UFO Newsclipping Service - 1974 07-08 - no 63-64

Magazine Overview

This document contains newspaper clippings from various US publications in July 1974, primarily focusing on UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings and investigations. The main articles discuss a UFO probe near Grapevine, Texas, and a sighting in Lexington, Missouri, as reported by the Dallas Times Herald. Other clippings cover UFO reports from Macon, Mississippi; Monterey Bay, California; Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Portland, Oregon; Perryville, Mississippi; Vashon, Washington; Reno, Nevada; Twin Falls, Idaho; and South Florida. The overall theme is the growing seriousness with which UFO phenomena are being treated by the public and some scientific circles, despite official skepticism or perceived government cover-ups.

Grapevine UFO Probe Scheduled (Dallas Times Herald, July 7, 1974)

This article, by Bill Case, reports on investigators from the Mutual Unidentified Flying Object Network attempting to establish light contact with UFOs sighted south of Grapevine, Texas. The sightings have occurred near Farm Road 157 and Mustang Road, with at least seven persons reporting the phenomena. Fred Ford, D-FW director of operations, stated that 98% of the lights seen were likely conventional aircraft. However, the investigators are pursuing a serious effort, hoping to achieve contact by using light signals. They believe that by approaching the craft with simple light signals, they might prove they mean no harm and are interested in the craft's technology, which is considered years ahead of ours. The UFOs are described as hovering over and landing in clearings near the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.

Woman Claims She Saw UFO Over Lexington (Advertiser-News, July 23, 1974)

Judy Schoonover of Lexington, Missouri, described seeing a bright, round object with a steeple-like top for about three hours early one morning. Her husband first saw the object around 12:15 a.m., and she saw it at 12:50 a.m. She described it as being farther away than an airplane, with a blue light flashing from the top and bottom, and a red light flashing intermittently. She also noted that white vapors appeared when the light began to dim. Seven people from her home and a neighbor's home witnessed the light. Mrs. Schoonover expressed interest in hearing from anyone else who saw the light.

Ufologist Says UFOs Are Real (Dallas Times Herald, June 18, 1974)

Stanton T. Friedman, a nuclear physicist and UFO investigator, stated at a press conference that UFOs are real and controlled by intelligent beings from off the earth, deserving serious scientific study. He claimed to have received firm evidence of a UFO crash in New Mexico, where government agencies reportedly cleaned up the wreckage. Friedman believes that the government is quietly investigating UFO reports, influenced by media coverage and pooling of scientific data. He compares himself to Ralph Nader for presenting facts plainly, suggesting public ridicule often prevents reliable citizens from reporting sightings. He also mentioned Ted Phillips of St. Louis, who has investigated over 600 UFO landing sites.

Couple Refuses to Let the Issue of UFOs Die (Knight News Service, July 7, 1974)

This article discusses Ralph and Judy Blum, authors of "Beyond Earth: Man's Contact With UFOs," who are dedicated to re-examining the UFO issue. They believe that the Pascagoula, Mississippi, incident should have been a turning point in public perception of UFOs. The Blums are interested in the sociological aspects of the UFO issue, questioning why people would lie or hallucinate about such experiences. They acknowledge that something is happening but are not convinced that flying saucers exist, advocating for well-funded, scientific study. They mention that 51% of the population believed in UFOs at one point, and 15 million Americans had seen one. Their book includes 32 pages of "revealing illustrations."

Says UFO expert Millions not hallucinating (Times Staff Writer, July 2, 1974)

Dr. I. M. Levitt, director of the Fels Planetarium, asserts that the five million people who claim to have seen Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) cannot all be hallucinating. He views UFOs as part of the still-unknown forces of natural law. Dr. Levitt rejects explanations involving extraterrestrial life, preferring to wait for concrete proof. He identifies Venus as a common cause of false sightings, particularly during its spring and summer appearances every three years. The article also mentions a sighting in Macon, Mississippi, by Tom White Crigler, described as a beautiful, brilliant object with a blue tail traveling at high speed.

