Magazine Overview
This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated November 1987, focuses on recent UFO reports that have garnered national attention. The publication aims to report accurately on sightings and encourage investigation.
Screven County Sightings Draw National Attention
The lead story details a series of UFO sightings in eastern Screven County, Georgia, which captured the attention of national media outlets. Residents Frank and Wanda Alcorn reported seeing a large, dark, metallic, cylindrical craft with red and white lights hovering near their home on county road 108. They emphasized that the craft made no sound and had no visible wings or tail. The object was described as being shaped like a huge cylinder, similar to a tank on a gas truck, with three large red lights and a cluster of white lights underneath.
According to the Alcorns, the craft lifted slowly, hovered, moved toward the highway, and then sped out of sight over the trees with a slight zipping sound. The following morning, they found at least three large, square or rectangular impressions in the grassy field where the object had reportedly rested.
The Alcorns' experience was corroborated by Emerson Scott, his wife Julie, and their children, who also saw a large object with lights descending behind the trees, initially mistaking it for a crashing jet due to its silence.
On Tuesday evening, the Alcorns reported seeing the craft descend into the field behind their home again, hovering and then zipping away. The sighting was also confirmed by Mac and Shirley MaHaffey, Roxanne Joyner, Dee Morgan, and Philip Boston, who observed the craft for about two minutes as it passed over a wooded area.
Roxanne Joyner described the craft as 'lit up like a Christmas tree,' with no wings and no sound, and a cylindrical body rounded on the ends.
In addition to the large craft, numerous reports were made of smaller 'dancing lights' moving erratically over wooded areas and occasionally dipping down, lighting up the woods.
Mark Rodeghier, scientific director for UFO Studies, expressed intrigue but suggested that the dancing lights might be mistaken for bright stars and planets, and that UFOs typically do not return two nights in a row. Mrs. Alcorn and others expressed indignation at this explanation, asserting they could distinguish between stars and what they witnessed.
Sharon Sheppard of Sylvania reported seeing a silver, cylindrical object hovering overhead during the daytime, clustered with brilliant lights, which made no noise and had no wings.
Other Sightings and Investigations
Wythe County, Virginia: Reports indicate nearly 50 UFO sightings within two weeks in Wythe County. One family reported a low-flying object that hovered above their car for five to 10 minutes before flying off noiselessly. The object was described as oval with red and white pulsating lights.
Bay City, Texas: Johnny Sidney Jr. reported seeing a huge, oval-shaped object, described as the size of the Astrodome, hovering with flashing lights for about three hours. Bay City Sheriff's Deputy Aaron Green also witnessed the object, describing it as about the size of a football field with three lights spaced about 100 yards apart in a triangular formation, flashing like a traffic signal. The object made no noise.
Huntsville, Alabama: A bright, round, unidentified object was seen flashing across the skies, zipping from Iola to Jerseytown to Washingtonville in 25 minutes. Dennis Shultz described it as a round object with red and blue lights that hovered for two to three minutes before flashing away. A 16-year-old girl in Jerseytown described a similar object, calling it 'egg-shaped, but hovering vertically' with alternating green and orange lights.
Ocala, Florida: Several residents and a sheriff's deputy reported seeing a silent, hovering aircraft resembling a Volkswagen van with sparks shooting from the rear and green and red lights forming a half circle. A beam of light shone from the underside to the ground.
St. Petersburg, Florida: Two men camping in the Ocala National Forest reported seeing an unusual aircraft described as looking more like the top half of a huge egg, with red and green lights and a beam of light pointing to the ground. They reported no noise.
Wisconsin Sightings: Don Schmitt of the J-Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies was investigating a sighting in Waunakee where two police officers saw red and blue lights in the sky. This was part of a series of sightings in the Belleville area and Dane County.
