UFO Newsclipping Service - 2000 10 - no 375

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated October 2000, presents a compilation of articles from various publications, focusing on UFO sightings, government involvement, and related phenomena. The cover features a prominent "UFO" logo and the headline "The Truth Is in There. They're Sure of It," accompanied by an illustration of Area 51.

The Federal Government's UFO Document Release

A Baltimore Sun article by Laura Sullivan reports on the National Security Agency's (NSA) decision to post previously classified UFO-related documents online. The initiative, intended to satisfy conspiracy theorists and reduce Freedom of Information Act requests, backfired. Instead of dispelling suspicions, the release of thousands of pages of documents, many heavily censored, fueled further speculation and led to a surge in requests. Officials noted that the term "UFO" in the documents often referred to unidentified aerial objects rather than extraterrestrial craft. The article highlights how improved technology, like online request forms, has made it easier for the public to access these files.

Inside Story on UFOs: Roswell and Disclosure

A Belleville, Illinois, News Democrat piece by James J. Koenig discusses the potential for gradual disclosure of the true story behind the 1947 Roswell incident. It references Col. Philip J. Corso's book "The Day After Roswell," which claims a recovered alien vehicle contained biologically manufactured androids and utilized an electromagnetic propulsion system. Corso also suggested that UFOs showed hostile intent and that the Cold War arms race was partly a defense against extraterrestrials. The article questions why leaders haven't followed up on these disclosures, implying a public immaturity to accept the truth.

Fascinating Encounters: Stories from the Inner Space

Several articles detail personal encounters and beliefs surrounding UFOs.

• Observer, Charlotte, NC features an article by George Goshorn about Truman Bethurum, a construction man from Redondo Beach, who claims to have visited a flying saucer 11 times and plans a future trip to the planet Clarion. Bethurum's story involves encounters with a female saucer captain and discussions about life on Mars. He has written a book about his experiences and lectures on the subject.
• Daily News Foreign Service reports on an incident in France where a French Air General, identified only as Gen. X, witnessed a "flying turret"-shaped object moving at tremendous speed over a military airfield near Paris. The object, described as gray-black, switched off its light when aircraft approached and then reappeared and vanished.
• Tennessan, Nashville, TN covers the 37th Annual National UFO Conference in Corpus Christi, Texas. Attendees shared experiences and discussed topics like sightings and government cover-ups. Robert Matthews recounted seeing a white beam of light in Mexico. Stanton Friedman, a nuclear physicist, discussed alleged fraudulent documents related to the Roswell incident. Speakers like Doris Upchurch and Diana Perla Chapa emphasized their investigative approach rather than religious belief.
• Observer-American, Clearlake Highlands, CA features a report by Tony Reed about an unusual Sunday night sighting where residents Angel and Donna observed a small, white light following a small airplane before it accelerated and disappeared. Coincidentally, a power outage occurred in the nearby Hidden Valley Lake area, which PG&E stated was unexplained.

Close Encounters of the Sooke Kind

A Sooke News Mirror article by Miguel R. MacDonald profiles Darren A. Skaalrud, a Canadian who believes in UFOs after experiencing a glowing orb sighting and a subsequent sleep-paralysis-like event. Skaalrud paints images of UFOs on forest tree fungus. The article also quotes Graham Conway, president of UFOBC, who has studied UFOs for 54 years and believes in their existence, noting that many people report luminous lights and figures. Staff Sergeant Don Brown of the Sooke RCMP reported no UFO sightings in his area but mentioned meteor showers. Conway suggests that only certain people can tune into the "vibration" of UFOs.

It's cloth, Jimmy, but not as we know it

The Guardian, London, England reports on a mysterious mustard-colored swatch of cloth found near Gullane, Scotland, a known area for UFO sightings. A Japanese TV crew planned to investigate the area. Stephen Prior, a hotelier, expressed difficulty in getting the material tested. The article also mentions Billy Devlin of Strange Phenomena Investigations, who is skeptical of many UFO claims, citing instances of misidentification like planes or mildew. The publicity is expected to generate more sightings.

Reshi's mystery for the X-Files

A Telegraph, Grimsby, England article describes an 11-year-old boy, Reshi Kumar, who spotted a bright, round light hovering over Grimsby that dropped steeply and left a white line before disappearing. He described it as unlike a plane due to the lack of lights. The RAF denied any unusual activities in the area.

