APCIC - Vol 09 No 12 - 1984

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue Date: December 1984
Volume: 9, No. 12
Publisher: Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center (A.P.C.I.C.)
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

This issue of UFO NEWS delves into various aspects of UFO phenomena, featuring reports on sightings, abductions, and the ongoing efforts to legitimize UFO research. The magazine highlights personal accounts, investigative efforts, and the skepticism surrounding the topic.

Articles and Features

"In Search of Visitors from Other Worlds" by Ray Weiss

The lead article discusses the waning public interest in UFOs since the 1970s, despite an average of three sightings reported globally each day. It features interviews with dedicated UFO investigators Shirley Fox and Everett Walter of Fort Myers, who are members of MUFON. Fox notes that many people hesitate to report sightings due to ridicule, and that only about 1 in 10 reported sightings are unexplainable.

The article recounts several cases, including that of Jimmy Flynn, who in 1965 was allegedly struck by a beam of light from a UFO in the Everglades, resulting in partial blindness. Flynn has since become reclusive about the experience. Fox and Walter share their own experiences and the public lampooning they have faced, emphasizing that UFO research is serious scientific work.

Recent sightings mentioned include an object with a large orange light near Lehigh Acres and an encounter by two fishermen in the Everglades. The article also introduces a woman in Naples who has had multiple UFO sightings since childhood. Walter expresses interest in understanding why some individuals have repeated sightings.

Walter and Fox's Perspectives

Walter and Fox speculate about the origins of UFOs, suggesting they might be from other worlds or dimensions. Walter emphasizes the importance of close encounters for study, rather than just chasing lights. Fox's interest began in 1953 with a sighting of three green lights, followed by sightings of a football-shaped object with a brilliant orange light. Walter recounts a 1966 sighting of nine orange sphere-shaped objects by himself and about 100 other men during a Navy training exercise, an event still classified as unidentified.

Walter, now a consulting electrical engineer and researcher for MUFON, holds a doctorate in education. He believes face-to-face confrontations are necessary to clarify the nature of UFOs. He notes that fewer sightings are reported locally, possibly due to people going to bed early or keeping sightings to themselves. Walter is currently mapping past and present sightings in the Everglades to find patterns.

They urge anyone with information about unexplainable objects in the area to write to MUFON in Fort Myers, providing detailed descriptions. They assure anonymity and stress the seriousness of the subject, countering the notion that if one hasn't seen a UFO, they don't exist.

"Astronomer to Upgrade UFO Research" by Lisa Godwin

This section reports on astronomer J. Allen Hynek, who plans to invest $2 million annually to move his research headquarters to Phoenix, Arizona, aiming to elevate UFO studies from a 'crackpot era' to respectable science. Hynek, who worked with the Air Force on UFO research for 20 years and heads the Center for UFO Studies, believes the time is ripe for massive research into the phenomenon. He cites the difficulty of interstellar travel with current technology as a parallel to understanding UFOs.

"UFOs: 11 years later, he awaits their return" by Joan Treadway

This article revisits the Pascagoula UFO abduction case of Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker, which occurred 11 years prior on October 11, 1973. Hickson, now 53, returned to the site in Pascagoula, Mississippi, to observe the anniversary. He recounts the event where he and Parker were fishing and encountered a spaceship. Three humanoid creatures, described as having wrinkled gray skin, no necks or eyes, and slit mouths, approached them. Hickson was examined by a large eye, while Parker was taken aboard the craft. Both men were later found near the wharf, with Parker in shock.

Hickson describes the creatures as robotic due to their programmed movements. He and Parker, initially hesitant to report due to fear of being labeled crazy, eventually contacted Keesler Air Force Base and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. Chief Deputy Sheriff Barney Mathis, now chief of investigations, confirmed that something definitely happened, though he couldn't determine if they were hallucinating. Mathis also noted that Hickson passed a lie detector test.

J. Allen Hynek investigated the case shortly after the incident, finding the men to be genuinely shaken. He mentions that there have been about 200 reported abduction cases. However, UFO debunker Philip Klass dismisses the Pascagoula incident as a hoax, attributing sightings to prosaic explanations or hoaxes.

Klass offers to pay for a new lie detector test for Hickson, who agrees if the examiner is chosen by a neutral third party. Hickson, a pipe and steel fitter, is supported by his family, including his son Eddie, who believes in the possibility of life in other worlds. Klass suggests that if aliens exist and can travel vast distances, they would have more significant pursuits than kidnapping humans. Hickson has written a book about his experience titled "The UFO Contact in Pascagoula."