Switzerland (Eduard Meier Case): The issue references Gary Kinder's book 'Light Years,' which investigates the claims of Eduard Meier, a Swiss farmer who alleges contact with extraterrestrials from the Pleiades. While Meier presents photographic, video, and metal evidence, critics like William Spaulding and Ronald Story consider him a hoaxer. The book highlights Meier's claims of photographic evidence, video tapes, and metal samples, with some analysis suggesting the metallic composition was beyond current Earth technology. However, concerns about potential fakery, including a photograph of a San Francisco earthquake that was later identified as an artist's conception, have led many ufologists to dismiss Meier's claims.
General UFO Research: The publication touches upon the work of Robert Gribble, who founded Phenomena Research and operates the National UFO Reporting Center, documenting sightings and close encounters. It also mentions the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) and its director, Walt Andrus, who notes an increase in abduction reports. The article discusses the historical context of UFO investigations, including the Air Force's Project Blue Book and the Condon Report, and the ongoing debate about government secrecy and the scientific validity of UFO research.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings, the variety of reported object characteristics (shape, color, behavior, speed, altitude), and the persistent lack of definitive explanations from official sources. The editorial stance appears to be one of objective reporting, presenting witness accounts and expert opinions, while acknowledging the skepticism and controversy surrounding the subject. There is an underlying encouragement for further investigation and a rational explanation for these phenomena. The publication highlights the frustration of witnesses when their accounts are dismissed or attributed to misidentification, and it underscores the challenges faced by ufologists in gaining scientific credibility, particularly in light of controversial cases like that of Billy Meier.
This issue of "TIMES" from August 10, 1987, titled "UFO stories keep public's attention," delves into the persistent public fascination with Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. The magazine features a collection of articles, interviews, and reports from various locations, exploring witness testimonies, investigative efforts, and the ongoing debate surrounding UFOs.
U.F.O. Stakeout: A Polite Request To Land in Rain
This article by Michael Winerip profiles Ellen Crystall, a UFO photographer and Ph.D. candidate who dedicates significant time and resources to documenting UFOs. Crystall expresses frustration with the lack of funding and the difficulty of getting UFO pictures developed. She recounts her first alien encounter in 1971 and estimates having seen over 1,000 UFOs. The piece also introduces some of Crystall's associates, including John White, a speechwriter and UFO conference organizer, and Dan and Marianne Shenefield, who share their abduction experiences. The group engages in UFO watching, hoping to spot a triangle-shaped ship.
UFO stories keep public's attention
This main article by Coria Holland discusses the evolution of public perception of UFOs over forty years, from skepticism in the 1940s to their current status as a household word, influenced by popular culture. It highlights the work of Raymond Fowler, national director of Investigations for the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), who receives numerous calls about UFO sightings worldwide. Fowler criticizes the government for allegedly hiding UFO sightings and recounts a classic case in Exeter, New Hampshire, where a policeman's sighting led to ridicule and job loss. The article also details close encounters of the first and third kind, referencing Whitley Strieber's "Communion" and Budd Hopkins' "Intruders," and mentions Gary Kinder's book "Light Years" about Eduard Meier's encounter. Fowler believes that a 98 percent awareness factor exists regarding UFOs, with more people willing to go on record.
Many UFO Sightings Go Unreported
This AP report highlights the underreporting of UFO sightings, with Mark Rodeghier, a sociologist and scientific director at the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies, estimating that only one in ten sightings are reported. The article features an incident in Waunakee, Wisconsin, where police officers filled out a report on a strange object. Rodeghier defines a "wave" of UFO sightings as hundreds or thousands of reports, noting that the UFO scene has been relatively quiet for 14 years. He categorizes the Waunakee case as a "typical light-in-the-sky case" that may not be of significant research value unless it leaves physical evidence. Rodeghier suggests that while traces don't definitively prove extraterrestrial spacecraft, they indicate phenomena that cannot be explained, and he doesn't rule out the possibility that some sightings are indeed alien spacecraft.
