UFO Newsclipping Service - 2000 02 - no 367

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated February 2000, Number 367, edited and published by Lucius Farish, focuses on recent UFO sightings and their investigation. The cover story highlights a UFO sighting in Southern Illinois that attracted media attention and an investigative team.

UFO Sighting Brings Media Attention, Investigative Team to Southern Illinois

A UFO sighting in Southern Illinois on January 5, 2000, has garnered significant media attention, drawing an investigative team from the National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) in Las Vegas. The object, described as a floating two-story house with a glowing red interior, was first spotted by miniature-golf course owner Melvern Noll and subsequently by four police officers in the Metro East area. Noll estimated the craft was about 1,000 feet above the ground and moving slowly. The police officers reported sightings over Lebanon, Shiloh, Dupo, and Millstadt. Chief Ed Wilkerson of the Millstadt police department posted his officers' reports on the department's website and initially stopped media interviews, concerned about the impact on policing. Noll's description reportedly resembled a drawing of a 'stealth blimp' that appeared in Popular Mechanics magazine. Colm Kelleher from NIDS stated their scientific approach to gather facts, not promote an agenda, and chose the Metro East area due to the credibility of the witnesses. Peter B. Davenport, director of the National UFO Reporting Center, noted that the descriptions did not fit conventional aircraft and that the lighting and flight patterns exceeded known capabilities. Forest Crawford of the Illinois Mutual UFO Network suggested it might be an experimental government aircraft, but Davenport disputed the 'stealth blimp' theory due to the power required for the lights. The article includes a map showing the sequence of police UFO sightings, forming a curve towards St. Louis.

George Johnson: UFOs: Seeing is Believing - or is it?

George Johnson, a biology professor at Washington University, muses on the nature of belief and observation regarding UFO sightings. He contrasts the ability of children to see magical things with adults' potential loss of imagination. Johnson discusses the Illinois sighting, considering three explanations: a hoax/hysteria, an experimental military craft, or a genuine intergalactic spacecraft. He leans towards the military craft theory, noting the lack of radar confirmation and the government's denial of knowledge. Johnson concludes that while he, as a scientist, finds UFOs unlikely, he respects that reasonable people see them, comparing them to Santa Claus and jackalopes. He suggests that a world without UFOs would be a drab place.

THE WORM: Speaking of UFOs...

This section presents two 'close encounters' from Washington state. The first involved a reader reporting three bright lights in a triangle formation over East Wenatchee on New Year's Eve, which was also witnessed by the managing editor and city editor of The Wenatchee World. The lights ascended as if hoisted by balloons before one plummeted into the river. The second encounter involved reporters Dan Wheat and Kelly Gillin spotting lights hovering above Highway 155 near Steamboat Rock State Park, which turned out to be a large jet. Jim Anderson from Japan Airlines stated their jets do not fly at night, but a McChord Air Force Base spokesman confirmed that C-141s and C-17s routinely fly low on training runs in the area.

Buffs Baffled by UFO

This article from the Sun-Times discusses a large, triangular object seen over six towns in the Belleville area of Illinois on January 5, 2000. Mark Rodeghier, scientific director of the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies, states that proving something is an alien spacecraft requires extraordinary evidence. He notes that while the object fits the 'unidentified flying object' label, its origin is unknown. Police Officer Craig A. Stevens of Millstadt reported the object and took a photograph, which is posted online. Peter Davenport of the National UFO Reporting Center calls the case a 'UFOlogist's dream' due to the credible witnesses. Rodeghier suggests it could be a government stealth blimp or other unusual craft, but is skeptical of it being an alien spacecraft due to its mundane motion. Scott Air Force Base and the FAA reported no knowledge of the event. The article mentions the possibility of it being a top-secret, man-made experiment, similar to the Stealth bomber's development.

Local UFO observer convinced we're not alone

This article from The Columbian features Bob Beck, a local UFO observer who recounts his own sighting in October 1973. He describes seeing a round, white light hovering in the sky that gradually faded. Beck is convinced UFOs are not a hoax, and his conviction is shared by others who have seen similar phenomena. The article references Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting of nine shiny objects, which popularized the term 'flying saucer'.

UFOs! Unidentified Fantasies of Old Masters

This piece from the Herald-Tribune explores the work of Italian science writer Daniela Giordano, who has found unexplained flying objects in Renaissance paintings. Giordano illustrates her findings with examples from a 15th-century Vatican Museum work, 'La Contemplazione di San Germemia,' and a painting by Fra Lippo Lippi. She argues that the artists' depictions of these objects, distinct from religious iconography or objective reality, suggest they were witnessing something unusual. The article highlights the detail in these paintings, suggesting the artists were aware of the difference between symbolic representation and real events.

