MUFON Northern California Case Briefs - No 01 - 1994

Magazine Overview

Title: CASE BRIEFS: EXPLORATIONS & REVIEW
Issue: #1
Date: July / August 1994
Publisher: MUTUAL UFO NETWORK, INC. (Northern California Chapter)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Introduction and Editorial

This inaugural issue of "Case Briefs: Explorations & Review" is introduced as a new periodical from the MUFON Northern California Affiliate, aiming to respond to requests for information on UFO investigations in the region. It is planned to be published five or six times a year, with subscriptions costing $12.00 for six issues. The editorship has transitioned from Kathi Hennesey to Laura Steiger, with Hennesey remaining as Assistant Editor. The publication aims to present well-researched material, free from the sensationalism often found in the mass media, as stated by Virgil Staff, State Director.

The Mystery In Modoc, Part I: The 1950's and 1960's

This article, by Tim Landrith, State Section Director for Lassen, Modoc, and Siskiyou Counties, begins an exploration of UFO sightings in Modoc County, California. Despite its remote, bucolic nature, the county has a significant history of UFO encounters. Landrith and Field Investigator Trainee Jean Bilodeaux have compiled over 150 accounts and will present selected sightings from each decade starting in the 1950s. Residents are noted for their reluctance to come forward, ensuring anonymity.

Summer 1954 Sighting

This case occurred in the remote Long Valley area of Washoe County, Nevada, adjacent to Modoc County. A cowboy, while checking cattle, observed his horse reacting to something off to the side. He then saw a 100-foot long, 15-foot high, light brown, cigar-shaped object hovering inches above the sagebrush. The object had windows along its length but no visible means of propulsion and emitted no noise. It followed the cowboy for two miles without threat. The object then floated over a dirt road and up a hill, leaving no dust.

June 1957 Sighting

Near sunset, a ranch wife and her three sons were traveling on Modoc County Road #48 when they observed a huge, cigar-shaped object hovering above a basalt rim. The woman described its brilliant silver color as hurting her eyes. The object was estimated to be 100 yards long. After watching for fifteen minutes with no sound or movement, the object disappeared. The woman reported that her husband claimed she had been gone for over two hours, a trip that should have taken only 45 minutes, indicating a possible missing time phenomenon. She maintained the object was "not of this world" and had never heard of UFOs at the time.

The Mid-Sixties Sighting

In western Modoc County, the head of a conservation camp received reports from three lookouts about an unidentified flying object landing at specific coordinates. Initially dismissed as a joke, the consistency of the reports from separate lookouts, who could not have communicated, lent credence to the event. Volunteers were asked to investigate, but no one wanted to go out. The area was remote, with only a dirt logging road and no buildings or people nearby. The next day, no sign of fire was found in the area.

Case 1: The Perils of Kathleen, Part I

This case, by Virgil Staff, details the experiences of a woman named Kathleen living near the Bay Area. Initially skeptical of UFOs, her views changed after a series of unsettling events.

February 27, 1994 Encounter

On a Sunday evening, Kathleen reported seeing two "grays" emerge from her ceiling. The first appeared to be "swimming" and was about a foot or two from the ceiling. The second gray appeared holding a "gun" and a shield. Kathleen felt fear and a sense of impending medical examination. The beings then disappeared into the ceiling.

Physical Sensations and Mental Experiences

Following the encounter, Kathleen experienced a dull pain in her right foot and ankle, described as a needle-like sensation. This sensation moved up her leg and then appeared as pain in her left arm. She felt her body go limp, describing a "screened over" mental state. During this time, she experienced vivid mental images of ice skating, including Nancy Kerrigan, which she believes were induced. She also recalled names like "YUR-A-MAN-NAH," "AFAH," and "AREE NEEAH."

Physical Marks and Observations

In the morning, Kathleen found a red mark on her right ankle, raised into a triangle shape with two white spots on either side. The mark was about three inches long and located above the ankle. The mark became less noticeable later in the day. She also noted a coldness on her hip and a sensation of being pulled up from her bed. She described the beings' physical characteristics, including three long fingers and large black eyes, and the cylindrical object they carried.

Case 2: And the Wires Hummed!

This case, also by Virgil Staff, describes an event on September 1, 1993, involving seven observers on a hill southeast of Clearlake Oaks, California.

The Luminosity and "Fireflies"

Around 4:00 a.m. on September 2nd, an orange ball was observed rising above distant hills, appearing obese and vertically oriented like a disc. As it ascended, it became more orange-red and appeared larger than Venus. It later turned bright silver/white and appeared to have a magnitude greater than Venus. The observers noted that as it ascended, it appeared to become smaller, suggesting increasing distance. Simultaneously, wires near a large metallic transformer case at the summit began to hum loudly. The object was described as a silver or milk-white disc, sometimes with a circle or bag in the bottom right quadrant.

Possible "Mother Ship" and Shuttles

Later, a dark spot appeared in the center of the luminosity, from which a milk-white teardrop-shaped light emerged. The aperture remained for an hour, and the teardrop moved closer to the dark spot. The observers speculated that they were witnessing a gigantic mother ship discharging and receiving space shuttles. The "fireflies" observed later were identified as lights moving southwestward, possibly shuttles returning citizens. The article suggests these operations may involve vehicles hundreds of meters across, possibly thousands.

Classification and Interpretation

The event was classified using various UFO categorization systems, including Hynek, Berliner, Speiser, and Vallee. The observers concluded that they might have been witnessing a mother ship and its shuttles, possibly hundreds of meters in diameter. The article also references abductee accounts, suggesting that humans seen on these craft are naked and that clothing appears magically when they are returned to their beds. The author suggests these events may be part of significant shifts on Earth, aligning with C. G. Jung's view of the end of an era.

