UFO Newsclipping Service - 1997 09 - no 338

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated September 1997, focuses on UFO phenomena with a cover story titled "As Roswell goes UFO crazy, Belen woman's uncle has own story." The publication delves into various UFO sightings, historical incidents, and related controversies, featuring articles from multiple regional newspapers across the United States.

Roswell and Belen Accounts

The lead article highlights the 50th anniversary of the Roswell incident, noting the influx of visitors to Roswell, New Mexico. It contrasts the official Air Force explanation (weather balloon, crash test dummies) with personal testimonies. Connie Baca of Belen, New Mexico, shares her uncle Louis D. Moya's story. Moya, stationed at Walker Air Force Base in the 1950s, reportedly heard from ranchers about the Roswell crash and the subsequent "intimidation" by "Air Force Secret Police." Moya also provided a firsthand account in an affidavit about witnessing an "unidentified circular object" over Walker Air Force Base in 1955, described as immobile for two hours at an estimated 100,000 feet high.

The issue also revisits local UFO reports from Belen, New Mexico, from 50 years prior. The July 10, 1947, edition of the News-Bulletin asked for sightings of "flying discs," and a subsequent article on July 17 reported that Mrs. Charles J. Carroll saw a "white ball" traveling northwest at high speed, which she described as not resembling a saucer but appearing large and possibly over the municipal airport.

Chewelah Sightings

A report from the Spokesman Review (Spokane, WA) details three residents of Chewelah, Washington, reporting "weird lights in the sky" on August 14, 1997. Bruce Cockrell described concentric circles spinning while moving, while clerk Brenda Marshall saw a single patch of light. The lights were observed during and after a lightning storm, but witnesses were confident they were not part of it. Authorities were unaware of any aircraft that could account for the lights.

Alien Report Debunked by Retired Officer

An article from the Independent (Gallup, NM) discusses retired Lt. Col. Raymond A. Madson's perspective on the Roswell incident. Madson, who was a project officer for dummy-drop tests in the 1950s at Holloman Air Force Base, believes the official military explanation for Roswell is flawed. He questions the military's narrative, citing his involvement in projects that were not classified, unlike Project Mogul, which he notes was classified. Madson denies being threatened to keep quiet and suggests that the confusion might stem from misinterpreting crash test dummies as aliens.

Kecksburg Incident and UFO Beliefs

An article from the Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, PA) revisits the 1965 Kecksburg incident through the eyes of Jim Romansky. Romansky, then 19, witnessed an "acorn-shaped object without wings, doors or windows" descend in the woods. He describes it as having hieroglyphic-like writing and being hauled away by the military the next morning, appearing about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. Romansky remains convinced it was a UFO, despite the official explanation of a meteor and the U.S. Space Command's claim that a Soviet Venus probe, Cosmos 96, crashed elsewhere.

Former Residents Find Beauty in Extraterrestrials

This piece from the Hunterdon County Democrat (Flemington, NJ) features former High Bridge residents Howard and Connie Menger, who have shared their experiences with alien beings for 40 years. They believe visitors from space are beautiful, human-like creatures and are skeptical of scary abduction stories. They suggest that the Roswell incident, occurring during the Cold War, might have involved American "experimental crafts" and that the government may have covered it up for security reasons.

Arizona: A UFO Hotbed

An article from The Arizona Republic discusses Arizona as a UFO hotbed, citing numerous sightings, including a V-shaped craft over Interstate 17 in March 1997. It mentions early "saucer" photos from North Phoenix in the late 1940s and an alleged alien abduction in Flagstaff in 1946. The story of Selman Graves and Bob Malody witnessing a "large aluminum dome-shaped thing" in the Cave Creek Recreational Area in October 1947 is detailed. Graves later encountered a bulldozer man who admitted to "messing up the ground" in the area, which is now the Cave Creek Landfill. The article also notes Jim Ossipov's belief that Arizona's mineral concentrations might attract space visitors.

Fort Smith UFOs and New York City Sightings

A letter from Tom Alverson describes witnessing "famous" Fort Smith UFOs in 1966, describing two objects hovering over a KFSA radio and TV tower, estimated to be 60 feet across, which then shot off at unbelievable speed. Another article from the Daily News (New York, NY) highlights UFO incidents in New York City, including a white flying saucer in 1947, a flaming orange UFO in 1977, and an alleged alien abduction in 1989. It details Anne Fay's sighting of a "big, bright globe" in 1947 and the encounter of two student nurses, Diane Diaz and Toni Corbo, with a bright orange saucer in Staten Island in 1977.

Sci-Fi Writer's Tales: Cult Connection or Vivid Imagination?

This Sun-Sentinel (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) article examines sci-fi writer Lee Shargel, who claimed to have inside knowledge of the Heaven's Gate suicides and alleged encounters with dolphin-like aliens. Shargel's connection to Marshall Applewhite and the Heaven's Gate cult is explored, including his claims of being anointed as Applewhite's successor and receiving a "treasure map." The article questions the veracity of Shargel's claims, noting that authorities and bookstore owners dispute parts of his story.

