APCIC - Vol 12 No 12 - 1987

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO NEWS, dated December 1987, Volume 12, No. 12, is published by the AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER in Cleveland, Ohio. The cover features a prominent headline "UFO NEWS" and stylized illustrations of flying saucers.

UFOs Over Florida

This article by Sid Kirchheimer explores the phenomenon of UFO sightings in Florida, dispelling the notion of 'little green men' and focusing on credible reports. It begins by referencing the 1947 sighting by Kenneth Arnold. Several Floridians share their experiences:

• Ron Perdue, a Winter Haven police officer, recounts seeing a large, round, orange-yellow UFO in January 1979 that moved at high speed and eluded him and another officer.
• Wayne Miller, head of the Lee County Mosquito Control Department, describes seeing five glowing lights descend towards his car over 30 years ago, which he could not identify as conventional aircraft.
• Shirley C. Fox, a Fort Myers stargazer, shares her 1953 experience of seeing a hazy green globe and her subsequent involvement as a MUFON investigator. She notes that while many sightings can be explained by mundane objects, some remain unexplainable.

Walter Andrus, director of MUFON, states that 80-90% of reports are mundane, but 10-20% are unexplainable and qualify as 'Close Encounters of the Second Kind.' He describes common characteristics of UFOs, such as round or cigar shapes, deep orange to white colors, and occasional humps. He also notes that abduction cases often share consistent descriptions of alien beings.

Florida Continued

Andrus mentions that about 300 UFO sightings are reported annually. He notes that a 1985 Gallup Poll indicated that 1 in 11 people surveyed had seen a UFO, and half believed in their existence. The article touches on the work of Dr. J. Allen Hynek, who initially was skeptical but later became a believer, and the SETI project at NASA, which searches for extraterrestrial signals.

Joseph Cybulski, who worked with Hynek, suggests that UFOs are not necessarily spaceships but unexplained occurrences. NASA's official stance is that extraterrestrial life is likely, but no confirmed signals have been received. The article notes that South Florida generally has fewer reported sightings compared to rural areas or other parts of the state, possibly due to urban light pollution and visibility issues.

Baffling UFO Blitz Shakes Midwest

This section reports on a surge of dramatic UFO sightings over Wisconsin's farmland, leading investigators to believe local people might be used in alien experiments. Since January, numerous reports have described objects larger than jumbo jets hovering in the sky. The FAA has detected stationary crafts but could not communicate with them. Explanations like weather balloons, planets, and aircraft have been ruled out.

• Marian Anderson, an investigator for the Center for UFO Studies, suggests that Wisconsin residents are subjects of alien experiments.
• Gregg Kahl, a farmer from Mount Vernon, describes seeing groups of white, red, and blue lights performing right-angle turns.
• Belleville police officer Glen Kazmar and two Green County officers witnessed a stationary cluster of lights for 45 minutes, which the FAA confirmed as a large radar contact.
• Another farmer reported a "humongous" object rising from trees and following him.
• A farmer reported a large object that rattled his house.
• Surveyor Harvey Funseth and a friend observed four craft, stacked and silent, one of which detached and passed close by.
• A fisherman reported a glowing orange sphere sinking into a lake.
• Another farmer reported being chased by mysterious red, blue, and white lights.

Top Researcher Reveals Startling Event...

This article reports on claims by researcher Timothy Good in his book "Above Top Secret: The Worldwide UFO Cover-up." Good alleges that aliens warned American astronauts not to colonize the moon. He quotes Neil Armstrong as stating that Americans were "warned off the moon by the aliens" because their spaceships were "far superior to ours."

Good's other claims include:

• A top-secret 1952 U.S. government report confirming a UFO crash in New Mexico in 1947, with recovery of "four, small human-like beings."
• The government has been accused of covering up this crash and holding alien corpses at Wright-Patterson Air Base.
• Britain experiences so many UFO sightings that a tracking station operates 24 hours a day.
• Former concert pianist and renowned UFO believer Lord Hill Norton supports Good's findings.
• Prince Phillip subscribes to "Flying Saucer Review."
• Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding believed UFOs are not man-made.
• The late Lord Louis Mountbatten believed UFOs could promote peace.

Whatever it was, it didn't return

This article from the Waunakee Capital Times details a UFO sighting by two Waunakee police officers, Kevin Plendl and Scott McElroy. They described a glowing, one-half to one-quarter moon-shaped object with red and blue lights that moved erratically. Police Chief Frank Balistreri confirmed the officers' credibility and discounted the hot-air balloon explanation. The officers initially hesitated to report the sighting, fearing disbelief.

