UFO Newsclipping Service - 1980 10 - no 135

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated October 1980, number 135, is a compilation of UFO-related news articles and reports from various local newspapers across the United States and England. The service is co-edited by Lucius Farish and Rod B. Dyke, and published by U.F.O. NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE from Plumerville, Arkansas.

Main Cover Story: Computers Say UFOs Real

The lead article, by George Butler of the Times, reports on a study by French scientist Claude Poher. Poher fed 35,000 UFO observation reports into an IBM computer, along with data on known aerial phenomena like Venus, weather balloons, and meteorites. The computer's verdict was that flying saucers exist and are distinct from these other phenomena. The article notes that 70 percent of observations occurred at night, 10 percent involved landings, and 5 percent included sightings of extraterrestrial astronauts. Powerful magnetic forces were consistently associated with these sightings, capable of disrupting vehicle power and instruments.

Maurice Chatelain, a former aerospace electronics engineer, is cited with a theory from his book "Our Ancestors Came from Outer Space," suggesting that UFOs use the gravitational pull of planets like Jupiter and Mars to slow down for Earth-bound travel. Polls indicate that over 15 percent of the U.S. population has seen UFOs, and over 50 percent believe in extraterrestrial visitors. Charles Berlitz links UFOs to mysterious disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle.

Various theories about UFOs' aims are presented: collecting water, specimens, or elements like gold; protecting humanity from self-destruction; monitoring space travel; or extraterrestrials using Earth's forces for intergalactic travel with cosmic indifference. Some believe UFOs have been present since biblical times, citing Ezekiel's account. General Douglas MacArthur reportedly viewed them as hostile.

Other Articles and Sightings

GLOBE, Ironwood, MI (August 21, 1980): A witness reported seeing four unidentified flying objects (UFOs) over Ironwood, described as having windows and lights, blinking signals, and moving slowly towards Duluth.

ENTERPRISE, Chico, CA (August 20, 1980): Two Paradise residents reported seeing a brilliant light hovering for 10 minutes before accelerating rapidly, described as having a triangle of lights on the bottom.

DAILY NEWS, Milford, MA (August 18, 1980): Gordon E. Hopper recalls a 1938 incident in Upton where young residents saw a white luminous object drift skyward, followed by spaced lights, and experienced a smoky area with a strange scent.

NEW ERA, Lancaster, PA (August 25, 1980): Ed Resh reported seeing an object described as "like a roll of quarters" with "brilliant white lights" hovering about 10 miles away.

NEWS SENTINEL, Knoxville, TN (August 14, 1980): Keith Castelle described a white, egg-shaped object with blood-red coloring and rectangular overall shape, with multiple motors, hovering near his home.

DAILY REVIEW, Hayward, CA (August 22, 1980): Staff writer Sandy Burnett interviews Richard Miller, a speaker at the "UFO 80 A Symposium on Extraterrestrials Contact." Miller asserts strong evidence of extraterrestrial visits, influencing human affairs throughout history. He recounts a personal encounter in 1954 with a saucer-shaped craft and Caucasian-like beings who communicated telepathically. Miller believes governments have covered up UFO facts and that extraterrestrials are benevolent, guiding humanity towards enlightenment. He notes that popular movies have increased public awareness.

NEWS, Springfield, OK (September 2, 1980): A "red ball of fire" the size of a baseball was reported near a car on the McKenzie Highway, marked down as a UFO by police.

NEWS, Orangevale, CA (August 27, 1980): Joan Boughner reported seeing an oblong, silver object with "all black inside" and bay doors, about 15 to 20 feet long, hovering over trees near Folsom Boulevard.

RIDGE GAZETTE, Paradise, CA (August 21, 1980): Mrs. Ann Whitson described an unidentified flying object that was very bright, drifted, then shot off faster than a jet, with a triangle of lights and a low-pitched sound. She noted it wasn't a plane or helicopter, and Beale Air Force Base reported no unusual activity.

DAILY PRESS, Victorville, CA (August 27, 1980): Brian DuPont and Linda Lott reported seeing a shiny ball of whiteness with flashing red borders that moved erratically. They also recalled a similar sighting a year prior. A dispatcher noted a "very bright star" report from Lucerne Valley.