"Unnerved by incident."

This brief section notes that Parker, who could not be located, has apparently not fared as well as Hickson. Hickson states that Parker is unnerved by the experience and cannot accept that the aliens want to stay in contact, unlike Hickson himself.

"Truck-driving pair brakes for UFOs"

This article reports on Robert and Jackie Bair, a truck-driving couple who stopped their journey near Sauk Centre, Minnesota, after claiming to be attacked by bird-like creatures from a spaceship. The creatures, described as about 8 inches high with V-shaped heads, allegedly followed them from Montana to Minnesota and shot metal filings at their vehicle. Dorothy Sills, office manager at Truckers Inn, stated the couple was upset and excited, claiming the UFO was shooting at them, though she and others could not see anything.

Sauk Centre Police Chief George Trierweiler and State Patrol Sgt. Fred Korte inspected the truck but found no evidence of metal filings. Trierweiler expressed skepticism, stating that if he cannot see what is being described, it is not there. Korte also dismissed the report. The Bairs claimed to have seen metal shavings in their motel room and writing on Jackie Bair's thigh. The National UFO Reporting Center confirmed the Bairs had filed a report. The couple, described as 'plain-old everyday folks,' continued their journey to Washington.

"Alien saucers crashed in NM, say '77 reports" by Lisa Godwin

This report details declassified documents suggesting that nine aliens aboard three flying saucers crashed in New Mexico 25 years prior to the article (around 1952) and were recovered by the U.S. government, kept secret until 1977. The aliens were described as about three feet tall, dressed in soft metallic cloth, and wrapped in bandages. Their aircraft was circular, 50 feet in diameter. Evidence includes a letter from an FBI agent to J. Edgar Hoover acknowledging the aircraft and aliens.

Robert Hastings, an independent UFO researcher, believes these documents, along with others obtained through Freedom of Information Act lawsuits, indicate extensive government studies into aerial phenomena since the late 1940s. He notes that agencies like the CIA and FBI, which publicly dismiss civilian sightings, have conducted massive investigations themselves.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings, alien encounters, and the efforts to investigate these phenomena seriously. There's a clear emphasis on personal testimony and the challenges faced by witnesses and researchers due to public skepticism and ridicule. The publication seems to lean towards validating the reality of UFOs and the importance of their study, while also acknowledging debunkers like Philip Klass and presenting their counterarguments. The recurring theme is the pursuit of truth in a field often dismissed as pseudoscience, with a focus on bringing credibility to UFO research and uncovering potential government knowledge or involvement.

This issue of '77 REPORT CON'T' (likely a section or continuation of a larger publication) from September 29, 1984, focuses heavily on UFO phenomena, featuring a mix of investigative reports, personal accounts, and critical commentary on media and government handling of the subject. The publication appears to be a Canadian newspaper, 'ON-THE GLOBE MAIL', with content also drawn from various UK and US sources.

Globe Criticized for Story on UFOs

A nuclear physicist, Stanton Friedman, who lectures on unidentified flying objects (UFOs), criticized The Globe and Mail for its reporting on the subject. He claimed that UFOs are the 'story of the millennium' and are being suppressed by Canadian and U.S. governments. Friedman alleged that The Globe's January 21st story, 'Rage in 1960s, UFO 'sightings' just fade away,' misrepresented information from declassified documents in a misleading fashion. He also objected to the newspaper's subsequent editorial on UFOs, which he found to be humorous, misleading, and inaccurate, stating it left the impression that there was no cover-up of the 'Cosmic Watergate.' Friedman asserted that governments suppress the truth about UFO technology because the nation controlling it will rule the planet. Norman Webster, Globe's editor-in-chief, stated that the reporter was not told how to approach the story, but that editorially, the paper takes a skeptical view and does not see it as their responsibility to 'break open the Cosmic Watergate.' Laszlo Buhasz, assistant editor, commented that the subject of UFOs is not immune to tongue-in-cheek editorials.

