UFO Newsclipping Service - 1992 04 - no 273

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated April 1992, features a cover story titled 'A Scholarly Look at UFOs' by Sam Whiting, highlighting the work of Professor David Jacobs. The publication delves into various UFO-related topics, including abduction accounts, sightings across different regions, and the ongoing debate surrounding government secrecy and the scientific study of these phenomena.

A Scholarly Look at UFOs

The lead article by Sam Whiting introduces Professor David Jacobs, a historian at Temple University who teaches the only regularly scheduled course on UFOs in America. Jacobs has spent 20 years examining UFO abductions and, after interviewing 60 subjects under hypnosis for his book 'Secret Life: First Hand Accounts of UFO Abductions,' he has concluded that there is either truth to their claims or a massive, intricate practical joke. He notes the remarkable consistency in the details provided by abductees, such as the description of aliens and the 'nasal implant' procedure. Jon Rock, one of the abductees interviewed, recounts his personal experience of being abducted and implanted, finding emotional proof of his experience through the shared details in other people's stories.

Jacobs believes that abductees are describing 'objective reality,' and if their experiences are a mental aberration, it would necessitate a revision of how we understand human thought. He also mentions that the aliens are typically described as small, frail beings with large heads and no hair, ears, or noses, often wearing a 'sprayed-on Spandex rig.' The abduction process often involves being taken to a spacecraft, undergoing a physical examination, and sometimes a 'sex testing,' followed by the administration of an implant.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

The issue includes several reports of UFO sightings from various locations:

• Mountain Home, Arkansas: A new UFO study group has formed, prompted by ongoing sightings of lights and crafts in a six-county area. Lawrence Willett, a former pilot and MUFON investigator, is involved in this initiative, aiming to scientifically study UFO phenomena.
• Grants Pass, Oregon: Deputy Gary DeKorte witnessed a green fireball that illuminated the sky and produced a sonic boom. The event was reported by numerous people from Reedsport, California, to Klamath Falls, Oregon.
• Haines City, Florida: Police officer Luis Delgado reported encountering a large green disc-shaped ship that hovered near his patrol car, causing his vehicle and radio to shut down.
• Gulf Breeze, Florida: Residents and tourists reported seeing up to five red glowing UFOs in the air simultaneously. The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) chapter is investigating these sightings.
• North Carolina: George D. Fawcett, spokesperson for MUFON of North Carolina, reports 14 UFO sightings in the state during 1991. Specific incidents include a car being paced by a large object with lights in Winston-Salem and a half-globe-shaped UFO seen hovering in Ellenboro.
• Juneau, Alaska: The article 'Juneau's strange history of UFOs, sea serpents' by Sherry Simpson recounts intriguing UFO reports from 1916, occurring before the first airplane flew over Juneau. It also mentions other sightings and a report of a 'sea serpent' in Chatham Straits.
• Wilmington, North Carolina: Juanita Sherod reported seeing large lights over the trees that blinked on and off before ascending straight up into the stars. MUFON investigators are cataloging such reports.
• Susquehanna Valley, Pennsylvania: Residents reported seeing low-flying lights, described as boomerang-shaped craft with bright lights, making loud noises. Airport officials and military personnel offered potential explanations, but some witnesses remained convinced they saw UFOs.
• Corvallis, Oregon: OSU scientist Russ Karow witnessed a mysterious crop circle in England, noting the intricate, braided pattern of the flattened wheat, which he found difficult to explain through conventional means.

New Age and Belief Systems

An article titled 'Beings from Star Arcturus Present Plan to Save Earth' by David Iler discusses Norma Milanovich's claims of receiving transmissions from celestial beings called Arcturians. These beings allegedly direct her to build a large pyramid in Crestone, Colorado, to help raise the Earth's vibrational frequency and prevent a planetary crisis. The article also touches on the skepticism surrounding such claims and the New Age movement's embrace of such ideas.

Another piece, 'UFO believers abound,' from The Capital Times, discusses a poll on the existence of UFOs, with most respondents believing in them and citing public fear as the reason for alleged government cover-ups. The article references the Orson Welles 'War of the Worlds' broadcast as an example of how public panic can be triggered.

Government Secrecy and Skepticism

The issue touches on the theme of government secrecy regarding UFOs. Donald Schmitt, author of 'UFO Crash at Roswell,' contends that the US military covered up the alleged crash of a UFO and the recovery of alien creatures in 1947. He claims to have interviewed numerous ex-military personnel and believes the evidence warrants a congressional hearing. The article also mentions the Air Force's closure of Project Blue Book in 1969, stating that most sightings were explainable.

