The APRO Bulletin

Magazine Overview

Title: The APRO Bulletin
Issue: Vol. 27, No. 2
Date: August, 1978
Publisher: The A.P.R.O. Bulletin
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The APRO Bulletin, dated August 1978, presents a collection of UFO reports and investigations from various locations, including Pennsylvania, Australia, and Colorado. The publication is from the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc. (APRO), a non-profit organization dedicated to studying UFO phenomena.

Multiple UFOs in Pennsylvania

This section, authored by J. Allen Smith, details a significant UFO sighting that occurred on April 5th, 1978, near Montour High School in Pennsylvania. Miss Joanne Wasek, her sister Judy, and a neighbor were jogging when they observed sonic boom disturbances and a bright illumination in the sky. They saw a group of three red lights that resolved into a steady white glare as they approached. The objects were described as blimp-shaped, with steady red lights on the tail and blue lights on the top front, and multiple rows of lights on the sides. The witnesses observed seven blimps in total, which converged behind a hill and then departed in a southwest direction. The report also mentions a subsequent sighting of a Delta Wing shaped UFO as Miss Wasek drove her mother home.

The investigation involved APRO Field Investigator Peter Escobedo, who attempted to obtain a taped narration from Miss Wasek. Due to delays and unresponsiveness, Escobedo noted that the tapes might not be forthcoming. He contacted Edwin W. Clapper to assist with the investigation. They visited the sighting area and conducted a search, finding no physical evidence of landings or disturbances. Photographs were taken of the area, including views of the school ball field and the Pittsburgh skyline. An inquiry with a neighbor yielded a report of a bright light over the hill the previous week.

Brothers Spot UFOs in Australia

This report, also by J. Allen Smith, details an incident involving two brothers, Christopher and Geoffrey Kloppenborg, who sighted two UFOs near their parent's property in Bowna, Victoria, Australia, around March 30th, 1978. While mustering sheep, Geoffrey saw a bright, chrome or mercury-colored object hovering above the treeline. He thought it might be a plane but noted its stationary position and proximity to the trees. After calling his brother, they observed the object through binoculars for several minutes. Christopher described it as having black shapes along its side and appearing like a short cigar. While Geoffrey went to get a camera, a second, smaller craft, shaped like a stingray, appeared and moved in a slow arc before joining the first craft. Both objects then departed eastward at high speed. The brothers were unable to photograph the objects.

Officer "Burned" by UFO

This article recounts an alleged encounter of a Kerman, California policeman with a glowing, hovering object on May 13th, 1978. The initial investigation was hampered by the police chief's refusal to cooperate. APRO Field Investigator Peter Escobedo eventually identified the witness as Officer Manuel Amparano. Amparano described the object as silver, aluminum, and round, hovering about 100 feet above a cotton field. A ray shot out from the bottom of the object before it turned blue and disappeared. The object made no sound. Despite the witness reporting "burns," there was no radiation detected, and he did not suffer eye damage. The report also mentions a corroborating account from Lisa Harrison, who witnessed two lights, one white and one reddish, moving towards the south at tree-top level around 3:30 A.M., which coincides with Amparano's sighting. Nanette Pallesi, a neighbor, also reported hearing a humming noise around the same time.

1975 Pennsylvania Case

This report, submitted by Arthur J. Manaro, details a sighting experienced by Paul and Patti Cherubini in Pennsylvania around February 1975. While watching television, Patti experienced a sudden rise in blood pressure and heartbeat, accompanied by spots and difficulty breathing, leading her to believe she was having a heart attack. She then saw their backyard illuminated by an intensely bright, white light. Paul described the object as a "flying saucer" and later observed two circular lights, about ten feet apart, moving slowly northwest. He described the lights as resembling a chandelier with globes, from which colored balls of fire were falling. The incident caused significant emotional distress to the witnesses, who were reluctant to discuss it due to the lack of evidence and official response.

Multiple Phenomena on Colorado Ranch

This section, authored by John S. Derr, Ph.D., and R. Leo Sprinkle, Ph.D., details a series of unusual events on a Rocky Mountain ranch in Colorado. The report is divided into several parts:

• Bright, Trapezoidal-shaped Light: In October 1975, a rancher named Jim witnessed a large, orange, trapezoidal-shaped object above his cattle, which were agitated. He decided not to investigate further due to the context of cattle mutilations occurring at the time.
• Paralysis: Shortly after, Jim experienced a state of paralysis while watching TV, feeling as though he was drugged. Barbara, also present, reported a sudden increase in blood pressure and heartbeat, and a feeling of intense fear and disorientation. They felt an overwhelming urge to leave the property.
• First Mutilation: The first cattle mutilation was discovered on the ranch, involving a cow with surgically removed udders and missing eye and ear. No blood was found at the site, and the surrounding snow showed no tracks.
• Second Mutilation: Fourteen days later, a second mutilation occurred, involving a bull that did not belong to the ranch. The local law officer indicated that the authorities were aware of the mutilations, attributing them to extraterrestrials and reporting only one out of four cases.
• Chased by Dark Shape: A large, dark object was observed pushing through barbed wire and moving towards witnesses, causing them to flee into the house. Footprints were found, and hair samples collected from the fence were analyzed by a biogeneticist, who found "no known species."
• Disk Cruises by House: The report concludes with a description of an "emotional attack" affecting the residents, characterized by intense fear and depression. The issue also includes a note regarding addressograph plate updates.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation and reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena and related incidents. The APRO Bulletin consistently presents detailed accounts of UFO sightings, close encounters, and alleged physical effects on witnesses and the environment, such as burns and cattle mutilations. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry and documentation, aiming to gather information and explore potential explanations for these phenomena, while also acknowledging the challenges in investigation, such as lack of cooperation from authorities and the difficulty in obtaining concrete evidence. The publication serves as a platform for sharing witness testimonies and the findings of APRO's consultants.