UFO Newsclipping Service - 1977 11 - no 100

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated November 1977, presents a collection of recent UFO sightings and related investigations from various locations in the United States. The publication aims to document and analyze these phenomena, featuring witness accounts, expert opinions, and journalistic reports.

UFO Sighting Claimed: 'Like A Boxcar Without Wings'

This article details a sighting by Larry Worke and Theresa Erickson near Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, on Sunday night, September 25, 1977. They described an object 'like a boxcar without wings' with blinking red, white, and blue lights, making a humming sound. The object was observed hovering overhead at an estimated 500-1,000 feet. Worke reported that the object made 'weird things' such as accelerating, dropping, and raising, and that its lights would change color and disappear. They followed the object for over an hour, during which it seemed to join with another object and a third similar object appeared to drop into a field. Owatonna Airport reported no similar sightings.

Did You See It?

This brief report from Maysville, Kentucky, dated October 5, 1977, recounts a call from Tom Hamby, publisher of The Times Democrat, who reported seeing an object in the sky at about 7 p.m. while en route to his home. He described it as 'white, fairly long, had a round-type head and a fairly long tail,' observed at about 30 degrees from the horizon.

Unidentified Objects Cited In County

This report from Fayette, Mississippi, dated September 30, 1977, describes three unidentified objects seen near Noland's Ford by Mrs. Velma Smith and her son, Jock. They spotted the objects flying low above tree tops, in an arrow shape, covered with blinking lights. The objects were traveling from east to west at a slow rate of speed and made no sound like an airplane.

Skywatch: Unidentified lights intrigue viewers Thursday night

This article by Dona Rains, from Anderson Co. News, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, dated October 3, 1977, covers sightings on Thursday night. Mrs. Caron and her family reported seeing a fast-moving, brightly lighted object that weaved back and forth and sometimes hovered. The lights changed from blue to red but did not blink. The Kentucky State Police confirmed that two units had spotted similar lights but could not identify them. Trooper Steve Cornish verified seeing four different lights in the sky for about 15 minutes. Robert Steele, a neighbor, crashed his pickup truck and struck a tree around the same time. Ricky Doss saw a bright white light with a yellow tail, and Deputy Sheriff Craig Birdwhistell identified what he saw as a meteorite. Mrs. Caron expressed her belief in UFOs after the experience.

Priest Who Waved at UFO Isn't One of Those Loonies

This article by Bob nearley profiles the Rev. William Gill, an Anglican priest and former missionary, who claims to have seen a flying saucer twice and waved to its occupants, who waved back. The incident occurred 18 years ago on Good Enough Bay, New Guinea. Gill described the craft as disc-shaped, about 450 feet away and hovering 200 feet above the ground, with a superstructure about 20 feet in diameter. It glowed and had a 'pencil thickness of blue light' angling off the craft. Four figures were visible on the top deck. The craft maneuvered for about four hours. A second sighting occurred the next night. Thirty-eight mission teachers and students witnessed the event. Gill is diffident about his experience and does not have fixed opinions about the origin of the craft, stating, 'I don't have any fixed opinions. This is the kind of thing people read into my remarks.' He does not believe the craft came from outer space.

Russians Confirm Reports of UFOs

This report from Hutchinson, Kansas, dated October 5, 1977, mentions that two sightings in the area involved a bright light filling bedrooms, described as 'something floating,' about the size of a door, which sped off trailing many colors. This is corroborated by a Soviet Union report stating scientists were baffled by a huge jellyfish-shaped mass of light that hovered in the skies, emitting streams of light.

UFO Sighting Reported Locally (Franklin, PA)

This article from Franklin, Pennsylvania, dated October 7, 1977, reports three men—Richard Offutt, Jeffrey Pierce, and Sam Gianetti—who claimed to have seen two unidentified flying objects east of Barkeyville. They described the crafts as having sets of lights angled down at the ground, hovering and moving slowly. The objects were estimated to be about 800 feet off the ground and hovered for nearly five minutes before leaving slowly.

Contra Costa WC Man Reports UFO

This report from Martinez, California, dated October 9, 1977, details a sighting by Timothy Moomey of an unidentified flying object over his residence. He described it as shaped like a child's top, round with an oblong shape, with flashing bright lights and a ring of bright blue. The object hovered for half an hour at about 300 feet before moving off at high speed.