Retired physics professor Robert E. Houston offers a natural explanation for the 'Wakefield incident,' where a pond mysteriously melted in cold weather, suggesting it was due to a rotting leaf rather than a radioactive black box as claimed by William McCarthy. This highlights the ongoing tension between natural explanations and the interpretation of events as UFO-related.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent nature of UFO sightings and abduction accounts, the challenges in distinguishing between genuine phenomena and misidentifications or hoaxes, and the ongoing debate about government transparency and the scientific community's engagement with the UFO topic. The publication appears to present a range of perspectives, from scholarly research to personal testimonies and skeptical analyses, aiming to inform readers about the multifaceted nature of the UFO phenomenon. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, presenting evidence and accounts while acknowledging the need for scientific rigor and critical evaluation.

Title: Herald-Leader
Issue Date: March 13, 1992
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Main Cover Story: UFO Vanishes, Leaving Farmer Baffled

The lead story details an encounter by farmer Billy Goldy and his farm worker, James Carpenter, on their 87-acre farm in northern Bath County, Kentucky, on the morning of February 25, 1992. While driving a pickup truck, Carpenter spotted an object moving through the air about 100 feet above the ground. Goldy initially joked about it being a spaceship. The object moved towards trees in a hollow, then appeared to unfold or turn on its side, becoming a bright aluminum circle flashing blue, green, and yellow lights. After attending to his cattle, Goldy went to investigate but found nothing – no scorch marks, depressions, or damage to trees. He and Carpenter spent three hours searching the area without success. Goldy, a lifelong resident of Bath County, had never believed in UFOs before this experience. His wife, Leona, confirmed that her husband was deeply affected by the unexplained event. Goldy reported the incident to the county sheriff and local radio station, and also wrote to the Herald-Leader, including a drawing of the object.

Burt L. Monroe, chairman of the biology department at the University of Louisville and state coordinator for the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), stated that similar sightings occur in Kentucky at least two or three times a year. He noted that MUFON collects data on such incidents for its computer database. Monroe expressed that while he doesn't promote specific theories, he acknowledges that many unexplained phenomena have been reported throughout history.

Joe Nickell, an English professor at the University of Kentucky, offered a skeptical view, defining UFOs simply as 'unidentified flying objects' and suggesting that many cases have mundane explanations. He cautioned against jumping to conclusions about alien spacecraft.

Monroe confirmed that a MUFON investigator would interview Goldy and Carpenter. Goldy, described as someone who likes to figure things out, remains perplexed by the experience, calling it 'a mystery.'

Other Articles and Reports

Strange Lights Seen in Southwest Missouri Sky (Daily Tribune, Columbia, MO - Feb. 7, 1992):
People in Northview, Missouri, reported seeing strange lights in the sky, prompting an investigation by a national UFO group. The county sheriff and air traffic controllers reported seeing nothing unusual. Duane Bedell, an investigator for MUFON, reported seeing an orange or amber ball of light blink on, dance for seven minutes, and blink off, describing it as an 'anomalous' phenomenon.

Scientist Says Many UFOs Really 'Earthquake Lights' (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock, AR - April 15, 1992):
U.S. Geological Survey geophysicist John S. Derr presented a theory at an annual meeting suggesting that many UFO sightings might be 'earthquake lights' – glowing spheres of electricity generated by underground stress before earthquakes. His study correlated UFO reports in New Mexico with seismic activity. While met with skepticism, the theory was not entirely dismissed by other scientists.

Upstate Residents See Hovering Lights in Southern Skies (Herald-Journal, Spartanburg, SC - March 3, 1992):
At least three people in the Spartanburg, South Carolina area, including a National Weather Service meteorologist, reported seeing unusual lights and objects. Corey Lefkof, a meteorologist, described a glowing orange and red light traveling west to east. Lydia Kaplan reported seeing a round, sparkly object in the sky. Ann Sellers described a bright, white pulsing light moving erratically. Officials from the FAA and U.S. Space Command reported no unusual radar activity or tracked man-made objects correlating with these sightings.

Reluctant Recruit to the Circle of Crop-Circle Watchers (The Age, Melbourne, Australia - Dec. 31, 1991):
Ken Price, a wheatgrower in Australia, reported unexplained circles in his wheat paddock. He contacted crop-circle researcher Colin Andrews, who is investigating the phenomenon. Price believes the circles are not man-made, citing their size and the flattened crop. Andrews has investigated crop circles in Australia and elsewhere, with theories ranging from UFO landing sites to ball lightning and miniature whirlwinds.

