APCIC - Vol 09 No 08 - 1984

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue: Volume 9, No. 8
Date: August 1984
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

This issue of UFO NEWS, published by the Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center, focuses on a wide range of UFO sightings and related investigations from the 1970s and early 1980s, with a particular emphasis on Canadian cases. The magazine presents a compilation of reports, expert opinions, and discussions on the nature of UFO phenomena and the potential for government secrecy.

Key Articles and Reports

"Are We Being Watched by UFOs?" by David Miller (Toronto Star)

This article delves into the ongoing investigation of unidentified flying objects, highlighting that top-secret airbases in Canada and the United States receive numerous reports of UFOs that often disappear when fighter jets are scrambled. It recounts several compelling cases:

• Saskatchewan Farmer: A farmer harvesting crops witnessed five whirling discs rise from the ground, emit white vapor, and ascend rapidly, leaving mysterious rings in the field.
• Bracebridge Carpenter: A carpenter reported seeing a glowing light over Three Mile Lake, investigating to find a stocky creature in silvery apparel and a saucer-type ship that circled a hydro pole before disappearing.
• Libau Hunters: Two hunters in Libau, Manitoba, encountered a 100-foot, domed object with short pods. After firing a shotgun, the object slowly rose and disappeared with a humming sound.

The article introduces Dr. J. Allen Hynek as a leading UFO researcher in North America. Hynek, a former scientific adviser for Project Bluebook, now heads the Centre for UFO Studies in Evanston, Illinois, which houses 80,000 cases from 161 countries. He emphasizes that while 80% of reported cases are identifiable, 20% remain unexplained.

Dr. J. Allen Hynek's Perspective

In an interview, Dr. Hynek stresses his role as a scientist, not a "UFO buff," investigating a subject that "won't go away." He notes that Canada has a high number of UFO sightings per capita. Hynek, who advised on Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," spent 20 years investigating UFOs for the U.S. Air Force. He admits that initially, he tried to dismiss cases but eventually found it impossible to ignore multiple witness accounts from credible individuals.

Multiple Sightings in U.S. and Canada (Two-Week Period in 1975)

This section details a series of strange Canadian cases involving multiple UFO sightings over Northern Ontario during a two-week period in 1975. These sightings coincided with similar events at American SAC bases in Montana, Michigan, and Maine. The official American explanation cited ice crystal layers and the planet Venus. The Canadian reports include:

• November 11, 1975: A NORAD radar station in Falconbridge detected a blip, leading to a jet scramble that found nothing.
• November 12, 1975: Another sighting near Falconbridge involved two objects with glowing lights.
• November 16, 1975: Mrs. Carl Anderson of Duluth, Michigan, reported four objects brighter than stars heading east.
• November 16, 1975: Robert Oliver of Sudbury, Canada, saw a bright yellow object with a long vapor trail.
• November 15, 1975: Lyman Paquette of Laurentian University described a "cup"-shaped object that climbed out of sight.

Claims of Government Cover-Up

Stanton Friedman, a nuclear physicist, posits that governments on both sides of the border have agreed to a "cosmic Watergate" to conceal information about UFOs. He believes that governments possess more classified information on flying saucers than on hydrogen bombs and that the U.S. government has wreckage from the 1947 Roswell crash, which was initially reported as a UFO but later explained as a weather balloon.

National Research Council's Stance

Dr. Peter McNamara, head of the National Research Council's planetary sciences division, stated that while the NRC receives and correlates UFO sightings in Canada, they are categorized as meteors or non-meteors. He claims the council does not follow up on most reports, finding no scientific reason for exhaustive investigations, and that previous efforts yielded no evidence of unusual extra-terrestrial visits. He suggests that cases are often dismissed as mistaken identity or unconfirmed reports of no scientific value.

