MUFON Arizona Chapter

Magazine Overview

This document is the December 1994 issue (Volume 3, Issue 12) of the MUFON Arizona Chapter Newsletter, titled 'The Truth is Out There...'. It covers UFO sightings, investigations, media coverage, and upcoming events for MUFON members in Arizona.

From the Director's Desk

Ray Maurer, State Director, expresses excitement about a major sighting in Arizona that occurred on September 1st in the Gila Bend area. The incident involved two primary witnesses from San Diego, who estimated at least 20 other people also saw the objects. The sighting was described as an 'up-close, in your face kind of sighting,' with the craft reportedly pacing their car and remaining in the area for over three hours. Maurer plans to assemble a team to investigate further and track down other witnesses, inviting interested members to join.

Happy Holidays

The newsletter extends holiday wishes to its readers, hoping that 1995 will be the 'Year of the Big Event,' when contact with extraterrestrials occurs and is officially admitted by the government.

Refreshments Needed

Jere and Joann Castor provide refreshments at monthly meetings. Members are asked to bring 'Holiday Goodies' like cookies, breads, or fruit for the December meeting. Coffee will be provided, but punch and cups are also welcome.

Media Watch by Tom Taylor

This section provides a list of recent television, radio, and newspaper programs related to UFOs. It notes that advance notification of programs is often lacking, making it difficult to inform members in time for viewing.

• Omni Magazine: Features an article on 'Project Open Book,' a worldwide quest for close encounters, with a panel of researchers including Patrick Hughes, Sherry Baker, Jerome Clark, James Oberg, Dennis Stacy, Mark Rodighier, Paul Kurtz, A.J.S. Rayl, Paul McCarthy, Jenny Randles, Joe Nickell, Robert A. Baker, Stuart Appelle, and Keith Horary.
• Art Bell's 'Dreamland' Radio Program: Airs Sundays at 8:00 p.m. on KFYI, 910 AM. Art Bell also publishes a newsletter called 'After Dark,' which featured an article by Richard Hoagland and an interview with him in its premiere issue. 'After Dark' can be ordered for $29.95 per year.
• Dreamland Guests: Recent guests included Randolph Winters, who discussed his time with Billy Meier in Switzerland, and Linda Howe, who reported a 1974 sighting similar to a more recent one.
• Richard Hoagland: Was a guest on Art Bell's 'Coast to Coast' program, discussing his encounters with NASA and his Mars and moon projects.
• Richard Motzer: Prepared a special videotape with a photo of a 'box' for Richard Hoagland. Hoagland's car was broken into in San Francisco, and the tape was stolen.
• Peter Gerstin: An attorney who represented UFO groups in seeking UFO-related documents under the Freedom of Information Act.
• Bill Strauss's 'Strauss' Place': A radio program on KTAR Radio, 620 AM, at 9 p.m. nightly, featuring panel discussions on UFOs. A panel on December 16th included Bob Dean, Wendel Stevens, and Jim Delatiso.
• UFO AZ/UFO TALKS: A local public access cable program in Phoenix (Wednesdays, Noon-2 p.m. on Dimension Channel 22) and Scottsdale (Fridays, 3:30 p.m. and Mondays, 6:00 p.m. on Channel 28).
• UFO Update AZ: A publication by Mike and Roger Bollinger, available by contacting them at the provided address.
• Sightings: A Saturday program on Channel 15 featured Crop Circles and the 'Big Ear' radio telescope in Ohio.
• X Files: A Friday program on Channel 15 often involves UFO-related material.
• Unsolved Mysteries: A Friday program on Channel 12.
• Encounters: A Sunday program on Channel 15 featured a UFO crash in Texas, where occupants were allegedly buried in a cemetery.
• Prescott Video: A remarkable video taken in Prescott a few weeks prior will be reported on at the December meeting.
• Gila Bend Sighting: Several MUFON-AZ members are investigating the Gila Bend sighting.
• Indiana MUFON: Reports 43 current sighting reports under investigation.

Northern California MUFON

Reports an incident from August 27, 1993, involving a 'golden flash,' a large green fireball, and a yellow flash. No crash was found, but a truck with a trailer containing a box stenciled 'MJ-12' was sighted.

Tuolumme County

This county has a long history of strange aerial phenomena.

Bradshaw Mountains

Reports of 'strange lights' have been observed near Prescott.

