UFO Newsclipping Service - 1980 12 - no 137

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated December 1980, presents a compilation of various reports and articles concerning unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena from across the United States and internationally. The publication aims to document and disseminate accounts of alleged sightings, landings, and encounters, often featuring local news clippings and eyewitness testimonies.

Key Articles and Reports

UFO Landing In Thibodo Field?

This article from the Messenger-Banner (Stephen, MN, Sept. 18, 1980) reports on a peculiar indentation found in a field west of Stephen, Minnesota. Cameron Thibodo discovered a hole in the ground that he described as looking like a UFO had landed and taken soil samples. The indentation was about 15 inches deep and 3 feet across, with several smaller, perfectly round holes ranging from 6 to 13 inches deep. The area around the holes was white, suggesting extreme heat. Greg Winskowski, the Stephen Chief of Police, was investigating and had sent dirt samples for examination.

Thurston County Logs Some Mysterious Night Sights

The Daily Olympian (Olympia, WA, Oct. 9, 1980) covers several UFO sightings in Thurston County, Washington. Robert Gribble, a Phenomena Research staff member, reported three sightings, including a 'huge object shaped like a triangle' with red and green lights, and a diamond-shaped object. Local law enforcement, including the Thurston County Sheriff's office and police chiefs in Tenino and Yelm, confirmed receiving reports but offered no definitive explanations. Fort Lewis Public Information Officer Bill Woods suggested that military aircraft or helicopters might be mistaken for UFOs, though he noted no night training was scheduled for the specific night of a sighting.

UFO sighted near Buffalo

The Bulletin (Buffalo, WY, Oct. 2, 1980) features a report from Geraldine Songer and her daughter, Bonnie Turk, who sighted an object described as about 25 feet long and lime green in color, slowly gliding from southeast to northwest. They observed it for 60 to 90 seconds before it disappeared behind a cloud. Mrs. Songer noted the unusual lime green color as a distinguishing feature and intended to report the sighting to a UFO Reporting Center.

East Porterville Resident Reports UFOs

The Recorder (Porterville, CA, Oct. 31, 1980) details a report from an East Porterville resident who has consistently viewed mysterious, multi-colored, rotating objects over the eastern foothills for 18 months. On one occasion, eight objects appeared over Black Mountain, described as rising about 4,000 feet, hovering, and changing colors from red, white, green, blue, and orange. The resident also reported seeing similar objects over Pyramid Lake on Interstate 5. The witness expressed reluctance to be identified due to potential ridicule and fear of being labeled eccentric.

Second UFO Sighted In Fairfield Skies

This article from The Chronicle (Fairfield, NJ, Oct. 1, 1980) discusses multiple UFO sightings in Fairfield, New Jersey. It details a sighting by Laura and Robert Barton on September 20, describing a dark, cylindrical object with a yellowish light. The article also references a previous sighting by Fairfield teenagers on September 12, involving 'dull orange' colored objects. The report notes that the Goodyear blimp had left the area before the September 20 sighting, ruling it out as an explanation. The article concludes that there is no explanation available for the sightings.

8 officers report spotting a UFO

The Detroit News (Detroit, MI, Oct. 20, 1980) reports on a sighting by eight sheriff's deputies in western Wayne County and eastern Washtenaw County. The deputies described a large, white, stationary object in the sky with no noise. The object reportedly took off at a high rate of speed into the clouds and disappeared. Howard Wright of Aero Ad firm later claimed the object was an advertising sign on the bottom of his airplane, a claim that was being investigated.

Fairfield UFOs Seen In August, September

This article from The Chronicle (Fairfield, NJ, Oct. 1, 1980) expands on UFO sightings in Fairfield, NJ. It details the September 12 sighting by seven teenagers and the September 20 sighting by Laura and Robert Barton. It also introduces new reports, including one from Lillian Kramer who saw a strange object shaped like a half-moon or inverted bowl. The article mentions Vestigia, Inc., an independent research group interested in investigating the sightings. It also notes that the sightings are notable for their similarity in dates, times, and observations, including shape, altitude, and the absence of sound.

