UFO Newsclipping Service - 1988 02 - no 223

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE, dated February 1988, Number 223, features a prominent cover story about a UFO sighted over Gulf Breeze, Florida, on November 11, 1987. The service is co-edited by Lucius Farish and Rod B. Dyke, and published from Plumerville, Arkansas.

UFO Sighted Over Gulf Breeze

The lead article details a sighting by a Gulf Breeze resident who captured Polaroid photos of an object described as a dull gray-blue 'thing,' about the size of a small house. The object hovered, weaved slightly, and glowed from the bottom, with markings and a dome on top. The witness wished to remain anonymous, stating they had 'everything to lose' by coming forward but felt compelled to share their experience. The photos were taken from the front yard of a residence on November 11th.

Do Aliens Need Human Genes?

This section, attributed to the Chicago Tribune and CR D. Clements, discusses the premise of Budd Hopkins' book, 'Intruders: The Incredible Visitations at Copley Woods.' The book explores the testimony of an Indiana woman, Kathie Davis, who claims to have been subjected to ongoing genetic experiments by aliens since adolescence. The article speculates that aliens might be attempting to improve their gene pool with human DNA, noting that victims' drawings depict aliens with huge heads and hypnotic eyes. Men are reportedly forced to donate sperm or mate with female aliens, while women undergo egg retrievals or are impregnated and have their embryos removed.

Number of People Reporting UFOs in Little River County

This article by Michael Arbanas from the Gazette Hot Springs Bureau reports on a surge of UFO sightings in Little River County, Arkansas. Sheriff Dallas Keller confirmed over 60 reports on Tuesday and Wednesday nights of circular craft with extremely bright lights. Some observers reported seeing two UFOs flying together and then separating at great speed. Rose Jones of Foreman described a ball of light that changed color and flew high into the sky. Residents had been seeing strange lights since Christmas but kept quiet for fear of ridicule. Air traffic controllers at Texarkana Regional Airport logged no unusual activity. The Sheriff's department is investigating due to the number of reports and the seriousness of the witnesses.

UFO 'flap' Still Unexplained

This Times-Dispatch article by Mark Holmberg covers the UFO sightings in Wythe County, Virginia, which began in earnest in October. Descriptions of the objects varied, including 'flying school bus,' 'bouncing on a string,' 'large sphere with red spheres,' 'upside-down ice cream cone,' and 'humongous mother ship.' The sightings occurred over scenic countryside. Mayor Carl E. Stark expressed pride in the community's sensible approach but noted their concern. Local businesses, like Dick Phillipi's Texaco Travel Store and Comfort Inn, saw a boost from UFO tourism. Phillipi even advertised 'Free fill-ups for any UFO craft.' The article also features the skepticism of James E. Moore, known as 'Coaldust,' who dismisses the sightings as 'hootenanny.' Danny Gordon, news and sports director for WYVE-AM, is a strong believer, actively encouraging listeners to report sightings and correlating information. He dismisses the theory that the objects are Tennessee Air National Guard refueling operations, citing their low altitudes and advanced capabilities. Gordon organized a UFO conference in Wytheville.

The 'Westchester Wing' UFO Sighting

This article reviews the book 'Night Siege: The Hudson Valley UFO Sightings' by Dr. J. Allen Hynek and Philip Imbrogno. The book details sightings of a V-shaped string of lights, nicknamed the 'Westchester Wing,' in the Hudson River Valley and adjacent Connecticut towns since December 1982. The objects are described as nearly soundless, V-shaped, and obscuring stars. The authors highlight instances where federal representatives allegedly stonewalled queries or provided misleading information. The article notes that the media also failed to adequately investigate the sightings.

Visitors From Space May Be Watching

This American article by Daniel Petersen discusses the return of UFO sightings in Waterbury, Middlebury, and Southbury, Connecticut, similar to those on June 11. The book 'Night Siege' is mentioned as detailing sightings in a 1,400-square-mile area. The authors list 12 reasons why the objects are not conventional aircraft, including their ability to hover and their lack of response to wind. The article emphasizes the credibility of witnesses, including professionals who had much to lose by reporting their experiences.

