UFO Newsclipping Service - 2002 08 - no 397

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated August 2002, focuses on a German documentary being produced about the historic Kenneth Arnold UFO sighting and its broader context. The magazine features articles on UFO sightings, expert opinions, historical incidents, and related phenomena like crop circles.

German Documentary on UFO Case

The lead article details a German documentary film crew's visit to Pendleton, Oregon, to interview UFO expert Roy Timm as part of their project. Director Matthias Unterburg and his crew are retracing the historical context of Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting, which occurred after he reported seeing "nine peculiar looking aircraft" near Mt. Rainier. Timm, who claims to have witnessed UFOs himself and has extensively documented local sightings, believes that a significant portion of Pendleton's population has seen a UFO but is hesitant to report it. The documentary aims to explore the 1940s and 1950s UFO reports, acknowledging the existence of both skeptics and believers.

UFO Web Site Wants to Hear About Sightings

This section highlights Peter Davenport, director of the Seattle-based National UFO Reporting Center (www.ufocenter.com), which collects and publishes UFO sightings. Davenport states that evidence suggests "they are here on a daily basis" and that the internet has fostered a virtual community for UFO spotters. The article includes an account from Susan Nelson, who reported seeing a large, bright, solid white object. It also touches on the skepticism of Barry Beyerstein, who suggests that perception can be creative and lead to self-deception.

Alien Armada! 50 Years Ago, Unidentified Flying Objects From Way Beyond the Beltway Seized the Capital's Imagination

This extensive article revisits the famous 1952 Washington D.C. UFO incident. It recounts how air traffic controllers at Washington National Airport detected unidentified blips on their radar screens on July 19, 1952. The objects were observed to move at extraordinary speeds. The incident gained national attention after a Life magazine article in April 1952 discussed the possibility of "Interplanetary Saucers." The article details the scramble of Air Force jets to intercept the objects, the government's bureaucratic response, and the subsequent decrease in UFO reports. It also mentions Captain Edward J. Ruppelt's role in Project Blue Book and the theories, such as temperature inversions, proposed to explain the sightings.

Full Circle: Shyamalan movie draws attention to crop mystery

This piece discusses the movie "Signs" by M. Night Shyamalan and its focus on crop circles. It features interviews with crop circle investigators like Charles R. Mallet and Linda Howe, who express concern that the movie might misrepresent the phenomenon. The article explains that while some believe crop circles are messages from extraterrestrials, others, like John Lundberg, admit to creating them as "artworks." The debate over whether crop circles are hoaxes or genuine "signs" is explored, with some researchers believing that sophisticated designs point to a non-human intelligence.

Unusual things common at UFO powwow here

This article reports on the 33rd annual International UFO Symposium held in Rochester, attended by members of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON). Speakers discussed various topics, including unidentified submarine objects and unexplained happenings. The article includes anecdotes from attendees like Betty Hill, who claims to have been abducted by aliens, and Michael Brein, who is fascinated by communication with extraterrestrial life.

Farmers spark out-of-this-world attention

This section highlights the town of McMinnville, Oregon, and its connection to a famous UFO photograph taken by farmer Paul Trent in 1950. The town celebrates the anniversary of the sighting with an annual UFO Festival, featuring parades, speakers, and films. The article also mentions Eric Byler of Oregon UFO Research, who states that Oregon experiences a higher-than-average frequency of UFO sightings.

Way far-out drop-ins welcome

This piece profiles Dave Rosenfeld, a self-proclaimed "Alien Dave" and UFO investigator in Emigration Canyon, Utah. Rosenfeld runs the Utah UFO Hunters, a group that investigates UFOs, crop circles, and Bigfoot sightings. He shares his personal experience of allegedly being visited by an alien and discusses his belief that aliens are "earthlings" who have been on the planet longer than humans.

Roswell celebrates 4th, UFOs

This article covers the UFO Festival in Roswell, New Mexico, noting its continued popularity and economic impact on the city. The festival features an Alien Market Trade Show, lectures at the International UFO Museum and Research Center, and costume contests. Actress Dee Wallace Stone, known for her role in "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," was a special guest, participating in various events.

