UFO Newsclipping Service - 1983 01 - no 162

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O. NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE, dated January 1983 (Number 162), compiles various news reports and letters concerning UFO sightings and related phenomena from late 1982 and early 1983. The service is co-edited by Lucius Farish and Rod B. Dyke and is based in Plumerville, Arkansas.

Cover Story: UFO turns on its red light and pulls over three cops

The cover story, from the HERALD in Arlington Heights, IL, dated November 28, 1982, details an incident where Palatine Commander Michael McDonald and two other officers, Dennis Somsel and Ron Roszak, reported seeing a strange light in the sky early Saturday morning. McDonald described an intense white and red light, "pretty good size," bright enough to light up the ground, estimated to be 300 to 500 feet above the ground, moving south. After McDonald reported it, the other two officers independently saw the light. It made no noise, and its brightness obscured any discernible shape. Palatine police contacted O'Hare Airport, but no aircraft were reported in the area. The object was watched for about nine minutes before disappearing behind Busse Woods. Nearby Rolling Meadows police, monitoring Palatine police calls, found "nothing stranger than normal going on at this time." Arlington Heights police also reported seeing nothing unusual. The Center for UFO Studies in Evanston noted that the description partially matched a UFO sighted in the South suburbs where a railroad conductor watched a bright light until it moved north, followed by three similar lights.

Letters: UFOs Exist

A letter from Dr. Harley Rutledge, Director of Project Identification in Cape Girardeau, addresses a PBS program on UFOs, arguing that scientists seeking natural explanations often "reach." He dismisses correlations between earthquake activity and lights, and suggests that while Mars may be in orbit, NASA has no evidence of UFOs there. Rutledge, having directed a long-term scientific field study of UFO phenomena and observed 150 UFO lights, states unequivocally that real UFOs exist and are not natural phenomena.

UFO landing is reported

A report from the SUN STAR in Merced, CA, dated November 23, 1982, describes an unverified report of a UFO landing in Mariposa County. Stephen Meeks reported that his vehicle and another motorist's northbound on Highway 49 suddenly stopped. Exiting their cars, they witnessed a UFO landing on hilly terrain. As the object descended, it made "unearthly sounds," prompting the men to flee. Sheriff's Department officials could not verify the report.

UFO sighting in Clarence, NY

A report from the BEE in Clarence, NY, dated November 24, 1982, mentions a UFO sighted by a Clarence man that appeared to be a blueish, wing-like object. It was seen for only a few seconds in a southeastern direction before disappearing northeast after its "two engines" burned out.

Enfield UFO Sighting: 'A Monstrosity of a Disc'

This article from the COURANT in Hartford, CT, dated December 7, 1982, details an encounter by former Enfield Town Councilman Paul A. Boucher. Boucher described seeing an "acre-sized" Unidentified Flying Object with "some 300 piercing, white lights" hovering directly over his car. He described the object's color as "a watery gray, like sharkskin." Heat waves rose from his car's hood, and he heard a low-pitched, grinding whir. The lights went out, the whirring stopped, the UFO turned flaming red, shot up in an arc, and disappeared. Boucher was visibly shaken by the event. Robert H. Bletchman, a Manchester lawyer and head of Connecticut's MUFON chapter, believes Boucher's story is consistent with other UFO reports. Coventry patrolman Lawrence A. Fawcett, an investigator for the Center for UFO Studies, also believes Boucher's story, estimating that about 10 percent of UFO reports can be attributed to natural phenomena.

Thinking it over: Is U.S. government engaging in UFO coverup?

