UFO Newsclipping Service - 1985 02 - no 187

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE, dated February 1985 (Volume 187), focuses on UFO reports and investigations, featuring a mix of witness accounts, expert opinions, and organizational efforts. The cover story, "Never mind: 'UFO' report dogs expert," highlights the controversy surrounding astronomer J. Allen Hynek's validation of a UFO sighting, questioning the thoroughness of his investigation.

Article Summaries

'UFO' Report Dogs Expert (J. Allen Hynek Controversy)

The lead article details the case of Nannette Morrison, who reported two UFO sightings in Virginia in 1982. Astronomer J. Allen Hynek, known for his scholarly approach to UFOs, validated her accounts, which included convincing an astronomer of their legitimacy. However, under criticism from another scientist, Hynek admitted he had accepted Morrison's word without thoroughly investigating the specific case, calling it an unusual lapse. He conceded he might have been misled. The article also brings in the perspective of Jimmy Smith, who reported seeing a jetliner with many brilliant lights around the same time as Morrison's first sighting, and chemist Bruce Martin, who pointed out geographical inaccuracies in Morrison's account, suggesting she lived much closer to an airport than stated. Hynek acknowledged he should have checked maps and that he was 'chastened' by the experience, planning to ask Morrison for a rebuttal. He also mentioned the ongoing move of his Center for UFO Studies to the Phoenix area and a heavy outbreak of UFO reports in Westchester County, N.Y., involving over 1,000 witnesses.

Tyrone's UFO Has Ripple Effect

This piece reports on a UFO sighting in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, on October 23rd, which gained national attention through a weekly tabloid. The story included the testimony of witnesses Skip Morrissey, Sonia Musso, and another woman, whose accounts were analyzed by a Psychological Stress Evaluator, confirming they were telling the truth. A retired Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation official also stated he would not discount the possibility of it being a UFO.

Lawmen See Strange Sight In The Skies

Two police officers in Northeast Arkansas, Patrolman David Sanders and Deputy Sheriff Larry Mills, reported seeing a glowing ball or disk in the sky on a Monday evening. They described it as moving without noise, appearing about 100 feet wide and glowing slightly, with an orange cast. The National Weather Service suggested it might have been a high-altitude weather balloon, but the officers were certain they saw something unusual.

Surely there's life out there among those ‘billyuns’ of stars

This opinion piece reflects on the vastness of the universe and the statistical probability of alien life. It uses the concept of 'billyuns and billyuns' of stars to argue that it's unlikely humans are alone. The author poses the question of whether intelligent alien life could master space travel to visit Earth, acknowledging the immense distances involved.

Dave Cuzzolina: Free-for-All

A brief commentary piece referencing the vastness of the universe and the possibility of alien life, quoting Stan Gordon of the Pennsylvania Association for the Study of the Unexplained on the rarity of UFO landings.

Bizarre object seen hovering in night sky

This article reports on a strange object seen hovering over Farmers Mills in Gregg Township, Pennsylvania, by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Auman. They described it as about 50-60 feet across with blinking lights and engines, which eventually moved southwest.

A perfect night to hunt for UFOs

This feature follows writer Tom Moroney as he accompanies Betty Hill, famous for her 'close encounter of the third kind' experience, on a UFO watch in southern New Hampshire. The article recounts Betty Hill's experiences, including her alleged abduction in 1961 and subsequent encounters, her map of stars unknown to science at the time, and her strict rules for visitors to her landing site. Moroney describes witnessing several blinking lights and a light that seemed to respond to Betty Hill's calls, leading to a sense of unease and wonder.

Central City UFO sighting is reported

Residents in Central City, Pennsylvania, reported seeing a bright, white light with green spokes in the sky. The FAA and state police had no reports of unusual aircraft, but Stanley Gordon of PASU noted a statewide increase in UFO reports and suggested the sighting could be a prominent star like Vega, with atmospheric refraction explaining the color.

Close Encounter of What Kind?

This article details reports from Ridgefield, Connecticut, of an unidentified flying object seen by Bonnie Fischer and Lane Serota, described as a large, oval object with orange lights. Police received multiple calls about similar lights, with some attributing them to ultra-light aircraft. However, Fischer and Serota remained skeptical of this explanation, finding it hard to reconcile with the object's size and behavior.