Well, Do YOU Believe in Flying Saucers? (Reddish Reporter, Stockport, England - Jan. 29, 1992):
David Oliver, an electrician and self-confessed skeptic, discusses UFO sightings. He is a member of BUFORA and regularly attends their meetings. The article mentions a puzzling sighting from 1987 where an amateur photographer captured an image of a 'little green man' on Ilkley Moor, which was analyzed and not found to be faked. Oliver also recounts an experience on Winter Hill where he saw a bright object that appeared to be heading directly towards him.

Confounded Crop Circles Keep Baffling Researchers (Sun, Vancouver, B.C., Canada - March 13, 1992):
A report details 87 sets of crop circles, rings, and other shapes discovered in North America in 1991. Chris Rutkowski, who compiled the report, insists there is still mystery surrounding 'unidentified ground markings' (UGMs), though he admits most are likely fakes. Examples include a ring in Nova Scotia where compass needles spun rapidly, and a sighting in Granum, Alberta, where a UFO allegedly landed, leaving bleached soil.

New £1m Probe into Crop Circles (Wiltshire Times, Trowbridge, England - Jan. 24, 1992):
Scientists from five countries are to combine in a £1 million operation to investigate crop circles. Colin Andrews, a crop-circle researcher, stated that this investigation will be the most thorough ever held and will use advanced equipment to measure magnetic fields and analyze crop effects.

Light Shone on Wigan's 'Strange Happenings' (Reporter, Wigan, England - Oct. 31, 1991):
This section compiles letters from readers responding to a previous story about a UFO mystery in Bickershaw. Many reported similar sightings of strange grey lights on the same evening. Explanations offered include searchlights from Blackpool Pleasure Beach, but some readers remain convinced they saw something unexplained.

Seeing is Believing – or is it? UFO Investigator Reveals Facts Behind Close Encounters of the Flying Saucer Kind (Southend Evening Echo, Essex, England - March 18, 1992):
UFO investigator Mike Perryman recounts the story of a woman abducted from her home by a seven-foot-tall blond alien. Perryman discusses the challenges of obtaining evidence for UFO sightings and mentions the formation of London UFO Studies. He also details his own sighting of two objects over Tilbury in 1990. The article notes that the Thames Estuary area has become a 'hotbed of UFO activity,' with activity reported near Ministry of Defence sites and oil refineries.

Kidnapped by Seven Ft Blond Alien (Southend Evening Echo, Essex, England - March 18, 1992):
This article details the account of a woman who claims to have been abducted by a seven-foot-tall blond alien. UFO investigator Mike Perryman helped her come forward. The woman described a telepathic conversation and being taken into a shining craft without feeling threatened. Perryman emphasizes the need for a rational scientific answer to these phenomena.

Spaceships Over Merseyside (Crosby Herald, Liverpool, England - Feb. 27, 1992):
This article reviews Larry Kingston's book, "An Experiment With Alien Intelligence," which details his encounters with UFOs and those of others. Kingston's first encounter was in 1964, involving a rotating star-like object. The book explores various UFO sightings and theories, including the possibility of alien bases.

UFO Spotted Over Lewes (Sussex Express, Lewes, England - Nov. 22, 1991):
Alan Shelley, an antiquarian bookseller, reported seeing a silver, metallic, spherical object passing over Lewes High Street. He initially thought it was a balloon but later described it as a 'fattish rugby ball.' He could not form an opinion on its speed due to not knowing its height.

Superpowers 'Co-operating with Aliens from Outer Space' Claim (East Anglian Daily Times, Ipswich, England - March 7, 1992):
This is a review of Timothy Good's book, "Alien Liaison," which claims secret co-operation between the U.S. government and alien beings, including alleged alien bases and test-flown alien craft. The book cites high-ranking officials and includes eyewitness accounts and documentary evidence.

Flying Saucers at Breakfast Time..! (Bridport News, Dorset, England - Feb. 28, 1992):
Two men, Lee Brown and Mike Sturt, claim to have spotted three unidentified objects flying in a close proximity triangle formation on Eggardon Hill. They photographed the objects, which disappeared quickly. Police and airport officials reported no unusual activity.

