MUFON Arizona Chapter

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MUFON Arizona Chapter newsletter, Volume 5, Issue 7, dated July 5, 1996, focuses on upcoming events, recent activities, and a detailed compilation of UFO sightings in Arizona. The cover features the MUFON logo and a desert landscape with the tagline 'The Truth Is Out There.'

Director's Message and MUFON-AZ Activities

Tom Taylor, State Director, notes the opening of the movie 'Independence Day' and its impact. He announces that Earlene Ford is offering custom name tags for $3.50 and MUFON-AZ T-shirts for $15.00. MUFON-AZ member Alan Morey will have UFO bumper stickers available. Jim Ossipov, Maricopa County Section Director, will report on the MUFON Symposium in North Carolina and a case of crashed UFOs and alien capture in Brazil.

The newsletter corrects two previous articles: Beth Fike is identified as the eyewitness in the 'Phoenix Sighting,' and Tony Rullen is named as the author of the 'Franklin Mountain Sighting' article.

A significant event highlighted is MUFON-AZ's participation in UFO Awareness Week with a display planned for Christown Mall on August 16-18. Members are encouraged to sign up to staff the display booth.

The 'Independence Day' movie premiere provided a publicity opportunity for MUFON-AZ. On July 2, members set up a display in the lobby of the Ciné Capri Theater. Members spoke to the public at early showings, and the event saw large crowds, with sellouts for most showings.

Media Watch

Tom Taylor's 'Media Watch' column reports on recent UFO-related media. This summer saw the release of films like 'Independence Day,' 'The Arrival,' and 'Phenomenon.' Travis Walton's book 'Fire In The Sky,' documenting an abduction case, is available for purchase. Art Bell's 'Dreamland' featured author Curt Sutherly discussing 'Strange Encounters.' Time and Newsweek magazines featured UFOs and Aliens on their July 8, 1996, covers.

Weekly Programs

The newsletter lists various radio and television programs related to UFOs and mysteries, including 'Dreamland' hosted by Art Bell on KFYI Radio, 'UFO AZ/UFO Talks' on Dimension Cable, 'The Extraordinary,' 'Unsolved Mysteries,' 'X Files,' 'Sightings,' and 'Mysteries Around Us.'

Arizona Sightings: 1946-1996

A substantial portion of the newsletter is dedicated to a compilation of UFO sightings in Arizona from 1946 to 1995, compiled by D. 'Jim' Ossipov. The list includes dates, locations, types of sightings (CE1-CE4, DD, NL, RV), and brief descriptions, often citing sources like local newspapers, letters, or MUFON reports. Notable entries include:

• January 1946 (CE4): Mike Pistula's abduction experience near Flagstaff.
• February 1, 1950 (DD): Multiple sightings of high-flying objects over Tucson.
• March 22, 1950 (DD): Lynn Cheney observed luminous circular objects near Yuma.
• April 5, 1950 (DD): James A. Finn and others observed an egg-shaped object near Yuma.
• April 15, 1950 (DD): Earl Thomas and crew saw four silver, round objects flying in formation near Spring Creek.
• May 2, 1950 (DD): Sylvester Garcia observed a fast-flying silver disc near Flagstaff.
• May 11, 1950 (DD): Myrtle Playle saw four discs circle Observatory Hill near Flagstaff.
• May 20, 1950 (DD): Astronomer Seymour L. Hess spotted a disc near Flagstaff.
• June 25, 1950 (DD): Mary Lewis and others observed shiny objects hovering near the Flagstaff airport.
• June 29, 1950 (DD): Ray Booker saw an object moving erratically toward the west near Phoenix.
• June 29, 1950 (NL): Jack Hermann and Henry Freeman observed a gray, low-flying disc over Tucson.
• August 1950 (NL): Mr. & Mrs. Claus observed a round light over Tucson.
• 1950 (no month/date) (DD): Nick Riggs and mother paced by a metallic round object near Ajo.
• April 3, 1952 (DD): Flight commanders and others observed a large, oval metallic object near Benson.
• April 16-17, 1952 (DD): Sally Ann Diggs and Lt. Gerald Williams observed a disc over Yuma.
• March 1953 (DD): A pilot observed and photographed a crescent-shaped object at Luke Air Force Base.
• April 1965 (NL/CE2): Sharon and Donald Clayton witnessed a 'star' descend and hover over Tucson.
• June 29, 1980 (CE4): Lu, Carol, and Laura abducted by three small humanoids into a hovering UFO near White Tank Mountains.
• August 25, 1980 (CE4): Russell abducted aboard a UFO and shown a star map near Paradise Valley.
• May 8, 1981 (NL): Christy observed a hovering light near Phoenix.
• May 8, 1981 (CE3): William Hamilton III saw 3 small aliens near his bed in Glendale.
• May 1981 (DD): Nancy observed a large, metallic, domed UFO with lights over Sedona.
• April 1982 (CE4): Nancy, her daughter, and granddaughter abducted from their tent near Sedona.
• July 4, 1982 (DD): Nancy had another UFO sighting near Sedona.
• 1992 (No date) (NL): William Hamilton III and others watched a light 'dancing' over Sedona.
• October 1992 (DD): Charlie Green observed a UFO with a raised top and windows near Tucson.
• September 5, 1993 (DD): Rodney C. Washington and sister watched a hovering object for 7 minutes near Phoenix.
• February 1995 (NL): David Nelson and Betty Kavadas paced by a large, diamond-shaped light near Yucca.
• February 15, 1995 (NL): Multiple sightings of a blue/white fireball falling into the desert near Winslow.
• April 15, 1995 (NL): A couple observed 2-3 'dancing lights' near Fountain Hills.
• May 3, 1995 (NL): M.F. observed a hovering red light near Peoria.
• May 25, 1995 (NL): Greg observed about 14 amber and red lights flying erratically near Gila Bend.
• August 1995 (NL): A woman and granddaughter saw a cluster of lights near Superior.
• August 1995 (NL): Scott Gidney and friend observed a light for a few seconds near Bisbee.
• August 13, 1995 (NL): A.C. and others observed a 'star' through binoculars near Peoria.
• September 2, 1995 (NL): Seven people used a 'spotlight technique' and saw a gold, flaming sphere appear and disappear near Young.
• September 12, 1995 (NL): John Ortega observed a round object with lights on Mule Mountain near Bisbee.
• September 14, 1995 (NL): Heather Castner and Earlene Edinger observed an object with lights near Douglas.
• September 30, 1995 (NL): Dan Oldfield and friend observed a 'green Roman candle' with a tail near Bisbee.
• November 14, 1995 (NL): L.R. observed a descending blue light near Phoenix.
• December 25, 1995 (NL): Ron Kaczor and guests observed a large star that split into two UFOs, which then split again, near North Phoenix.
• January 28, 1996 (NL): J.R. observed a light flying slower than a meteor near Pleasant Lake.
• February 7, 1996 (NL): Several girls observed 3 orange square objects moving at two-minute intervals near Phoenix.
• February 9, 1996 (NL): R. observed a stationary light that changed color and spawned three red objects near Phoenix.
• February 17, 1996 (CE2): A couple observed a white, diamond-shaped object with red and green blinking lights near Tonto Hills.
• February 1996 (NL): A couple observed a yellow light with flashing red lights near Moon Valley.
• February 1996 (DD): Multiple sightings of a large, ring-like object over Cortez Park.
• April 16, 1996 (CE3): The same couple from Feb 17 observed a large craft landing nearby, with three entities searching for something, near Tonto Hills.

The Payson Roundup: Psychic Disputes Alien Abduction

This article details the mysterious disappearance of Devin Williams, a truck driver who vanished on May 28, 1995, after driving his truck onto a remote Forest Service road in Arizona. The case attracted the attention of MUFON. Psychic Joe McMoneagle believes Williams was suffering from delusions due to illness and possibly a head injury, not an alien abduction. He provided a location where Williams' body might be found. Gerda Gallob, a MUFON member, also investigated and had dreams suggesting Williams was attacked and fell to his death. However, forest roads were closed due to fire danger, preventing immediate searches. The case was featured on 'Unsolved Mysteries,' which received numerous tips that did not yield leads. Gallob is hesitant to share her findings with authorities, believing they won't believe her. The whereabouts of Williams remain unknown, and his family wishes to know what happened.

Calendar

The calendar lists upcoming MUFON events, including:

• August 16-18: UFO Awareness Week display at Christown Mall.
• August 28: Special MUFON-AZ meeting with Michael Lindemann speaking on 'UFOs and the Global Situation.'
• September 14: Tucson Group Meeting with Tom Taylor showing the video 'The Visitors.'
• September 15: New Hampshire MUFON's 6th Annual Conference.
• September 21: 5th Annual St. Louis UFO Conference.
• October 18-21: 7th Annual Phoenix Expo/Conference.
• January 18-24, 1997: 6th Annual UFO Congress in Laughlin, NV.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes MUFON's mission of investigating UFO phenomena and educating the public. It emphasizes member participation in events like UFO Awareness Week and the 'Independence Day' movie premiere. The extensive list of sightings underscores the ongoing nature of UFO activity in Arizona. The Devin Williams case highlights the challenges in investigating disappearances where UFOs are suspected, presenting both official and alternative theories. The 'Media Watch' section shows MUFON's effort to connect with broader public interest generated by media coverage of UFOs. The overall stance is one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, encouraging public awareness and member involvement.