UFO's Seem To Like Monterey Bay Area (Sentinel Staff Writer, July 23, 1974)

This article compiles a history of UFO sightings in the Monterey Bay area, dating back to 1947. It notes 12 sightings that were likely weather balloons and 20 that do not fit usual categories. Several unusual sightings are detailed, including a "dun colored ball," an orange-lighted "basket," and "fireballs or odd moving lights." Seven sightings were described as definitely saucer-like, and one reportedly landed in La Selva Beach in 1965, with the witness invited aboard. The sightings appear in cycles, with a quiet period until the summer of 1974, when UFOs began making regular appearances off Santa Cruz. Recent sightings include a "squared" disc moving at "incredible speed" and a cigar-shaped object that cast an orange glow on the road.

Government Hides Facts About UFO's To Avoid Panic, Local Researcher Says (Cuyahoga Falls News, June 12, 1974)

Amerigo Candusso, co-chairman of the local Flying Saucer Investigating Committee, believes the government is hiding facts about UFOs to avoid public panic. He states that the committee has chapters in 40 states and continues its work without financial support. Candusso argues that an informed public would be less likely to panic if a future landing occurred. The article mentions a Mutual UFO Symposium in Akron, featuring speakers like Ralph Blum, author of "Beyond Earth." It also notes that Army Captain Larry Coyne and his helicopter crew were awarded $5,000 for scientific information concerning a UFO sighting near Mansfield.

Possible Contacts With Intelligent Life 'Disaster' Lurks in Stars (San Francisco Chronicle, May 30, 1974)

Harvard professor George Wald, a Nobel laureate, expressed a dim view of the benefits of contacting intelligent civilizations in outer space, calling it "the worst disaster that could happen to us." He believes that while intelligent life likely exists elsewhere in the universe, such contact would lead to "the most highly classified and exploited military information" and would end human science and arts by fostering a "naive and unthinking quest for answers." Wald suggested that the atoms in each person have a history stretching back to dying stars, giving humans potential for nobility. He also criticized the profit motive and named General Motors and ITT as examples of societal "masters."

Another UFO Sighting (Sentinel, July 5, 1974)

H. Russell Delancey of Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, reported seeing an "oblong-shaped ball that was yellow with red around the fringes" through a telescope. He described the object as moving with "incredible speed" and making no noise. Delancey, who considers himself a believer in UFOs, believes people might think he is "crazy" but wants his sighting printed. He estimated the object was roughly the size of an automobile and watched it for about 20 minutes.

Spot A UFO? Report Here (Wayne, PA, May 23, 1974)

This article announces a symposium on UFOs presented by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Mike McClellan, the local field investigator for APRO, is seeking reports of UFO sightings. McClellan has never seen a UFO himself but emphasizes that APRO treats sightings matter-of-factly. The symposium will feature speakers including Ralph Blum, Betty Hill (who claims to have been abducted), Marjorie Fish (researcher on a "star map"), and Dr. Frank B. Salisbury (exobiologist).

UFO Reported (Times-News, June 16, 1974)

James Niewinski of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, reported sighting a UFO near his home just before midnight on June 10. He described it as an object on the northeast horizon flashing red and white lights, moving with incredible speed from horizon to horizon before disappearing. Niewinski, who is serving in the Air Force, stated the object made no noise and moved much faster than a plane. His wife also witnessed the UFO.

Formation Zooms Over Skies, Say Gooding Men (Gooding, Idaho, June 12, 1974)

Estel (Butch) Easterbrook and his father, Vern Easterbrook, reported seeing a formation of five unidentified flying objects moving westward across the sky at incredible speed. They described the objects as being in "perfect formation" and moving much faster than satellites. They estimated the speed at 35,000 to 40,000 miles per hour. The objects did not resemble planes. The younger Easterbrook, a musician, suggested it was something from another planet.