UFO Hunter is a Serious Sleuth, Not a Space Case

This piece profiles Ron Regehr of Huntington Beach, an aerospace engineer who has spent five years researching UFOs through the Freedom of Information Act. Regehr and his partners have amassed documents related to a shadowy government project called "Majestic-12," supposedly concerning UFOs and their exploitation for the nation's Stealth fighter and bomber programs.

Regehr's research began in 1981 after his friend Lee Graham received a letter from Senator Barry Goldwater about being denied access to a secret facility called the "Blue Room" at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which was rumored to contain wreckage from the 1947 Roswell crash.

Regehr obtained documents, including a memo from Robert Cutler to Gen. Nathan Twining dated July 14, 1954, referencing "NSC/MJ-12 Special Studies Project." He also found records of "Project Aquarius" and "Project Snowbird," which allegedly involved contact with aliens and testing recovered alien aircraft.

Regehr believes that the Stealth program may be using UFO technology, noting that UFOs are often sighted but not detected by radar. He and his associates are actively pursuing Freedom of Information requests regarding MJ-12 and alien autopsy results.

One Man's Adventure in Space

This section recounts a personal narrative from a book titled "My Trip to Mars, the Moon and Venus," written by Buck Nelson. Nelson claims to have had multiple encounters with beings from Venus and other planets. He describes being exposed to a ray that cured his lumbago and improved his eyesight. He recounts being taken on a space journey where he interacted with beings on Mars and Venus, and he left flags on these celestial bodies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, alleged government cover-ups, and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence. The magazine presents a range of perspectives, from eyewitness accounts and investigative journalism to theories about secret projects and alien contact. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, presenting evidence and claims without outright dismissal, while also acknowledging the need for logical explanations and verification. The publication seems to lean towards the belief that there is a significant, unexplained aspect to UFO reports that warrants serious investigation.

This issue of "UFO PEOPLE" from the San Francisco Chronicle, dated August 5, 1987, focuses on the renewed public interest in UFOs and alien encounters. The cover story, "RETURN OF THE UFO PEOPLE," highlights this resurgence, with a sub-headline "New interest in those old 'flying saucers'." The issue features a photograph of a man looking upwards, alongside three images of alleged UFOs, suggesting a blend of personal accounts and photographic evidence.

Key Articles and Reports

"UFO man probes Midland mystery" (Burnley Express, September 18, 1987; Birmingham Evening Mail, September 16, 1987; Sandwell Mail, September 16 & 17, 1987): This series of articles details a wave of UFO sightings over the Midlands, UK. John Hurley, chairman of UFO Studies Investigations, reported numerous sightings occurring around midnight on a Monday. Witnesses described an orange object with a green light on top, about the size of a caravan, travelling at great speed before stopping suddenly. These reports prompted significant public interest, with Hurley's telephone "red hot" after a newspaper article appeared.

"Lima Bank Executive Doubles As UFO Researcher" (The Blade, August 29, 1987; Woodland Hills Daily News, September 27, 1987): This article profiles John Timmerman, a Lima, Ohio bank executive who also serves as vice president of public relations for the Center for UFO Studies in Chicago. Since 1976, Timmerman has investigated hundreds of UFO sightings in the Midwest, attempting to document and explain them. He believes some sightings are easily explained, while others may indicate "intrusion by something." He has investigated cases involving alleged abductions and notes that the Center for UFO Studies has over 80,000 cases on file. He mentions specific Ohio sightings, including a metallic tubular object and a "Giant Triangle" object.

"UFO tale is out of this world" (Manchester Evening News, September 11, 1987): This piece critically examines the Eduard Meier case, often referred to as the "Billy Liar" case. Jenny Randles, director of investigations for the British UFO Research Association, dismisses Meier's alleged flying saucer photos and conversations with an alien as a hoax, citing analysis by Nasa scientist William Spalding and the discovery of small "saucer" models at Meier's home.

"UFO Conference lets people discuss their tales of the unknown" (White Plains Reporter-Dispatch, September 25, 1987): This article covers a UFO conference focused on alien abduction. It highlights speakers like Whitley Strieber, author of "Communion," and Peter Gersten, organizer of the event and advocate for Citizens Against UFO Secrecy. The conference aimed to provide a platform for abductees to share their experiences without fear of ridicule. Gersten discusses the consistent descriptions of alien beings and the trauma experienced by victims, noting that many cases involve "missing time."

"Cases of alien kidnapping to highlight UFO conference" (White Plains Reporter-Dispatch, September 25, 1987): This article previews the UFO conference, focusing on the theme of alien kidnapping. It mentions that several individuals who claim to have been abducted by "little gray men" would be present. Peter Gersten, the organizer, argues that the number of such reports suggests something more than coincidence. Mark Plummer of the Committee for Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal is quoted as being skeptical of abduction claims, suggesting they are either financially motivated or delusional.

