UFO Newsclipping Service - 1982 05 - no 154

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O. NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE, dated May 1982 (Number 154), focuses on numerous reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) from various locations, primarily in the United States. The cover headline, "Several area residents report sightings of flying objects," sets the tone for the content, which includes detailed accounts from witnesses, law enforcement officials, and UFO investigators.

Key Articles and Reports

"Several area residents report sightings of flying objects" by Jeff Porter (Siftings Herald)

This article details sightings in the Amity Road area of Arkansas, between Mountain Pine and Bismarck. Capt. Norman Hall of the Garland County Sheriff's Department, along with five other law enforcement officers, reported seeing objects with flashing, colored lights. Hall described the UFO as having a diamond-like outline and being too large to be an airplane. A spokesman for the National UFO Reporting Center stated they had not received direct contact from the area regarding Saturday morning's sightings. The article also mentions reports from Pam Trumble of Mountain Pine and dispatcher Leon Woodall of the Bismarck Fire Tower, who described objects as silver and about 80 feet long, with one incident involving car lights and motors failing when a UFO appeared.

"Prober shares tales of UFOs" by Katherine Foran

Steve Lewis, a former military intelligence officer who investigated UFOs for 12 years, shares his conviction that intelligent extraterrestrial beings visit Earth. He spoke to the Tulsa Astronomy Club, where he noted that only a fraction of the military's accumulated UFO information has been released. Lewis mentioned that the Air Force considers only 10 percent of annual UFO reports to have merit, and that sincere reports often involve very bright, blinding lights. He theorizes these lights might be an advanced propulsion system allowing craft to travel at the speed of light, potentially enabling travel to the outer solar system within a human lifespan. The article also touches upon the scientific community's consideration of life on other planets and the possibility of inter-galactic travel.

Forrest S. Clark's Contributions

• "Psychic says he willed UFO crash": This report features Marc Popelsky, a 25-year-old psychic from Edison, New Jersey, who claims he may have caused an unidentified object to crash into the ocean off Atlantic City on January 12. Popelsky described a mysterious object streaking across the sky and hitting the ocean, causing a bluish-green fire. He also expressed a desire to bring down a UFO in the Pine Barrens and envisions a worldwide network of psychics attempting to slow down Halley's Comet.

Police Spot More UFOs Over Windsor (Valley News, Lebanon, NH)

This article reports on unidentified colored lights seen over Windsor, NH. Police dispatcher stated that two officers and two firemen saw colored lights shaped in a 'V' in the western sky. The description matched previous sightings in February, where colored lights arranged in a 'V' shape were observed.

"Officers saw something - was it from outerspace?" (Hub, Gaylord, MN)

This piece details sightings by Sibley County Deputy Bennitt Bade and Henderson police chief Norm Pettis on February 27. Bade described an object with green lights and smog underneath, moving very fast. Pettis reported an object passing directly over his patrol car with blue, green, and white lights and smog. LeSueur County Deputy Terry Wento also reported a 'blue-white light' near Mankato's airport. Investigations by Mankato police and the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office found no trace of the UFOs.

"He saw the light, but what was it?" (Free Press, Mankato, MN)

Craig Gilbertson of Elysian reported seeing strange lights near Waterville, MN, describing them as 'weird' and unlike airplanes. He saw two sets of lights, including three objects in a triangle formation with red, white, and blue lights, and later a red flashing light and a clear blue strobe. Air traffic controllers suggested the sightings might be military low-flying aircraft patterns.

"Fund for UFO research makes money awards" (News World, New York, NY)

This article reports that the Fund for UFO Research granted over $2,400 for five projects in the first quarter of 1982. Grants were awarded for historical research, educational activities, legal actions, and a study of physical evidence cases in Spain. Notable recipients include Juan-Vicente Ballester-Olmos and Tom Benson. The fund also supported Citizens Against UFO Secrecy's Supreme Court appeal and Ralph Neely's research on 1896-97 'airship' reports.