DAILY PRESS, Victorville, CA (August 31, 1980): Darla Henderson reported seeing a UFO similar to the Apple Valley sighting, described with red flashing lights. Margaret Thorngate recalled similar sightings in Wrightwood. Donna Richling reported seeing a saucer-shaped object with a silver dome and red flashing lights. The Richlings observed the object hovering over the foothills above the Apple Valley dump.

ENTERPRISE, Fallbrook, CA (August 28, 1980): Thirteen-year-old Michael Saunders reported a triangle of lights with red and blue lights, making a whistling, whirring sound, hovering over the Santa Margarita River. A professional man requested anonymity to confirm the sighting.

RECORD COURIER, Kent Ravenna, OH (September 11, 1980): Deputies received a report of an unidentified flying object with red, flashing lights and a green haze, followed by two men for about 30 minutes.

TIMES, Peshtigo, WI (September 17, 1980): Three persons reported seeing an unidentified flying object near Armstrong Creek, described as a round ball of light that moved silently and then disappeared.

RECORD-SEARCHLIGHT, Redding, CA (September 12, 1980): Bob Robison and Dan Rhoads reported seeing two objects moving in formation over Trinity Lake, described as three to four times the size of a star and yellow, accelerating to terrific speed before disappearing.

CALL CHRONICLE, Allentown, PA (August 31, 1980): Albert Trumbauer Jr. reported seeing a large, silent, silver flying saucer hover for over two hours near Macungie, described as hamburger-shaped with rotating green lights and a blinking red light on top. He noted similar sightings in Ohio.

DISPATCH, Columbus, OH (September 29, 1980): Pickaway County sheriff's deputies chased a reported UFO for an hour, described as a "bright white light, with smaller red and blue lights," moving very slowly.

CENTRAL POST, Kendall Park, NJ (September 4, 1980): Photographer Robert Vena captured images of two objects on film while photographing the full moon, described as a common type of UFO sighting. The objects were not visible to the naked eye.

OBSERVER, Charleston, SC (September 16, 1980): Witnesses who reported seeing a flying saucer over Anderson passed lie detector tests. The UFO was described as disc-shaped, about 70 feet long, two stories high, covered with windows and lights. Geiger counter readings showed increased radiation in the area.

THE CHRONICLE, Fairfield, NJ (September 24, 1980): A group of young residents reported seeing several "orange stars" that formed a straight-line formation and approached the Salvatos' home on West Drive. The largest object descended to an estimated altitude of 100-200 feet, appearing dull orange, spinning, and emitting a low rumbling sound.

ENTERPRISE, Fallbrook, CA (August 28, 1980): Leland Freymiller reported a patch of corn in his field mysteriously destroyed, with surrounding leaves turning red. He noted two round impressions in the earth.

DIAL, Boscobel, WI (September 11, 1980): A UFO was reportedly spotted hovering over Rice Lake, described as two bright white lights blinking rapidly, moving northwest with a low hum.

DAILY MAIL, Anderson, SC (September 16, 1980): Jerry McAlister and other residents reported seeing "whirling lights high in the sky" over a field, described as bright lights that whirled in place while shooting off red, green, and blue colors. Deputies observed the objects.

EASTERN EVENING NEWS, Norwich, England (August 28, 1980): A mysterious oval object, described as about six feet long and silver, was seen flying silently over St. Albans at about 100 feet.

HERALD, Colac, Victoria, Australia (August 27, 1980): Several reports of bright lights moving through the sky west of Colac were received, described as lights that appeared to take off in formation and accelerate quickly.

MERCURY, South Avon, England (August 29, 1980): A man described seeing two "absolutely square" structures with patterns of red and white lights, emitting little noise. A smaller triangular craft emerged from one and hovered before vanishing.

EXPRESS & ECHC, England (September 3, 1980): A "rainbow ball" object with every color of the spectrum was seen over Pinhoe, Exeter, with a white tail stretching northwest.

EVENING POST, City Unknown, New Zealand (August 23, 1980): Captain Bill Startup, pilot of the Safe Air Argosy, disputes scientific explanations for the "Kaikoura UFOs" film, asserting the objects were not squid boats or Venus, and notes definite radar returns.