Stephen Michalak Incident

This section details the case of Stephen Michalak, a prospector near Falcon Lake, Manitoba, who on May 20, 1967, encountered two glowing red objects. One landed, described as a 45-foot saucer-shaped UFO. Michalak reported touching the craft, resulting in burns and illness, which he attributed to airplane exhaust. Despite medical examinations at the Mayo Clinic, no definitive cause was found.

Other Notable Cases

• Pascagoula, Miss. (October 1973): Two men reported being taken aboard a spacecraft by three alien creatures.
• Kenora, Ont. (August 20, 1955): An airline pilot witnessed a shiny object stop dead in front of him and then accelerate away.
• Docetteville, N.S.: Tom Thibault reported his car being pushed back by a 60-foot object that emitted blue light and a magnetic field.
• Bracebridge Carpenter (October 1975): A carpenter reported a close encounter with a spaceship and a humanoid, leading him to move away due to media attention.
• Trindade Island (January 16, 1958): Photographer Almiro Barauna captured six photographs of a bright object resembling the planet Saturn moving at high speed.
• Waycross, Georgia: Teenage sweethearts Danny Thrift and Janet Curry reported being terrified by a UFO that chased their car and lit up the interior.

Wiltshire Corn Circles

The article discusses mysterious circles appearing in Wiltshire corn fields, reviving speculation about UFOs. While some theories point to UFOs or pranksters, local meteorologist Dr. Terence Meaden suggests mini-whirlwinds, and others consider down draughts from helicopters. The possibility of deer causing the marks is also mentioned.

Leeds UFO Sighting

Five people reported seeing a UFO over Leeds, described as a pair of colored rotating lights that hovered or moved for several minutes.

Tom Deuley and MUFON

Tom Deuley, a retired Navy lieutenant commander and president of San Antonio MUFON, believes U.S. government officials should investigate UFO sightings. He asserts that government documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act indicate that federal agencies have studied UFOs since the late 1940s. Deuley co-founded the Fund for UFO Research and is involved in compiling a book called "Clear Intent." He argues that the government is as baffled by UFOs as the public is and that there is no security threat. Deuley also notes that while 80% of sightings can be explained naturally, the remaining 20% remain unknown. He criticizes the Condon report's conclusion as predetermined and dismissive of the UFO phenomenon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO NEWS include the persistent nature of UFO sightings, the scientific investigation of these phenomena, and the persistent allegations of government secrecy and cover-ups. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, giving voice to researchers like Dr. J. Allen Hynek who advocate for a scientific approach, while also presenting claims of deliberate concealment by authorities. The magazine aims to document and analyze these events, suggesting that the subject is of significant and ongoing interest, despite official skepticism or lack of definitive explanations.

This issue of the EXAMINER, dated July 31, 1984, focuses on the mysterious "Devil's Crescent," a region described as a ruggedly beautiful, yet eerie, seacoast stretching from Washington to Northern California. This area is presented as being as mysterious and deadly as the Bermuda Triangle, filled with unexplained phenomena.

The Cascade Corridor: A New Bermuda Triangle?

The "Cascade Corridor" is detailed as a zone of intense mystery, encompassing dangerous natural landmarks like Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier, along with Puget Sound. The area is steeped in legends of evil spirits and vanished hunters, and is known for phenomena that baffle local residents and researchers alike. These include bizarre magnetic field behavior, regular UFO sightings, the presence of Bigfoot, vanishing individuals, and the appearance of phantom hitchhikers. Experienced pilots have reported losing their bearings and equipment malfunctioning.

Vortexes and Psychic Experiences

A significant aspect of the Cascade Corridor are "vortexes," described by psychologist Dr. Stanley Krippner as locations where "people and other living things and objects do not behave as they ordinarily would." Individuals entering these vortexes, such as the one near Mt. Shasta, report entering different states of consciousness. The most notorious of these is the Oregon Vortex, located near Gold Hill in Southern Oregon. This site, approximately 165 feet in diameter, exhibits strange powers that baffle scientists, with laws of physics seemingly suspended. Gravity pulls at odd angles, the magnetic field twists, birds avoid the area, visual perception and light are distorted, and people's minds are affected.

