clear Lake Area, Texas Investigation

"UFO hunting: Clear Lake resident investigates the unexplained" by Kay Huning details the work of John F. Schuessler, a deputy director of MUFON. Schuessler investigates UFO sightings and appeared on "Good Morning America" to discuss a case involving three Dayton, Texas residents: Betty Cash, Vicki Landrum, and her grandson Colby. The report describes an enormous, diamond of fire that lit up the area with intense heat, periodically belching flames and making a beeping sound. The witnesses suffered physical ailments after the encounter, including skin loss, hair loss, vision disturbances, and stomach pains. Schuessler heads a local investigative group called VISIT.

Rouses Point, New York and Vicinity Sightings

"UFO's Flash Across Skies" from the Elizabethtown, N.Y. Valley News reports on sightings of strange lights and objects over Northern New York and Vermont. Some were identified as a special military aircraft with two bright white lights and a red light. Other reports described objects streaking across the skies, changing color and direction rapidly. Authorities speculated some might be remote-controlled model aircraft or meteorites.

Putnam County, New York Sighting

"Callers report UFO" from The Reporter Dispatch and "UFO flight or fancy?" from the Beacon, N.Y. News cover reports of a strange triangular object seen over Putnam County, flashing multi-colored lights. The Putnam County Sheriff's office suggested it might have been three small airplanes from Stormville Airport flying in formation, but this could not be confirmed.

Gloucester, UK Sightings

"UFOs over Stroud: an inquiry" from the Gloucester Citizen reports on the Adams family's repeated sightings of strange objects. Probe, a Bristol-based UFO research organization, is investigating. Mrs. Adams described a long, U-shaped, black silhouette and later a bright orange light. Mr. Lionel Adams also witnessed a similar U-shape object.

Whitehaven, UK Sighting

"ANOTHER U.F.O." from the Whitehaven News describes a flying saucer-type UFO spotted over Mirehouse. A family reported seeing blue, green, red, and orange lights on an oblong-shaped object that made hardly any sound.

Trowbridge, UK Mystery Object

"MYSTERY OBJECT OVER VILLAGE" from the Wiltshire Times reports on police and firemen searching the North Bradley area for a smoking object seen in the sky.

Cardiff, Wales Sighting

"Watching this space – for a UFO" from the South Wales Echo features Annabell Hawker, a local representative for the British UFO Society, who is eager to investigate UFOs. She recounts a personal sighting of a grey, saucer-shaped object.

Gloucester, UK Sighting

"Puzzle of light in Sky" from the Gloucester Citizen details an experience of Mr. Pat Garrod, who saw a pale ice blue light moving at speed across the night sky. He described it as round and brighter than stars, moving soundlessly and diagonally.

Conference on UFOs

"Flights of fancy at conference on UFOs" by David Appleton from The Scotsman reports on a conference where a woman, Mrs. Linda Jones, described under hypnosis being transported into a flying saucer by alien beings. The report notes that US research suggests similar accounts can be elicited from anyone under hypnosis. Mr. Harry Harris, who investigated the case, agreed that similar accounts had been given by others under hypnosis. The article also mentions PC Alan Godfrey's sighting, which was backed by independent witnesses.

Milton Keynes Sighting

"Police see UFO" from the Aberdeen Evening Express reports that two policemen saw a bright yellow, lozenge-shaped object with large white lights near Milton Keynes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO News include the reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena, the investigation of these sightings by various organizations and individuals, and the challenges in distinguishing between genuine phenomena, misidentifications, and potential hoaxes. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of serious inquiry, encouraging detailed reporting and investigation, while acknowledging the skepticism that often surrounds the topic. There is an emphasis on witness accounts and the collection of data, with a desire to find rational explanations where possible, but also an openness to the possibility of genuine, unexplained events.

Title: GLASGOW HERALD
Issue Date: March 15, 1982
Volume/Identifier: 3128
Cover Headline: Forester tells of his close encounter

This issue of the Glasgow Herald features a prominent article detailing a close encounter with a UFO reported by a Scottish forester.