The Phantom UFO Sighting

This article from the Ozark Mysteries column discusses a reported UFO sighting in Ozark, Missouri, on August 22. The witness, identified as Douglas, described a large, metallic disk-shaped object hovering above his house, emitting changing colored lights. The object was estimated to be about 300 feet in diameter. The report indicated the hum from the object interfered with police radio frequencies. Subsequent investigation by Brian Adams of the Ozark Area Research Group and the author proved fruitless in tracking down the original witness or corroborating the sighting. The article notes that the incident was later elaborated upon in UFO magazine with new details, including a duration of 20 minutes and the appearance of jets and helicopters afterward, but the original source remained elusive.

Professor to Discuss Unusual Phenomena

This announcement details a meeting where retired OSU Atmospheric Sciences professor Jim Deardorff will discuss 'unusual phenomena,' including crop circles. The announcement highlights the increasing size and intricacy of crop formations in England and mentions Ian Christopher, a researcher who investigates these phenomena. The event aims to explain why these formations are beyond human hoaxing capabilities and why scientists have been hesitant to study them openly.

The truth is out there

This article from the Daily Record profiles George Fawcett of Lincolnton, who has been researching UFO evidence for 56 years. Fawcett recounts his first sighting in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1951, describing a brilliant orange, disk-shaped object. He began his investigation at age 15, collecting newspaper clippings from World War II. Fawcett has written research articles, taught a course, and authored books on UFOs. He notes that UFOs and extraterrestrial life are becoming more mainstream, and while he doesn't classify himself as a 'believer,' he recognizes their existence based on evidence. He mentions that North Carolina ranks 4th and South Carolina 12th in reported UFO encounters. The article also includes a list of 25 aspects of UFO sightings and reports that are consistent globally, such as superior speeds, electromagnetic interference, and physiological effects.

Hartinger leads UFO society in quest

This article from the Herald features Pete Hartinger, director of the Roundtown UFO Society in Circleville, Ohio. Hartinger emphasizes that knowledge about UFOs is based on evidence, not belief. He became interested in UFOs after witnessing one himself and now heads a group that documents and analyzes sightings. The society is a non-profit organization that provides an outlet for people to report sightings and exchange information. Hartinger notes that media coverage and documentaries have reduced the stigma associated with UFOs, leading to more rational treatment of the phenomenon. He mentions being associated with national and international organizations like MUFON and the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies. Hartinger expresses frustration with the unscientific reaction of some in the scientific community and the reluctance of people to report sightings for fear of ridicule. The article also includes 'Snapshots' of Hartinger's personal preferences and experiences.

UFO lawsuit to get hearing

This brief from The Arizona Republic reports on a lawsuit filed by Scottsdale lawyer Peter Gersten seeking public documents about UFOs from the Department of Defense. Gersten suspects the department must have information on the UFOs, including one reported over the Valley three years prior and another in Illinois recently. The lawsuit was filed under the Freedom of Information Act, and the Defense Department has requested dismissal, stating they could not find any responsive records after a reasonable search.

FOREIGN NEWS: Mist begins to lift on local UFO 'landing' after a decade

This article from the Lichfield Mercury details a UFO sighting that occurred in August 1988 near Cannock Chase, England. A couple reported seeing a glowing, 30ft circular object, partly shrouded in mist, land and then silently lift off. The incident is described as a 'close encounter of the second kind' due to crumpled and crushed dead hedges and trees found at the scene. An investigation by the British UFO Research Association concluded it might be a natural phenomenon, but the UFO Group's investigators, Graham Allen and Robbie Graham, found shortcomings in the original report. They discovered eight classified Ministry of Defence files on the sighting, suggesting a higher level of interest than usual. The article notes that the UFO history of the area dates back to the 1950s with other classified sightings.

A close encounter for photographer Peter

This article from the Evening Herald reports on a mystery object spotted by amateur photographer Peter Harris near the HMS Cambridge gunnery school in Wembury Point, England. Harris photographed a pod-shaped object early one morning, but was unsure what it was due to glints of light on the sea. The photograph, which shows the object glinting in the sunshine, has baffled experts and the military. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence stated it was unlikely military helicopter activity was occurring at that time and that they were unaware of other sightings.

Man's ‘close encounter' leaves experts baffled

This article from the Wokingham Times describes an incident where Stephen Jessop reported seeing a bright blue light and a round object hovering silently above his house in Finchampstead, England. The object emitted no engine noise and cast a shadow like a full moon before disappearing. Police had no record of other sightings, and White Waltham Airfield and the Ministry of Defence could not comment on the encounter.