"So you're a skeptic: But lecturer says UFO file deserves long look" (Hyannis Cape Cod Times, September 5, 1987): This article reports on a lecture by Budd Hopkins, an author specializing in UFO abductions. Hopkins presented a tape of a man recalling an abduction under hypnosis and suggested that at least one person in the audience had been abducted. He described common characteristics of abductees and aliens, emphasizing the "missing time" phenomenon and the aliens' apparent interest in genetic material. Hopkins stated that if these experiences are true, it is "the biggest story of all time."

"Aliens from Space - is there a cover-up" (Western Mail Cardiff, September 15, 1987): This piece discusses Jenny Randles's book, "The UFO Conspiracy," which posits that a cover-up is preventing the truth about UFOs and alien visitors from emerging. The article questions the lack of scientific rigor in many UFO investigations and highlights the unanswered questions surrounding alleged UFO crash debris and alien bodies.

"...but we're not sure what!" (Barnsley Chronicle York, August 21, 1987): This short report features an angler who claims to have been buzzed by a flying saucer and managed to photograph it. It also includes an account from Amanda Senior, a 19-year-old Barnsley woman who reported seeing two oval-shaped objects with lights in the sky.

"Group investigates UFO sightings" (Hebden Bridge Times, August 21, 1987): This article introduces "Project Pennine," a new group aiming to collect and investigate reports of strange phenomena, including UFOs, in the Pennine region. Organizer Andy Roberts notes that strange lights have been reported for a long time, and the group hopes its findings will be considered by a university research department.

"RETURN OF THE UFO PEOPLE" (San Francisco Chronicle, August 5, 1987): This is the main cover story, introducing the theme of renewed interest in UFOs. It features an account from Donna and Amy Marcinkowski, who reported seeing a dark, rectangular object with lights hovering and moving quickly near Sonoma, California.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this collection of articles are the persistent reports of UFO sightings, the phenomenon of alien abduction, and the ongoing debate about whether there is a government cover-up of UFO information. There is a clear division between those who actively investigate and believe in the reality of these phenomena (like John Hurley, John Timmerman, Budd Hopkins, and Peter Gersten) and those who are skeptical or attribute sightings to misidentification or hoaxes (like Jenny Randles and Mark Plummer). The articles collectively suggest a growing public fascination with UFOs and a desire for answers, even if definitive proof remains elusive. The editorial stance varies across publications, with some adopting a more investigative and open-minded approach, while others maintain a critical or skeptical perspective.

This issue of CRIMECHECK, dated September 11, 1987, from the Rotherham South Yorkshire Advertiser, focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena reported across the United Kingdom. The cover story, "Maltby UFO spotter says: 'I'm no loony'," details a 25-minute encounter with mysterious flashing lights by a Maltby couple, Mark and Mrs. Jones.

Article: Maltby UFO Spotter Says: 'I'm No Loony'

Welder Mark Jones, 25, and his wife, a clerical worker, reported seeing unidentified flying objects (UFOs) in the night sky. They described bright green, red, and white flashing lights that remained stationary for about 25 minutes. The lights vanished abruptly when Mrs. Jones began speaking to the police. Mark Jones expressed conviction about what they saw, stating, "I'm no loony and we both know what we saw." The couple were unable to determine the exact height or distance of the lights from Maltby. Rotherham police confirmed receiving Mrs. Jones's call and suggested the lights could have been an aircraft waiting to land.

Article: Flying Fishing Boats!

Les Weston of Warrior Square reported seeing a tremendously bright white light on Saturday night, which he initially thought was a powerful fishing boat. The light stayed for about five minutes before growing bigger and travelling towards Warrior Square, then veering off over his head and disappearing into the night.

Article: UFO sighting claim (Gwent Gazette)

The RAF is investigating a UFO sighting by M. Sullivan of Rassau, who reported seeing three revolving objects in the sky through binoculars. One light zig-zagged before all three disappeared. A police spokesman noted that UFO sightings are reported to the RAF for aircraft flight path checks.

Article: Couple see UFO over Flash (Leigh Reporter)

Roger Snape and his girlfriend Jennifer Gillan reported seeing a round, tubular object, glowing bright red, hovering over the site of the old 'Yo-Yo' near Diggles Flash off Wigan Road. They saw it again on Leigh Road before it disappeared. Roger, 40, stated, "I don't believe in flying saucers and things like that but what we saw has left us wondering."

