UFO Newsclipping Service - 1993 03 - no 284

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated March 1993, number 284, focuses on the contentious question of whether governments should reveal their data on Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs).

Should Government Reveal Its UFO Data?

This lead article by Tom Keyser presents a debate from a meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland, featuring four specialists. Bruce Maccabee, a civilian research physicist for the Navy, and Elaine Douglass, director of the Washington chapter of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), advocate for government disclosure. They argue that releasing information would end wild speculation, legitimize the subject for serious study, and prepare the public for potential alien contact. Maccabee emphasizes the need to "bite the bullet now" to avoid a sudden, unprepared revelation by aliens. Douglass warns that the worst-case scenario would be the aliens disclosing themselves after the government had "stone-walled to the end."

Conversely, Robert Durant, a commercial airline pilot, and Michael Levintow, a computer analyst, argue for keeping the lid on UFO information. Durant fears that disclosure would lead to "chaos" and paralyze the country's economy, with aliens becoming the sole topic of discussion. Levintow echoes these concerns, adding the risk of public panic and a potential "collision course" with technologically superior aliens. He questions whether politicizing the UFO matter gains anything and suggests that the public might not be ready to accept such a radical departure from traditional thought.

Deputies, Skywatchers See Santa or Something

This article by Mindy Wilson reports on a sighting in southwestern Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, on December 25, 1992. Linda Dicks and her son Butch were among skywatchers who gathered after hearing police scanner reports of unidentified flying objects. Deputies from the Quachita Parish Sheriff's Department also witnessed objects described as having red, white, and blue lights, bouncing, and disappearing. One deputy described an object flying over him with no noise, stating, "I've never seen anything like it before in my life." Richard Antley described viewing an object with "twinkling lights, best I can describe. It looked like something pointed with two tails coming off it and sparks flying off."

Lawrence Willett: Investigator of Strange Objects in the sky

Written by Ray Dean Davis, this piece profiles Lawrence Willett, a pilot and MUFON field investigator from Mountain Home, Arkansas. Willett, who logged over 7,000 hours of flying time, began investigating UFO reports after Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting. Willett believes that many reported objects are "something that doesn't originate from this earth." He has investigated numerous reports in his five-county area, including sightings of hovering, many-cornered crafts, giant cigar-shaped objects, and speeding lights under intelligent control. Willett recounts his own sighting in 1979 of a bright, oval-shaped object, estimated to be 30 feet in diameter and 10 feet thick, which hovered and emitted flashes of light before disappearing and reappearing. He notes that many witnesses are reluctant to report sightings due to fear of ridicule. Willett also mentions MUFON's belief that "crash retrieval" of UFOs has occurred and that the government may be engaged in reverse engineering of alien technology, possibly at a secret base in Nevada.

UFOs Greenley Rd. woman sees objects in sky

This article by Chris Bateman reports on a sighting by a woman identified as "Jessica" on her Greenley Road area home on February 1, 1993. Jessica described seeing three huge, wedge-shaped, cigar-shaped objects with no windows, but with lights in lines, moving silently and gliding over her house before disappearing. She initially mistook the first object for a bright star. Her 30-year-old son also witnessed the event. Jessica's description of the objects as "more like the spaceships you'd see on 'Star Trek'" and their silent, slow movement is detailed. The article notes that this sighting coincided with a "cluster" of UFO reports from the rural Midwest.

Sightings have been reported before

This sidebar lists numerous UFO sightings reported in The Union Democrat over two decades, from 1973 to 1982, in the Tuolumne County, California area. These include sightings of silverish-yellowish-orange discs, blinking objects, "flying saucers," "huge, blinking flashbulbs," "pulsating, bright red UFOs," "egg-shaped objects," "orange objects," "whirling lights," "large, oblong silver objects," "yellowish white objects," "red oblong objects," and objects described as "flying at an altitude of 50,000 feet and at a speed of 800 to 1,000 miles per hour."

County UFO-sighting reports puzzle expert

By Eric Hrin, this article details reports from several Uniontown, Pennsylvania residents on January 29, 1993, who claimed to have seen an unidentified flying object described as a "yellow light, with green flashing lights." Stan Gordon, director of PASU, urged witnesses to call his hotline and stated that a volunteer would investigate. The article also mentions recent cattle mutilations in DeKalb County, Pennsylvania, with no explanation.

