APRO Bulletin - 1976 04 00 - Vol 24 No 10

Magazine Overview

Title: the apro bulletin
Issue: VOL. 24, NO. 10
Date: April 1976
Publisher: The Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc. (APRO)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the APRO Bulletin, dated April 1976, focuses on several UFO/UAP related incidents and investigations. It features a prominent cover story about an officer's repeat sighting, an article detailing UFOs observed near bodies of water, and a summary of a significant 'UFO Wave' that occurred in Arizona during 1975. The publication also includes organizational updates, staff and representative listings, and a new book announcement.

Officer Has Repeat Sighting

The lead story details a UFO sighting by George Wheeler, a relief policeman in Elmwood, Wisconsin, on April 22, 1976. Wheeler, a veteran of 30 years in law enforcement, spotted an orange glow on Tuttle Hill. Upon investigation, he found a strange glowing object hovering about 100 feet off the ground, estimated to be about 500 feet away. He described it as having six bluish-white lights or portholes on its side, with shadows suggesting movement inside. A hose-like appendage was noted on the bottom. Wheeler radioed the sheriff's department, but during his description, the object rose rapidly with a bluish flash, causing his car's radio and lights to go dead. He has no memory of the subsequent 45 seconds. The object emitted a 'whooshing' sound upon departure. The craft's main body was silver, with the top glowing an orangish-white, so bright it was difficult to look at.

This case was investigated by Robert Pratt, who conducted thorough interviews, and Jack Bostrak, a Professor of Biology. The report highlights that Wheeler is a 'repeater' witness, having had a prior sighting in April 1975, which some researchers find questionable, though APRO contends that heightened UFO activity can lead to multiple sightings by individuals. The incident also involved two other witnesses who saw the glow from the object. Electro-mechanical effects were noted, including interference with automobile and television reception, and possible animal reactions.

Further details emerge from interviews with other witnesses. David Moots, a dairy farmer, found Wheeler trying to exit his car, appearing dazed, and Wheeler stated he had been 'hit' by a UFO. Mrs. Miles Wergland, a housewife, saw a "bright orange moon-shaped" object on the hill. Paul Fredrickson, administrator of a nursing home, also saw an "orange glow, like a half-moon." Fredrickson himself had a prior experience in October 1975 with his son, involving a rapidly rising object described as the bottom of a gray plate.

Police Chief Gene Helmer was alerted via police scanner and confirmed the radio failure. Wheeler's wife arrived, and he was taken home and later to the hospital. Despite recounting the experience to Helmer, Wheeler could not recall the details later. He experienced severe headaches and nightmares, leading to multiple hospital stays. Dr. Springer, his physician, noted this was unusual.

Water-Pumping UFO's

This section, authored by Mr. Jun' Ichi Takanashi, APRO's Representative for Japan, details a case from July 1973 involving a witness, pseudonymously named Masaki Kudou, who worked as a night watchman in a small industrial town on the south coast of Hokkaido. Kudou reported seeing a streak of light that reappeared, described as 'the size of a baseball' and orange in color. The object moved to and fro within a small area before descending toward the bay. It then emitted intermittent green light rays and appeared to be sucking up bay water through a glass-like transparent tube. A sound like a cicada accompanied this action. The object, described as smooth and round like a pingpong ball, later showed small windows with 'eerie, shadow-like figures'. It then moved toward an elongated object, and several round white lights were 'sucked' into the long object, which then departed north at high speed. Kudou experienced numbness, a headache, and his car radio emitted 'meaningless sounds'. The experience lasted about 11-12 minutes.

Mr. Takanashi cites two similar incidents: one in 1965 in Germany where a geologist observed a mushroom-shaped object dip a pipe-like instrument into a lake, and another in Germany where a retired electrician saw a transparent ball lower a 'hose-pipe' into a pool of water. A third similar incident, from Mrs. M. in Eagle Point, Oregon, in February 1958, describes a huge object hovering over a lake, with a funnel-like contraption extending into the water.

