MUFON Missouri newsletter - 2011 09

Magazine Overview

Title: Missouri MUFON Newsletter
Issue: Volume I Issue 5
Date: September, 2011
Publisher: Missouri MUFON
Focus: Dedicated to the Scientific Investigation of UFOs

Missouri News

The Missouri MUFON State Director, Debbie Ziegelmeyer, reports that August 2011 was a busy month with 39 sightings reported via mufon.com and additional reports received directly. The Kansas City area experienced a high volume of sightings, partly due to the Golden Knights performing night sky diving during an air show. The article highlights the dedication of Missouri's Field Investigators, noting that Missouri MUFON achieved a 100% case completion rating. Special thanks are extended to Kansas MUFON Star Team Investigator Stan Seba for assisting in the Kansas City area. The Midwest UFO Conference, a one-day event, was deemed a great success, featuring keynote speaker Dennis Balthaser from Roswell, N.M. Balthaser presented on Roswell's UFO history and research into underground tunnels in the U.S. and the Pyramids in Egypt. The conference concluded with a Q&A panel involving all speakers. Margie Kay and her staff are commended for organizing a successful conference.

The St. Louis area meeting hosted Jason Cordova, founder of the Crypto Science Society of Denver, for the second part of his two-part presentation on his family's UFO experiences and investigations. The upcoming St. Louis meeting featured a video presentation by Linda Moulton Howe, shown at the 2011 MUFON Symposium. Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 9:00 PM at Culpepper's Restaurant in Creve Coeur. Donations are welcome to cover speaker and video costs, and guests are requested to purchase a meal. The meeting agenda included discussions on Comet Elenin's breakup and a recent asteroid entry. The next St. Louis meeting on October 19th was scheduled to feature veteran UFO Investigator Ted Phillips, discussing his research into the Marley Woods sighting and an updated DVD video.

KC UFO Reports Remain at High Levels

By Margie Kay, MO MUFON Assistant State Dir.

In August 2011, Missouri recorded 39 official UFO reports on the MUFON website, with 14 originating from the Kansas City (KC) area. Many KC reports were handled by Kansas Star Team Investigator Stan Seba due to Margie Kay's involvement with the conference and a vacation. Reported object types included fireballs, chevron-shaped clusters, diamond-shaped crafts, balls of light, orange balls of light, bullet/missile shapes, blimp shapes, disks, and spheres. The KC area has been particularly active since mid-April 2011, following a period of lower activity. Reports have included landed craft, close encounters, alien sightings, and possible abductions, which are considered more unusual than simple 'lights in the sky' sightings. The KC MUFON meetings have been well-attended, with 40-50 people present, and have featured interesting guest speakers. Chris Brethwaite, a former KC MUFON Section Director, was scheduled to speak in October, sharing his UFO encounter and information on Near Death Experiences.

The article stresses the importance of filing UFO reports with MUFON via www.mufon.com, as many sightings are reported at meetings but not officially filed, hindering accurate data collection. For those without internet access, reports can be filed by phone at 816-833-1602.

Calendar of MUFON Meetings and Events

The newsletter provides a detailed calendar of upcoming MUFON meetings and conferences:

• October 10: KCMUFON meeting at Westport Flea Market Restaurant, Kansas City, MO. Speaker Chris Brethwaite will discuss Near Death Experiences and recent UFO investigations. Margie Kay will also report on recent KC UFO sightings.
• October 19: St. Louis MUFON meeting at Culpeppers Restaurant, Creve Coeur, MO. Ted Phillips, a veteran UFO Investigator, will discuss his research and investigation of the Marley Woods sighting.
• November 14: KCMUFON meeting at Westport Flea Market Restaurant, Kansas City, MO. This event includes a UFO/Paranormal Book Exchange and UFO Experience Sharing, with the KC ET Experiencers group sharing encounters.
• November 16: St. Louis MUFON meeting at Culpeppers Restaurant, Creve Coeur, MO. Speaker TBA.
• December 12: KC MUFON Annual Holiday Party at Westport Flea Market Restaurant, Kansas City, MO. (Venue may change).

Upcoming Conferences:

• December 16-18: Pythagoras Conference in Louisville, KY, featuring speakers like Stephen Bassett and Richard Dolan.
• February 22-26, 2012: International UFO Congress Conference and Film Festival 2012 in Fort McDowell, AZ.

Information for UFO-related events and corrections can be sent to [email protected].

UFO Connect - Mobile App Available Soon

A new mobile application called "UFO Connect" is set to be released for download at MUFON.com. Designed for investigators, it facilitates communication and research. The free module is "MUFON Mobile Application module," while paid modules include "UFO Search" and "Skywatch Alert." Skywatch Alert allows users to monitor customized alert areas and notify others of witnessed events. The app was developed by RT Design Group and Protovisual, LLC, with input from MUFON Field Investigators. Proceeds from sales will fund the Mutual UFO Network. Protovisual, LLC plans to develop more apps for the UFO/Scientific community.

UFO reports increase: Most states saw August boom

By Roger Marsh, UFO Examiner

Reports of UFOs saw a dramatic increase across the U.S. in the six weeks leading up to September 2011, though MUFON International Director Clifford Clift cautioned that more data is needed for definitive conclusions. The rise in reports, which began in July 2011 and continued through August, saw many states double or triple their average monthly report numbers. Clift suggests that MUFON's recent international symposium and increased media attention may have raised public awareness, leading to more reports.

The article presents statistics for several states, comparing their average monthly reports from January 1 to July 31, 2011, with their August 2011 report numbers and the percentage increase. For example:

• California: 50.85 (avg) to 127 (Aug) - 249.75% increase.
• Colorado: 9.85 (avg) to 29 (Aug) - 194.41% increase.
• Connecticut: 3.28 (avg) to 38 (Aug) - 1058.53% increase.
• Missouri: 10 (avg) to 39 (Aug) - 290% increase.
• New York: 11.71 (avg) to 46 (Aug) - 292.82% increase.
• Pennsylvania: 19 (avg) to 62 (Aug) - 226.31% increase.
• Texas: 28.57 (avg) to 59 (Aug) - 106.51% increase.

Even states like Wyoming saw an increase, with five reports in August compared to four in the preceding seven months. The article notes that this increase might be a temporary six-week phenomenon.

For those hoping to see a UFO, the article lists the top 10 "best bet" states for the second half of September: California, Texas, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Missouri, Ohio, Colorado, and North Carolina. These states were predicted to have around 425 sightings in September, averaging 14 per day. Trends suggest UFOs often move in groups and return to the same area shortly after a sighting. The article also warns that electronic equipment might malfunction during a sighting and advises packing multiple cameras.

If an unidentified object is encountered, especially one that is low to the ground or landed, the advice is to prioritize safety, move to a safe distance, call 911, and file a report with MUFON at mufon.com.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Missouri MUFON Newsletter consistently promotes the scientific investigation of UFOs. It emphasizes the importance of reporting sightings to MUFON for data collection and analysis. The newsletter serves as a communication channel for members, detailing local and national MUFON activities, meetings, and conferences. There is a clear focus on providing information about upcoming events, guest speakers, and ongoing research within the UFO community. The editorial stance is one of encouraging public awareness and participation in UFO research, while also stressing the need for accurate reporting and data gathering. The newsletter also touches upon related topics such as paranormal experiences and Near Death Experiences, broadening the scope of interest for its readership.