Military: Stealth not UFO

This brief report from Gadsden, Alabama, addresses sightings of strange lights over Sand Mountain. An Air Force spokesman, Lt. Col. Mike Gannon, stated it was unlikely that a Stealth bomber was the source, as the only operational Stealth wing was in New Mexico and the bomber was still being tested in California. Former military officers and MUFON representatives had tentatively identified the light pattern as that of a Stealth bomber. The reports of strange lights began on January 28, 1993, and coincided with reports of cattle mutilations in DeKalb County.

UFO puts on show

This article by Gardiner Harris describes an encounter by two Jefferson County air unit police officers, Kenny Graham and Kenny Downs, with a UFO on Friday night. They described the object as a "glowing pear-shaped object about the size of a basketball" that engaged in a "dogfight" with their helicopter, flying circles around it at speeds approaching 100 mph. The UFO reportedly shot three fireballs out of its middle, which fizzled into nothing. Officers on the ground, Mike Smith and Joe Smolenski, also confirmed seeing the object. Lt. David Pope attested to the sanity and sincerity of the officers involved.

Strange lights taken seriously in northeast Alabama

By Darrell Norman, this article details a week of strange "lights" over DeKalb County, Alabama, beginning January 28, 1993. Sue Johnson reported seeing an airborne object covered with lights. Karen Twilley described three triangle-shaped objects and a single globe-shaped white light. Susanne Austin and Ernest G. "Gene" Mooney also reported seeing strange lights. Sgt. Ron Ogletree of the Gadsden trooper post stated that the reports were being treated seriously. The article notes the connection between these sightings and recent cattle mutilations in the area.

Papa Joe Says UFOs Drop Aliens On Beach

This article by Bland Pugh reports on UFO sightings in the Crestview, Florida area. Joe Barron reported a sighting on February 5, 1993, involving bright yellow lights ejected from a silent craft resembling a helicopter without rotors. Four balls of light were ejected, arranged in a diamond formation. The article also references a previous article about the "Ed Walters' Case" and mentions a conversation with Walt Andrus. A letter to the editor from Brian Boldman discusses the significance of Gulf Breeze, Florida, being geographically centered on a Mercator projection map, suggesting it as a deliberate location for alien contact.

More than a few UFO spotters have remained unidentified too

By Byron Crawford, this piece compiles several anecdotal accounts of UFO sightings that the author has heard over the years from credible people who chose not to go public due to fear of ridicule. These include a former Navy aircraft navigator who witnessed a disk-shaped object performing impossible feats around a jet, and Skylab astronaut Gerald Carr, who admitted seeing things in space that had no plausible explanation. A prominent Southern Kentucky banker also shared a story of seeing four small, metallic gray, cigar-shaped objects in formation.

The Book Nook

This section by Mickey Gallagher reviews several books related to UFO phenomena. "The UFO Conspiracy: The First Forty Years" by Jenny Randles discusses recent UFO history and suggests government cover-ups. "Out There: The Government's Secret Quest for Extraterrestrials" by Howard Blum details a secretive governmental organization investigating UFO sightings. "Crash at Corona: The U.S. Military Retrieval and Cover-up of a UFO" by Stanton Friedman and Don Berliner examines the Roswell incident. Jacques Vallee's "Dimensions: A Casebook of Alien Contact" proposes that UFOs come from another dimension. The section also mentions an upcoming panel discussion on UFO sightings at the Snoqualmie Library.

'I Know What I Saw'

This article by Karen Stinneford reports on a sighting by Tiffaney Manor, 7, and her mother, Sheila, on Friday morning in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They described seeing a gray, cigar-shaped object with no windows, but with wheels and purple, red, and white lights, hovering over a house before disappearing. Sheila Manor stated that she was a skeptic until this experience. Federal Aviation Administration officials at local airports reported no unusual activity.

Hello, out there! Bonney Lake man turns his message skyward

This article by C.R. Roberts profiles Ron Stewart, a Bonney Lake, Washington, man who is building a device called PETSETI (Photo-Electronic Transmission in Search of Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) to send a message into space. Stewart intends to use mirrors and gas tubes to create a bright light signal, hoping to communicate with aliens. He expresses curiosity about the universe and believes Earth is a "tourist attraction." He also shares anecdotes from his childhood experiments.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing mystery of UFOs, the debate over government transparency regarding UFO data, and the personal experiences of witnesses. There is a consistent emphasis on the credibility of witnesses, often former military personnel or ordinary citizens who are reluctant to speak out due to fear of ridicule. The publication appears to take a neutral stance on the existence of UFOs, presenting various accounts and expert opinions without definitively concluding their origin. However, the detailed reporting of sightings and investigations suggests an underlying interest in the phenomenon and a belief that these events warrant serious consideration. The articles collectively highlight the persistent nature of UFO reports and the public's enduring fascination with the possibility of extraterrestrial life and government knowledge of it.

