UFO Newsclipping Service - 1979 08 - no 121

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O. NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE, dated August 1979, presents a compilation of numerous reports on unidentified flying objects (UFOs) from various newspapers across the United States and the United Kingdom. The publication acts as a clearinghouse for these accounts, aiming to document and disseminate information on the phenomenon.

Cover Story: UFOs defy all logic this writer could summon

The lead article, by Dolores Lavelle, the Trends Editor for the ENQUIRER JOURNAL of Monroe, NC (June 8, 1979), details a personal encounter with a UFO. Lavelle describes returning from Charlotte with her husband and son when they observed red and green lights on US 74. Initially thinking it might be two planes that had collided, she quickly realized it was something else. The objects remained stationary above the highway, defying logical explanation. Her husband's first thought was that it was a helicopter, but it moved too fast. Lavelle contacted Wayne LaPorte, a UFO investigator for the area, who confirmed that similar sightings had occurred recently. LaPorte noted that the area where the lights were seen is consistent with geophysical conditions that might be related to UFO activity. Lavelle concludes by joining the ranks of "non-doubters," stating she has to believe what she saw.

Other Sightings and Incidents

San Diego, CA - Evening Tribune (June 8, 1979)

A reader named "Q" writes to Dr. Barbour about a UFO sighting at Mount Laguna, where they saw a silver disk descend, hover, and then ascend rapidly. Dr. Barbour affirms his belief in the reader's account, suggesting that public skepticism is fostered by leaders who scorn UFO reports, leading people to withhold information.

Duke Center, PA - ERA (July 14, 1979)

A housewife in Duke Center reported seeing a gray, possibly blimp-like object floating in the sky. Joan Jeffers, a field investigator for the Pennsylvania Center for UFO Research, stated that there were no running lights but a cloudy substance around the object. Airport officials reported no aircraft in the area at that time.

Sonora, CA - Union-Democrat (June 22, 1979)

Ten residents of Tuolumne and Sonora reported spotting a triangle-shaped object with white, bright lights on its ends and a red light. Marv Taylor, director of the local MUFON, reported that the object flew at about 1,000 feet, moved slowly, and stopped over Sonora Plaza before heading towards Oakdale. Witnesses described it as triangular and not a helicopter or plane.

Milwaukee, WI - JOURNAL (July 12, 1979)

A woman in Long Beach, California, Mary Tigges, was struck by a "hot rock" that fell from the sky. Professor John Wasson of UCLA analyzed the rock and determined it was not a meteorite but possibly industrial waste propelled from a smokestack.

San Bernardino, CA - SUN (June 13, 1979)

Three 11-year-old boys reported seeing white, flat, circular objects hovering in the San Bernardino mountains. Their teacher, Kaye Lawson, and 25 other students also witnessed multiple flat, silver, sparkling, circular, and triangular objects hovering and moving in patterns. The objects disappeared after about 15 minutes.

New Albany, MS - GAZETTE (July 5, 1979)

Two residents of Colonial Gardens reported seeing a disc-shaped object, black on the bottom and bluish on top with tiny lights, moving in an oscillating motion. They described it as silent and about three feet in diameter.

Mauston, WI - STAR (July 12, 1979)

A former Mauston resident reported seeing a round, unidentified flying object, possibly four feet by three feet, with two metal slabs fastened together, twisting and turning over the Harmonisle area.

Marysville, CA - APPEAL-DEMOCRAT (June 26, 1979)

A Yuba City man reported seeing a light-colored, saucer-shaped object moving rapidly in a northwesterly direction, making no sound and leaving no contrail.

Bridgewater, NJ - COURIER NEWS (June 22, 1979)

Two Somerset County police officers and 13 others reported seeing a long, unidentified flying object with three lights (red, green, and white), hovering and moving side to side for over an hour.

Estacada, OR - CLACKAMAS COUNTY NEWS (July 18, 1979)

Two youths reported seeing two objects moving at high speed, one with a pulsating white light that flickered out, and the second following it with a more erratic course.

Sandpoint, ID - BEE (July 19, 1979)

Two girls reported seeing a round, silver object with antennae, oscillating and then moving at high speed downward, possibly landing between the airport and Cocolalla.

Baltimore, MD - HERALD-WHIG (July 24, 1979)

A four-pound piece of slag-like metal fell from the sky, hitting a driveway and shattering. Police are holding it as a suspected meteorite, though one man hopes it might be Skylab debris.

Walla Walla, WA - UNION BULLETIN (July 16, 1979)

Reports of a "bright orange glow with long flames behind it" and "spectacular lights" were received from various locations in Oregon and Washington, coinciding with reports of "strange lights" in south and central Oregon. The FAA had no explanation.

Grants Pass, OR - COURIER (July 30, 1979)

Two unidentified flying objects were seen, one described as a "cantaloupe colored" object with a large haze, and another as a bright object changing colors and moving slowly.

Easton, PA - THE EXPRESS (July 17, 1979)

A glowing, humming, upside-down cone-shaped object was seen moving from east to west through the Lehigh Valley. Witnesses described it as having a red cone top and windows on the bottom.

Buenos Aires, Argentina - HERALD (July 16, 1979)

Hundreds of people, including airport control tower staff, reported seeing a glowing object streaking across the sky. State radio reported a mysterious interruption of a transmission during the sighting.

Worcester, England - EVENING NEWS (June 27, 1979)

A fisherman reported seeing five white flashing objects converging above him and moving off in formation over the city.

