UFO Newsclipping Service - 1988 05 - no 226

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated May 1988, Number 226, from U.F.O. NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE in Plumerville, Arkansas, focuses on the death of a prominent UFO researcher, author accounts of alien encounters, and numerous reported sightings from across the United States.

Co-founder's death leaves UFO group with uncertain fate

The lead story reports on the death of Coral E. Lorenzen, co-founder of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO), the world's largest and oldest organization investigating unidentified flying objects. Lorenzen, who died in Tucson, Arizona, had co-founded APRO with her late husband, L. J. "Jim" Lorenzen, in 1952. APRO, which at its peak boasted 4,000 members worldwide, issued monthly newsletters and attempted to verify UFO sightings. The organization studied and cataloged over 40,000 sightings and operated a 24-hour UFO sighting report hotline. Coral Lorenzen believed UFOs were controlled by advanced extraterrestrial individuals observing Earth for thousands of years. The article notes that the fate of APRO is now unclear following her death. Her son, Lawrence Lorenzen, is quoted saying she devoted her life to solving the UFO mystery. Memorial services were scheduled for Unitarian Universalist Church in Tucson, with interment at Arlington National Cemetery.

Author Tells Tales of Aliens

This article from the Daily Camera in Boulder, Colorado, features author Whitley Strieber, discussing his experiences with alleged alien visitors. Strieber, author of the non-fiction book "Communion," describes encounters where beings came to his bedside, spoke into his head, carried him aboard spacecraft, and experimented on his body. He admits he doesn't know the explanation but believes something happened to him and thousands of others. Strieber closed out the 41st University of Colorado Conference on World Affairs by posing questions to the audience. He has received letters from 5,000 people worldwide relating similar bizarre experiences. Two examples are given: a housewife who was visited by squat and tall creatures, and a man who battled a humming, throbbing force above his bedroom. Strieber urges scientists and intellectuals to help find answers, stating he is proceeding as if the events have a physical explanation but remains cautious.

UFO sightings may be planet

This report from the Bee in DeQueen, Arkansas, details numerous UFO sightings reported to the Little River County Sheriff's Office over a weekend. Witnesses described unusual lights, including a slow-moving red light and multiple lights that moved close together at great speed, changing color from red to green to blue. However, Clay Sherrod, director of the Arkansas Sky Observatory, claims these sightings are actually the planet Venus, which appears to move and change color when close to the moon.

Dugualla Bay residents all abuzz over UFO sighting

An article from the Whidbey News-Times in Oak Harbor, Washington, recounts a sighting by North Whidbey resident Dan MacIndoe and four other adults. They reported seeing a bright light that moved vertically at tremendous speed, then approached their house. MacIndoe described the object as having a pattern of bluish-white lights in a circle, pulsating sequentially. He noted the absence of any prop or jet noise. MacIndoe, who is familiar with aircraft, calculated the object's speed and was impressed by its maneuverability and silent operation. He contacted NAS Whidbey and the UFO Reporting Center, and his story was picked up by Associated Press.

Strange lights over Bennington believed by onlookers to be a UFO

This Sentinel article from Keene, New Hampshire, reports on a strange, fast-moving light seen over Bennington by at least six people, including a part-time police officer. Witnesses described a bright white and red light that moved silently and appeared to have a trailing tail. Elaine Barrett and Frank H. Cordelle were among those who saw the object. Bennington Police officer David E. Skerry also reported seeing a bright, orange ball with an orange tail. The object was described as much brighter than a meteor and moved at the speed of a fighter jet.

Area residents continue to see bright lights

The Daily Telegraph in Bluefield, West Virginia, reports on ongoing sightings of strange lights in the area. A Green Valley family described a large, bright object that breaks into smaller lights, moving rapidly and silently. Myrtle Mullens stated the lights have sharp points and make no noise. Similar sightings have been reported in Wytheville, Virginia, for several weeks. Two women also reported seeing a light near Pinehill. Frances Holiway described it as "like looking at a city" and "not anything that man could have made."