UFOs and Biblical Interpretations

An article titled 'Passages from the Bible intrigue UFO believers' by George Plagenz, published in the GA-AUGUSTA CHRONICLE on September 29, 1984, explores how certain biblical passages are interpreted by UFO enthusiasts. The Federal Aviation Administration and the Air Force are noted for dismissing UFO reports. T. M. Wright, author of 'The Intelligent Man's Guide to Flying Saucers,' suggests that Ezekiel's vision of a 'wheel' was actually the sighting of an interstellar spaceship. Erich von Daniken, author of 'Chariots of the Gods?', also interprets Ezekiel's account as a description of a craft. Von Daniken further posits that the 'giants' and 'sons of God' mentioned in Genesis (6:4) were extraterrestrials, and that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was carried out by alien invaders. He believes the 'angels' who guided Lot were spacemen. The article notes that while many dismiss these interpretations, scientists acknowledge the likelihood of intelligent life on other planets, leading theologians to ponder spiritual questions about extraterrestrial beings.

The UFO Hunter: Steve Balon

An article from the BOLTON EVENING NEWS (October 11, 1984) profiles Steve Balon, a UFO expert from Leigh, England. Balon, who has spent 20 years investigating UFOs, is convinced that 'something is going on.' He serves as the local sightings co-ordinator for the Manchester-based Direct Investigation Group of Aerial Phenomena. His home is filled with photographs, files, and tape recordings of alleged sightings. Balon notes that many people are reluctant to report sightings due to fear of ridicule. He and other ufologists conducted a UFO watch on Winter Hill for three years, recording unexplained aerial movements. The article mentions Bolton's history of unexplained UFO sightings and Balon's observation that reports tend to come in waves. Despite skepticism, Balon remains enthusiastic in his search for conclusive proof.

Teenagers Spot a UFO

The EAST KENT GAZETTE (September 27, 1984) reports on two Sittingbourne teenagers, Kevin Pook and Linda Stump, who claimed a double sighting of a UFO on Sunday morning. They described seeing a rectangle of bright lights dissected by parallel lines of lights, first over Shell Research and then descending near Borden Lane. They were questioned by an official from RAF Manston and could not explain what they saw. They managed to take two photographs of the lights before they disappeared. Kevin Pook stated he did not believe in UFOs but could not explain his experience.

Mystery Burn from the Sky

The DEPTFORD & PECKHAM MERCURY (September 27, 1984) features Timothy Fender, who claims a piece of metal fell from the sky and burnt a hole in his suit. He saw a bright object high in the sky over Lewisham, and as he crossed the road, a piece fell on him. He discovered shrapnel pieces of silver metal. His wife, Myrtle, fears the metal might be radioactive.

UFOs Not Ours Say MIA and BAe

The WILMSLOW EXPRESS ADVERTISER (October 4, 1984) reports that Manchester International Airport and British Aerospace, Woodford, denied responsibility for unusual aircraft sightings over Nether Alderley. A resident claimed aircraft had been passing over the area daily for two weeks. Despite inquiries, the cause of the sightings remains unidentified.

UFO TAPE 'IS NOT A HOAX'

The IPSWICH EVENING STAR (October 25, 1984) reports on a dramatic tape recording allegedly made by American servicemen during a close encounter with an alien spacecraft in Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk. The 20-minute recording, a key piece of evidence for UFO investigators, was provided by former base commander Col. Sam Morgan, who believes it is authentic. The tape is due to be played at a London press conference launching the book 'Sky Crash - A Cosmic Conspiracy.' The book's authors, Dot Street, Brenda Butler, and Jenny Rendles, claim a conspiracy to cover up the truth. Col. Morgan stated that the men were genuinely frightened and saw something unexplainable. The report details the alleged incidents on December 27 and 29/30, 1980, including sightings of unusual lights, objects, traces of radiation, and silver-suited 'entities' repairing a craft. Lt. Col. Charles Halt's report on the incidents, leaked to the press, confirmed unusual lights and objects and radiation traces. The Ministry of Defence stated they investigated and found no military significance. Capt. Victor Warzinski, USAF public affairs commander, described the 'Sky Crash' story as a tale that gets bigger each time it's told, and stated there was no evidence of a cover-up.

'Pink Disc' Puzzles UFO Group

The DERBY EVENING TELEGRAPH (October 22, 1984) reports that the Nottingham UFO Investigation Society is seeking information about a low-flying pink disc seen by about ten witnesses in the Derby area over the weekend of October 6 and 7. The object reportedly came from the south/south-east and moved towards the Ashbourne area.