Authorities clueless about mysterious fireball

This brief report from Henryetta, Oklahoma, details the investigation into a mysterious fireball seen in the sky, followed by an explosion. Authorities were unable to determine the cause or origin of the object, which some witnesses described as having flaming blue and red tails.

UFO expert keeps head in the clouds, feet on the ground

This profile focuses on George Fawcett, a UFO expert who has investigated thousands of sightings. Fawcett recounts his own sighting in 1951 and discusses his methodology, which involves carefully examining both the circumstances of a sighting and the reporting individual. He believes UFOs are real, technologically advanced, and potentially a threat to national security. Fawcett notes that a significant percentage of UFO sightings remain unexplained by conventional means.

Watchers of our skies

This article from Scarborough, England, features Russ Kellett, a UFO investigator who has spent 10 years documenting evidence of UFO phenomena. Kellett claims to have witnessed unexplainable flying objects and has spoken to many locals who have had similar experiences. He believes the objects are not of human technology and that the Scarborough area is a hotspot for sightings due to low light pollution. The article also includes brief mentions of other UFO sighting locations and a list of "Strange but very true" UFO facts.

Crop circles: hoaxes or 'signs'?

This piece delves into the debate surrounding crop circles, prompted by the release of the movie "Signs." It discusses the history of crop circles, the claims of artists who create them, and the theories of researchers who believe some formations are evidence of non-human intelligence. The article highlights the complexity and sophistication of some crop circles, suggesting they may be more than just man-made patterns.

Recent UFO sightings in the Bulkley Valley

This short report from Houston, British Columbia, Canada, lists recent UFO sightings in the Bulkley Valley, including objects hovering over towers, discs seen by snowmobilers, and bright lights streaking across the sky. It provides contact information for local ufologist Brian Vike.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing investigation and documentation of UFO phenomena, historical UFO cases, and the public's fascination with extraterrestrial life. There is a clear emphasis on presenting various perspectives, from expert researchers and witnesses to skeptics and debunker. The magazine seems to adopt a stance of open inquiry, presenting evidence and theories without definitively concluding on the nature of UFOs, while acknowledging the significant amount of unexplained sightings and the public's continued interest in the subject. The articles highlight the blend of historical research, contemporary sightings, and cultural impact of UFOs, including their portrayal in media and popular culture.

This issue of the Sunday Express, dated July 21, 2002, features a prominent cover story titled "Let's be having UFO," with a secondary headline "Beam me up, Scot." The magazine delves into various unexplained phenomena, including UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, mysterious occurrences, and the search for extraterrestrial life.

Scotland: A UFO Hotspot

The lead article by Mike Tait highlights Scotland as "the Costa Del Sol for aliens" due to its exceptionally high rate of UFO sightings. Research commissioned by VisitScotland indicates that Scotland records 300 UFO sightings annually, four times more per square kilometre than France and Italy, and the highest number per capita. The article mentions the "Falkirk triangle" area around Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, as a particular hotspot since the early 1990s. UFO expert Ron Halliday suggests the area might be a "window into another dimension," while Graham Birdsall, editor of UFO magazine, points to remote regions and proximity to air bases as potential attractors. Councillor Billy Buchanan has called for a UFO visitors' centre in Bonnybridge.

Policeman Gary Hunts for Aliens with his Very Own X Files

By Keith Perry, this feature introduces DC Gary Heseltine, a British Transport policeman who has launched "Britain's own X Files." Heseltine has created a computer database called Police Reporting UFO Sightings (PRUFOS) for police officers to record their own sightings. After his own UFO experience in his youth, Heseltine aims to create a confidential platform for professionals like police officers and airline pilots to share their encounters without fear of ridicule. The article recounts Heseltine's own sighting of a brilliant white object that caused power cuts and mentions PC Alan Godfrey's 1980 encounter with a diamond-shaped UFO, which he described under hypnosis as an alien abduction.

"IT'S THE ALIENS WOT PUT MAN ON EARTH!"

This article by Tony Leonard presents the theory of US-based scientist Lloyd Pye, who believes that extraterrestrial beings are responsible for human evolution. Pye argues that human uniqueness compared to other primates cannot be explained by natural evolution alone and suggests that humans, along with pets, livestock, and cultivated plants, were brought to Earth by UFOs. He posits that aliens periodically visit to check on humanity's progress. Pye's theories, while considered fanciful by some, aim to explain phenomena that have baffled scientists for years, including the "missing link" between apes and humans.

