UFO Newsclipping Service - 1998 08 - no 349

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated August 1998, Number 349, focuses on recent developments in UFO research and the ongoing mystery of crop circles. The publication features articles from various regional newspapers, offering a diverse perspective on these phenomena.

Science Panel Re-evaluates UFO Reports

A lead article from the Mercury News (San Jose, CA) reports on a science panel's conclusion that UFO reports are worth evaluating. Convened by Stanford physicist Peter Sturrock and funded by philanthropist Laurance S. Rockefeller, the panel examined evidence such as photographs and witness accounts from submarine crews. Despite remaining skeptical, the scientists acknowledged that the scientific community's past dismissal of such information has been counterproductive. They cited historical examples like meteorites and sprites, which were initially dismissed as folklore. Thomas Holzer, a senior scientist, expressed a need for more openness, while Von Eshleman, a Stanford professor, suggested that unusual radar patterns might be atmospheric refractions. Mark Rodeghier of the Center for UFO Study interpreted the panel's stance as an important step towards scientific engagement with the subject.

Crop Circle Research and Theories

Several articles delve into the phenomenon of crop circles. The Paulding Co. Progress (Paulding, OH) features researcher Jeffrey M. Wilson, who believes crop circles are created by weather phenomena, citing electrical charges and magnetic field strength readings. Wilson investigated a new crop circle in Paulding County, concluding it was a genuine weather phenomenon. Roger Sugden, another researcher, also studied the circle, noting similarities to a previous one in 1996 and finding evidence of enlarged plant nodes, suggesting an authentic formation. The sheriff, however, dismissed it as vandalism.

Another article from the East Oregonian (Pendleton, OR) discusses concentric circles found in a wheat field, with farmer Gary Hanzen speculating about UFO involvement, while acknowledging the precision suggests it wasn't a simple prank. The South Whidbey Record (Langley, WA) covers crop circles that appeared in Coupeville, Washington, attracting nationwide attention after being featured on Art Bell's radio show. Farmer Don Sherman attributed the circles to natural factors like wind and rain, but crop circle expert Ilyes suggested a 'totally spiritual' intelligence was involved. The article also mentions the theory that crop circles are messages from a higher intelligence.

The Blade (Toledo, OH) reports on the discovery of a crop circle in Latty Township, Ohio, three miles from a similar one found in 1996. Sheriff Dave Harrow deemed it vandalism, while investigators like Roger Sugden and Jeffrey Wilson studied it. The article notes that while many crop circles are hoaxes, some researchers claim to have found evidence of non-human causes, such as chemical changes in plant stalks.

UFO Sightings and Personal Accounts

Various articles detail specific UFO sightings and personal experiences. The Sunday Press (Montrose, CO) features investigators Jane Cartwright and Davina Ryszka, who document unexplained phenomena in Western Colorado, including pulsating lights and unusual military activity. They recount a story of fishing bobbers hovering in the air. Cartwright also shares a personal story of her fiancé disappearing without a trace while in the Strategic Air Command, hinting at a government cover-up.

The Islander (Pensacola Beach, FL) includes a 'Skywatch Diary' by Carole Baker, detailing sightings of bright lights, including one reported over Wal-Mart and another near Darby Road in New Mexico. The article also touches on UFO research groups in Brazil and the historical significance of 'fireball' type OVNI sightings.

The Daily Record (Roswell, NM) discusses the Arizona UFO incident, known as the 'Phoenix Lights,' involving thousands of witnesses and a V-shaped formation of glowing orbs. It also touches on the Roswell incident and theories of government cover-ups and reverse-engineering of alien technology.

UFO Theories and Skepticism

Tracy Tormé, producer of 'Sliders,' is featured in the Daily Record (Roswell, NM), advocating for a skeptical yet open-minded approach to UFO research. He criticizes the dismissive attitudes of some skeptics, including Gene Roddenberry, and suggests that many claims against UFO research are false. Tormé encourages exploration but with a critical eye.

