UFO Newsclipping Service - 1991 11 - no 268

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O. Newsclipping Service, dated November 1991, focuses on the ongoing investigation and reporting of UFO phenomena. The cover story, "Computers, cameras help check out UFO reports," highlights the work of Mike and Brenda Dobbs, UFO investigators for MUFON, who are using technology to analyze sightings near Mount St. Helens. The issue also includes reports from various locations, witness testimonies, and discussions on the scientific and societal aspects of UFO research.

Investigations and Sightings

The lead article details the efforts of Mike and Brenda Dobbs, MUFON state section directors, in investigating UFO reports in Southwest Washington. They collect data, interview witnesses, and use computers to compare sightings with sky charts. The Dobbses emphasize that while 90% of sightings can be explained as conventional objects, the remaining 10% warrant further investigation. They also mention their involvement in investigating cattle mutilation and abduction reports.

Several specific sightings are reported:

• Mount St. Helens Area: Two hunters reported seeing four brightly lit objects maneuver at great speeds. The Dobbses concluded that the witnesses did not see a planet or stars, but the exact nature of the objects remains unknown.
• Spalding, Idaho: Joseph J. S. Feathers, an anthropology doctorate, reported seeing an irregular-shaped object with a bright orange-yellow light and a dark shape moving into it. He described it as a traditional saucer shape and noted it was completely silent.
• Pensacola Bay Bridge, Florida: On June 20, 1991, fourteen people witnessed a brilliant white light appear, turn red, and blink out, followed by a similar, closer, and brighter light. Photographs were taken.
• Gulf Breeze, Florida: The Gulf Breeze Research Team reported a sighting of an elliptical ring of clear, crisp lights on September 16, 1991. Another report from April 9 describes a red light that turned white, flashed erratically, and ejected a white object. A sighting on April 17 involved a red light that turned white and flashed.
• Woonsocket, Rhode Island: A large, glowing object was seen over Woonsocket, described as huge and moving stealthily. While initially thought to be a UFO, it was later identified as the "Virgin Lightship," a blimp from Virgin Atlantic Airways. However, witnesses like Keith and Tressa Smith remained skeptical, believing it looked like a "dish" or "grapefruit" rather than a blimp.
• Oregon: A flame-throwing, debris-tossing object, likely a Soviet rocket body re-entering the atmosphere, was seen over Oregon, causing many to believe it was related to a subsequent earthquake.
• Scarborough, England: Mysterious orange lights were seen over the sea, described as darting lights in the sky. A Lincolnshire couple also reported seeing a "bright orange light" that changed size over 15 minutes.
• Ryedale, England: An unidentified flying object, described as pear-shaped and the size of a car with red, green, and white lights, was seen hovering over Dalby Valley.

The Cash-Landrum Case

The article "Twice burned, not shy" revisits the case of Betty Cash and Vickie Landrum, who claim they were injured by a UFO or an experimental military craft in 1980. They reported a diamond-shaped craft spewing radiation, leading to severe health problems. Their attorney is attempting to reopen their lawsuit against the U.S. government, alleging officials lied about record-keeping. The case has garnered international attention, with medical professionals noting signs consistent with radiation poisoning.

Scientific and Academic Perspectives

• Fund for UFO Research: The article "Scientific minds who support studies of UFOs" discusses the Washington-based Fund for UFO Research, which supports studies into unexplained aerial phenomena, including UFO abductee cases, crop circles, and the Roswell incident. Board members include individuals with doctorates in various scientific fields.
• Crop Circles: The article "'Crop-Circle Mystery Not Fully Solved'" by John C. Kasher, a physics and astronomy professor, questions the conclusion that crop circles are solely hoaxes, citing the sheer number of designs and the unexplained way the wheat is bent without breaking. He argues that a small sample of hoaxed circles does not prove all others are faked.
• UFO Researchers: Tom Breckenridge's article "UFO researchers still looking up" features Allan J. Manak, author of the Flying Saucer Digest, who believes in extraterrestrial life. The article also touches on the Roswell incident and theories of government treaties with underground alien societies.
• Betty Hill's Retirement: "Betty Hill ends UFO career" reports on Betty Hill's retirement from public speaking about UFOs after 30 years. She and her husband Barney Hill claimed to have been abducted by aliens in 1961, a case that received significant attention.