A U.F.O. Boom Doesn't Worry China's Rulers

This New York Times article discusses the surge in UFO sightings and interest in China at the turn of the millennium. Hundreds of people reported seeing strange shining objects, leading to the growth of UFO research societies and increased media attention. The Chinese government, while cracking down on groups like Falun Gong for 'superstitious' behavior, has tolerated UFO research, viewing it as science. Many Chinese UFO enthusiasts are scientists and engineers, and the research societies maintain strict membership requirements. The article notes that the government's 'enlightened and practical attitude' contrasts with the derision faced by UFO researchers in the US. The recent sightings, often described as glowing orange-yellow objects lingering for over 15 minutes, have been captured on film and television. The article also touches upon theories of 'interstellar migration' and the possibility of extraterrestrial documentation of human civilization at the turn of the millennium.

We saw UFO claim couple

This article from the Colchester Evening Gazette reports on a couple who claimed to have seen an unexplained object over Tendring, England. They described a white light that turned into a triangular or pyramid shape with rotating red, green, and white lights. The object reportedly caused difficulty steering their car and affected their mobile phones. The Essex UFO Research Group is seeking other witnesses.

'Flying saucers' spotted

This article from the Bridlington Free Press reports on UFO sightings and a mysterious crop circle in the Bridlington area of England. Amanda Gibson, a UFO investigator, reported sightings of silver discs with domes on top. However, a photographer investigating crop circles found flattened crops likely caused by heavy rain, not mysterious circles.

Aliens: A positive experience

This article from The Vancouver Sun discusses John Mack's book 'Passport to the Cosmos,' which explores people's experiences with UFOs and 'Star People.' Mack suggests that those who initially want their experiences to stop eventually accept them as informative and transformative, leading to greater environmental awareness and spiritual consciousness. The article contrasts Mack's perspective with that of 'skeptical elite and uninformed debunkers.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, their investigation by scientific and governmental bodies, and the public's perception of these phenomena. There is a consistent emphasis on witness credibility, particularly when multiple, independent sources, especially law enforcement officers, report similar observations. The articles highlight the challenges in definitively identifying UFOs, often pointing to possibilities of experimental military aircraft or unknown natural phenomena, while acknowledging the persistent question of extraterrestrial origins. The issue also touches upon the historical context of UFO sightings, from Renaissance art to modern-day research, and the varying societal and governmental responses to the topic, from open investigation in China to official silence or skepticism elsewhere. The editorial stance, as inferred from the selection of articles and the tone of the reporting, is one of open inquiry, presenting different perspectives and evidence without definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to consider the possibilities.

This issue of the Daily Mail, dated July 9, 1999, features a dramatic cover story about a doomsday cult in Colombia, alongside reports on UFO sightings, crop circles, and historical monster accounts.

Doomsday Cult Heads for Hills

A large article details how hundreds of members of the Gnostic Church Stella Maris cult in Colombia have vanished into remote mountains, believing they are to be whisked away by an alien spaceship to escape the end of the world on December 31. Police fear the cult leaders, Rogelio Perea and Rudolfo Perez, may persuade their followers to commit mass suicide if the spacecraft fails to appear. The cult members have sold their belongings and are convinced Cartagena will be engulfed by a tidal wave. The article includes quotes from the mother of a 19-year-old cult member, Sandra Herrera, who believes a tidal wave is coming.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

Several articles report on UFO sightings and related investigations:

• Local man reports strange sighting and lost time: In Sechelt, B.C., Canada, Harold Weichler reported seeing a headlight-like object, experiencing a loss of time, and later finding a scar under his arm. Graham Conway of UFO B.C. notes a surge in calls following a previous report in The Reporter.
• The Editor's Viewpoint: Wrong to dismiss UFOs: An editorial by R. Archer argues that the sheer volume of UFO sightings globally suggests the likely existence of extra-terrestrials, urging against ridicule and promoting acceptance.
• Flyer puts glider in a spin: In Denbigh, Wales, paraglider Noel Humphreys photographed a silent, disc-shaped object flying near trees, which he could not identify.
• Looking for the truth out there: An article profiles Graham Conway of Ladner, B.C., who has spent 52 years researching UFO sightings and believes the government is covering up evidence. He notes increased public willingness to discuss sightings, partly due to shows like 'The X-Files'.
• More sightings lead to expert UFO probing: Rugby, England, has seen multiple UFO sightings, prompting the International UFO Research Network to launch an investigation. Witnesses describe lights in the sky and objects making sharp turns impossible for conventional aircraft.
• Plumstead: first stop after Mars: A report from London, England, details a sighting of a bright orange cylinder-shaped object over Plumstead, with authorities and the Civil Aviation Authority baffled.
• SPACE: THE HACKNEY FRONTIER: Six sightings of mysterious flying 'orbs' and unusually-shaped craft have been reported above Hackney, England, in the run-up to a solar eclipse. The Ufology and Supernatural Studies group logged reports of craft stopping mid-air and changing direction.
• We saw the UFO as well! A second couple from Haslingden, England, claim to have seen an identical brilliant blue-white light pursuing them over Deerplay moor in 1954, coming forward after reading a similar report.
• UFO sighting leaves big question mark: In Monifieth, Scotland, Jennifer Young and a friend witnessed a large, glowing orange fireball that stopped, changed direction, and split into two vertical lines, described as 'straight out of the X-Files'. An explanation involving a fighter jet is refuted by the witness.
• Crop circle mystery explained: Scientists at the BLT Research Centre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, theorize that 'high energy vortices' caused by increased technological transmissions triggered by atmospheric plasma systems created the crop circles in Vanderhoof, B.C., Canada.
• Mystery of the strange orange glow in the sky: Whitehaven police are baffled by a sighting of an unusual orange glow off the West Cumbrian coast that moved upwards, stopped, and shot off at high speed.
• AS NASA SCIENTISTS LAMENT THE LOSS OF A £100m SPACECRAFT, THE MAIL SPECULATES ... MIGHT IT HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED BY MARTIANS?: An article speculates that the lost Mars Polar Lander spacecraft may have been sabotaged by beings on Mars, citing evidence of life-supporting conditions and historical accounts of potential Martian contact with Earth.
• Police flooded with calls over noise: Cabarrus County, North Carolina, authorities investigated numerous reports of a loud noise and vibration described as a possible explosion, but found no explanation, with some speculating it could be jets.

Panel says no to UFOs, mermaids

An article from Kane County Chronicle reports on a panel discussion where writers discussed reporting on science stories. Bill Kurtis, Paula Apsell (NOVA producer), and Malcolm Browne (New York Times writer) emphasized the importance of good visuals and storytelling for science communication. They also expressed skepticism towards pseudo-science like UFOs, mermaids, and creationism, advocating for Darwinian evolution.

Marfa's puzzling phenomenon

This article from The Dallas Morning News recounts a visit to Marfa, Texas, to witness the mysterious Marfa Lights. The author and her companion saw lights described as 'white headlight variety' rather than the more spectacular multicolored displays reported by others. Various theories are discussed, including car headlights, swamp gas, ball lightning, and the ghosts of Apache Chief Al-sate. A scientist, Edson Hendricks, is studying the lights, suggesting a combination of solar activity and seismic movement may cause underground lightning.

Monsters Here & There

This section compiles historical and contemporary reports of various alleged monsters and unexplained phenomena:

• Rush Lake, Minnesota: Reports of 'sea serpents' possibly being giant sturgeons or otters.
• Pine Lake, Minnesota: A 'monster of legend' sighted.
• Carver's Cave, Minnesota: A sighting of a 15-foot-long serpent with short legs in 1817.
• Logansport, Indiana: Reports of a 'monster of the Indiana Lakes'.
• Storsjoe Lake, Sweden: Numerous sightings of the 'Big Lake Monster', described as serpent-like or chubby, 15-50 feet long.
• Lory Lake, Minnesota: Sightings of a 'monster' and a drawing related to a legend of a creature spewing waves.
• Lake Mazaska, Minnesota: Reports of a lake monster resembling a basswood log.
• Bear Lake, Utah: The 'Bear Lake Monster', described as alligator-like with a horse's head, has been reported since 1868.
• Lake Champlain, New York: Sightings of a creature called 'Champ' have been photographed.
• Sea Serpents: A study of sea serpent reports from ancient times to the present.
• MYSTERY ICE: Reports of ice balls falling from the sky over southern Europe, causing head injuries and damage, with some incidents attributed to hoaxes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores unexplained phenomena, with a particular focus on UFO sightings across various locations. While some articles present eyewitness accounts and investigations, others offer skeptical viewpoints or scientific explanations. The editorial stance leans towards acknowledging the possibility of unexplained phenomena while also seeking rational explanations, and in some cases, debunking pseudo-science. There's a recurring theme of government secrecy or lack of transparency regarding UFOs and space exploration. The coverage of crop circles suggests a potential for deeper meaning beyond simple hoaxes, and the monster reports tap into folklore and historical accounts of the unknown.