Nonflying Disk Features UFOs

A review from the Press Enterprise (Riverside, CA) discusses a CD-ROM titled "Incident at Roswell," which features segments of a TV special and a video purporting to show the autopsy of an alien crash victim. The review notes the CD-ROM's inclusion of links to Roswell-related websites and other content related to the incident.

Man Gets Strange Bright Light on Video

An article from The Olympian (Olympia, WA) reports on Eric Rehwaldt's video recording of a strange, pulsating light in the sky near Shelton, Washington. Police are not officially investigating, but the recording is described as strange. The object moved rapidly and erratically, and its intensity changed as it moved.

Crop Circle Mystery Lives with Paulding

This Crescent-News (Defiance, OH) article revisits the crop circle found in Paulding County, Ohio, in July 1996. Research by BTL Research Team suggests the phenomenon was caused by a complex, turbulent atmospheric energy system, refuting theories of human intervention. The article also touches on the family's experience and their donation of T-shirt sales to a hospital.

Unsolved Case Still Mystery

A Valley News Today (Shenandoah, IA) article discusses an incident in 1965 involving Ronald Johnson of Clarinda, Iowa, who reported seeing a strange craft land in a fenced area. Johnson described the craft as approximately 40 feet long with blue lights and a red light that "turned the whole house red." He also claimed to see creatures resembling cows exit the craft. Evidence of strange, three-toed footprints was found at the landing site.

Roswell, Schmozwell: Orange County's UFO Affair

This Orange County Register (Santa Ana, CA) article focuses on the mysterious Polaroids taken by Rex Heflin in 1965. Heflin claims his radio went dead before he saw a UFO and took four pictures. The article details the investigation into his photos, including analysis by NICAP and the Air Force's Maj. Hector Quintanilla, who declared the photos a hoax. It also mentions the recovery of the photos years later and ongoing analysis of the images.

50 Years After, Roswell Still a Cover-Up

A Patriot-News (Harrisburg, PA) article reflects on the 50th anniversary of the Roswell incident, questioning the government's shifting explanations, from "flying disk" to weather balloon, Project Mogul balloons, and finally crash test dummies. The author suggests that history is a combination of reality and lies, and the Roswell story may be the biggest lie told by the government.

The Truth Is Still Out There

This Oregonian (Portland, OR) article provides a historical overview of UFO sightings, starting with Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting near Mount Rainier. It discusses the impact of UFO phenomena on American culture, dividing people into believers and non-believers. The article also recounts the story of Paul and Evelyn Trent, who claimed to have photographed a flying saucer on May 11, 1950, near McMinnville, Oregon, and the subsequent investigation into their photos.

Air Force Searching Woods

A NW Florida Daily News (Ft. Walton Beach, FL) report details the Air Force searching woods in Walton County for an object detected by radar at Eglin Air Force Base. While initial reports suggested a falling object, Eglin officials later stated that nothing was found and the matter was closed, speculating it might have been a meteor.

Eglin Says No Radar, 'No Idea' on Object

Another NW Florida Daily News article confirms that Eglin Air Force Base officials could not identify an object detected by radar. Despite an initial search, no aircraft were reported missing, and the radar data was later questioned. The possibility of a meteor or a "bolide" (exploding meteor) was mentioned.

Net Has UFO News the Papers Won't Run

This NOW (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) article explores online resources for UFO information, highlighting websites that cover sightings, conspiracy theories, and cultural analyses of UFO phenomena. It mentions sites dedicated to the Roswell incident, Belgian UFO sightings, and the relationship between science fiction film and UFO mythology.

Why Would Alien Spacecraft Want to Visit?

A letter to the editor from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR) ponders the reasons for alien spacecraft visits. The author suggests it's likely out of curiosity, not for contact, and questions the government's handling of UFO information, suggesting a cover-up exists but may not be as extensive as some believe.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this issue are the enduring mystery of UFO sightings, the persistent debate between official explanations and eyewitness accounts, and the question of government transparency and potential cover-ups. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting various perspectives, from official debunking to fervent belief, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. There is a clear emphasis on historical UFO events, particularly the Roswell incident and its 50th anniversary, alongside contemporary sightings and related phenomena like crop circles.

This issue of FOREIGN NEWS, dated May 16, 1997, with additional clippings from various dates and locations, presents a collection of articles and reports concerning UFO sightings, extraterrestrial encounters, and related mysteries. The main headline, "More UFO sightings in B.C.," highlights the prevalence of such phenomena in British Columbia, Canada.

