UFO Newsclipping Service - 1996 02 - no 319

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE
Issue: Number 319
Volume: February 1996
Publisher: Lucius Farish
Date: February 1996

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service delves into numerous UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters reported across the United States, primarily focusing on events from the 1990s. The publication highlights local encounters, expert opinions, and the ongoing efforts of UFO research organizations.

Close Encounters of a Local Kind

The lead article introduces Allen Dunkin, a state section director for the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) and an accountant who researches UFO sightings and abductions in the Stanislaus County area of California. Dunkin asserts that the Knights Ferry and foothills region is a hotbed for extraterrestrial activity, receiving 25-50 reports annually, with an additional 24 county residents claiming abduction. He recounts dramatic recent reports, including a September 1993 incident where a woman reported an encounter with a spaceship, leaving her with pockmarked arms and neck, and an August 1993 report of a flaming gold-colored object crashing near Sonora. Dunkin notes that reported sightings in the Knights Ferry area date back to the late 1800s, referencing the '1896 Airship Flap.' He also discusses the waning public interest in UFOs since the 1950s and '60s, attributing it partly to sensationalized media and hoaxes, but maintains that "for every 10 reported sightings there are 10 more that go unreported." Dunkin emphasizes that many people fear ridicule, offering a safe haven for them to share their experiences. He challenges skeptics by stating, "I can't prove to you the existence of UFOs but neither can you convince me they don't exist." He advises using "common sense" and believes that evidence will eventually lead people to question disbelief. Dunkin suggests that UFO sightings are most common between April and October, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., with Wednesdays being particularly favorable. He notes that UFOs seem to favor areas near water, such as the Stanislaus River.

UFO Might Be Military Craft

This article from the Record-Searchlight in Redding, California, dated January 25, 1996, investigates reports of strange aerial objects seen over Redding on a Monday night. Residents reported seeing large U.S. military planes, including two C-130s and a KC-10 jet, which may explain some sightings. However, some witnesses described objects that did not fit the profile of conventional aircraft. One report from Bear Mountain Road described a large vessel flying at an estimated 20 mph with a purring jet-engine sound and sparkling lights. An Air Force CAP officer speculated that a KC-10 might have been refueling the C-130s in the air, but a KC-10 pilot from Travis Air Force Base confirmed that refueling over Redding was unlikely. The C-130s were reportedly involved in a search for a missing plane in Modoc County. Residents like Evelyn Hamblin described a huge object that hovered briefly before speeding south. Amy Weiss described a large, lighted object shaped like a blimp. Mark McCandlish, a U.S. Air Force veteran, suggested the object could have been a 'stealth blimp,' a type of craft patented in 1990 for radar surveillance. However, a spokesman at Nellis Air Force Base stated the Air Force only has two stealth craft: the F117-A and the B-2 bomber.

From Another World?

This section features Tim Edwards of Salida, Colorado, who was a guest speaker at the International UFO Congress. Edwards presented his UFO sighting and video footage from August 27, 1995, taken outside his home. The footage, analyzed by Village Labs, was described as legitimate footage of a large, solid object. Edwards describes the object as a silver, cigar-shaped spacecraft. He recounts his daughter noticing the object first. He videotaped it for over an hour, noting oscillating lights and small white spheres emerging from the main craft. Edwards believes the UFOs are concerned about Earth's inhabitants and advocates for "brotherhood, universal love, and get rid of the nuclear stuff." The article also mentions that the San Luis Valley is considered a UFO hotbed with a history of sightings dating back to 1917, including reports of Bigfoot and cattle mutilations. Jeanne Shaw and Loni Smith of La Veta reported seeing a slow-moving, rectangular-shaped spacecraft on September 23, 1995, which they described as "huge" and "monstrous."

Watching for UFOs

This brief report from Port Townsend, Washington, notes that 1995 was an active year for UFO sightings and alien abductions in the area. Jean Anderson, who heads a local UFO watcher's group, mentions that one member who had extraterrestrial experiences was scheduled to appear on the TV show "Sightings on Fox." The report also touches on the possibility of teaching a UFO class and forming a UFO research group, emphasizing that UFOs are a "fascinating subject but a very difficult one to pin down."