Bleseners Muse Over Flying 'Ferris Wheel'

This article from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, dated October 13, 1977, describes Chuck and Steve Blesener seeing an object that looked like a 'circus Ferris wheel' with white lights rotating around the rim and a red light in the middle. It hovered silently over the Windslope apartments and then moved northeast. They described it as very bright but radiating no light.

UFO Watcher Betty Hill's Recent Claims Refuted

This article by George Burke from Exeter, New Hampshire, dated October 15, 1977, discusses investigator John Oswald's refutation of Betty Hill's claims that UFOs were landing in a Kingston cornfield. Oswald, affiliated with the Center for UFO Studies, states that Mrs. Hill is likely misidentifying common objects like streetlights. He believes UFOs exist and are 'apparently spacecraft of some sort occupied by some sort of alien manifestation,' but he doubts Mrs. Hill's specific claims of frequent sightings in the Kingston area.

UFO encounter near Neillsville

This report from Neillsville, Wisconsin, dated October 19, 1977, details authorities investigating a sighting of an unidentified flying object described by 11 witnesses identically: an object with white, green, and yellow lights, ports like windows, and a red light on a pointed tail. The object was seen hovering over trees for about five minutes.

UFO Spotted in 2 Communities (Erie, PA)

This article from Erie, Pennsylvania, dated October 28, 1977, reports an oddly-lit, cigar-shaped unidentified flying object seen by police and residents. The object was described as having a blue revolving light and kept going around in tight circles. A weather balloon released from the Erie International Airport was ruled out as the cause.

UFOs 'Sighted' In Erie Area

This report from Reading, Pennsylvania, dated November 3, 1977, discusses two potentially genuine UFO sightings in Erie County. One involved a brown, cigar-shaped object with a raised back seen by a police officer. Another involved a pancake-shaped object with a light on top seen by two teenagers, which later returned and took off rapidly. The Center for UFO Studies stated that most early morning sightings were likely stars.

UFO Sighting Reported (Indiana, PA)

This report from Reading, Pennsylvania, dated November 1, 1977, mentions state police receiving calls about an unidentified flying object about three miles west of Indiana, PA. It was described as a bright light that made two right turns before leaving the area.

UFO reports continue in Cape area

This article by Charles J. Oswald from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, dated November 9, 1977, discusses Dr. Harley Rutledge's ongoing investigation into UFO sightings. Rutledge, chairman of the physics department at Southeastern Missouri State University, has investigated numerous sightings, including one where a bright white object was chased by a military fighter plane. He believes UFOs are intelligently controlled and appear to interact with humans.

Aliens Sack Town, Article Says; Residents Missed It

This report from Chester, Illinois, dated November 18, 1977, addresses an article in a magazine called Official UFO that claimed aliens had looted and burned the town. However, local officials, including the sheriff and mayor, denied any such event occurred, suggesting the article was fabricated.

Burning Object in the Sky Prompts Jefferson Search

This report from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, dated November 26, 1977, describes residents reporting a burning object falling from the sky. Authorities searched the area but found nothing, suspecting it might have been a parachute flare. Some residents reported seeing a basketball-sized object land in a field and then return to the sky.

Doctor Seeks Rational Explanation For 140 UFOs

This article from Waynesville-St. Robert, Missouri, dated November 11, 1977, focuses on Dr. Harley Rutledge's research into UFOs. Rutledge, a physics professor, has moved from skepticism to belief after investigating over 140 UFOs. He uses sophisticated equipment to document sightings and believes the objects are intelligently controlled and 'real as anything, well-defined.' He has classified 25 sightings as 'incredible' due to properties defying current technology.

Question Man: Have You Ever Seen A UFO?

This section features brief responses from individuals in San Francisco, California, asked if they have ever seen a UFO. Responses range from humorous accounts of seeing a 'good copy of a UFO' (a blimp) to claims of seeing shining discs and bright lights.

Skeptical professor now a believer in UFOs

This article from Little Rock, Arkansas, dated November 25, 1977, reiterates Dr. Harley Rutledge's transformation from a skeptic to a believer in UFOs. He describes his research, which has involved hundreds of nights of observation and the gathering of extensive photographic evidence. Rutledge states that UFOs are 'there' and that they exhibit aerial gymnastics beyond known man-made aircraft capabilities. He acknowledges the impact on his personal life and career but feels an obligation to inform the public.

