APCIC - Vol 10 No 11 - 1985

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue: Volume 10, No. 11
Date: November 1985
Publisher: Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center (A.P.C.I.C.), Cleveland, Ohio.
Cover Headline: The only good UFO is a debunked one

This issue of UFO NEWS, published by the Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center, presents a collection of articles and reports related to unidentified flying objects. The magazine features a skeptical approach, with a focus on debunking sightings and investigating phenomena with a critical eye. It includes reports from various international correspondents and highlights the work of UFO investigation groups.

The Yorkshire UFO Society (YUFOS): A Skeptical Approach

The lead article, "The only good UFO is a debunked one," by Stephen McClarence, profiles the Yorkshire UFO Society (YUFOS). Graham Birdsall, president of YUFOS, and investigator Steve Greathead emphasize their mission to disprove cases, rather than confirm them as extraterrestrial. They are described as down-to-earth investigators who delight in knocking down excited theories. YUFOS members seem to take pride in their thoroughness, even creating "hassle for the Ministry of Defence" by not being put off by bland replies. The article mentions the Woodbridge incident of December 27, 1980, as a case of alleged government cover-up, involving strange lights, airmen investigating, and a triangular metal craft found in a forest. The report details the craft's characteristics and the alleged encounter with three alien beings. The article also touches on the common skepticism surrounding UFOs, questioning why aliens rarely communicate and why sightings are often experienced by only one person.

UFOs in the Antarctic and Ocean Waters

An article by Frank Kendal, "UFO reports prove existence of alien bases in Antarctic," suggests that naval experts believe unidentified flying objects operate from bases deep beneath the ocean. Sailors on a U.S. Navy Operation Deep Freeze ship in Admiralty Bay witnessed a silver spacecraft smash through thick ice and disappear into the sky. The encounter, which involved huge blocks of ice being hurled into the air, is presented as one of hundreds of reports between ships and spacecraft over decades. Captain Julian Ardanza of the Argentine ship Naviero reported a huge, glowing cigar-shaped object. Albert Robins in Papua, New Guinea, and a crew also reported a brilliantly lit object rising from the water. The article notes that many captains have reported sighting gigantic, alien craft near their ships, suggesting that "something very strange is going on beneath the ocean around Australia and New Zealand."

Country Capers: Songwriter's UFO Encounter

This section features Raven, a songwriter known for hits like "I Got Mexico," who claims to have dealt with ghosts before and sighted two UFOs near Lafayette in 1976. He initially mistook the flashing silver objects for airplanes but was convinced they were UFOs when they "whooshed" and disappeared. Raven attributes the songs about his experiences to a force stronger than himself.

Dan Wright and MUFON: Tracking UFOs in Michigan

An article by James A. Harris from the Lansing State Journal profiles Dan Wright, the central states regional director of the Mutual UFO Network Inc. (MUFON). Wright, who also works as a policy analyst for the state Social Services Department, describes his UFO investigation work as "fascinating." MUFON receives numerous reports from police stations across Michigan. Wright states that MUFON has over 100,000 cases in its computer files, with 80 to 90 percent being explainable (IFOs - Identifiable Flying Objects). He was involved in resolving reports of a Soviet Union rocket booster falling from space. Wright acknowledges that his involvement in UFO tracking carries career risks due to public misunderstanding but emphasizes his seriousness. He recounts his father's 1968 encounter with a large globe with a pulsating orange light. Wright has had one personal UFO encounter in 1978. The article also mentions significant UFO incidents in Michigan, including a 1953 "collision" of an Air Force jet with an unknown object over Lake Superior and sightings at Hillsdale College in 1966, which left a deposit of boron. A 1979 incident involving a KC-135 refueling plane at Wurtsmith Air Force Base is also noted, with MUFON acquiring an official SAC memo.

Christian Comment on UFOs

An article from the Andover Advertiser (England) offers a Christian perspective on UFO sightings. The author notes that reports of strange objects have been coming in since 1947 from around the world. While many sightings are explained as meteors, aircraft, or hoaxes, some remain unexplained, witnessed by multiple people, including police officers. The author suggests that these could be secret military experiments. However, from a Christian viewpoint, the author believes that UFOs are subject to the power and authority of Jesus Christ, referencing prophecies of strange things in the sky before His return.