UFO Sightings in British Columbia

Graham Conway, a researcher with UFO BC, states that British Columbia is a significant hotspot for UFO sightings, with his organization collecting reports for over 50 years. He believes that a large percentage of the population has witnessed something they cannot explain. UFO BC has received over a hundred reports since its formation in 1995, with an increase noted possibly due to interest in the Hale-Bopp comet. The group meticulously attempts to rule out conventional explanations before classifying a sighting as unexplained. Conway himself claims to have had over two dozen UFO encounters. He theorizes that UFOs might originate from a parallel dimension rather than outer space, citing instances of objects disappearing instantly. UFO BC aims to compile information on sightings west of the Rockies for a potential book.

The Roswell Incident and Government Cover-up

An article discusses the enduring mystery of the Roswell incident, 50 years after the alleged UFO crash. John Howd, writing in the "Points of View" section, expresses skepticism towards the government's debunking efforts, particularly the Air Force's recent announcement. He references "The Day After Roswell" by Col. Philip J. Corso, which details alleged alien artifacts and a government cover-up driven by fear of public panic and Cold War anxieties. Howd criticizes the Air Force's explanation as a "travesty" and "disinformation," suggesting the cover-up continues out of inertia. He draws parallels to George Orwell's "1984" and "newspeak," arguing that the government has perpetuated a "debunking story" for decades.

Other UFO Encounters and Mysteries

Several other reports detail specific UFO sightings and related phenomena:

• William "Blackie" Raulerson's Account: A story from FLORIDA TODAY recounts Raulerson's 1950 sighting near Kennedy Space Center, involving a glowing machine and strange beings, which was dismissed by his teacher.
• Richard Bowen's Experience: Bowen, a former missile tracking supervisor, describes seeing objects making 90-degree turns at extreme speeds during missile launches.
• Omar Bowley's Sighting: Bowley recalls seeing three glowing objects in a triangle formation approach a rocket launch area in 1959.
• G.L. Oliver's Encounter: Oliver reports seeing a hovering disc with colored lights in Arkansas in 1973.
• Sir Peter Horsley's Memoir: Air Marshal Sir Peter Horsley, a high-ranking RAF officer, claims to have met a mysterious visitor, Mr. Janus, in a London flat in 1954, whom he believed was an observer from another galaxy.
• "UFO crash site found in Notts": Researchers suggest new evidence supports claims of a UFO crash in Nottinghamshire, England, 10 years prior, questioning the official explanation of a thunderball.
• UFO Investigator Calls for Inquiry: Bob Stewart, a UFO investigator from Scotland, demands an urgent inter-governmental inquiry into reported sightings of gigantic alien spacecraft off the coast of Scotland and Iceland, citing reports from fishermen and military personnel.
• "I saw two spaceships in the sky": A report from Reading, England, details a man's sighting of two unusual objects, one triangular and one long and thin, in the night sky.
• Woman Claims She Saw UFO Over Her Village: A woman in Liss Forest, England, reports seeing a white metallic tubular object hovering and then stopping over her village.
• Pilot's Account of TWA Flight 800 Disaster: Frederick C. Meyer, an eyewitness to the TWA Flight 800 crash, claims the jetliner was knocked out of the sky by an "ordnance explosion," likely a military warhead, and not an internal mechanical failure.
• Cat Mutilations: Reports from Surrey, B.C., Canada, suggest that alleged cat mutilations are likely the work of coyotes, though some residents remain suspicious of human involvement.
• "A big mess from above": A report from Lincoln, New Brunswick, Canada, describes a sticky, reddish-brown substance falling from the sky onto a house.
• "Sky Stone": A 20-kg boulder, possibly a meteorite, fell into a garden in Russia, exhibiting unusual characteristics.

The Hum Mystery

An article titled "The Hum' remains mystery" explores a low-frequency, persistent sound heard by people across Vermont and other parts of the US and Britain. Scientists have studied "The Hum" but cannot find a definitive source, leading to various theories ranging from secret military projects to overactive imaginations. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the phenomenon is considered real by researchers.

Bigfoot Sightings

Several articles touch upon Bigfoot sightings:

• "Saying her experience real, N.C. woman backs those who see bigfoot": Brenda Polk, a self-proclaimed Bigfoot expert, supports the claims of a 14-year-old boy in Neeses, South Carolina, who reported seeing Bigfoot. Polk shares her own encounter from 1991 and is establishing a support group for Bigfoot sighters.
• "BIGFOOT GAINS HIS OWN EXHIBIT": An Ashland museum presents evidence related to Bigfoot, including eyewitness accounts, footprint casts, and fossils, allowing visitors to weigh the evidence themselves.
• "Cat mutilations likely by coyotes, SPCA says": While primarily about cat mutilations, it mentions the possibility of coyotes being responsible, drawing a parallel to the "Lizard Man" sightings in South Carolina.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this issue are the persistent mystery surrounding UFOs and unexplained aerial phenomena, the skepticism and potential government cover-ups associated with these events, and the human fascination with the unknown. The articles present a range of perspectives, from eyewitness accounts and researcher investigations to scientific inquiry and public skepticism. The overall stance appears to be one of presenting reported phenomena and encouraging further investigation, while acknowledging the difficulties in obtaining definitive explanations and the public's fear of ridicule.