UFO Newsclipping Service - 1978 02 - no 103

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O. NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE, dated February 1978 (Number 103), compiles various news reports from late 1977 and early 1978 detailing UFO sightings across the United States. The service acts as a collector and distributor of these accounts, aiming to document the phenomenon.

Mount Carmel Area Sightings

Several reports from the Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania area describe sightings of mysterious lights and objects. One Mount Carmel woman, who wished to remain anonymous, reported seeing an unusually bright light on November 11, 1977, while driving. She described it as having a tail and rays of light, and it suddenly took off. She and her husband saw it multiple times afterward. Two neighbors and a friend also reported similar sightings. The friend described an object looking like an upside-down umbrella outlined by bright lights. Another report details two brilliantly lighted objects maneuvering high in the sky, appearing close together, then separating, with one spinning and emitting colored lights before veering off and fading from sight.

North Charleston UFO Baffles Officials

A report from Banner, North Charleston, SC, dated December 7, 1977, details a UFO sighting that baffled Air Force officials. William Herrmann of North Charleston handed over photographs of an unidentified flying object he claimed was hovering over an electrical tower while tremors shook the area. Air Force spokesman Capt. "Sky" King stated the photographs were forwarded through informational channels and that the tremors remained unexplained by seismographic readings, ruling out earthquakes and sonic booms as their cause. Herrmann reported seeing strange objects three times since November 12, including a hat-shaped object photographed at dusk. Radio station WQSN also received three reports of a UFO in the North area.

Fort Worth UFO Classified

The Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, TX, reported on December 4, 1977, that a saucer-like object sighted in July had been classified as a UFO by Larry Sessions, director of the Noble Planetarium. Sessions stated that no planes or helicopters were in the air at the time of the sighting by six or seven residents on July 22. He confirmed he had been in touch with the National Center for UFO Studies regarding the sighting. Sessions believes life exists elsewhere in the universe and questions why extraterrestrials would not make contact more directly if they intended to. He also noted that the movie "Close Encounters" would likely generate more UFO reports.

Elysburg Woman and Daughter Sight UFO

The News-Item, Shamokin, PA, on December 3, 1977, featured a story about an Elysburg woman and her daughter who reported a "scary and exciting" experience with a UFO on Friday evening near Elysburg. They described seeing two large bright lights that dashed across the sky like a "big blur." The object later appeared as an upside-down umbrella with two white lights and a large bluish-green light. They observed it for half an hour. The woman stated she was no longer a skeptic after this experience.

Shamokin Man Claims UFO Sightings

Another report from the News-Item, Shamokin, PA, dated December 1, 1977, features a Shamokin man who, after reading about other sightings, came forward with his own experiences. He described seeing a "blue and green thing" flying low toward him and a coworker. He also recounted an experience from two nights prior near Elk Ridge, MD, where he saw a similar unidentified object. He believes UFOs are devices being developed by the United States and mentioned seeing various colored lights and shapes, including one that looked like a "bluish Christmas tree."

Area Couple Observes UFO Near Frackville

The News-Item, Shamokin, PA, on December 12, 1977, reported on a Mount Carmel couple who observed a UFO near Frackville. While their car was out of gas on Route 81, they saw a bright light that changed shapes and colors, appearing to move in the sky. A motorist also reportedly saw the object. The couple later saw the object again when they returned to their car with gasoline.

Mystery Flaming Object "Definitely Not Meteorite"

The World-Herald, Omaha, NE, on December 11, 1977, reported on a flaming object that landed near Council Bluffs, IA. Amateur astronomer Robert Allen stated it was "definitely not a meteorite" and theorized it might be "space junk." He sent a sample for analysis. Witnesses reported seeing the object land in a molten form.

Lexington, KY UFO: 'Somebody's up there'

The Lexington Leader, Lexington, KY, on December 14, 1977, detailed sightings of a phenomenon dubbed "the thing" by hundreds of residents in Estill and Madison Counties over five years. Described as saucer-shaped, red with varying shades, and surrounded by a yellow haze, the object makes no sound and can appear stationary or darting. Professor J.C. Mahr, who taught a course on UFOs, believes there may be more than one such object and suggests a connection to other civilizations, though he emphasizes the need for physical proof. The sightings have tapered off in recent months, possibly due to the novelty wearing off or people fearing ridicule.

