UFO Newsclipping Service - 1978 01 - no 102

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O. NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE, dated January 1978, number 102, is published by U.F.O. NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE and features a cover headline of "Flight they'll remember." The magazine delves into various UFO sightings and related phenomena, including personal accounts, scientific investigations, and media coverage.

Flight They'll Remember

The lead story details the experience of Eva and Fred Svihus, who witnessed four unidentified objects while on a Pan Am flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Fred Svihus, a photographer, captured the event on film. The film was analyzed by prominent UFO experts, including Walter H. Andrus Jr. of Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), Paul C. Cerny, Thomas M. Gates of Foothill College, and James M. McCampbell. Svihus describes how the experience profoundly changed his perspective on life and meaning, leading him to believe in the seriousness of UFO research.

UFOs Don't Have to Be Space Ships

This article discusses the new program "The UFO Factor" produced at the Kendall Planetarium of OMSI. Planetarium director Garry T. Stasiuk explores theories about UFOs, questioning if atmospheric electric potential could cause hallucinations or engine malfunctions, and whether UFOs could be pure energy life forms. The show also traces the "Zeta Reticuli Incident," involving Barney and Betty Hill, described as a puzzling close encounter of the third kind.

Jack Webb's "Project UFO"

Tom Shales reports on Jack Webb's involvement with "Project UFO," a new series about UFO sightings. Webb, known for "Dragnet," aims for believability and "high strangeness." He emphasizes showing the honesty of police officers and states that the UFO sightings in the series will be explained away or left unexplained. Col. William T. Coleman, former head of "Project Bluebook," is the series producer.

Perhaps the Force Was With Her

This letter to the editor shares a personal account from Mrs. William H. Doyal of Cabot, Arkansas, who describes a "close encounter" on September 6, 1976. She witnessed a white object in the sky with voices speaking to her, and later saw a camouflage-colored Air Force plane. She believes a "strange power" saved her town from a tornado.

Man Spots UFO

A brief report from Longview, Texas, mentions Aaron M Sawyer reporting a bright, silver object hovering near the ground on November 3, 1977. The object reportedly turned a full circle and left at high speed.

Close Encounters in Arkansas

This article by Bob Lancaster discusses the popularity of the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and how it has made people more receptive to the idea of UFOs. It notes that many who have seen UFOs are reluctant to discuss their experiences publicly due to fear of ridicule. The article highlights sightings in North Arkansas and mentions the "Flippin Incident" in 1969, involving a photograph analyzed by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization Inc. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a consultant for the movie, is mentioned.

Flying Object Seen in Flemingsburg

Erma Bryant of Flemingsburg, Kentucky, describes seeing a bright object on October 3, 1977, that looked like two propane gas tanks side by side with a connecting pipe. It moved quickly and quietly out of sight.

Caribbean UFO's

A letter from Puerto Rico mentions a UFO sighting witnessed by thousands of people and detected by radar. The object reportedly dropped into the water, but no trace was found. The letter also notes the coincidence of this event with the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."

Lights in Sky Over Crystal Puzzle Observers

This report from Minneapolis details sightings by Crystal police officers and residents of strange, multicolored lights in the sky. The objects were observed hovering and moving in unusual patterns, and radar operators could not detect them.

UFOs Sighted Over Carroll County

Claudia Keith reports on multiple sightings of a strange, kite-shaped object with humming noises and bright lights in the Berryville, Arkansas area in December 1977. Witnesses described the object as large, with downward-shining lights and a humming sound. The reports coincided with a period of increased UFO interest following the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."

More Sightings Back F.D. Meteorite Theory

This article from Fort Dodge, Iowa, discusses sightings of a bright, fiery object falling from the sky, lending credence to the theory that a soft, whitish object found on the Moeller lawn was a meteorite. Experts planned to examine the object.

Close Encounters of the First Kind

Ron Duncan reports on sightings in the Berryville and Green Forest, Arkansas area of a strange, humming object. Mrs. Arlie Long describes seeing a large, kite-shaped object with lights. The article notes that many residents are hesitant to report sightings due to fear of ridicule. The object is described as having a humming noise and lights, and some witnesses believe it was military equipment.