This article from the POST-HERALD in Beckley, WV, dated November 9, 1982, discusses claims by researcher Robert Hastings that the U.S. government has deliberately covered up UFO sightings for years. Hastings presented a lecture at Beckley College, asserting that earth has been visited by alien spacecraft and that government officials are aware of this. He cited a first-hand experience in a military air traffic control tower where radar tracked five UFOs that outmaneuvered jets. Hastings claims his phone has been tapped and documents intercepted, suggesting he is under surveillance. He presented evidence of alien spacecraft being tracked on radar, filmed, photographed, and examined. He also mentioned sworn statements from retired military officers about the government collecting wreckage and remains of alien spacecraft and their non-human crews from crashes. Hastings contends that Project Bluebook was a public relations gimmick and that real UFO information is held by the CIA, NSA, and the White House. He theorized that national security advisers convinced President Carter not to change government policy on UFOs. The article notes that the government's rationale for secrecy is to avoid panic, but Hastings calls it "short-sighted." The "debunking" effort began in 1953 under the CIA, with regulations forbidding military pilots from releasing information on sightings. The secrecy order was later extended to commercial airline pilots. The article also mentions the Betty and Barney Hill abduction case as an example of direct contact with aliens.

It's Hard To Shed Light on Strange Sights at Cruces

This article from the JOURNAL in Albuquerque, NM, dated December 24, 1982, reports on numerous calls received by the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department regarding strange lights in the sky. While some lights were attributed to flares from military helicopters or lights at White Sands Missile Range, other sightings, including those from Roswell and Pecos, Texas, remained unexplained.

Hovering object mystifies Nebraska residents

This article from the NEWS WORLD in New York, NY, dated December 18, 1982, describes a sighting by Tauni Murnan and her husband in Nebraska City, Nebraska. They reported seeing a hovering purplish-pink object that seemed to sit down in a neighbor's pasture, followed by two smaller objects. Acting Otoe County Sheriff Rich Tilson also witnessed the object and described it as unlike anything he had ever seen.

He ain't heavy, he's my Reticulan

This article by Lenita Powers from the JOURNAL in Reno, NV, dated November 13, 1982, discusses a UFO convention at the Nevada State Fairgrounds featuring speakers with unusual claims about aliens and government conspiracies. Speakers included Dr. Frank Alper, Hal Wilcox, Maj. Wayne Aho, and Dr. Frederick Bell, who claimed contact with aliens and knowledge of government coverups. Timothy G. Beckley, publisher of UFO Review, stated that governments worldwide are keeping UFO proof secret due to fear of societal collapse, believing that disclosure would lead to new technology. Dr. Bell claimed that UFO reports were routinely shredded in the Air Force and that he was developing his own flying saucer and time machine. Maj. Aho spoke of aliens warning against war, and Robert Short claimed that Reticulans demanded the return of their spacecraft and dead crew from the U.S. government.

Hogwash! shout doubting scientists

This accompanying article by Lenita Powers from the JOURNAL in Reno, NV, dated November 13, 1982, presents a contrasting view from scientists Virgil Staff and Paul C. Cerny of the Mutual UFO Network and Center for UFO Studies. They dismiss the convention as a "charlatan" event designed to bilk people out of money. While agreeing that governments have conspired to hide UFO information, they criticize the sensationalism and lack of factual basis in the convention speakers' claims. They state that their organization has documented about 300 abduction cases but believe the convention speakers are making up fictitious stories for monetary gain.

'UFO Coverup' Told

This article from TIMES in Maiden, NC, dated December 22, 1982, reports on a presentation by Robert Hastings at Central Piedmont Community College. Hastings, a UFO researcher, discussed the government's coverup of UFO information since 1947, citing newly declassified documents. He outlined the involvement of the CIA, FBI, USAF, NSA, State Department, and the White House. Hastings, who became interested after a personal UFO encounter in 1967, revealed cases of eyewitnesses suffering radiation burns and stated that UFOs demonstrate superior speeds and maneuvers. He suggested that the public should have been informed about UFOs in a non-sensational manner.

Close encounters...

This article by Valerie Monson from the REGISTER in Des Moines, IA, dated November 23, 1982, details the claims of Barbara Schutte, a 30-year-old unemployed practical nurse, who alleges multiple encounters with aliens, including abductions. Schutte has spoken at UFO clubs and on radio and television. Her claims are met with skepticism by some neighbors but are supported by Dr. Leo Sprinkle, director of the counseling and testing center at the University of Wyoming, who has worked with individuals claiming alien abductions. Schutte's first conscious encounter was in March 1978, seeing three "huge, red lights." She later became a field investigator for the Center for UFO Studies. After a UFO conference in Chicago, she reported experiencing illnesses and bruises, which under hypnosis she recalled as a physical examination by alien creatures. Sprinkle believes she had a physical abduction but acknowledges hypnosis doesn't guarantee truth. Schutte believes her UFO experiences may have contributed to her losing her job.