Spacecraft May Have Crashed In Siberia, Scientist Says

This report from Moscow, dated November 4, 1977, discusses a leading Soviet physicist, Alexei Zolotov, who suggests that the mysterious Tungus explosion of 1908 in Siberia might have been the crash of a spaceship from another world. Zolotov points to the lack of a crater and meteorite fragments, as well as witness accounts of the object changing its luminosity, altitude, velocity, and trajectory, as evidence supporting his theory.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent reporting of unidentified flying objects across diverse geographical locations and the varying reactions from witnesses, authorities, and researchers. There is a clear emphasis on documenting these sightings, with many articles presenting detailed accounts from individuals who claim to have observed unusual aerial phenomena. The publication also highlights the ongoing efforts of researchers and organizations dedicated to investigating UFOs, such as the Center for UFO Studies and Dr. Harley Rutledge's Project Identification. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting these reports and investigations, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also including skeptical viewpoints and attempts at rational explanations. The issue showcases a range of UFO descriptions, from cigar-shaped objects and bright lights to more complex, maneuverable craft, reflecting the breadth of phenomena reported in the UFO field.

This issue of The Commercial Appeal, dated Tuesday, November 22, 1977, features a prominent cover story titled "UFO Sightings Get More Down To Earth." The magazine delves into the increasing public discourse surrounding unidentified flying objects and extraterrestrial encounters, largely influenced by the upcoming film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."

UFOs and Close Encounters

The lead article highlights the growing respectability of discussions about UFOs, citing the movie's impact and the scientific research of Dr. J. Allen Hynek. Dr. Hynek, founder-director of the Center for UFO Studies and a former consultant to the Air Force, explains his theory of "close encounters," categorizing them into three types: first kind (visual sighting), second kind (sighting with physical traces), and third kind (face-to-face contact with creatures).

Dr. Hynek reveals that the Center for UFO Studies has a computer database with 60,000 UFO sighting entries, with 1,000 classified as close encounters of the third kind. He notes a recurring description of these creatures as resembling "overgrown goblins" with large heads and spindly bodies. He anticipates a surge in reported sightings following the movie's release and expresses a desire to encourage individuals who have previously kept quiet about their experiences due to fear of ridicule to come forward.

He also mentions the need for volunteers at the Center for UFO Studies to handle the expected influx of inquiries. Dr. Hynek expresses a sense of vindication after years of research, seeing the public finally take the idea of UFOs and alien life seriously. He muses on the possibility of advanced civilizations elsewhere in the universe discussing life on Earth.

United Nations Debate on UFOs

The issue includes reports from other publications detailing significant events. The Arkansas Democrat (November 29, 1977) reports that Prime Minister Eric Gairy of Grenada initiated the first U.N. debate on UFOs. He presented the issue to the General Assembly's special political committee and subsequently screened "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" for diplomats. The Arkansas Gazette (November 29, 1977) further details that Grenada's ambassador to the U.N., Wellington Friday, urged the organization to investigate UFO reports, accusing superpowers of concealing evidence.

NASA's Stance on UFO Investigations

The Arkansas Gazette (November 26, 1977) covers NASA's reaction to a White House request to reopen government inquiry into UFOs. Dave Williamson, NASA's assistant for special projects, expressed reluctance, stating it's not wise to research phenomena that are not measurable and questioning the use of public funds for such research. He emphasized the lack of physical evidence like metal, flesh, or even radio signals, comparing it to the Loch Ness Monster. Williamson heads a technical expert group that will recommend NASA's course of action regarding a potential UFO panel of inquiry.

NASA has been receiving an increase in letters, particularly from young people, asking about UFOs, possibly linked to a campaign promise by President Carter to investigate UFOs. Mr. Carter himself reported seeing a UFO in Georgia in 1973. NASA's standard reply to UFO letters cites the Air Force's Project Blue Book findings: no threat, no evidence beyond known technology, and no evidence of extraterrestrial vehicles.