Ashbourne Brothers Claim UFO Sighting

This report from the Ashbourne News Telegraph (England) details a sighting by two young brothers who observed a strange, round craft with flashing lights near their home. The object reappeared and flew close by before disappearing. The sighting coincided with flares and shooting stars reported by others in the area, recalling the famous "Ashbourne UFO Event" of August 30, 1980.

Mystery Surrounds Lights in the Sky (New York)

An article from the NY Yonkers Herald Statesman describes a mass sighting of strange lights in the sky over Westchester and Putnam Counties in New York on September 13, 1985. Residents reported slow-moving red and white lights in a triangle formation, with some describing it as a UFO. County police identified them as small planes, while one officer described it as a large blimp. The article notes that similar sightings in the past were later determined to be planes flying in formation. Westchester County Airport had no information about special flight formations.

Government at Fault for Burns: UFO Lawsuit

A report from the PA, Bethlehem Globe-Times details a lawsuit filed by three Texans against the federal government for $20 million, alleging injuries from a UFO encounter on December 29, 1980. The plaintiffs claim a brightly glowing craft, the size of a city water tower, hovered over their car and was escorted away by at least 23 helicopters, causing radiation burns, vomiting, diarrhea, and other ailments. They suspect it was a secret U.S. military experiment and that the government should have warned residents. The government's defense, however, is that it had nothing to do with the incident and has no legal duty to warn people about UFOs, even if they exist, as they are not known to be dangerous. The U.S. attorney argued that any intervention would be a "discretionary function," precluding a lawsuit.

Odd UFO Case in Texas

This article from the AL Huntsville Times discusses the bizarre Texas lawsuit, highlighting the government's defense as "unbelievable." The U.S. attorney's argument that the military had no involvement and that the government has no duty to warn about UFOs is questioned. The article suggests that if the government knows of UFOs, it has an obligation to report and identify them. The plaintiffs suspect the UFO was a government research project, and the government's response strengthens this belief for many. The article concludes that throwing out such a case on a technicality undermines scientific assertions that UFOs do not exist.

UFOs Reported by Two in Lanesboro

An article from the MA Pittsfield Berkshire details a sighting by Michael Rinaldi in Lanesboro, Massachusetts. Rinaldi reported a low-flying, diamond-shaped object with bright white lights directly above the road. He described it as about 1,500 feet in the air and a few thousand feet away. He noted the lights did not resemble aviation lights and the object bore no resemblance to any airplane. Another witness reported a quick "white flash" flying at a low altitude. Rinaldi observed the object make sharp turns and noted that its bright white lights reappeared after he turned off his car headlights. A spokesman for the UFO Reporting Center confirmed receiving reports of diamond-shaped objects.

Is Anybody Up There? (Indiana/Ohio)

This article from the Fort Wayne News Sentinel explores UFO sightings in Indiana and northwestern Ohio. John Timmerman, a UFO investigator and chairman of the board for the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS), has interviewed hundreds of people who have had credible encounters. Timmerman, who works at a savings and loan, runs the international business office of CUFOS. He notes that UFO sightings have been in a slump for the past three or four years, a trend reflected worldwide. In 1973, CUFOS received hundreds of reports daily, but now collects only "hundreds of reports a year." Timmerman acknowledges that while he doesn't suggest UFOs are extraterrestrial, the evidence suggests something is going on that needs more study.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO NEWS include the investigation and analysis of UFO sightings, the skepticism of organizations like YUFOS and MUFON towards extraordinary claims, and the persistent question of government transparency and potential cover-ups regarding UFO phenomena. There is a clear editorial stance favoring a rational, evidence-based approach, while still acknowledging the existence of unexplained cases and the public's fascination with the topic. The magazine presents a range of perspectives, from debunking efforts to reports of alleged alien bases and government involvement in UFO incidents, reflecting the ongoing debate and mystery surrounding unidentified aerial phenomena.