Forester Tells of His Close Encounter

The main article, by Ernest McIntyre, recounts the experience of Mr. Bob Taylor, a 63-year-old foreman forester, who claims to have had a close encounter with unidentified flying objects in a woodland clearing on Dechmont Law, West Lothian, in November 1979. Taylor was questioned by delegates from the British Unidentified Flying Objects Research Association (BUFORA) at the site of the alleged incident.

Taylor described a strange smell, similar to scorched car brake drums, lingering in the air. He reported that two objects with protruding spikes rapidly approached him and attempted to drag him towards a strange, 20ft-high machine. Parts of this machine seemed to be disappearing and reappearing. The encounter caused him to lose consciousness, and upon waking, he found both legs of his trousers torn and his thighs scratched and bruised.

Detective-Sergeant Ian Wark, who was present, pointed out marks on the grass that could have been made by a machine or by Mr. Taylor being dragged. The BUFORA delegates took photographs of Mr. Taylor and the location.

Following their investigation, the delegates unanimously concluded that Mr. Taylor was not lying. Peter Hill, chairman of BUFORA's Edinburgh branch, stated that statements from Taylor's associates vouched for his integrity, and that forensic scientists and police reports had been studied. Stewart Campbell, BUFORA's investigations co-ordinator in Scotland, described the incident as the most inexplicable case of a possible UFO sighting in Scotland. While convinced Taylor saw something, Campbell could not definitively say whether it was a natural phenomenon, an extraterrestrial object, or something requiring medical explanation, emphasizing the need for further investigations.

Despite being treated at Bangour Hospital after the incident, Mr. Taylor claims to be unaffected and continues to visit the site, hoping to see the object again and always carrying his camera.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The article reflects a growing interest in UFO phenomena, with investigators taking witness accounts seriously and attempting to find logical explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards such reports, acknowledging the possibility of unexplained events while also considering hoaxes and natural phenomena. The emphasis on witness integrity and the thoroughness of the investigation suggest a commitment to exploring these mysteries.

This document is a compilation of newspaper clippings from early 1982, primarily focusing on UFO sightings and related investigations across different regions. The publications include the Stroud News and Journal (UK), Glasgow Evening Times (Scotland), Windsor, VT, Chronicle (USA), Stillwater, Minn, Gazette (USA), Ipswich, Mass, Chronicle (USA), Sunday Independent (Australia), and Delmar, NY, Spotlight (USA).

Stroud News and Journal (March 11, 1992) The Stroud News and Journal reports on UFO sightings over Thrupp, UK. The Bristol-based UFO research organisation PROBE is investigating these claims, following reports from November. Ian Mrzyglod of PROBE is appealing for witnesses, assuring that names will not be published and strict confidence will be maintained. He notes that two more UFOs have been seen in the area since the initial article and wishes to compile a full report to offer explanations.

Glasgow Evening Times (March 11, 1982) The Glasgow Evening Times covers the ongoing interest in the famous 'Livingston incident' from Scotland. UFO experts are to re-examine this case, which involves a forestry worker, Bob Taylor, who claims he found a strange machine and was knocked out by fumes from two figures who tried to drag him into their craft. The case is to be discussed by the British Unidentified Flying Objects Research Association.

Windsor, VT, Chronicle (April 29, 1982) The Windsor, VT, Chronicle discusses the recent rash of flashing lights in the night skies, which has become a minor international event. Professor of psychology Don Donderi from McGill University in Montreal is compiling a file of such reports. Donderi, who takes UFO sightings seriously, noted that the Windsor sightings were 'quite consistent' with other reports documented over the last 20 to 25 years. He also observed that government agencies have not provided satisfactory answers and predicted the lights might disappear and reappear. He described the local reports as 'a very good routine UFO report' and expressed interest in further sightings from the area.