UFO-logists discuss coverup, electricity - & Telly Savalas

This piece covers a UFO conference where speakers discussed government coverups and the nature of UFOs. Bryce Bond recounted an alleged encounter with aliens, including one resembling Telly Savalas, who taught him 'ultrasonic breathing.' Colman Von Keviczky argued that governments recognize the danger of UFOs but keep it secret, citing U.S. Defense Department memos. Lawrence Fawcett, author of 'Clear Intent,' presented arguments for a government conspiracy to hide information about UFOs, citing documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. Fawcett also shared his own sighting experience involving an object that caused an electrical substation to go out.

The UFO buster

Dan Wright, Michigan director of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), believes UFOs are real and possibly extraterrestrial visitors studying Earth. He presented slides and government reports to support his claim, citing incidents over military missile bases. Wright estimates only 10% of UFO observations are reported due to fear of ridicule. MUFON has 12,000 members and 123,000 reported sightings. He also described alleged extraterrestrial occupants of spacecraft.

UFOs Observer Still Believer

Floyd Hallstrom of Oxnard, California, a retired aviation professional, recounts his UFO sightings. In 1978, he saw a wingless, saucer-shaped craft with a dome, estimated at 30 feet in diameter, traveling at high speed. He also reported another sighting in 1978 of a smaller UFO. Hallstrom's experiences have been well-documented, and he remains a steadfast believer, questioning the government's lack of transparency on the subject.

Shamokin teens claim UFO sighting

Two Shamokin, Pennsylvania, teenagers, Lori Hopta and Beth Schlagle, claimed to have seen an oval-shaped object with bright lights hovering over a water tower during daylight. Shamokin police received no reports of UFOs, but Miss Hopta's mother corroborated the sighting, recalling a similar experience from 1968.

Orange Object Seen in Sky; Poinsett County Authorities Baffled

Several law enforcement officers and residents in Poinsett County, Arkansas, reported seeing a bright orange light in the sky that hovered and moved. Sheriff Jim Carter stated they did not know what it was. Trumann Police Chief Jim Furnish speculated it was a weather balloon, but the National Weather Service could not confirm this. The object was described as a light that made no noise and appeared to be about 300-400 feet in the air.

Lima Center's Still Seeking An Answer

This article profiles John Timmerman, chairman of the Center for UFO Studies, based in Lima, Ohio. The Center, founded by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, collects and investigates UFO reports globally. Timmerman discusses the challenges of UFO research, including unreliable witnesses and the government's lack of official engagement with the subject. He highlights the Center's role in correlating sightings and providing information to the public. The article also includes a personal account from Dick Minck about a sighting of a round, bright metal sphere in California.

Around Pa., They Keep Track Of ‘Unknowns’

This piece from the Sunday News reports on the activities of Stan Gordon and the Pennsylvania Association for the Study of the Unexplained (PASU), which serves as a clearinghouse for UFO and other unexplained phenomena reports in Pennsylvania. Gordon discusses various sightings, including a metallic object seen by trappers, a diamond-shaped object, and a cylinder-shaped object seen by jet pilots. He notes that sightings tend to increase in the summer months and that many people are reluctant to report due to fear of ridicule.

Skeptical: Editor tracks inconsistencies in Arizona sighting, other stories of contact with UFOs

This article critically examines the Travis Walton abduction case, focusing on the book "UFOs: The Public Deceived" by Philip J. Klass. Klass, an avionics editor, argues that the Walton case and other UFO stories are hoaxes or misinterpretations, attributing them to optical illusions, psychological factors, or fraud. He highlights inconsistencies in witness accounts and suggests a financial motive for the Walton incident. Klass criticizes UFO organizations like Ground Saucer Watch for presenting documents out of context. Despite Klass's critical stance, the article acknowledges his book presents a powerful argument for seeking rational explanations over extraterrestrial ones.

Divers hunt UFO off Lummi Island

A scuba diving team, the Banzi II recovery project, was scheduled to search the waters off Lummi Island, Washington, for an object that reportedly splashed down in July. Witnesses described an orange-colored fireball that sank and bubbled. The U.S. Coast Guard had searched the area but found no debris. Organizer John Walker hoped the operation would yield significant findings, while acknowledging the financial and logistical challenges of the deep-water dive.

It's been a relatively quiet year for UFO sightings

This article discusses the decline in UFO sightings in the Toppenish Ridge area of Washington, once considered a hotspot for UFO activity in the early 1970s. Bill Vogel, a former fire control officer, collected numerous reports and photographs of lights and objects, noting that while many sightings were unexplained, they did not fit the classic 'flying saucer' description. The article also touches on reports of encounters with strange beings and unusual atmospheric phenomena.

