UFO Newsclipping Service - 1977 12 - no 101

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O. NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE, dated December 1977, Number 101, compiled by Lucius Farish and Rod B. Dyke, presents a collection of recent UFO sightings and related news from across the United States. The publication focuses on eyewitness accounts, official reactions, and ongoing investigations into unidentified flying objects.

Key Articles and Reports

Flying Saucers' by Area Resident (Dispatch, St. Paul, MN - Oct. 13, 1977) Two bus drivers in Forest Lake District 831 reported seeing a mysterious, saucer-like object on September 30th. They described it as hovering and following their bus for about seven to eight minutes before disappearing. One driver thought it was white, the other pink. They chose not to discuss it extensively for fear of being considered 'nuts'.

UFO Spotted Near Waseca Thursday (Daily Journal, Waseca, MN - Oct. 14, 1977) An unidentified flying object was reportedly seen five miles northwest of Waseca on a county road around 11 p.m. Thursday. Described as round with a protrusion, it had red, green, and white lights that did not move. A section was 'blurry white' while the majority was metallic. It was approximately 30 feet above the ground, heading southeast, and made a vibrating motion, accompanied by a 'quivering' sound. It reportedly hovered over the observers' vehicle.

UFO Sightings Here, Mason City (Daily Register, Oelwein, IA - Oct. 18, 1977) Oelwein police officers observed an unidentified flying object (UFO) east of town around 2:30 a.m. Monday. The object, about 500 to 1,000 feet in the air, had small white, green, red, and purple flashing lights. Buchanan County authorities also observed it hovering, with only up-and-down movement, before it sped away. Earlier Monday night in Mason City, police were notified by a woman about a hovering object. Officers also observed it change colors several times before speeding west around 10:30 p.m. Monday. The National Weather Service detected a radar blip but evaluated it as an airplane.

Motorist Thinks He Saw UFO (Page One by Julie Ladwig) Donald Ross, a Groton real estate agent, reported seeing two round blue lights in the sky over Mystic, CT, on October 17th. He described them as radiating an aquamarine light and traveling at a steady speed. Ross, a pilot, stated they didn't resemble any flying craft he had seen. He believes they were UFOs. The lights were seen approaching, projecting a blue beam to the ground, and then disappearing over the horizon without interruption. George Ruhr, manager at Trumbull Airport, stated no known flying craft emit blue lights. Additional calls to The Compass indicated something unusual was in the sky around the same time, with Christopher Duncklee, 13, sketching the phenomenon. A nurse and a North Stonington woman also reported seeing similar lights.

Orange UFO Reported (Herald, Ottawa, KS - Oct. 24, 1977) A 62-year-old woman in Waverly, KS, reported seeing an Unidentified Flying Object early Saturday morning. She described a dim light, then a bright flash, and then a round, dark orange object at about tree level. It appeared lighted from the bottom and disappeared to the west. She mentioned hearing on television that a woman from Wichita reported a similar sighting.

It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's Shaped Like A HOTDOG (Fleming County Gazette, Flemingsburg, KY - Oct. 20, 1977) Fifteen-year-old Greg Hughes reported seeing an orange object about eight to ten feet above the ground while driving cows back to the barn. He initially thought it was an airplane, but it came toward him, got brighter and larger, and made siren-like noises. He described it as shaped like a hotdog and about eight feet long. The object disappeared, and no burn marks were found on the ground. The cows were reportedly spooked.

UFO Sighting Changed Stevens' Life (Times Dispatch, Richmond, VA - Oct. 27, 1977) Patrolman Billy Stevens reported a UFO sighting on June 24, 1966, at 3:30 a.m. He described a large object shrouded in mist, encircled with lights, and shaped like a blimp, hovering about 200 feet over Richmond-Henrico Turnpike. He chased the object for about five miles, with it matching his speed. The object was described as 'dull, gray' and 'shaped exactly like a dirigible, but it didn't have a gondola or anything under it.' It took off at high speed, disappearing in seconds. Stevens believes this experience impacted his career, leading to a demotion. He was questioned by an Air Force representative and NICAP. Theories suggested it might have been swamp gas or an experimental craft. Two county policemen also reported seeing a bright point of light that changed directions around the same time.