Woman Reports Seeing UFO

This Tribune-Herald article by LaMarriol Smith reports on a Corsicana, Texas, woman, Sue Milligan, who saw an unidentified object around 4 a.m. on Friday. She described it as not flashing, hovering in one place for about 30 minutes, and not shaped like an airplane but 'rounded.' Texas Power & Light reported no power malfunctions. A Mutual UFO Network spokesman suggested the object could have been the planet Mars. The article also mentions a report from Adelaide, Australia, about an orange egg-shaped object chasing a car.

Not Everyone Agrees Meteor Fell Near Kecksburg in 1965

This Tribune Review article by Dave Lester revisits the 1965 Kecksburg incident. An eyewitness, a volunteer fireman, recalls a fiery bright-orange object and a subsequent military search for wreckage. He describes finding a large, acorn-shaped metallic object embedded in a ditch. Amateur UFO investigators believe the military's intense interest and secrecy suggest more than a simple meteorite. The article notes the difficulty in finding witnesses due to fear of ridicule or offending the military. The Pennsylvania Association for the Study of the Unexplained (PASU) is mentioned as a clearinghouse for UFO reports.

Tier is in the Dark About Flying Object

This Press & Sun-Bulletin article by Roqua Montez IV discusses a bright object seen in Broome County, New York, since Thursday. Theories include meteors, the planet Venus, and military helicopters. Observatory director E. Jay Sarton Jr. believes it was a meteor, possibly from the Quadrantid shower. However, observers claim the object changed direction and hovered. Peter Santangelo, a field investigator for Mutual UFO Network, is looking into the sightings. He suggests the object seen Sunday was a fireball, a brilliant meteor. Other sightings are attributed to Venus or blimp-like objects with flashing lights.

Seven See UFO Over Bennington

This Monadnock Ledger article reports on seven residents who saw a bright, fast-moving light over Bennington, New Hampshire. Elaine Barrett and neighbor Frank H. Cordelle described it as a 'very bright light trailing a tail' with no sound. They believe it might have been a flying saucer. Officer David Skerry also reportedly saw the object.

Laurel Residents Watching the Skies for More UFO's

This Wayne County Outlook article reports at least three UFO sightings in the London, Kentucky, area since the weekend. Reports include a Saturday night sighting of an object with multi-colored lights and Tuesday night sightings of a flashing, spinning object and a red object. A 14-year-old babysitter reported being frightened by an object and fleeing her home. The FAA provided a Washington state phone number for reporting incidents.

Was the UFO He Spotted a Small Private Airplane?

This Tribune article questions whether a UFO spotted by Doug Griffin in Bismarck, North Dakota, was a small private airplane. The airport's air traffic control manager doubts it was a jet due to its low altitude, suggesting it might have been a private plane not under radio control.

UFO Follow-Up: New Sightings

This Sentinel article from Gulf Breeze, Florida, details several new sightings. Jeff Thompson reported a V-shaped object with window-type formations that shot up at an angle and stopped, then sped away, possibly chased by jets. Charles Somerby and his wife Dori also reported sightings. Linda Lube' saw a light moving slowly across the sky. Diane Hanson's daughter saw an object with 'different colored lights falling down.' A Pensacola executive viewed an object heading for an apparent landing. Mrs. Joseph Zamitt reported seeing an object similar to the newspaper photo, with a stream of light descending into a canal. 'Cathy' and friends spotted a 'hanging object with four bright lights' over Bayou Texar. The Sentinel is working with MUFON on these investigations.

Kingston Woman Retells Tale of UFO Kidnapping

This Gazette article by Neal E. Boudette recounts Betty Hill's story of being abducted by aliens in 1961 with her late husband, Barney. She claims UFOs are present every night and offers photographic 'proof.' The Hills were reportedly captured, taken aboard a spaceship, and subjected to tests. Details of the creatures and their home star, Zeta-1, are provided. Betty Hill now totes a camera to film sightings and presents slides of various UFO shapes.

UFOs: Are They Really Up There...Or Down Here?

