MUFON of Ohio Newsletter - 2010 12

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MUFON of Ohio Newsletter, dated December 2010, features a collection of UFO sighting reports and investigations primarily from Ohio. The publication includes detailed accounts from witnesses, analysis of potential physical evidence, and commentary from MUFON investigators. The newsletter aims to document and explore unexplained aerial phenomena.

Articles and Reports

30 Years Ago: Some Northern Ohio Cases by Rick Hilberg

This section revisits a sighting from March 9th, 1980, in Painesville, Ohio. A 47-year-old man observed a lighted object giving off a "static, fluttery sound." The object was described as cigar-shaped with a bulge, rose-colored with a grayish tint, and appeared to be hovering. It later made drifting movements. The witness's wife and children joined him, and they observed what seemed to be a second identical object. The UFO then moved back and forth, briefly following a passenger jet. The sighting lasted about 15 minutes, with local police being dispatched. Another neighborhood couple joined the observation, bringing the total witnesses to seven. The object then performed rapid maneuvers from northeast to southwest, appearing to loom closer, followed by rapid spirals or circular motions before moving towards the northeast horizon and disappearing over Lake Erie.

A second case from Cleveland, Ohio, on April 3rd, involved a woman in her 50s observing a bright, silvery disk-shaped object from her mobile home. She saw a bright light and went outside to investigate. The object was described as large and hovering over nearby railroad tracks and high tension power lines. She estimated its elevation at 30 degrees and altitude at about 180 feet above the power lines, with the object being 30 to 40 feet in diameter and 15 to 20 feet high at the bulge. The UFO circled for about ten minutes before rising straight up at high, erratic speed and disappearing.

A third incident on September 9th involved three male employees of an airfreight company near Cleveland Hopkins Airport. They observed four roundish, disk-shaped, off-white colored objects moving swiftly towards the east. The objects initially formed a perfect square, then moved over the airport and appeared to form a triangle formation. One disk shot back and then rejoined the formation. The objects exhibited complex maneuvers, with two banking sharply while others stayed on course. The sighting lasted about 40 seconds.

Another report from November 26th described a man in his early twenties in Parma, Ohio, who saw two extremely bright points of light with a small red object orbiting them. He observed this for about five seconds before it was lost to view.

N.E. Ohio Flap 1988 by Richard Dell'Aquila

This report details a series of sightings investigated by Richard P. Dell'Aquila and Dale B. Wedge, centered around the Perry Nuclear Plant and the CEI coal plant at Eastlake, Ohio, on the shore of Lake Erie. The investigation began around March 4, 1988.

On March 4th, witnesses observed a large blimp-like object with bright white lights at each end, hovering over Lake Erie. It rocked end to end, with one light strobing. Upon returning home, witnesses went to the beach and described the object as "larger than a football held at arm's length." The noiseless object was gun metal gray and caused the ice on the lake to rumble and crack loudly. The object revolved slowly, coming almost overhead, about 1/4 mile high, and pointing its "front" end down. The witnesses later observed triangular objects with red and blue blinking lights and intensely bright yellow triangular lights. These objects darted and zigzagged at high velocities, performing sharp right-angle turns. They were described as smaller than a one-seat Cessna and capable of crossing 50-mile stretches in seconds.

Later that night, another witness reported a stationary triangular object that began flashing multi-colored lights. The object revolved clockwise, then counter-clockwise, and accelerated away at high speed. Another witness took photographs of a brightly lit triangular object traveling across the sky. The objects were described as glowing an intense yellow/orange to white, pulsing brighter and dimmer.

The report notes that local newspapers attributed these sightings to misidentification of planets Venus and Jupiter, citing a professor of astronomy. However, Dell'Aquila found this explanation unlikely given the Coast Guard's involvement and the nature of the sightings.

A Coast Guard incident report confirmed that personnel responded to calls about UFOs over Lake Erie, observing a large object that "dispersed 3-5 smaller flying objects." The report also mentioned abnormal cracking of ice and an object that seemed to disappear. A subsequent Coast Guard report attributed the sightings to misidentifications and requested the incident be closed.

Woman Sickened From Two UFO Encounters on Successive Nights by William Puckett of UFOs Northwest

This article, originally from August 2006, details an experience of Dorothy and Danny Phillips in August 2005. While traveling from Missouri to Ohio, they had two encounters with UFOs on successive nights.

The first encounter occurred near Indianapolis, Indiana, where Dorothy noticed what appeared to be a fire to the north, with lights rising from it that followed their vehicle. She immediately noticed a strong odor similar to creosol, burnt tar, and sulfuric acid. The second encounter happened near Marion, Ohio, where they saw a large craft directly ahead of them over the highway. They passed directly underneath it and again smelled the same strong odor.

Effects of the encounters were noted on Dorothy's new shoes, which began to peel and flake. Black residue was also collected. Both Danny and Dottie experienced health problems, including digestive issues, coughing, skin blotches, and a neural disorder diagnosed as potentially caused by chemical exposure. Chemical analysis of the shoes suggested phenols might be responsible for the material loss. The report references other cases of physical effects from UFO encounters.

What was going on in N.E. Ohio During the Summer of 2000?

This section presents two reports from the summer of 2000.

Ohio Motorists 'Surrounded and Paced' by Multiple UFOs

On July 22, 2000, three motorists reported being "surrounded and paced by multiple red lights" while traveling northbound on Route 11 in Ashtabula and Trumbull Counties, Ohio. The lights were described as a large, huge object (estimated at least 3-feet in diameter) and smaller, basketball-sized objects. The witnesses reported an "ardj area" and a disruption of their car's electronic alarm system, with rain-like moisture accumulating on the windshield. The experience caused them to be "scared to death."

