MUFON Arizona - 2001 08 - Vol 10 No 08

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MUFON Arizona newsletter, dated August 2001 (Vol. 10 #8), provides a comprehensive look at UFO phenomena, investigations, and related topics. The publication's mission is stated as the systematic collection and analysis of UFO data to understand their origin and nature. The issue features a directory of MUFON Arizona State Directors and County Section Directors, along with contact information.

Directors Message

Judy Varns, State Director of MUFON Arizona, outlines the upcoming fall speaker lineup, including topics such as "The Paradise Valley Crash of 1947," "The Zeti Riticuli," "Mysterious Crop Circles," and "The Cash Landrum Incident." She notes that Phoenix MUFON took the summer off but was still active with investigator classes, a symposium, and UFO Awareness Week, including interviews with local media. Varns also mentions acquiring a computer and provides her home email address. She reports on a symposium in Irvine attended by prominent ufologists like Dr. John Mack, Dr. Steven Greer, and Stanton Friedman. Varns emphasizes the need for more support and volunteers to improve MUFON's reach and overcome the increasing cost of speakers.

MUFON Meeting Video Tapes Now Available

The newsletter announces the availability of video tapes from past MUFON meetings, featuring speakers like Dr. Nick Begich, Don Ecker, and Stanton Friedman. Contact information for Argo Productions is provided for purchasing these tapes.

MUFON AZ Meeting Information

Details are provided for various county chapters, including Pima, Pinal, Yuma, and Maricopa Counties, with contact persons and meeting information. An Experiencer's Meeting is also mentioned.

Classified Ads

Information is provided for placing advertisements in the MUFON AZ Newsletter, with pricing for different ad sizes.

Article Submission

Readers are encouraged to submit articles or letters for the newsletter, with contact information for Teri Acton and an email address for suggestions.

MUFON Membership Badges

Details are given for ordering MUFON Membership Badges, including cost and how to place an order.

On the Radio & On Television

This section lists current UFO-related programs on radio and television, including "Coast to Coast with Art Bell," "Dreamland with Whitley Strieber," "Mysteries Around Us," "Roswell," and "X-Files."

Rantings From A Frustrated Ufologist: Disclosure: Did It Help?

By Jim Kelly, Newsletter Editor

This article reflects on the Disclosure Project event held on May 9, 2001, in Washington D.C., where 21 witnesses testified about their alleged interactions with extraterrestrials, alien craft retrieval, and government cover-ups. Kelly mentions testimonies from Graham Bethune, Clifford Stone, and Larry Warren. A significant portion of the testimony came from John Callahan, a former FAA employee, who presented evidence of a 1986 UFO sighting tracked by radar and claimed the CIA confiscated his evidence. Kelly questions whether witnesses would stand up to scrutiny, noting that some may have changed their testimony or made grandiose claims. He commends Dr. Greer for organizing the event at the National Press Club.

The article then shifts to a discussion about the militarization of space weapons, questioning why this development is viewed negatively and suggesting it could serve as a defense shield. Kelly contemplates the role of nuclear technology, arguing that its development, despite its destructive potential, may have prevented larger conventional world wars. He concludes that while the Disclosure Project succeeded in disseminating UFO information, he is skeptical about the government investigating itself or Congress holding hearings on the subject, fearing that personal fear and paranoia will prevail.

Current UFO Cases and Sightings

This section presents several recent UFO case reports from the National UFO Reporting Center:

• Scottsdale, Arizona (7/21/01): A slow-moving green fireball was observed traveling west to east, described as bright green, about the size of a thumbnail, and moving too fast for an airplane but too slowly for a meteor.
• Phoenix, Arizona (7/21/01): A luminescent green fireball was seen moving from northwest to southeast in the northern sky, appearing large and spectacular.
• Buckeye, Arizona (7/24/01): Near the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Station, lights were observed moving in a triangular formation. Some lights faded and reappeared, and one was identified as a jet, while others seemed to hang in the sky.
• Flagstaff, Arizona (7/29/01): Three dim stars in a triangle formation were seen moving toward observers, described as black and about the size of Texas.
• Tempe, Arizona (8/3/01): A cigar-shaped object was observed drifting east and then rapidly changing direction south, moving too quickly to be a blimp.