UFOs and the Cascade Corridor

Robert Kinney, an investigator, suggests that areas of the Corridor might function as "inter-dimensional windows," leading to mysterious disappearances or transportations within the corridor. He also posits that UFOs could be responsible for these phenomena. UFO sightings are described as commonplace in the Corridor, with the term "flying saucer" originating from a 1947 report by pilot Kenneth Arnold, who described nine UFOs.

International UFO Investigations and Sightings

Soviet Union Investigates UFOs

In a significant development, the Soviet Union is reportedly launching an official UFO investigation, headed by prominent cosmonaut Pavel Popovich. This probe was initiated due to a number of sightings of a mysterious flying "cigar-shaped object" over Russian territory. The craft was observed by air controllers over Gorky, near Moscow, circling an airfield before vanishing. Skeptical Russian experts are now convinced that UFOs exist. The investigative body will be known as the "Commission for the Investigation of Abnormal Atmospheric Phenomena." Jenny Randles, director of the British UFO Research Association, welcomed the move, stating that UFOs have become a "major defense problem."

Australian UFO Incident

A dramatic report from Australia details an incident where American Air Force pilots attempted to shoot down a UFO. A radar site detected a UFO traveling at 700 mph, which then slowed to 100 mph. Two F-86 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept. One pilot managed to get within 500 yards of the "saucer-shaped" object, which was described as definitely saucer-shaped. The pilot fired his guns in an attempt to shoot it down, but the UFO pulled away rapidly and vanished. This account was reportedly from a secret manual for American pilots.

UFOs and the British Isles

Reports from the UK include a sighting over southern England that baffled experts. An astronomer in Worthing first saw the object, which was about 25 miles high and visible for 20 minutes. It was also seen by other astronomers along the South Coast. The Royal Greenwich Observatory could not identify it. Patrick Moore, known for his skepticism, expressed bafflement and intrigue.

In York, a taxi driver claimed a cigar-shaped UFO was responsible for a fire that damaged York Minster. He stated he saw the UFO send down a ray. A senior fire officer dismissed this as a cause.

In Warwick, a psychiatric nurse reported seeing a bright orange object that looked like an aircraft on fire, with parts breaking away. He considered the possibility of a meteorite but leaned towards a "meteorite theory."

Crop Circles and Mystery

"We are going round in circles again!" proclaims a headline about the mystery of "White Holes." A new set of five perfect circles was discovered in a Hampshire barleyfield, exactly one year after a similar discovery. These circles, consisting of a large center circle surrounded by four smaller ones, can only be seen from the air. Theories range from UFOs to helicopters, freak whirlwinds, or druidic ceremonies. Farmer Dennis Kendell noted that some of the smaller circles had no marks on the ground, and the barley was laid down in a strange way. The mystery deepens as similar formations have appeared in other locations.

Other UFO Sightings

Reports from Canada include a "close encounter" in Cowling, near Keighley, where a coach driver and his daughter saw three lights in a triangle formation traveling fast with a droning noise. They were reported to the police. In Manitoba, there has been a "mystery" over a rash of UFO sightings, with 12 reports since Christmas, double the previous year. While most have been explained as bolides, satellites, or aircraft, two remain unexplained.

A Dublin teenager reported seeing a strange flying object that he identified as not being a plane due to its lack of noise and red tail lights. He saw it flying over a lighthouse and turning towards Dublin Airport.

UFO Explanations and Skepticism

Mundane Explanations for UFOs

James Oberg, a space engineer with NASA, argues for mundane explanations for UFO sightings. He has explained sensational sightings by revealing they were triggered by Soviet rocket launches and re-entries of rocket boosters and space satellites. One dramatic example involved a sighting on June 14th, 1980, seen in Russia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, which was later identified as the firing stages of a satellite launched from a secret space center north of Moscow. Oberg believes these documented disclosures are "too mundane" to capture public imagination.