An article in the Great Western Pacific Coastal Post discusses the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence and government cover-ups, referencing the Brookings Institute survey and historical accounts of alleged alien encounters. It also touches on theories of alien intervention and the potential for mass panic.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing scientific investigation into UFO phenomena, the mystery surrounding crop circles, and the persistent question of government transparency regarding these events. The publication presents a range of perspectives, from scientific skepticism to belief in extraterrestrial intelligence and government cover-ups. The overall stance appears to be one of encouraging further research and open-mindedness, while acknowledging the controversial nature of the subject. The articles highlight the efforts of independent researchers and investigators who are actively collecting evidence and sharing their findings, often in the face of ridicule from the mainstream scientific community.

This issue of 'FOREIGN NEWS' from March 9, 1998, published by the NORTHERN ECHO, focuses on the topic of UFOs and extraterrestrial phenomena, with a prominent article featuring UFO authority Timothy Good. The cover headline, 'A Good man looking for aliens,' and the sub-headline, 'Have aliens already established bases here on earth?', set the tone for the issue.

Main Article: A Good Man Looking for Aliens

The lead article by Nigel Burton introduces Timothy Good, a British author and world authority on UFOs, who believes aliens may have already established bases on Earth. Good's research, particularly in Puerto Rico, suggests the existence of extraterrestrial outposts and potentially non-benign inhabitants. He posits that humanity might be the result of an alien breeding program initiated thousands of years ago, and that Puerto Rico might not be the only alien base on Earth, with similar establishments suggested in America, Argentina, and England. Good estimates that up to a dozen different extraterrestrial species may have made contact.

Good's work has made him a leading figure, giving lectures globally and appearing in documentaries. He previously played violin with the London Symphony Orchestra for 14 years, a role he credits with allowing him to travel and pursue his UFO interest. He also works on film scores, including 'Tomorrow Never Dies' and 'The Fifth Element'.

Despite his extensive research, Good admits to being duped by some individuals whose claims become increasingly outlandish. He criticizes 'so-called UFO researchers' for spreading misinformation. He uses Area 51 in the Nevada desert as an example, a top-secret US military base where UFO researchers believe crashed alien craft remains are held. However, he notes that a former employee who provided sensational claims about alien technology at Area 51 has since been discredited.

Good believes the UFO mystery may not be solved in his lifetime, referencing US Major Donald Keyhoe, who died before making sense of millions of sightings. Good is returning to Puerto Rico to investigate further, speculating that Earth's uniqueness in the solar system or a paternal instinct might draw aliens here, or perhaps they need something from Earth. He firmly believes they are already here, confounding our concepts of space and time, and that contact has been established, but we need to make sense of it.

His latest book, 'Alien Base: Earth's Encounters With Extraterrestrials' (Century Books, £16.99), is mentioned.

Other UFO Sightings and Reports

Puerto Rico Incident

The article details an incident on January 12, 1997, where Piedro Viera, a former police officer, witnessed an upturned saucer-shaped craft, approximately 150 feet in diameter with a dozen windows, near El Yunque National Forest. A beam of light from the craft engulfed two cows, and one was lifted into the sky and disappeared. After Viera attempted to give chase, two men in military-style clothes ordered him to stop. He later found one of the cows dead with unusual incisions and a hole, but little blood.

