UFO Newsclipping Service - 1984 02 - no 175

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O. NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE, dated February 1984 (Number 175), is a compilation of news articles from various publications across the United States and England, focusing on UFO sightings, investigations, and related phenomena. The publication is based in Plumerville, Arkansas, with Lucius Farish and Rod B. Dyke listed as co-editors.

Key Articles and Reports

UFO-viewers sue U.S. for damages This lead article from the SUNDAY EXPRESS-NEWS (San Antonio, TX) reports on a lawsuit filed by Betty Cash (54), Vicki Landrum (60), and her 10-year-old grandson, Colby Landrum, against the U.S. government. They are seeking $20 million in damages for alleged injuries and chronic illness suffered after encountering a hovering UFO near New Caney, Texas, on December 29, 1980. The suit claims the UFO beamed radiation at them, causing symptoms like severe headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and facial blisters. Their attorney, Peter Gerston, stated they also want to determine the type of radiation they were exposed to.

UFO sighted in Lincoln? Published in the NEWS-MESSENGER (Lincoln, CA) on December 15, 1983, this article recounts a sighting by a resident who observed a bright, luminous object traveling low in the sky shortly after noon during a storm. The object caused lights in her home to dim and emitted a thumping sound. While potential explanations like ball lightning or tree limbs hitting power lines are mentioned, the witness was adamant about what she saw.

UFO Was Reported Sighted in Finks Basin Area Monday Night The EVENING TIMES (Little Falls, NY) reported on November 2, 1983, that several residents in the Finks Basin area saw a UFO on Monday night. The object had red lights and bright white lights pointing down and traveled slowly south. Reports also mentioned sightings in the Fort Plain area and east of the Little Falls Thruway interchange. Officials at Griffiss Air Force Base reportedly stated something appeared on radar but then disappeared.

UFO Rumor Floats About This article from the TIMES (Ft. Morgan, CO) on December 6, 1983, addresses a persistent rumor of a UFO landing between Fort Morgan and Wiggins on November 17. The rumor describes an object with red and white lights, followed by a second craft, possibly the size of a Greyhound bus, with landing legs. The article notes the lack of official confirmation and the difficulty in substantiating the details.

Hoosier leads worldwide search from store office for elusive UFOs By John J. Shaughnessy in the Star Staff Reporter (Nappanee, IN) on an unspecified date in January 1984, this profile focuses on Charles L. Tucker, director of the International UFO Investigative Bureau. Operating from his furniture and bedding business office in Nappanee, Tucker has spent 20 years collecting UFO-related documents and lecturing globally. He believes UFOs are not necessarily from other planets but could originate from within Earth, citing theories about underwater bases. Tucker claims 63% of astronomers and 57% of scientists believe in UFOs, and a Gallup poll indicated 57% of Americans believe in them.

Couple reports an 'alien' visitor The DAILY HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE (Northampton, MA) on December 20, 1983, features Timothy J. Babyok and Rosemarie A. Greaves, who reported seeing a bright white, saucer-shaped object with portholes and a red light that changed shape and lit up their room. Babyok believes it was a message, while Easthampton police officer Fredrick Petersen thought it might be Venus.

3 report 'fast, spastic' UFO, tree-top high An article from The Register Star (Morris, IL) on December 19, 1983, details a sighting by Mike Goodwin, his brother Jeff, and friend Robert Blanchard near Mountague and Conger roads. They described a fast, spastic object with blinking red and white lights, moving erratically at tree-top height. A Byron Police Department patrolman reported a strange glow in the air but no other details. The National UFO Reporting Center verified the sightings but had no further explanation.

UFOs are a daily concern for Charles Tucker This piece reiterates Charles Tucker's role as director of the International UFO Investigative Bureau, emphasizing his belief that aliens are concerned about humanity's potential to destroy the Earth with nuclear weapons. He notes that 55% of UFO sightings are by military personnel and suggests the government is not treating UFOs as a national defense threat.

UFO sighting The BEVERLY Police responded to a report from 13-year-old Jodi Bornstein on November 28, 1983, who claimed she saw a bright white oval and sometimes star-shaped object hovering over her neighbor's house.

Space visitors are trying to guide us, expert says By Jenny Abbe in the VALLEY TIMES (Pleasanton, CA) on January 26, 1984, this article profiles Daniel Ross, founder of the Public Interest Space Sciences Center. Ross believes extraterrestrials are trying to guide humanity, possibly to prevent nuclear war. He claims NASA has suppressed information about UFOs and evidence of alien life, citing books like 'Moongate' and former astronaut Gordon Cooper's statements. Ross will teach a class on UFOs and evidence from space.