J. Allen Hynek's Evolving Theories

J. Allen Hynek, director of the Center for UFO Studies, has shifted from the "nuts and bolts" theory of UFOs to a theory of "alternate reality," suggesting UFOs might be an interface between our reality and a parallel reality or another dimension. The author notes that Hynek declined an interview at a recent symposium.

The Debate Continues

The issue highlights the ongoing controversy between ufologists, who promote belief in UFOs, and skeptics, who investigate claims. While ufologists are interested in extraterrestrial intelligence, the article notes that many photographs and evidence presented are from "con artists" seeking monetary rewards. However, the convention also attracted those interested in "real evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of unexplained aerial phenomena, the mystery surrounding specific geographical locations like the Cascade Corridor and crop circle sites, and the ongoing debate between those who believe in extraterrestrial visitors and those who seek rational explanations. The editorial stance appears to lean towards presenting a wide range of UFO-related reports and theories, while also including skeptical viewpoints and the challenges of distinguishing genuine phenomena from hoaxes or misidentifications. The coverage suggests a fascination with the unknown and the potential for extraordinary events occurring in everyday life.

This issue, dated July 26, 1984, features a prominent cover story titled "My green and red mystery," focusing on UFO sightings and related phenomena. The publication appears to be a collection of articles from various sources, including the Bradford Telegraph Argus, National Enquirer, and San Antonio Light, suggesting a compilation of UFO-related news and investigations.

Manitoba Sightings: Objects Travel at High Speed

The issue reports on two distinct UFO sightings in Manitoba, Canada. On January 5, 1984, two residents of Dauphin witnessed "several saucer-shaped objects travelling at high speed," described as rainbow-colored and "200 times faster than a jet." One witness, Rutkowski, a library technician, noted that the wind direction ruled out balloons and suggested it might have been a "spectacular bolide" (meteor), but ultimately classified it as "unknown." Another sighting occurred on May 27, 1984, near Beresford Lake, where two women observed a "bright orange light" that hovered like an "oval object" for five minutes before vanishing. Rutkowski also classified this as "unknown."

Rutkowski mentions that UFOROM, a five-year-old organization, receives leads from various sources, including the RCMP, reporters, and old diaries. He notes that peak sighting times in Winnipeg are between 10 to 11 p.m., with peak months being May and June. He also shared that he has approximately 200-250 sightings on file from Winnipeg dating back to 1896.

Robert Ballantyne, director of the Winnipeg Planetarium, discusses the fluctuating belief in UFOs among scientists, noting a shift from skepticism to increased interest in the 1970s, and a more recent downplaying by scientists like Carl Sagan, who, according to Ballantyne, believes in extraterrestrial life but not in UFOs.

Yorkshire Sighting: A Journalist's Account

Peter Brearey, a journalist for the Bradford Telegraph Argus, recounts his personal sighting of a UFO in the early hours of July 26, 1984, near Haworth. He describes seeing a "glowing, round object" that appeared to be carrying "red and green lights" and had hung over the city. He confirmed that Mrs. June Clayton of West Bowling had also reported seeing a similar craft. Brearey, along with Mrs. Clayton, examined the object through binoculars, concluding it was "definitely wasn't an aeroplane or a helicopter." Brearey noted the object "did not move in any direction" for five minutes but seemed to be "pulsating" and changing shades from red to green. He also mentions that Nigel Mortimer, acting director of investigations with the British UFO Research Association, had received seven similar reports from people who saw the object, with sightings reported east of Leeds and west of Bradford, as far as Manchester.

Mortimer stated that they were collecting data and not yet ready to give an evaluation, but the number of sightings suggested something "highly unusual." The article also touches upon the presence of a US spy station at Menwith Hill, suggesting a possible connection. Officials from the Ministry of Defence, police, and Leeds-Bradford airport were reportedly baffled by the reports. Dennis Gibson of Morley also reported seeing "a pair of coloured rotating lights" that were twice the size of stars and spun around.