UFOs often sighted in area skies (Era Staff Writer, Bradford, PA - Dec. 8, 1977) This article details historical UFO sightings in the Bradford area, starting with George Zenner's report on July 7, 1947, of a flat, shiny object traveling in a spinning motion. It notes that since the initial 1947 sighting in Idaho, millions of Americans have claimed encounters. The article mentions other local sightings, including brightly lit objects, a triangular object, and a close encounter involving a light beam stalling a car. Joan Jeffers, an investigator with the Pennsylvania Center for UFO Research, is featured, discussing her work and belief that UFOs might be from parallel dimensions. She criticizes Carl Sagan's skepticism and highlights the 'conspiracy of silence' surrounding UFO reports due to fear of ridicule.

UFO groups investigate sightings here (Record-Courier, Ravenna, OH - Nov. 14, 1977) Area UFO societies are investigating reported sightings of an orange 'egg-shaped' object over a Brimfield home. Alvin Branham reported seeing the object circle the house, then discharge three smaller objects. He and his wife, along with another family, witnessed the event. The object was described as 'tall as a 30-story building'. The prankster theory of plastic dry-cleaning bags with candles is being explored, but it doesn't explain the larger aspects of the sighting.

She doesn't know what, but it wasn't a plane (Chronicle, Ipswich, MA - Nov. 3, 1977) Cheryl Clapp reported seeing a round, lighted vehicle with red and white flashing lights over the weekend. She estimated its size and noted it was off the road. She couldn't hear any noise. UFO expert Raymond Fowler suggested it might have been one of the new advertising planes. The object was described as being right above the tree line and then disappearing. Fowler, director for the Mutual UFO Network in Massachusetts, stated that most reports are explainable, but he would try to get more information.

UFO 'Hovering' Above (Sun, Las Vegas, NV - Nov. 17, 1977) Ed Dula reported seeing two saucer-shaped objects hovering on the horizon near Interstate 15. Sandra Simms and her son reported a similar experience. The objects were described as round and saucer-shaped, with red and white lights, and they hovered. They moved quickly and dropped low enough to see mountains behind them. The sighting occurred shortly after the family left St. George, Utah.

I-15 Sighted By LV Family (Daily Herald, Gulfport-Biloxi, MS - Dec. 21, 1977) This article, continuing from page 11, features a photo of Charles Hickson, who gained national attention in 1973 for claiming abduction by alien creatures in Pascagoula. He now believes the creatures were robots sent from another planet and intends to publish a book on the incident.

UFO or prank? (Record-Courier, Ravenna, OH - Nov. 19, 1977) This article discusses the Brimfield sighting, exploring the prankster theory involving plastic dry-cleaning bags with candles. A. E. 'Mark' Candusso, co-chairman of the Flying Saucer Investigating Committee of Akron, acknowledges that most objects are explainable but finds the Branham sighting's description of size difficult to dismiss as a prank. He notes that scientists are often quick to discount UFO theories, and UFOlogy is more philosophical than scientific. The article mentions that the government has acknowledged UFOs, with President Carter reporting his own sighting and NASA launching a new program at his urging.

UFO 'Caught?' HB Boys May Have Photos (Laguna Beach Daily Pilot, Costa Mesa, CA - Nov. 11, 1977) Kenneth Lee Flinchum and Dan Arriola claim to have taken color photographs of an unidentified flying object hovering over Huntington Beach. They described it as a glowing white, disc-like UFO that made a 'weird humming sound'. They followed it for several blocks and then saw a formation of them in a circle. They described the object as car-sized but 'pretty small'.

UN diplomats hear pitch for UFO probe (Daily Journal, Stevens Point, WI - Nov. 29, 1977) Prime Minister Eric Gairy of Grenada opened the first UN debate on UFOs, advocating for a UN investigation. He shared his own close encounter experience and proposed declaring 1978 the International Year of Unidentified Flying Objects. He has accused some nations of stifling information and seeks a UN agency for UFO research.

Carter advice to leader - see UFO film (Daily Journal, Stevens Point, WI - Nov. 29, 1977) President Carter recommended that Prime Minister Eric Gairy see the movie 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' regarding UFO phenomena. Carter recalled his own 1969 sighting of a bright, moon-shaped object.