NE Ohio 'sightings' checked (The Repository, Canton, OH)

Paul Rozich of UFORA (Unidentified Flying Objects Researchers Alliance) believes Northeast Ohio may be a 'home' for space visitors. He has spoken to 1,200-1,500 local residents who claim to have seen something in the sky. Rozich notes that about 70 percent of cases have logical explanations, but some remain unexplained. The article mentions a 1964 incident where two sheriff's deputies chased a UFO for 75 miles, and other reports of crop circles and 'space grass'. Rozich suggests that spring and fall are the most likely seasons for UFO sightings in Northeast Ohio, with prime time around 10 p.m. on Wednesdays.

"What's up? Is it UFOs or meteors?" (Register-Guard, Eugene, OR)

Eugene police received numerous calls about strange darting lights in the sky for four consecutive nights. The UFO Center suggested meteors, but observers noted the objects flew in formation and turned lights on and off. Chris Snyder described three bright orange objects flying in formation, darting, and having a flame that flashed.

"Space invaders" Stanley man reports UFO described as silver ball (Gazette, Gastonia, NC)

Slade Hicks of Stanley, NC, claims to have photographed a round, silver object moving rapidly and silently overhead on Tuesday afternoon. He described it as perfectly round with a shiny top and bottom. George Fawcett, a UFO expert, examined the photograph and believes the sighting is not a hoax. North Carolina ranks fourth in the U.S. for UFO reports.

"Many UFO sightings go unreported" (Post, Houston, TX)

This editorial discusses the reluctance of people to report UFO sightings due to fear of ridicule. It recounts a Shelbyville man's experience of seeing a brilliantly illuminated, egg-shaped object land and then dart away. The article also references the Stonehenge incidents in North Hudson Park, NJ, in 1975, involving a landing by an unidentified flying object and occupants collecting soil samples. The doorman at the Stonehenge apartment building reported a broken window on the night of the incident.

"White hot" UFO sighting threatens to explode (The World of UFOs, by Bob Pratt)

This article recounts Charles Kohlhase's experience in August 1956, where he and his father witnessed a UFO near Americus, Georgia. Kohlhase, now a space scientist, described a disc-shaped object, 30-50 feet in diameter, that emitted an intense white-hot light before changing color and shape, eventually disappearing. He believes the object was under control and possessed an energy source.

"UFOs are real" (Mercury & Weekly News, Newport, RI)

This letter to the editor responds to a court decision dismissing a case by Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS). The author asserts that UFOs are real and that 10 percent of sightings remain unexplained. The letter cites the release of government documents through Freedom of Information suits as evidence of unconventional aerial objects and advanced technology.

Close encounter? West Virginia man claims conversation with alien outside saucer-shaped craft (Times & World-News, Roanoke, VA)

Donn Shallcross of Augusta, WV, claims to have encountered a 5-foot-5, 130-pound being outside a saucer-shaped craft on March 22. Shallcross described the craft as 25 feet in diameter, hovering, and emitting a ramp that caused burns. The being identified itself as a 'watchguard' and stated it was 'not from here.' Trooper D.B. Burkhart investigated but found no substantiating evidence. UFO researcher Gray Barker noted the story's uniqueness compared to typical abduction narratives.

"Navy tracks UFO at 3,000mph" (News World, New York, NY)

This article details a 1951 incident where the USS Dyess, a radar picket destroyer, tracked an object moving at approximately 3,000 miles per hour. The object stopped dead, hovered, and then ascended vertically at an extremely high speed, disappearing from radar at an estimated altitude of 100 miles. Dr. Robert Wood, then a Navy lieutenant commander, reported the incident to the Pentagon but received no further information.

UFO sighting? Residents report 'something' in sky (Enquirer Journal, Monroe, NC)

Roland Lowery and his family reported seeing a cluster of strange lights in a field south of Monroe, NC, including red, blue, and white lights. Lowery's sons searched the field but found nothing. The family speculated it might be a new tower near the Monroe Airport, but were perplexed. Tiffany Gill and her family also reported seeing similar lights.

