UFO Newsclipping Service - 1981 04 - no 141

Magazine Overview

This issue of FOREIGN NEWS, dated March 25, 1981, from THE STANDARD in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, features a cover headline announcing a documentary about the disappearance of a pilot and a report on a UFO sighting over Lockerbie. The publication delves into various unexplained phenomena, including UFO encounters, cryptid sightings, and alleged ritualistic killings.

Documentary on Pilot's Disappearance

Sydney film producer Brain Morris is planning a $.5 million, two-hour television documentary titled "Close Encounters of the Real Kind." The film will focus on the 1978 disappearance of Melbourne pilot Frederick Valentich, who vanished over Bass Strait after reporting a UFO encounter. The documentary, based on Gary Lester's book "The Devil's Meridian," will be filmed in Victoria, Australia, and overseas. Lester claims the Bass Strait area is similar to the Bermuda Triangle in its history of disappearances. Victorian UFO research society president Paul Norman is assisting with the production, noting that sightings of green lights in the sky were reported by 15 people in the Bass Strait area around the time of Valentich's disappearance. The film will compare the Valentich case with other similar disappearance patterns worldwide. Filming in Victoria and the Western District is expected to begin within a month and conclude by the end of the year.

UFO Sighting Over Lockerbie

Two residents of Lockerbie, Scotland, Mrs. Isobel Longmuir and Mr. Alex Oswald, reported seeing a UFO on a Monday night. Mrs. Longmuir described a stationary object that emitted a bright yellow light, which later turned red before disappearing after about an hour. Mr. Oswald, using binoculars, observed the object for nearly half an hour, noting its stationary position, bright yellow color that turned red, and the absence of aircraft identification lights or sound. He is convinced it was not a star or aircraft and doubts it could have been a satellite visible under those conditions.

UFO Encounters and Investigations

Frodsham, England: Mrs. May McClean, along with her husband Ken and neighbor Mrs. Thelma Whibberley, reported seeing a "brilliantly bright object" hovering and darting in the night sky for nearly an hour before streaking away. Mrs. McClean, who claims to have had five previous UFO sightings, described it as having a blue halo and a beam like a laser. Mr. McClean stated it was "not of this planet." The report also mentions Mrs. McClean's terrifying first encounter in 1968 with a spaceship that landed near Dunham Hill.

Brazil: Reports detail an incident on July 26, 1980, where the crew of the tugboat "Caioba-Seahorse" experienced their motors suddenly stopping while a large, illuminated, unidentified flying object, estimated to be 100 meters in diameter, circled above them. The object was described as having various colors and a disc shape. The incident caused panic among the crew, and an SOS was issued. Colonel Francisco Hennamann of the Barreira do Inferno confirmed an investigation was underway, emphasizing a serious and honest approach to verify the facts. Information suggests that two UFOs were seen, and one was in the path of the tugboat, necessitating a sudden maneuver to avoid collision. The electronic radar failed to detect the objects. The military authorities are reportedly treating the case with secrecy, and the tugboat was later sent for repairs without any apparent damage.

Italy: A farmer in Sassari reported being paralyzed for over an hour by an "irresistible sound" that seemed to approach him. He described it as a strange, metallic sound like a hand-bell. The phenomenon repeated two days later, causing him to flee in terror. His dog also became motionless during the event. The farmer invoked religious protection, and the phenomenon ceased.

Cryptid Sightings

New Zealand: Controversial Australian naturalist Rex Gilroy claims to have photographic evidence of the "Lake Taupo monster," which he believes is a plesiosaurus. He took color slides of a creature swimming in the lake, estimating its size to be up to 21 meters long. Gilroy plans a major expedition in 1982 to search for more evidence. He noted that about 50 people reported monster sightings during his week in Taupo.

USA (Texas): The Llano County Sheriff's Office received reports of a large, ape-like creature seen near Kingsland. One caller described it as weighing over 200 pounds. Another report mentioned a UFO sighting east of Llano, described as a bright, saucer-like object with beams of light.

USA (Utah): Leonard Howlett, an independent logger in the High Uintas, reported finding giant footprints, measuring 19 inches long and with a 54-inch stride, which he believes belong to "Big Foot." He also reported hearing crashing sounds and growls in the area and found a beaver carcass that he believes was killed by the creature. Howlett plans to return to the area hoping to encounter the creature.

China: The Chinese government has launched a five-year search for "ye ren" (wild man), a Bigfoot-like creature reported in the Shennongjia Mountains of Hubei province. Witnesses describe it as a tall, hairy, bipedal creature with red hair. Scientists have collected footprints, hair samples, and droppings, ruling out known animals like bears or apes. Hair samples are described as fine, red, and resembling human hair. Dropping analysis suggests the creature lives off local vegetation. The Chinese press has chronicled the expedition, and a newsreel documentary has been produced.

USA (California): The article mentions the "Yeti," the abominable snowman, in relation to Bigfoot.

Bizarre Killings and Devil Worshippers

Tennessee, USA: A calf was found killed and mutilated in Fairview, leading to speculation of ritual killings. Deputy Sheriff Jimmy Nelson noted that similar incidents involving mutilated animals occurred the previous year around the same time, suggesting an annual ritual. Dr. Jay Kim, a professor of Religion, stated that the mutilations do not have known historical or current significance to witchcraft rites. The circumstances, including the method of killing and mutilation, suggest more than one person was involved. Tracks found at the scene indicate a vehicle was parked nearby.

Other Phenomena

USA (Texas): A report details a man named Tex McNeil's experiences hearing strange noises and finding unusual tracks in the Big Cypress River bottom area, which he believes are from Bigfoot. He described the sound as unlike any animal he knew and the tracks as having five toes, wide at the front and narrow at the heel.

USA (Wisconsin): Psychic Greta Woodrew demonstrated alleged psychokinetic abilities, including bending metal spoons without touching them. She claims her powers are assisted by extraterrestrial intelligences from a planet called Ogatta, who predict natural disasters and offer advanced technologies to help humanity.

USA (Pennsylvania): Rumors of a "green thing" or "monster" emerged in New Kensington and Arnold after boys reported seeing a small, green, lizard-like creature with a tail near a sewer drain. Police investigated but found no evidence, with one officer suggesting it might have been a cat. The story gained traction, with some people visiting the site, and a UFO buff named Bob Goerman investigated, leaving out apple slices.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained and the paranormal, including UFO sightings, encounters with cryptids like Bigfoot and lake monsters, and mysterious deaths. The magazine presents these reports with a degree of seriousness, quoting witnesses and experts, and detailing investigations. While some articles express skepticism or offer rational explanations (e.g., police treating the "green thing" as a fable), the overall tone suggests an openness to the possibility of phenomena beyond conventional understanding. The inclusion of international reports from Brazil, Italy, China, and New Zealand broadens the scope of unexplained events covered.