UFO Newsclipping Service - 1987 12 - no 221

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O. Newsclipping Service, dated December 1987, is Volume 221 and focuses heavily on UFO sightings and related phenomena reported in late 1987. The cover headline, "UFOs: 'If you're crazy, I'm nuts, too'," sets a tone of skepticism mixed with genuine inquiry into numerous witness accounts.

UFO Sightings in Wythe County, Virginia

The lead story details a series of UFO sightings in Wythe County, Virginia, beginning in September 1987. Police Chief Bob Lewis of Rural Retreat is quoted, wishing he hadn't spoken about his sighting. The reports describe large, silent objects hovering or moving slowly, often with flashing red, green, yellow, and white lights. Witnesses, including Patricia and Elmo Aker, Gerald Musser, Billie Rosenbaum, Jack and Carolyn Ellison, and Bettie Patton, describe objects that are silent except for an occasional hum, appearing in groups of two or three. Many believe these are part of a secret military project, noting that dogs do not react to them. The objects are described as not hostile, and witnesses often smile when discussing their encounters. Elmo Aker compares the objects to military aircraft but notes their unusual silence and slow speed. Bettie Patton observed a smaller glowing ball emerge from the larger object.

A separate article from the Northern Virginia Daily reports that the Tennessee Air National Guard stated they began more frequent refueling flights in the Wythe County area around September, suggesting these flights could explain the sightings. Technical Sgt. Marty Everett of the 134th Air Refueling Group from Knoxville stated that while he hadn't seen anything unusual, the descriptions of groups of lights hovering and splitting apart align with refueling operations. He noted that these flights would likely appear silent from the ground.

Alien Abduction Accounts and UFO Conferences

The issue features extensive coverage of alien abduction claims and UFO conferences. A Reporter Dispatch article from White Plains, NY, details a UFO Conference at Wells Middle School, where author Whitley Strieber shared his experiences of "contacts." Strieber, author of "Communion," discussed his belief that something real is happening and that people are being taken by aliens. The conference organizer, Peter Gersten, highlighted that at least 12 unrelated individuals in the Hudson Valley and Connecticut reported being kidnapped by aliens. Gersten, a criminal lawyer, emphasized the similarity in descriptions of the abductors and the trauma experienced by victims, comparing it to rape victims' experiences.

Bud Hopkins, author of "Intruders," is mentioned as a speaker who uses hypnosis to help abductees recall their experiences. The focus of these abductions, according to Hopkins and Walt Andrus of the Mutual UFO Network, is believed to be a genetic experiment involving humans and aliens.

Another article from the New Mexican features Santa Fe artist Richard Morrow, who claims his art is inspired by his extraterrestrial experiences and encounters with spaceships. He creates jewelry and sculptures based on these visions.

A piece from the Daily Sun-News in Sunnyside, WA, introduces James S. Bounds, who presented a photograph he claims is of an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO), taken by a DMSS satellite in 1978. Bounds believes the government has been hiding information about UFOs for decades and cites a supposed top-secret 1952 briefing document concerning "Operation Majestic-12," a committee allegedly appointed by President Truman to investigate "disc-shaped aircraft."

Government Secrecy and Investigations

Several articles touch upon government secrecy and the investigation of UFO phenomena. Ron Regehr of Huntington Beach, an aerospace engineer, is profiled for spending five years compiling documents related to UFOs and the alleged "Majestic-12" project. Regehr and his partners investigate references to shadowy government projects, military bases with no official missions, and supposed testing of captured UFO technology for the Stealth fighter program. They obtained a photocopy of a document purporting to be a briefing for President Eisenhower about "Operation Majestic-12," which described the recovery of wreckage and four deceased alien bodies from a 1947 crash near Roswell, New Mexico. Despite denials from the White House and National Security Council, Regehr and his associates continue to pursue information through Freedom of Information Act requests.

Richard Hall of Brentwood, MD, a former director of the National Investigation Committee on Aerial Phenomena, discusses his lifelong study of UFOs. He notes that the subject is more respected now than when he started, with several best-selling books on the topic. His non-profit corporation, Fund for UFO Research Inc., provides grants for research into "physical trace evidence" of UFOs.

Other Notable Reports

An article from the Advance Leader mentions an "Object spotted" in Monroeville, PA, on August 14, 1987, where a woman reported seeing an object with green lights hovering for a long period.

A piece from the Reporter Dispatch details a UFO conference where Whitley Strieber shared his experiences. It also mentions a boomerang-shaped object sighted over Kent Cliffs in Putnam County in 1983, and a globe of light seen in Florida.

The Southwest Virginia Enterprise reports on UFO sightings in Wytheville, suggesting a secret military operation might be responsible for the recent "flying saucer craze."

The News, Ann Arbor, MI, features Shirley Coyne recounting her childhood experiences of flying saucer abductions, detailing telepathic communication and physical examinations by "beings." Coyne, a member of the Mutual UFO Network, Inc., shared her story with high school students, emphasizing her belief in extraterrestrial beings and close encounters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this issue are the persistent reports of unexplained aerial phenomena, the alleged involvement of government secrecy and military operations, and the personal testimonies of individuals who claim to have witnessed UFOs or experienced alien abductions. The editorial stance, as reflected in the newsclipping service format, is to present these accounts and investigations, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while acknowledging the skepticism and the search for tangible evidence. There is a clear emphasis on witness credibility and the ongoing effort to uncover the truth behind these phenomena, often highlighting the difficulty in obtaining official confirmation or explanations from authorities.

This issue of The Plain Dealer, dated August 2, 1987, features a prominent cover story titled "We join our heroes spaced out in Ohio," introducing the investigative exploits of Cuyahoga Jones and his photographer partner, Nikon Dave. The magazine presents a series of articles delving into UFO phenomena, alleged alien encounters, and other unexplained mysteries from various locations.

