UFO Newsclipping Service - 1991 06 - no 263

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated June 1991, number 263, focuses on a mysterious circular impression found in a Jefferson County field, which, along with a UFO sighting by a local deputy, has drawn national attention. The magazine also delves into the enduring mystery of the 1965 Kecksburg UFO incident, the growing interest in UFOs in Oregon, and various eyewitness accounts of strange aerial phenomena from across the United States and the United Kingdom.

Unexplained Phenomenon in Jefferson County

The lead story details a mysterious circular patch of matted grass discovered in a field in Jefferson County, USA. Barbara Mills reported hearing a strange sound like a rope swinging over her head the night before. Her husband found the circular impression, measuring 28 feet across, with no tracks leading to or from it. The Mills also reported their cattle becoming sick and a rash appearing on Mrs. Mills' arms after the incident. Larry Thurman, a deputy who also claims to have recorded a UFO sighting on video, became involved. Keith Tarpley of the Mutual Unidentified Flying Object Network (MUFON) collected a piece of plastic from the site for analysis.

The Kecksburg Incident: A Lingering Mystery

The issue revisits the 1965 Kecksburg, Pennsylvania UFO incident, exploring the ongoing controversy and the various theories surrounding it. Eyewitness accounts describe a gliding fireball, an angled landing, sparks, and smoke. Military activity was observed, with an object reportedly being hauled away covered by a tarpaulin. Despite claims from the U.S. Air Force that it was a meteor, UFO researchers and some residents maintain it was something else. The article discusses the possibility that the Soviet probe Cosmos 96 was involved, but also highlights the lack of official records and the persistent skepticism.

UFO Interest Surges in Oregon

The magazine highlights a surge of belief and serious interest in UFOs in Oregon. The Portland UFO Group (PUFOG) has become a popular forum, attracting over 200 people monthly. The local chapter of MUFON has also grown significantly. Despite a decrease in reported sightings nationally, Oregon appears to be bucking the trend. The article suggests that UFO adherents in Oregon are open to new ideas and may be on the cutting edge of understanding the universe.

Eyewitness Accounts and Investigations

Several eyewitness accounts of UFO sightings are featured:

• Jefferson County, USA: Larry Thurman recounts seeing a bright object in the sky on March 15th that moved erratically and was recorded on video.
• Vancouver, WA, USA: Toni and Helen Adams reported seeing two UFOs in December 1988.
• Gulf Breeze, Florida, USA: Fourteen people witnessed a brilliant red unidentified object hovering over Bay Cliffs on April 6, 1991. Photographs and a video tape were taken.
• Oregon Coast, USA: Linda Jones reported seeing a large, silver, discus-shaped craft on September 27, 1989.
• Tesuque, New Mexico, USA: Bruce Smith recounts an abduction experience where he was taken into a building resembling the Los Alamos nuclear laboratory and encountered a tall alien named Roget.
• McMinnville, Oregon, USA: The article references the famous 1950 photograph taken by farmer Paul Trent.
• Wiltshire, England: The issue touches upon the phenomenon of crop circles, with experts investigating their origins and potential links to UFO activity.

UFO Research and Organizations

The magazine profiles the work of UFO investigators and organizations like MUFON. It mentions the efforts of researchers like Dr. and Mrs. Richard Rinehardt, who collect samples from crop circle sites, and the role of individuals like Danny Barger, a MUFON field investigator who believes in the reality of many sightings. The article also includes a bibliography of recommended books on UFO phenomena.

Skepticism and Cover-up Theories

While presenting numerous accounts, the magazine also acknowledges skepticism. Some residents of Kecksburg dismiss the incident as a hoax. The article mentions the debate about whether governments maintain successful cover-ups of UFO information, referencing the Watergate scandal as a counterpoint. Theories about alien technology being developed by the US military and a potential government disclosure of alien contact are also discussed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the mystery and persistence of UFO sightings, the human desire to understand the unknown, and the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting the evidence and accounts from various sources, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also acknowledging the scientific and investigative efforts underway.

This issue of the NORTHANTS EVENING TELEGRAPH, dated May 16, 1991, features a prominent article titled "Eye on the sky for UFO man," highlighting the work of Ernest Still, an investigator with the Northamptonshire Unidentified Flying Object Research Centre. The magazine delves into various UFO sightings, crop circle phenomena, and related mysteries from early 1991, drawing from multiple regional publications.

UFO Investigations and Sightings

The lead article focuses on Ernest Still, who has spent five years investigating local UFO sightings in Britain. He notes that while many sightings can be explained by common aircraft, balloons, or weather phenomena, a growing number refuse explanation. Still believes the government knows more than it admits and that people are often afraid to report unusual sightings for fear of ridicule. He mentions two definite hoaxes he has uncovered in his investigations.

Ernest Still's group, NUFORC, meets bi-monthly and comprises members over 30, including an ex-RAF officer and a retired policeman. Still himself became interested after seeing a cigar-shaped object trailing sparks over Corby steelworks in 1978. He recounts a personal experience of seeing a huge silver ball of light moving back and forth on the horizon.

Other articles detail specific sightings: a pilot claimed his Alitalia airliner was nearly shot down by a missile-shaped object over Kent; a Plymouth woman reported seeing four flying saucers; and a couple in Chadwell Heath witnessed a pale blue light that appeared to be an unidentified flying object.

Crop Circles and Ancient Mysteries

The phenomenon of crop circles is explored, with emphasis on their intricate patterns and the theory that they are not the result of hoaxes or natural phenomena like whirlwinds. Some researchers suggest they indicate intelligence and possibly a form of coded communication. The Salisbury Journal features an appeal for information to help solve the mystery of crop circles, noting their connection to ancient sites and ley lines.

Historical Cases and Cover-ups

The disappearance of Flight 19, a squadron of five Navy Avenger planes that vanished in 1945, is revisited. While deep-sea explorers announced the discovery of five planes off Florida, Calvin Shoemaker, a retired aerospace engineer who trained with some of the pilots, doubts they are Flight 19, citing their proximity to shore and the Navy's records. This discovery, though not Flight 19, adds to the enduring mystery of the Bermuda Triangle.

Admiral Lord Hill-Norton, former Chief of the Defence Staff, is quoted as believing there has been a massive cover-up of UFO truths, including claims that the US government has captured alien spacecraft and bodies. Timothy Good's book, "Alien Liaison," is mentioned, which posits that aliens may be working with the Americans.

Scientific Challenges and Controversies

An article from the Standard-Speaker discusses Ed Conrad's claims of discovering petrified human bones and soft organs in coal seams, which he believes challenges the theory of evolution and established timelines for human and dinosaur existence. Conrad asserts that scientific and medical testing confirms his findings, including microscopic analysis of cell structures and CAT scans, but that the scientific establishment has been resistant to his discoveries.

Animal Mutilations and Cult Activity

The Herald-Dispatch reports on calf mutilations in Greenup and Carter counties, Kentucky, with speculation ranging from satanic rituals to pranks and alien involvement. Experts debate the prevalence and causes of such mutilations, with some pointing to cult activity and others suggesting natural explanations or mass hysteria. The article mentions the involvement of law enforcement and the FBI in investigating these claims.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently explores the unexplained, from aerial phenomena and mysterious crop formations to historical disappearances and controversial scientific claims. There is a recurring theme of potential government cover-ups and the resistance of established scientific and academic communities to phenomena that challenge conventional understanding. The articles collectively suggest a world where conventional explanations are insufficient, leaving room for speculation about extraterrestrial intelligence, ancient mysteries, and hidden truths.