This Southern California Senior Life article by Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) Wendell C. Stevens discusses the long history of UFO sightings since 1947. It details several alleged UFO crashes in New Mexico in 1947 and 1948, involving small, human-like beings and metallic craft. The article claims the government covered up these incidents, attributing them to weather balloons. It mentions a secret investigation called MJ-12 and refers to a book, 'UFO Crash at Aztec.'

UFOs: Are They Really Up There...Or Down Here? (Continued)

This continuation of the article details the alleged 1947 and 1948 UFO crash recoveries in New Mexico. It describes the craft as disc-shaped with domed cabins and the occupants as small, human-like beings. The article claims the government developed a special crash recovery team and used a cover story of military maneuvers. The recovered craft and bodies were reportedly transported to a secret research reservation. The article asserts that the US government has deliberately lied and deceived the public about these events.

'UFO' Has Residents of Ashdown Perplexed

This Arkansas Democrat article reports on a blinking light seen in Ashdown, Arkansas, prompting numerous calls to law enforcement. Witnesses described the light as appearing in the skies toward Foreman and reappearing over the Nekoosa Paper mill. Some residents have reported seeing the light since Christmas but asked for anonymity. The article mentions that the sightings are not consistent with stars or planets, and the possibility of a hoax is not ruled out.

Scenes/David Tenenbaum: Flying Cigars

This Isthmus article by David Tenenbaum discusses a press conference in Belleville, Wisconsin, regarding UFO sightings. Donald Schmitt, co-director of the Center for UFO Studies, presented evidence of 'hostile intent' from extraterrestrials. Schmitt mentioned a document claiming a 1952 report to President Eisenhower about a UFO crash in New Mexico and an autopsy of four 'humanoids.' He stated that Belleville remains an 'active file' for UFO investigations. Harvey Funseth, a surveyor, described seeing four objects hovering and then flying silently at high speed.

Astronomer Observes Objects

This Little River News article by Steve Mitchell details an observation by Ken White, producer of the radio program Sky Log. White, along with a photographer and reporters, observed unidentified objects on January 25th between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. White, a seasoned astronomer, described the objects' movement as uncharacteristic of stars or planets. He noted that the lights 'just vanished' as if 'somebody reached over and flipped off the switch.' He ruled out Venus and Mercury. The article includes photographs of the objects and mentions that the Federal Aviation Administration was conducting refueling operations in the area.

Personal Observations

This section includes a personal account by Jeanne Jackson of an object seen on January 21st. She described four colored lights flashing in sequence (red, green, bluish-green, reddish-amber) and a bright white light above. The object moved south, banked east, and proceeded northwesterly. She lost sight of it near the Ash Grove Cement plant. The object did not appear to have a change in air speed, altitude, or vertical movement. The sighting was reported to the Civil Air Patrol and the FAA.

Have UFOs Visited Tier?

This Press & Sun-Bulletin article by Roqua Montez IV discusses recent sightings of bright, blinking lights in the Southern Tier, New York, keeping residents and officials guessing. Theories include meteors, Venus, and fireballs. Peter Santangelo, a Mutual UFO Network investigator, suggests the object was a fireball. The article includes a 'Speak Out!' question asking if readers believe Earth has been visited by extraterrestrials.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include: the prevalence of UFO sightings across various regions of the United States (Florida, Arkansas, Virginia, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Kentucky, California, Connecticut); the detailed descriptions of UFOs by eyewitnesses, often emphasizing their unusual shapes, lights, and silent, erratic movements; the skepticism of some individuals and authorities versus the strong conviction of believers and investigators; the alleged involvement and secrecy of the military in UFO incidents (particularly the Kecksburg case); and the ongoing efforts of UFO research organizations like MUFON to document and investigate these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting these reports and investigations, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions while highlighting the persistent mystery and the growing public interest in UFOs. The publication itself, the UFO Newsclipping Service, acts as a collector and disseminator of these accounts, suggesting an underlying belief in the significance of these reports.

This issue of the Little River News, dated January 28, 1988, focuses heavily on UFO sightings reported by residents of Little River County, Arkansas. The main headline, "We know what we saw, we just don't know what ...", encapsulates the prevailing sentiment of confusion and certainty among witnesses.