Austin Observatory Tracking West Texas UFO Activity

This report details sightings of unusual flying objects in West Texas. An oilfield driller and his co-workers reported seeing a dark, mass-like object with rotating lights on successive nights. This follows an earlier observation by the Project Starlight International observatory near Austin, which tracked a large object with smaller objects around it, described as technological in origin and emanating an electric-blue beam.

UFO hunt: Something found, but quest delayed

This article follows up on the Lummi Island UFO search, reporting that divers found a 'saucer-like' object at the bottom of Puget Sound but were forced to postpone further investigation due to lack of funds. The object was described as resembling an upside-down tea cup or satellite dish. The search was complicated by differing locations reported by witnesses and the need for extensive decompression due to the depth.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent nature of UFO sightings, the challenges of investigating them, and the skepticism or secrecy often surrounding the topic. There's a clear division between those who believe in extraterrestrial visitation and those who seek more conventional explanations. The articles highlight the role of witness testimony, the limitations of scientific investigation, and the public's fascination with the unknown. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting various perspectives and reports, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also acknowledging the ongoing mystery and the efforts of organizations dedicated to UFO research.

This issue of Foreign News magazine, dated December 1984, presents a collection of articles exploring various unexplained phenomena, UFO sightings, and cryptozoological mysteries from around the globe. The cover story, "New look at those UFOs," by Dave Bickell, along with other features, delves into recent reports and theories surrounding unidentified flying objects.

UFO Sightings and Theories

The magazine features numerous accounts of UFO sightings. In South Australia, Colin Norris recounts an encounter from 1959, and Neville Maxwell describes a sighting in 1972 involving a diamond-shaped object. Mrs. J. Kowalski reports a low-flying aircraft resembling a Boeing 707. In the UK, a sighting over Hunstanton describes a dome-shaped, glowing orange object, and another in West Dorset details a round object with a rotating domed top. A freight train breakdown on Australia's Nullarbor Plain is linked to a mysterious hovering light. The Rendlesham Forest incident from 1980 is revisited, with a police officer considered a key witness. A Soviet airliner crew and passengers reported a UFO escorting their plane. Sightings in the Doubs region of France and Vesoul are also detailed, involving various luminous and hovering objects.

Mars and Ancient Civilizations

Adrian Berry's report, "Is this the face of an alien civilisation that invaded Mars?", discusses photographic evidence from the Viking spacecraft suggesting artificial structures on Mars, including a mile-wide 'face' and pyramids in the Cydonia region. American scientists are presenting this evidence, theorizing that these might be relics of a vanished civilization from Mars's past, possibly constructed by travelers from another solar system. The article notes that the Russians are also planning new missions to Mars, raising concerns about a potential space race for this information.

Cryptozoology: Bigfoot, Nessie, and More

The magazine explores various cryptids. J. Earl Ruthardt reports on the lack of bizarre sightings in Berks County but notes Bigfoot reports in neighboring Lancaster County, with details on physical evidence and witness accounts, including an overpowering odor associated with the creature. Daniel Cohen, author of "The Encyclopedia of Monsters," shares his experience at Loch Ness and discusses the field of cryptozoology, the study of hidden animals. The article mentions the scientific classification of sea monsters and highlights sightings in the Northwest Coast region, including descriptions of serpentine forms and creatures resembling mermaids. The possibility of a 'sea monster' in Puget Sound is explored, with potential misidentifications of marine mammals and logs. The article also touches on the 'Jersey Devil' folklore and the search for the Abominable Snowman in Nepal, with one expedition planning to use beer as a lure.

Animal Mutilations and Other Mysteries

Steve Johnston's article, "Who is mutilating all those animals?", investigates a series of animal mutilations, primarily horses, in Pierce County, Washington, over the past decade. Theories range from occult practices to sexual psychopaths and aliens, with a committee formed to find answers. The article notes patterns in the mutilations, suggesting perpetrators study habits and use drugs. A separate report discusses a calf found drained of blood in Abilene, Texas, with a 'human' cut, though the cause remains officially undetermined. The issue also includes a report on a sonic boom felt in New Mexico, attributed to aircraft maneuvers, and a discussion on the 'life belt' theory by Soviet astrophysicists regarding our Solar System's location in the Galaxy.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent presence of unexplained phenomena, the ongoing search for evidence of extraterrestrial life and unknown creatures, and the challenges of scientific investigation in these fields. The magazine presents a wide range of reports, from eyewitness accounts to scientific analysis and speculative theories, reflecting a broad interest in mysteries that defy conventional explanation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various perspectives and encouraging further investigation into these intriguing subjects.