Other Reports and Commentary

• Odd Tales of UFOs and Sen. Bob Dole: This piece from The Wall Street Journal discusses a peculiar situation in Russell, Kansas, involving a woman who published a book about UFOs and the Second Coming, leading to a group of believers and subsequent disappearances that were later resolved.
• Walkers recount UFO encounters: Ed Johnson leads UFO walks in the Foothills, discussing areas with high energy and potential alien activity. Penny Harper recounts an experience of being taken aboard an alien craft from the Pleiades star cluster.
• UFO "portholes" seen again: Reports from Pensacola, Florida, describe a red UFO with a ring of lights and "portholes" being witnessed and documented by numerous people and MUFON investigators.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent mystery of UFO sightings, the scientific and investigative approaches to understanding them, and the societal impact of these phenomena. There's a clear emphasis on the scientific study of UFOs, with MUFON and academic researchers playing prominent roles. The issue also touches upon the skepticism faced by witnesses and researchers, the possibility of government cover-ups, and the enduring human fascination with the unknown. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the scientific investigation of UFOs while acknowledging the need to rule out conventional explanations.

This issue of LEISURE PLUS magazine, dated August 23, 1991, features a cover story titled "We're going full circle with theories," highlighting the ongoing debate and diverse explanations surrounding crop circles and UFO phenomena. The magazine explores various unexplained events and mysteries from around the world, blending eyewitness accounts, expert opinions, and scientific speculation.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

The issue details several UFO sightings and encounters. A report from the SUNDAY INDEPENDENT describes "experts baffled by UFO lights spotted in West" Cornwall, where a young mum witnessed mysterious red and white lights in the sky. The DAILY STAR recounts a story from 1957 where a father and son saw a large, silent object covered in lights that hovered and then shot away at high speed. The EXAMINER features a piece titled "UFO 'close encounters' of the silly kind," discussing the challenges in Ufology and the community's tendency to hold onto beliefs, sometimes at the expense of rational explanations. Alex Renton notes that some Ufologists may actively suppress evidence that contradicts their beliefs.

A fighter pilot, Milton Torres, shares his "dogfight" experience with a massive UFO over British airspace, an account backed by another pilot, Major David Robertson. The SALISBURY JOURNAL reports on "Lights in the sky spark outbreak of UFO fever" in Fovant, Wiltshire, where residents witnessed strange, torch-like lights. The DAILY MAIL mentions an astronomy fan in Coventry who claims to have seen a "UFO hovering over city." The HARLOW STAR presents "People with their eyes on the skies," detailing the experiences of the Harlow UFO Group, who investigate sightings and believe in a government cover-up of UFO information. The TIMES reports on experts discussing a UFO sighting above Market Weighton, which remains unexplained.

The Mystery of Crop Circles

Crop circles are a prominent theme, with several articles exploring their origins. The cover story "We're going full circle with theories" features experts answering claims that crop circles are a "huge con trick." Colin Andrews and Pat Delgado are set to discuss their findings at a conference in Leeds, addressing the claims by Doug Bower and David Chorley that they invented the circles. The WILTSHIRE TIMES discusses the possibility of interstellar travel and how advanced civilizations might create crop circles, while also noting that some scientists believe they are caused by natural phenomena or hoaxes. The DAILY STAR features "A LOAD OF CROP!" where scientist Dr. Terrence Meaden dismisses the claims of Doug Bower and Dave Chorley, stating that crop circles date back to ancient times and are formed by spiraling wind vortices. The EVENING GAZETTE presents a theory that "Corn circles solution?" might be simple static electricity. The STAR-PHOENIX reports that early tests suggest crop circles discovered in Alberta, Canada, were not created by pranksters, with similarities noted to circles found in England.

Ancient Mysteries and Paranormal Phenomena

The issue delves into ancient mysteries, particularly the age of the Sphinx. USA TODAY's "The latest mystery of the Sphinx: His age" explores John Anthony West's theory, supported by geologist Robert Schoch, that the Sphinx is much older than previously believed, possibly 7,000 to 9,000 years old, due to water erosion marks. This challenges the conventional dating to 4,500 years ago and suggests a lost civilization. The HERALD reports on West's theory that survivors of Atlantis built the Sphinx. The FORTEANA NEWS section includes a piece on "Yakutia has its Nessie?" detailing sightings of a strange creature in Lake Khaiyr, and a report on a mysterious mass of tissue found in St. Louis County, initially dubbed "the blob" and "the Alien," which was later identified as a fungus. Another article discusses a "Mysterious ice found" in Waynesville, USA. The FORTEANA NEWS also features an article about SUNY-B professor Gary L. Truce, who, after witnessing paranormal events, came to believe in spirits and discusses theories on ghosts, telekinesis, and deja vu.

Other Noteworthy Items

The issue also includes a report on cattle mutilations in Canada, with farmers blaming occultists or "space people," while police and veterinarians suggest natural causes. A story from the WEEKLY NEWS describes "Crazy clocks have whole town baffled" in the East Midlands, where digital clocks are inexplicably gaining time, leading to speculation of a "time warp."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFOs, crop circles, ancient mysteries, and paranormal phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various theories and eyewitness accounts while also acknowledging skeptical viewpoints and scientific investigations. There's a clear interest in exploring the unexplained and challenging conventional explanations, particularly concerning ancient history and unexplained aerial phenomena.