UFO PHENOMENON MUST BE EXPLORED

Dennis Stacy, writing for the SUNDAY EXPRESS-NEWS (July 8, 1984), discusses the U.S. Air Force's closure of Project Blue Book in 1969. He argues that Blue Book primarily served as a propaganda tool to calm public anxiety and that the Air Force adopted a policy of debunking UFO reports following a CIA-sponsored Robertson Panel in 1953. Stacy highlights the release of thousands of previously classified UFO documents obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, noting that the National Security Agency (NSA) has successfully defended its position against releasing documents on grounds of 'national security.' He questions the logic of ceasing scientific study of an unexplained aerial phenomenon. The article suggests that intelligence agencies continue to investigate UFOs but do not release reports through readily accessible channels.

Connecticut Woman Claims Abduction

A photograph caption from AP LASERPHOTO shows Betty Ann Luca posing with two extraterrestrial creatures, stating she claims to have been abducted aboard a UFO in 1967. The accompanying text notes that such reports compromise national security and military integrity, and that in an era of nuclear war, it is no longer feasible to ignore these phenomena. Recognizing the potential for UFOs to trigger nuclear alerts is considered in the interests of both science and international relations.

Skywatchers Baffled by Silver Streak

The MOUNT SHASTA, CA. HERALD (July 25, 1984) reports on a mysterious silver streak that caused numerous calls to the Siskiyou County Interagency Fire Dispatch Center. Fire lookouts and residents across hundreds of miles reported seeing a metallic object leave a trail of smoke. The cause was later reported to be a meteorite, which became visible at about 2:50 p.m. Friday. Despite initial concerns about fires or plane crashes, no fragments were found, and it's believed the cosmic rock burned up.

Border 'UFO' Explanation?

In a letter to the SOUTHERN REPORTER (October 18, 1984), Steuart Campbell, Scottish Area Investigator for the British UFO Research Association, offers an explanation for UFO sightings. He suggests that celestial objects like Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter, along with the star Antares, visible low in the sky, can appear distorted and refract light, causing reports of blue and red lights. He doubts sounds reported are associated with these visible objects, suggesting an aircraft might be involved. Campbell advises readers that if a light is stationary or moves slowly, it is likely a star or planet.

Drivers Report UFO Sitings

The ASHBOURNE NEWS TELEGRAPH (October 18, 1984) reports that the Nottingham NUFOIS (Unidentified Flying Objects Information Society) is appealing for further information about UFO sightings in Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Co-ordinator Mr P. T. Ann mentioned sightings by drivers and other witnesses, including an object visible in the sky at dusk on Saturday or Sunday. The article also references the 'Ashbourne Event,' a series of local UFO sightings from four years prior.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently highlights themes of government secrecy and cover-ups regarding UFO phenomena, with multiple articles calling for transparency and public inquiry. The media's role in reporting on UFOs is also a recurring theme, ranging from criticism of sensationalism to skepticism and the defense of journalistic integrity. There's a clear division between those who believe UFOs represent a significant, potentially world-altering phenomenon, and those, including official bodies and some media outlets, who remain skeptical or dismissive. The interpretation of ancient texts, particularly the Bible, as potential evidence of past extraterrestrial contact is another prominent theme. The overall stance appears to be one of questioning official narratives and encouraging further investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena.

This collection of newspaper clippings from August, September, October, and November 1984, primarily from the Hereford Evening News, Kent Evening Post, Colchester Evening Gazette, Salisbury Journal, and The Globe and Mail, focuses on UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters across England. The central theme is the question of whether aliens have landed, exploring public opinion, witness testimonies, and claims of official cover-ups.

Have the aliens landed? (Hereford Evening News, Aug. 9, 1984)

This article from the Hereford Evening News explores public reaction in Worcestershire to the relaunch of the UFO investigation unit Skyscan Two and a recent double sighting in Malvern. Residents Denis Hiams, Marcus Wilson, Jane Tattersfield, and schoolboy John Starkey share their views. Denis Hiams expresses skepticism, believing most phenomena have logical explanations. Marcus Wilson suggests UFOs are 'distractions' sent by God. Jane Tattersfield is open to the possibility of extraterrestrial life, while John Starkey is convinced of life in other solar systems and advocates for contact.

Housewife Cynthia Taylor of Droitwich recalls seeing strange, unaccounted-for lights near her house about five years prior. The article also features a separate report about Nigel Crist's encounter with a strange green light in Orpington on August 7, 1984, at 11 pm. He described it as a mystery light with no tail, not a plane or flare, and wonders if anyone else saw it. Police and the Ministry of Defence had no reports of UFOs in the area.