UFO reportedly tampered with ship (Lisbon - Reuter) An unidentified flying object reportedly upset a Portuguese trawler's electrical system, setting off its alarm sirens. The object, emitting a glaring light, hovered above the trawler for eight minutes before departing at high speed.

Saucer Strike? (Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, MO - Nov. 27, 1977) This article debunks a story in 'Official UFO' magazine about Chester, Illinois, being devastated by alien invaders on August 2nd. The Chester mayor and police chief stated they had no knowledge of such an event, questioning the magazine's claims and photo evidence.

UFO's! (Susquehanna Times, Marietta/Mount Joy, PA - Dec. 7, 1977) A Mount Joy man claims a captured UFO and two alien beings are hidden in a government building basement in Washington, D.C. He cited films of the craft and a tape recording of President Carter discussing UFOs. The craft was reportedly found in the American western desert and is made of advanced metals.

CIA is sued over UFO 'cover-up' (Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, MO - Dec. 1, 1977) Henry Rothblatt is suing the CIA under the Freedom of Information Act, alleging the agency has an ongoing conspiracy to cover up information on UFOs since 1952. The CIA refused to release files, citing national security. Rothblatt claims the agency has documented evidence of UFO investigations that contradict their public stance.

U.N. Draws Line On Flying Saucers (Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, MO - Dec. 7, 1977) The United Nations Special Political Committee decided not to spend $16,000 on studying flying saucers, but suggested passing the proposal to other UN members. Grenada's Prime Minister, Sir Eric Gairy, proposed the study, believing UFOs could pose a threat. The committee's action was seen as a way to 'arouse the awareness of member states'.

Judsonians See UFO (White County Record, Judsonia, AR - Dec. 15, 1977) Herbert and Janis Robbins reported seeing an unidentified object at 9:15 p.m. Friday. They described it as a triangular shape with bright lights at the tips, moving slowly to the southwest. Herbert estimated it was as big as a large airplane. They ruled out it being a plane or a weather balloon. The object was visible for three to five minutes and made no sound.

NASA Rejects Request For UFO Probe, Says It Would Be 'Wasteful' (Washington AP) NASA rejected a White House request to reopen a government probe into UFOs, calling it 'wasteful and probably unproductive.' NASA stated it would analyze any 'bona fide physical evidence from credible sources' but has never found such evidence. The rejection was prompted by the movie 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind.' The article mentions President Carter's 1973 report of a UFO sighting.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings across various regions, the diverse descriptions of these objects, and the ongoing efforts to investigate and understand the phenomenon. There is a clear focus on eyewitness accounts, ranging from the mundane to the extraordinary. The publication also highlights the skepticism and challenges faced by UFO researchers, including official government stances (like NASA's rejection of a new probe and the CIA's alleged cover-up) and the public's fear of ridicule. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting these events and presenting them to the public, while acknowledging the lack of definitive explanations and the ongoing debate between scientific skepticism and the possibility of extraterrestrial phenomena.

This issue of the DAILY HERALD, dated December 21, 1977, prominently features the "Pascagoula Incident" with an article titled "Close encounters: Hickson remembers." The cover story delves into the experiences of Charles Hickson, who, along with Calvin Parker, claimed to have been abducted by aliens in 1973. The magazine also includes a diverse range of reports on UFO sightings from various locations worldwide, as well as articles on mysterious atmospheric phenomena.

The Pascagoula Incident: Hickson Remembers

The lead article by Stephen M. Dosante details Charles Hickson's account of his alleged abduction. Hickson describes the event, which occurred while he and Calvin Parker were fishing at the Shaupeter Shipyards in Pascagoula, Mississippi. They reported hearing a hissing sound and seeing a craft descend, hovering a few feet above the ground. Hickson describes the hull as metallic with revolving blue lights. Three creatures, described as about five feet tall with grayish wrinkled skin and claw-like hands, floated out of the craft. Hickson now believes they were robots controlled by someone outside the ship. The men were floated into the craft and examined by a camera-like device. After the examination, they were floated out, and the aliens departed. Hickson estimates they were inside the craft for 30 to 90 minutes. He notes that while he has largely recovered from the shock, Calvin Parker has not fared as well.