Idaho 'flying saucer' sighter dies The IDAHO STATESMAN (Boise, ID) on January 22, 1984, reports the death of Kenneth Arnold at 68. Arnold is credited with popularizing the term 'flying saucer' after reporting sightings of nine pulsating objects in 1947. He received thousands of letters and maintained his company, Great Western Engineering, until his death.

UFOs in Berks in 1983 all were explained An article from The Eagle (Reading, PA) on January 27, 1984, by J. Earl Ruthardt, states that most UFO reports from Berks County in 1983 were explained as misidentifications of planets like Venus or advertising campaigns. However, some cases remained baffling, including sightings of Bigfoot creatures and an incident where a woman's car was lifted off the ground by a silver object.

Baffling bright lights In the WEST LANCASHIRE EVENING GAZETTE (Blackpool, England) on November 1, 1983, Richard Iddon claims to have seen two bright, unflickering lights over the Ribble, too low to be stars and making no noise.

Expert called in over UFOs The NEWS (Farnborough, England) on November 4, 1983, reports that Timothy Good, a leading British UFO authority, was to research the claims of 77-year-old Alfred Burtoo, who alleged a close encounter with 'men from outer space' near the Basingstoke Canal.

UFO-or pie in the sky? The EVENING ECHO (Southend, England) on November 15, 1983, details reports of a green glowing sphere seen above Southend, confirmed by ship crew members and coastguards. The Defence Ministry stated it was not a weather balloon.

UFO debate - an answer The NORTHUMBERLAND GAZETTE (Alnwick, England) on November 11, 1983, presents a debate on a mysterious object seen over Northumberland. A former RAF man suggested it was two aircraft refueling, a theory supported by a former RAF Regiment member who believed it was a KC 135 refueling a larger aircraft.

Fly-by-nights? This letter to the EVENING TELEGRAPH (Northamptonshire, England) on November 17, 1983, features a debate on UFOs. W.A. Payne expresses skepticism, while Derek Bradshaw and Neil Hammond argue for the probability of UFO existence and alien intelligence, citing personal observations.

Latest UFO spaces Vans out The RAND DAILY MAIL (Johannesburg, South Africa) on November 9, 1983, reports on a triangular-shaped UFO seen by a Johannesburg family. Riaan van der Merwe sketched the object, which was described as droning low over their home.

UFO mystery solved ... or is it? The PRESS (Timmins, Ontario, Canada) on November 4, 1983, discusses a temperature inversion possibly explaining a reported UFO sighting. However, witnesses, including an Ontario Provincial Police officer, maintain they saw a distinct object with lights.

Those mystery lights The WEST LANCASHIRE EVENING GAZETTE (Blackpool, England) on November 4, 1983, reports that Richard Iddon was not alone in seeing two bright lights over the River Ribble. A Lytham woman and a Pleasure Beach employee also reported sightings.

BUG-EYED ALIEN MEETS AIR CHIEF This article from the NEWS OF THE WORLD (London, England) on November 6, 1983, details claims by former U.S. airman Art Wallace about a UFO landing in Britain in December 1980. Wallace, under hypnosis, described aliens, communication with a U.S. officer, and alleged U.S. Air Force involvement in repairing the craft.

E.T. just wants to ban the bomb The SUN (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) on November 14, 1983, reports that Lord Clancarty called for a debate in the House of Lords regarding UFO occupants' alleged attempts to prevent nuclear war. Sir Patrick Wall supported the theory that aliens might be warning humanity.

Seen a U.F.O? Contact Chris The PORTSMOUTH NEWS (Hants., England) on November 5, 1983, introduces Christopher Harrison, who wants to start a UFO group in the Portsmouth area after witnessing glowing round objects pass overhead.

UFO-FEVER STRIKES AGAIN This section details Art Wallace's account of a UFO encounter, including descriptions of aliens, communication with a U.S. officer, and alleged repair of the craft with U.S. Air Force assistance.

Road to mystery The CHRONICLE & ECHO (Northampton, England) on November 18, 1983, reports on three women and a schoolgirl who encountered a strange light in a field near Rippingale, Lincolnshire, which then circled their car.

Television today - Dogon find Dog Star The STAR (Auckland, New Zealand) on November 22, 1983, discusses the science fact/fiction TV drama 'Children of the Dog Star,' based on a Dogon legend about alien visitors. Producer Caterina De Nave believes the legend has factual roots and that extraterrestrials exist.

'U.F.O.' SIGHTED The DORSET EVENING ECHO (Weymouth, England) on December 22, 1983, mentions a sighting of an object resembling a UFO burning out on re-entry over Lyme Bay.

'Track the UFOs' says vicar In the GUARDIAN (Banbury, England) on November 10, 1983, Rev. Donald Thomas is appealing for information from readers about UFO sightings to aid his investigation into the phenomenon, believing in four-yearly cycles of UFO activity.