Did UFO Visit Valle Crucis Community?

The Watauga Democrat (Boone, NC, Oct. 16, 1980) reports on mysterious lights sighted in the Valle Crucis area by Uldeene Potter and her husband. They described a strange light moving slowly, appearing to follow the river and land in a field. Mrs. Potter described the light as a clear, round object moving slowly. She expressed curiosity and a newfound interest in UFOs after her experience.

Local family reports UFO stopped van near Albion

The Enquirer & News (Battle Creek, MI, Oct. 20, 1980) features a report from Star Shive, who, along with her husband Donald and two children, witnessed a large fluorescent white light hovering in the sky near Albion. They described it as oval-shaped with green and red lights. As the object moved over their van, the van's power reportedly stopped. The object then moved away quickly. The report categorizes this as a 'close encounter of the second kind' due to the physical effect on the van's engine.

Prof Says Sightings Are Not From Space

An article from the ASU News Bureau discusses Dr. Tom Rokoske, a physics professor at Appalachian State University, who believes that most UFO sightings can be explained by natural phenomena, such as planets or stars, or by hoaxes. He states that people do see these things and are not making them up, but that they are unlikely to be from outer space. He suggests that around Halloween, hot air devices are often sent up for fun, leading to more UFO reports.

Trooper says UFO probably a plane

The Globe-Democrat (St. Louis, MO, Nov. 20, 1980) reports on sightings of unusual objects in northern Missouri. State Highway Patrol Trooper C.L. Harlan believes the objects were likely airplanes, noting that many commercial planes fly over the area and that military aircraft might be involved in night maneuvers. He stated that his office received a number of calls but believes there was nothing mysterious.

Two U.F.O.s Solved, New Sighting Reported

This article from The Chronicle (Fairfield, NJ, Nov. 5, 1980) offers explanations for two previous UFO sightings. It suggests that a sighting on August 18 was likely Mr. Arnold Meyers' 'Star Flite Aerial Advertising' plane with its electronic billboard, and a sighting on September 12 was likely Mr. Lloyd Silverman's 'Night Flight Advertising' plane. The article notes that The Chronicle has received reports of a dozen UFO sightings and has found explanations for three of them.

What are strange red-and-white lights of Murl?

The Wayne County Outlook (Monticello, AY, Oct. 30, 1980) explores mysterious lights reported in Murl, Wayne County. Ann Stephenson and other residents describe lights that change from red to white, shrink and grow, and drift together and apart. While some suggest alien spacecraft, the article leaves the explanation open, noting that the Smithsonian Institution investigates such phenomena.

UFO Said Sighted In Quitman

The Daily Times (Valdosta, GA, Nov. 1980) reports that Quitman Police Department members and local businessmen sighted an unidentified flying object with white and red lights flashing. Patrolman Steve Taylor described it as definitely not a plane and noted its unusual maneuvers. Officials from Valdosta Flight Service and Federal Aviation Administration had no reports to explain the sighting.

UFOs reported buzz county on election night

The Newspaper (Prineville, OR, Nov. 12, 1980) details reports of two white lights moving slowly from south to north at a low altitude over Crook County on election night. Descriptions varied, with some likening them to missile or satellite debris, while others noted fiery tails. Reports suggest sightings extended from Klamath Falls to Seattle, with NASA eventually stating the objects were satellites reentering the Earth's atmosphere, while other information was classified.

Local Group To Take Up UFO Lawsuit

The Journal (Arlington, VA, Nov. 28, 1980) reports that Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUSE) in Arlington has received a grant to continue a court battle to force the release of secret CIA documents related to UFO sightings. The group hopes to obtain 200 documents that the CIA has sought to keep classified.