Upcoming Statewide Meeting

Details on the 1995 statewide meeting are pending, and member input is requested.

Calendar

• Tucson MUFON Group: No further meetings this year. Members should contact Jean Staffen or Tom Kuszelewicz for information.
• February 7, 1995: Stanton Friedman will speak at Arizona Western College in Yuma.
• Yuma MUFON Group: No December meeting. The January meeting will feature Dr. Gershaw from Western Arizona College.

Deming, NM Sighting

On Sunday, September 25, a shiny UFO was observed hovering near Cook's Peak for 10-15 minutes. Initially appearing as a motionless blimp, it moved slightly and was compared to a UFO seen on a TV documentary. Newscasters later suggested it might have been a weather balloon.

Campbell Trial Invitation

An invitation to attend the trial of Glenn Campbell in Alamo, Nevada, on charges of obstructing a public officer. The trial concerns the seizure of news video tapes of KNBC-TV near Freedom Ridge. Jury selection begins December 21, 1994.

Another Deming Sighting

On October 21, 1994, a passenger on a Greyhound bus traveling from Cleveland to Phoenix reported seeing a black, triangular object hovering over a mountain range near Deming, New Mexico, at sunset. The object was unmoving and had no lights. Other passengers and the driver also witnessed it. The sighting lasted from approximately 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

UFOs? spotted over Prescott Valley

This article from The Daily Courier details Jerry Moss's videotaped sightings of unidentified flying objects over Prescott Valley and the Bradshaw Mountains. Moss, a 71-year-old resident, has several videotapes showing silvery objects exhibiting unusual behavior, including shape-shifting from disk to triangle and back. He describes one object as a 'flying 55-gallon oil drum set on end.' Lyle Vann, a UFOlogist, was amazed by the video footage, particularly the shape-shifting.

Cut Bank cattle mutilations probed

CIT BANK reports that sheriff's officers are investigating two cases of cattle death and mutilation in Cut Bank. A bull was found dead with its stomach sliced and reproductive organs mutilated, and its ears and tongue removed. A similar incident occurred at another ranch. A veterinarian confirmed the method was identical. A rancher noted that coyotes, which normally would feed on the dead bull, kept their distance.

Broadcast Briefs

• 'Warning' watchers confused: A CBS television movie about asteroids striking Earth, presented as live news coverage, confused and irritated some viewers, leading to numerous calls to CBS and its local affiliate.
• Sphinx Tunnel: Workers repairing the Sphinx in Giza, Egypt, have discovered an ancient passage leading deep into the statue, dating from pharaonic times. The passage is blocked, and its contents are unknown.

A UFO Experience At Gila Bend - A Cover up?

This article recounts a detailed sighting by two women from San Diego on September 1st, near Gila Bend, Arizona. They observed a blue and white flashing light on the side of the freeway, which dipped to the ground and returned to the air. They later saw a larger UFO with red running lights on the bottom. The object illuminated their car with blue and white light. They observed multiple UFOs and a police car that appeared to be observing the phenomena. The article also describes a close encounter where a UFO followed their car, displaying brilliant white lights at the front and red lights at the back. The object's surface was described as looking like wet concrete. The women reported speaking to a local resident who mentioned a 'biggest hush job' concerning UFOs in the area.

Sedona UFO Safari's

An advertisement for Sedona UFO Safari's, offering guided tours.

Paranormal Test and Evaluation Report

This report details a test conducted in response to a Russian disclosure about an alleged UFO landing site. The test involved exposing a battery-powered watch to 3,500 Rads of photons. The watch increased in time by four seconds after a one-hour exposure, leading to the conclusion that battery-powered digital watches might detect the presence of radioactivity.

Part 1 - I Was Here

This section recounts a visit to the UFO Enigma Museum where a man claiming to be an M.P. from Roswell in 1947 described his experiences, showing a tattered piece of paper as proof.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on UFO sightings, investigations, and the pursuit of 'the truth.' There is a strong emphasis on eyewitness accounts, scientific testing (even if preliminary), and media coverage of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging members to participate in investigations and share information. There's a recurring theme of potential government secrecy or 'cover-ups,' as suggested by the Gila Bend article and the mention of the 'MJ-12' document. The holiday message expresses a hope for official government acknowledgment of extraterrestrial contact in the coming year.