Strange Lights "I Think We Witnessed Some Type of Miracle" from ABCNews.com

This article reports on a sighting of strange, bright lights over Carteret, New Jersey, on July 15, 2001. Eyewitnesses described golden-orange lights, some in a V-type formation, hovering and then disappearing one by one. Lt. Daniel Tarrant of the Carteret Police Department reported seeing 16 golden-orange lights. At least 15 people contacted the police department. The Associated Press reported that Newark Airport had no unusual flight patterns, and the National Weather Service found no meteorological explanation. The article notes that the lights were estimated to be 15 to 30 amber, gold, or orange lights moving slowly at about 10 mph. Many witnesses stopped on the New Jersey Turnpike to observe. The lights were described as appearing different by various witnesses, some seeing white lights, others amber or gold. Six policemen and hundreds of witnesses observed the object(s). Initial investigation suggested a large object flying at 10 to 20 mph, with some witnesses describing a V, U, or M formation. The lights were synchronized and brightened/dimmed in unison. The article discusses potential explanations, including military flares, but notes that MUFON witnesses did not see evidence of flares, smoke, or parachutes. The lights operated continuously and moved in unison, unlike flares. The article also mentions a Ukrainian Priest, Father Chubenko, who described the lights as not being flares and estimated their altitude at 3,000 feet, covering a 1000-foot airspace. He noted the lights moved in unison and brightened/dimmed in unison, suggesting they were attached to a craft. The newspaper's suggestion of garbage bags on fire was dismissed due to the area's fuel storage tanks. The Middlesex County Sheriff's officer Andrew Halkovich reported his dog reacted unusually during the event. The article concludes by noting that the investigation is ongoing.

Update on New Jersey UFOs

By George Filer, Filer's Files #30; July 22, 2001

This update provides further details on the Carteret, New Jersey sighting, noting that Peter Davenport of the National UFO Reporting Center received at least fifteen reports. The object flew about five miles south of Newark Airport around 12:30 AM. Witnesses reported a cluster of lights estimated at 15 to 30 amber, gold, or orange lights hovering and moving slowly at an estimated 10 mph. Many witnesses were on the New Jersey Turnpike. The lights were described as a V, U, or M formation. The article mentions that six policemen and hundreds of witnesses viewed the object. It also notes that a smaller structured object with two smaller lights might be the source of the lights, possibly using holographic projections. The article mentions that some witnesses were paid for their videos and photos, complicating research. Peter Davenport discussed the sighting on MSNBC, with the host noting its special nature. Eyewitness Joe Malvasio described the lights hovering and then disappearing one by one. The wind was measured at 2351 hours from 340 degrees at 10 mph, and from 310 degrees at 10 mph, suggesting the lights may have been drifting southeast. The formation is compared to the Phoenix Lights and a similar sighting in Rockford, Illinois. Colm Kelleher of NIDS suggests the Jersey Lights might have been military flares, citing witness accounts of burning debris and smoke puffs. However, MUFON witnesses did not observe flares, smoke, or parachutes. The lights moved in unison, unlike flares. The article contrasts the behavior of flares with the observed lights. The author visited the area looking for evidence of flares or parachutes but found none. The Federal Aviation Administration reported no planned military operations or unusual air traffic. The New Jersey Air National Guard and McGuire AFB denied having aircraft airborne. The article notes that the area is under tight air traffic control due to major airports and is near the Army's Picatinny Arsenal. Father Chubenko, a Ukrainian Priest, described the lights as not being flares and estimated their altitude at 3,000 feet, covering a 1000-foot airspace. He observed the lights move in unison and brighten/dim in unison, suggesting they were attached to a craft. The newspaper's suggestion of garbage bags on fire was dismissed. Andrew Halkovich, a Middlesex County Sheriff's officer, reported his dog's unusual reaction.

Large Triangular Craft Spotted and Filmed over Trout Lake, Washington

From [email protected]

This report details sightings of large, unidentified craft over Trout Lake, Washington, on July 19th, 22nd, and 23rd, 2001. On July 19th, a large ship flew in from the south, expanding into a brilliant yellow-orange light. On July 22nd, a UFO flew directly underneath a small plane during takeoff. On July 23rd, a massive triangular ship was met by a smaller golden ship. Five witnesses, including a news reporter, observed the film, which shows three distinct lights in an elongated triangle moving in unison. UFO investigator Tom Dongo spent time at the ranch and plans to return with footage. High flyers were observed darting about at the same time.