UK Sightings

• Andover, England (May 29, 1998): Engineer Richard Elliott reported two sightings of oddly-shaped objects. The first, seen at 8 am on May 19, was hamburger-shaped, bright silver, and about 100 feet up, hovering over Andover Airfield. The second, three days later at the same time, was black and shaped like an inverted fried egg, about five to six feet in diameter, seen over Red Post Lane, Monxton.
• Weymouth, England (May 23, 1998): UFO investigator David Kingston is excited about video footage of a strange saucer-like object filmed over the Ridgeway by a holidaymaker on April 7. Kingston, an ex-RAF communications officer, has studied UFOs for 30 years and considers this footage exceptionally clear, stating it's 'definitely no hoax'. The film shows a saucer-like object hovering over farm buildings. He is seeking other witnesses.
• Yorkshire, England (May 18, 1998): Howard Williamson reports on mysterious lights seen over Leeds, first reported in February. Investigator Russell Kellett of the International UFO Research Network has received over 80 calls about sightings in Yorkshire in the last three months, with reports from Skipton and Halifax. Kellett hesitates to confirm they are extraterrestrial craft, stating 'What they are remains to be seen.' Ken Field captured video footage of two bright lights over Leeds on February 2, which experts consider the strongest evidence of UFOs in 15 years. Kellett himself reported seeing two bright shapes after hearing a strange noise on February 22. He also witnessed two bright lights near Skipton on April 4, which appeared to be landing.
• Bradford, England (March 22, 1998): A letter to the editor from Russell J. Kellett of the International UFO Research Network disputes an explanation of lights over Bradford as atmospheric plasma effects, citing the prolonged duration and formation of the sightings, with witnesses describing two lights travelling in formation for up to half an hour.
• Stafford, England (April 9, 1998): Stafford residents have reported sightings of triangular crafts with lights between March 27 and 30. One report describes a black triangular object with a white light seen over Pennycroft Flats on April 30, travelling at 2,500ft and noiseless. Another incident on March 27 involved a similar craft with red, blue, and white lights over the A51, travelling silently at a low height.
• Mansfield, England (March 12, 1998): An OBSERVER appeal urges calm after a mysterious triangular UFO with many lights was seen hovering over Mansfield for over 10 minutes on March 3. The craft was described as shooting off in a south-easterly direction. The British UFO Association is seeking witnesses.
• Dorchester, England (April 9, 1998): Five people, including a vicar and a medical practitioner, reported seeing a huge triangular craft hovering for 15 minutes over Maiden Castle, an ancient fort. David Kingston, a West Dorset UFO expert, is seeking more witnesses. He describes the craft as starting as a triangle, merging into a sphere, and then shooting off into the distance. Kingston suggests it might not be 'earthlights' (natural lights from quartz) but a UFO.

Other Reports

• East Kilbride, Scotland (April 14, 1998): The town has become a 'UFO Capital' due to numerous sightings reported online. Brenda Hughey, a driving instructor, reported seeing flashing objects. A resident known as 'Gaar' reported a hovering object. Dave Ledger of UFO Scotland suggests military involvement and a connection to 'skybooms' in December, questioning what the helicopters are looking for.
• Argentina (April 15, 1998): Four flying saucers are blamed for massive power cuts in Bariloche. Witness Marie Sanchez reported seeing a large ship and three smaller ones.

The 'Men in Black' Phenomenon

Page 13 features an article by Becky Hodges probing the 'Men in Black' (MIBs). It references a book by full-time UFO researcher Nick Redfern, 'The FBI Files', which claims hundreds of UFOs have been spotted in the skies over the last 50 years and suggests MIBs are used to warn off witnesses. The article recounts a Cannock housewife's experience of a short, pale man in a black suit and tie who warned her to cease her studies. Another witness, an American musician, claims he was abducted and visited by three pale, bald men in black who warned him not to discuss his alien abduction.

Redfern's book reportedly provides documents proving the FBI has monitored UFO activity since the late 1940s, possibly due to UFO intelligence's interest in monitoring atomic energy development. Redfern quotes Donald E. Keyhoe: 'It is my earnest hope that there will prove to be no danger behind the UFO surveillance of our world. But as long as such a possibility remains, the facts should be frankly revealed. The public has a right to know - and to be prepared for whatever is to come.'