1975 UFO Wave In Arizona

Authored by Raymond Jordon, APRO Field Investigator, this article summarizes spectacular UFO sightings in Arizona during 1975, a year considered significant for UFO studies. The activity began early in January at Childs, a remote hydroelectric station, where residents reported sightings, including a large, cigar-shaped object described as 'like a 747 airliner' and 'like a brightly lit Pullman car'. This object released a smaller, reddish, disc-shaped object that followed power lines and then proceeded up the Verde River. Similar activity was observed on January 25th.

Activity picked up again in March. On the 9th, Stuart Hill, fishing at Alamo Lake, reported a light descending rapidly and hovering about 30-40 feet above the water. He described it as 'huge-at least as long as a football field', shaped like a 'flattened football' with a dome emitting bright white light on top, and three rectangular red lights that glowed sequentially. The object emitted a hum and a whine before departing at high velocity. Hill's dog barked and growled, then ran in fear.

Two other March cases involved single witnesses. One was a professional pilot, 'M.A.', who reported a large red glow and smaller lights in a canyon near the Hell Canyon bridge. A white light then followed his car at low altitude, sweeping a bright light back and forth. He accelerated to 125 mph. Later, a white light with a pulsating red light on front followed him down the road.

A second sighting at the same location occurred on March 28th, reported by Miss D.M., a school teacher, who saw what she thought was a 'fire truck with very bright red and blue lights' in an inverted 'L' configuration, moving very fast.

UFO activity then intensified in Sedona in May. On May 5th, Mrs. Esther Beardsley and her children heard a loud, wavering 'whirring' sound and saw a huge, bright white light hovering northwest of them for about 15 minutes. On May 13th, the loud sound returned, accompanied by a bright flash and a searchlight beam that bent a willow tree over. Later that night, Kathy Beardsley spotted a UFO over Airport Road, described as a green and red light, which moved gracefully and emitted a white beam of light. The object then rotated and departed south. No sound was heard during this sighting.

Popular "UFO Report"

This section announces that APRO's radio series, "U.F.O. Report", is expanding with more stations added. Hal Starr, Director of Public Relations, has completed about 200 five-minute shows featuring interviews with notable figures like Dr. James McDonald and an ex-U.S. Air Force security man. The program has also included accounts from individuals who lost planes in UFO collisions and reports from astronomers. The bulletin requests listeners to inform APRO about which stations they are hearing the program on and their locations to aid in planning.

New Lorenzen Book

A new book titled "Encounters with UFO Occupants" by Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzen, APRO's Director and Secretary-Treasurer, is announced. Published by Berkley Press, it sells for $1.95 and is available at local bookstores or directly from the publishers.

Thank You

Mr. Lorenzen expresses gratitude to members for their calls and cards during his recent hospital stay. He clarifies that he did not suffer a heart attack but underwent surgery for 95% blockage of a heart artery. He is recovering well but will be out of commission for several months, requesting consideration for letters requiring his attention.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around detailed eyewitness accounts of UFO/UAP sightings, emphasizing the investigative approach of APRO. The publication highlights the phenomenon's persistence and variety, from aerial objects exhibiting advanced technology and causing electromagnetic interference to those seemingly interacting with the environment, such as drawing water. The concept of 'repeat witnesses' is discussed, with APRO's stance being that multiple sightings can occur during periods of high UFO activity. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of UFO phenomena, aiming for an eventual solution, as stated in the publication's mission.

The issue underscores the importance of detailed reporting and corroboration, as seen in the Wheeler case investigation. It also touches upon the psychological impact of these encounters on witnesses. The inclusion of various geographical locations for sightings (Wisconsin, Japan, Arizona, Oregon, Germany) suggests a global scope to the phenomenon. The 'UFO Wave' section indicates a focus on analyzing patterns and concentrations of sightings within specific timeframes and regions.