UFO Newsclipping Service - 1976 06 - no 86

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated June 1976, compiles a collection of recent UFO sightings and related accounts from various newspapers across the United States and Iran. The publication aims to document these phenomena, featuring witness testimonies, expert opinions, and discussions on potential explanations and societal reactions.

Key Articles and Reports

From Chalus to Isfahan by UFO (Kayhan Int., Iran, April 7, 1976): This article details the alleged experience of 19-year-old Gholam Reza Bazargani, who claims he was abducted by a UFO while strolling in the woods and later found himself in Isfahan. The report notes that authorities placed him under psychiatric examination, but similar sightings from villagers in the region coincided with his claims. Bazargani described being taken inside a spaceship by four "beings" and later waking up in barren lands.

Jackson Man Spots UFO in Early A.M. (Ocean County Daily Times, Lakewood, NJ, May 13, 1976): John Sholder reported seeing a saucer-shaped UFO with white square blinkers and orange and green lights while driving near the Lakewood-Howell Township border. He described the object as being at treetop level and traveling north. Sholder also reported that his Citizens Band radio went dead during the sighting, which lasted about 10 minutes.

Woman Reports Sighting UFO (Evening Sentinel, Centralia, Ill., May 3, 1976): Centralia police received a report from a woman who saw a UFO south of town, near the Jefferson County Line. She later reported seeing three more objects in the same area.

UFOs Over Maydena for Second Time in a Week (Derwent Valley Gazette, Tasmania, Australia, February 26, 1976): This report details multiple UFO sightings over Maydena, Australia, occurring for the second time in a week. Witnesses described objects moving slowly and silently, with one splitting into two, one moving south and the other drifting more slowly before fading. Investigators checked with aviation authorities and found no aircraft or satellite activity reported.

Ball of fire was flare (Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Bozeman, Montana, March 23, 1976): Sheriff John Onstad suggested that a "flying ball of fire" seen across the sky was likely a military flare, based on its appearance with a trailing parachute.

The Old UFO Story Not Old to Expert (Atlanta Journal, April 30, 1976): This article features an interview with Dr. J. Allan Hynek, a renowned UFO researcher, who asserts that accumulating data strengthens his belief in the existence of mysterious flying objects. However, he states there is no evidence that UFOs are alien spacecraft and suggests they might be a new, unexplained phenomenon. Hynek also discusses the possibility of UFOs being related to atomic phenomena and mentions reports of people being "kidnaped by visitors from outer space."

'Flying Object' Sighted In Harbor (Brookings, Oregon, May 6, 1976): Several families reported seeing a "flying object" hover over the Harbor Shopping Center, emitting a red color and three lights. A Coast Guardman unofficially suggested it might be a satellite, but no official confirmation was available.

UFO yarn (Lodi, California, March 30, 1976): This piece discusses Dr. J. Allan Hynek's interest in the Travis Walton UFO story, noting that Hynek found "no substantiation" of claims that Walton's account was a hoax.

Officer Geo. Wheeler Details Elmwood UFO Sighting (Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Wisconsin, May 14, 1976): Police officer George Wheeler recounts his second UFO sighting, describing a large, saucer-shaped object with lights that caused his car's electronics to fail and led to his hospitalization. He believes occupants of these spacecraft "are not harmless but, in fact, they're out to kill us."

Ross family, police report UFO sighting (North Hills News-Record, Pittsburgh, Pa., May 8, 1976): Harry McAfee reported seeing four "flashing" objects with lights in the North Hills area. The article notes the fear of ridicule associated with reporting UFO sightings.

Twinkle, twinkle U.F.O., who you are, I don't know (Bulletin, Chillicothe, Illinois, May 6, 1976): This article details a series of UFO sightings over Chillicothe, Illinois, on April 25, 1976. Witnesses, including police officers, described various objects with twinkling lights, some of which were seen hovering and moving erratically. Investigations with the National Weather Service and FAA did not yield definitive explanations.

UFO seen in Brooklyn Center? (Brooklyn Center Post, May 13, 1976): Employees of Recreational Services reported seeing a red, three-ball object suspended in the sky that swayed and then faded away.

Mystery Object Sighted (The Flathead Courier, Montana, May 20, 1976): Area residents reported seeing a dome-shaped, glowing object with three blinking lights hovering over a hill.

UFO at Monroe (AP, Tuesday, April 20, 1976): A farmer reported his barn lights went out, and he then saw a glowing, saucer-shaped object hovering over his barn, described as noiseless and covered with small windows.

Strange visitors upset Tosa couple (La Belle Star, Missouri, March 3, 1976): Anne and Peter E. reported an encounter with a strangely dressed person with a white staff, whom they believe to be an alien visitor. They described the person's appearance and movements in detail.