This issue of the "WHITE HAVEN NEWS CUMBERLAND" from September 19, 1985, with the identifier 3128, focuses heavily on UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings and related phenomena. The cover headline, "UFO's seen over hospital?", suggests a prominent story about a sighting in England. The magazine also includes reports and articles from various other publications, indicating a compilation of UFO news from different sources.

Key Articles and Reports

"UFO's seen over hospital?" (White Haven News, Cumberland, Sep. 19, 1985)
This article details a sighting by a 49-year-old Workington man, Jack Foster, and two friends. They observed two objects in the evening sky over West Cumberland Hospital. The objects appeared as vapour trails, with one growing larger and the other having dangling lights. They watched for about 12 minutes before the objects faded.

"Star-gazing Lyn gets the fright of her life" (Reading Evening Post, Sep. 17, 1985)
Salesgirl Lyn Brookes from Wokingham, Berkshire, reported seeing a mysterious unidentified flying object with flashing lights. She described it as hovering high above trees for about five minutes before sinking behind them and then rising into the sky. She initially thought it was an aircraft but its behavior was unusual. The police had not received other similar reports, and an MOD spokesman suggested the lights could be navigation lights, possibly from a Harrier jet.

"Family tell of two sightings" (Sunday Mirror, Sep. 29, 1985)
This report by Bill Davey details a bizarre encounter experienced by the McMurray family. While driving near Bagshot Heath, Surrey, they saw a hovering saucer-like craft with brilliant lights. Minutes later, a second craft appeared. David McMurray described the craft as about 50ft long. After the encounter, the family was weak and trembling, and their car battery was drained. The report notes that the area is a target for flying saucers, and David McMurray sketched the craft for the Ministry of Defence. UFO expert Omar Fowler believes the report is genuine, and Heathrow Airport stated the craft could not have been planes.

"Phenomena-busters: South Charleston pair pursues things that go bump in the night" (Ohio, Springfeld News-Sun, Sep. 23, 1985)
This article profiles Larry Tillman and John Farthing, investigators of strange phenomena. Tillman, an executive coordinator for the Phenomena Research Organization (PRO), has been investigating since 1965. Farthing has been investigating for 20 years. PRO has about 15 members who investigate unexplained phenomena, cataloguing sightings to find correlations. They describe UFOs as being made of a mysterious, light, and tough material. Farthing also discusses the concept of "free energy" and the "N-motor" developed by inventor Joe Newman. Tillman demonstrates "dowsing" to explain energy fields.

"Watch the skies" (NY-New York Post, Sep. 27, 1985)
This brief item mentions a UFO sighting by the Chilean Air Force and NASA tracking station on August 17th. It also advertises a UFO Update Lecture and Slide Show in New York City featuring international UFO expert Antonio Huneeus.

"UFO HUNTER" (Rutland Herald, Sep. 29, 1985)
This article by Monica Allen profiles William Chapleau of Rutland, who has been a UFO enthusiast since childhood. He recounts two personal experiences: one at age 13 where he lost hours of time after seeing a glow, and another in 1958 in Malta where he and a fellow serviceman saw what they believed to be a spacecraft. Chapleau is the state president of the Mutual Unidentified Flying Object Network (MUFON) in Vermont. He investigates sightings seriously, treating them like murder mysteries, and collects data. He receives about 100 reports a month, taking about a quarter seriously. The article also mentions a conversion of a non-believer, Sgt. Jack Zeller, who investigated a sighting in Keene, N.H., and described a seamless, bathtub-shaped craft about 40-50 feet long.

"Govt. covers up UFO crash" (Oct. 8 Examiner)
This article reports that Dr. Robert Sarbacher, a former Defense Department scientist, admitted that the U.S. government recovered the remains of three crashed UFOs over 35 years ago and has been covering it up. According to electrical engineer Wilbert B. Smith, Dr. Sarbacher stated that the late Dr. Vannevar Bush was studying UFO parts secretly recovered by the government. Dr. Sarbacher confirmed this, adding that the UFOs were spaceships from another solar system. The article also references a secret Canadian government document uncovered by UFO investigator Stanton Friedman, which indicated Dr. Bush was heading a U.S. government UFO investigation. The report links this to the Roswell, New Mexico, crash in 1947.