The POST newspaper, dated February 8, 1993, features an article titled "For UFO Believers, The Sky's the Limit," focusing on a seminar held in Silver Spring, Maryland, organized by MUFON (The Mutual UFO Network Inc.). The article, written by Peter Gilstrap, highlights the dedication and beliefs of UFO enthusiasts.

Alien Notions at a Silver Spring Seminar

The seminar, attended by approximately 200 people, covered topics such as UFO crashes, government cover-ups, military psychics, and UFOs in media. MUFON, a nonprofit organization founded in 1969, has a global membership of 4,300 and publishes its own magazine and operates an amateur radio network.

Elaine Douglass, MUFON director for Washington, D.C., and a featured speaker, stated that while she has never seen a UFO, she believes most people know UFOs are real and are seeking more information. She emphasized the key questions for believers: the aliens' purpose on Earth and their relationship with the U.S. government.

The theme of a government cover-up was prevalent, with discussions about secret warehouses, crashed spaceships, alien body parts, and Pentagon denials. Many attendees claimed personal contact with extraterrestrials or knew people who had.

Shai Benami, a 16-year-old attendee, shared stories of friends being followed by black Cadillacs and experiencing low-flying helicopters. Kirby Rodriguez recounted a personal UFO sighting in Erie, Pennsylvania.

The event also featured a book business run by Alice Haggerty and Pat Marcattilio, who sold paranormal literature. Haggerty shared a personal account of being abducted and healed, attributing it to aliens.

Douglass presented statistics, stating that there have been 47 abductions per hour in the U.S. for the last 45 years. She led the attendees in a chant: "Yo, yo, UFO, the people have a right to know!"

Reports from the former Soviet bloc reveal folks there also have an...

Another article, "Eye on UFOs" by Joe Marusak, published in the GASTON OBSERVER on February 23, 1993, discusses how reports of UFO sightings and alien abductions are emerging from the former Soviet bloc following the advent of glasnost. George Fawcett, a UFO buff and investigator of 1,200 UFO cases worldwide since 1944, notes the consistency of these reports with those found in the United States, including landings, photographs, animal reactions, and abductions.

Fawcett has been named an honorary fellow of the Institute On Anomalous Phenomena in Kharkov, Ukraine, a group of scientists studying orbiting alien craft. He aims to exchange UFO sighting reports between the U.S. and the institute's catalogued data.

Fawcett recounts a dramatic encounter in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1951, where he saw a craft hovering. He also notes that North Carolina ranks fourth in the country with at least 900 reported UFO cases in the past 50 years.

A studied look at UFOs in North County skies

The DAILY TIMES ADVOCATE (Escondido, CA) on February 7, 1993, features an article by Deniene Husted about UFO investigations in North County, California. Gary Davidson, North County investigator for Orion, a group of 50 scientists and professionals, is investigating a sighting by two Oceanside teenagers on January 30th. The object was described as a large, oval-shaped craft that paused and moved erratically.

Orion investigators check astronomical charts, flight patterns, and meteorological data to find earthly explanations for sightings. Davidson, who became a believer after a personal sighting 20 years ago, has spent much of his life seeking proof of alien visitation. The article mentions that about two such sightings occur annually in North County.

Two 13-year-olds described a triangular object with spinning inner shapes and yellow beams of light that made no sound. While 80% of sightings are explainable, Davidson believes the remaining ones are extraterrestrial. Barry Karr of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal expresses skepticism, urging consideration of all possibilities before concluding extraterrestrial visitation.

For UFO buffs, ET's not an alien subject

The SENTINEL (Santa Cruz, CA) on January 28, 1993, reports on a Santa Cruz UFO Study Group meeting discussing aliens' role in human evolution and religion. Ron Lampi, an organizer and MUFON field investigator, believes the U.S. government is concealing information about alien contact due to the revolutionary changes it would bring.

The group discussed various theories, including aliens as gods and government cover-ups. Lampi shared books and the MUFON Journal, which features news on sightings, theories, and resources for UFO enthusiasts. A reported 1989 abduction case in New York City, involving a woman taken into a hovering spacecraft, was discussed.