Articles

The Coast Weekly, Part III

This section reproduces an article from the Coast Weekly, a Monterey County newspaper, focusing on local UFO activity. Part III covers a different sort of alleged contact: channeling.

#### Carole Austen and Channeling

Carole Austen, a grandmotherly resident of Carmel, claims to channel communications from "other celestials" on the Pleiades. She states these beings are friendly and wish to help Earth's citizens. Austen expresses frustration with researchers who focus on the frightening aspects of abductions rather than the spiritual opportunities contact offers. She suggests that overcoming fear and isolation can lead to inner peace and understanding.

#### Project Bluebook and Skepticism

The article discusses Project Bluebook, the US government's study of UFOs, which examined nearly 13,000 sightings between 1947 and 1969. Of these, only 701 remained unexplained. Skeptics argue that these cases merely prove people saw unidentified objects, and that hard evidence of extraterrestrial visitation is lacking. Michael Lindemann, editor of "UFOS and the Alien Presence: Six Viewpoints," counters that eyewitness accounts constitute evidence, even if not definitive proof.

#### Roswell Incident and Government Reversal

The article briefly mentions the Roswell incident of July 1947, where the Air Force initially announced the retrieval of non-earthly wreckage, only to later reverse its statement. A quote from Major Dave Thurston of the USAF states, "If there were, I couldn't tell you about it... If there were, we couldn't discuss it."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed accounts of UFO sightings in Northern California, the phenomenon of abduction and its psychological impact, and the ongoing debate about government cover-ups and the validity of eyewitness testimony. The editorial stance, as expressed by Virgil Staff and Michael Lindemann, supports the significance of eyewitness accounts as evidence and suggests that current UFO events may be indicative of major global shifts. The publication aims to provide a serious, non-sensationalist platform for exploring these phenomena.

Title: CASE BRIEFS: EXPLORATIONS & REVIEW
Issue: JULY/AUGUST 1994
Publisher: MUFON Northern California
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Case Briefs focuses on UFO-related topics, including updates on the Roswell incident, a review of a book on parapsychology and UFOs, and information on MUFON activities and training.

Roswell Investigation Update

The issue provides an update on the General Accounting Office's (GAO) investigation into the alleged military cover-up of the 1947 UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico. Congressman Steven Schiff's office reports that while there are no major new developments, the investigation's methodology and thoroughness are satisfactory. The GAO is reviewing Air Force files, and cooperation has been enthusiastic. However, the sheer volume of old files and the expiration of the 30-year record-keeping statute of limitations present challenges. The article notes that the Roswell Incident is notably absent from Project Bluebook files. Readers are encouraged to write to their elected officials to express their interest in the investigation and to inform others about it. A movie recreating the Roswell events, titled "Roswell," is mentioned as being produced by Showtime.

Government Secrecy and UFOs

Stanton Friedman, a nuclear physicist and critic of government secrecy, is quoted as calling the UFO situation a "Cosmic Watergate," alleging that the government has withheld data and used cover stories. The article details how the National Security Agency (NSA) initially denied interest in UFOs but later admitted to having hundreds of documents. A court ruling stated that the public interest in disclosure was outweighed by national security concerns. Both the CIA and the Air Force claim they no longer investigate UFOs, with the Air Force having concluded Project Bluebook in 1969. Major Dave Thurston of the Air Force stated that while they don't investigate UFOs, they cannot comment on any advanced aircraft that might be mistaken for them.

Review: The Haunted Universe by D. Scott Rogo

This section reviews "The Haunted Universe" by parapsychologist D. Scott Rogo. Rogo's contention is that UFOs are not physical objects but external projections of the human mind, created subconsciously through psychic abilities. The review notes that Rogo attempted to explain strange events like UFO sightings and falls of fish using parapsychology. The reviewer critiques Rogo's tendency to favor psychic explanations over physical ones, citing the Pascagoula case as an example where Rogo suggested a psychic creation rather than considering technological screening devices. Rogo also dismissed the idea of telepathic shared dreams between Betty and Barney Hill. The reviewer points out that Rogo failed to cite sources for many of his ideas, such as the theory that UFOs might cause electrical equipment failure by drawing energy from the percipient. The book is described as becoming increasingly speculative, suggesting that evil exists as an external force and that monsters like Mothman might be human-mind creations with continued existence. Rogo himself acknowledged that he might have promoted untested theories.

MUFON Activities and Training

Tidbits - May Meeting Highlights: Linda Kerth, Ph.D., presented findings from her analysis of children's drawings of UFOs, comparing them to adult drawings based on real experiences. Her research, published in the Journal of UFO Studies, indicated significant differences in shapes and details between the two groups, contradicting the idea that archetypal symbology is identical across age groups.

Field Investigator Training: The upcoming field investigator training session will feature Dr. Richard Haines on field investigation forms and Linda Kerth on memory retrieval, with a focus on children. The session is rescheduled for September due to scheduling conflicts. A call is made for an Assistant Training Coordinator.

Note: There will not be a General Meeting in San Jose in July; the next is scheduled for the third Sunday in September.

Radio News

Information is provided about the syndicated radio show "Dreamland," hosted by Art Bell, which airs on various California stations on Sunday nights. Listeners are encouraged to urge local stations to carry the show.

Editorial Stance and Submission Information

Case Briefs: Explorations and Review is presented as a forum for open exchange of ideas, with the disclaimer that the opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of MUFON or its editorial staff. Submission guidelines for articles, news items, and reviews are provided, including options for submitting on diskette.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO phenomena, government secrecy, and the intersection of psychology and unexplained events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging investigation and the sharing of information within the UFO research community, while also presenting critical reviews of theories and books within the field. There is a clear emphasis on the Roswell incident as a key case study in government cover-ups.