Reports UFO Near Steffenville (La Belle Star, Missouri, March 3, 1976): A young girl reported seeing a bright, glowing object hovering over her car, which then turned north and disappeared.

'UFO' turns out to be signal flare (Northeast Post, Wisconsin, March 3, 1976): A reported UFO sighting in Woodside, California, was later identified as a signal flare.

Wayne boy spots UFO (Daily Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine, May 17, 1976): A 10-year-old boy reported seeing a round, silent object with lights circling it, which he initially thought was a helicopter.

Animal Mutilations Attributed to UFOs (Spokane Daily Chronicle, April 8, 1976): Author Jerome Eden claims that animal mutilations across the country are the work of UFOs, describing them as "bloodless and professional dissections" that could only be performed by spacecraft.

Glowing Light Seen to North Of Two Rivers (Manitowoc Herald Times, Wisconsin, March 6, 1976): Residents reported seeing a blue-white light in the sky, which police theorized might be from a comet.

UFO Observer Still in News (Omaha World-Herald, April 26, 1976): This article revisits the case of Herb Schirmer, who reported seeing a UFO and talking to its occupants in 1967, noting his continued press attention and interviews.

UFO Accounts Similar (Omaha World-Herald, May 10, 1976): A local student of UFO phenomena notes similarities between the Travis Walton UFO story and Herb Schirmer's earlier account.

It's UFO Time In County, Again (Lincoln County Leader, Toledo, Oregon, May 20, 1976): Three teenage girls reported seeing a silver disc-shaped UFO.

4 Men Claim UFO Sighting (Asbury Park, NJ, May 15, 1976): Four men claimed to have seen a UFO in Jackson Township, New Jersey, with reports of officials at McGuire Air Force Base spotting it on radar being denied.

Minnesota residents see variety of UFOs, lights (Aberdeen American News, April 21, 1976): This report compiles several UFO sightings in Minnesota, including objects described as having flashing yellow lights, red and white lights, and a saucer shape.

Those UFO's... 'Cosmic Watergate' (San Mateo, Calif. Recorder-Progress, April 28, 1976): Stanton T. Friedman, a nuclear physicist, discusses his belief that the government is covering up UFO information, calling it a "cosmic Watergate." He suggests that governments want people to think nationalistically and that UFOs are a real phenomenon.

$10 million offered for a working UFO (Winnipeg, Canada, May 23, 1975): Businessman Frank Mancini offers $10 million to anyone who can provide a legitimate, operational spaceship from another planet, believing that UFOs are real and visiting Earth.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent reporting of unidentified flying objects, the detailed descriptions of their appearance and behavior, and the varied reactions from authorities and the public. There is a strong undercurrent of skepticism from official sources contrasted with the conviction of witnesses and researchers like Dr. J. Allan Hynek and Stanton T. Friedman. The fear of ridicule is highlighted as a significant barrier to reporting, while the possibility of government cover-ups and the extraterrestrial nature of these phenomena are frequently discussed. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting these reports seriously, providing a platform for witnesses, and exploring the implications of UFO phenomena, even while acknowledging the lack of definitive proof for some claims.

This issue of the SUN-HERALD, dated June 13, 1976, features a prominent cover story titled "'Red glow' in bushland," investigating a mysterious object sighted across NSW. The magazine also includes reports on UFO sightings in various international locations, including Tasmania, South Africa, and Argentina, as well as scientific discussions on the Loch Ness Monster and cattle mutilations.

'Red glow' in bushland

The lead article by Phil Scott details the mystery surrounding an object sighted flashing across the NSW night sky on May 24. Newspaper reports initially suggested it was Russian space junk or a meteorite, with calculations placing its landing near Robertson, Shellharbour, or the Antarctic. Scientists at the University of Wollongong focused their search on Robertson after local farmer Harry Warren reported seeing a red glowing object in bushland near his home. Warren discovered a patch of grass withered about two inches on the tips, which he described as not burnt but affected. The Navy conducted a helicopter search but found nothing. Speculation included the possibility of the object being the remains of the Omrikon 1 satellite or the Russian satellite Cosmos 820. Dr. Richard Facer and Mr. Glen Moore calculated the object would land off Shellharbour. An ex-Army officer reported an object zooming over his Shellharbour home. Senior Constable Alan Baker, while examining the spot with Mr. Warren, expressed skepticism that the withered grass was from a crash site, suggesting it might be suffering from fungus, and noted that Harry Warren's sighting occurred later than the initial report. The entire episode is described as a riddle.