Eyewitness Accounts and Local Reactions

The lead article details a series of sightings that began around January 19th and continued through January 25th, 1988. Witnesses, including former law enforcement personnel and ordinary citizens, describe objects with changing lights (from blue to white, and red to blue to green), hovering capabilities, and unusual speed and maneuverability. These sightings occurred primarily in the south-central part of Little River County, near the Wallace community.

Several individuals, including Margaret Taaffe Sharp, Deanna Irvan, and Terri Jeanes, recount a specific incident on January 25th where they observed objects appearing in the west, rising from the ground, and making rapid, lunging motions. They describe the objects as having a spotlight-like appearance and pulsating colors. One witness, Bob Taaffe, a former navigator on B-52 aircraft, expressed frustration with the lack of official acknowledgment and the ridicule faced by witnesses, stating, "We all know what we saw. We just don't know what it is. And, it's certainly not Venus."

Despite reports from an astronomer suggesting the sightings were reflections of Venus, the witnesses remain convinced they saw something else. The article also notes that some individuals, including law enforcement personnel and pilots, have witnessed similar phenomena but declined to be named due to fear of harassment.

Official and Expert Responses

Interviews with officials from Barksdale Air Force Base indicated that while refueling operations occur at high altitudes, they do not match the descriptions of the local sightings. Air Life, an emergency helicopter service, confirmed no flights in the area at the time of the sightings. FAA regulations regarding aircraft lighting are also discussed.

Clay Sherrod, director of the Arkansas Sky Observatory, initially attributed the sightings to Venus but later suggested other explanations like moonlight reflecting off snow geese or convection currents. However, he acknowledged that people are indeed seeing something and that independent reports are the most reliable.

Related Sightings and International Reports

The issue broadens its scope to include other UFO reports from various locations:

• Australia: A family (the Knowles) claimed their car was attacked by an oval-shaped, orange object on the Nullarbor Plain. Police noted physical evidence like dent marks and an unknown substance (not ash) on the car. A truck driver also reported being followed by a similar object.
• England: Reports of V-shaped and boomerang-shaped craft flying silently near Wolverhampton. Scotland Yard stated they were too busy with crime to investigate UFO sightings, even after officers confirmed seeing an unidentified object.
• USA (Other Locations): A report from Lewistown, Montana, describes a UFO racing a car near Denton. An Edgerton, Wisconsin, resident reported a bright light that suddenly went out. In Michigan, Wayne L. King heads the Michigan/Canadian Bigfoot Information Center and is determined to track and kill Bigfoot, citing numerous sightings and evidence.
• UK (Other Locations): Ambulance drivers in Aldridge reported seeing a large, bright, hovering light. A sighting in Essex involved an explosion-like sound and a white glow in the sky.

Scientific and Cryptozoological Perspectives

An article discusses Roy Paul Mackal, a scientist and cryptozoologist, who believes in the possibility of living dinosaurs (like the Mokele-Mbembe in Africa) and other unknown creatures. Despite skepticism from some colleagues, Mackal continues his research, co-founding the International Society of Cryptozoology.

Another piece explores the scientific challenges in researching creatures like Bigfoot and the Yeti, noting that few scientists are willing to engage in such studies due to potential career damage. It highlights the consistency of eyewitness accounts and physical evidence, such as footprints, which suggest the possible existence of these beings.

Other Topics

The issue also includes a brief report on new cavities discovered inside the Great Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt, suggesting it may contain more space than previously believed. Additionally, there's a mention of Andrei Sakharov's theories about a "shadow world" existing symmetrically with the known universe.

A report from Dallas details an incident where a homeowner found a hole in his roof caused by a chunk of green ice, believed to have fallen from an aircraft's toilet.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent mystery of UFO sightings, the challenges of scientific investigation into anomalous phenomena, and the contrast between eyewitness conviction and official skepticism. The newspaper appears to be presenting these reports with a degree of seriousness, giving voice to witnesses while also including expert opinions and alternative explanations. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging the possibility of the unknown while also presenting the need for evidence and rigorous investigation. The inclusion of Bigfoot and other cryptozoological topics suggests a broader interest in unexplained phenomena beyond just aerial sightings.