Another UFO Sighted At Arthur

This report from Hyannis, Nebraska, describes a bright, fiery orange object seen by Norm Kramer and Rodger Beeken near Arthur, Nebraska. The object moved at a fast speed and vanished from sight. This was the second UFO sighting reported in the area recently.

'Sober' Skycops Report Close Encounter

Bob Drogin reports on Charlotte, North Carolina, police helicopter pilot Ronald Arey and spotter Howard Dellinger who witnessed unidentified flying objects. The UFOs appeared on radar and may have chased a highway patrol cruiser. The officers were reluctant to discuss the incident, fearing ridicule.

Are UFO's for Real? Town Wonders

This article explores the varied opinions in Kingston, New Hampshire, regarding UFO sightings, influenced by local resident Betty Hill, a UFO researcher. Residents have observed cigar-shaped and disk-like objects. While some, like Police Chief Neil Parker, downplay the sightings, others, like Bruce Duchemin, note increased interest in landing sites. The article poses questions about the nature and intentions of potential visitors.

Two County Residents Report UFO Sightings

This report from Tuolumne County, California, details sightings by two residents of unidentified flying objects. One woman reported seeing a red, oblong object with lights and later two objects together with flashing green lights. A school teacher also reported seeing a yellowish-white object. Marvin Taylor of MUFON notes that Tuolumne County has a high rate of UFO sightings.

Professor Links UFOs, Psychic Experiences

This article discusses the belief of University of Mississippi professor Joseph Bruening that UFOs and psychic experiences are linked. Bruening suggests that UFOs may come from other dimensions and that there is a psychic relationship between UFOs and those who observe them.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the increasing public interest in UFOs, fueled partly by popular culture like the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." There's a consistent emphasis on witness accounts, the challenges of scientific investigation, and the reluctance of many to report sightings due to fear of ridicule or disbelief. The magazine presents a stance that UFO phenomena are worthy of serious investigation, featuring reports from various locations and perspectives, while also acknowledging the skepticism and the need for evidence. The editorial tone suggests an open-minded approach to the subject, encouraging further inquiry and reporting.

This issue of the SOUTH MIDDLESEX SUNDAY NEWS, dated November 20, 1977, features a prominent cover story titled "Group probes reports of UFOs" by Jean M. Stevens. The magazine also includes a column by Mac Fiske titled "Stranger than fiction," which presents a personal account of a UFO encounter.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The main article by Jean M. Stevens details the increased sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) in the northwestern area of New Jersey. Mrs. Kathy Krogstad, chairman of Vestigia's UFO team, is quoted stating that people who have witnessed UFOs now feel they can finally report them without fear of ridicule. Vestigia is a scientific organization with about 160 members dedicated to investigating such phenomena. The article highlights specific sightings:

• Warren County Sighting: Vestigia team members Stan Zebrowski and Paul Cipriano interviewed five members of a Warren County family who reported seeing five multi-colored objects in the sky for approximately 40 minutes on October 30th. The objects were described as round balls, one large and five smaller, with yellowish colors and blue, red, and green lights rotating. They moved without noise, with the larger one leading.
• Sussex County Sighting: On the same evening, a 15-year-old boy in Sussex County reported seeing a similar sight: an oblong object with red and green blinking lights. Later, three objects appeared, followed by four others, prompting a call to Bob Jones, president of Vestigia.
• Parsippany and North Plainfield Sightings: On September 18th, a woman driving on Route 46 near Parsippany reported seeing a red and white light in the sky. About half an hour later, a man in Morris County saw a strange light on Route 22 near North Plainfield, which he described as a flying saucer with windows and forms inside.
• Flemington Sighting: On the same night, a woman reported seeing a similar object on Route 20 near Flemington.

Mrs. Krogstad notes that most reported UFOs are described as "oval-shaped lights or over-sized moons." She expresses optimism that Vestigia is gathering important facts and making progress in their studies. The article concludes by inviting individuals who believe they have sighted UFOs or are interested in joining Vestigia to contact Mrs. Krogstad or Robert Jones.

