UFO Newsclipping Service - 1982 07 - no 156

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated July 1982, is a compilation of various articles and reports related to unidentified flying objects and related phenomena. It features a mix of eyewitness accounts, investigative reports, and commentary on the broader implications of UFO sightings.

'Humanoid' Sighted by Two Boys

This cover story, reported by Holly Cogan, details an encounter in the Onsted vicinity, Michigan, on December 29th of the previous year. Two young boys playing in a snow fort reported seeing a saucer-shaped craft with red and green lights. Subsequently, they encountered a small, human-like figure, described as three to four feet high, which seemed to float and move rapidly. The boys were reportedly stunned and frightened. Ron Westrum, an expert on UFOs, interviewed the boys and noted that eye problems are a frequent complaint among those who report close encounters. He also commented on the routine nature of 'lights in the sky' sightings versus more unusual reports.

'Pancake Joe' Story Surfaces Again

The Vilas County News-Review reports that the story of 'Pancake Joe,' the late Joe Simonton of Eagle River, Wisconsin, has resurfaced. In April 1961, Simonton reported a flying saucer landing on his farm, scorching a pine tree and leaving ground marks. He claimed to have communicated with the occupants via sign gestures and received pancakes in exchange for a jug of water. Reader's Digest is planning to feature this story in their January 1983 edition and is seeking color photos of Simonton.

Something in the Sky

A brief report from Lincoln, Nebraska, describes Randy Ellis and Mike Steinke witnessing a 'bright, shimmering light' at Pawnee Lake, described as round or cigar-shaped and moving very slowly. They were certain it was not an airplane.

Close Encounters' Encountered by Couple

This article from the News-Press in Elbert County, Colorado, details an event on May 27th involving Mike and Sue Hopkins. They reported seeing a brightly lit object hovering about 20 feet off the ground, described as having three big white lights and a row of red and yellow lights on the bottom. The object sounded like a jet but moved incredibly slowly. Upon returning home, their children had drawn pictures of a similar object that had flown over their house.

Arnold Recalls Close Encounter of the 1st Kind

This report from Seattle, Washington, revisits Kenneth Arnold's famous 1947 sighting of 'flying saucers' near Mount Rainier. Arnold, now 67, speculates that the objects he saw might have been life forms from another planet or links between the living and the dead. He notes that the term 'flying saucer' was coined by a reporter based on his description of their erratic, crescent-shaped flight.

Some Saw Meteor, Others Saw...?

This article from the Eugene Register-Guard discusses sightings of a bright fireball, likely a meteor, and two other bright orange lights seen later that night. Witnesses described the fireball as brilliant and large, with a long tail. The director of the Eugene School District's Planetarium suggested it sounded like a 'very large meteor.'

UFO Report, Power Outage Timing Mulled

A report from Coos Bay, Oregon, details police responding to a sighting of two large orange disks traveling at low altitude. Shortly after the sighting, downtown Coos Bay experienced a power outage, leading officers to wonder about the coincidence.

'Lighted Oil Derrick' Spotted Flying Nearby

The Daily Olympian reports on a sighting in Olympia, Washington, where Dennis Bailey and Tracy Schey saw an unidentified flying object described as twice the size of a jumbo jet, with multiple lights and a humming sound. They compared it to a 'lighted oil derrick.'

Area Couple Report UFO Sighting

A brief report from Fort Collins, Colorado, mentions a rancher and his wife reporting a silver object with a 'pod-shaped bottom' in a meadow, which then took off sounding like a propeller-driven airplane.

Propose Set Up UFO Reference Center

This article from News World in New York discusses a proposal for a 'national UFO Reference Center.' The author suggests the Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) Library in Virginia Beach, Virginia, as a potential location, given its extensive archives on paranormal phenomena.

