UFO Newsclipping Service - 1984 08 - no 181

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated August 1984 (Volume 181), compiles a wide array of UFO-related reports and articles from various newspapers across the United States and internationally. The cover headline, "Don't panic! It was UFO," suggests a reassuring tone regarding a specific sighting, while the overall content delves into numerous unexplained aerial phenomena, eyewitness accounts, and the ongoing debate surrounding UFOs.

Indiana Sighting: May 22, 1984

The lead article, "Don't panic! It was UFO," by Olga Briseno for the Times (Hammond, IN), addresses a sighting on Sunday, May 20, 1984. Robert Gribble of the National UFO Reporting Center stated the object was not a meteor, describing it as a large, fiery, horizontal-traveling object. A witness near Morocco described it as pinkish, rectangular, gaseous, with intense lights, moving slowly then fast, estimated to be 10,000 feet off the ground and the size of a 747. Cindi Earl, an Indiana State Police radio operator, also saw the object, describing it as moving slowly then quickly. Porter County Police received several calls, but only one report was filed.

Danbury Area Police Reports: July 20, 1984

An article by Olivia Winslow for the News-Times (Danbury, CT) reports that police departments in New York and Danbury received calls about strange lights in the sky between 10 and 11 p.m. on July 19, 1984. Descriptions included patterned lights, V-formations, solid white masses with trailing objects, and orange glows. Phillip Imbrogno, an astronomer who studies these sightings, noted the speed of reports from Ossining, NY, to Danbury (2-4 minutes) made explanations like planes unlikely. He mentioned recent sightings of planes in formation but noted that Air Force bases and airports had no record of such activity. Imbrogno, who has investigated such sightings for 15 years, usually finds rational explanations but found this case "mystifying." He suggested pilots might be emulating UFOs, and noted ultralight planes are not allowed to fly at night.

Logan County Residents Share UFO Impressions: May 22, 1984

By John Hamm for the Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL), this article details sightings in Logan County, Illinois, on the evening of May 20, 1984. Sandra Shellhammer and her family saw what they thought was a disabled airplane, described as having white lights and moving in several directions. Louis Volle saw a cigar-shaped object, larger than an airliner, descending with what appeared to be car headlights. His wife, Becky, and mother-in-law, Ethel Buehler, also witnessed it; Buehler described it as three to four times larger than an airliner with red running lights and yellow-red "sparks." State Trooper Tom Little saw what he believed to be an airplane in trouble, but an airport official suggested it was "space debris." Little noted the debris had flashing, green navigation lights. He has seen UFOs before but "nothing like that."

'Bright Light' UFO Wakes Farmer: June 14, 1984

This Ledger (Hemingford, NE) report details an incident on June 11, 1984, where Stanley Behm and his son were awakened by a bright light, about 30 feet in diameter, shining on their driveway for 20-30 minutes. The light appeared to come from 1,000 feet in the air. The Federal Aeronautics Administration in Denver verified the sighting via radar, confirming it was last seen traveling southeast toward the Alliance Airport. No activity was reported at the airport, and Air Force bombing runs were not scheduled. The sighting remains a "matter of conjecture."

UFO Hunters: They Pack More Than a Picnic Lunch

By Roger Hahn for the Globe-Democrat (St. Louis, MO), this article profiles Barbara Becker, a graduate student and UFO field investigator with the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis. The group aims to present UFO research to the public. Becker has participated in over 25 investigations. The article mentions Mark Rodeghier, who will present on "EM (electromagnetic) cases" – incidents where vehicle functions are disturbed. Becker's most recent investigation involved a caretaker outside Springfield, MO, who reported hovering lights above trees. The caretaker's truck wouldn't start, lights wouldn't work, and his battery-powered watch was 12 minutes slow. The alternator and regulator were burned out. The caretaker had no explanation, but Becker noted something unusual happened.

Woman Reports UFO Sighting by Daylight

By William Couey for the Victor Valley Daily Press (Victorville, CA), this article features Benicia Carlile's daylight sighting on a Thursday. She described an object like the "tail fin of an airplane," shiny like chrome, with no markings. It hovered soundlessly about 30 feet off the ground for nearly half an hour. Carlile compared its size to a Goodyear sign with a high tail fin and noted two bright "spots" on the front. The object moved with a "wobbling" motion and disappeared into the sky. Sharon Stracner, a neighbor, confirmed the incident. Carlile contacted George AFB, who directed her to the Center for UFO Studies. She expressed frustration that no one seemed to share her experience.