Stranger Than Fiction: A Hunter's Tale

Mac Fiske's column recounts a story told by two young hunters in Maine. While on a logging road near Bangor, they observed a red light on the horizon that suddenly darted straight up and then plummeted back down, oscillating. They described its movement as too fast for a jet and possibly a helicopter. The red spot then moved towards them, stopping about half a mile away, 50 to 100 feet in the air. It then caused a two-acre area of logged-off field to glow as if drawing light from the ground. The hunters shut off their headlights, but the red light flew over them and made another two-acre area glow. As they drove away, the red light pursued them through the trees before disappearing. They later recounted their experience to a local man, who stated that "strange things happen around here."

The column also includes a separate account from a man hunting with his nephew in an area called the Barrens. They became lost on logging roads in the dark and observed a white, bright light that glowed unto itself. They then saw three more such lights, followed by a much larger one that illuminated the ground like day. This object, described as a glowing saucer with three lights underneath, darted out of sight. The man mentioned that stories like these are common in the Wesley area, with reports of huge machines working at night on the Barrens that disappear by day.

Other UFO Reports

Several other brief reports of UFO sightings are included:

• Ventura County and Harbor News (Jan. 20, 1978): Floyd Hallstrom's New Year's Day sighting of an unidentified flying object near Santa Monica has captured the interest of two UFO research organizations. Dennis Leatart, an investigator for these organizations, described Hallstrom's documentation as "the best I've ever had in the county" and "well documented." Hallstrom, a pilot with 37 years of flying experience, described the craft as a metallic spheroid. A similar sighting was reported in Downey, Los Angeles area, ten minutes later.
• Daily News, McKeesport, PA (Nov. 4, 1977): Raymond Birminghan of McKeesport reported seeing a "pinkish-white, fluorescent" object moving rapidly and silently across the sky over Duquesne shortly after 7 a.m. He described it as somewhat saucer-shaped but with distinguishing side configurations. He attempted to report it to the FAA and the Air Force, but both stated they do not handle UFO reports.
• Foreign News (Various Dates):
• Kent, England (Nov. 17, 1977): Mrs. R. Higgins reported seeing a silver, round object with no vapor trail or noise passing over houses in Star Lane.
• Farnham, England (Nov. 25, 1977): A Farnham man reported seeing a long, thin white shape, like a matt white tube with brilliant lights at either end, hanging stationary over Farnham Castle.
• Sheffield, England (Nov. 22, 1977): Mrs. Jennifer Vickers reported seeing a whiteish-yellow light passing horizontally over houses at Dronfield Woodhouse, described as low in the sky and silent.
• Bradford, England (Nov. 26, 1977): Mrs. Brenda Helm reported seeing a "bright light with no shape" three times in three months. The object was stationary, then shot straight up, and then traveled across the sky at a terrific pace without sound.
• Canterbury, England (Nov. 25, 1977): Mrs. Margaret Parish reported seeing an orange light surrounded by sparkles, an oblong shape, moving very slowly across the sky.
• London, England (Nov. 27, 1977): Inspector Desmond Condon reported a "biggest UFO" seen in Earlsfield, described as a column of light reaching 3,000 feet into the night sky, glowing with a blueish-haze and remaining motionless for over half an hour.
• Warrington, England (Nov. 25, 1977): Mrs. Olive Magraw reported seeing a cigar-shaped object drifting through the clouds, described as a bright white image.