UFOs, and Government's Secrecy, Baffle Observers

This piece features a Q&A with Fred Whiting of the Fund for UFO Research Inc. Whiting discusses the progress in UFO research over 35 years, noting that while most sightings are explained, 5-10% remain unexplained and are considered real phenomena. He discusses theories about the origin of UFOs, including extraterrestrial and governmental hypotheses, and expresses concern about government secrecy and the need for public awareness. He highlights a lawsuit challenging the government's policy of keeping UFO documents secret.

Simms Family Can't Identify Flying Object

A report from Texarkana, Arkansas, describes the Simms family witnessing three strange red flickering lights moving in formation over their house. They described the objects making a 90-degree turn. They did not alert authorities, unsure of who to call.

Tracking Down Those UFO's

This is the first of a three-part series from the Sun in Texas City, Texas, investigating UFO incidents. It focuses on the work of VISIT (Vehicle Internal Systems Investigative Team) and their investigation into the Galveston lights sightings of October 1981. The article details a specific sighting on October 28th involving two men who observed a silver object pacing their Jeep, which then made a sharp 90-degree turn and disappeared. VISIT concluded that while the object might be explained as an aircraft, no such traffic was identified. The report also notes that many sightings of white lights were likely the planet Venus.

Close Encounter with Diamond of Fire

This is the last of a three-part series from the Sun in Texas City, Texas, detailing a traumatic encounter on December 29, 1980, involving Vickie Landrum, her grandson Colby, and Betty Cash. They reported seeing a 'diamond of fire' object on a highway, which emitted flames and caused extreme heat inside their car. They also observed numerous military helicopters escorting the object. The individuals suffered severe medical problems, including partial blindness, hair loss, and radiation-like burns, which VISIT investigators are studying.

UFO Secrecy Suits

This article from News World in New York discusses the ongoing efforts by Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS) to obtain classified UFO documents from the NSA. It highlights a lawsuit and the government's use of secrecy provisions to deny public access to information, emphasizing the need for public support to overcome official secrecy.

'Coverup of Alien Landing'

This piece from the Arkansas Gazette features author William L. Moore, who claims to have 'compelling evidence' of a government cover-up regarding an alien landing near Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947. He describes a crashed 30-foot craft and hairless creatures, citing witness testimonies and a government internal study. Moore suggests the debris was moved to Dayton, Ohio, and that the government is hiding this information due to potential national security risks or public panic.

Closer Encounters with 'E.T.'

This Los Angeles Times article explores the connection between the movie 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' and real-life UFO experiences. Several individuals who claim to have had encounters with extraterrestrials discuss how the movie reflects their experiences and serves as a means to prepare the public for alien visitation. They believe Spielberg's film is part of a larger effort, possibly involving the government, to ease humanity's transition to accepting the reality of aliens.

UFO Sighters Relate Their Experiences

This section from the Los Angeles Times features several personal accounts of UFO encounters. Frank Reed and his family describe seeing six oval disks of light. A photo-research technician recounts an encounter in a desert campsite involving a hovering craft and telepathic messages. Rev. Harrison E. Bailey details his experiences with extraterrestrials in his Pasadena apartment, including photographic evidence. A computer programmer shares her story of being visited by aliens and invited aboard their ship. These accounts highlight common themes such as immobilization, time loss, and the psychological impact of such encounters.

The Affable Aliens

This article from News World discusses the evolving portrayal of aliens in film, moving from menacing figures to more benign ones, as seen in 'E.T.' and 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind.' It references a list of reported humanoid characteristics compiled by Prof. Alvin Lawson, including diminutive size, large heads, and large eyes.

200 Ohio Residents See Large, Red UFO

A brief report from News World in Ohio details a mass sighting of a large, red, luminous object hovering over Perry Township, with nearly 200 residents calling authorities. The object reportedly skimmed over treetops before disappearing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent mystery of unidentified flying objects, the detailed accounts of close encounters, and the alleged government cover-up of information. There is a strong emphasis on the investigative efforts of groups like VISIT and the Fund for UFO Research Inc., who are dedicated to gathering and analyzing evidence. The publication appears to adopt a stance of open inquiry, presenting various sightings and theories without necessarily endorsing any single explanation, while also highlighting the potential societal and psychological impacts of these phenomena. The editorial stance seems to be one of advocating for transparency and further research into UFOs, questioning official narratives and encouraging public engagement with the topic.