Fake Claims Cloud Evidence of UFOs

By Wilfredo Ramirez for the News (San Antonio, TX), this article discusses the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) convention. Members concluded that most UFO photographs are phony, with con artists producing fake evidence for monetary rewards. However, real evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence attracted attendees. Questions arose about aliens contacting non-smokers/drinkers and potential sexual encounters. Panelists noted drastic life changes in those who claim contact. J. Allen Hynek commented on supermarket tabloids and the discrediting of UFOlogists. Hilary Evans lectured on descriptions of extraterrestrial beings and cataloged characteristics to sort real from imaginary experiences.

Strange Lights Still Mystery to Witnesses

By Eric Allen for the Daily (Decatur, AL), this article covers sightings in Morgan and Limestone counties, AL. Edaline "Bo" Glenn reported seeing lights over her home multiple times, backed by witnesses Faye Jenkins and Jossie Johnson. They described the object as car-like with headlights and a taillight, and a blue light in the center. In Limestone County, around 200 people gathered in Bobby Zirbel's field to view a strange light. Zirbel stated it wasn't a garbage bag. Mrs. Jenkins believes in UFOs and extraterrestrial life, citing books by psychics. Mrs. Johnson described the object moving low, then climbing, and flying in different directions. Ty Strickland and Kim Green reported a light over their car that could remain stationary and made no sound, affecting their minds and making them think of life on other planets.

'We're Not Alone,' Says UFO Center of Light-Sightings

By Trink Guarino for the News-Times (Danbury, CT), this article features Dr. J. Allen Hynek, director of the Center for UFO Studies in Evanston, IL. He states that over 500 similar cases in Fairfield County and New York have been reported in the past year. Local police received calls about a strange ring of spotlights hovering low, some hearing a humming sound. The center calls these reports "one of the most significant series of UFO sightings in recent history." Phillip Imbrogno, an astronomer assigned to the center, is convinced "we are dealing with a genuine UFO." He notes that qualified individuals (Ph.Ds, doctors, lawyers, scientists, pilots) have reported sightings, and the descriptions are "truly bizarre," including circle, triangle, or boomerang shapes and faint hums. The chief meteorologist at Westchester County Airport reported seeing a "ship docking at its berth."

Ranger Says Smoke, Glow May Have Come from Meteor

This Associated Press report covers an incident in northern California and southern Oregon where a puff of brown smoke and a brilliant silver glow were seen. Park ranger John Melvin suggested it might have been a meteor breaking up. Dozens of people called authorities. A Coast Guard helicopter pilot saw the phenomenon moving upward. An FAA official was aware of the reports but had no explanation.

UFO Disappears Without Trace: Piece of Space Junk or Just a Fish Tale?

Reported by the Saturday Oklahoman & Times (Oklahoma City, OK), this article details an incident off Lummi Island, Washington, where a spark-tailed fireball splashed down. The Coast Guard found no debris. Checks with authorities revealed no missing planes or space junk. The object was described as "white and orange fireball trailing sparks" by the fishing vessel Steeva Ten. The crew reported the object dropped straight down, did a "U" turn, and then went down again. A Coast Guard vessel noted an "object, white in color" in the sky.

E.T. Circling Area?

This article from Today (Wayne, NJ) reports four anonymous calls to Wanaque police regarding "lights" over Wanaque Reservoir on July 4, 1984. A Haskell tavern employee and three men reported seeing an egg-shaped object moving too fast for a blimp. A passing motorist also reported three lights. Police did not observe the lights, and no metropolitan airport landing patterns correlated. A police patrol did not observe the "lights."

Government Secrecy Shrouds UFOs in Deeper Mystery

By Charles Doud, Associate Editor, this opinion piece discusses the book "Clear Intent" by Lawrence Fawcett and Barry J. Greenwood. The book claims the government has engaged in a coverup of UFO sightings, citing documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. It mentions a 1975 sighting near Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, of a "large red to orange to yellow object" with lights and a "black object" issuing from it. The report was kept secret until obtained by the authors. The article also references Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting and Dr. J. Allen Hynek's views on the "UFO phenomenon," stating that while he doesn't believe in extraterrestrial visits, many people do see what they report. Hynek questions why secrecy surrounds official investigations.

UFOs: real or merely pies in the sky?

By Mark Camm for The Telegraph (Sydney, N.S.W., Australia), this article explores the phenomenon of cattle mutilations and their potential link to UFOs. It notes thousands of such cases in the US and some in Australia, with precise surgical techniques and no evidence left behind. Researcher Murray Stott suggests "prod marks" consistent with UFO ground markings have been seen near mutilated animals. The article questions what aliens would want with animal parts and blood. Stott believes UFOs exist but doesn't know their origin. It also discusses the disappearance of pilot Fred Valentich over Bass Strait in 1978, with a metallic sound heard before he vanished. Stott's book, "Aliens Over Antipodes," is mentioned. The article touches on the idea that UFO sightings may reflect our collective imagination, changing shapes over time, but also points to physical traces and alleged cover-ups.