Researcher interviews those who report UFOs
This article by Mitch Weiss introduces John Timmerman, a marketing vice president and vice president of public relations for the Center for UFO Studies in Chicago. Timmerman has interviewed hundreds of people who claim to have seen UFOs or been abducted by extraterrestrials. He emphasizes his role is to document these experiences, not to persuade others of their reality. Timmerman has a database of over 80,000 cases and investigates sightings in the Lima, Ohio area. He became interested in UFOs after reading a newspaper account of a pilot's sighting in 1947. The article touches on the abduction phenomenon as a major topic at a recent MUFON symposium, with Timmerman hypothesizing that aliens might seek genetic boosts from dying planets.
Close encounters on Mount Spokane
This piece by Minnie Horsmann recounts several UFO sightings on Mount Spokane, Washington, in the late 1960s. Eleanor and Harold Opsal reported seeing a large, round, pulsating dome emitting a blue light. Mrs. Opsal experienced eye irritation and a slight burn on her nose, ears, and lips after the sighting. Dale Barbour also reported a saucer-shaped object. Investigations by the Air Force at Fairchild Air Force Base suggested high magnetic fields or electrical lines might be involved. The article also mentions Ben Milne's sightings of strange lights and a domed spaceship, and a story about a missing colt and a declining mare after a UFO encounter. Craig and Marian Opsal, who bought the farm in 1979, have not seen similar phenomena in recent years.
Danger from little green men supporters
This is a critical review by Adrian Berry of Timothy Good's book "Above Top Secret: The Worldwide UFO Cover-Up." Berry dismisses the book's premise of a vast inter-governmental conspiracy to hide UFO existence as improbable, citing the immense size and fuel requirements for interstellar travel. He criticizes Good for ignoring scientific progress and for his "sinister" implied course of action, which Berry likens to the 17th-century witch hunts, suggesting that a "frenzied mass movement" could arise from such ideas. Berry concludes that Good's ideas are "maniacal" and that he should stick to his profession as a violinist.
UFO frenzy
A letter to the editor by John Brosnan criticizes Adrian Berry's review of Timothy Good's book, calling Berry's fear of a UFO-fueled witch hunt "ludicrous" and "hilarious." Brosnan finds the image of UFO enthusiasts rampaging and burning intelligence service members to be amusing and notes that many people are already demanding truth from intelligence communities.
We saw a UFO, say York women
This article reports on a sighting by a mother and her two daughters in York, England, who described a mysterious oblong object with red and white flashing lights. They were convinced it was not the sun. The York Astronomical Society found the description unusual and the fact that multiple people saw it convincing. However, RAF Linton-on-Ouse reported blank radar screens at the time.
Believers, skeptics look to skies
This piece reflects on personal UFO experiences, starting with the author's childhood encounter as part of the Ground Observer Corps. The author recounts a later experience of seeing what appeared to be a rocket attack followed by a fireball. The article also includes an anecdote from a farmer who observed a hovering saucer-shaped object that mesmerized him, causing him to lose track of time. The author identifies as a believer and encourages others with similar experiences to come forward, suggesting a re-opening of the Canadian government's UFO investigation files.
Perspective
Francene Cosman shares personal reflections on UFO experiences, including her own childhood encounter and a farmer's account of a hovering saucer. She notes the contrast between skeptics and believers and encourages the identification of similar experiences, advocating for the re-opening of government UFO files.
The junior UFO gang set poser for experts
This article reports on two separate incidents at St. Joseph's primary school in Leigh, England, where children claimed to have seen a UFO being chased by a helicopter. Investigator Steve Balon stated that he was unable to find any conventional explanation for the sightings, which were corroborated by children's sketches and detailed accounts. The children described a circular object with flashing red and white lights that dodged the helicopter before disappearing.
Maltby UFO spotter says: 'I'm no loony'
This report features Mark Jones and his wife, who claim to have witnessed mysterious flashing lights in the night sky near Maltby, England. They described the object as staying in one place for at least 25 minutes and vanishing when Mrs. Jones contacted the police. They were convinced it was an unidentified flying object and not an ordinary aircraft or helicopter.