"Encounter of a close kind.." (West Lancashire Evening Gazette, Sep. 21, 1985)
Hazel Shanley became a UFO believer after an incident near Folkestone where her car was followed by a UFO for over 50 miles. She has since researched UFOs and hopes to start a UFO society and produce a monthly journal. She described seeing a bright light and then a "craft" that followed her car for two hours. She mentioned that many people in the Fylde area are interested in UFOs.

"Another UFO sighting" (Reading Evening Post, Sep. 26, 1985)
This is a follow-up to a previous article, with a reader, J. Havell, reporting seeing a bright, creamy-white light travelling at Spencers Wood, confirming they had not imagined their sighting.

"Family of three terrorized on highway by low-flying UFO" (October 15-19, 1985 Examiner)
This article details a terrifying experience of the Zuliani family in Italy. They were tracked for over three hours by a glowing, cone-shaped craft that they believe magnetically locked onto their car. The craft paced their vehicle, accelerating and slowing with it. They pulled into an all-night gas station where the attendant, Walter Piccioni, confirmed the area was lit up by colored lights and a menacing craft hovered silently. The craft vanished as they crested a rise. An air consultant to the government described the experience as "exceptional" and noted that the high incidence of sightings in the region, which has NATO and U.S. missile bases, suggests a particular interest in military activity.

"UFOS" (TX. Beaumont Enterprise, Sep. 29, 1985)
This item announces a lecture and slide show titled "The Hidden History" about a supposed U.S. government cover-up of UFOs, presented by Robert Hastings at Lamar University.

"For UFO Hunter," (UT. Rutland Herald, Sep. 29, 1985)
This is a cartoon depicting a UFO stopping for a school bus, with the caption "I DON'T CARE WHO IT IS... THEY HAVE TO STOP FOR A SCHOOL BUS." Below the cartoon, it states "He watched a strange, lighted craft swoop down close to the airstrip. As he recalls it, he saw the rounded underbelly of a craft that was shaped like the planet Saturn."

"Seeing Is Believing" (Page 9)
This section continues the narrative from the cartoon, with the subject believing that a being from another planet might make contact via television stations and wanting to be ready to receive transmissions.

• Key Incidents and Sightings Detailed:
• Charles Tucker's personal sightings in the Southeast USA (1960s) and Elkhart, Indiana (three years prior to article).
• The 1981 investigation in Brazil's Devil's Graveyard led by Charles Tucker.
• The 1978 Interstate 70 incident involving three truckers and a blue light.
• A series of dated sightings in Indiana: Feb. 7, 1955 (Fort Wayne), Sept. 2, 1966 (Fort Wayne), May 22, 1964 (Baer Field), March 4, 1966 (Bluffton), Sept. 24, 1973 (unspecified location), Oct. 14, 1973 (Huntington County), Oct. 18, 1973 (New Haven), and Oct. 21, 1973 (St. Joe).
• A sighting in October 1973 near Fort Wayne.
• The McMurray family's encounter near Bagshot Heath, Surrey.
• Lyn Brookes' sighting in Wokingham, Berkshire.
• J. Havell's sighting at Spencers Wood.
• The Zuliani family's three-hour encounter on a highway in Italy.
• William Chapleau's childhood experience on Pine Hill and his 1958 sighting in Malta.
• Sgt. Jack Zeller's investigation of a sighting in Keene, N.H.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence and diversity of UFO sightings, the persistent efforts of civilian investigators, and the persistent allegations of government secrecy and cover-ups regarding UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting witness testimonies and investigative findings without outright dismissal, while also acknowledging the skepticism and the scientific community's general reluctance to engage with the subject. There's an underlying suggestion that the phenomenon is real and warrants serious attention, even if mainstream science has not fully embraced it. The articles often highlight the personal impact of these encounters on individuals and the desire for answers.