The Pinkney Report: Terrorsed by a Giant Flying Saucer

By John Pinkney for PIX-PEOPLE (Sydney, N.S.W., Australia), this report details sightings in Turkey, a small township. Mrs. Frances Wainwright, co-owner of the local roadhouse, described an oval-shaped craft the size of a football field, blazing with bright lights, hovering overhead for about 10 minutes. She also reported her two-year-old daughter, Cassandra, sleep-walked for a week prior to the sighting, leading to speculation of "psychic contact." The report mentions a listener who saw "hat-shaped objects" and another who saw a "multi-coloured merry-go-round" flashing and rotating.

UFO mystery baffles South

This Portsmouth News (Hants., England) article reports a UFO seen over southern England on May 30, 1984. Astronomer Graham Boots and others watched a stationary phenomenon for 20 minutes before it split up and vanished. Experts are baffled, ruling out meteors, satellites, helicopters, and aircraft due to its height and stationary nature. Patrick Moore is "baffled and intrigued."

Cover-up alleged over UFO-linked animal slaughter

By Peter Xeni for TRUTH (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia), this article details claims by farmers in the Adelaide Hills, Australia, of mutilated animal corpses and burn marks, suggesting alien spacecraft landings. Researchers allege a military cover-up. Incidents include cows with drilled skulls and removed brains, and "egg-shaped 'pod' marks." Police stated they had not been informed of the mutilations. Colin Norris, a UFO researcher, claims the military warned a farmer to "keep quiet." The article compares this to similar incidents worldwide and mentions a case where a calf was allegedly pulled into a spacecraft.

'UFO' stops car on freeway

This STANDARD (Murray Bridge, S.A., Australia) report details an incident on June 24, 1984, where Max and Gladys O'Malley's car and surrounding street lights temporarily blacked out on the South Eastern Freeway. They reported a circular glow in the sky. The car lights and street lights came back on after about 40 seconds. Mr. Norris of the Australian International UFO Research Society suggested an "umbrella effect" of a large spaceship hovering above. He stated the incident could not be explained by mechanical failure due to the street lights also failing.

N.Y. cop may have solved mystery of lights in sky

By Janet Higbie for the News-Times (Danbury, CT), this article reports that Sgt. Daniel Andriano of the East Fishkill Police Department may have solved some sightings by identifying eight planes flying in a circular formation near the Putnam-Dutchess County border on July 24, 1984. One plane, a Cessna 152, landed at a private airport. The FAA is investigating, noting that ultralights are not allowed to fly at night. Andriano expressed frustration with the sightings, while Paul Estefan, administrator of Danbury Municipal Airport, relayed concerns about potential interference with airport approaches.

Saucers runneth over

By Alton Slagle for the DAILY NEWS (New York, NY), this article discusses a surge in UFO sightings. Peekskill attorney Peter Gersten sued the CIA for access to UFO documents and received 900 pages. He believes the government admits the existence of UFOs. Gersten called the recent sightings "hysteria" and plans a public forum. The article notes the Air Force stopped investigating UFOs in 1969. Phillip Imbrogno, a science teacher and investigator, believes the government has continued its UFO searches. He mentions sightings of flying objects described as flying saucers, boomerangs, and V-shaped ships.

Soviet UFO reports 'illegal arms tests'

By Adrian Berry for the DAILY TELEGRAPH (London, England), this article suggests that UFO sightings in the Soviet Union are actually the result of illegal strategic weapon testing. Space expert James Oberg claims the Soviet Government is diverting attention from the truth about Soviet UFOs by presenting these events as alien phenomena. The "sightings" are attributed to experiments with the Fractional Orbital Bombardment System, including rocket launches and the fiery returns of dummy warheads.

Students Debate Existence of UFOs

By Beverly Welch for FOSTER'S DAILY DEMOCRAT (Dover, NH), this article describes a project at Main Street Junior High where students researched UFOs. The culmination involved an interview with Betty Hill, who spoke about her alleged abduction experience. The students performed a skit and debated the existence of UFOs.