Pineville teen can't forget UFO

This article by John Wildman from NEWS in Charlotte, NC, dated January 7, 1983, features Ginger Harris, a 16-year-old from Pineville, who reported seeing a "humongous" triangular-shaped aircraft with brilliant lights hovering over her for several minutes. George Fawcett, a field investigator for MUFON, stated that Harris is one of about 50 North Carolinians who reported UFO sightings in 1982, and that those who report represent only about 10 percent of witnesses. Fawcett also mentioned other UFO sightings in the Piedmont region, including a disc-shaped object near the McGuire Nuclear Plant and brightly lit objects observed by security officers at the Timken Plant. North Carolina ranks fourth in the nation for UFO sightings over the past 30 years, and Fawcett believes UFOs are "intelligently controlled machines, guided by intelligent humanoid beings."

Gallup-area residents search for cause of fires on plateau

This article from TIMES in El Paso, TX, dated January 14, 1982, reports on fires on a high plateau east of Gallup, New Mexico. Authorities are investigating whether dynamite explosions or a meteorite caused the fires. Undersheriff Jack Graham believes dynamite was used, citing evidence of blasting caps and the smell of dynamite. A man fitting a description was seen in the area before the explosions. Officers also planned to search for a possible meteorite. Residents reported hearing explosion-like noises and experiencing gas-like symptoms. State Police Lt. John Toney stated there was no sign of impact or abnormal radiation counts.

'Nothing That Might Menace U. S.' Found by Flying Saucer Studies

This article from NEWS in San Francisco, CA, dated July 30, 1952, reports on a statement by Maj. Gen. John A. Samford, Air Force Director of Intelligence. Samford declared that Air Force investigators had found nothing menacing about UFOs, despite a nationwide flurry of reports. He stated that less than 20 percent of reported aerial objects remain unidentified, primarily due to lack of information from spotters. Samford's personal opinion was that unexplained radar "blips" were due to "temperature inversions." He traced the history of Air Force investigations since 1947, noting that most reported saucers were identified as aircraft, hoaxes, or meteorological phenomena. He added that no pattern suggesting a menace had been found. The Air Force would continue to investigate UFO reports with "adequate attention, but not frantic attention." He mentioned the use of scientific knowledge when necessary but noted that scientists often lacked sufficient information for answers. The article also briefly mentions a model "flying saucer" and a night photo of a "flying saucer."

1st Daylight Disc Photo Under Study

This accompanying article from the same July 30, 1952, edition reports on the Air Force checking the authenticity of a photograph allegedly showing five flying saucers in formation over Salem, Mass. The photo, taken by Coast Guardsmen, was sent to Wright-Patterson Air Force base for evaluation. Capt. E. J. Ruppelt, the Air Force's UFO expert, expressed skepticism about the photograph, which appeared to be the first daylight picture of flying saucers.

UFO Sighted Near Duluth

This report from the NEWS-TRIBUNE in Duluth, MN, dated September 5, 1966, describes four occupants of a car who reported an unidentified flying object over their car, causing the driver to flee. James Luhm and his relatives saw the object, which dimmed, whirled, changed colors, and ascended. The object was described as football-field sized with blue, green, and faint red whirling lights. The car's windows steamed up as the object approached. Similar sightings were reported in the Twin Cities area, with pilots noting an object at Flying Cloud Airport.

UFO Couple: Strange Vigil in the North Woods

This article from the GAZETTE in Schenectady, NY, dated December 27, 1982, details the tragic story of Gerald Flach and LaVerne Landis, who spent six weeks in the northern Minnesota wilderness waiting for UFO visitors. Landis perished from starvation, dehydration, and hypothermia, while Flach was rescued and hospitalized. They were part of a group called Search and Prove, which believed in contacting spirits and UFOs. Flach claimed they were told by spirits they would be picked up and receive money, but this never happened. Friends and relatives described Landis as having a deep interest in psychic phenomena after her husband's death. Flach may have been hospitalized for psychiatric treatment.