Animal Mutilations

Page 7 includes an article by Rick Alsager about a mysterious death of a bull elk on his farm in Maidstone, Saskatchewan, Canada. The elk was found dead with no blood, and its testicles and penis had been cleanly removed. Alsager jokes about 'Martians' but notes that some internet sites attribute such mutilations to UFOs or 'black helicopters'. However, veterinarian Marvin Genno suggests that these are often cases of scavenging, where genitals, being soft tissues, are eaten first. He believes animals often die from internal causes, and bloating can make it appear organs were removed without cutting.

Folklore and Legends

• White River Monster (Arkansas, USA): Articles on pages 7 and 10 discuss the legend of the White River Monster. Jimmy Driftwood, a famed songwriter, believed in the tale. The legend involves sightings of a large, prehistoric-looking creature in the White River. One account from June 17, 1971, describes a huge column of water spouting skyward, followed by a gigantic, thrashing creature resembling a prehistoric monster, estimated to be as long as four pickup trucks and 6 feet across, with a smooth gray, peeling skin. Another witness, Ernest Denks, described it as gray, real long, with a pointy bone protruding from its forehead, naming it 'The Eater'. Cloyce Warren and two fishing pals reportedly saw a similar creature on June 29, 1971, and one managed to snap a photograph. The creature is described as having a spiny backbone and a wide tail.
• Momo (Missouri Monster): An article on page 10 details the 'Momo' sightings in Louisiana, Missouri, in July 1972. The creature was described as big, hulking, ominous, 6-7 feet tall, black and hairy, standing like a man, with a mat of long hair obscuring its face and no neck. It was reportedly seen carrying a dead dog. Faint footprints and black hairs were found. A posse searched Marzolf Hill, finding disturbed rubbish and disinterred dog graves. Investigators theorized it was a 'giant, hairy biped' left by a UFO.

Other Anomalous Phenomena

• Aboriginal Hunter Drawing (South Australia): Page 8 reports on a massive drawing of an Aboriginal hunter, 2.5 miles long, etched into the desert near Finniss Springs. Its origin is unknown, and it is speculated to be a tourist attraction.
• X-Files Oklahoma: An article on page 8 discusses David A. Farris's book 'Mysterious Oklahoma: Eerie True Tales from the Sooner State', which collects scary stories, including hauntings at the Gilcrease Museum and Brady Theater, and tales of strange land creatures and alien abductions. Farris finds alien abduction stories the most frightening due to the research suggesting they are real experiences.
• San Luis Valley, Colorado (Summer Guide 1998): Christopher O'Brien writes about the 'Mysterious Valley' known for its history of documented unexplained phenomena, including UFO sightings, strange creatures, and secret military activity. He provides advice for skywatching, noting that activity is most frequent mid-week, with specific times and directions of approach being indicators of potential military craft versus other phenomena.
• Cat Killings (Kamloops, B.C., Canada, March 15, 1998): An article reports a new rash of cat killings, with two feline carcasses found in two weeks. This follows a similar pattern from the previous year, where 17 cats and one dog were found slain. City bylaw services are warning pet owners to keep cats indoors.
• UFOs in Greenbrae/Sea Serpents in Las Gallinas Creek (Marin County, California): A compilation of reports from Marin citizens includes sightings of 'fish-shaped' rainbow clouds, egg-shaped UFOs, glowing objects, strange flying lights, a 'football-shaped thing with a white crescent light', a 'gleaming, oval-shaped object', a 'rocket' that looped back, a 'rocket' that headed toward San Francisco, and a 10-foot sea serpent spotted in Las Gallinas Creek. Other reports include sightings of Big Foot and fiery objects hovering over a seminary.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, extraterrestrial encounters, and other unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and theories without necessarily endorsing them as fact, but acknowledging that a 'hard core' of cases cannot be easily explained. The articles encourage readers to report their own experiences and highlight the ongoing mystery surrounding these events. There is a clear interest in documenting and investigating these phenomena, with a nod to the possibility of government cover-ups and the need for public awareness.