Aliens? Send for the supernatural sleuths

The Hampshire Chronicle, Winchester, England features Malcolm Robinson, an investigator of paranormal phenomena, who aims to disprove most UFO reports but acknowledges a five percent residue that cannot be explained. He notes the influence of media like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "The X-Files" on public perception. His partner, Judith Jaafra, works with UFO witnesses and notes that many people have already been influenced by UFO culture. The article mentions possible government investigations into UFO sightings over Bonnybridge, Scotland.

Albertans describe chilling alien abductions

The Sun, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada reports on alleged alien abduction experiences. James, a resident near St. Paul, Alberta, described being abducted multiple times, recalling anal probing and genetic experiments. He also described seeing disc-shaped objects emitting red beams of light. Another individual, Dave, recounted experiences of sleep paralysis, seeing small men with large eyes, and dreams involving his deceased mother and a hovering ship. The article notes the influence of media on these experiences.

Glowing object sparks UFO alert

The Evening News, Worcester, England details Georgina Wells' account of seeing a bright, yellow, egg-shaped object hover for over an hour before descending and then shooting off into the sky. She was awake due to a cold and not under medication. Police and the Ministry of Defence confirmed no unusual aircraft were in the area. Her father, Jim, expressed disappointment at not being woken to potentially identify the object.

Stunned caretaker and family chase UFO through town

The Tunbridge Wells Courier, Kent, England reports on Peter Woods, a caretaker from Langton Green, who witnessed a "strong pulsating light" hovering half a mile in front of his vehicle. The object reportedly switched off when aircraft approached and then intensely relit. Woods, who disbelieves in UFOs, could not provide a rational explanation. Gatwick Airport reported no UFO incidents.

We've Seen Disks, Insist Men Who Fly

This Chicago Daily News article by Arthur J. Snider is the third in a series examining flying saucers. It highlights the testimony of commercial airline pilots who claim to have seen strange objects. Capt. E. J. Smith reported seeing five objects near Boise, Idaho. Capt. Paul Carpenter sighted two disks over Colorado. The article mentions Capt. Thomas F. Mantell, who reportedly died pursuing a UFO. Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, known for his survival experiences, supports the idea that these sightings are real, citing too many credible witnesses.

Air Travelers Report Seeing 'Flying Saucer'

Another Chicago Daily News article reports that passengers and crew on an airliner saw a "flying saucer" hovering over Mount Kilimanjaro. They described it as metallic, silvery, and bullet-shaped. Two American passengers took photographs.

Nuisance? Disks Keep Air Force In a Spin

This Washington report suggests that flying saucer inquiries have become a nuisance for the Air Force, interfering with regular intelligence work. The Pentagon press office has an officer dedicated to answering saucer questions. Statistics show a high number of reported sightings, with a peak in July of that year.

HE SAW THE LIGHT, TOO

A Chicago Daily News article recounts Howard M. Horwich's experience of being chased for two hours by a huge white light while driving in Canada. He described it as circular, large, and hovering. He and a friend attempted to communicate with it, but the light shot a beam at a passing train before disappearing.

America's top-secret 'X Files' air base revealed

An Independent on Sunday, London, England article by Paul Lashmar reveals photographs of Area 51, a highly secret US military base. The article notes that despite the base's legal immunity from aerial photography, two "Groomies" took panoramic shots from a mountain 12 miles away. The base is rumored to be involved in testing advanced aircraft and possibly housing UFO crash debris. The article mentions the "Extraterrestrial Highway" designation for a nearby road due to frequent UFO sightings.

For years we thought crop circles were the work of visitors from space, but now Peter Hillmore reveals the down-to-earth truth...

This Mail on Sunday, London, England article by Peter Hillmore debunks the alien origin of crop circles. It highlights John Lundberg and his "Circle Makers" group, who admit to creating complex crop circle designs using simple tools like tape and a "stomper." The article explains how they use these designs to fool believers and attract attention, even turning the circles into tourist attractions. It also mentions alternative theories, such as electromagnetic fields, and the role of "Croppies" (crop circle believers) in publicizing the phenomenon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this collection of clippings are the persistent public fascination with UFOs, the perceived government secrecy and potential cover-ups, and the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics. Several articles highlight the role of media, both traditional and new, in disseminating information and fueling speculation. The editorial stance across these diverse publications varies, with some adopting a sensationalist tone, others a more investigative approach, and a few expressing skepticism or offering rational explanations for sightings. However, the overall impression is one of continued public interest and a desire for answers regarding unexplained aerial phenomena.