Many UFOs Visit N.C. In 1982

This article from FOCUS in Hickory, NC, dated January 6, 1983, summarizes UFO reports from North Carolina in 1982. Encounters included photographs, animal reactions, physiological effects, and multiple eyewitness accounts. Reports detail a 50-foot object with windows, UFOs maneuvering above Washington, a chrome-dome-topped UFO rising from a reservoir, a domed UFO causing burning eyes and thirst, and a long black cigar-shaped UFO. The article notes that North Carolina ranks fourth in the USA for UFO sightings and that 90 percent of encounters go unreported.

Researcher of UFOs seeking information on local sighting

This article from the TRIBUNE in Great Falls, MT, dated December 2, 1982, features James Leming, a MUFON state section director, who is seeking information on a UFO sighting near Great Falls in 1982. Leming claims there have been other sightings in the area, as well as cattle mutilation cases. He believes UFOs are "intelligently controlled machines, guided by intelligent humanoid beings." Leming is investigating four key questions: Are they extra-terrestrial? How are they propelled? Where do they originate? Can people learn from their technology? He mentions two previous UFO sightings in the Great Falls area and a case where the Air Force allegedly borrowed and returned films with frames missing.

Six Sight UFO Over Victoria

This report from the ADVOCATE in Victoria, TX, dated November 13, 1982, describes six people who claimed to have seen an unidentified flying object west of Victoria. Described as dark, oval, or saucer-shaped, the object moved southerly and was visible for several minutes. Witnesses included Symantha Hoffman, Cynthia Carroll, Loretta Roy, Cruz Ortis, Mike Ortis, and Arturo Ramirez. The object was described as looking like a "flying saucer" with no lights and no noise. The National Weather Service confirmed launching a weather balloon, but doubted it was the object seen.

Colorado encounter has physical effects

This report from NEWS WORLD in New York, NY, dated January 8, 1983, details a close encounter by Elizabeth Conway in rural Colorado. She reported a UFO accompanied by physical effects, including a rash and reactions from farm animals. The object, described as a large, orange ball, descended to a pond, made a ticking sound, and then ascended. Conway experienced a rash on her forearms, and neighbors reported their animals reacting to the sighting. Physical traces, including flattened weeds in a circle, were found around the pond.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of the U.F.O. NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE consistently highlights the persistence of UFO sightings across the United States, often featuring detailed witness accounts and investigator analyses. A recurring theme is the alleged government coverup of UFO information, with researchers like Robert Hastings and Timothy G. Beckley asserting that official explanations are insufficient and that evidence of alien visitation is being deliberately withheld. The publication also explores the psychological and societal impact of these phenomena, including claims of alien abductions and the skepticism faced by witnesses. The editorial stance appears to favor the serious investigation of UFO phenomena, presenting witness testimonies and researcher claims as credible, while also acknowledging the scientific skepticism and the difficulty in obtaining definitive proof. There's an underlying implication that the public deserves more transparency regarding UFOs.

This issue of NEWS, dated July 5, 1947, focuses heavily on the burgeoning phenomenon of 'flying disks' or 'flying saucers' that were being reported across the United States. The publication presents a range of perspectives, from scientific skepticism to witness accounts, and details the initial governmental responses to the sightings.

Experts Tackle the 'Flying Disks'

The lead article, "Information---Please," highlights the diverse explanations offered by the public and experts. Professor Bergen Evans suggests 'mass hysteria' or 'self-delusion,' while Professor H. H. Arnold, former head of the Army Air Forces, speculates about developments of unknown technology. Dr. Raymond T. Birge, a physics professor, dismisses astrophysical explanations, stating "there is no explanation that we know of." Dr. B. J. Spence, head of Northwestern University's physics department, laughs off the idea that atomic research could produce such craft, suggesting they are optical illusions. R. L. Farnsworth of the U. S. Rocket Society humorously suggests they could be 'eyes from Mars.'

Physicist's View: 'Mass Hysteria'

Professor Bergen Evans is quoted as saying that while explanations can be found everywhere, they likely stem from psychology, such as mass hysteria or self-delusion. He notes that such phenomena often arise 'because that is the last frontier of the unknown.'