This issue of the National Law Journal Weekly, dated October 7, 1985, focuses on UFO phenomena, alleged government cover-ups, and the legal and investigative aspects surrounding these claims. The publication presents a mix of news reports, expert opinions, and personal accounts related to unidentified flying objects and potential extraterrestrial contact.

Key Articles and Reports

Still Up In the Air

This article details a lawsuit filed by attorney Peter A. Gersten on behalf of Betty Cash, Vickie Landrum, and Ms. Landrum's grandson. The suit, seeking $20 million in damages, stems from a UFO sighting on December 29, 1980, approximately 40 miles outside Houston, Texas. The witnesses claim they encountered a glowing diamond-shaped object with flames, which caused them to experience intense heat, leading to a lasting imprint on their car. Gersten argues that if the phenomenon was part of a U.S. military maneuver, the government is liable for the clients' subsequent ailments, including second-degree burns, nausea, and tooth decay. The U.S. Attorney's office has filed a motion to dismiss the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank A. Conforti notes that the complaint did not succeed in administrative proceedings before the Air Force. Gersten expresses hope, stating that people do not view the matter as a joke and that the government should reveal what the object was.

UFOs are hovering over the United States, UFO expert says

This report from the Arkansas Democrat (October 2, 1985) features Robert Hastings, a self-employed UFO researcher, who claims the U.S. government is covering up close encounters with UFOs and the recovery of non-human beings. Hastings, who lectured at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, described these beings as "non-human shaped, about 3 feet tall." He asserts that the U.S. military and federal security organizations, including the CIA and FBI, have actively worked to refute UFO existence and ridicule witnesses. Hastings supports his claims with documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, including a 1952 memorandum from H. Marshall Chadwell to CIA Director Walter B. Smith, recommending a policy to minimize public concern about UFO sightings. Another document, a 1950 memorandum to FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, reportedly mentioned the recovery of "three so-called flying saucers" in New Mexico, described as circular with raised centers, approximately 50 feet in diameter, each occupied by three 3-foot-tall human-shaped bodies. The memo also noted that these saucers were recovered after malfunctioning near a high-powered radar installation. Hastings was unable to explain the fate of the recovered occupants, suggesting they were likely autopsied but their bodies' whereabouts are unknown. A further FBI memorandum from 1949 detailed repeated UFO sightings near nuclear weapons laboratories at Los Alamos, New Mexico, during December 1948. A 1976 confidential Air Force document indicated a UFO sighting in Iran that reportedly disabled the electronic instruments and communications of an F-4 jet scrambled to intercept it.

UFO HUNTER CON'T

This section continues the narrative from a previous article, focusing on the theories of an individual named Chapleau. Chapleau suggests that UFO sightings often coincide with Bigfoot sightings, theorizing that these creatures might be left by extraterrestrial beings for study. He believes beings from other worlds are visiting Earth to study the planet and collect samples, citing reports of otherworldly surgery on animals and animals found without blood. Chapleau anticipates that humans may eventually meet and communicate with these beings, emphasizing the need for preparedness. He links the increase in UFO sightings since the 1950s to increased space missions, suggesting that human activities in space might increase the curiosity or fear of extraterrestrial beings, and potentially anger them if weapons are used. Chapleau notes a high number of sightings near military bases, nuclear installations, and power plants, attributing this to the beings' interest in nuclear activities. He investigated a mysterious cattle-kill in Dummerston, Vermont, near the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant, concluding it may have been caused by a UFO. In this incident, 23 heifers were found dead, appearing electrocuted. While initially considering a radioactive release from the plant, Chapleau later speculated a UFO was responsible, especially after two people reported seeing a ball of light in nearby Hinsdale, N.H., on the same night.

Chapleau also shares other investigation stories, including sightings of balls of fire interacting with toys and chasing people in Fairlee, and crafts landing in the road in the Arlington and Bennington area. He recounts a bizarre story of a farmer and his wife who encountered a landed spaceship with a woman beckoning them on board. Chapleau acknowledges that convincing people of his theories is challenging, even for his own family, but remains convinced that the numerous sightings cannot all be hoaxes and that people should wonder about the sky.