Spaceman in a shed takes off Down Under
This article describes Sandy Kidd's invention, a machine combining gyroscopes, a model airplane engine, and an electric drill, which appears to defy physics by producing thrust without reaction. An Australian high-tech company plans to develop this invention, which could potentially lead to flying saucers.
UFO sighting gets campaign off ground
This report from Auckland, New Zealand, details a UFO sighting of an oval saucer-shape hovering over the sea, which occurred shortly before the Aetherius Society launched its UFO campaign. The society believes UFOs visit Earth to offer guidance and that the next Messiah will arrive in a flying saucer.
'WE'VE SEEN UFO 20 TIMES'
This article from the Western Independent features three West Country women who claim to have seen a UFO approximately 20 times, with one occasion involving the object following their car. They describe the craft as having no defined shape and being totally silent. The women have stayed up late waiting for its return and have taken photographs that did not develop. They also noted that the object failed to appear when friends were present.
Close encounters in Putney Bridge Road
Albert Budden, an Accredited UFO Investigator, shares his experiences and investigations into UFO sightings in Wandsworth, England. He recounts a sighting of a diamond-shaped object and an extraordinary incident in Putney Bridge Road where a young footballer, John Loughrey, witnessed a glowing cigar-shaped object with yellow lights that filled the sky. Loughrey lost consciousness and found himself halfway home, with the object still visible as a yellow light.
OTHER SIGHTINGS SO FAR
This section briefly notes that the current spate of UFO sightings over South Devon is the biggest since 1980, with 14 people reporting sightings in recent weeks. It mentions a well-known 1966 sighting of a cone-shaped object over Torquay harbour.
FROM THE BOOKSHOPS
This section lists best-selling books, including "Above Top Secret" by Timothy Good.
UFO PROBE
A cylinder that crashed onto the roof of a country house in Somerset, England, sparked a UFO investigation. The object, described as 12 inches long and red-hot, was taken away by police, who assumed it was part of an aircraft, but air traffic control had no record of planes flying over the area.
FACTS ABOUT THE CIRCLES
A letter to the editor discusses "mystery circles" discovered in Westbury, England, ruling out human hoaxers and meteorological explanations. The author suggests that these phenomena, which have also been observed in Winchester, approach from the air and leave the same way, with no tracks found.
WAY TO GO, GRAN!
This article by Roger Malone discusses UFO sightings in the West, including a report from Dorothy Wilkinson, who claims to have seen UFOs on numerous occasions. Wilkinson's experiences include seeing a strange object that followed her car and appeared to flash back at her headlights. The article also mentions a sighting by a pilot in 1947 and a study at Ohio Northern University.
UFO spotted in the night
This brief report mentions a UFO sighting by a group of people on East Street, who saw a strange craft in the early hours of the morning. They described it as a "flying saucer" that disappeared before dawn.
EVENING POST, Oldham, England
This section contains a brief report about a UFO sighting by Mr. M. Sullivan in Rassau, Gwent, who reported seeing three revolving objects that zig-zagged before disappearing.
It came from outer space!
This article by John Bartley discusses UFO sightings in the skies over France. A French pilot reported seeing a UFO that appeared to be a "flying saucer" that hovered and then accelerated rapidly. The article also mentions that French authorities are investigating UFO sightings, with a team of scientists known as GEPAN conducting research.
New vigil to sweep skies for UFO lights
This article from the Northern Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Staff Reporter discusses plans to launch a second overnight video surveillance of Okanagan Lake for the legendary monster, Ogopogo. The article mentions that an ABC television crew filmed what they believed to be Ogopogo, with its humps, in the lake.
FORTEANA NEWS: They're off to see the YETI
This article profiles James Barry and Wayne Robinson, who are embarking on an expedition to the Himalayas to search for the yeti, or "Abominable Snowman." They believe the creature is real and hope to find and photograph it. The article discusses the risks involved, including wild animals and climatic changes, and mentions the yeti's alleged sexual attraction to humans based on some Chinese reports.