UFO Sightings Around the World

Maydena, Tasmania: The "Derwent Valley Gazette" reported on March 4, 1976, that unidentified flying objects (UFOs) made several appearances over Maydena between February 17 and February 26. Hundreds of people witnessed orange-yellow or amber lights flying in formation, baffling investigators from the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre. The objects were described as having a steady flight pattern, like a satellite's, and one reportedly made a 90-degree turn.

Cape Town, South Africa: The "Sunday Times" reported on May 9, 1976, about a mysterious object sighted over Cape Town at dusk, coinciding with two loud explosions heard across the area. Brigadier Cyrus Smith described seeing a high-flying object with a pinkish-red vapour trail. Defence Force officials stated no military aircraft were in the vicinity. The "African Star" on May 6, 1976, noted that people saw a vapour-trailing object shoot across Table Bay seconds before a deafening explosion.

Olavarría, Argentina: A report from the "La Razón" newspaper on May 22, 1976, details a trucker named Néstor Urruti's claim of being kidnapped by extraterrestrial beings. Urruti described an object like a "giant oyster" emitting a brilliant light, inside which he and his truck were taken. He experienced darkness, saw a horseshoe-shaped panel with instruments, and felt cables placed on his head. He now suffers from strange sensations and pains.

Paris, France: An article from "Today's Armies," a French Ministry of Defence publication, cited by "La Razón" on April 8, 1976, states that UFOs exist but are difficult to prove scientifically. The magazine published data collected since 1951, with only one photograph of a UFO over Trindade Island in the Atlantic on January 16, 1958, remaining unexplained.

Salisbury, Rhodesia: The "Rhodesia-Herald" reported on May 27, 1976, that police received a call from a Meyrick Park resident who claimed to have seen an unidentified flying object with three white lights, later reducing to one, travelling across the sky.

Coopernook, Australia: Mr. and Mrs. Drury reported seeing a "frosted glow" over the northern horizon near Coopernook in the early hours of yesterday morning. They described it as an electric storm upside down, bright enough to cast a shadow, lasting about 25 minutes.

Loch Ness Monster Research

San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle, May 30, 1976: Mildred Hamilton reports on Dr. Roy Mackal, a biochemist from the University of Chicago, who has dedicated 10 years to searching for the Loch Ness Monster. Mackal believes scientific evidence supports the existence of a colony of large, unknown animals in the loch, possibly survivors of prehistoric reptiles or amphibians. He aims to photograph and document a specimen within two years, not to harm it, but to study it. His research involves sonar tracking, underwater cameras, and recording underwater calls. He hopes to secure $200,000 to build a monster trap and expand his search.

New York Times, June 6 & 11, 1976: John Noble Wilford covers the Academy of Applied Science/New York Times Loch Ness Expedition. Underwater elapsed-time cameras were deployed, but initial film processing did not yield clear evidence of the monster. Dr. Christopher McGowan, a zoologist, believes the loch contains a large animal and is convinced of its existence. The expedition faces challenges with equipment and funding, but remains optimistic. The article also discusses theories about the monster's identity, including plesiosaurs, amphibians, and large eels, and the unique ecological conditions of Loch Ness that might support such creatures.

The Evening Bulletin, June 1, 1976: This report highlights the ongoing search for the Loch Ness Monster, mentioning the use of underwater cameras and sonar. It notes the challenges of the dark, peat-filled water and the need for patience and funding.

Other Mysteries

Cattle Mutilations: Reports from Greeley, Colorado (June 10, 1976, "Tribune") and New Mexico (June 20, 1976, "The Houston Post") detail incidents of cattle mutilations. In Colorado, two cases involved the removal of eyes, genitalia, and anus with smooth, surgical cuts. In New Mexico, four carcasses were found with similar mutilations, and tripod impressions were noted in the ground.

Bigfoot: The "Philadelphia Sunday Bulletin" (June 27, 1976) reports on a woman in Eureka, California, who claimed to have been abducted by Bigfoot. Sheriff Gene Cox considered the incident a hoax. The "Medford Mail Tribune" (March 24, 1976) describes possible Bigfoot tracks found in a forest area in Oregon, described as large and unlike any known animal tracks.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent mystery and scientific investigation surrounding UFO sightings and alleged encounters with unknown creatures, such as the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot. There is a clear emphasis on presenting evidence, even if inconclusive, and exploring various scientific and anecdotal explanations. The magazine appears to maintain an open-minded yet critical stance, presenting reports from various sources, including official statements, expert opinions, and eyewitness accounts, while also acknowledging skepticism and the challenges of definitive proof. The underlying message is that unexplained phenomena continue to occur and warrant serious consideration and research.