UFO Not Responsible

This Reuter report from Moscow states that a massive explosion in eastern Siberia in 1908 was not caused by a crashing alien spacecraft, according to Tass news agency. A Siberian commission ruled out the possibility of a nuclear engine explosion from a visiting unidentified flying object, finding no significant radiation traces.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO Newsclipping Service include the prevalence of UFO sightings across diverse geographical locations, the consistent descriptions of aerial objects by multiple witnesses, and the persistent question of government secrecy and potential cover-ups. There is a clear emphasis on eyewitness testimony, with many articles highlighting the personal experiences of individuals who claim to have seen unexplained phenomena. The publication also touches upon the scientific and investigative efforts to understand these events, referencing organizations like MUFON and the historical context of Project Blue Book. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting these reports and encouraging further investigation, while acknowledging the skepticism and the possibility of hoaxes or misidentifications. The articles collectively suggest that while many sightings may have mundane explanations, a significant number remain unexplained and warrant continued attention.

This issue of the Daily Express, dated July 16, 1984, alongside other regional publications, extensively covers a range of unexplained phenomena, with a particular focus on UFO sightings, crop circles, and the legend of Bigfoot. The cover headline, 'We are going round in circles again!', hints at the recurring nature of these mysteries.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

The magazine presents multiple reports of UFO sightings from various locations. In Yorkshire, a coach driver named Kenneth Edgar reported seeing three lights in a triangle formation moving at high speed, which he insisted were not planes. A Dublin teenager, Ian Courage, also dismissed a sighting of a long light as not being an aircraft. In Leeds, five people reported a pair of coloured rotating lights in the night sky. A psychiatric nurse in Warwick described a bright orange object that appeared to be an aircraft on fire, breaking apart as it moved. Further afield, reports from Spain detail sightings of strong white lights and oval-shaped objects. The article 'My green and red mystery' by Peter Brearey recounts a journalist's own UFO sighting and discusses multiple other reports from the Bradford and Leeds areas, noting the involvement of the British UFO Research Association.

Crop Circle Mysteries

The persistent phenomenon of crop circles is a significant theme. A year after similar discoveries, five perfect circles appeared in a Hampshire barleyfield, notable for being visible only from the air. Farmer Dennis Kendell expressed bafflement, while Petronel Payne, a tractor driver's wife, found the mystery deepening. The article 'Ring spotters warned' details how police had to intervene to prevent damage to crops and deter sightseers at a site near Seaford, where 20ft rings surrounded by smaller circles had appeared. The origin of these circles remains unexplained, with theories ranging from mechanical causes to hoaxes.

The Bigfoot Enigma

The legendary creature Bigfoot is explored in depth. An expedition by the Examiner team, including writer Tom Stienstra, photographer Jeffrey Patty, and soil scientist Michael Furniss, ventured into the rugged terrain of the Klamath Mountains in search of evidence. They encountered large footprints but were initially misled by melted snow creating exaggerated impressions. The article 'Hunter hasn't seen Bigfoot yet' follows Mark Keller, a hunter who quit his job to kill a Bigfoot and settle the debate about its existence. He and his partner Jim Wyatt have found tracks but no confirmed sightings. A WSU anthropologist, Grover S. Krantz, advocates for the killing of a single Sasquatch to prove the species' existence and aid in its study, a stance opposed by animal protection groups. The article 'Policy proposed on Bigfoot' in Klamath Falls indicates local authorities are considering how to handle potential Bigfoot hunters.

Other Unexplained Phenomena

Beyond UFOs and Bigfoot, the issue touches on other mysteries. 'Beware the man in black...' discusses the concept of 'Men in Black' as entities that may appear after UFO sightings to discourage investigation. 'Mystery of the UFO's - unidentified falling objects' by Jim Hewitson examines incidents of ice falling from aircraft, questioning whether all such falls can be attributed to planes and referencing historical accounts of ice falls. 'Two Tahoe City women get glimpse of 'monster'' reports a sighting of a large, living object in Lake Tahoe, with speculation that it could be an unusually large muskie or an ancient species of fish. The 'MYSTERY NOISES BAFFLE READERS' section details reports of unexplained humming or pulsing sounds heard in Aldershot, with witnesses unable to identify the source. The article 'Hunt for Atlantis' mentions Soviet research ships searching for the legendary lost city in the Atlantic.

Notable Quotes and Personal Accounts

Diane Enion, affiliated with the Pennsylvania Center for UFO Research, is quoted stating, 'We are very, very, very skeptical about things... but you start getting astronomers calling you, pilots calling you, police officers calling you. What are you supposed to think? You have to believe they are seeing something that they can't identify or they wouldn't be calling us to find out what they are seeing.' This highlights the growing credibility of unexplained phenomena reports when corroborated by multiple sources.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this collection of articles are mystery, the unknown, and the human fascination with phenomena that defy conventional explanation. The editorial stance, as suggested by the selection of articles, appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various accounts and theories without necessarily endorsing any single explanation. There is a clear effort to document sightings and phenomena from different regions and to explore the scientific, anecdotal, and even historical aspects of these mysteries.