Bigfoot hunter seeking information
This brief report mentions Rene Dahinden, a Bigfoot hunter, seeking information on the elusive beast in the Blue Mountains, British Columbia. He has been tracking Bigfoot for 30 years and notes reports of Bigfoot tracks and sightings in the area.
MYSTERY OF VANISHING HOUSE
Mountaineers Donald Watt and George Bruce reported seeing a house on the banks of Loch Mullardoch, Scotland, that vanished into thin air. The case is to be investigated by Professor Archie Roy. The men described the house as granite-colored with a slate roof and attic windows. The article suggests this might be a glimpse into the past, possibly related to an old shooting lodge that was demolished.
Bigfoot Controversy Emerges Again With First Suburban Sightings
This article by Christopher Hanson discusses the ongoing Bigfoot controversy, with reports of sightings in suburban Bellevue, Washington. It mentions the physical characteristics attributed to Bigfoot (seven feet tall, 800 pounds, covered in fur) and the skepticism surrounding these claims, with some experts dismissing them as myth. However, it also highlights amateur investigators and some anthropologists who believe Bigfoot may exist as a surviving primate species. The article cites thousands of footprints and a film of a supposed Sasquatch as evidence. It also details specific sightings in Bellevue, including large tracks and sightings of hairy creatures.
Shy serpent? Robot to join hunt for legendary creature in B.C. lake
This article reports on Hank Pronk's use of a submersible robot equipped with a mechanical arm and video camera to search for Ogopogo, the legendary serpent of Okanagan Lake, British Columbia. Pronk believes in Ogopogo's existence and aims to test his robot's capabilities in the deep waters of the lake. The article also mentions an ABC television crew that claimed to have filmed Ogopogo.
Ogopogo answers ABC casting call
This report details an ABC television crew's filming of what they believe to be Ogopogo, the legendary monster of Okanagan Lake. Cameraman Michael Tabor and producer David Frank claim to have captured three minutes of footage of the creature, described as having several humps.
'I was afraid, boy ... I just kept on chasin' it'
This article features Raymond L. Broderick, a 72-year-old former body-shop worker from Marysville, Ohio, who claims to have seen Bigfoot. He describes the creature as large, hairy, and following power lines and railroad tracks. Sheriff John Overly also shares his experiences and belief in Bigfoot sightings in Union County, Ohio, noting that footprints have been found and that sightings often occur near high-power lines or railroad tracks.
Bigfoot walks tall
This article reiterates the description of Bigfoot as a large, hairy, ape-like creature over seven feet tall and weighing up to 800 pounds, primarily found in the Pacific Northwest. It mentions the movie "Harry and the Hendersons" and the skepticism surrounding Bigfoot claims, while also noting that some anthropologists believe it may exist as a surviving primate species. The article cites thousands of footprints and a film as evidence. It also mentions reports of Bigfoot sightings in Ohio and discusses the scientific analysis of hair strands found by Sheriff John Overly.
Loch Ness monster remains elusive, but Tech professor still a believer
This article focuses on Henry Bauer, a Virginia Tech chemistry professor who believes in the Loch Ness monster. Bauer observed Operation Deepscan, a sonar sweep of Loch Ness, which yielded few contacts. Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, Bauer remains a believer, suggesting that the monster's existence might be proven by a carcass or detailed photographs. The article also touches on the relationship between science and "pseudo-science," with Bauer's belief in Nessie being a personal one not accepted by mainstream science.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent mystery and public fascination with UFOs, cryptids like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, and alleged government cover-ups. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting witness testimonies and expert opinions from both believers and skeptics. While acknowledging the lack of definitive proof for many of these phenomena, the articles encourage reporting and further research, suggesting that there are unexplained aspects of our world that warrant attention. There is a clear emphasis on presenting diverse viewpoints, from the critical analysis of Timothy Good's book to the personal accounts of those who claim direct encounters.