Stillwater, Minn, Gazette (April 28, 1982) - Letters to the Editor Susan J. Jacoby writes a letter to the editor of the Stillwater Gazette expressing her dissatisfaction with the newspaper's objective reporting of a UFO sighting on April 22nd. She states that 8-10 people witnessed the same object, which was definitely not a child's balloon, and that federal agencies are investigating it as a U.F.O. Jacoby criticizes the Gazette's staff writer for changing the report to I.F.O. (identified flying object) based on city attorney David Magnuson's claim of seeing a silver helium balloon. She feels the article was not objective and made eyewitnesses look foolish, urging the Gazette to be more broad-minded in its reporting.

Page 2: Keeping aliens mystery alive This section features excerpts from Ronald D. Story's book, 'Sightings: UFOs And The Limits Of Science'. Story is convinced that many craft sighted in recent years are more than illusions. He cites two convincing cases:

Papua New Guinea Sighting (1959) In 1959, 38 people at a seaside mission station in Papua New Guinea observed an extraordinary spectacle, including a glowing, circular object with 'eggs' projecting downward and a shaft of blue light. Four human-like figures were seen moving on top. Reverend William Booth Gill, an Anglican priest, made contact by waving, and the figures on the craft waved back. The object then slowly became bigger, appearing to come closer before disappearing.

New Zealand Sightings (December 1981) Ronald Story describes a series of simultaneous radar-visual-photographic observations in New Zealand. The sightings involved objects described as saucer or egg-shaped with rotating bands of red light and yellowish-white globules. An Argosy cargo plane pilot reported seeing 'white lights' similar to landing lights, which were confirmed by Wellington Air Traffic Control but remained unexplained. Later, another Argosy encountered UFOs, with one object pacing the plane at an estimated 18,800 mph. An Australian television channel decided to do a feature story on this experience. A subsequent flight with a reporter and camera crew witnessed a 'spectacular UFO display' with bright, pulsating globules of light. Dr. Bruce Maccabbee, a Navy physicist, presented findings to experts, but none could explain the sightings.

Page 3: Ipswich, Mass, Chronicle (April 15, 1982) By David Wheeler, this article reports that Ipswich, Massachusetts, has had more UFO sightings than any other community on the North Shore, according to Marge Christensen of MUFON. In 1981, there were seven days of UFO sightings, including a New Year's Eve incident still under investigation. Four flying objects, two larger than the others, were seen, and are believed to have landed, leaving horseshoe-shaped markings in powdery soil. Christensen keeps the location confidential for trust reasons. MUFON investigators examined the landing site for radioactivity and collected soil samples for analysis. Similar markings were found in France. MUFON is described as a civilian scientific research organization. The article also mentions other Ipswich sightings, including a silvery cylinder-shaped object and a circular object with white lights that turned out to be an advertising plane. It notes that 1982 has been a quiet year for UFOs in Ipswich so far, with only two orange lights seen playing tag. Advice is given on what to do if a UFO is seen: grab another witness, record details, and if possible, use a coin to compare the size of the object. Christensen checks with weather bureaus and tries to ascertain the character of the phenomena.

Page 4: Sunday Independent (April 4, 1982) This article reports on two Esperance businesswomen who claim they were menaced by a UFO for an hour early on a Sunday morning. A policeman, kangaroo shooters, a truck driver, and other motorists also reported seeing the mystery object. The craft changed altitude and speed, sweeping from side to side. It was described as brilliantly lit, changing color from red to orange underneath, and becoming misty when accelerating. At times, it appeared to be only 200m away. The UFO was about the size of a small helicopter. Constable Bob Cordon saw the UFO hovering over Esperance Bay. The article mentions local legends of a UFO 'nest' and a theory that UFOs are behind the disappearance of a Queensland man. It also discusses a mystery explosion in 1979, which some believe was caused by a UFO crash, though the official government version was a meteorite. The 200km stretch of South Coast Highway between Ravensthorpe and Esperance is known for UFO sightings. George Hume of the Perth UFO Research Group called this sighting 'one of the best' they have had in Western Australia, noting that Esperance is considered a UFO centre. This sighting broke a 'UFO drought' of six months in Western Australia. A separate brief report mentions an unidentified flying object appearing over Mount Newman iron-ore mine.