Government won't go public on UFOs

This article from the Press in Bristol, Connecticut, discusses the persistent phenomenon of UFO sightings and the alleged government cover-up. It references historical accounts, including biblical references and ancient Peruvian designs. The author argues that while most sightings can be explained, a significant number remain unexplained. The article highlights efforts by individuals like Senator Barry Goldwater and President Carter to obtain UFO information, and mentions the involvement of the NSA, FBI, and CIA in collecting UFO data, often through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The author questions why UFO documents are withheld for "national security" if UFOs pose no threat. It also references a book, "Clear Intent," by Lawrence Fawcett and Barry J. Greenwood, which suggests foreign governments also collect UFO data. The article urges readers to contact their congressmen to support the free flow of public information on UFOs.

LOST IN TIME: He Hardly Believes It Himself

This Journal article from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, details the alleged abduction experience of David Oldham, who was 16 in 1966 when he and two friends encountered a UFO in Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. Oldham describes a large light, a feeling of time distortion, and a missing 2.5 hours. He recounts a hypnotic regression session where he recalled being taken aboard a craft, examined by beings, and experiencing telepathic communication. Oldham compares the experience to rape and expresses a desire for a support group for individuals who have had similar experiences. He also mentions a mysterious event in his yard in 1982 involving a splintered tree and an oval depression in the grass.

UFOs-Seeing Is Believing For Local Resident

This Journal article from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, features Paul Fredrickson, a retired nursing home administrator from Elmwood, Wisconsin, who reported three UFO sightings between 1976 and 1977. Fredrickson describes seeing a bright orange, crescent-shaped object that turned out to be saucer-shaped and dark gray, hovering silently before disappearing rapidly. He notes that Elmwood was considered a potential site for a UFO landing facility and that he and his wife attended a meeting about this. The article also mentions George Wheeler, a former Elmwood police chief, who claimed to have been hit by a UFO and experienced a time loss, and later refused hypnosis to recall the event.

UFO sightings in Johnston County are all in the family

This News & Observer article from Raleigh, North Carolina, reports on UFO sightings experienced by Wilma Creech and her family in Johnston County. Creech described seeing a large, oval, soundless object with flashing lights hovering over her trailer in 1984. Her daughter and niece later reported a similar experience. The article touches on the skepticism surrounding UFO reports and suggests that secret military helicopters might explain some sightings.

UFO Tour Begins: Stories From Inside Spaceships

This Chronicle article from San Francisco, California, introduces Joseph Ostrom, a former advertising executive who claims to have been abducted by extraterrestrials. Ostrom is participating in the "world's first UFO tour," which includes seminars in eight cities. The tour is produced by Senzar Presents, aiming to prompt people to evaluate their perception of reality. Ostrom's abduction scenario, which he claims happened in Greece in 1979, involved an orangeish-red light filling his hotel room, being taken to a spacecraft, and undergoing examinations by short aliens. He only recalled the experience years later through hypnosis. The seminars are described as costly, ranging from $160 to $185 per person.

'UFOs' invade the Big Apple

A Post article from New York reports on hundreds of New Yorkers witnessing a "giant triangle of blinking colored lights" hovering over Manhattan and The Bronx. Police and newspaper offices were inundated with calls. While some witnesses described it as a UFO, others, including an official from Teterboro Airport, suggested it might have been a flight of small planes. The article references a similar incident four years prior where pranksters flying planes with flashing lights and black undersides caused a stir.

Army Career, Sergeant Says Belief in UFOs Has Damaged

This Associated Press report details how an Army sergeant, Clifford Stone, assigned to New Mexico Military Institute, claims his belief in UFOs has led to attempts to force him into retirement. Stone alleges his efficiency ratings have deteriorated and he has been reassigned to filing duties after publicly acknowledging his interest in UFOs. He was sent for a psychological evaluation, which found "no psychotic processes noted." Stone has requested an investigation into an "alleged wrongful attempt to force your retirement from the U.S. Army," asserting his First Amendment rights are being abridged.