NEWPOST, Blythe Valley, England (August 21, 1980): An unidentified flying object was sighted hovering over Blyth, described as a dome shape with two bright white lights, moving silently.

EVENING ECHO, Watford, England (August 28, 1980): A mysterious oval object, described as six feet long and silver, was seen flying silently over St. Albans.

MERCURY, South Avon, England (August 29, 1980): A "dirty white" disc with strange zig-zag white lines was observed over the Bristol Channel, with a smaller disc varying in color.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent reporting of UFO sightings across diverse geographical locations, the ongoing debate between skeptical scientific explanations and eyewitness accounts, and the exploration of various theories regarding the nature and origin of these phenomena. The editorial stance, as represented by the publication of these numerous reports and the inclusion of interviews with researchers and witnesses, appears to be one of open inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, presenting evidence and perspectives without outright dismissal, while acknowledging the challenges in proving such claims.

This issue of the magazine, dated August 28, 1980, features a prominent cover story asking 'Why would spacemen visit the Knap?', accompanied by a review of recent UFO sightings in Britain by Dan O'Neill. The publication appears to focus on unexplained phenomena, UFOs, and mysterious creatures.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

The magazine presents numerous accounts of UFO sightings from various locations. A report from Cardiff, Wales, details a sighting by Peter Davies, who described a UFO that hovered over Barry Island. Another article discusses a woman from East Lancashire who claims to have had telepathic contact and even a romantic encounter with an alien from a UFO. She believes she was operated on by aliens to cure her illness.

In England, a report from Blackburn highlights sightings by local policemen and others, including a grey, cone-like object and a circle of light under water. A sighting in Clacton involved two sisters, Hannah Barnes and Violet Davis, who saw a UFO with blue flashing lights shaped like an eternity ring. In Dovercourt, five people, including a fireman named Derck Cock, reported seeing a bright silver, hubcap-shaped object that made a humming noise. Ormskirk, England, saw reports from Janet Sullivan and Diane Hickey of a UFO with red and green lights moving at high speed and emitting beeping noises.

Internationally, a report from Auckland, New Zealand, suggests that US experts might receive official tapes of the 1978 Kaikoura sightings. In the US, a report from Liverpool, England, mentions police being puzzled by strange lights and a cigar-shaped object. Another article details an undertaker in Royston, England, who saw a saucer-shaped object moving silently at low altitude.

Bigfoot and Mysterious Creatures

The issue also covers reports of Bigfoot and other mysterious creatures. A footprint measuring 17.5 inches long was discovered in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, leading to speculation about Bigfoot's presence. The family whose property the footprint was found on expressed anger over the public attention and the disruption it caused.

Further Bigfoot reports come from Ohio, where searchers scoured the woods for traces of the creature, and from Washington State, where a man named Doug Trapp found large tracks near the Verlot bridge. A story from Schenectady, New York, discusses a search for Bigfoot in southern Ohio.

In Arkansas, a mild-mannered reporter investigated sightings of the 'White River Monster,' described as a large, gray, long creature. The discovery of bull sharks in the river sparked comparisons.

Additionally, a report from Peking, China, details sightings of a mysterious creature resembling a giant cow with a duck's bill in a volcanic lake on the China-North Korean border. Another article discusses 'Chessie,' a mysterious creature sighted in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, with descriptions of a swimming object with slick, shiny skin.

Other Anomalous Phenomena

A report from Dodge City, Kansas, features a KU librarian, George Eberhart, who has compiled a bibliography of over 22,000 anomalous events, including UFOs, ghosts, and other phenomena. He discusses his methodology for investigating such reports, emphasizing 'strangeness' and 'probability.' The article also touches upon cattle mutilations, noting their frequent association with UFO sightings and humanoids.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents eyewitness accounts of unexplained phenomena, often with a tone that leans towards the belief in the reality of these events, while also acknowledging skepticism. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFOs, cryptids, and other anomalous occurrences, encouraging readers to share their own experiences and contributing to a growing body of evidence for these mysteries. The publication seems to cater to an audience interested in the unexplained and the possibility of life beyond conventional understanding.