Postwar Seizure

General H. H. Arnold likens the 'seizures' to those that follow wars, where people look to the heavens for answers.

Atomic Theories Dismissed

Ideas that the disks are byproducts of atomic bomb explosions are dismissed as 'silly' by Dr. B. J. Spence, who explains that electrons repel each other and do not coalesce. He also states that current atomic research is far from devising anything capable of such speeds.

'Eyes from Mars'

R. L. Farnsworth offers a more speculative idea, suggesting the flying saucers might be 'remote-control eyes from Mars.'

Nazi-Type Crystals

Charles Odom, an Airways employee, suggests the objects might be modified versions of 'crystal balls' similar to those used by the Nazis, which he claims were used to 'explain very strange things.'

Associated Press Science Writer's Take

Howard W. Blakeslee, an Associated Press science writer, offers a more grounded, yet still intriguing, perspective. He states he has seen 'flying saucers' over Long Island Sound in previous years, describing them as round and bright, moving fast. However, he believes they were 'light reflected from the bodies of airplanes.' He humorously notes that some seen were not flying saucers but 'milkweed seeds, houses, air-borne autos, celestial wagon wheels, anything you set your eyes upon.'

UC Aircraft Experts Cite Present Limit On Plane Speed

An article by United Press reports that University of California aircraft engineers concede that the mysterious 'flying saucers' must be 'out of this world' because American supersonic development cannot match their reported speeds. Assistant Professor H. A. Johnson explains that air travel above 600 miles per hour is impractical due to air friction temperatures. The saucers are described as traveling up to 1200 miles per hour, a speed that would generate temperatures of 200 degrees Fahrenheit, near the limit for current metals. While V-2 rockets reached 3600 mph, they were in the air for short durations, preventing overheating.

Army, Navy Groups Can't Explain 'Saucers'

Officials at the U. S. Naval Observatory have unofficially concluded that the 'flying saucers' are not astronomical phenomena, based on witness descriptions. Both the Army and Navy have confessed their inability to explain the objects, with the Army initiating an investigation. While some reports suggested a new Navy 'flying pancake' plane, the Navy stated they only had one such plane, located in Hartford, Conn.

Key Incidents and Witness Accounts

Several specific sightings are detailed:

• Pocatello, Idaho: A pilot reported a disk-like object, about the size of a farm wagon wheel, that hovered briefly before taking off again. He described it as having a funnel-like opening.
• Clearwater, Florida: A woman described the objects as resembling 'pie pans.'
• Missoula, Montana: Bob Johnson reported seeing several silver-colored disks racing over a hay field, described as the size of a silver dollar.
• Palm-dale, California: Mrs. Army Herdliska reported seeing a 'parent disk' leading five smaller disks, like a 'brooder hen with baby chicks.'
• Port Costa, California: Ralph Dinsmore described a formation of disks, with one seeming to have a 'cup of coffee' and another a '5 cents' sign.
• Boise, Idaho: John Corlett, Idaho manager for United Press, reported seeing a tiny white disc scudding across the sky at terrific speed with no noise. He stated, 'It took seeing them with my own eyes to believe in it.'
• White Sands, New Mexico: Dr. C. J. Zorn, a guided missiles expert, and two scientists reported seeing a silvery disk whirling for nearly 60 seconds before it disappeared.

Official Washington Stumped

A report from Washington indicates that official circles are unsure what the flying saucers are, but are certain what they are not. They are not secret bacteriological weapons, new-type Army rockets, or space ships. The Army Air Forces are correlating witness statements to identify the objects. Rear Admiral Paul F. Lee stated, 'We concur in the Army announcement.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a public fascination and confusion surrounding the 'flying saucer' phenomenon. While some experts lean towards psychological explanations like mass hysteria, the lack of definitive answers from scientific and military authorities leaves room for speculation. The newspaper presents a balanced view, including witness accounts and official statements, highlighting the mystery and the ongoing investigations. The overall tone suggests a significant event capturing public attention, with a clear indication that the phenomenon is not being dismissed lightly by authorities, despite the lack of concrete explanations.