Bigfoot Reports

The issue also includes several articles related to Bigfoot sightings:

• Post-Signal, Crowley, LA (Jan. 7, 1978): An article titled "Does Bigfoot Roam The Area?" details reports from Riceville, Louisiana, of large footprints found near a pond. The prints measured approximately 13.5 inches long and 7.5 inches wide, with a stride of 32-36 inches. George Kutch and Nolan Duval investigated, following tracks into a swamp. Mike Richard reported seeing a tall, dark "something" with red eyes multiple times while hunting.
• Daily Astorian, Astoria, OR (Dec. 16, 1977): An article titled "Big footprints Bigfoot prints?" by Doug Babb discusses photographs of 17-by-7.5-inch footprints found on a Clatsop County mountainside by Glenn and Paulette Lauper. They also found hair samples and a deteriorating footprint embedded in ice. Lauper believes these are evidence of Sasquatch.
• Herald, Everett, WA (Jan. 3, 1978): "Large tracks found in mountain snow" by Jim Haley reports on two sets of large, human-like tracks found on a snow-covered logging road on Green Mountain, Washington. Jerry Phillips, a local investigator, believes the find is not a hoax. The tracks were 17 and 14 inches long, with a stride of four to five feet. Phillips made plaster casts of some prints.
• Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, WA (Dec. 21, 1977): "Call in the Wild: Is It Sasquatch?" by Steve Johnston discusses recordings of suspected Sasquatch sounds analyzed by University of Washington zoology professor Gordon Orians. Orians found similarities to coyote sounds but stated the recordings were too weak to definitively identify them as Sasquatch.
• Daily Herald, Gulfport-Biloxi, MS (Dec. 22, 1977): "Jackson's own Bigfoot?" reports on three Jackson residents sighting a hairy, upright creature. Searches turned up round, clawless footprints.
• Tribune, Bismarck, ND (Nov. 26, 1977): "Bigfoot invasion upsetting life in reservation hamlet" by Mark Kinders details numerous sightings of Bigfoot-like creatures on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Residents report creatures between six to nine feet tall, weighing 600-900 pounds. Gary Alexander, who runs a general store, serves as a hub for the Bigfoot hunt. LeMar Chasing Hawk reported a close encounter with a Bigfoot about 10 feet away. The article notes that Bigfoot descriptions are generally similar, and searchers are using tranquilizer guns. Theories about Bigfoot include throwbacks to cavemen, curiosity about humans, demonic creatures, or extraterrestrial origins. The article also mentions attempts to document Bigfoot's behavior, including mimicry of human voices.

Unexplained Explosions

Several articles address unexplained explosions:

• Arkansas Democrat, Little Rock, AR (Dec. 25, 1977): An article titled "Explosion reports elude explanation" discusses mysterious booms heard in New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Australia, and the Middle East. Experts at the U.S. Geological Survey state these booms have occurred for hundreds of years and lack definitive scientific explanation. They are known by names such as "Guns of the Seneca" and "Barisal Guns." Military officials deny responsibility, and sonic booms have been ruled out.
• Post, Washington, DC (Jan. 10, 1978): "Mysterious Explosions Reported Back in 1890" by N. Josephsen notes a congressional report detailing similar high-altitude phenomena recorded in 1890 in India, Scotland, Australia, New York, and Connecticut. The report calls for a special task force to analyze the data. High-level explosions were reported off the New Jersey coast in December.
• Star, Kansas City, MO (Jan. 13, 1978): "Booms Break Windows, Fray Nerves" reports on booms similar to those off the Atlantic coast that rocked walls and broke windows in Charleston, South Carolina. The cause remains undetermined. Reports of sonic booms originating offshore were received by the Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory.
• Washington (UP): "Probe Blasts, 3 Agencies Are Asked" states that the White House has asked NASA, the Defense Department, and the Interior Department to report on the causes of mysterious high-altitude explosions off the Atlantic Coast. Agencies reported being unaware of any such programs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of unexplained phenomena, particularly UFO sightings and Bigfoot encounters, and the efforts of private organizations and individuals to investigate them in the absence of official government involvement. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these phenomena seriously, presenting eyewitness accounts and expert opinions without sensationalism, and highlighting the ongoing mystery surrounding these events. The articles encourage public participation in reporting sightings and express a desire for more concrete explanations. The inclusion of Bigfoot reports alongside UFOs suggests a broader interest in cryptids and unexplained mysteries. The coverage of unexplained explosions underscores a pattern of phenomena that defy easy scientific explanation, often prompting speculation about secret government tests or natural but poorly understood events.