UFO Newsclipping Service - 2000 01 - no 366

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE
Issue: Number 366
Date: January 2000
Publisher: Lucius Farish

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service provides a comprehensive look at UFO experiences, featuring a variety of reports, interviews, and analyses from different regions and time periods. The publication aims to document and explore unexplained aerial phenomena and related events.

UFO Skywatch: More Tampa Area Sightings

This section, reported by Bland Pugh, Florida MUFON State Director, details a sighting by a witness in Tampa, Florida. The witness observed a dark cylindrical object, approximately 70 degrees above the horizon, followed by a disk-like object. The sighting lasted about four minutes, during which the witness experienced a sudden disappearance of a migraine headache. The report includes details about the object's appearance, movement, and the witness's familiarity with conventional aircraft.

Private Session on Propulsion Has NASA Nervous

Written by Matt Beer for the San Francisco Examiner, this article discusses an upcoming private meeting between Silicon Valley high-tech executives, NASA scientists, and a UFO enthusiast. The meeting, organized by the International Space Sciences Organization (ISSO) founder Joe Firmage, aims to discuss exotic propulsion technologies. NASA's Office of Inspector General has launched an investigation into the meeting, concerned about proprietary information being discussed. Firmage's past claims about alien visits and his belief that UFOs are real starships are also mentioned.

Extraordinary Look at UFO Experiences

This feature by Melissa Moy of the Contra Costa Times focuses on the work of Dr. John E. Mack, a Harvard medical professor and researcher of alien abduction experiences. Mack does not aim to prove or disprove abductions but believes his patients' accounts are truthful. His research, detailed in his books, suggests that alien encounters are part of a new era of human consciousness. The article also mentions the Program for Extraordinary Experience Research (PEER) and provides a website for more information.

UFOS Spotted on Eastern Shore

This report from the Delaware State News details sightings of glowing objects over the Eastern Shore. Kathy Dink described a 'bright, blue flame' resembling a missile, while Jim Henderson also reported seeing objects in the sky. Naval and NASA facilities could not explain the sightings.

An Eerie Glow Fills Pond

A reprint from The Scranton Times, this article by Bill Halpin details an incident from November 11, 1974, in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. An unidentified flying object reportedly fell into a silt pond, emitting a bright glow for nine hours. Police guarded the scene, and attempts were made to recover the object, which eventually submerged into the murky depths. The article notes lingering doubts about whether a recovered lantern was the actual object seen.

The Truth Is Up There

This section from the Morning News, Savannah, GA, reports on a national science group investigating 'bizarre' lights seen across the Lowcountry. Witnesses described strange blue-green lights moving across the sky. The National Institute for Discovery Science is investigating, with possibilities ranging from meteors to experimental aircraft. The report also mentions the Leonid meteor shower and the unusual duration and brightness of the lights.

UR Convocation Audience Hears Tales of UFOs

This article from the Redlands Daily Facts covers a lecture by UFO specialist Stanton T. Friedman at the University of Redlands. Friedman asserts that evidence overwhelmingly supports the idea that Earth is being visited by intelligently controlled flying objects. He discusses his research, including a 1987 Gallup poll showing public belief in UFOs, and implies a government cover-up of UFO information.

Gallup Man 'Abducted by Aliens'

This report from the Independent in Gallup, NM, features Robert Allen, who claims to have been abducted by aliens multiple times. Allen has been investigating UFO activity in the Navajo Reservation area and shares his experiences and observations about alien encounters, including strange markings and lost time.

U.S. Action Needed on UFO Cover-up

This piece from the Journal in Alexandria, VA, discusses the late U.S. Rep. Steven Schiff's efforts to investigate government records related to the 1947 Roswell crash. The article criticizes agencies for stonewalling inquiries into 'Majestic-Twelve' (MJ-12) documentation, which allegedly implicates federal agencies in a conspiracy to conceal UFO reality from the public.

UFOs: Reports Aplenty on Unexplained

Written by Steven Singer for the Times-Express, this article highlights the work of Stan Gordon, a UFO researcher and bigfoot expert. Gordon has been studying unexplained phenomena since the late 1950s, collecting reports from residents of the Pittsburgh suburbs and surrounding areas. While many reports are explainable, Gordon notes a significant number that defy explanation, suggesting the possibility of extraterrestrial spacecraft or unknown natural phenomena.