The public may still see them, but the USAF, FAA just shrug

The Herald-Whig (Quincy, IL, Nov. 26, 1980) discusses the persistent public interest in UFOs despite a lack of official acknowledgment. The article highlights a widespread sighting in northern Missouri on a Tuesday night, involving a large, rectangular object with a diamond-shaped front. While witnesses included police officers and state troopers, and FAA radar reportedly tracked the object, officials from the FAA and USAF offered no definitive explanations, with the FAA suggesting referring observers to scientific organizations, of which none are currently expressing interest in studying the phenomena.

Woman sees three UFOs

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph (Blackburn, England, Oct. 30, 1980) features Susan Hunt's account of seeing three orange lights over Great Harwood. She described one object as coming very low and doing a U-turn, likening it to a Formula One racing car. She and her husband later saw similar orange lights high over the Bolton area.

OAP's close encounter of the first kind

The Welwyn Times (Hertfordshire, England, Nov. 1980) reports on Joseph Jones, a pensioner who spotted two 'spinning-top shaped' objects flying over Panshanger, Hertfordshire. He described them as darkish in color, about five feet across, with an 'iron bar' hanging below. He noted that a police panda car seemed to spot the UFOs and race off in their direction.

KILMANY MAN SEES UFO

The Gippsland Times (Sale, Victoria, Australia, Oct. 1, 1980) reports on George Blackwell's sighting of a 'top-shaped' object that landed on a cattle property. He got within 150 meters before it took off. A burnt circle was found at the landing site, with cow pats overturned. Mr. Blackwell stated that he, along with property owner Ralph Anderson, had previously doubted UFOs but were convinced by this event.

UFO may have been a foreign plane

The Standard (Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, Sept. 18, 1980) discusses a mystery object sighted over southwestern Victoria on July 24, which photographs indicated was a solid metal object. The Victorian UFO Research Society was investigating, with the possibility that it could have been a foreign aircraft. There were no scheduled flights or aircraft detected on radar at the time.

UFO sighted

The Mail (Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia, Oct. 31, 1980) reports two Maldon residents sighting a white light that changed to five lights as they traveled from Maldon to Castlemaine. They turned back to Maldon when the lights appeared to be coming towards them, but the lights had disappeared by then.

Riddle of lights

The Gainsborough News (Lincolnshire, England, Nov. 14, 1980) covers reports of strange lights seen near Gainsborough. Observers described spherical, slightly orange lights with a short, hazy trail, seen from the Laughton Common area. The lights reportedly made a 90-degree right turn and descended. Police and RAF stations found no explanation, with one suggestion being a parachute flare.

Lightning or UFO landing?

The Northern Times (Kerang, Victoria, Australia, Nov. 11, 1980) reports on two depressions with circular holes found in a paddock near Lake Meran. A university physics lecturer rejected the farmer's theory that lightning caused the markings, suggesting that the force of lightning could not create the series of holes. The Victorian UFO Research Society noted similarities to discoveries in England, some of which showed radioactivity and holes caused by objects sucking up soil.

Aussie Radar Tracks UFO

Mainichi Daily News (Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 6, 1980) reports that unidentified flying objects were tracked on radar at Perth International Airport in Australia. Air Traffic Controllers made three observations, and a 12-year-old girl reported seeing four objects changing color from red, blue, and green. The objects were tracked at heights of over 24,000 feet until they disappeared at more than 60,000 feet. There were no aircraft or weather balloons to explain the sightings.

Bright coloured lights

Mrs C. Hutchinson of Brough describes seeing a low-flying object with bright lights, some colored, on New Year's Eve, 1978. She noted it made no noise and appeared to float like a small airship before changing into a mass of white light with dark grey oblong shapes behind it.

Silent silver craft

Michael Cooper of Hull recounts witnessing a large, low-flying silver airplane without wings that made no sound. He observed it for about 60 seconds before it disappeared into a cloud.

Light in the sky

Mr G. J. Howlett of Hull reports three sightings: a small light traveling at great speed on July 24, 1977; a ball of fire with a tail on August 1977; and a pulsating, rotating light on September 13, 1978. He notes that a Hull Daily Mail report suggested freak conditions for the first sighting.