Letters Home

This column from the Northwest Arkansas Times discusses ongoing UFO sightings in Foreman/Ashdown, Arkansas, and reports of similar sightings in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and California. The author mentions a "flap" of sightings in Virginia that preceded those in Arkansas and notes that people in Pennsylvania are seeing similar objects. A California sighting involved a craft landing in daylight, with pictures taken. The column also touches on the "conditioning" theory, suggesting that mass sightings are intended to condition humans to the idea of extraterrestrial life. The author notes a growing indifference to UFO reports in areas experiencing frequent sightings.

Dried out Circle of Grass Stumps Investigators

This Sentinel article from Gulf Breeze, Florida, reports on MUFON investigators discovering a circular patch of grass that had been completely dried out behind Gulf Breeze High School. Tests for radioactivity, salinity, moisture, and magnetic readings found no abnormalities. Samples of grass and soil were collected for further analysis.

UFO Update: Gulf Breeze Sightings Continue To Be Reported

This Sentinel article from Gulf Breeze, Florida, details recent UFO sightings in the area. A Villa Venyce woman and her children reported seeing a craft with red and white lights that appeared to spin and hover, then dropped a "red ball of light" that made abrupt turns before disappearing. Another sighting involved the same family seeing a similar craft moving west along Highway 98. Linda Wilson reported seeing a bright, oval-shaped light that appeared to have a "wavy look" and made no noise. Pam Strickland and her son reported seeing an oval craft disappear after turning on its axis. A 12-year-old girl claimed to have seen a craft hovering above her Midway home. Christina Holscher, an 11-year-old student, described seeing a round craft engulfed in a bright white light that moved silently.

Seeing UFO Can Cause Alienation

This article from the Sentinel discusses how publicly acknowledging UFO sightings can lead to alienation. It features Judie Woolcott of Neenah, Wisconsin, who is involved in the Fox Valley UFO Discussion and Support Group. Woolcott claims her soul leaves her body and travels to a mother ship shared by various extraterrestrial cultures. She has learned to exchange messages with aliens through spiritual telepathy and can recall details of her experiences. The article also mentions reporter Mary Burckmyer, who, despite initial skepticism, reported seeing a large, soundless, metallic, elliptical object.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service revolve around the persistent mystery of unidentified flying objects, alleged encounters with extraterrestrial beings, and the perceived secrecy or skepticism from governments and mainstream society. The publication consistently presents witness testimonies and research findings that support the reality of UFO phenomena, often contrasting them with official explanations or dismissive attitudes. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and a belief in the significance of UFO reports, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation and questioning the lack of transparency from authorities. The articles highlight the personal impact of these experiences, including fear, confusion, and social alienation, while also showcasing the dedication of researchers and enthusiasts in their pursuit of answers.

Title: FORTEANA NEWS
Issue Date: November 1, 1987
Publisher: PRESS
Country: USA
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Nessie's Existence Asserted by Scientist

Physicist Isaac Blonder, chairman of Blonder-Tongue Laboratories Inc., asserts that the Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as 'Nessie,' is real. Despite never having seen the creature himself, Blonder claims to have come within 500 feet of it on at least three occasions during his 12-year search from 1970 to 1982. He bases his conviction on sonar readings of large objects and photographs taken in 1972 and 1975. Blonder dismisses skeptics like Adrian Shine, who organized 'Operation Deepscan,' an attempt to map Loch Ness using sonar-equipped boats. While Deepscan found anomalous 'blips,' it failed to locate the monster. Shine also claimed to have found a rotting tree stump identical to a photograph of Nessie's head, a claim Blonder finds questionable, noting that a stump wouldn't stop rotting over 12 years and questioning why it wasn't found sooner. Blonder believes Nessie, and potentially other large, undiscovered animals, exist in bodies of water like Loch Ness, Lake Champlain, and Lake Okanagan, citing the discovery of a large, unknown shark species as evidence that not all large animals have been cataloged.