Mysterious Pipes Left by 'ET' in China

Reported from Qinghai, China, this piece details the discovery of mysterious iron pipes at the foot of Mount Baigong in the Qaidam Basin. Some experts suggest these could be relics left by extraterrestrial beings. The site features three caves, with the middle one containing a half-pipe and another pipe going into the earth. Numerous pipes are also found scattered on the beach of Toson Lake and even submerged in the lake, exhibiting various shapes and diameters.

Cattle Mutilations Across Argentina

Several articles detail a disturbing wave of cattle mutilations occurring across Argentina, with reports from various provinces including La Pampa, Buenos Aires, Rio Negro, Santa Fe, and Salta. The mutilations are characterized by the precise removal of organs, eyes, tongues, and other body parts, often without any trace of blood or signs of struggle. Veterinarians and experts are baffled, with no scientific explanation readily available. Theories range from extraterrestrial laboratory surveys (as suggested by ufologist Fabio Zerpa) to unusual environmental factors or even deliberate testing for diseases like Mad Cow Disease. The consistency of the precise incisions, often described as cauterized or made with a scalpel, and the lack of blood, along with the specific positioning of carcasses (heads east, tails west), are recurring themes.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

Beyond the cattle mutilations, the issue reports on various UFO sightings. An unidentified flying object (UFO) was seen over the Las Lenas tourist complex in Mendoza, Argentina, by numerous witnesses. In Catriel, La Pampa, a UFO was observed emitting a powerful red light, with some suggesting a connection to the cattle mutilations. Police in the US also reported sightings, and a Canadian investigator is looking into unusual bright objects seen over Terrace.

Stonehenge: Was it Really Built as the First Dome?

This article by Luisa Metcalfe presents the theory of engineering expert Bruce Bedlam, who claims that the ancient monument of Stonehenge was a huge covered building, resembling the Millennium Dome. After 18 years of research, Bedlam suggests Stonehenge served as a meeting place, government centre, and place of worship, designed to impress visitors with its gravity-defying structure. He believes wooden beams formed a skeleton covered by diamond-shaped wooden tiles, with the interior possibly whitewashed. He plans to unveil a model of his reconstruction.

Are Extraterrestrials Too Advanced to Signal to Us?

Bob Groves reports on a speech by government astrophysicist J. Dick at a SETI League symposium. Dick suggests that advanced extraterrestrial life might have evolved into forms of artificial intelligence or living machines, making communication with Earthlings difficult or impossible. He posits that such beings might have surpassed the radio electromagnetic stage, leading to a "post-biological universe." The SETI League, a non-profit organization, continues its search for extraterrestrial signals.

Sasquatch Sightings and Investigations

Two articles touch upon Sasquatch (Bigfoot) sightings. One reports on an investigation in Sappho, Washington, where a man claimed to have seen the creature, but police found no evidence. Another article discusses the legacy of retired anthropology professor Grover S. Krantz, a passionate believer in Sasquatch, who faced criticism for his research but was respected for his credentials in human evolution. The article also mentions a previous sighting in 2000 by Gene Sampson and the attention it drew from cryptozoologists.

The Kokomo Hum

An article by John W. Fountain details the "Kokomo hum," a mysterious sound plaguing the Indiana city since 1999. Residents report health problems associated with the hum, and the city has commissioned a study to find its source. The sound is described as a low-frequency noise, with potential industrial origins, though its exact cause remains elusive.

Connected Minds: Rupert Sheldrake's Research

This piece highlights the research of Cambridge University Professor Rupert Sheldrake on telepathic connections between humans and animals, particularly dogs. Sheldrake's work suggests that living systems emerge from "morphic energy fields" and that pets can sense their owners' intentions from a distance. His telephone study also indicates a natural, albeit largely unexplored, connection between people, with the signal being strongest when deep emotion is involved.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent human fascination with the unknown, the possibility of extraterrestrial life, and the investigation of unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various theories and reports without necessarily endorsing them, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional scientific understanding. The magazine covers a wide range of topics from global UFO hotspots to local mysteries and scientific research into the nature of consciousness and life.