'Ball of Fire' Streaks Across South Florida Skies (Palm Beach Post, July 9, 1974)

This article reports on a "ball of fire" that streaked across South Florida skies and was tentatively identified by government officials as either a meteorite or a satellite re-entering the atmosphere. The object, traveling at speeds between 3,000 and 4,000 m.p.h., reportedly exploded over the Atlantic Ocean. Officials at a tracking station stated the object could not have been man-made, and its bluish color indicated it was a meteorite. Reports from residents in the Lake Okeechobee area led to search parties being sent to the lake. The event was heard and seen in several locations, with some describing it as a "sonic boom."

Flying objects........ (San Dieguito Citizen, July 18, 1974)

This article discusses Robert Gonsett of Encinitas, a member of the San Diego-based non-profit UFO research group PMS (Precision Monitoring Systems). Gonsett, a consulting electronics engineer, has developed a magnetometer capable of detecting magnetic signals from UFOs. The device, costing under $50 to build, is used to monitor areas for UFO activity. Gonsett believes that UFOs may generate magnetic fields as intense as those produced by superconducting devices. He has shipped one of his magnetometers to Marseilles, France, where UFO sightings have been reported.

Investigator Warns It's Time to Take UFOs Seriously (Reno Gazette, July 1, 1974)

Ed Dickman, a television repair shop owner and official investigator for the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), urges people to take UFOs seriously. He states that UFOs are real and that the government may be covering up information. Dickman recounts his own skeptical experience in Lodi, California, in 1956, where he saw a cylindrical object. He believes that UFOs are not necessarily extraterrestrial spacecraft but could be intrusions from a parallel universe or dimension, possibly entering through "black holes" in space. He notes that the Air Force is often seen as an antagonist in UFO research, with Dickman claiming they are afraid of public panic and market effects. He emphasizes that NICAP takes reports seriously and does not require names.

UFO spotted? Woman woke to see strange shape (Twin Falls Times-News, June 12, 1974)

A resident of north Satellite Beach, Florida, reported seeing a brilliant, strange-shaped object with separate lights, not like a star or satellite, hovering over the ocean. The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, watched the object for about 15 minutes through binoculars. She described it as having a horizontal shape with brilliant lights illuminating the sky. She has seen UFOs before and reported both sightings to Patrick Air Force Base, which stated there were no launches that might have looked like UFOs and that the Air Force has closed its books on UFOs.

'Black Holes' Allow UFOs To Enter Our Dimension? (The Indianapolis Indiana NEWS, July 10, 1974)

Dr. J. Allen Hynek, director of a newly opened center for UFO studies, states that UFOs are real and that the time has passed when they could be dismissed as nonsense. He suggests that an "invisible college" of scientists from various disciplines is associated with the center. Hynek is cautious about defining UFOs, stating that while he believes there is intelligence behind them, he is moving away from the idea of nuts-and-bolts spacecraft. He speculates that UFOs might be intrusions from a parallel universe or dimension, possibly entering through "black holes" in space. The center's purposes include serving as a clearing house for reports, conducting scientific assaults on UFOs, providing bulletins, coordinating worldwide UFO studies, and synthesizing insights. The article also mentions reports of UFOs from various police departments and cases involving landed craft, burned rings, and interactions with military and commercial aircraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

A recurring theme across these clippings is the growing public and scientific interest in UFOs, contrasted with official skepticism or perceived government secrecy. Many articles highlight witness testimonies, often from ordinary citizens, who describe unusual aerial phenomena. There's a persistent belief among some that UFOs are real, intelligently controlled craft, possibly of extraterrestrial origin. The idea of government cover-ups or a reluctance to acknowledge the phenomenon is also frequently mentioned. Some articles explore the scientific and sociological implications of UFOs, while others focus on specific sightings and investigations. The overall stance of the publications, by featuring these stories, is to give credence to the UFO phenomenon as a subject worthy of attention and investigation, moving it away from the realm of pure fantasy.