Cuyahoga Jones in Search of Aliens

The main feature follows reporter Alfred Lubrano, under the guise of Cuyahoga Jones, and photographer Nikon Dave on a road trip through Ohio to investigate UFO sightings and claims of alien activity. They explore the state's reputation as a 'UFO corridor,' referencing historical events like the alleged crashes and storage of alien bodies at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. The article highlights Project Blue Book, the Air Force's official UFO study, which some experts dismiss as a cover-up. It also mentions the Battelle Memorial Institute's unexplained UFO findings and the Ohio State University's search for extraterrestrial signals.

Their investigation leads them to interview Leonard Stringfield, a former Air Force intelligence officer, who claims to have spoken with numerous witnesses about alien crafts and bodies being taken to Wright-Patterson. Stringfield alleges that by 1966, 30 alien bodies were present. The pair also look into the mysterious 'Majestic 12' memo, which purportedly discusses the Roswell incident and alien transfers.

At Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a public relations officer, Lt. Tim Cothrel, denies the existence of stored alien craft or bodies, stating that the government's inability to hide the Iran-contra affair makes such a cover-up impossible. He acknowledges the base's high-tech research but dismisses the idea of possessing flying saucers.

The article concludes with Lubrano and Dave inviting any aliens to contact The Plain Dealer, humorously suggesting a meeting in the 'Flats' for beers.

Other UFO Sightings and Reports

The issue includes several other reports on UFO sightings from around the world:

• Wythe County, Virginia (October 24, 1987): Five people claim to have seen UFOs, described as military craft, which allegedly harassed motorists and chased cars.
• Haifa, Israel (September 30, 1987): An eyewitness reported an object surrounded by fiery sparks near the beach, leaving a burnt patch of earth resembling a pilot's posture. Hundreds of curious people visited the site.
• Midlands, England (August 21, 1987): Multiple calls reported an oval orange object with a green band, travelling at great speed and hovering.
• Littlefork, Minnesota (October 28, 1987): A green ball of light was spotted hovering over the airport and Green Forest, moving quickly and leaving a tail.
• Jumonville Summit, Pennsylvania (October 25, 1973): A UFO allegedly landed in a field, and two tall hairy creatures with glowing green eyes were seen walking along a fence line.
• Torquay and Newton Abbot, England (September 27, 1987): Several sightings of a mysterious UFO with six bright lights were reported.

Other Mysteries: Bigfoot and Abominable Snowman

Beyond UFOs, the magazine touches upon other cryptid phenomena:

• Bigfoot in Pennsylvania: Dr. Paul G. Johnson of Duquesne University has compiled a book detailing Bigfoot sightings in Pennsylvania, with Fayette County ranking fourth in reported incidents. Descriptions include a 7½-foot-tall biped with long hair and glowing eyes, often smelling of sulfur. Sightings are predominantly at night and near woods.
• Bigfoot in Willow Creek, California: Despite forest fires, the legend of Bigfoot persists in Willow Creek, known as the 'Bigfoot capital of the world.' Local residents like Jay Rowland claim to have seen numerous tracks, while others remain skeptical due to the lack of concrete evidence and the prevalence of hoaxes.
• Yeti Footprints in New Zealand: British and Norwegian climbers claim to have found evidence of the legendary Yeti in the Himalayas, including photographs of large, foot-shaped prints.
• 'Abominable Snowman' Search: Soviet mountaineers are joining the search for the 'Abominable Snowman' in the Himalayas, with a Yeti society established in Leningrad.
• 'Bardin Booger' in Florida: A creature called the 'Bardin Booger' is said to roam the pine forests of Northeast Florida, inspiring local legends, songs, and merchandise.
• Sasquatch in Bellevue, Washington: Residents reported seeing two sasquatch-like creatures, described as hairy and manlike, near their homes. The sightings are linked to local legends of Bigfoot.
• 'Sasquatch Sightings: Imagined & True' Book: A new book collects nearly 140 stories and poems about Sasquatch, covering Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Scientific and Historical Notes

• Siberian Explosion (Tunguska Event): Isaac Asimov discusses the 1908 Siberian event, initially thought to be a meteorite impact. New evidence of iridium suggests a meteor, but the absence of a crater remains a mystery, with theories ranging from a comet to a spaceship explosion.
• Pyramids' Blocks: Professor Joseph Davidovits proposes that the ancient Egyptians poured the pyramid blocks on-site using a super-strong cement, challenging the traditional theory of slave labor and quarried stone.
• Deadly Pitted Windshields: Andrew Rothovius explains how airborne fallout from hydrogen bomb tests in 1954 caused windshield pitting and serious illness, highlighting the dangers of official secrecy and downplaying of facts.
• Loch Ness Monster: A letter to the editor suggests that silent monitoring procedures, rather than sonar sweeps, would be more effective in detecting the Loch Ness Monster, as the creatures might burrow into the sediment.
• Vanished Pilot: A British pilot's unmanned supersonic jet flew 700 miles before crashing, with the pilot missing and the cockpit empty, leading to speculation of a 'Twilight Zone'-like mystery.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained phenomena, including UFOs, cryptids like Bigfoot and the Yeti, and historical mysteries. There is a strong emphasis on investigative journalism, with reporters actively seeking out witnesses and evidence. The articles often highlight the skepticism of authorities and the public towards these phenomena, alongside the persistence of believers and researchers. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various accounts and theories while acknowledging the lack of definitive proof and the potential for hoaxes or misidentification. The issue also touches upon the role of government secrecy and its potential impact on public understanding and safety, particularly in relation to nuclear testing and UFO investigations.