MUFON Arizona - 1997 04 23 - Vol 06 No 04

Magazine Overview

This is the April 1997 issue of the MUFON Arizona Chapter Newsletter, Volume 6, Issue 4. The cover prominently features the MUFON logo and the headline 'The Truth is Out There,' with a desert landscape and a stylized UFO. The issue focuses heavily on the 'Phoenix Lights' event of March 13, 1997, ongoing investigations, and related media coverage.

Director's Message

Tom Taylor, State Director, reports that March 1997 was a busy month, largely due to the 'Phoenix Lights' sighting on March 13, which was witnessed by hundreds or thousands across Arizona. Field investigators have been busy reviewing video tapes and collecting eyewitness reports. Richard Motzer and Bill Hamilton were active on radio talk shows discussing the event. Taylor notes that Bill Hamilton is stepping down as Assistant State Director. He retracts a previous comment, stating that an eyewitness reported seeing three jets from Luke Air Force Base intercept one of the objects. The sighting is thought to have involved multiple objects, accounting for varied reports. The investigation is ongoing, and Jim Ossipov, Maricopa County Section Director, is collecting reports from anyone who witnessed the event but hasn't yet reported it. Taylor also mentions that 'Strange Universe' covered the story and suggests showing both segments at the upcoming meeting. He thanks KTAR Radio and 1310 Radio for allowing field investigators to share reports, lamenting that the Arizona Republic and Mesa Tribune newspapers refused to cover the story.

Upcoming Meeting and Tour

The chapter's meeting on Wednesday, April 23, 1997, at 7:30 p.m. sharp, will feature Ted Loman speaking on 'UFO Crashes.' The meeting will be held at the National Guard Armory at 5636 E. McDowell Road in Phoenix. Additionally, a tour of the Very Large Array (VLA) in Socorro, New Mexico, is scheduled for May 17-18, 1997. The cost is $30 per person, plus shared gasoline and motel expenses. Interested individuals should contact Earlene Ford by May 5.

Media Watch

Tom Taylor's 'Media Watch' column notes that UFOs have been in the headlines, but not always positively. He discusses the Heaven's Gate cult suicides, finding the media coverage overplayed. Earlene Ford appeared on Channel 3 news regarding the Paradise Valley crash of 1947. Ted Loman and Whitley Streiber discussed the Heaven's Gate suicides on Larry King Live. Bill Hamilton and Richard Motzer were on the radio show 'End of the Road,' and Richard was interviewed on KTAR's 'Strauss' Place' about the Phoenix Lights. 'Strange Universe' aired the first part of its 'Phoenix Lights' segment on March 31, with Part 2 scheduled for April 16. Pamela Hamilton discussed black helicopters on 'Strange Universe.' Pat McMahon's KTAR show featured Jim Dilettoso and Selman Graves discussing the Paradise Valley Crash. Recent guests on 'Erskin's Overnight' included Bill Hamilton, Robert Morning Sky, and Linda Moulton-Howe. Budd Hopkins was featured on a Nova special about alien abductions. Taylor also notes an article in Time magazine about Art Bell and his alleged connection to the Heaven's Gate story. The CBS Evening News mentioned the Phoenix Lights, but the CBS affiliate in Phoenix was not covering the story. CBS News also reported on anti-gravity experiments in the Netherlands. The newsletter provides a list of recent and upcoming TV and radio programs related to UFOs, including 'Dreamland,' 'Coast to Coast,' 'Erskin Overnight,' 'UFO-AZ Radio Show,' 'Mysteries Around Us,' 'Unsolved Mysteries,' 'X-Files,' 'Strange Universe,' and 'Dark Skies.'

UFO Update and Other Publications

Mike and Roger Bollinger publish 'UFO Update,' and interested parties can subscribe or get more information by calling (602) 494-9279.

Article Submission and Classified Ads

The newsletter encourages members to submit articles and book reviews. Handwritten or typed articles are accepted, but diskettes in Word Perfect 5.1 or ASCII format are preferred. Submissions can be sent to Tom Taylor or Mary Hart. Classified ads are available, with prices for three-line ads ($5.00) and business-card sized ads ($10). Larger ad prices are available from Tom Taylor. Ads and payments are due by the first of the month.

MUFON Chapter Calendar

Upcoming chapter meetings are listed: Cochise County Chapter on April 26 in Sierra Vista; Pima County Chapter on May 10; Yuma County Chapter on June 1; and Maricopa County Chapter on April 23. Special events include 'Tucson Future Visions' featuring Chet Snow and Crop Circles on April 26, and the VLA tour on May 17-18.

Cult Exits as Hale-Bopp Passes

This section addresses the suicide of 39 members of the 'Heaven's Gate' cult, who believed they were preparing to meet a UFO following the Hale-Bopp Comet. Their leader claimed they were from beyond Earth and inhabited human forms. They believed a UFO was using the comet as a shield. Their philosophy on human creation was similar to Zacharia Sitchin's. The article notes they predicted they would be perceived as a strange and dangerous cult.

Anomalous Lights West and Southwest of Phoenix

An article by Herb Moran describes a sighting on March 7, 1997, of anomalous lights west of Phoenix. While driving, Moran observed a large light, the color of an amber sodium vapor lamp but with the intensity of landing lights on a heavy jet aircraft. He initially thought it was an aircraft approaching Goodyear Airport but noted its unusual altitude and distance. He then observed a second, identical but brighter light. These lights did not appear to move and did not match descriptions of known aircraft or flares. Moran concludes they were anomalous aerial phenomena.