This document is a listing of UFO reports received by the Center for UFO Studies, primarily for June 1974, with some entries extending into July and earlier dates for specific case studies. The publication, titled 'CENTER FOR UFO STUDIES', features 'UFO CENTRAL CALLS JUNE 1974' as its main cover headline. It is presented as the latest listing of reports, with thanks extended to Director Dr. J. Allen Hynek. The document includes a table of UFO sightings with dates, locations, number of witnesses, classification, and action taken. It also contains several articles and news clippings related to UFO phenomena from various international sources.

UFO Report Listings (June-July 1974)

The core of the document is a detailed list of UFO sightings. Each entry includes:

• Date: Specific day of the sighting.
• Location: City, state, and country where the sighting occurred.
• Witnesses: Number of individuals who reported the sighting, sometimes with additional details like '6+' or '2+'.
• Classification: A system of codes indicating the nature of the sighting, including:
• NL: Nocturnal Light
• DD: Daylight Disc
• CE: Close Encounter
• CEI: Close Encounter I (No physical effects)
• CEII: Close Encounter II (Physical effects, traces)
• CEIII: Close Encounter III (Landing, occupants)
• Action: Often marked with an asterisk (*), possibly indicating further investigation or a notable event.

Notable locations mentioned in the June list include Logan, OH; Wythville, VA; Lincoln PK, MI; Sheridan, OR; Morrilton, AR; Caledonia, WI; San Angelo, TX; Wheaton, IL; Everett, WA; Hawthorne, NJ; Lincolnshire, IL; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Peatonica, IL; Kingston Springs, TN; Texarkana, AR; Renton, WA; Calera, OK; Seattle, WA; Ellicott City, MD; Goldsboro, MD; Lewistown, PA; Chatham, NJ; Upper Darby, PA; Stanton, CA; Burlingame, CA; San Diego, CA; Torrance, CA; Santa Maria, CA; Newport Beach, CA; and Miami, FL. The July list continues with reports from Phoenix, AZ; Dysart, LA; Marion, O; St. Anns, IO; Laurel, MS; La Hambra, CA; Niles, Ol; Fairfax, VA; Hempstead, NY; Lockhaven, PA; Findlay, Oli; Brookline, MA; Amherst, NH; Excelsior Springs, MO1; Kingston City, NY; Lansing, MI; Summerset, PA; Jefferson, WI; Fairfield, CA; Marquette, WI; Texarkana, TX; Red Bank, NJ; Circleville, OH; Virginia Beach, VA; Port Chester, NY; Little Rock, AR; Everett, WA; Hobbs, NM; Shawnee, KS; Marshfield, WI; Bylas, AZ; Pocatello, ID; Redondo Beach, CA; Hampton, VA; and Eugene, OR.

International Reports

The document also features several international reports, translated from German and presented in English:

• UFO über Argentinien (UFO over Argentina): An unidentified flying object was tracked on radar at Cordoba flight tower. Crew members and passengers on two airplanes confirmed seeing a round, flat, very bright object. An Argentine air-control office is investigating.
• "Kommt 'runter, ihr Marsleute" ("Come quick, it's Martians"): Hundreds in Milan observed a UFO for two hours emitting green beams. Police set up a spotlight to observe it. Onlookers shouted "Come quick, it's Martians."
• UFO über Rumänien (UFO over Rumania): An unidentified flying object with an intense light beam was sighted over Piatra Neamt, Rumania. It had a turbulent, multi-coloured trail and was observed for several seconds moving at high altitude from the northeast.

Specific Case Studies and Articles

Several articles delve into specific sightings and broader UFO topics:

• Mysterious lights in the night sky: An eyewitness drawing of a mysterious flying object sighted over Erina, Australia. The object was described as circular with bright lights changing color. A police sergeant, Jim Bell, reported a similar sighting in Windale, Australia, describing a UFO with revolving red lights and a white shaft of light.
• "AUSTRALIAN" UFO Society mystified: The UFO Society in Victoria, Australia, is mystified by a significant increase in sightings. They typically explain most sightings as weather balloons or planes, but a few remain unexplained.
• UFOs Visit Dongola: Mrs. Shirley Newman of Dongola, Canada, reported seeing an object outlined with glowing red lights that floated at tree-top level near her home. She described it as cigar-shaped with windows and a bright white glow. The experience was accompanied by unusual sounds and sensations.
• UFOlogist says we're watched by alien beings: Stanton Friedman, a nuclear physicist and UFOlogist, claims overwhelming evidence exists that Earth is under observation by extraterrestrials, suggesting a government cover-up.
• UFOs Reported To Lindsay OPP: The Ontario Provincial Police detachment in Lindsay, Canada, reported a traffic accident and a UFO sighting complaint.
• Laughter then amazement: Jim Boyce and his companions in Norland, Canada, reported seeing several UFOs that appeared as bluish lights turning to orange, exhibiting erratic movements and hovering before disappearing at high speed.
• Visitors From Space?: Stanton Friedman reiterates his belief in extraterrestrial visitation, citing scientific facts and reliable sightings, and suggests government secrecy to avoid political chaos.
• UFO Seen Over The Rooftops: Reports of unidentified flying objects over Victoria, Australia, were confirmed. One article mentions a 1909 sighting by a Peterborough policeman that might have been a flying saucer.
• STAR-STRUCK?: A Yorkton, Saskatchewan, youth reported a molten substance flashing from the sky and onto his car, causing damage. RCMP officers identified it as a meteorite.
• "Speeding light" sighted: A Glenorchy, Tasmania, couple reported a "speeding light" that traveled rapidly across the sky.
• UFO Sighted In Lindsay: A newsman in Lindsay, Canada, reported seeing a yellow, globular-shaped object moving soundlessly across the sky.
• It landed on Mt Warrenheip: Three independent sources in Australia reported an unidentified flying object landing on Mt Warrenheip.
• UFO IS LATE: Gordon Hepburn and George Evans reported seeing a yellow-tailed UFO in Melbourne, Australia.
• A planet or UFO?: A resident in Nambucca, Australia, questioned whether a bright light seen in the sky was a planet or a UFO.

Classifications and Explanations

The document provides a key to the classifications used (NL, DD, CE, CEI, CEII, CEIII) and briefly explains them. It also touches upon potential explanations for sightings, such as planets like Jupiter and Venus appearing closer to Earth, leading to illusions. The role of the Department of Civil Aviation and the Australian Air Force in investigating UFO reports is also mentioned.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings across different regions, the persistent mystery surrounding these phenomena, and the ongoing efforts by various organizations and individuals to investigate and understand them. There's an underlying suggestion of potential government secrecy or a lack of full disclosure regarding UFOs, as voiced by Stanton Friedman. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting and documenting these events, presenting witness accounts and official investigations, while acknowledging the difficulty in providing definitive explanations for many cases. The publication aims to inform readers about the latest UFO reports and related discussions within the UFO community.

This issue of the magazine, dated June 5, 1974, features a prominent cover story titled "Skeptical Norland Man Says He Is No Longer UFO Doubter," indicating a focus on unexplained aerial phenomena and mysterious creatures. The publication also includes articles on Sasquatch sightings and expeditions, alongside reports of other unusual occurrences.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The lead article details Jim Boyce's experience with five unidentified flying objects (UFOs) seen by a fishing party in Norland, Canada. Boyce, initially skeptical, became a believer after witnessing the objects' erratic flight patterns and lights. The objects moved in ways inexplicable as shooting stars, with some zooming straight up and others veering off. The sightings lasted about half an hour.

Another report from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, describes Doug Spinks' sighting of an unidentified flying object near the city's airport runway. Spinks initially mistook it for a low-flying airplane but realized it was different due to its illuminated nature. A small light detached from the object and fell earthward before the entire craft disappeared. The Ministry of Transport confirmed the runway approach was closed to traffic at the time, with only a small flying club plane in the vicinity.

