UFO Newsclipping Service - 1980 11 - no 136

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE, dated November 1980, Number 136, is a compilation of various UFO sighting reports from across the United States and internationally. The publication is co-edited by Lucius Farish and Rod B. Dyke, with contributions from numerous reporters and staff writers.

Key Articles and Reports

Early Morning Incident Unnerves Area Couple

This lead story details an incident where Gail Reed and her husband in Waukomis, Oklahoma, were awakened by their animals' distress. They witnessed a brilliant, blinking light hovering just above the horizon. Gail described it as an extremely bright light that flashed and hovered without making any noise. The incident lasted about 30 minutes and left them unnerved, with Gail seeking a logical explanation.

It's More Than a Plane They Claim

This article reports on residents of West Bloomfield, Michigan, who claim a saucer-shaped vehicle they saw was not a low-flying advertising plane as officially described. Witnesses like Kirt Manecke described it as a huge disc with windows and a flashing red light, making a whirring sound but no loud noise.

Carousel Spotted in Sky

In Ann Arbor, Michigan, several people, including eight police officers, reported seeing a 'merry-go-round in the sky' which disappeared toward the east-northeast. Officials at the Air National Guard base and Detroit Metropolitan Airport did not observe the object.

UFO Spotted in County

This report from Elbert County, Georgia, features Lucious Roberson who saw a round, brightly lit object hovering near his house. He described it as having green lights all around it and shining on the grass, about 20 feet wide, and making no noise. Speculation ranged from a low-flying plane to a power line issue.

UFO Sighted in Easley

Larry Joe Garrett of Easley, South Carolina, reported seeing a large, metallic, purplish-gray, dome-shaped object hovering over trees. He described it as being as big as a store but much taller, resembling a battleship. Jerry McAlister in Anderson reported a similar object with blinding lights.

She Finally Had to Tell Someone, Saw a UFO in Woodruff

Mrs. Wilda Organist of Woodruff, Wisconsin, reported seeing a pulsing red, yellow, and green light over Woodland Lake, described as drum-like in appearance. She hesitated to report it but felt compelled to share her experience.

UFO Sightings 'Nothing New' In Anderson

This article from Anderson, South Carolina, highlights a history of UFO sightings in the area, including a report by Jerry McAlister of a 70-foot craft buzzing his backyard. It recounts past incidents from 1975 to 1977 involving strange lights and objects.

Strange Light Over Cool Springs Home

Laura Birge of Hartford, Kentucky, reported seeing a large, bright light, six to 10 feet wide, hovering over her home. She described its ability to hover, move up and down, and sideways, with no sound, which she found particularly unsettling.

Hovering Object Puzzles Viewers

In Ghent, Minnesota, a bright flickering object was reported hovering over farm fields. Undersheriff Tom Thompson and a local farmer witnessed the object, which changed color and moved erratically, leading them to conclude it was not a star or airplane.

UFOs Shake Area Viewers

Three women and four police officers in Washington, Indiana, reported seeing a bright, street-light shaped object hovering over trees. The object reportedly followed their car, causing panic. Officers were unable to identify it.

UFO connection in Scandia area studied again after more reports

This article discusses UFO investigator Bradley Earl Ayers' work in the Scandia and Stacy areas of Minnesota, where numerous sightings have been reported over several years. The reports often describe similar oval, disc-shaped objects with unusual maneuvers.

Zuma Beach Resident Reports Seeing UFO Early This Morning

A resident of Zuma Beach, California, reported seeing a large, bright orb glowing from within, with a 'cobweb'-like pattern, moving rapidly over the ocean.

Has sharp-eyed Alan snapped a U.F.O.?

Amateur astronomer Alan Clark of Dundee, Scotland, claims to have photographed a cigar-shaped cluster of lights over Whitfield. He described the lights as red and yellow and traveling from the south.

Six Strange Objects in Wilts Sky

In Devizes, England, a soldier and his wife reported seeing six round, gleaming objects in the sky, which disappeared in various ways.

