UFO Newsclipping Service - 1998 02 - no 343

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated February 1998, Number 343, is published by Lucius Farish and edited by Timothy Good. It features a cover headline about 'Missing' McPhersons being alien-related and includes articles from various newspapers across the US and UK, discussing UFO sightings, alien abduction claims, and government involvement.

Article: 'Missing' McPhersons are also alien

This article from the News-Tribune in Duluth, MN, dated January 22, 1998, reports on a UPN television show that claimed to have videotape of the McPherson family's alien abduction in Lake County, Minnesota, a year prior. However, the Lake County Sheriff's Department stated there was no record of missing McPhersons and no reports of such an event. The show, 'Alien Abduction: Incident at Lake County,' was met with skepticism, with some viewers noting that actors played the aliens and calling the production 'farcical nonsense.' The article also notes that searches of local phone books and databases yielded no record of McPhersons in Lake County.

Article: Fireball splashes into Columbia

Reported in the Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, WA) on January 8, 1998, this article details a sighting of a car-sized fireball splashing into the Columbia River. Witnesses described it as a ball of fire with orange and red flames. While a dispatcher noted one or two reports, FAA officials suggested it was likely a meteor, though the National UFO Reporting Center received a similar report. The incident occurred near where the Kennewick Man's bones were found.

Article: Wisconsinites no strangers to UFOs

This piece from the Journal Sentinel (City Unknown, WI), dated July 20, 1997, highlights Wisconsin's rich tradition of UFO sightings, particularly in the Long Lake area. The article features Bill Benson, owner of Benson's Hide-a-Way, who hosts an annual 'UFO Daze' event. Joyce Kuehn, author of 'Beyond Boundaries,' spoke about crop circles and chupacabras. Attendees shared stories of seeing various UFO shapes and lights. Bob Kuehn, a witness, claimed to have seen about 65 UFOs and believes in a government cover-up regarding the Roswell incident. The article also mentions historical sightings in Wisconsin dating back to 1897 and notes Elmwood's UFO festival.

Article: ALIEN NATION

This article from the Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) on January 17, 1998, discusses how UFOs and extraterrestrials have permeated popular culture, largely due to television. It notes the U.S. Air Force's debunking report on the Roswell incident, which claimed debris was from weather balloons and test dummies, but this did little to quell public interest. The Learning Channel (TLC) is expanding its 'Alien Invasion Week' programming. The article quotes John Ford, TLC's senior vice president, who believes there's a human need to believe we're not alone. It also mentions other TV programs and the enduring fascination with the phenomenon, suggesting aliens might become as iconic as Abe Lincoln or Garth Brooks.

Article: Barwood pushes UFOs in bid for state office

This article from the Arizona Republic (Jan. 13, 1998) discusses a political candidate, Barwood, who is using UFOs as a platform in his bid for state office. He claims to have received reports of unidentified flying objects from callers to Lake Air Force Base and the media. He suggests a problem with the government's lack of transparency on the issue.

Article: Carried away

This story from the STAR (Kansas City, MO) on December 30, 1997, features an anonymous account of alleged alien abduction experiences. The writer describes waking up paralyzed, feeling suffocated, and seeing strange lights or objects. The account includes a detailed description of an incident involving a red light entering the room and a feeling of being lifted from the bed. The writer also mentions that three close relatives have had similar experiences. The article also touches on sleep disorders like narcolepsy as a possible explanation for such experiences, quoting Eldon Cook from a sleep disorder lab.

Article: Abductee may not be alone

This piece from the STAR (Kansas City, MO) discusses the similarities in alleged alien abduction experiences, referencing the anonymous account from the previous article. Researchers Walter H. Andrews Jr. of MUFON and Don Ecker of UFO Magazine find the experiences described to be typical of abduction accounts and note that such phenomena can run in families. They suggest that regressive hypnosis might be used to investigate further and advise seeking open-minded professional help.

Article: Aliens Emerge on the Tube

This article from the Wall Street Journal (Princeton, NJ) on January 19, 1998, reviews television programming related to aliens. It discusses a TLC program featuring global UFO sightings, including accounts from schoolgirls in Zimbabwe and Brazil. The article also touches on the familiar narrative of alien abductees like Elise and questions why aliens supposedly choose 'dim-wits' for breeding. It mentions a UFO researcher's concern about unethical surgical procedures performed by aliens.

Article: And on Your Shelf

This section from the Wall Street Journal (Princeton, NJ) reviews David M. Jacobs' book 'The Threat,' which posits that aliens are creating a new race of alien-human hybrids through abduction and sexual molestation. Jacobs estimates that up to five million Americans have been abducted and suggests that these hybrids are designed to take over the planet. The article notes that Jacobs' theories are met with skepticism from his academic colleagues but defends his work by critiquing other UFO researchers.