Some Residents Expected To See Little Green Men

This reprint from the Sunday Times, Scranton, PA, details the public reaction to an unidentified flying object landing in a Carbondale silt pond in 1974. Thousands of people gathered at the site, speculating about the nature of the object. The article notes the difficulties police faced in managing the crowd and recovering the object, with lingering doubts about the explanation provided.

UFO researcher Gathers Data with Open Mind

This article from the Times-Express, Monroeville, PA, profiles Stan Gordon, a UFO researcher who collects data with an open mind. Gordon discusses his involvement in UFO research since 1965, particularly concerning the Kecksburg incident. He emphasizes that while many sightings are explainable, others remain mysterious, and he theorizes about extraterrestrial spacecraft and government cover-ups.

A Moment In (Recent) History: UFOs Shadowed US Aircraft Carrier

This piece from the Broad Top Bulletin describes an incident in 1958 where a bright white ball of light, described as a UFO, followed the USS Aircraft Carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt. The witness, Chester Grusinski, reported seeing non-human figures inside the object and believes there was a government cover-up of the event. The article notes that many UFO sightings have been linked to the FDR, possibly due to its carrying nuclear weapons.

Alien Encounter: A Business Consultant Starts a Political Action Committee

This article from the Review Journal, Las Vegas, NV, introduces Stephen Bassett, a business consultant and the nation's first UFO lobbyist. Bassett leads the Extraterrestrial Phenomena Political Action Committee (X-PPAC), aiming to lobby Congress for the disclosure of government information about extraterrestrials. He hopes to organize a large rally in Washington D.C. to advocate for open congressional hearings.

Writer Kept Busy With UFO Sightings

This article from the Daily Review, Hayward, CA, features Matt DeBow, a UFO hobbyist and author of a monthly UFO Report column. DeBow maintains an open mind about UFOs and related phenomena, covering sightings, alien activities, and alleged government cover-ups. He also discusses the possibility of advanced military aircraft being reverse-engineered from UFOs.

Police Officers in St. Clair County Report Seeing Early-Morning UFO

This report from the Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, MO, details sightings of an unidentified flying object by police officers in St. Clair County. Officer Craig Stevens described an arrowhead-shaped object with lights. The sighting occurred early in the morning, and Stevens managed to take a Polaroid photograph of the object.

Mystery Ends Or Does It?

This reprint from the Sunday Times, Scranton, PA, revisits the 1974 Carbondale silt pond incident. It questions whether the recovery of an electric railroad lantern truly explained the widespread reports of a glowing object. The article presents doubts from a police officer who witnessed the event and discusses the unlikelihood of a lantern staying lit underwater for nine hours. It also mentions other sightings in the area.

UFO Believers Are Used to the Abnormal

This article from the Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, WI, discusses a Cosmic Awareness Conference where attendees accepted stories of alien abduction and encounters as normal. The report features Janet Bergmark, who claims to share her body with an alien named Nara, and highlights the general belief among participants that extraterrestrial life exists.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, alien encounters, alleged government cover-ups, and the scientific and personal investigation of these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting witness testimonies and research findings without necessarily endorsing them as definitive proof, while also acknowledging the skepticism and ridicule that often surround the topic. The publication seems to lean towards presenting the information and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also highlighting the efforts of individuals and organizations seeking disclosure and understanding.

This issue of FOREIGN NEWS, dated December 10, 1999, published by HERALD SUN, Australia, focuses on a variety of unexplained phenomena and scientific inquiries. The cover story, "UFO tunnel twist," details an incident in Guyra, Australia, where a suspected UFO crash led to the discovery of a tunnel in a dam. The magazine also explores the growing seriousness with which UFO sightings are treated in China, featuring reports from various cities and the work of UFO research associations. Other articles delve into crop circle research, the investigation of a mysterious skull, and the theoretical physics of string theory and unseen dimensions. Additionally, the issue touches upon Bigfoot sightings and the folklore of elves in Iceland.

UFO Incident in Guyra, Australia

The lead story reports on a UFO incident in Guyra, New South Wales, Australia, where an object crashed into a country dam, flattening an area of reed beds and creating a deep tunnel in the dam floor. Police divers and geologists investigated the site. While some speculated it was a meteorite, others considered it to be space junk or even a comet. A local truck driver, Wayne Petersen, reported seeing a bright blue object falling from the sky, describing it as "clear as daylight." The incident generated significant local buzz and attracted the attention of UFO experts.