This issue of "FOREIGN NEWS" features a prominent cover story detailing a terrifying encounter with a UFO in Esperance, Australia. The magazine also includes reports on other alleged UFO sightings and related phenomena from various locations, as well as a brief mention of a submarine search in Sweden.

Esperance UFO Encounter

The lead story, dated April 4, 1982, from Perth, Western Australia, recounts the harrowing experience of two Esperance businesswomen, Maggie Yeend and Mrs. Frances Collins. They claim a UFO menaced them for an hour early on a Sunday morning as they drove along the South Coast Highway. The craft allegedly changed altitude and speed, swept from side to side, and at one point appeared to be only 200 meters away. Mrs. Yeend narrowly avoided a collision, and Mrs. Collins expressed fear for their lives. The UFO was described as being the size of a small helicopter, with alternating red and orange lights underneath, turning green and misty when accelerating. Upon reaching Esperance, they discovered their car had a shredded rear tire. Local policeman Constable Bob Cordon confirmed seeing the UFO, describing it as 'six times the size of a star' hovering over Esperance Bay, and ruled out Venus as an explanation due to its behavior. Another witness, Elspeth Benson, also saw the object.

The article notes that many Esperance residents are not surprised by the account, as the area, particularly the stretch between Ravensthorpe and Esperance, is known for UFO sightings. Local legend even speaks of a UFO 'nest' near Phillip River. Theories about UFOs being behind the disappearance of a man 18 months prior are also mentioned.

George Hume, spokesman for the Perth UFO Research Group, called the sighting 'one of the best' and stated his group would send an investigator. He noted that Esperance is considered a 'UFO centre' and that this sighting broke a 'UFO drought' that had seemed to be a worldwide phenomenon.

Other UFO Sightings and Related Reports

United Kingdom Sightings

A report from Abridge, near London, details a sighting by Robert Fairall and Annette Cook, who claim they were followed by a bright white light in the sky for about six minutes. The light hovered about ten feet above the ground, bobbing and cutting corners. The Ministry of Defence confirmed no RAF or Army planes were scheduled to be in the area at the time.

Another report from Denny, Stirlingshire, highlights it as Britain's newest UFO 'hot spot' due to numerous sightings. Malcolm Robinson, an investigator for the British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association (BUFORA), is looking into the reports, with local resident Elsie Beveridge claiming to have seen dozens of strange craft.

Canadian Sightings

In Prince Edward Island, Canada, students reported seeing UFOs. Pauline O'Donnell and her friends described a bright orange ball with a tail that seemed to land, and later saw two bright balls of light changing color.

Brazilian UFO Event

A report from Brazil, translated from DERNIÈRE-HEURE, May 9, 1982, describes a squadron of UFOs seen by over 30,000 spectators at a soccer match in Capo Grande. The orange-colored UFOs gave off strange rays and then melted into one before disappearing. Army Major Jose Maravieski described their color as 'very beautiful'. Witnesses at the municipal airport also saw the objects, with one controller noting an object performing a triple 90-degree turn, which he deemed impossible for any man-made vehicle.

Swedish Submarine Search

Separately, a brief report from Stockholm mentions Sweden's armed forces conducting a large-scale search for unidentified foreign submarines along its eastern coast, with speculation that a submarine incident near Stockholm might have served as a diversion.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly focuses on UFO sightings and encounters, presenting witness testimonies and the perspectives of UFO research groups. The tone suggests a serious interest in substantiating these phenomena, with multiple reports from different countries and a general acceptance of the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these events with a degree of credulity, highlighting the details provided by witnesses and investigators.