Houston Sky - no 01 - Oct-Nov 1994

Magazine Overview

HOUSTON SKY is a bimonthly newsletter for Houston-Area MUFON members and others, with the first issue dated October/November 1994. Its goal is to foster networking, raise awareness about MUFON, and promote a positive image of the UFO community. The newsletter is distributed free to MUFON members and available by subscription to others.

Night Terror in Texas: The Cash-Landrum Story

This feature article, written by John F. Schuessler, details the alleged 1980 encounter of Betty Cash, Vickie Landrum, and Colby Landrum with a large, diamond-shaped unidentified flying object (UFO) and a fleet of helicopters in East Texas. The witnesses reported that the UFO moved in ways that defied known aerodynamics and that the encounter was followed by severe physical ailments, including skin burns, vomiting, and diarrhea, which the author attributes to radiation exposure. Schuessler criticizes the government's denial of knowledge and the subsequent denial of a damage claim filed on behalf of the victims, suggesting a cover-up. He posits that the object was not a secret military aircraft but an unknown UFO, possibly not operated by human pilots. The article also mentions a recent effort to file a second claim against the U.S. government.

Roswell Report

This section discusses the growing momentum of the "Roswell Declaration," an initiative aimed at declassifying government information about UFOs. It notes that the Declaration has been endorsed by major UFO organizations and published in various media, including Omni magazine. The initiative was also mentioned on Larry King's UFO special.

Flashback: Park Place, Texas—1968

This short piece recounts a UFO sighting from 1968 by D. E. Reigard, who observed three bright white lights in a triangular formation that circled and then ascended rapidly out of sight. The sighting occurred near Ellington Air Force Base.

Alvin Man Sees Unearthly Lights in Night Sky Over Dickinson

This reprinted article from the Galveston County Daily News reports on an unidentified man in Alvin, Texas, who witnessed strange lights changing colors and shooting into the stars. The lights were observed by a group of people and were not identified by local authorities or the National Weather Service.

Deke! An Excerpt

This excerpt from the autobiography "Deke!" by Donald Slayton (with Michael Cassutt) details Slayton's personal UFO encounter in 1951 over Hastings, Minnesota. While serving as a maintenance officer for the Air Guard, Slayton observed a white object that he initially mistook for a kite or weather balloon but which then moved at an incredible speed and angle of ascent. He reported the incident to Intelligence but received no further information. Slayton expresses uncertainty about the object's nature, considering possibilities ranging from a weather balloon to something unknown.

16th Century UFO

This brief item reports on a manuscript found in Italy detailing a 16th-century sighting of a "strange disc, changing from yellow to red, and with red fireballs shining beneath it."

Worth Repeating: The Roswell Declaration: Toward a Common Goal

This excerpt, attributed to Kent Jeffrey, argues for an Executive Order to declassify all information regarding UFOs or extraterrestrial intelligence, stating that government assurances or denials are often meaningless and that transparency is needed to determine the truth.

Confessions of a UFO Kook—Part 1

This piece, by Vince Johnson, describes the experience of attending the 1994 MUFON International Symposium in Austin, Texas, highlighting the sense of community and shared interest among attendees.

The Truth Is Out There

This short quote from David Duchovny, discussing the TV show "The X-Files," emphasizes the show's aim to bridge physics and metaphysics, science and poetry.

Review: "UFOs: The Best Evidence"

David C. Mayo reviews George Knapp's video series "UFOs: The Best Evidence." Mayo praises the series for its investigative approach, presenting evidence of government denials and the phenomenon's reality, particularly concerning alien abductions and cattle mutilations. He recommends the series for those seeking to understand the UFO phenomenon and convince skeptics.

Of Interest

This section provides contact information for various UFO-related organizations and events in the Houston area and elsewhere, including CERN, HUFON, and VISIT meetings, as well as conferences on extraterrestrial contact.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the idea that UFOs are a real phenomenon, often suppressed or denied by government agencies. There is a strong emphasis on witness testimony and the importance of declassifying information. The editorial stance appears to be pro-investigation and open to various interpretations of UFO events, while also acknowledging the need for scientific rigor and evidence. The publication aims to serve as a platform for sharing information and fostering discussion within the UFO community.