The "UNEXPLAINED" section features an article by Allan Spragett titled "Tales Of UFO Visitors Stranger Than Fiction." It discusses several cases, including a U.S. Army helicopter encountering a UFO in Ohio in October 1973, and two fishermen in Mississippi being taken aboard a UFO by "crab men" for examination. The article also mentions a "star map" shown to a New Hampshire housewife under hypnosis, which allegedly depicted actual stars. Authors Roy and Judy Blum, who investigated these cases, believe UFOs are spacecraft and suggest their origin might be relatively close to Earth, citing the star map research by Marjorie Fish and Dr. Allen Hynek.

Erik Lacitis reports on Tony McLennan's sighting of a large, shaggy, brown-black creature with glowing red eyes near Maple Valley, Canada. McLennan described the creature as standing six to eight feet tall and having a rounded head with little visible neck. The creature was seen by the roadside and then disappeared into the bush.

Sasquatch and Cryptid Research

Stephen Green reports on an expedition searching for Sasquatch in the Skamania County forests of Washington. Led by Peter Byrne, an experienced explorer, the team includes scientists and researchers. Byrne, who previously led Abominable Snowman expeditions in the Himalayas, is convinced of Sasquatch's existence, citing historical accounts and footprint analyses. The expedition is funded by the National Wildlife Federation and the Academy of Applied Sciences. Byrne emphasizes the need for confidentiality to avoid interference from gun-toting individuals.

The article "Sasquatch Hunters-'We've Got a Lead'" by Stephen Green highlights Peter Byrne's three years of investigating Sasquatch rumors. Byrne has checked out 76 possible sightings and is concentrating his search in the Columbia River Gorge area. The team operates a Big Foot Museum and information center, receiving about one piece of credible information per week. Byrne believes Sasquatch sightings have a 163-year history and points to footprint analysis and credible witness accounts as evidence.

John Guernsey's article "Sasquatch elude searchers in Skamania County forests" notes that two months of intensive searching in Washington have not yielded a sighting, but have increased local awareness. Byrne mentions that some reports, like one from a 12-year-old boy, turned out to be a bear, while another was an elk. The expedition is funded by a $29,000 grant and is expected to continue into December.

Reports of screaming sounds and large footprints are mentioned, including a 1967 photograph of an 8-foot tall humanoid and an 1824 account of a creature near Yale, British Columbia. The article also touches on the theory that Sasquatch might be related to extraterrestrial experiments.

"Monster has his very own legal habitat" discusses the "White River Monster" in Newport, Arkansas, where the city council declared a sanctuary for the creature. The article references past sightings in 1937 and 1971, describing the creature as a long, serpent-type being.

Larry Fowler's "'Monster' Eludes Search" article focuses on the Sasquatch Research Group, led by Jim Lloyd, which investigates sightings in the Midwest. Lloyd believes the creature is a lower form of man or an animal, not supernatural, and is about 7 feet tall with grey or white hair, a domed head, and red eyes. The group collects witness accounts and searches wooded areas, particularly near rivers.

"Local Group Hopes to Prove 'Big Foot' Exists" by an unnamed author from The Examiner details the Sasquatch Research Group's efforts. They cite similarities in descriptions across different regions and mention Roger Patterson's film as a key piece of evidence. The group believes Sasquatch may have crossed the Bering Strait and possesses great strength and intelligence. They also consider the possibility of extraterrestrial links.

Other Phenomena and Reports

An article from the Daily News, Tuesday, June 18, 1974, titled "Thing From Deep Up a Creek," reports on a strange mammal seen in Matawan Creek, New Jersey. The seven-foot-long creature, possibly a marine mammal, has been harassed by locals. Federal law protects marine mammals, and authorities are investigating.

"SPIDERS BLOT OUT AUSSIE SKY" from Sydney, Australia, describes millions of spiders floating on webs, causing communication disruptions. An entomologist suggests they will eventually disperse on their own.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained phenomena, particularly UFO sightings and the mystery of cryptids like Sasquatch. There's a clear interest in presenting witness accounts, investigative efforts, and scientific perspectives, even when definitive proof is lacking. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging the reporting of such events while acknowledging the skepticism and challenges involved in verification. The recurring theme is the existence of phenomena beyond conventional understanding, prompting ongoing research and public fascination.