Page 5: St. Paul Dispatch (April 23, 1982) & Dartmouth College (April 1, 1982)

St. Paul Dispatch (April 23, 1982) This article reports on a pulsing, shiny object spotted near downtown Stillwater, Minnesota, on Thursday noon. Stillwater Police Chief Wally Abrahamson confirmed the sighting was reported by reliable members of the business community. Sally Dalluhn described the object as shiny, silver, about 4 feet long and 2 feet high, shaped like a pillow, with a steady rhythmic pulsing light. It descended toward the water and hovered about a foot above the river before ascending and disappearing over the Wisconsin shore. Dalluhn stated it couldn't have been a balloon due to its steady movement. Sue Jacoby described it as a 'flashing chrome' object that moved steadily into the wind. Both women felt fascination rather than fear. They and two men watched the object rise and disappear.

Dartmouth College (April 1, 1982) This article from Dartmouth College reports on UFO sightings plaguing Windsor, Vermont, for two months. On February 2, 1982, Windsor residents, including two police officers, reported colorful lights in the sky. Richard Poland described a 'large light' that suddenly became small and dim before speeding off. The same officers later spotted two more objects moving sideways. On March 3, three separate sightings occurred, with lights forming a 'V' formation. Officer Ronald Walker described the lights as blinking white, yellow, and blue-green. Officer Poland noted that if it were a plane or helicopter, he would have heard it. He dismissed the aurora borealis theory, stating it wasn't that. Police reported the incidents to local military air bases, but received no explanation. Windsor police chief Thomas Taylor stated the identity of the lights remains a mystery. Similar lights have been reported in the Rutland area. A Windsor police officer mentioned an organization in Seattle connected with an investigation, but the chief had no knowledge of it.

Page 6: Stillwater, Minn, Gazette (April 22, 1982) & Delmar, NY, Spotlight (April 13, 1982)

Stillwater, Minn, Gazette (April 22, 1982) This article, by Gazette Editor Kevin Regan, details a flashing silver disk seen by four people swooping down over downtown Stillwater around 12:30 p.m. The witnesses were described as serious and shaken. Sally Dalluhn described the disk as metallic and about two feet wide, moving rapidly. Lloyd Arndt, Sue Jacoby, and Julius Beer also witnessed the event. Arndt recalled the object flashing in a regular pattern, and Beer stated it was not a hoax. The object moved toward the river, hovered briefly, then ascended over Houlton Hill and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Delmar, NY, Spotlight (April 13, 1982) Jay Pregent, 16, reported seeing a red flashing light moving west on Lavery Drive in Delmar, NY, late Saturday night. He initially thought it was a radio tower warning light but realized it was moving faster than a plane and was too large to be a satellite. He could not see the body of the vehicle. He reported the incident to police after reading about a similar sighting in Glenmont two weeks prior. Sgt. John Rickey stated that the Air Force no longer investigates UFO reports due to budget cuts. A spokesman at Albany County Airport provided a number for a national UFO center in Seattle, Wash., but could not confirm if it was a government agency.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes across these articles are the persistent reporting of unidentified flying objects, the detailed descriptions of their appearance and behavior, and the involvement of both civilian researchers and, at times, official agencies in investigating these phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on witness testimony, with multiple accounts often corroborating each other. The articles highlight the challenges in obtaining official explanations, with government agencies often providing no satisfactory answers or ceasing investigations. The general stance of the publications appears to be one of reporting these events as news, often with a tone that acknowledges the mystery and intrigue surrounding UFOs, while also including skeptical viewpoints or attempts at rational explanation (e.g., balloons, advertising planes). The inclusion of advice on how to report and document sightings suggests an editorial interest in encouraging further investigation and public awareness of the UFO phenomenon.