UFO Newsclipping Service - 1985 09 - no 194

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated September 1985, compiles reports from various newspapers across the United States, focusing on UFO sightings, investigations, and related phenomena. The publication highlights a range of incidents, from alleged spy satellite debris to mysterious lights in the sky and purported alien abductions.

Key Articles and Reports

"Spy satellite? 'That's not what I saw'" (JOURNAL, Flint, MI - June 22, 1985)

Jennifer Jordon recounts a personal experience of seeing a brightly lit, silent object resembling an elongated helicopter with wings and searchlights. The object was motionless and later caused the witness's car to lose power, an event that remains unexplained.

"Stalking the celestial scuttlebutt" (PARMA SUN POST, Cleveland, OH - June 20, 1985)

This article explores the activities of the Cleveland Ufology Project, one of the oldest UFO clubs in the country. It details meetings where members share news of sightings and discuss events. The report includes anecdotes from members about various UFO incidents, including a cup-shaped object found in Puget Sound and a bizarre case in California involving an alleged killer who claimed alien involvement.

"'UFO' may have been military aircraft" (EVENING INDEPENDENT, St. Petersburg, FL - July 17, 1985)

Ann Meyer reports on a sighting of a large, saucer-like object by two girls in St. Petersburg, Florida, which coincided with the landing of a C-5 military transport plane at MacDill Air Force Base. Other witnesses also reported seeing unusual aerial objects with colorful lights.

"UFOs bring out the strange in some" (STANDARD-TIMES, San Angelo, TX - July 18, 1985)

Chris Lambright, a field investigator for the Center for UFO Studies, is seeking information about UFO sightings at Lake Nasworthy. The article discusses the similarities in descriptions and the need for verification, highlighting the skepticism and thoroughness of serious UFO researchers.

"Mysterious circle found on lawn" (NEWS-TIMES, Danbury, CT - August 16, 1985)

Christopher Dannen and Terry Vara-Dannen discovered a large, black circle of an unknown ashy substance on their lawn overnight, which they believe could be the result of a UFO landing.

"UFO sighting reported here" (DANE CO. NEWS-SICKLE/CROSS-ARROW, WI - August 8, 1985)

A resident of Dunlap Hollow reported seeing a glowing object with a searchlight-like beam of light moving slowly eastward.

"A Fairfield policeman finds that seeing is believing" (FAIRPRESS, Yorktown Heights, NY - July 17, 1985)

This article profiles George Lesnick, a retired Fairfield police lieutenant who became interested in UFOs after witnessing six luminous, ball-shaped objects in the sky in 1976. He and his partner, Philip Bragano, investigate cases, ruling out logical explanations for about 90% of sightings.

"UFO information week is observed" (BULLETIN, Latrobe, PA - August 13, 1985)

The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) designated the week of August 18-25 as the First National UFO Information Week to raise public awareness about ongoing UFO sightings and scientific study. The article mentions the Pennsylvania Association for the Study of the Unexplained (PASU) and provides contact information for reporting sightings.

"Did you see that UFO?" (PRESS, Issaquah, WA - July 31, 1985)

A woman reported seeing two brilliant, flashing objects in the sky that moved synchronously and stopped together, intriguing her and other observers.

"Ex-Tulsan Recalls 'Shooting' UFO" (WORLD, Tulsa, OK - August 4, 1985)

This piece revisits the story of Alan R. Smith, who took a famous UFO photograph in 1965. Smith, now a journalist, reflects on the event, stating he saw a UFO, not necessarily an alien spacecraft, and that the press attention influenced his career choice. The article also touches on the government's historical stance and investigations into UFOs.

"Vermont UFO Conference Draws Sparse Attendance" (FREE PRESS, Burlington, VT - July 21, 1985)

Aleuti Francesca, a lecturer and director at the Solar Light Retreat, spoke at a UFO event in Rochester, discussing telethought communications with extraterrestrials and a purported pre-emption of a British television network signal. The article notes the sparse attendance at the paranormal events.

"On the trail of UFOs" (TIMES, Beverly, MA - August 19, 1985)

Budd Hopkins, an artist specializing in investigating alien abductions, was a speaker at a two-day forum in Beverly sponsored by MUFON. He discussed his theories on implants and motives behind alleged abductions. Other speakers included Barry Greenwood and astronomy professor J. Allen Hynek.

"Participants cite seriousness of pursuit" (TIMES, Beverly, MA - August 19, 1985)

This article from the same forum highlights David Christensen's view that UFO investigation is a serious pursuit of unknown phenomena, with most cases having logical explanations. Fred Paulitz shares his frustration over an uninvestigated sighting.