Cheshire, England - ALTRINGHAM GUARDIAN (June 21, 1979)

Four youngsters and a family reported seeing "noiseless" UFOs. One sighting involved a "huge flying disc" with red, green, and white lights flashing on and off. Another involved two "strange disc-like objects" hovering for two hours.

Lucknow, India - STATESMAN (June 23, 1979)

An unidentified flying object emitting a bluish-white light was seen for about 20 minutes, then moved slowly and disappeared. It was described as very bright.

Truro, England - WEST BRITON (June 7, 1979)

Mrs. Joan M. Dell reported seeing a bright object moving fast, then stopping suddenly. It appeared to leave an ice or vapor trail and was described as having a slight redness.

England - SUNDAY MIRROR (July 1, 1979)

A cabbie reported overhearing an air traffic control exchange about five RAF fighters being scrambled to intercept "aliens from Outer Space." Pilots reported a direct hit on a UFO, which remained undamaged.

South Yorkshire, England - BARNSLEY CHRONICLE (June 22, 1979)

Police officers reported seeing about a dozen strange objects, described as very high and moving very fast, with a steady glow and reappearing, traveling in different directions, and weaving in a zig-zag pattern.

Gloucester, England - CITIZEN (June 26, 1979)

A pupil and staff at Edge End High School spotted a bright, flashing object that moved to different positions and then stopped. Police were also mystified, though the Meteorological Office suggested it might be a weather phenomenon. Another sighting involved a "bluish haze" around the object.

Whitminster, England - BURNLEY EVENING STAR (June 20, 1979)

A schoolboy reported seeing three cigar-shaped UFOs, with domes and lights, and a fourth taking off to join them. His mother also saw the objects. Police noted the vivid description and the fact that both mother and son saw the objects.

Northamptonshire, England - EVENING TELEGRAPH (July 6, 1979)

A woman reported seeing a black bat-shaped object that moved like a kite and then disappeared. Another resident saw a dark, house-shaped object.

Calcutta, India - HERALD & NEWS (July 16, 1979)

An unidentified flying object emitting a bright red light hit a school building, destroying its roof. Villagers saw the object coming from the north-west, and it appeared to suck in corrugated tin sheds as it departed.

Bristol, England - EVENING POST (June 27, 1979)

A student reported seeing a metallic silver, round, flat-topped object revolving in the sky.

Gloucester, England - CITIZEN (June 28, 1979)

Two reports of peculiar objects in the sky: two cigar-shaped objects moving closely together, and a round light moving rapidly westwards without a vapor trail.

Leeds, England - EVENING POST (June 27, 1979)

Reports of red, blue, and green flashing lights, varying in shape, seen over the Yorkshire coast, moving slowly and in formation.

Manchester, England - EVENING NEWS (Aug. 9, 1979)

A young couple reported a blinding white light that appeared to "look at them" from both sides of their car before disappearing and reappearing. They described it as a round shape with white lights coming off.

Nottingham, England - EVENING POST (June 5, 1979)

A flying instructor reported seeing two lights in the sky that appeared to be space debris, one splitting into two and then rejoining. He was unable to find a rational explanation.

Stoke-on-Trent, England - EVENING SENTINEL (June 1, 1979)

A former wartime airman reported seeing a bright, white, disc-shaped object that banked at fantastic speed and rolled over.

Surrey, England - CAMBERLEY NEWS (June 29, 1979)

Experts were probing the sighting of a "mystery object" over Kettering, described as shaped like a house and dark in color.

Wales - DAILY STAR (July 30, 1979)

Reports of "humanoid" sightings and silver-suited creatures emerging from saucer-shaped machines, leaving charred circles and footprints. Cattle were also reported to disappear and reappear on other farms.

New Delhi, India - STATESMAN (July 12, 1979)

A group called the Nottingham Flying Saucer Discussion and Research Organisation was formed to present UFO phenomena seriously and sensibly. They were launching a "Look at the Sky" Week.

Scientific and Skeptical Perspectives

Magnetic Field Energy Eyed For Future Space Fuel (SUN, Las Vegas, NV - June 21, 1979) by Gary Thompson discusses NASA engineer Alan Holt's theory that hydromagnetic fields could be used for space propulsion, bearing similarities to UFO phenomena. Holt urges increased research into this technology. The article also touches on the skepticism of official bodies like NASA and the Air Force regarding UFO investigations, referencing Project Bluebook and its conclusions that most sightings are explainable and do not represent extraterrestrial vehicles or a threat to national security.

Chronicle of a U.F.O. Sighting: Investigation Leading Nowhere (TIMES, New York, NY - Aug. 21, 1979) by Matthew L. Wald details a UFO sighting in Stamford, CT, involving a red ball of light and firecracker-like objects. The investigation involved local police and the Air Force, but ultimately led nowhere, with the Air Force policy being to refer callers to civilian UFO organizations. The article highlights the ongoing debate between scientific belief in UFOs (like Dr. J. Allen Hynek) and skepticism (like Dr. Carl Sagan).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings across different geographical locations, the variety of reported object shapes and behaviors, and the commonality of witnesses describing these phenomena as silent and defying conventional explanations. There is a clear emphasis on collecting and reporting these incidents, suggesting a belief in the significance of the phenomenon. The inclusion of articles discussing scientific theories and the skepticism of official bodies indicates an attempt to provide a balanced, albeit UFO-focused, perspective. The overall stance appears to be one of documenting the phenomenon and encouraging further investigation, while acknowledging the lack of definitive answers and the presence of skepticism.