Article: 'I saw UFO land in a cornfield' (Winchester Gazette)

Mr. Frank Barnes, 58, of Winchester, claims he saw a spaceship land in a cornfield at Cheesefoot Head seven summers ago. He described a giant grey "spaceship-like" object floating across the cornfield, which landed and stayed for several minutes before rising and shooting off at high speed. He believes UFOs are responsible for the mystery rings that appear annually in the Devil's Punchbowl. The object left a ring of flattened corn, identical to the mystery rings. The experience, also witnessed by a woman walker, frightened him and his dog.

Article: George tells of his close encounter with a flying lampshade (Weiwyn Hatfield Times)

Retired chemist George Jolliffe, 81, reported a close encounter with a mysterious object. While sitting by his window, he saw a round, bright ball, described as being like an old-fashioned oil lampshade, appear in the sky. He noted it was not an aeroplane or helicopter, nor a reflection. The object then sped off. He has made detailed drawings of his sighting and felt a strange sensation that "something up there" was present.

Article: UFO mystery after orange glow in sky (Stoke-on-Trent Evening Sentinal)

Police are investigating a UFO sighting over a Staffordshire town after a huge bang and an orange glow were reported. Witnesses described an explosion followed by the glow, which passed over Newcastle shopping centre. One man reported it as a rocket taking off. A 58-year-old woman saw the object hovering, describing it as a large orange and gold glow that lasted about 50 to 60 seconds before shrinking and disappearing.

Article: UFO over China (The Independent London)

An unidentified flying object was sighted over Shanghai, described as an oval plate, an orange spinning clockwise, or a comet with a tail. Police searched the area but found no clues, with a spokesman calling it "a bit of a mystery."

Article: Close Encounter for Sky-Gazers (Derbyshire Times)

A 24-hour UFO hotline has received hundreds of calls from people claiming close encounters. Two Derbyshire couples reported sightings: one saw a bright object behind their house two years ago, with photographs taken; another saw a large, triangular-shaped object with numerous small lights moving slowly over fields.

Article: UFO Probes (Daily Mirror)

Ken Phillips, an investigator with the British UFO Research Association, is traveling to Luton to investigate sightings of a mysterious object. He plans to interview two women who reported seeing a whitish silver object with a black hole and wires, and later with orange lights. The sightings are being compared to a BBC TV news report about objects seen over North London.

Article: NASA Seeking Signals from Alien Worlds

Bernard Oliver, chief of NASA's SETI program, discussed the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. SETI aims to detect signals from alien civilizations, not to expect physical visitors. Oliver expressed skepticism towards UFO proponents, calling them "scientifically naive" and emphasizing that any civilization must obey natural law. He believes the successful detection of another civilization by SETI would be the most important discovery in human history.

Article: Return of the UFO People (Page 1)

This section discusses the prevalence of UFO reports in 1986, with the UFO Information Service International receiving nearly one report per day. Dale Goudie, its director, estimates these reports represent only "2½ percent of actual sightings." The article defines Close Encounters of the First, Second, and Third Kind (CE1, CE2, CE3). It notes that 75% of sightings occur at night and lists common shapes: triangular, saucer-shaped, and cigar-shaped. Typical witnesses are first-time observers, with pilots and sheriff departments being frequent reporters. The article also mentions the publication of three books on UFOs in 1987: "Communion" by Whitley Streiber, "Intruders" by Budd Hopkins, and "Light Years" by Gary Kinder. The 18th annual UFO Symposium in Washington, D.C., discussed alleged US government cover-ups of UFO evidence. The Bay Area chapter of MUFON is highlighted as an active research group. James Harder, an engineering professor, interviews UFO witnesses and uses hypnosis to uncover details, noting that advanced extraterrestrials have larger heads relative to their bodies and typically have two to seven fingers. James McCampbell, a retired theoretical physicist, has written about the effects of UFOs on machinery and human physiology, including paralysis and metallic tastes. Martha Throne recounts an abduction experience involving armless creatures in skin-tight suits.

Article: $11,000 reward for proof of ET (Page 2)

The Skeptics organization offers a $11,000 reward for substantiated proof of contact with an extraterrestrial. Tom Page, assistant state director for MUFON, is investigating the Marcinkowskis' sighting. He has not found other witnesses but cannot rule out an unusual aircraft. Donna and Amy Marcinkowski have filled out MUFON questionnaires and drawn diagrams. Carolyn Marcinkowski, their mother, expresses wonder and jealousy at her daughters' experience.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, close encounters, alleged alien abductions, and the possibility of government cover-ups. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena with a degree of skepticism, evident in the inclusion of organizations like "The Skeptics" and the emphasis on seeking proof. However, the detailed accounts and the inclusion of expert opinions from researchers and scientists suggest an open-minded approach to investigating these claims. The issue highlights the ongoing public fascination with UFOs and the persistent mystery surrounding unexplained aerial phenomena.