Eyes to the Skies: Aegean Airspace Challengers ... From Outer Space?

By John K. Cooley, ABCnews.com

This article reports on an incident on August 8, 2001, where two Turkish trainee pilots encountered a bright object while on a training flight in the Aegean airspace. The object approached their plane at high speed and gyrated around them for about half an hour. The pilots described the object's unusual shape as a cross between a cone and a disc. Turkish air force sources and the Greek military were investigating.

Prize Bull Mutilations Leave Texas Ranchers Guessing

From UFOcity.com and The Houston Chronicle

This report from August 1, 2001, discusses the recurring phenomenon of prize bull mutilations in Burleson County, Texas. Ranchers suspect cult activity or thieves stealing body parts. The sheriff believes most deaths are natural but is perplexed by the circumstances, which include the removal of abdomens, genitals, and sometimes tongues, with no apparent blood. The pattern of these "mysterious" deaths has occurred for nearly a decade, often around Halloween or religious holidays. While some dismiss the idea of a cult, others find the circumstances highly unusual. The article mentions that the removal of organs and genitals, and the lack of blood, are consistent patterns. Scavenger birds do not feed on bloodless carcasses. The sheriff notes that the best animals are often affected. Investigations have found no footprints or tire tracks, nor evidence of cult activity. The article also touches on the possibility of over-fertilized feed or toxic oleander bush as causes, or that children might be taking body parts. The idea of blood pooling at the bottom of the carcass and small animals attacking the softest tissue after death is also mentioned as a possible explanation for some findings.

Body Identified as "Alien Lobbyist" in Nevada

From Paranormal News

This article from July 24, 2001, reports the identification of a decomposing body found near the Carson River as David Venus Solomon, 52, a former Nevada legislative lobbyist who claimed to represent space aliens and campaigned for the "Extraterrestrial Highway." Identification was made through fingerprints. The cause of death was undetermined, with no signs of trauma. Solomon, also known as Ambassador Merlyn Merlin II, was barred from the Nevada Legislature in 1999 for exposing himself to a cleaning employee. A friend described him as a well-known character who never went anywhere without his car.

Solar-Powered Helios Aims For Record Altitude

From UFOcity.com

This report from July 17, 2001, details NASA's plan to fly the unique unmanned solar-powered Helios Prototype to an altitude of 100,000 feet. The aircraft, developed by a team from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center and AeroVironment, Inc., aims to set a new world's altitude record for propeller-driven aircraft. The Helios Prototype is designed for high-altitude, long-duration earth science imaging and atmospheric sampling. Setting an altitude record is one of its goals, with another being to learn about aerodynamics in Martian atmospheric conditions. Production versions could serve as long-endurance commercial telecommunications relay platforms. The aircraft's objective is to be equivalent to an 11-mile-high tower in the sky. The recent checkout flight reached 76,271 feet. The Helios Prototype has undergone upgrades, including approximately 65,000 high-efficiency solar cells. A four-day non-stop demonstration flight above 50,000 feet is planned for 2003.

Star With Midriff Bulge Eyed By Astronomers

From UFOcity.com

This article from July 25, 2001, discusses the direct measurement of a star, Altair, spinning so fast that its mid-section is stretched. Using an ultra-high-resolution NASA telescope system on Palomar Mountain, scientists determined that Altair's shape varied with changing angles, indicating it was not perfectly round. The star rotates at a speed of at least 210 kilometers per second at the equator. This finding helps scientists understand the forces that control the shape and structure of stars, including our Sun.

Fossils of Ancient Life Forms May Be Buried on Mars

From Ananova

This report from July 22, 2001, discusses new evidence from the Mars Global Surveyor probe suggesting that water shaped the planet much more recently than previously believed, within the past 10 million years. This implies a potentially better habitat for the inception and incubation of early life on Mars compared to early Earth. Scientists think internal heat periodically triggers warmer and wetter conditions conducive to life. Evidence includes signs of "mega floods," crevasse-like fractures, moraines, and aprons of deposited debris, indicating that Mars was once warmer and had more water.