2 policemen spot UFO in Shenango Township (News, New Castle, PA)

Neshannock Township Police Officer Anthony Nativio and Shenango Township Police Officer Ronald Bongivengo reported a disc-shaped flying object emitting a white glowing light that followed their cruiser. They described it as large, shaped like a dinner plate, and giving off a white glow. Officer Robert Shaffer took photographs. The object was later identified by city attorney David Magnuson as a toy balloon.

"Mother, Daughter Claim UFO Sighted" (Daily Progress, Charlottesville, VA)

Nannette Morrison and her mother, Carolyn Morrison, claim they saw a bright light that 'paced' Nannette's car and then hovered overhead. Nannette described seeing five distinct sections with light coming from each. Dr. J. Allen Hynek of the Center for UFO Studies noted that such 'pacing' reports are not unusual. A letter to the editor from Jimmy Smith suggests the sighting might have been a Boeing 737 aircraft with numerous bright lights, as a 737 did land at the local airport around the time of the sighting.

"Mystery object in the sky frightens girls" (Chronicle & Echo, Northampton, England)

Three Northampton schoolgirls claim to have seen a UFO resembling a flying saucer over Eastfield. Louise Mason described it as round with flashing lights and a pyramid dome, making a noise and being the size of two houses. UFO expert David Abbott called it a 'classic low level sighting'.

"Mystery object is seen again" (News & Advertiser, Lynn, England)

Residents reported seeing a strange sky-borne object over the Wash, which was later seen again with a plane circling it. Mrs. Joan Smith described it as a round ball with no wings and a flashing silver light. A Ministry of Defence spokesman suggested possible explanations like advertising balloons or reflected lights.

"Amazon River site abounds in UFO reports" (News World, New York, NY)

This article details frequent UFO sightings in the Amazon region of Brazil, particularly around Santarem. Local fishermen report seeing objects resembling balls of fire, often appearing when fires are lit at night. Some fear the objects will take them away or cause harm. Manoel Da Morta and Manoel Dos Santos described encounters with brightly lit, disc-shaped objects that changed color and stopped over them.

"New UFO riddle in Gwent" (South Wales Argus, Newport, England)

A UFO was spotted over Beechwood Park, Newport, and previously over Blackwood. Mrs. Monica Joyce described a bright light that grew larger, appearing car headlamp-sized, then hovering and swooping. She described a grey, cone-shaped object with red, amber, white, and green lights. A similar object was seen over Cwmbran shortly before.

"UFOs over Stroud: an inquiry" (Citizen, Gloucester, England)

The Adams family reported repeated early morning sightings of a long, U-shaped, black silhouette and a bright orange light over Thrupp. Probe, a UFO research organization, is investigating and appealing for other witnesses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence and variety of UFO sightings across different geographical locations, the persistent mystery surrounding many of these events, and the human reaction to the unknown, ranging from fear and skepticism to a desire for scientific explanation. The publication, through its collection of news clippings, adopts a stance of documenting these phenomena without necessarily endorsing any single explanation, though the inclusion of expert opinions and investigative efforts suggests an underlying interest in the scientific study of UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting the evidence and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while highlighting the ongoing nature of UFO research and the challenges in definitively identifying these objects.

This issue of the STAR PHOENIX, dated February 13, 1982, features a prominent article on photographer Doug Curran's exhibition titled "UFO photos evoke outrage, interest." The magazine also includes several smaller reports on UFO sightings and related phenomena from various locations.

UFO Photos Evoke Outrage, Interest

By Sheila Robertson

The lead article profiles Edmonton photographer Doug Curran and his exhibition "In Advance of the Landing: Folk Concepts of Outer Space," displayed at The Photographers Gallery. Curran's work, developed since 1977, focuses on people and objects associated with unidentified flying objects (UFOs). He travels extensively, documenting what he calls "totems of our beliefs" that reflect society's motivations and interests. Curran views his photography as a means of illustrating the world, rather than purely artistic creation, and aims to capture specific social, cultural, or historical moments.

The exhibition explores two levels of UFO mythology: the external phenomena like flying saucer-shaped buildings and the internal beliefs of individuals and groups who are fascinated by or prepare for extraterrestrial contact. Curran notes that many hard-core ufologists combine their beliefs with fundamentalist religion, seeing a connection between space exploration and attaining heaven. He highlights the Unarius Foundation in Southern California, whose doctrine blends space mythology with religion and spiritualism. Curran's photographs are described as non-judgemental, capturing the pride his subjects take in their activities.