New Discoveries in Space Encourage Believers

This article from Knight-Ridder Newspapers discusses how the discovery of two new planets potentially capable of supporting life has bolstered the beliefs of those who claim to have experienced extraterrestrial contact. Marv Taylor, an accountant who claims to have had ET encounters since childhood, sees this as validation. Ron Williams, host of the cable access show "UFO Connection," believes this discovery, combined with the Hubble telescope, brings humanity closer to verifying extraterrestrial life. A 1994 poll indicated that 46% of Generation X respondents believed in UFOs. A 1993 Canadian study suggested that UFO spotters are psychologically healthy. The article also mentions Pulitzer Prize-winning psychiatrist John Mack's book "Abduction: Human Encounters With Aliens" and Richard Haines, a former NASA experimental psychologist, who is convinced of ET existence based on his research.

UFO Conference Simply Out of This World

This article from Atlanta discusses the 32nd annual National UFO Conference, where attendees discussed abductions, UFO sightings, and government cover-ups. David Huggins, who claims to have been abducted as a child, shared his experiences and painted illustrations of the beings he encountered. Seminars included "My Lifelong UFO Participation in Alien Genetic Experiments" and "Ending the UFO Cover-Up Through Political Action." Ed Komarek, founder of Operation Right To Know, urged political action to obtain government information on UFOs. Charlie Pilcher discussed the idea of a "sublayer of secret knowledge" related to ancient sites and evolution.

Edwards Gets More UFO Video from Salida

This report from Crested Butte, Colorado, details further UFO sightings by Tim Edwards in Salida. Edwards captured more videotape footage from September 25 to October 23, 1995, which Village Labs is analyzing. The footage reportedly shows a large UFO exhibiting unprecedented movements and flashing lights. The article notes that Edwards believes the craft was sending a message and wanted to be photographed. The national UFO Reporting Center has received numerous calls following Edwards' sightings, contributing to a nationwide "flap." The article suggests that the U.S. government may soon acknowledge the reality of alien visitors. Edwards attended the International UFO Congress in Mesquite, Nevada, to present his findings.

This Week In UFO History

This section provides a chronological list of UFO sightings from December 17-23. Notable reports include:

• December 17, 1987, Gulf Breeze, Florida: Ed Walters reported seeing a UFO hovering and photographed it.
• December 21, 1994, Kingsley, Michigan: A witness described a round, honeycombed object with mini-lightning bolts and bluish-gray color, which was videotaped and reported to police.
• December 22, 1944, Hagenau, Germany: A pilot reported seeing two large orange glows that paced his plane before disappearing.

UFO flap: Residents See Strange Craft

This article from the Record-Searchlight in Redding, California, revisits the UFO sightings from November 1995. A controller at the Redding Municipal Airport identified a KC-10 military refueling jet practicing approaches. However, residents like Dave Thomsen described a slow-moving object with sparkling colors and a jet-engine sound, which they believed was not a conventional aircraft. Mark McCandlish, a defense contractor, suggested the object might have been a stealth blimp, patented for radar surveillance. He noted that two similar crafts were spotted, one heading south and another hovering. Lt. John Elolf from Nellis Air Force Base stated he had no knowledge of stealth blimps being used by the Air Force. Melinda Gray also reported seeing a huge, lighted object with white and red lights heading south.

In Vincennes, Something Strange in the Air

This article from Indianapolis discusses UFO activity in Vincennes, Indiana. Jerry Sievers, assistant state director for MUFON, tracks about 35 reports annually of strange lights and shapes. He and Kerry Teverbaugh co-founded UPRO to investigate various phenomena. Sievers recounts a 1978 incident where a sheriff's deputy reported seeing a black triangular craft with three gray beings inside. Sievers also shares his personal sightings of two UFOs on August 21, 1985, near Lucky Point, describing them as a red ball with a white light and a larger orange ball. The article mentions reports of power lines shaking and vibrating in the Lucky Point area. Riley Osborne, a neighbor of Sievers, expresses skepticism.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent reporting of UFO sightings, alleged alien abductions, and the ongoing efforts of individuals and organizations like MUFON to document and investigate these phenomena. There is a clear editorial stance supporting the legitimacy of these reports, often contrasting witness testimonies with official explanations or skepticism. The publication highlights the growing acceptance of UFOs in public consciousness, fueled by scientific discoveries and media attention, while also acknowledging the challenges faced by believers in being taken seriously. The articles collectively suggest that these events are not isolated incidents but part of a larger, unexplained phenomenon that warrants continued investigation and open-mindedness.