Ellsworth, ME UFO Sighting

The American, Ellsworth, ME, on January 12, 1978, reported that at least three residents of Surry claimed to have seen an unidentified flying object hovering over Surry Bay. The object was described as a white globe with red, yellow, and green lights and twin beams directed downward.

Ashby Woman Has Encounter Of 'First Kind'

The Sentinel & Enterprise, Fitchburg, MA, on December 17, 1977, featured an account from Ashby, MA, where Mrs. Robert Loughlin reported a "close encounter of the first kind." She described seeing a big red light near the Fitchburg Reservoir, which appeared round and made a noise. She and her friends have been watching the skies nightly since November 3, observing up to 14 UFOs on some nights. She believes the water or a nearby high-power station might attract them.

Parsons, KS UFO Follows Couple

The News, Parsons, KS, on December 15, 1977, reported that a UFO followed Clyde V. Basey and his wife for approximately 30 miles as they drove from Pittsburg to Parsons. Basey described it as a "perfect white light" that kept pace with their car. They notified local authorities, who had also received calls about the object. Basey dismissed the possibility of it being Venus or another planet.

Denver UFO Movie Stirs Memories

The Denver Post, on December 4, 1977, discussed the upcoming movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and its potential to reignite the UFO debate. The article references the extensive 1967-68 Colorado Project, directed by Edward U. Condon, which concluded that further UFO study was not warranted. The article also touches on the impact of the movie on public perception and the potential for increased UFO reports.

Rapid City, SD UFO Sightings

The Journal, Rapid City, SD, on December 13, 1977, reported on unexplained lights in the Piedmont area, with witness Duane Holsworth describing seeing "em 25 or 30 times." He provided photographic evidence of an oval object. The article notes that the Air Force officially "closed the books on the UFO business" years ago and refers callers to local authorities or universities. It also mentions that the movie "Close Encounters" is expected to prompt a flurry of reports.

Fitzwilliam Family Sights UFO

The Sentinel, Keene, NH, on December 29, 1977, detailed a sighting by a Fitzwilliam family who observed a "spinning, rounded triangular shape, with red, green and white lights" for about two hours. This was their second sighting in six weeks. They expressed concern that their reports had not received a response and that the government might be hiding information.

Livermore, CA UFO Buff Claims Government Withheld Facts

The Tri-Valley Herald, Livermore, CA, on December 30, 1977, featured Stanton Friedman, a UFO expert, who believes the government has withheld UFO information. He cited military-related sightings, including a Cuban jet fighter pilot's account of a partner's jet disintegrating after encountering a UFO, and an F-4 jet losing instrumentation while investigating a light in Iran. Friedman has dedicated years to studying UFOs and lectures extensively on the topic.

Ansonia, CT UFO Sightings

The Evening Sentinel, Ansonia, CT, on January 17, 1978, reported that a dozen Valley residents claimed to have seen the same unidentified flying object reported by a Shelton woman. The object was described as having bright lights hovering over Nells Rock Road. The article also mentions the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and its portrayal of friendly aliens and government cover-ups.

Moline, IL Area Encounter Defies Explanation

The Daily Dispatch, Moline, IL, on January 7, 1978, reported on an 18-year-old Davenport woman's sighting of a bright "headlights" flashing from an oval object moving silently over Walcott, Iowa. Her radio and walkie-talkie stopped working, and a mercury vapor lamp went dark. The woman faced disbelief from others. The article notes that 54% of Americans believe in UFOs, with 11% claiming to have seen them. Illinois reported 169 UFO sightings in a five-year period, with 54 unexplainable.

Russell, KS UFO Chase

The Daily News, Russell, KS, on January 28, 1978, reported that five young people were chased by a "flying red light" that followed them into town. The Police Department referred the matter to the sheriff's office, but no report was made.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

A recurring theme throughout these clippings is the persistent reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena by ordinary citizens, often met with skepticism or official indifference. Many reports highlight the visual characteristics of the objects, such as bright lights, unusual shapes, and silent movement. The impact of the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" is frequently mentioned as a factor in encouraging people to come forward with their sightings. There is a clear undercurrent of belief among witnesses that these are not conventional aircraft or natural phenomena, and a desire for official acknowledgment and explanation. Some articles also touch upon the idea of government cover-ups and the historical context of UFO investigations, such as the Colorado Project and the Air Force's Project Bluebook. The overall stance of the collected clippings is to present these accounts as reported news, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions about the nature of the phenomena.