"300 UFOlogists unite in search for the truth" (HERALD, Boston, MA - August 18, 1985)

Marge Christensen, director of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), organized a week-long event to demonstrate that UFOs are real. The article emphasizes that MUFON investigators are scientists and that the group aims to bring evidence to light, countering the stigma associated with UFO research.

"Others confirm area sighting" (CAPITAL TIMES, Madison, WI - August 21, 1985)

This report details a sighting of a bright, white light with a searchlight beam on August 2, 1985, in Wisconsin, with multiple witnesses corroborating the event. The National UFO Reporting Center has also received similar reports from other states.

"3 who say sighting of UFO caused illness may get day in court" (MORNING NEWS, Dallas, TX - September 4, 1985)

Betty Cash, Vickie Landrum, and her grandson Colby Landrum are suing the government, claiming a UFO sighting caused them medical problems. They allege a diamond-shaped object emitted flames and heat, and that military helicopters were present.

"Once-Common Sightings of UFOs Diminish in U.S." (WORLD, Tulsa, OK - August 5, 1985)

This article discusses the decline in reported UFO sightings in the U.S. compared to the 1960s and 1970s. Reasons suggested include media saturation, public curiosity being fulfilled by movies, fear of ridicule, and the possibility that 'visitors' have completed their surveys.

"Scientist Reports Profile of UFO Abductees" (DAILY BOOMERANG, Laramie, WY - July 25, 1985)

Dr. Aphrodite Clamar, a psychotherapist, reports that people who claim to be abducted by UFOs do not differ significantly from the general population, except for the experience itself. Her research found no psychological disorders, but noted similarities in the effects of their experiences to those of crime victims.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is the persistent mystery and ongoing investigation of UFO phenomena. There's a clear emphasis on the seriousness of UFO research, with many articles highlighting the scientific approach taken by organizations like MUFON and the Center for UFO Studies. The publication aims to present eyewitness accounts and research findings, often contrasting them with official explanations or skepticism. A recurring point is the fear of ridicule that prevents many people from reporting sightings, and the efforts being made to legitimize UFO research. The articles collectively suggest that while many sightings can be explained, a significant portion remains unexplained, warranting continued investigation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into these phenomena, encouraging public awareness and participation in reporting and understanding UFO events.

This issue of the "FOREIGN NEWS GAZETTE" from February 13, 1985, delves into the perplexing world of UFOs, questioning their origin and nature. The cover headline, "UFOS - are they of this world?", sets the tone for a collection of articles exploring various sightings, theories, and investigations.

Coming to Grips with UFOs by Scott McKeen

This feature article introduces John Brent Musgrave, a Canadian ufologist who has spent 32 years investigating UFO phenomena. Musgrave, who doesn't necessarily believe in extraterrestrials, is working on a PhD thesis comparing UFO cases to medieval witchcraft. He asserts that while people are seeing something, it's not always ET. He suggests that many UFO reports might be explained by military or commercial experiments, or even unknown physical phenomena like solar wind interactions with Earth's magnetic field. Musgrave criticizes the overemphasis on the extraterrestrial theory, which he believes hinders serious study. He also explores abduction cases, drawing parallels to ancient legends of witches' sabbats, suggesting they might be psychological or cultural phenomena rather than literal alien encounters.

One out of eight has seen a UFO

This editorial piece encourages readers to share their own UFO sightings, citing Gallup polls that suggest a significant portion of Canadians have witnessed unexplained aerial phenomena. The Gazette expresses interest in featuring such stories, particularly those related to ghosts and the supernatural.

UFO over town?

This report from Middelburg, South Africa, details a sighting by Mr. and Mrs. Lubbe of a bright, silent, stationary light that illuminated their surroundings before fading. The local Planetarium suggested it might have been a meteorite, but other similar reports from the Transvaal indicate a broader phenomenon.

It's UFO time again

This article from Natal Mercury, South Africa, discusses numerous sightings of unidentified flying objects over Durban. Explanations range from meteors or satellite debris to the planet Venus. Astronomer José Campos suggests that while meteors and satellite debris don't occur regularly, Dr. Sherman Ripley's sightings of a 'balloon-like object with a light coming from within' are harder to explain, even by the Planetarium.

Space junk crash baffles experts

This Daily Express report from London discusses bafflement among aerospace experts following a Russian airliner pilot's claim of being hit by space debris. The incident highlights the growing concern over space junk in orbit.

Goodbye to little green men...