Hickson, currently a welding foreman, shared that his experience has led to many conversations at work, revealing how many people have seen UFOs. He has met other UFO abductees, including Betty Hill, and believes his abductors were robots, unlike hers. His religious beliefs have been altered, leading him to believe in reincarnation and a state of perfection. The article also addresses skepticism, notably from Philip J. Klass, who questioned the validity of the lie detector tests and alleged Hickson had financial troubles and was fired from his job. Hickson refutes these claims and has threatened libel suits.

Hickson plans to publish a book, "The Pascagoula UFO," which he hints will include undisclosed information obtained through hypnosis, suggesting communication with the aliens occurred. He also hopes to move back to his farm and intends to see the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."

Global UFO Sightings

The issue compiles numerous UFO reports from around the world:

• Israel: Reports of reddish or yellow balls appearing over the Tel Aviv area.
• United Kingdom: Sightings in Chard (a 'shapeless, flaming mass'), Wiltshire (a 'large object with a beam of light'), and Kent (a 'saucer' and a 'hairy mushroom' object).
• France: A farmer reported a flying saucer landing and occupants engaging in sexual activity.
• Spain: Numerous sightings of luminous flying saucers over Huesca, with speculation of a UFO base in the Pyrenees.
• Japan: Reports of unidentified flying objects over northern Japan and a bright orange object seen moving across the eastern skies.
• Australia: Reports of UFOs in Western Australia, including silver objects hovering over a train and saucer-shaped objects landing near Mount Magnet.
• Canada: A report from Quebec about a lake monster, "Ponik," in Lac Pohenegamook, with sightings described as a black, humped object.

Mysterious Atmospheric Phenomena

High-Altitude Explosions

Scientists are baffled by seven large, high-altitude explosions detected off the U.S. East Coast, some with the force of a 100-ton dynamite blast. These events, occurring on December 2 and December 15, shattered windows and caused tremors from Connecticut to South Carolina. William Donn, a scientist at Columbia University's Lamont Laboratory, stated that the blasts were too violent for supersonic aircraft and that defense officials had no knowledge of them. Theories range from detonations of dynamite to "encounters of a fourth kind."

New Jersey Shore Booms

Another series of mysterious atmospheric booms and lights were reported along the New Jersey coast. These incidents, occurring on December 2 and December 15, were recorded by instruments at Columbia University. Theories for these booms include exploding gas from underwater garbage dumps, sonic booms, or secret government experiments. Some reports also mentioned luminous glows in the sky.

Bigfoot and Sasquatch Reports

The issue includes reports on Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch:

• Bigfoot and the National Guard: A discussion on whether the National Guard should be called out if Bigfoot is ever captured, to protect the creature under the Endangered Species Act.
• Sedro-Woolley's Sasquatch Saga: An article about Dennis Gates and his partners who are collecting and authenticating research data on Sasquatch sightings, aiming to establish Sedro-Woolley as the "Sasquatch Capital of the World."
• Bigfoot disrupting work schedule of Little Eagle: Gary Alexander, owner of the Little Eagle Trading Post, has become an information hub for Bigfoot hunters, with his plaster cast of a Bigfoot footprint attracting significant attention.

Other Articles

• Mutilated Sow: A report from Hastings, Nebraska, about a mutilated sow found in a field, with farmers agreeing the cuts were not the work of other animals.
• North, South American Indians From Vanished Continent, Theorist Says: Sepp Blumrich, a retired space scientist, proposes a new theory on the origin of American Indians, suggesting they came from a vanished mid-Pacific continent rather than Asia, and that ancient civilizations possessed advanced flight capabilities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alien encounters, and unexplained aerial phenomena, alongside reports of mysterious terrestrial and atmospheric events. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these phenomena with a degree of seriousness, presenting eyewitness accounts and scientific inquiries, while also acknowledging skepticism and alternative explanations. The inclusion of reports on Bigfoot and theories about ancient civilizations suggests a broad interest in the unexplained and the fringes of scientific understanding.