Brum Alert Over UFO (Evening Mail, Birmingham, England - Feb. 28, 1992):
Dozens of people in the West Midlands reported seeing a bright light hovering in the sky without sound. Ex-RAF pilot John Lawnes described a large blue disc. The West Midlands UFO network received numerous calls, with a spokesman stating they were 'baffled.' Birmingham International Airport reported no unusual radar activity.

UFOs Returning to Carroll County? (Times-Echo, Eureka Springs, AR - March 5, 1992):
This article discusses a series of livestock mutilations in Southwest Missouri, Northern Arkansas, and Southeast Oklahoma, investigated by Vince Serencko and Jeanne Robinson. They believe the mutilations are not the work of Satanists or animals but of aliens using high-heat lasers. MUFON is studying these cases, noting similarities such as the removal of body parts and blood, and the lack of footprints or blood at the scene. A UFO convention is planned for Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Odd Cattle Deaths Intrigue Webster County Residents (News-Leader, Springfield, MO - April 8, 1992):
Joe Bouldin reported his cow was mysteriously killed and mutilated, with its throat slit, esophagus removed, and blood gone, leaving no tracks. This is one of 11 such incidents in Webster County. The Sheriff's Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol are investigating. MUFON members suggest these mutilations are linked to UFO sightings, citing precise, high-heat wounds and the disappearance of blood as classic signs. The article also touches on the possibility of cult activity.

Sasquatch Scout Still Optimistic (Columbian, Vancouver, WA - March 30, 1992):
Investigator Rene Dahinden expresses confusion but continued belief in Sasquatch (Bigfoot) due to consistent reports from reliable witnesses. He acknowledges the lack of personal sightings but emphasizes the pattern in accounts. The article also briefly mentions the Russian 'Alma' and Himalayan 'Yeti' as similar legends.

Bigfoot Believer Doubts Video (Dispatch, Columbus, OH - March 12, 1992):
Art Kapa, a Bigfoot researcher, is offering a reward for information about a videotape purportedly showing Bigfoot. He suspects the figure in the video, described as 7-8 feet tall with dark hair, might be a person in a gorilla suit, despite the apparent movement of muscle masses. The video's origin is unknown.

Bigfoot Stalks Woods near Book, Claims (Sunday Times, London, England - Feb. 9, 1992):
This article discusses the ongoing mystery of Bigfoot sightings, referencing a book by Larry Kingston and the experiences of UFO investigator Mike Perryman. It mentions a 1968 incident where a Phantom jet reportedly went missing after being attacked by unidentified objects, with a tape recording of the event in the possession of the US Air Defence Command.

Even Bigfoot Has South, but only to Ohio (Ann Swenson, N/A):
This article briefly mentions Bigfoot sightings and research, including a reference to the 'Bigfoot' phenomenon in the Pacific Northwest and Canada, and research in central Ohio.

Sick Flock to Mexican Well of 'Miracle' Water (Post, Denver, CO - Feb. 22, 1992):
People are flocking to a ranch in Tlacote, Mexico, to drink water from a well believed to have healing properties. Owner Jesus Chahin claims the water was blessed by an 'extraterrestrial force.' An analysis by Water Test Corp. found the water to be high in minerals but without unusual properties. Critics suggest it offers false hope, while believers maintain faith in its powers.

Hunters Say 'Forest Man' Exists (Daily News, Anchorage, AK - March 22, 1992):
Reports from the Sikhote-Alin mountain range in the Russian Far East describe a mysterious creature, dubbed 'Forest Man,' with enormous footprints and bloodcurdling howls. Hunters have encountered remains of animals with injuries suggesting a powerful creature, and some claim to have seen the bipedal, orange-furred creature.

The Lake Conway Monster (Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, AR - March 29, 1992):
This article reminisces about the 'Lake Conway Monster,' a creature reportedly seen in the early 1950s around Lake Conway, Arkansas. Descriptions varied, with some comparing it to the Abominable Snowman or Sasquatch. The article suggests reviving the legend for local celebrations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue demonstrates a strong interest in unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs, alien encounters, and mysterious creatures like Bigfoot. There is a clear division between those who actively investigate and report these phenomena (e.g., MUFON investigators, researchers) and those who remain skeptical or offer scientific explanations (e.g., Joe Nickell, FAA officials). The articles often highlight eyewitness accounts, the challenges of gathering evidence, and the public's fascination and sometimes fear surrounding these topics. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena and investigations, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also presenting skeptical viewpoints. There's an underlying theme of humanity's search for answers to the unknown, whether in the skies, in folklore, or in unexplained events on Earth.