Each photograph is accompanied by a brief explanation, such as one detailing the "Bluebird" constructed by a religious group in 1969 based on telepathically received plans from extraterrestrials. Curran suggests that a segment of the population looks to outer space for salvation, viewing UFOs as religious symbols. He emphasizes that these individuals are not "kooks or cranks" but exhibit courage and speak to a "latent desire" in society. Curran himself is an "empathizer" rather than a believer, interested in UFOs as an aspect of human experience.

His exhibition has garnered significant interest and is scheduled to tour Canada. Curran is also working on a book of the same title, to be published by Edmonton's Reidmore Books.

Other Reports and Sightings

Letter to the Editor (SCOTSMAN, Edinburgh, Scotland - March 27, 1982)

Peter A. Hill responds to a correspondent's assertion that a reported experience of Mr. Robert Taylor was "without doubt" a case of ball or globular lightning. Hill, representing the British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association, states that while the ball lightning hypothesis has been considered, claiming "no doubt" is premature without objective study. He notes that many people have preconceived ideas about UFO phenomena, and the association focuses on evidence rather than belief. Hill mentions that scientists like Dr. A. Esterle, Dr. R. F. Haines, Professor D. A. Haisell, Dr. J. A. Hynek, B. H. L. Kuhlemann, Dr. B. S. Maccabee, I. O. Singeorzan, and Dr. F. Zigel find a small number of UFO reports exceptionally difficult to explain.

Close Encounter on the Bus (EVENING ECHO, Bournemouth, Dorset, England - Feb. 18, 1982)

ECHO REPORTER details the experience of Philip Shaw, a teacher and musician from Dorset, who had a close encounter with a UFO near Ringwood a decade ago. In March 1972, Shaw witnessed a pear-shaped, luminous object with silver-grey droplets falling from it while on a double-decker bus. The object disappeared quickly, leaving him shaken. His investigation led to the formation of the Ferndown Mystery Circle. Shaw has concluded that UFOs are from the "inner mind" rather than extraterrestrial civilizations, viewing them as a "general symbolism of our awareness" and a connection between God and the UFO. He believes understanding ourselves and nature is key to solving these mysteries.

UFO Reports Stream In (TIMES, Oxford, England - March 19, 1982)

This report details several sightings of mysterious lights in the sky. Mr. Derek Mansell of Contact International UK reported a large red light moving across the sky above Wheatley, which then shot upwards and disappeared. Similar sightings of purple and red lights were reported by witnesses in Oxford, Maidenhead, and Cirencester. Mr. Mansell notes a steady rise in UFO sightings in the Oxford area since 1981.

UFOs at Armthorpe - or is it faked? (EVENING POST, Doncaster, England - Feb. 20, 1982)

BERT NESBITT reports on a 17-year-old schoolboy, David McDonagh, who claims to have captured images of saucer-shaped objects with his Polaroid camera. His parents are bewildered, and the article questions whether the photos are genuine or a hoax, noting the difficulty of faking such images with a Polaroid. The article concludes that these sightings, like many others, remain unexplained.

Close Encounter in Lords (DAILY EXPRESS, London, England - March 12, 1982)

This brief report mentions that members of the House of Lords have their own UFO society. Lord Kimberley inquired about the number of UFOs sighted in 1981 that had been identified, receiving a response that the figures "disappeared into the unknown." Lord Kimberley suggests a "cover-up."

Puzzle of Light in Sky (CITIZEN, Gloucester, England - March 17, 1982)

Mr. Pat Garrod, Gloucester's senior excavations officer, reported seeing an unusual ice-blue light moving at speed across the night sky. He described it as round, small but brighter than stars, moving soundlessly and disappearing behind a rain cloud. Local airfields had no record of aircraft that could account for the sighting. The RAF suggested reporting it to them for investigation by the Ministry of Defence.