VISITS OF ALIENS

This segment discusses a UFO incident involving an F-4 jet pursuing an object south of Tehran. The object was joined by a second, smaller, brightly lighted object that headed towards the F-4 at high speed. The F-4 pilot attempted to fire a missile, but his weapons control panel malfunctioned, and he lost communications, forcing him to take evasive action.

'I went aboard a UFO'

This brief article announces a lecture by an American couple, Michael and Aurora El-Legion, who claim to have been aboard a UFO. They intend to charge £5 for their "first-hand account" at Hove Town Hall in England. They assert that aliens are peace-loving, look almost human, wear metallic jumpsuits, and that an international conspiracy exists to withhold information about UFOs and captive alien beings. Michael claims he was taken aboard a spacecraft at age six after nearly drowning, while Aurora believes aliens saved her life by transporting her car. The ticket price is justified by the cost of travel and associated materials.

Family spotted mystery UFO

This report from the Reading Evening Post (September 19, 1985) details a sighting by the Webb family and Lynn Brookes in Berkshire, England. Derek and Pamela Webb and their son Martin saw a strange, red, glowing object in the sky on a Sunday evening. They initially mistook it for a helicopter or star, but it hovered, stopped, and then rose above them. Lynn Brookes, aged 24, also saw an object hovering near her home above some woods. After reading a report in the Evening Post, Mrs. Webb believes they saw the same thing, as their sightings were only two hours apart and about a mile from each other. Pamela Webb expressed certainty that it was not an aircraft and speculated it could be a UFO.

UFO sighting (Whitby Gazette)

This report from the Whitby Gazette (October 4, 1985) describes a UFO sighting by two visitors from Middlesbrough who were staying at the Sandbeck Hotel. They observed strange lights in the sky above the rooftops in the early hours of Sunday morning. They saw a large white light low in the sky, accompanied by smaller yellow lights that joined the main light and then moved away at another angle. This pattern repeated at intervals of about five minutes. The couple could find no rational explanation for the lights.

UFO hunters train their eyes on the sky

This article from the Houston Post (October 20, 1985) profiles a group of five individuals in northwest Florida who investigate UFO reports in their spare time. The team is led by retired Air Force pilot Colonel Donald Ware and includes Ralph Dalton, a 67-year-old retired soldier. Dalton describes his investigative process, which involves using a tape measure, camera, magnifying glass, and specific forms to record details. The article notes a general decline in UFO sightings worldwide in 1984 and a spotty trend in 1985. It mentions the history of UFO reports in the U.S., starting with "great airships" in 1896 and "foo fighters" in World War II, gaining publicity after a 1947 sighting at Mount Rainier. The article touches upon alleged abductions and rumors of alien bodies stored in Ohio. It discusses the efforts of civilian groups like MUFON, which has 300 investigators and claims to explain 90 percent of daily sightings. Raymond Fowler, chief investigator for MUFON, is quoted on the challenges investigators face in being taken seriously. Ware's crew includes a housewife, a corporate pilot, and a retired electronics worker. Dalton shares his personal motivation, stemming from a childhood UFO sighting and a recurring dream. The article also mentions physicist Willie Smith's work in compiling a computer database of "exceptional" UFO sightings. Ware expresses a desire for MUFON to go on record, stating that a majority of board members believe "at least some UFOs are spaceships controlled by advanced intelligence." He advocates for understanding their origin and propulsion. Ware has prepared a resolution urging members not to shoot at UFOs, regardless of fear.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent presence of UFO phenomena, the alleged efforts of governments to conceal information, and the work of civilian investigators and legal professionals seeking answers. There is a clear emphasis on the idea that UFO sightings are real and warrant serious investigation, despite official skepticism or dismissal. The articles collectively suggest a growing public interest in UFOs and a demand for transparency from authorities. The editorial stance appears to be one that acknowledges the validity of witness accounts and investigative efforts, while also highlighting the challenges and controversies surrounding the topic.