International UFO Sightings and Incidents

Several international reports are featured:

• Costa Rica: The Tico Times (September 9, 1977) reports sightings of unidentified flying objects over Irazú and Poás Volcanoes, described as hovering, dropping close to the ground, and then ascending rapidly.
• England:
• The Evening Telegraph (October 6, 1977) details a "mystery" sighting by a security man of a "long silver line" in the sky.
• The Burnley Evening Star (October 5, 1977) reports on a 33-year-old lorry driver in Rio de Janeiro who claims he was dragged into a flying saucer and experienced extreme fever.
• The Basildon Recorder (September 30, 1977) features a couple who claim to have been "converted" after seeing a round-shaped craft with flashing lights.
• The Evening News (October 7, 1977) covers a police inquiry into an object that fizzled out like a light bulb.
• The East Kent Gazette (October 6, 1977) reports four people in Sittingbourne seeing a UFO described as an irregular shape with white beams and colored lights.
• The East Kent Gazette (October 11, 1977) notes a town busy watching the sky for UFOs, with descriptions varying but often including red or orange objects with window-shaped holes.
• The Wiltshire Gazette (October 13, 1977) describes a couple seeing an object that changed shape and emitted an orange glow.
• The Evening Gazette (October 11, 1977) reports a Stockton family mystified by two "UFOS" emitting "weird" noises.
• The Kent & Sussex Courier (October 14, 1977) includes a letter from a resident who saw a strange object resembling an ice cream cone.
• Australia: The SUN, Melbourne (September 26, 1977) reports a farmer finding an almost-circular patch of bare ground with a central hole, suggesting a UFO landing.

Bigfoot Sightings and Folklore

The issue includes several articles on Bigfoot (Sasquatch):

• South Dakota: The Argus Leader (October 15, 1977) reports on horsemen searching for a "McLaughlin Monster" or Elvis Flying By, with footprints found along the Grand River. Albert Dog reported a daylight sighting of an ape-like animal. Lyle Maxon and Gary Alexander of the Little Eagle Trading Post claim to have heard a strange shrieking noise similar to a recording from Saga magazine. The article notes that sightings and tracks are becoming more frequent, with theories suggesting multiple creatures in the area.
• South Dakota: The Daily Globe (November 8, 1977) continues the Bigfoot narrative, detailing Lt. Verdell Veo's multiple sightings of the creature using an infra-red scope, including a second creature stalking him. Publisher Merle Lofgren of the McLaughlin Messenger describes the creature's smell and the difficulty in tracking it, especially with winter approaching. Newsweek's report on Bigfoot is mentioned as drawing international attention to the Standing Rock Reservation.
• Oklahoma: The Tulsa Tribune (October 4, 1977) features a display at the Tulsa State Fair with a lifelike representation of Bigfoot. Jim Gipson reports on Cliff LaBrecque, who studies the creature and believes it is a distinct species, not human, and is intelligent and avoids humans.
• England: The Wolverhampton Express & Star (October 8, 1977) mentions ten Italian divers investigating the Loch Ness Monster.

Animal Mutilations

Several reports detail unexplained animal mutilations:

• Colorado: The Daily Camera (October 26, 1977) reports Sheriff Harry L. "Tex" Graves confirming 85 cases of cattle mutilation in Logan County since August 1975, with specific precision in the removal of body parts and an unusual lack of blood.
• Missouri: The Times (October 14, 1977) reports a rash of cattle mutilations in Peculiar, Mo., with farmers describing neat severing of body parts and no signs of blood or struggle. Sheriff Bill E. Gough is not convinced mutilators are responsible, suggesting a pneumonia-like disease.
• Iowa: The Cedar Rapids Gazette (November 2, 1977) reports on an animal mutilation case involving a bull calf found dead with its tongue, tail, and testicles removed.
• Indiana: The Star (November 15, 1977) features a story about a woodcutting pastor who claims to have seen a hairy, 7½-to-8-foot-tall creature in the Ocala National Forest.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the increasing public interest and discussion surrounding UFOs, Bigfoot, and animal mutilations. The magazine presents these topics through news reports and interviews, often highlighting eyewitness accounts and the challenges of scientific verification. There's a clear emphasis on the growing number of reported sightings and the public's desire for answers, even as official bodies like NASA express skepticism due to a lack of concrete evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena and the public's engagement with them, rather than taking a definitive position on their validity, though the inclusion of expert opinions like Dr. Hynek's lends a degree of scientific inquiry to the UFO discussions.