This issue of DAILY STAR, dated June 13, 2000, features a prominent cover story titled "Watching the skies with the UFO spotters," highlighting the work of Kath Johnson and the South Wales Unidentified Flying Object Network (SWUFON). The magazine delves into various unexplained phenomena, including UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, and the mystery of Bigfoot.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The lead article introduces Kath Johnson, founder of SWUFON, who has been investigating UFOs for 21 years. Inspired by a sighting in 1979 of a triangular craft, she formed the group to provide a reporting channel for the public. The article details several sightings, including a brilliant glowing sphere filmed by Johnson and featured on a BBC Choice television series. SWUFON is also coordinating sky-watches with other UK groups.

Another piece features pilot David Hastings, who claims to have captured photographic proof of a UFO over California's Mojave Desert. He describes a cigar-shaped thing that approached his plane at high speed.

Roy Dutton, a retired aerospace engineer from Torquay, is presented as a scientist who has logged 1,300 UFO sightings and claims to predict their appearances using mathematics and physics. He believes Earth has been under surveillance for years and that Plymouth is a UFO hotspot. Dutton also suggests that some UFOs are automated probes and that aliens might treat humans like "wild animals."

Paul McCarte, another founder of SWUFON, reports sightings of "fleets" of metallic spheres, described as resembling ball bearings, hovering at 2,000 ft over the Welsh Valleys. He notes the absence of sound from these objects.

Chris Rolfe of UFO Monitors East Kent discusses a red-and-blue light hovering over Margate's Council Offices, noting that it was not an aircraft and that weather conditions ruled out balloons. He emphasizes that "UFO" simply means an unidentified flying object and that research is ongoing, with a possibility of military involvement.

Roger White, a UFO enthusiast from Wiltshire, recounts seeing a triangular object with bright lights around its perimeter, which made no sound and headed towards Lyneham.

Jeanetta Harding and her family captured video footage of mysterious lights over Skegness, described as eight in number, glowing white or orange, and appearing and disappearing alternately. Jason Desmond also witnessed similar lights, noting their sloping direction and pyramid-like formation, and the absence of sound.

Randi Season, a Calgary lawyer, is still searching for answers about a reddish-orange metallic object she saw near Medicine Hat in 1972. She describes it as stopping instantly in mid-air and moving erratically.

W. Ritchie Benedict, a local expert, notes that UFO sightings occur in waves and recalls his own sighting of a whitish weather balloon in 1974. Chris Rutkowski, a Winnipeg-based author, states that Canadians reported 259 unidentified flying objects in the previous year.

Bigfoot and Cryptozoology

The issue also extensively covers the topic of Bigfoot. Mike Quast, a 32-year-old from Minnesota, is convinced that Bigfoot creatures are alive and well in Minnesota. He has cataloged over 150 reported sightings, marking them on a map. Quast believes that while many sightings can be explained, there are genuine encounters that are often dismissed.

Mark A. Hall, a Bloomington resident, has self-published books on cryptozoology, including Bigfoot, and suspects there are multiple species of these creatures. He believes humanity is too self-absorbed to acknowledge their existence.

Kris Johnson, a part-time Bigfoot investigator in Minnesota, became involved after finding a footprint and scat while hiking. She emphasizes the need for people to have someone to listen to their experiences without judgment.

Jimmy Wilson, a Minneapolis-based filmmaker, created a documentary titled "Jimmy Wilson's Snowman" exploring the subject.

Other Unexplained Phenomena

Crop circles are also discussed, with Mike Wray arguing that complex formations are not hoaxes. He describes witnessing a glowing field at Silbury Hill, followed by the discovery of a complex formation named the Silbury Step Pyramid.

An article from the Daily Courier reports on the sighting of a lake monster, "Ogopogo," near Kelowna, Canada, by six adults. Arlene Gaal, an Ogopogo expert, was contacted and described the creature as about 12 feet long with four flippers.

A report from Zwolle, Louisiana, discusses the possibility that a black bear is responsible for recent sightings of a hairy manlike creature, with Chief Marvin Frazier planning to investigate.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the fringes of unexplained phenomena, presenting accounts from individuals and researchers who believe in UFOs, Bigfoot, and other mysteries. There's a recurring theme of skepticism from the mainstream scientific community and a sense of frustration among enthusiasts that their findings are not taken seriously. The articles highlight the dedication of individuals like Kath Johnson and Mike Quast, who continue their investigations despite societal dismissal. The overall stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards these phenomena, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional explanations.