U.S. Air Force Linked to Electronic Warfare Attack in Tennessee

By Alfred Webre, EcoNews Service (Vancouver, BC)

This article from EcologyNews.com links an apparent July 6, 2001, electronic warfare attack on a radio station and weekly newspaper in Hartsville, Tennessee, to a nearby unacknowledged secret access project (USAP). Eyewitnesses claim the project involves the U.S. Air Force as paymaster, U.S. government aircraft, military troops in black uniforms, and black unmarked triangular aircraft. The project may also include a secret electronic warfare unit capable of disabling nearby media outlets. An official U.S. Air Force cheque was reportedly used to pay for the installation of massive telephone switching equipment at a defunct Tennessee Valley Authority nuclear power plant. The article notes the U.S. Air Force's pioneering role in electronic warfare.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of MUFON Arizona include UFO sightings and reports from various locations, the ongoing investigation into UFO phenomena, and the concept of government cover-ups. There is a strong emphasis on collecting and analyzing data, as evidenced by the MUFON mission statement and the reporting of numerous sightings. The newsletter also touches on broader implications, such as the potential for extraterrestrial life, the militarization of space, and the possibility of life on other planets like Mars. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and a desire for disclosure, while also acknowledging skepticism and the need for rigorous investigation. The newsletter encourages public participation and support for MUFON's efforts.

MUFON-AZ, Issue 11, dated August 2, 2001, is a publication focused on UFOs, paranormal phenomena, and unexplained events. This issue covers a range of intriguing topics, including an alleged electromagnetic attack on a radio station, a mysterious sea creature discovery, and scientific claims about extraterrestrial life.

Electromagnetic Attack on WJKM Radio Station

The lead story details an electromagnetic attack that reportedly crippled radio station WJKM and CMR in Hartsville, Tennessee, on July 6, 2001. Eyewitnesses and station personnel reported a powerful, strange energy blast occurring under a clear sky, not lightning. The attack resulted in the destruction of all radio station lines, several power transformers, phone lines, computers, and other electronic equipment. The article suggests this was not an accidental malfunction but a deliberate electronic warfare test, possibly targeting media outlets to evaluate the physical impact of such weapons and to intimidate the local community.

Centrex news reporter Joel Skousen, who initially suggested birds caused the attack, declined to participate in the radio program. The investigation by WJKM has eliminated other causes like power transformer malfunctions. Eyewitnesses also reported clandestine activities at the former nuclear facility near the station, including sightings of tractor-trailer trucks, military aircraft, unmarked black helicopters, and troops in black uniforms. There were also reports of black triangular craft hovering over the site and civilians being ejected by private security.

Randall presented audiotaped eyewitness testimony of the attack, including a flashing blue pulse and an audible electronic hum, described as a signature of electromagnetic pulse weapons. The accompanying surges in power lines and phone lines also affected equipment, scrambling settings or wiping them out. Randall described photographs of dead, electronically-fried birds found around the station and noted that local residents reported an increase in unexplained severe body pain and headaches mimicking migraines.

Furthermore, Randall documented a 2.4 Richter underground seismic earthquake that struck the area on July 7, the day after the electronic attack. He also posted HAARP magnetometer readings for July 6 and 7, which showed massive, anomalous bursts of electromagnetic pulse energy from HAARP, the U.S. Navy's electromagnetic pulse military facility. These spikes coincided with both the electronic attack and the earthquake.

The article draws parallels between the Hartsville attack and electronic warfare missions conducted by the U.S. Air Force in places like Yugoslavia and Iraq. It speculates that the attack may have been caused by a tactical electromagnetic weapon, possibly land-mounted or even space-based. The potential tactical applications of HAARP are also under investigation, with researchers suggesting its ultra-low frequencies may affect the human limbic system for mood management and mind control. The possibility that WJKM was a test target for a clandestine electronic warfare unit is raised.

Page 12 discusses the possibility that the electronic attack was not accidental but an intentional military test, given the media targets. It suggests the purpose could be to evaluate the physical impact of electronic warfare on domestic radio installations and to intimidate the local community and media. The article notes the U.S. military's history of secretly testing weapons on civilians, which is illegal. A clue to the motive might be eyewitness accounts of military troops in black uniforms with 'UN' insignia, suggesting a disinformation mission to mask the true source of the terror. The article states that WJKM and its parent corporation are pursuing an official investigation, including surveillance of activities at the former TVA power plant. Their congressperson, Bait Gordon, has been contacted.