This issue of "UFO?" magazine, dated January 11, 1978, and published by POST-RECORD, presents a collection of intriguing reports on unexplained phenomena from around the world. The cover story, "A Camas Encounter of the First Kind," details a sighting by multiple witnesses in Camas, Washington, on Christmas Eve.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

The issue features several UFO sighting reports. In Camas, Washington, Barbara Siewell and her family witnessed an object described as a "flat, round shape, saucer-shaped" moving like a helicopter, with lights and windows. Another report from the Tar Heel State (North Carolina) details MUFON investigations into "Snoopy Sightings" that were genuine observations of unidentified flying objects, discounted as conventional aircraft or phenomena. In Leitchville, Australia, UFO sightings and mysterious burnt patches in fields have attracted attention, with investigator Paul Norman calling it a significant "UFO site."

Reports from England include a "flying saucer" spotted twice near Winchester and Southampton, and a "banana-shaped" craft seen by a boy in Wallisdown. In Scotland, three schoolboys in Lanarkshire claimed to have seen a "giant plate" UFO over Cleland. A "mysterious bright light" seen over Halifax was revealed to likely be an aircraft, though a puzzling sighting of a bright light descending and rising remained unexplained.

Further afield, four men in Horsham, Australia, reported spotting a UFO described as a "globe." In the Mooloolah Valley, Australia, an outbreak of UFO sightings included a craft emitting a bright light and colored lights moving circularly. In Fort Smith, USA, a UFO reportedly caused a car to stop dead, with electrical systems failing, before it took off rapidly. A mother and children in Alma, USA, saw strange lights and a dazzling array of multi-colored lights. At an East Coast Air Force base, flight line crews witnessed an object resembling two bowls placed together with a saucer between them.

Mystery Booms and Atmospheric Phenomena

The issue extensively covers "Mystery Booms" heard along the Atlantic Seaboard, starting in early December 1977. These loud, unexplained noises, sometimes accompanied by flashes of light, were recorded by scientists and investigated by the Navy under presidential orders. Similar booms were also heard in Texas, attributed by Air Force officials to a supersonic spy plane, and in Nova Scotia, Canada, where they were frequent enough to cause near panic.

Animal Mutilations and Cryptids

The magazine reports on the "macabre mutilation of a six-month-old calf" in Blue Springs, Missouri, with smooth cuts and missing parts, leading to speculation of cult or "extraterrestrial" purposes. The case is compared to similar incidents in Jackson County. The issue also touches on the Bigfoot phenomenon, with reports of sightings near Crowley, Louisiana, and a potential "wild man" called "Chuchunaa" in Siberia, described as resembling Bigfoot or the Himalayan Snowman.

The Loch Ness Monster

Charles Wyckoff's expedition to find the Loch Ness monster is discussed, with Wyckoff remaining convinced of a colony of "monsters" despite a publicized failure to capture one on film. Photographs from 1975 are presented as supporting evidence of a large aquatic animal, though the possibility of a hoax is acknowledged.

Other Reports

Astronomers have recorded unexplained radio signals from 12 stars, described as looking more like artificial signals than natural ones, sparking interest in the possibility of messages from other worlds. The project, named Ozma II, is the most ambitious search for extraterrestrial life to date.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "UFO?" magazine reflects a strong interest in unexplained aerial phenomena, cryptids, and mysterious atmospheric events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and reporting of witness accounts, even when official explanations are lacking or inconclusive. The magazine presents a wide range of incidents, from personal sightings to large-scale phenomena, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of extraterrestrial or unknown natural causes. The inclusion of reports on animal mutilations and Bigfoot suggests a broader scope of interest in anomalous events beyond just UFOs. The recurring theme is the persistent occurrence of unexplained events that challenge conventional understanding and warrant further investigation.