This Guardian article, featuring insights from Jenny Randles of the British UFO Research Association, suggests that the focus on 'little green men' in UFO encounters might be misleading. Randles proposes that 'close encounters of the fourth kind' (abductions) could be psychological phenomena, though she acknowledges the difficulty in explaining multiple witnesses experiencing hallucinations. She also investigates the Rendlesham Forest incident, suspecting it might be a cover-up for secret military testing.

...hello gushype

This brief piece mentions author Carol Hill, whose bestseller "The Eleven Million Mile High Dancer" reportedly combines physics and fantasy, with the author claiming inspiration from radio waves from outer space.

UFO mystery baffles Paul

A Salisbury Journal report describes a peculiar flattened grass circle found in a field in Fonthill Bishop, England, with no clear explanation.

CURSE OF THE GIANT CIRCLES

This article from Southampton, England, discusses the recurring phenomenon of giant crop circles in Hampshire. Farmers are frustrated by the damage, and experts are baffled, ruling out natural causes or simple hoaxes due to the precision and lack of evidence.

Visitor who wore sky blue scales

This Herald Express report from Torquay, England, recounts a story from Argentina about a motel proprietor who encountered a tall man in a sky-blue scaled suit holding a sky-blue sphere. The story is featured in "The UFO Casebook," which also discusses the US government's alleged suppression of UFO evidence.

28 UFOs OVER THE ADRIATIC

This Daily Telegraph report from London notes over 28 sightings of unidentified flying objects along Italy's Adriatic coast, with objects changing color and disappearing rapidly.

IT'S THE GREAT ANDOVER FLYING SAUCER MYSTERY

This Advertiser report from Andover, England, details the discovery of strange circular 'landing' marks in a wheat field. Experts like Omar Fowler believe they were made by a large body landing from above, while others suspect a sophisticated hoax.

Encounters with the Thing

This Western Daily Press article from Bristol, England, looks back at the mysterious UFO sightings that made Warminster, England, famous 20 years prior. An exhibition is planned to commemorate these events.

UFO Spotted In Northern Italy

This Daily Progress report from Charlottesville, VA, mentions residents in northern Italy reporting sightings of a bright-colored unidentified flying object that spun and zig-zagged across the sky.

A not so very far away encounter

This East Hampshire Post report from England describes three people in Petersfield who witnessed a brilliantly lit object hovering over the town, with no explanation from the RAF, Army, or Meteorological Office.

UFO Up In Italy

This Evening Chronicle report from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England, notes a record number of UFO sightings in Italy, with reports of motorists meeting armless beings and seeing humanoids and strange discs.

Plane allegedly buzzed by missile

This Stars and Stripes report from Washington, DC, covers an investigation by the Italian Air Safety Board into claims that a Greek Boeing 707 was skimmed by a military missile over the Swiss-Italian border.

Lights mystery

This Ormskirk Advertiser report from England details two sightings of strange lights over Skelmersdale, with no explanation from local police or RAF officials.

Mystery flashlights in sky spark UFO probe

This Mercury report from Leicester, England, describes an investigation into mysterious objects seen near Melton Mowbray, including flashing lights and a triangular-shaped object emitting a humming sound.

The Face on Mars: An inquiry into an inquiry

This extensive feature from the San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle delves into the controversial 'Face on Mars' phenomenon. It discusses the initial discovery of the face-shaped mesa by the Viking I spacecraft, the claims by the Mars Investigation Group (MIG) that it is an artificial structure, and the scientific skepticism surrounding these assertions. The article highlights the work of Richard Hoagland, Vince DiPietro, and Gregory Molenaar, who used advanced imaging techniques to analyze the Viking data. It explores the possibility of ancient Martian civilizations and the broader implications for humanity's understanding of its place in the universe. The piece also touches upon related features in the Cydonia region, such as pyramidal structures, and the debate over whether these are natural formations or evidence of intelligent design.

'Wild man' exhibition opens in China

This Arkansas Gazette report mentions an exhibition in China featuring data on the mystery of the Chinese 'wild man,' akin to the Yeti, with evidence from various parts of the globe.

Ice from sky hits home in Pomona

This Daily News report from Van Nuys, CA, describes a 20-pound chunk of ice crashing through a roof in Pomona, California, with firefighters speculating it may have dropped from a passing plane.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent mystery of UFO sightings, the ongoing debate between scientific explanations and the possibility of extraterrestrial or unknown phenomena, and the public's enduring fascination with the unexplained. The editorial stance, particularly evident in the "One out of eight has seen a UFO" piece, encourages open-mindedness and investigation into these phenomena, urging readers to share their experiences. The articles collectively suggest that while many UFO reports may have mundane explanations, a significant portion remains unexplained, warranting further study and consideration beyond conventional scientific paradigms.