MPs see a UFO 'buzz' Commons

An unidentified flying object reportedly 'buzzed' the House of Commons in London, described as sweeping out of the clouds and hovering for half an hour, shimmering and flashing lights before disappearing.

'Lightning, not UFOs, makes round patches in fields'

This report from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, discusses Charlie Lilly's research suggesting that circular patches in farmers' fields are caused by lightning strikes, not UFO landings.

Japanese In Search Of Local UFO

A Japanese film crew interviewed Jerry McAlister in Anderson, South Carolina, regarding his UFO sighting. The crew is producing a documentary on UFOs worldwide.

Pitt Changes Tune About 'UFO Expert'

This article details a retraction by the University of Pittsburgh regarding a scheduled talk by a self-styled UFO expert, Clark McClelland, after skepticism arose about his claims of government admission of alien visits.

The Strange Case Of The "Unseen U.F.O."

This report from Fairfield, New Jersey, details sightings of unexplained lights and sounds, including a case where a resident reported a droning noise and a yellowish light illuminating their backyard, which vanished before police arrived.

UFO sighted in Ridgefield

A train crew member reported seeing a triangular-shaped UFO with red and white blinking lights hovering over railroad tracks in Ridgefield, Washington.

UFOs Shake Area Viewers

This article from Lynn, England, describes a storeman who saw a blue light change to orange over Lynn, convinced it was neither military nor civilian aircraft.

Second Sight of UFOs for Ross Couple

A couple in Wester Ross, Scotland, reported seeing unidentified flying objects with nine bright flashing lights in the same area as a previous sighting.

Police in PNG See a UFO

Three senior police officers in Papua New Guinea reported watching an unidentified flying object with blinking lights for over an hour.

Storeman Sees Mystery Object

This report from Lynn, England, details a storeman's sighting of a mystery object with a blue light that changed to orange and moved erratically.

Swedish Navy Hunting Down Mystery Sub

This report from Stockholm, Sweden, discusses the Swedish navy being ordered to hunt a mystery submarine in their waters.

Close Encounters Of An English Kind

This feature details the alleged experience of the John Mann family from England, who claim they were taken aboard a UFO and examined by beings from another planet named Janos. The report includes accounts from John Mann, his sister Frances, and his daughter Natasha.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings across different geographical locations and the consistent descriptions of objects as disc-shaped, silent, and exhibiting unusual flight characteristics. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these phenomena without immediate judgment, presenting witness accounts and investigative efforts. There is an emphasis on the emotional and psychological impact these sightings have on individuals, with many witnesses expressing a desire for logical explanations or a confirmation of their experiences. The publication acts as a clearinghouse for these reports, often highlighting the lack of definitive explanations and the ongoing efforts of UFO researchers.

This document is a collection of newspaper articles from late September and early October 1980, primarily focusing on unexplained phenomena, UFO sightings, and related mysteries. The articles are sourced from various English-language newspapers across the UK, USA, and Argentina, suggesting a widespread interest in these topics during that period.

Article 1: A SPACE AGE FAIRY TALE

This article from the Sunday Mirror (Sept. 28, 1980) presents the story of the Mann family, who claim to have been abducted by aliens in 1978. Their memories, initially lost, were recovered through hypnosis. The article features the verdicts of three experts:

• Arthur C. Clarke (writer): He dismisses UFO phenomena and alien encounters as "myths of our age," comparing them to fairy tales. He believes intelligent life elsewhere would not resemble humans in silver suits and suggests that descriptions of encounters are influenced by familiar cultural imagery from films and science fiction.
• Dr. David Wimpole (psychiatrist): He states he has an open mind about UFOs but suggests that apparent memory loss could have a logical explanation. He notes that the Manns' dreams of spaceships are understandable given their belief in having seen a UFO.
• Geoffrey M'Cartney (hypnotherapist): He asserts that the Manns are "not lying" and had a unique, identical experience. While acknowledging hypnotism isn't a truth test, he points out the similarities in their stories, despite some conflicting details, and believes they did not fabricate the event.