Policeman Spots a Blue UFO (SOUTH WALES ARGUS, Newport, England - March 18, 1982)

P-c Stephen Gamlin reported seeing blue and white flashing lights circling low in the sky over Blackwood, which then turned red and headed towards Oakdale. This sighting coincided with an anonymous telephone call reporting a UFO. This is the second such sighting in the area in less than three weeks. Chief-inspector Terry Osment stated they were keeping an open mind.

UFOs Back on the Scene (NEWS, Darwin, N.T., Australia - April 14, 1982)

This report notes the reappearance of UFOs over the "Top End." Tony Wilson and his girlfriend reported seeing a bright light descend from the sky, stop, and then shoot back up. Marian Gabriel reported seeing a strange, cylinder-shaped orange light that shrunk and vanished. The article dismisses rumors of "little green men" entering Block 8.

The Alien Star Map

By TERENCE DICKINSON

This lengthy article details the author's journey into ufology, beginning with his attendance at a lecture by Stanton Friedman in 1972. Friedman presented data from government-sponsored UFO studies that contradicted prominent astronomers like Carl Sagan and Donald Menzel, suggesting that many cases remained unexplained. The author was particularly intrigued by the case of Betty and Barney Hill, who claimed to have been abducted by aliens and shown a star map.

Friedman explained that an amateur astronomer, Marjorie Fish, interpreted this map by creating three-dimensional models of stars within 35 light-years of Earth. Her interpretation linked stars that appeared to be potential destinations for extraterrestrial travel. The author photographed Fish's model and consulted statistical experts, who found the alignment of stars to be highly improbable as a coincidence.

This interpretation gained traction, with Isaac Asimov calling it "the first piece of solid evidence" for alien visitation. However, Carl Sagan publicly debunked the star map interpretation, suggesting it was akin to selecting random ink splatters. The author defended the three-dimensional nature of the map, but later research by French astronomers in 1981 revealed that two key stars in the map, Zeta 1 and Zeta 2 Reticuli, are binary systems and not sunlike stars as initially believed. This finding, unknown to the French astronomers, effectively scuttled the theory that the map indicated alien travel routes to sunlike planets.

The author concludes that while many UFO sightings remain unexplained, the star map case appears to be a statistically significant but coincidental alignment. He reflects on the difficulty of resolving the UFO enigma, suggesting that whether they are psychological effects, alien spacecraft, or natural phenomena, answers may be a long time coming.

'Close Encounter' Claim to be Investigated

This brief report states that UFO researcher Mark Brown will investigate a "close encounter" in Northampton where three girls claim to have seen a flying saucer. The organization aims to evaluate cases scientifically.

Strange Lights Sighted Again (STANDARD, Murray Bridge, S.A., Australia - March 25, 1982)

Two more people in Murray Bridge reported seeing strange colored lights in a triangular formation, similar to a previous sighting. Pam Davis and Peter Hughes saw the lights while traveling on the South-East Freeway. They initially thought it might be a helicopter but were puzzled by the lack of flashing lights. Pam Davis stated she was "starting to wonder" about UFOs after this experience.

Norwegian Woman Sees UFO Occupant

This report, based on an APRO Bulletin, details Hjordis Hokstad's sighting of a UFO landing and a small man in a greyish-brown "boiler suit" near her home in Norway. The object, described as a cylinder with a globe on top, lifted off, and the man disappeared. Investigators found ambiguous markings on the ground and blackening of nearby shrubs.

Translations

This section includes translated reports of UFO sightings from various international locations:

• Morocco (Dec. 26, 1981): A UFO was seen revolving above the sea near Essaouira, described as a "ball of very strong luminosity." It was discoid in form and appeared to revolve around itself.
• France (Aug. 11, 1969): Jean Miguères recounts an alleged encounter with an extraterrestrial who materialized beside him after a severe ambulance accident, claiming to have healed him through an unknown procedure.
• West Germany (March 12, 1982): Police officers and civilians reported seeing a bright green UFO with a glass dome and searchlights near Messel. The sighting was accompanied by electrical disturbances, including flickering lights and wavering voltage.
• West Germany (March 26, 1982): A cobalt-blue UFO with glaring flash signals was reported over Hamburg and pursued by a police helicopter, but it was not detected on radar.
• Paraguay (April 6 & 9, 1982): Two UFOs were sighted near San Juan Bautista de las Misiones. The first was a bright object hovering at 150 meters, which caused a car's motor to stop. The second had red and yellow lights and made no noise.