Bigfoot: A Continental Phenomenon with UFO Links

The issue explores the widespread nature of Bigfoot and Sasquatch sightings across North America, dispelling the misconception that they are solely a Pacific Northwest phenomenon. Dr. Grover Krantz and Dr. John Napier believe these creatures may be a living species of prehistoric ape, Gigantopithecus. However, the article suggests that some evidence doesn't fit this theory, leading to more esoteric conclusions: that Bigfoot might be psychic, supernatural, or even a UFO pilot. The 'Tenth Planet' theory is mentioned, proposing that hairy bipeds are living evidence of ancient alien genetic manipulation, with UFOs representing their creators. The article highlights a 1924 incident near Flagstaff, Arizona, where a seven-foot-tall, hairy creature was observed collecting turnips. It also notes a 1975 sighting in Yarnell, Arizona, of a creature with extremely long arms. Bob Gardiner, a Bigfoot investigator, firmly believes the creature exists, estimating about 250 in North America, and has collected plaster casts of large, five-toed footprints. He has also heard the creature's scream and smelled its odor. Gardiner's North American Sasquatch Research Team uses a computer to track sightings. He emphasizes the importance of witness testimony, stating, "It's not folklore. It is a fact. There is something out there." He aims to capture Bigfoot on film rather than kill it, believing it has a right to live. The article also touches on the 'Yowie' in Australia, with archaeologist Rex Gilroy suggesting they still exist but are becoming extinct, possibly due to environmental changes. Gilroy theorizes they could be ancient human ancestors like Meganthropus or Gigantopithecus.

UFO Sightings Across the Globe

Numerous UFO sightings are reported from various locations:

• Bismarck, North Dakota: Rose Strand recounts a terrifying experience from 10 years prior, where a bright yellowish light followed her and her daughter. UFO investigator Don Johnson believes many reports, including potential abductions, suggest people are not alone. He notes that North Dakota, despite its low population, has had reports, including a March sighting near Devils Lake of a diamond-shaped object. Bismarck police officers Mark Buschena and Mark Thompson reported seeing a grey mass-like object.
• Ohio and Tennessee: A fireball seen Sunday night was likely a meteor, but a separate bright white light that swept across south-central Indiana, central Kentucky, and northern Tennessee on Saturday night remains unexplained.
• Foreman, Arkansas: Paul Rutherford, a UFO specialist, reported seeing an object that was not a conventional airplane, estimating its speed and altitude.
• Norristown, Pennsylvania: Kathleen Teti described seeing a hovering cigar-shaped craft in 1976, with two aliens and two earth people inside, detailing their appearance and the craft's interior.
• Rural Zap, North Dakota: Victor Walker reported a puzzling glowing object with unusual light patterns.
• Semiahmoo Peninsula, Canada: Multiple sightings are reported, including a 1976 incident with footprint-shaped ovals and a 1978/79 sighting of a cigar-shaped craft over Semiahmoo Bay.
• Sychnant Pass, UK: Three schoolboys claimed to have seen a flying saucer hovering over the pass.
• Stevenage, UK: Several residents reported seeing unusual shaped craft.
• Medellin airport, Colombia: Pilots and flight control operators reported an unidentified flying object.
• Whitehall, UK: A close encounter was reported by Eric Spanner, who saw a disc-shaped object hovering near residential houses.
• Western Australia: A motorist reported a bright light that caused his car's engine and lights to stop.
• Wickhambrook, UK: A minister reported seeing a rapidly moving white light with a tail.
• China: Scientists believe a UFO spotted in northwest China was a 'plasma fireball.'

Scientific Investigations and Theories

Several articles touch upon scientific investigations and theories related to these phenomena. The theory that Earth's atmosphere is hit by millions of water-bearing comets annually, proposed by physicist Louis Frank, is supported by new evidence from NASA scientist Clayne Yeates. The magazine also discusses the 'Fortean Times,' a publication dedicated to inexplicable phenomena, including UFOs and cryptids, and the scientific community's often skeptical, yet sometimes open, approach to such reports. The article on the 'Face on Mars' discusses books that analyze evidence for a lost Martian civilization or artificial structures, while also noting the potential for misinterpretation or hoaxes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent mystery of unexplained aerial phenomena, the nature of cryptids like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, and the role of witness testimony versus scientific proof. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various accounts and investigations without outright dismissal, while also acknowledging the skepticism and the need for verifiable evidence. The magazine seems to encourage readers to consider the possibility of phenomena beyond conventional scientific understanding.