The article also mentions a book, "The Janos People," by Frank Johnson, detailing the family's experiences.

Article 2: Taking the mystery out of the unexplained

Published in the Express & Star (Oct. 14, 1980), this article by Gerry Anderson discusses the upcoming Orionids meteor shower and its potential to cause UFO-like sightings, cautioning UFO-spotters against misinterpretation. It introduces a new weekly magazine, "The Unexplained," aiming to create an encyclopedia of mysteries.

• Brian Innes (editorial director of The Unexplained): He emphasizes the need for UFO-spotters to distinguish between genuine phenomena and misidentifications like balloons, kites, birds, or planes. The magazine will provide guidance on reporting sightings.
• Scientific Investigation: The article notes the lack of formal scientific investigation into many UFO sightings, suggesting potential explanations like mass hysteria or self-delusion, but stresses the need for these explanations to be made.
• Photographs and Evidence: The majority of UFO photographs are considered fakes, and credible ones are often blurred or ambiguous.
• US Government Rumors: Persistent rumors suggest the US government has obtained a UFO, though they neither confirm nor deny it.
• BOAC Stratocruiser Incident (June 29, 1954): The article recounts an encounter where Captain James Howard and passengers on a BOAC airliner saw a large metallic object with six smaller ones. Air traffic control confirmed the presence of the object, stating, "We know."
• The Unexplained Magazine: This publication aims to provide a scientific approach to mysteries, covering topics from Big Foot to spontaneous human combustion.

Article 3: Riddle of flying disc

This piece from The Star (Oct. 6, 1980) reports on a sighting by schoolchildren at Aston Springwood Junior School in Rotherham. They observed a silver and red disc ascending into the clouds. Meteorologists could not identify it as a satellite. Graham Hill, a road safety officer who witnessed the event, corroborated the children's story, describing the object as silver-colored with red lights underneath.

Article 4: Flying saucer alert as girls see bright lights

An article from the Evening Star (Oct. 16, 1980) details a sighting in Haslingden, England. Five people, including two young girls, reported seeing a diamond-shaped object with greenish-yellow and bright lights. A policeman investigating the report also saw bright lights disappearing behind a golf club. Witnesses described a buzzing noise and no wings, differentiating it from aircraft.

Article 5: Swedish, Arkansas, Maine, Tokyo, Spain, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina UFO Reports

This section compiles several brief reports of UFO sightings from various international locations, translated from different sources:

• Sweden: Reports of Swedish submarines being tracked by UFOs.
• Arkansas, USA: A local reporter claimed to have seen two blue luminous objects near Posadas, Argentina.
• Maine, USA: A report of a "fireball" over Montevideo, Uruguay.
• Tokyo, Japan: A report of UFOs sighted in North Korea.
• Spain: Two UFOs were seen in the provinces of Murcia and Zamora.
• Uruguay: A "fireball" was seen over Montevideo.
• Brazil: Three flying objects were reported near a rocket launching base in Natal, and a UFO reportedly landed.
• Argentina: Multiple reports from the Chilean Canyon area near Bariloche, including a falling fireball, explosions, and burnt areas. A local reporter claims to have photographed the trail of a falling object.

Article 6: Boat-find tests rule out plane

This article from The Sun, Melbourne (Oct. 25, 1980) mentions a boat find that ruled out a plane. It also briefly touches on UFOs and a possible connection to the sea.

Article 7: UFO CLAIM IS INVESTIGATED

This article from the Post, Huntington, WV (Oct. 4, 1980) reports on a UFO claim investigated by the Air Force. It mentions a local UFO investigator, Roy Chambers, who believes the US government has obtained a UFO. The article also references a sighting by Captain James Howard and the BOAC Stratocruiser Centaurus.

Article 8: Chinese Panel to Scan UFOs

This brief report from the Post, Huntington, WV (Nov. 14, 1980) states that a Chinese panel will scan UFOs, noting that UFOs have been reported in many parts of the world and that the Chinese government is taking them seriously.