Did a UFO land here? (Kentish Times, Aug. 16, 1984)

This clipping, seemingly related to the Orpington sighting, details Nigel Crist's experience. He was walking his dog when he saw a green light shoot across the sky and appear to land in Orpington on August 7 at 11 pm. He is certain it wasn't a plane or flare and notes its green color and lack of a tail. The report confirms that local police and the Ministry of Defence had no relevant reports, and the Ministry stated no flight exercises were occurring that night.

Aliens amid the Wiltshire corn? (Bath & Wilts Chronicle, Aug. 15, 1984)

This letter to the editor questions the explanation of whirlwinds for mysterious wheatfield circles, citing their symmetrical formation and the way the grain stalks are pressed down rather than lifted. The author suggests a possible link to reports of 'pulsating orange nocturnal lights' and 'nebulous spinning discoid objects.' The author, N. J. Griffin of Bath, also asks if farmers have ever reported being 'uplifted' or laid out flat while tilling their fields.

UFO by Car (Kent Evening Post, Sep. 24, 1984)

This report details a UFO sighting over the Kent countryside. Kevin Pook, 19, of Sittingbourne, reported seeing a square of white light with two lines of white light running across the middle near the Shell Research Centre in Sittingbourne in the early hours of Sunday morning. He saw the object twice, around 2:05 am and again about half an hour later. The object made no noise and headed towards London. Police reported the sighting to the RAF as a matter of procedure.

Pictures of crashed alien craft (Watford Observer, Oct. 19, 1984)

This letter to the editor from Gordon Creighton discusses top-secret documents obtained by his investigator colleagues in the U.S. These documents, numbering thousands of pages, reportedly include Air Force and FBI files on crashed flying saucers with dead crews, dating back to 1947 and 1950. Creighton is publishing selections of these photostats in an international journal. He notes that much of the material is in Russian or Chinese and that he has translated China's first book on the subject. He believes people are anxious to know about these events.

Was this a UFO sighting? (Kent Sussex Courier, Nov. 2, 1984)

Ten-year-old Natatia Bray reported seeing an unusual object with black smoke and fire coming from it, glowing orange, in a field behind her school in Tonbridge. Her mother, Mrs. Ellen Bray, believes her daughter is telling the truth, especially after reading a previous article. A reporter visiting the scene found a flattened and burnt willow tree, but no sign of the object.

Was it a UFO that landed in the forest? (Colchester Evening Gazette, Nov. 2, 1984)

This article details the Rendlesham Forest incident, where American servicemen were hunting for clues to a reported UFO crash-landing. They recorded radiation levels, found strange indentations, and damaged trees. A senior officer ordered them to 'douse lights' as a strange object appeared to be moving towards them. A dramatic tape recording, allegedly made by the colonel in charge, captured the event, describing 'strange red light,' 'two strange half-moon objects,' and a beam of light. British ufologists, including Jenny Randles, director of the British UFO Research Association, claim this tape was suppressed and demand a public inquiry, alleging a cover-up by American and British Defence Ministries. Randles emphasizes their concern that the object eluded radar detection.

Book ties events to UFO coverup (The Globe and Mail, Nov. 8, 1984)

This article discusses the book 'Sky Crash - A Cosmic Conspiracy' by Brenda Butler, Dorothy Street, and Jenny Randles. It claims a 'major conspiracy of silence and disinformation' has covered up disturbing events in Rendlesham Forest in December 1980. The book details a farmer spotting a bright light, U.S. patrols investigating a suspected crash-landing, and the sighting of three 'entities' repairing a craft. The book alleges communication occurred via sign language and telepathy, and the craft took off after three hours. Photographs taken by witnesses were reportedly confiscated. The article also mentions Colonel Charles Halt's official account describing a metallic, triangular object and radioactivity measurements. Ms. Randles played a tape recording attributed to Colonel Halt, describing strange flashing lights and UFOs, though Halt reportedly denied knowledge of alien beings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout these articles are the persistent reports of UFO sightings across various regions of England, the skepticism of some individuals contrasted with the firm belief of others, and the recurring allegation of government cover-ups regarding these phenomena. The articles highlight the efforts of UFO research groups like Skyscan Two and the British UFO Research Association in gathering evidence and demanding transparency. The Rendlesham Forest incident is a particularly prominent case, with multiple articles referencing its details and the controversy surrounding its investigation and reporting. The overall stance leans towards presenting the accounts of witnesses and researchers, while acknowledging the official denials and the public's right to know.