The Man in Black

This section, from the Northampton Chronicle + Echo, discusses the phenomenon of "Men in Black" (MIB). It references a book titled "Visions, Apparitions and Alien Visitors" by Hilary Evans. The article suggests that if a caller is a man dressed in black, possibly with two similarly-dressed associates and arriving in a luxury car, one should be suspicious. These "entities" are described as being interested only in people who study UFOs. They are said to arrive after a UFO sighting, often before the witness can report it, and usually when the witness is alone. They are characterized by dark suits, shoes, and socks, with white shirts, and may have foreign-looking features with slanting eyes. They sometimes claim to be from the Ministry of Defence or the CIA, aiming to dissuade people from investigating UFOs, occasionally using threats of violence.

Alien Abduction Confirmed by Expert

The National Enquirer reports on the astounding claim of a 77-year-old man, Alfred Burtoo of Aldershot, England, who says he was taken aboard an alien spacecraft. Burtoo recounts being fishing in a canal when he saw a light approaching. He then encountered "two shapes" about four feet high, dressed in pale green coveralls with helmets, who beckoned him towards a large, shiny, aluminum craft, estimated to be 50 feet long and 18 feet high. Inside, he was led to an octagonal room and examined under an "amber spotlight." The aliens reportedly asked his age, told him he was "too old and infirm for our purposes," and then allowed him to leave. Timothy Good, a top UFO expert who has lectured to British government leaders, confirms Burtoo's story, stating he interviewed Burtoo multiple times and found his account consistent and detailed. Good also investigated Burtoo's background and expressed certainty that Burtoo was taken aboard an alien craft. Omar Fowler, chairman of the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena, called it an "exciting case" and believed it to be genuine.

Livestock Mutilations Remain a Mystery

The San Antonio (Texas) Light reports on livestock mutilations, with Tomas R. Adams, an animal mutilation specialist, stating that the phenomenon has never been fully explained. The number of mutilations peaked in 1975 with over 1,500 reported cases, but has since dropped to less than a half-dozen per year. Adams dismisses explanations involving cult groups or natural predation for the majority of cases, highlighting the "surgical precision" used to remove body parts and the "lack of blood." He also notes that decomposition often prevents effective autopsy analysis. The modern wave of mutilations began in 1973, with the famous "Snippy" horse case in Southern Colorado in 1967 being an earlier notable incident.

Expert Urges Scientists to Investigate UFOs

Another article from the San Antonio Light features J. Allen Hynek, a retired professor of astronomy and UFO researcher. Hynek argues that the consistent pattern of UFO reporting across different areas and cultures necessitates serious scientific attention. He directs the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS), which has recorded about 20,000 unexplained UFO sightings. Hynek, who consulted for the Air Force's Project Blue Book, initially believed UFO sightings were a fad but now sees the persistence of the phenomenon as strong evidence that "something is going on that our science does not explain." He suggests that UFO sightings might indicate an intelligence from "a distant solar system, another dimension or a parallel universe."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently highlights the unexplained nature of UFO sightings and related phenomena, from high-speed aerial objects to alleged alien encounters and mysterious livestock mutilations. There is a recurring theme of skepticism from mainstream science and government bodies, contrasted with the persistent reporting from witnesses and the dedicated research efforts of organizations like UFOROM, the British UFO Research Association, and CUFOS. The articles suggest a growing body of evidence that challenges conventional explanations, with experts like Timothy Good and J. Allen Hynek advocating for more serious scientific investigation into the UFO phenomenon. The presence of the "Men in Black" adds a layer of intrigue and potential cover-up to the UFO narrative. The overall stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these unexplained events, acknowledging the validity of witness accounts and the need for further research.