Article 9: UFO REPORT IN ITALY

This article from the Daily Mail, London (Oct. 25, 1980) discusses a UFO report in Italy, mentioning a child who was allegedly held in a UFO for 48 hours.

Article 10: Bigfoot living near Verlot?

This article from the Herald, Everett, WA (Sept. 11, 1980) features Douglas Trapp, a fisherman who claims to have found Bigfoot tracks along the Stillaguamish River near Verlot. He made plaster casts of the tracks, which he believes are genuine despite being smaller than typical reported Bigfoot footprints. Jerry McCormick, a U.S. Forest Service worker, expresses skepticism, noting the lack of such reports in the area.

Article 11: Sea creature puzzles boaters

Published in the Bay Times, Stevensville, MD (Sept. 17, 1980), this article details a sighting by Coleman and Trudy Guthrie of a large, shiny, beige sea creature in the Eastern Bay. They described it as scaleless and finless, approximately three feet wide and 6-8 feet long. While they considered it might be a manatee, its size and behavior were puzzling.

Article 12: Mutilated heifer found on ranch near Loveland

This article from the Tribune, Greeley, CO (Sept. 16, 1980) reports on the discovery of a mutilated heifer on Kenneth Bateman's ranch near Loveland. The animal showed signs of precise cutting, with organs removed and no blood. Bateman expressed alarm, stating the discovery had "scared us to death." The Larimer County Sheriff's Office filed a report, noting the heifer died of an unknown cause, possibly a gunshot, and that a rear section was removed. The article mentions previous similar incidents in Colorado and the lack of conclusive answers.

Article 13: 2 more mutilations reported

Another article from the Tribune, Greeley, CO (Sept. 18, 1980) reports on two more possible animal mutilations near Briggsdale. Investigator Joe Martinez stated these were the third and fourth mutilations in Weld County in three weeks. Rancher Roland Ball found two animals, one of which had an ear missing and a clean cut around the navel. Samples were sent for analysis.

Article 14: Cattle Mutilation Investigated

This article from the Boomerang, Laramie, WY (Oct. 15, 1980) discusses an investigation by photographer Michael Lewis into a cattle mutilation case at the Benick Ranch. Lewis's report, submitted to the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, concluded that some agent other than normal predation caused the wounds, with sharp instruments likely used. This contrasts with the Albany County Sheriff's Department and a University of Wyoming veterinarian, who attributed the damage to predators.

Article 15: Rancher Says Cow Was Mutilated, Vet Says 'Typical' Predator Case

This article from the Daily Boomerang, Laramie, WY (Sept. 24, 1980) details Ronald McDonald's belief that a cow found dead on his ranch was mutilated. A University of Wyoming veterinarian, Dr. Heman Hancock, stated it was a "typical predator case," citing coyote tracks and the nature of the wounds. McDonald remained unconvinced, highlighting the lack of struggle signs and the unnatural appearance of the wounds.

Article 16: Rancher to pursue cattle mutilations

This article from the Rocky Mountain News, Denver, CO (Sept. 29, 1980) reports on Pat McGuire, a rancher who claims to have regularly seen UFOs over his ranch and believes a mutilated heifer found on another ranch was not killed by predators. He plans to pursue the investigation further and has contacted the governor's office.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The collection of articles reflects a strong public and media interest in unexplained phenomena during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The recurring themes include UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, Bigfoot reports, mysterious sea creatures, and the controversial topic of cattle mutilations. While some articles present eyewitness accounts and expert opinions, there's a clear contrast between those who believe in the extraordinary nature of these events and those who seek conventional explanations (e.g., misidentification, hoaxes, predators, psychological factors). The editorial stance varies by publication, but the overall presentation suggests a willingness to report on these phenomena, often with a degree of skepticism or by presenting multiple viewpoints. The inclusion of translations from international sources highlights the global nature of interest in these mysteries.