Article: UFO stonewalling will hurt government

This piece from the Journal (Alexandria, VA) on February 2, 1998, criticizes the Army's lack of response to a Freedom of Information Act request for the alien-autopsy report cited in Lt. Col. Philip J. Corso's book. The author, Larry W. Bryant, plans to file a FOIA lawsuit, believing this stonewalling will harm the government and offers a chance for whistleblowers to present evidence.

Article: Meteor lights sky over Noorvik

This article from the Arctic Sounder (Anchorage, AK) on January 1, 1998, reports on a bright green flare seen over Noorvik, Alaska, on December 22. Alaska State Troopers believe it was a meteor, as airlines confirmed their pilots were accounted for. Witnesses described a yellowish ball of fire that turned blue and was seen by multiple people. Astronomers explain that such phenomena are meteors burning up in the atmosphere.

Article: Area 51 - it's really there

Published in the Herald & News (Klamath Falls, OR) on January 18, 1998, this article discusses the secrecy surrounding 'Area 51,' a U.S. military base in Nevada. It notes that a lawsuit concerning toxic materials at the site was hindered by an appeals court ruling, which indirectly confirmed the base's existence. The article mentions that while UFO enthusiasts connect Area 51 to the Roswell crash, the true purposes of the base remain speculative, with the government having a history of deception regarding experiments.

Article: AS THE CIA CLAIMS TO COME CLEAN ABOUT THE UFO PHENOMENON, THE MYSTERY STILL REMAINS

This article from the Daily Mail (London, England) on August 5, 1997, discusses the CIA's admission that many UFO sightings from the Fifties and Sixties could be explained by U.S. military spy planes like the U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird. However, the article questions the CIA's motives for this belated admission and suggests it may have panicked due to a surge in interest in UFOs. It highlights that the report does not explain numerous low-altitude sightings or circular-shaped objects. The article also references British sightings from the Fifties, including radar contacts of 'battleship'-sized objects, and a discovery by archaeologist Jerry Freeman of a possible underground military base in the Nevada desert.

Article: Women mystified by close encounter

This report from the Courier & Advertiser (Dundee, Scotland) on November 17, 1997, details an encounter by two women in Alloa, Scotland, who reported seeing a cigar-shaped, bright orange object in the sky. They followed the object towards Kincardine before it accelerated and disappeared. They enlisted the help of UFO researcher Ron Halliday. The article notes similar sightings in central Scotland and appeals for anyone else who saw the object to come forward.

Article: 1997: Bumper year for UFOs

This article from NOW (Surrey/North Delta, B.C., Canada) on January 3, 1998, reports that UFO*BC logged 19 sightings of unidentified flying objects in the Surrey, North Delta, and White Rock area in 1997. President Graham Conway suggests power lines might attract UFOs. The article lists specific sightings from August, November, and December 1997, including tubular craft, small lights, and a reddish-orange object with a silver pyramid. It also mentions a Russian rocket falling from orbit in November, accounting for some sightings.

Article: Unidentified flying objects are no strangers to local skies

This section from NOW (Surrey/North Delta, B.C., Canada) details 13 recorded UFO sightings in Surrey in 1997. These include a dark spherical object near a library, three bright lights moving south, a bright orange light that shot a white light downwards, an orange sphere that curved and rose, a bright object seen at a rodeo, a white object zooming east, a brilliant white light hovering, a silent gray ball that changed into a seagull, a brief reflection of a dark ball, a silver-white lemon-shaped object, a white cylindrical object, and a bright yellow-white light.

Article: Why not let readers make up their own minds?

This letter to the editor, published in the Evening Star (Ipswich, England) on September 17, 1997, criticizes a newspaper's 'gimmicky' lead story about UFOs. The authors, Jonathon Marsden and Dermot Curran, state that they reported events in seriousness and did not claim to have seen an alien craft, but the newspaper presented a specific explanation. They express astonishment at the newspaper's presumption to call its theory 'The Truth' with limited information and request that their letter and accompanying map be printed to allow readers to form their own conclusions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, alleged alien abductions, and the perceived government cover-up of these phenomena. There is a consistent exploration of witness accounts, media portrayals of UFOs, and the scientific or skeptical explanations offered. The editorial stance, as reflected in the various articles and letters, is largely one of presenting these accounts and debates, often with a critical eye towards official explanations and a recognition of the public's enduring fascination with the unexplained. The publication seems to lean towards acknowledging the existence of unexplained aerial phenomena while also presenting skeptical viewpoints and debunking attempts.

This issue of PEOPLE magazine, dated November 2, 1997, focuses on the alarming prospect of an alien invasion, with the cover headline proclaiming, "THE INVASION IS OVER-NOW WE'RE WAITING FOR THE SCREAMING!". The magazine presents a collection of articles detailing alleged alien abductions, UFO sightings, and potential government cover-ups, drawing on research and witness testimonies.