Badly burned grass

Mrs J. Riches of Longhill Estate reports seeing a round object with colored lights descend and hover for about 10 minutes on spare ground in September 1971. Police arrived, and as they approached, the object ascended. The next morning, a round hole and badly burnt grass were found at the site.

Close encounters in Hull?

This section from the Daily Mail (Hull, England, Oct. 3, 1980) compiles several personal accounts of UFO sightings in the Hull area. Peter Wilson describes a large, dark, cigar-shaped object flying at high altitude at the speed of a shooting star. Mrs. E. Morrison reports seeing a black, flying saucer-like object on August 13, 1980, similar to one pictured in the newspaper. Mr. A. M. Walker describes two stationary white objects, like 'golf balls', that moved off at tremendous speed.

Down to earth

This section from the Daily Mail (Hull, England, Oct. 3, 1980) presents a more skeptical perspective. It includes an account from Mr. Robert Burrell who explains how he and two friends mistook a gritting lorry for a UFO. The section also touches on the serious study of UFOlogy, with references to government interest and scientific debates.

Many UFOs In China?

This brief report from Mainichi Daily News (Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 12, 1980) mentions that Chinese people have observed UFOs on over 100 occasions, with descriptions of round-shaped pans or balls emitting silver glare.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO Newsclipping Service are the widespread nature of UFO sightings across diverse geographical locations, the variety in descriptions of these objects (shapes, colors, behaviors), and the persistent lack of definitive official explanations. The publication appears to adopt a stance of documenting these reports without necessarily endorsing them as extraterrestrial, often including skeptical viewpoints or potential mundane explanations alongside the eyewitness accounts. The inclusion of 'solved' cases and expert opinions from scientists suggests an attempt to provide a balanced perspective, while the sheer volume of reported incidents underscores the enduring public fascination with the UFO phenomenon.

This issue of the Gippsland Times, dated October 15, 1980, features a prominent cover story titled "UFO TALLIES WITH OTHERS." The main article details a sighting by a Kilmany farmhand, George Blackwell, whose description of an unidentified flying object reportedly matched similar sightings worldwide, according to the Victorian UFO Research Society.

Researchers Check Site

The article details how researchers Paul Norman and Pat Gildea from the Victorian UFO Research Society interviewed George Blackwell and inspected the site of his alleged UFO sighting on his property, "Whiteacres," between Sale and Rosedale, Australia. Blackwell described the object as orange and top-shaped, with a darker core, and emitting white light while revolving on an axis. He observed it on September 30.

During their investigation, Mr. Gildea used a Geiger counter to check the ground for radiation, finding only normal levels, though he noted that recent rain might have affected the readings. Mr. Gildea also used compasses to check for magnetic deviations around a burnt ring of grass left by the object, finding no change. A metal detector registered a reading around the mark.

Mr. Norman collected soil samples from the burnt ring for thermoluminescence testing in Melbourne to determine if the soil had been unnaturally heated. The researchers also noted the unusual reactions of the farm animals to the site. Mr. Blackwell reported that his Hereford cattle, which were frightened by the object, still refused to walk over the charred ring.

An interesting observation was made regarding a 10,000-gallon water tank on the property, which had a low water level after the sighting, leading Mr. Norman to speculate that the object might have been looking for water.

Other Sightings and Investigations

The article also mentions another witness, 14-year-old Kelly Postle of Kilmany, who reported seeing a meteorite-like object in the sky on the same night as Blackwell's sighting. The researchers reported their findings to the East Sale RAAF base on Monday, with Mr. Gildea expressing surprise that the base had not already investigated the sighting.

Mr. Gildea considered this one of the best sightings he had studied due to the eyewitness accounts and the physical evidence found at the scene.

The article concludes by providing contact information for anyone with further information or interest in the society: Mr. Norman at (055) 95 0348 or Mr. Gildea at (054) 28 2297.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the investigation of UFO sightings and the collection of physical evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained phenomena, as evidenced by the detailed reporting and the involvement of a research society. The article highlights the importance of eyewitness testimony and physical evidence in understanding such events.