Claims Contact with the Dead by Electronics

This article reports on George Meek's claims that it is possible to communicate with the deceased through electronic instrumentation, citing a "distinct possibility of a television-like device" that would allow living people to see and speak with the dead. Meek, director of the Metascience Foundation, presented an instrument called Spiricom and challenged skeptics.

Strange Beast Reported by Western Oklahoma Residents

Nancy Salisbury reports on sightings of an unidentified creature in western Oklahoma. Billy Parry described seeing a four to five-foot-tall animal with reddish-brown hair and a "sewer" smell. Hair samples were sent for analysis. Similar sightings have been reported in eastern Oklahoma. The article notes the reluctance of people to report such sightings for fear of ridicule. Alex Inman and George Springer also reported seeing a dark-haired, wide-bodied animal near Reydon.

HERALD, Everett, WA - May 13, 1982: Thoroughbred Colt Killed, Mutilated

A 6-week-old Thoroughbred colt was found slaughtered in its pasture, with apparent sexual mutilation similar to other incidents involving horses in the area since 1975.

FORTEANA

Let Bigfoot Come Forth in Person

Erwin Rieger discusses the ongoing mystery of Bigfoot (Sasquatch). He notes that reports of the creature span the continental United States and share international status with similar beings like the Abominable Snowman. Rieger expresses skepticism, emphasizing the lack of concrete physical evidence such as skeletons or bones, which most scientists require for validation. He mentions theories involving electromagnetic fields and time warps, and the controversial nature of existing evidence like footprints and photographs.

Huge Ice Chunk from Sky Is Mystery to Tecumseh Woman

Jessie Fay Hinson reported a "giant" chunk of ice falling from the sky into her yard, creating a crater. The ice was reportedly about 30 pounds and shattered into pieces. While some speculated it was hail or from an airplane, Hinson found these explanations unlikely. The ice chunk was saved for analysis.

Vermont House Asks Sea Monster Protection

Lawmakers in Vermont's House of Representatives approved a resolution calling for the protection of "Champ," the legendary sea monster of Lake Champlain. The resolution, while not legally binding, expresses the sentiment of the House and encourages scientific investigation and reporting of sightings.

Monsters Still Stalking Science

This article touches on various unexplained creatures and phenomena reported globally, including the "Beast of Truro" in Massachusetts, Mokele-Mbembe in Africa, and North American counterparts to the Loch Ness Monster like "Champ" and "Ogopopo." It reiterates the widespread reports of Bigfoot and the scientific skepticism due to lack of definitive proof, while also mentioning theories about its existence and the controversy surrounding evidence.

Bigfoot Fabrication

Charles Edmonds, a Southern Oregon State College professor and Bigfoot authority, claims that the widely publicized Bigfoot sighting near Mt. St. Helens in 1924, attributed to miners, was a hoax perpetrated by logger Rant Mullins. Edmonds believes Bigfoot is real and that the creature is between 7 and 10 feet tall, weighs 400-600 pounds, and is more humanoid than ape-like. He dismisses the idea of Bigfoot being a Gigantopithecus, suggesting it is a rare, possibly extraterrestrial, being.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of belief, evidence, and the unexplained. The central theme is the public's fascination with UFOs and other mysterious phenomena, as exemplified by Doug Curran's photographic exhibition. The articles highlight the tension between anecdotal evidence and scientific skepticism, with several pieces detailing specific sightings and investigations. There's a recurring emphasis on the need for objective evidence while acknowledging that some phenomena remain difficult to explain through conventional means. The magazine appears to maintain a neutral stance, presenting various accounts and perspectives without definitively endorsing any particular theory, while also showcasing the ongoing public interest in these subjects. The editorial stance leans towards exploring these mysteries seriously, even if definitive answers are elusive.