Cochise County Activity Report

The Cochise County Section reported no new sightings in March 1997. They have analyzed past reports and found them to be IFOs (Identified Flying Objects) or hoaxes. The section is undertaking an intensive training program covering elementary physics, astronomy, flight principles, and data evaluation techniques. Their next meeting is April 26.

Object Seen Over State - A Puzzle - Was it UFO?

This article by Susie Steckner from The Arizona Republic reports on a strange cluster of lights seen moving quickly across the night sky near Paulden. The lights were described as a boomerang shape, varying in color from bright red to white to bluish white. Peter Davenport of the Seattle UFO Center stated that a dramatic event occurred. Luke Air Force Base and the National Weather Service could not provide an explanation, with Lt. Col. Mike Hauser stating it was not one of their planes. Davenport speculated it was an 'ultra-sophisticated craft.' Reports came in from Prescott, Prescott Valley, Dewey, Chino Valley, Glendale, and Phoenix. Some reported the object moving south toward Tucson and emitting a red beam. Tim MacDonald described seeing a large, triangular object with three lights moving slowly.

Strange Lights Reported

A brief Associated Press report notes that strange bright lights over northern and northwestern Arizona prompted numerous calls to law enforcement agencies. The Arizona National Guard had no explanation, though an Apache helicopter pilot suggested military flares. A Valley man videotaped a string of nine lights.

Controlled Remote Viewing Training Comes to Phoenix

Lyn Buchanan will conduct a basic course in Controlled Remote Viewing (CRV) in Phoenix starting June 7, 1997. CRV is described as the ability to acquire information purely through mental means, without using normal senses or devices. Interested individuals can contact Problems > Solutions > Innovations or Pete Creelman.

UFO Sightings in Prescott Valley

A man reported sighting UFOs above a shopping center in Prescott Valley on March 13. Peter B. Davenport of the National UFO Reporting Center received over a dozen calls from various areas of Arizona regarding objects seen in the sky, including reports from Paulden, Prescott, and Tucson.

Report on Project Awareness 1997 Gulf Breeze UFO Conference

This section summarizes two events from the Gulf Breeze UFO Conference held March 21-23, 1997, in Pensacola, Florida. A Speakers Panel included Stanton Friedman, Nick Pope, Whitley Streiber, and others, discussing UFO abduction phenomena, government disclosures, and the future of ufology. Whitley Streiber discussed the Hale-Bopp 'companion' and the Japanese National Laboratory photo. Scott Catamas discussed government leaders wanting information released, potentially impacting alternative energy sources. Nick Pope noted mainstream interest in England. Peter Robbins suggested a Mars probe discovery might deflect interest from past coverups. Friedman mentioned the Air Force reviewing 250,000 pages of classified documents weekly. Strieber suggested visitors could change secrecy policy. The panel agreed that the visitors' intentions (friend or foe) are unknown, cautioning that there are many types of aliens with no clear agendas. Friedman remarked that Mars artifacts are less frightening than Earth's flying saucers.

Implants in UFO Abductees

An article by Jim Deardorff discusses the work of Dr. Roger K. Leir and other surgical team members who have removed implants from two UFO abductees. These objects, found near the big toe and back of the hand, were described as having a dense membrane and a black, shiny metallic core. The implants were magnetic and fluoresced bright green under ultraviolet light. The doctor's writeup is published in the MUFON UFO Journal.

Where Weird is the Word

This article by Alan Dumas profiles Crestone, Colorado, a community described as being like a 'X-Files' theme park. Located in the San Luis Valley, Crestone has a high concentration of strange activity, including cattle mutilations and unexplained lights. Christopher O'Brien, who has chronicled weirdness in the valley, published 'The Mysterious Valley.' Brian Norton, Rio Grande County undersheriff, notes seeing many odd lights but states they don't patrol UFOs. O'Brien has collected over 600 unexplained UFO sightings in the valley. The article recounts Donna Koch's discovery of a 'Crystal Skull' and subsequent bizarre accidents. It also describes O'Brien observing orange and white globes of light performing zig-zag maneuvers over the Great Sand Dunes National Monument, speculating they could be advanced helicopter technology. David Jaramillo, a UPS driver, recounts finding a mutilated cow and circles pressed into the ground, suggesting an aircraft landing site.

Now is good time to view Hale-Bopp comet

Barb Linnert writes about the visibility of Comet Hale-Bopp in March and April 1997. The comet is visible to the naked eye and binoculars, best viewed away from city lights. It is 122 million miles from Earth, with a nucleus 25 miles in diameter, making it the largest comet since 1811. The co-discoverers are Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp. The article also mentions a partial lunar eclipse on March 23-24.

Subscription Information

The back page provides subscription details for the MUFON-Arizona Newsletter, with dues set at $15 for a full year. Instructions are given for renewing or starting a subscription, including mailing a check payable to Tom Taylor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, emphasizing 'nuts-and-bolts' evidence over purely belief-based accounts, as seen in the distinction made regarding the Heaven's Gate cult. There is a strong focus on reporting and investigating local Arizona sightings, particularly the 'Phoenix Lights' event. The publication also serves as a community hub, listing meetings, events, and providing a platform for member contributions and classified ads. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFOs, while maintaining a critical approach to unsubstantiated claims and distinguishing the organization's mission from fringe beliefs. The inclusion of media watch and program listings indicates an effort to connect the UFO community with broader public discourse and media coverage.