Budd Hopkins, who investigated the case, believes it was meant to show the potential for life on other planets. Davidson suggests aliens might be observing Earth for scientific purposes, possibly from other dimensions, timelines, or star systems. Some believe UFO sightings are internally generated psychic phenomena.

American television networks investigate unexplained UFO sightings near Almonte

The GAZETTE (Almonte, Ontario, Canada) on February 3, 1993, covers how American TV networks are investigating UFO sightings near Almonte. UFO researcher Bob Oechsler is analyzing a video sent anonymously, which he calls a "landmark case." NBC's "Unsolved Mysteries" and Fox network's "Sightings" are set to air segments on the case.

The video footage shows a white linear light with red flares and a flashing light on top, with smoke billowing out. Close-ups reveal a rounded turret and a vertical blue strobe. The sound track includes barking dogs and a "ratchet" sound. Oechsler believes the source, identified only as "Guardian," is knowledgeable and environmentally concerned.

Analysis of the site where the craft allegedly landed revealed titanium powder, not strontium or cesium, and plants that were "dehydrated and melted." The craft was estimated to be 25 feet in diameter. Oechsler is puzzled by "Guardian's" apparent prior knowledge of sightings.

The mystery of the dancing light

The NEWTON & GOLBORNE GUARDIAN (Warrington, England) on December 11, 1992, reports on a strange light captured on film by security cameras at Birchwood Mall. The light, described as a small, round, independent source resembling a soap bubble, has attracted national interest. Ufologist Jenny Randles suggests it's an intriguing UFO investigation.

Bigfoot just one of life's mysteries

The GAZETTE TELEGRAPH (Colorado Springs, CO) on December 7, 1992, features an article by Raymond McCaffrey about Dan Masias, who believes Bigfoot was the catalyst for his research into various mysteries, including ancient artifacts and extraterrestrials. Masias' book explores theories of superior beings influencing human civilization.

He discusses artifacts like the Rosetta Stone and the alignment of "rings of fire" with ancient temple sites. Masias theorizes that these phenomena might be linked to extraterrestrial instruments or influences, potentially explaining anomalies like the Bermuda Triangle and the Pikes Peak region.

Masias recounts early Bigfoot sightings near his home in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, including banging sounds, footprints, and sightings of large, hairy beings. Hair samples analyzed were reportedly not from any known North American animal. The NBC program "Unsolved Mysteries" covered these events.

Touchet Valley Ramblings

The TIMES (Waitsburg, WA) on January 14, 1993, includes a column by Vance Orchard discussing Paul Freeman's Bigfoot material. Freeman has reportedly encountered Bigfoot multiple times. The column mentions reports of multiple beings, including a "small one and a big one" or entire families, and large tracks found in the area.

Cattle mutilations inspire wild theories

The ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE (Little Rock, AR) on March 7, 1993, reports on cattle mutilations in Sand Mountain, Alabama, with theories ranging from aliens and satanists to government agents. Investigator Ted Oliphant notes the precise, bloodless surgical incisions and the absence of footprints or blood.

Reports of helicopter sightings with unusual lights often accompany these cases. Detective Tommy Cole found a mutilated Angus with sexual organs and rectum removed. Fyffe, Alabama, known as the "UFO Capital of Alabama," is a focus of investigation. Filmmaker Linda Moulton Howe believes aliens are responsible.

Margret Pope described a calf mutilation with udders removed by a "straight cut." The precise nature of the cuts and lack of struggle lead to speculation about UFO involvement. John Strawn dismisses alien theories, suggesting cow murderers or other explanations.

Another theory involves government agents using low-level helicopters to study the effects of high-power lines on livestock. Thousands of similar mutilations have occurred across the U.S. since 1967.

Geodynamics satellite bears words for aliens

The SUN (Vancouver, B.C., Canada) on October 24, 1992, reports that a geodynamics satellite launched from the shuttle Columbia is carrying a message for future alien explorers, prepared by cosmologist Carl Sagan.

Ridicule doesn't deter boy's belief in Bigfoot

The TIMES-STANDARD (Eureka, CA) on October 10, 1992, details the experience of the Owen family in Klamath, California, after 8-year-old Joshua claimed to have seen Bigfoot. The family has faced ridicule and vandalism. Joshua and a friend described a large, hairy, bipedal creature. Daryl Owen, the father, found large footprints and heard sounds he believes were made by Bigfoot.