Sky lit up by UFOs This article from the NORTH DEVON JOURNAL (Barnstaple, Devon, England) on December 8, 1983, reports sightings of strange flashing lights from a fast-moving object near Filleigh.

Close encounter over in seconds The CHRONICLE & ECHO (Northampton, England) on November 18, 1983, describes Terry Coleman's sighting of a burst of flame and bright light that shot across the sky, trailing green flame, near Olney.

Close encounters of the Norwood kind The CLAPHAM & LAMBETH NEWS (London, England) on November 18, 1983, features Pam Kennedy, membership secretary of the British UFO Research Association, who has been hoping for 30 years to see a UFO. She discusses the challenges of investigating sightings and the public's perception of UFO believers.

Safe landing The KUWAIT TIMES (Koweit, Kuwait) on January 19, 1984, reports a Chinese military plane landing safely after a mysterious falling object damaged its tail.

Return of the UFOs The WOKING NEWS (Surrey, England) on December 14, 1983, details claims by four people who saw 'UFOs' over Woking, described as red lights and triangular objects.

UFO EXPERT SAYS: ALF IS TELLING THE TRUTH The ALDERSHOT NEWS (Hants., England) on November 25, 1983, reports that UFO expert Timothy Good believes the story of Alfred Burtoo, who claimed a close encounter with beings from outer space, is true.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, close encounters with alleged extraterrestrials, and the investigation of these phenomena. There's a consistent undercurrent of skepticism from some quarters, balanced by strong beliefs from witnesses and investigators. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting reported incidents and expert opinions, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also highlighting the efforts of those dedicated to understanding the UFO mystery. The publication seems to lean towards validating witness accounts and investigative efforts, particularly when official explanations are lacking or when credible individuals report their experiences.

This issue of the Sunday Times, dated November 27, 1983, focuses on unexplained phenomena, particularly UFO sightings in Western Australia. The cover story, "WA sightings baffle experts," highlights the persistent mystery surrounding numerous reports that defy conventional explanation.

WA Sightings Baffle Experts

The lead article details the experiences of Francis Collins and Maggie Yeend, who reported a terrifying encounter with a brilliant, semi-circular orange-red glowing object on the South Coast Highway near Esperance in the early hours of March 28, 1982. The object appeared to hover in front of their van, causing the vehicle's speed to inexplicably drop to 80kmh. Despite their fear, the object eventually emitted a spray or mist and sped away, only to reappear and follow them to Esperance. An off-duty policeman, Constable I. Gordon, also witnessed a bright object in the sky that remained stationary. Their accounts were corroborated by other witnesses, including kangaroo shooters, a truckdriver, and motorists.

Mike Borley, chairman of the WA UFO Investigation Centre, is featured, explaining that while his organization accounts for over 90% of sightings as conventional phenomena like aircraft, planets, or satellites, a significant number of cases remain unexplained. He notes that the Esperance sighting occurred when there were no aircraft in the vicinity and the visibility was perfect.

Unexplained Cases

The article also delves into other baffling incidents. One such case involves strange marks found in a barley field at Ogilvy, 80km northeast of Geraldton, in June 1980. Four circular imprints, 1.3m in diameter and 8.5m apart in a square formation, were discovered by a farmer. Geologists from WAIT determined that a weight exceeding 75 tonnes would have been required to create each imprint. This discovery was linked to a neighbor's report of seeing a 'rising light' in the field two weeks prior.

Another notable case is the report from a Coolgardie farmer in May 1979, who claimed to have met an alien being. The farmer reported seeing two rocket-shaped craft on a nearby paddock and subsequently encountered a being in a strange suit who spoke to him in an unknown tongue before switching to English. Despite extensive questioning, authorities could not disprove his claim.

Borley emphasizes the center's aim to investigate, classify, and archive UFO reports. He mentions that the drawings of a craft sighted near Pearce air base in September 1983 were remarkably similar to those of a craft tracked by police in Melbourne in July, suggesting a potential connection.

Personal Interest and Contact

Mike Borley, 35, developed his interest in UFOs after sighting one himself in the 1960s. He clarifies that his work is not about 'little green men' but about finding sensible solutions for UFO phenomena, whether they involve secret military craft or other explanations. The article provides contact information for reporting UFO sightings: writing to Mr. Borley at Kenmore Rd, Mahogany Creek, or attending the Investigation Centre's 'barbecueskywatch' at Quarry Park, Gosnells, on Saturdays.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly focuses on the persistent mystery of UFO sightings in Western Australia, highlighting the challenges faced by investigators in explaining certain phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, acknowledging that while many sightings can be explained, a core group remains baffling to experts. The article emphasizes the importance of thorough investigation and documentation, as exemplified by the work of the WA UFO Investigation Centre.