UFO Sightings in China

The magazine highlights the increasing attention given to UFO sightings in China. Poor farmers and people in 12 other Chinese cities reported possible sightings, and an alien abduction claim in Beijing was being investigated. The conservative state-run media report on these events, and a bimonthly magazine, "The Journal of UFO Research," has a circulation of 400,000. Shen Shitu, a rocket scientist and president of the China UFO Research Association, stated that "All these phenomena are worth researching." Sun Shili, president of the government-approved UFO Research Association, believes research into UFOs could spur new forms of high-speed travel and energy sources. The phenomenon is also linked to China's traditional cosmology and the approaching Year of the Dragon, a time of change.

Crop Circles and Other Anomalies

An article by Mary MacArthur discusses the ongoing research into crop circles, with farmers being asked to report sightings during harvest. Paul Anderson of Circles Phenomenon Research International notes that the majority of crop circles are found in Canada during harvest. The article touches on the debate between believers who see them as communication from other beings and skeptics who view them as pranks. The report also mentions the discovery of two crop circles on a First Nations reserve in Ontario.

Another section features an interview with Chad Deetken, a Vancouver-based investigator of paranormal phenomena. Deetken is involved in analyzing a "Starchild" skull found in Mexico, which is undergoing DNA testing. He is also known for his research into English crop circles, which he believes may be messages from an "unknown intelligence."

Scientific Exploration: String Theory and Dimensions

A piece from The Times, Los Angeles, titled "Unseen Dimensions Hold Theory Aloft," explores string theory, which posits that the universe is composed of vibrating 11-dimensional strings. Physicists are investigating the possibility that unseen dimensions could be larger than previously thought, potentially detectable through experiments. This theory could help explain the weakness of gravity compared to other forces and the existence of dark matter. Experiments at Fermilab and other facilities are underway to detect signs of these higher dimensions.

Folklore and Local Beliefs

An article from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette discusses Iceland's unique culture, where beliefs in elves, gnomes, and other hidden folk are prevalent. Highway engineers and builders often take precautions to avoid disturbing supposed elf dwellings. The article notes that while many Icelanders believe in these beings, some view them as a cultural tradition or an explanation for clumsy work. The Yuletide Lads, originally fearsome figures, have been softened into more benevolent gift-bringers.

A separate piece from the National Post highlights a Web page dedicated to Newfoundland's folklore of fairies, sprites, and wee folk, documenting oral traditions and encounters with these beings.

Bigfoot and Other Mysteries

An article from the Idaho State Journal features Idaho State University Associate Professor Jeff Meldrum, a biologist who studies Sasquatch footprints. Meldrum became a believer after seeing fresh tracks himself and has dedicated his work to shifting the emphasis from tabloid stories to scientific inquiry. He points to the discovery of several animals this century as precedent for the potential discovery of Sasquatch. The article also lists local Sasquatch sightings in the Pocatello area.

Another report from the National Post details an intensified search for the legendary Bigfoot, known as "Yeren" in China, in the Shennongjia Nature Reserve, following a hunter's sighting and the discovery of footprints and hair.

Astronomy and UFO Tape Analysis

An astronomy report confirms the first sightings of meteors smashing into the moon during the Leonid meteor shower. Additionally, a report from England discusses a UFO tape that was investigated by experts and judged to be a fake, likely a kite with lights on it.

Science Literacy and Media

A panel discussion reported by the Daily Herald emphasizes the importance of promoting science literacy, with speakers like Bill Kurtis and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Leon Lederman stressing the media's role in making science accessible and understandable to the public. They advocate for telling compelling stories to engage audiences with scientific topics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of unexplained phenomena, folklore, and scientific investigation. There's a clear interest in phenomena that challenge conventional understanding, from UFOs and crop circles to Bigfoot and theoretical physics. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging research and documentation of these subjects, while also acknowledging the role of skepticism and scientific rigor in distinguishing between genuine anomalies and hoaxes or misinterpretations. The magazine presents a diverse range of topics, suggesting a broad interest in the mysteries of the universe and human experience.