Investigators found 34 footprints, reddish-brown hairs, and broken branches. The creature was estimated to be 7 feet tall and weigh 400 pounds. The family has also reported hearing nocturnal screams, which they believe are from two creatures.

Daryl expressed regret for going public, stating he would not report future sightings. Joshua described the creature as half monkey, half man, with light brown hair and a flat nose. The family's fear and consistent story convinced Daryl and his wife, Susan, of the sighting's authenticity.

Strange Harvest for the San Luis Valley

The EAGLE (Crestone, CO) on February 1993, discusses cattle mutilations in Costilla and Las Animas counties, Colorado. Sheriff Lou Gerodo describes the mutilations as "classic," with eyes, tongue, and sexual organs removed with precision, and a complete absence of blood. Unusual lights have been sighted in the area.

Rancher Manuel Sanchez reported a dead pregnant cow with eyes, bag, and rear-end missing, with no footprints or signs of struggle. He lost a cow similarly in the late sixties. Gerodo notes that cattle mutilations and unusual lights were reported in the San Luis Valley and southern Colorado in the late '60s and '70s.

Retired Sheriff Ernest Sandoval recalled reports of helicopters near mutilations in the '70s. He believes there is government involvement due to the technology required. The San Luis Valley is considered the site of the first documented mutilations in 1967, including the "Snippy the Horse" case.

Reports from the '70s mention silent black helicopters, strange spiderweb-like material, and mysterious men in black (MIBs). Theories range from scientific explanations to alien acquisition of medicinal enzymes or government-alien collaboration.

Mutilated cow not 'man-made' death

The WESTERN REVIEW (Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada) on July 28, 1992, reports that police do not believe a mutilated cow found on a farm near Drayton Valley was the work of aliens or satanic cults. An autopsy was impossible due to the carcass's deteriorated condition. Veterinarians suggested the cause of death was "not man-made," with coyotes being a possible factor, and bloating creating the appearance of sharp gouges.

Why aliens find Wales irresistible

WALES ON SUNDAY (Cardiff, Wales) on October 25, 1992, highlights Wales as a UFO hotspot, according to author Jenny Randles. South West Dyfed has a long history of Close Encounters, with sightings dating back to 1905. Randles notes recent activity near Rhyl and in the Denbigh and Mold areas.

A notable incident in Llangernyw in 1984 involved a purple, oval mass dropping to earth. The rural coastlands near Milford Haven saw a significant number of sightings in February 1977, including a silver object near Broad Haven School and encounters with entities. Randles also mentions "Ambler Gambler" amber lights seen in Dyfed.

RAF Bawdy suggests military testing could explain some sightings due to nearby air bases, while also noting that alien intelligence might be interested in strategic bases.

UFO seeker keeps eye on the skies

The COURIER (Vancouver, B.C., Canada) on January 20, 1993, features Mike Strainic, Canadian national director of MUFON. Strainic recounts a personal UFO encounter in 1966. He believes aliens may exist in a "different realm of nature" and interact with humans for unknown reasons. He notes the similarity in reports from people who claim to have seen UFOs.

A recent Gallup poll indicates that 49% of North Americans believe in UFOs. Strainic is awaiting conclusive proof of their existence.

New sighting adds to UFO mystery

The TIMES (Derbyshire, England) on January 21, 1993, reports new accounts of strange sightings and sounds in North Derbyshire, following a previous report. Mrs. Myra Jackson described a yellowy-orange object with a "mirror glow effect." A man from Hady reported "whooshing" noises.

Family in UFO mystery

The LENNOX HERALD (Dumbarton, Scotland) on January 22, 1993, details a sighting by the Auld family of a large white light hovering over the Alexandria by-pass. They described it as unlike anything they had seen, very large, and pulsating. They also noted the absence of movement or noise. Their son drew a circular object with a triangular center emitting light.

'Ripper' slashing horses in Britain

The LONDON OBSERVER on January 13, 1993, reports on a series of sexual assaults on horses across Britain, referred to as "ripper" attacks. Police are baffled, and theories range from cult activity to unknown perpetrators. The attacks involve slashing and sexual abuse, with some horses being rectally assaulted or stabbed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The collection of articles reflects a strong interest in UFOs, alien encounters, and unexplained phenomena across North America and the UK. Common themes include alleged government cover-ups, the search for evidence, personal testimonies, and the scientific investigation of unusual events. The articles generally present these topics with a degree of seriousness, exploring various theories and witness accounts without outright dismissal, though some skepticism is also present. The overall stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these mysteries.