Carabineros Closed "Chupacabras" Case

This section reports on the investigation into massive and controversial animal deaths in Calama, Chile, in 2000. Despite Senator Carlos Cantero's inquiries, the Investigative Police had not prepared a report. The governor of El Loa province provided a document with conclusions from Health Services. Both official documents, to the disappointment of UFO researchers, ascribe the animal deaths to wild dogs, not Chupacabras. However, neither agency provided information beyond what was already available to the press, nor did they furnish the results of their investigative work, except for autopsy reports on three pigs. Senator Cantero acknowledges the case's spectacular nature and controversy but states he must abide by the expert reports, which he finds satisfactory. He also notes that official institutions' explanations are the 'agency's truth' and respects other interpretations.

Carabineros, the Chilean state police, specialize in crime prevention and detection, not investigations. The article includes a translated excerpt from Scott Corrales of the Institute of Hispanic Ufology, discussing the need for responsible, scientific expert reports to avoid sensationalism and public spectacle. He acknowledges that while some believe in extraterrestrials, others dismiss it as tomfoolery. Corrales is motivated by the desire for serious, scientific reports and to address the victims' losses.

Scientists Claim Evidence of Life in Outer Space

This article from Reuters reports that a team of international researchers has found what they believe to be the first proof of life beyond Earth: clumps of extraterrestrial bacteria in the Earth's upper atmosphere. Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe of Cardiff University presented findings to the International Society of Optical Engineering in San Diego, California. The scientists collected samples of stratospheric air using a cryogenic sampler payload flown on balloons from India. Using a fluorescent dye, they detected living cells and estimated that as much as a third of a ton of this biological material is raining down on Earth daily. Professor David Lloyd, a microbiologist at Cardiff University, stated that the bacteria resemble common terrestrial bacteria but there is no explanation for how they could have reached such high altitudes. He suggests they may have hitched a ride on rockets or satellites, or could be from another planet. The panspermia theory, which suggests life originated in outer space, is supported by these findings.

Newfoundland Nessie a Monster of a Mystery

This article from The Evening Telegram reports on the discovery of a headless, furry white 'sea monster' carcass on Paltry beach, Newfoundland. The seven-meter-long creature attracted onlookers and theories, with some comparing it to the Loch Ness Monster. Experts are unsure of its identity but doubt it is a monster, suggesting it has a skeletal structure of a backbone and ribs, with a suggestion of limbs. Fishermen described coarse white hair covering its body. An official from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans advised that DNA samples would be taken and suggested it was likely a decomposed whale or basking shark, with the white fur being connective tissue. John Lien, a Memorial University whale expert, also suggested it was consistent with a decomposed whale.

Our Crowded Sky

This section by George A. Filer discusses the increase in UFO sightings since the successful intercept of a ballistic missile on July 14, 2001. Numerous reports of strange bright pulsating lights, discs, plasmas, and Flying Triangles have been made across the United States. The article attributes the atmospheric energy to various sources, including aircraft, radar, and Project HAARP. Dr. Nick Begich is quoted stating that HAARP is dumping a billion watts of electronic radiation into the atmosphere, comparable to a Hiroshima-sized atomic bomb. The U.S. Air Force's scientific advisory board on weapons for the 21st century is mentioned, discussing the potential for electromagnetic energy sources to control human body movements, emotions, and memory. The article concludes by quoting Arthur C. Clarke, who said, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of MUFON-AZ consistently explores themes of unexplained phenomena, potential government or military cover-ups, and the intersection of science and the paranormal. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting evidence and theories from various sources, while encouraging critical thinking and the pursuit of scientific investigation. The magazine highlights the potential for advanced technology, both terrestrial and possibly extraterrestrial, to influence human experience and the environment. There is a recurring concern about the use of electronic warfare and disinformation tactics by military or governmental entities. The publication also engages with local mysteries, such as the Newfoundland sea monster, and international unexplained events, like the animal deaths in Chile, seeking to provide a platform for discussion and research within the UFO and paranormal community.