Multiple UFOs Dazzle Crowd of Onlookers in Ohio

On September 19, 2000, Rodney Happney reported sighting UFOs near Girard, Ohio. He observed a crowd of people looking up at the sky. Happney saw about 6 independent, star-like objects in the daytime sky, performing "bee-like" maneuvers and assuming a "straight line" formation. Some objects shot straight up, while others rolled around and reflected sunlight. They fell suddenly and departed rapidly to the east at high speed. Happney, a former paratrooper, was certain they were not aircraft. The incident was investigated, and a dismissive explanation involving the Space Shuttle Atlantis was refuted.

Ohio MUFON Meeting

Saturday, October 23, 2010, 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm

The meeting took place at the Columbus, Ohio Metropolitan Library branch in Hilliard, Ohio, with thirty attendees. Cathy Richards discussed current ufology topics and the steps to become a Field Investigator. Phyllis Budinger, a retired analytical chemist, presented a talk on the search for physical evidence related to UFOs, defining physical traces and effects. She discussed five cases involving physical trace analysis, including the Delphos, Kansas event (1971) and the Betty Hill abduction (1961), focusing on chemical analysis of residues and materials.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed documentation of UFO sightings in Ohio, the importance of witness testimony, and the ongoing effort to find and analyze physical evidence related to these phenomena. The publication emphasizes the need for rigorous investigation and often challenges conventional explanations for sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, with a focus on scientific analysis where possible.

The MUFON of Ohio Newsletter, dated December 2010, is a publication dedicated to investigating and reporting on UFO-related phenomena. This issue features several detailed case studies, insights into the work of MUFON field investigators, and information on how to join the organization.

Case Studies

Golabki, Poland: Mysterious Rocks

The issue details an event in Golabki, Poland, on July 19, 2003, where a grandmother witnessed a UFO land in her farm field. The following morning, her grandson discovered strange rocks at the site. One retrieved rock glowed for approximately six months. Analysis revealed the rock to be vitrified soil, a glass-like substance formed by high temperatures (over 1300-1500°F). These stones were not derived from the local soil, suggesting they were affected by the craft's ionizing field.

Saskatchewan, Canada: Mutilated Bison

Another case involves the mutilation of a bison bull named "Frank" in Saskatchewan on March 13, 2008. The typical mutilation scenario included a cored rectum and openings from the sex organs. Singed hair found 70 feet away showed the presence of 3-hydroxyanthanilic acid. Extensive searches could not provide a rational explanation for this compound. The Canadian investigator noted a significant increase in US government interest in this case after her report was released.

Holland: Mysterious White Powders

The newsletter discusses mysterious white powders appearing in Holland after UFO sightings and crop formations for at least 14 years. These cases are linked to Robbert van den Broeke, who has witnessed UFOs and paranormal events. The white powders, found after a ball of light sighting and from crop formations, were identified as an extremely pure (99.99%) form of hydrated magnesium carbonate. This purity suggests it is chemically prepared or refined, far beyond agricultural use (which is about 85% pure). The cost of such pure magnesium carbonate is approximately $171.00 per 100 grams, leading to speculation about the motive if it were a hoax. The article also touches upon current research suggesting that sequestering carbon dioxide through the carbonation of magnesium silicate mineral to form magnesium carbonate could be a way to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Ohio Field Investigator Reports

Several reports from MUFON field investigators in Ohio are featured:

• Mahoning, Ohio (October 27, 2010): A witness reported seeing a large, bright, solid white triangular light that rapidly increased in intensity, resembling a helicopter but without sound. It then dimmed, became a fuzzy ball, and moved north. Her 12-year-old daughter also witnessed a ball of shiny white light that pulsed and moved erratically.
• Lucas, Ohio (September 14, 2010): A witness saw a small silver object with a contrail that made a rapid 'poof poof' sound and then executed a 90-degree turn and vanished, leaving a second section of contrail.
• Warren, Ohio (September 4, 2010): Witnesses traveling north on I-71 saw a flash of light resembling a comet that reversed direction. Later, they observed a group of five lights in a pentagon shape low to the western horizon. These lights shifted shape and moved sideways before disappearing behind trees.

Featured MUFON Field Investigator

Richard C. Diehm, a State Section Director for MUFON in Ohio, is featured. He shares his personal interest in UFOs, stemming from a childhood sighting. Diehm, a retired deputy sheriff with experience in investigations and emergency services, became a certified field investigator to encourage reporting of UFO sightings and abductions. He believes in a government cover-up regarding UFO phenomena and anticipates eventual disclosure.

How to Become a Field Investigator

An article by Cathy Richards outlines the four steps to becoming a MUFON Field Investigator:

1. Renew membership and be in good standing.
2. Contact your state director to express interest and ask questions.
3. Purchase and study the MUFON Field Investigator's Manual, then complete and submit the open-book exam.
4. Accompany an experienced investigator on live investigations (recommended).

The process involves understanding investigative ethics, interviewing methods, collateral contacts, and technical background knowledge. A criminal background check is also conducted.

MUFON Membership and Contact Information

The newsletter includes information on joining MUFON International, with benefits such as a subscription to the monthly UFO Journal, access to investigations and reports, and participation in symposia. Membership costs $20.00 annually. Contact information for MUFON of Ohio, including their state director William Jones and email address, is provided, along with an application form.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting of specific UFO sightings and related phenomena, the importance of rigorous investigation by trained field investigators, and the belief in a potential government cover-up of UFO information. The editorial stance is one of encouraging public reporting, thorough investigation, and a gradual move towards greater transparency regarding UFOs. The newsletter aims to educate the public and involve more people in the investigation of these phenomena.