The Silent Invasion Begins

The lead article, "THE INVASION IS OVER-NOW WE'RE WAITING FOR THE SCREAMING!" by Matthew Benns, introduces the terrifying claims of former military intelligence operative Philip Imbrogno. Imbrogno, who served with US Special Forces in Cambodia, has compiled a dossier of alien abductions, drawing on his CIA and US Air Force contacts. He asserts that the "silent invasion" has begun and that the world is now waiting for the "screaming" – the inevitable public reaction.

The article highlights the story of George and Maria, who claim their daughter spoke of aliens visiting them at night. Imbrogno's research into thousands of abduction claims revealed chilling similarities, most notably that almost all abductees share the same rare blood group. When Imbrogno mapped these abductions, they formed straight lines pointing towards the Hudson Valley outside New York.

The Hudson Valley Sightings

The magazine details early incidents in the Hudson Valley, including a peculiar event where all electric clocks in a town gained 10 minutes, despite the power company blaming a non-existent power surge. Witnesses also reported seeing a large, boomerang-patterned "flying wing" of lights moving slowly through the night sky. Local police chief Herbert Peterson expressed concern about the lack of defence against such phenomena.

Abductee Experiences

The article includes the testimony of "Bill," a 32-year-old computer programmer, who, under hypnosis, recounted an encounter where an alien selected him. He described aliens with large heads, long black eyes resembling shark eyes, and a device that vibrated his head. The alien communicated telepathically, stating they needed humans for genetic material and wished to live on Earth but could not.

Imbrogno's CIA contacts reportedly revealed that an alien craft landed at a US military base after World War II, with aliens offering new technology in exchange for humans for genetic experiments. The outcome of blood tests on abductees revealed that 95% had the rare B-negative blood type, leading to the theory that they might be off-shoots of a hybrid alien race.

UFO Attacked Our Nukes

Another article reports on claims made by Admiral of the Fleet Lord Hill-Norton, retired chief of the defence staff, who is urging the government to investigate whether aliens fired laser beams at Britain's nuclear arsenal. He refers to a sighting of a UFO hovering over RAF Woodbridge in Suffolk and alleges that US air force personnel who witnessed the "attack" filed reports that were covered up by the Ministry of Defence. Defence minister Lord Gilbert refused to confirm or deny the presence of nuclear missiles at the base, stating there was no evidence of such reports.

Book Reviews and Other Sightings

The issue also includes reviews of UFO-related books, such as "The Unexplained - UFOs and Aliens" by Colin Wilson, which presents eyewitness accounts and expert analysis. Other articles detail various UFO sightings across England, including:

• A mysterious bright object spotted over Measham, photographed by Mark Doran and his son.
• Reports of strange lights in Markland Hill, described as oblong with shoots of light.
• Multiple sightings of triangular and disc-shaped craft in Chorley, with experts investigating.
• Late-night sightings of red and blue lights off the coast of Blackpool.
• Reports of strange lights and triangular craft over Burnley and Pendle, with speculation about secret military aircraft.
• A UFO alert over Pitsea, described as a flattened diamond shape with pulsing lights.
• Sightings of strange lights in the skies across Cardigan Bay, Wales, with speculation about missile testing or other sources.
• A UFO seen over Calderdale and Kirklees, described as a triangular craft with red lights underneath.

UFOs and Government

An article from the Shropshire Star reports that the Ministry of Defence only examines UFO reports for defence significance, not to identify the precise nature of the objects unless there's a potential military threat.

Mystery on the Moor

A BBC reconstruction of an "aircrash" on the moors near Sheffield is mentioned, involving reports of low-flying aircraft and triangular objects, with conflicting denials from the RAF and Ministry of Defence.

The Equerry and Prince Philip

A Sunday Times article recounts a claim by Air Marshal Sir Peter Horsley, former equerry to Prince Philip, about an encounter with an "interstellar emissary" named Janus in 1954. Janus reportedly discussed Prince Philip's "vision" and his role in environmentalism, and spoke of interstellar travel and a universal spiritual force.

Bigfoot and Other Mysteries

Beyond UFOs, the magazine touches on other unexplained phenomena, including articles about Bigfoot sightings and research, a woman's theory that ancient Egyptians used kites to build pyramids, and unusual animal death cases in Colorado.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this issue are the pervasive presence of UFOs and alien activity, the potential for government secrecy and cover-ups, and the human fascination with the unknown. The magazine adopts a stance that presents these phenomena as credible subjects for investigation, featuring numerous witness accounts and expert opinions, while also acknowledging skepticism and the possibility of mundane explanations or military prototypes.