UFO Newsclipping Service - 2002 10 - no 399

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE
Issue: Number 399
Volume: 50
Date: October 2002
Publisher: Lucius Farish
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service focuses on the 50th anniversary of the Braxton County Monster incident, explores the phenomenon of crop circles, and compiles various UFO sightings from different regions.

Braxton County Monster: 50 Years Later

The lead story commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Braxton County Monster incident, which occurred on September 12, 1952, in Flatwoods, West Virginia. Frank Feschino Jr., an artist and UFO researcher who has spent 10 years investigating the event, is featured. The incident began with a fireball seen by many, followed by reports of a 12-foot-tall green mechanical figure. Kathleen May and her sons were among the witnesses. The town of Flatwoods is celebrating the anniversary with music, crafts, and talks. Mayor Peggy Clise, who was a child at the time, recalls the event and states, "We know something happened. We just don't know what it was." Initially, government officials declared the source to be a meteor, but many locals remain unconvinced. UFO researcher Stanton Friedman also participates in the event, suggesting that the rash of UFO sightings after World War II was due to Earth's rapidly advancing technology, making the planet a point of concern for extraterrestrials. The article notes that the popular image of the monster has been distorted over the years, with the current depiction stemming from a drawing made for a television program.

Crop Circles: More Than Just 'Signs'

Several articles explore the phenomenon of crop circles, amplified by the release of the movie "Signs." In Oregon, Lyle Spiesschaert discovered a crop circle in his Forest Grove wheat field. Carol Pedersen, Oregon representative for the Centre for Crop Circle Studies, is researching the formation and has sent samples to biophysicist W.C. Levengood. Pedersen believes that some crop circles exhibit physical properties not created by humans, possibly due to electromagnetic energy. The article mentions that a teenager claimed to have created the Forest Grove circle, but Pedersen is skeptical. In England, crop circles are described as a multi-million-pound industry, attracting tourists and farmers. The article notes that while many circles are man-made, experts like George Bishop of the Centre for Crop Circle Studies estimate that 20% are of unknown origin. The movie "Signs" is credited with boosting tourism to famous crop circle sites.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

Various UFO sightings are reported across different locations:

• Marlow, Oklahoma: Residents reported a mysterious red light in the night sky. A local couple, Floyd and Jo Evans, claimed to have seen a silver cross carried by a large balloon on the same day, suggesting it might be the source of the red light.
• Pennsylvania: Stan Gordon reports on numerous UFO sightings in the Keystone State, including a solid sphere observed at close range in North Huntingdon Township and a bright white light in Pittsburgh that made sharp movements before shooting upwards. A sighting in Beaver County involved a bright round object behind a tree that illuminated a field.
• Surf City, New Jersey: Retired Air Force Major George Filer 3rd dedicates his retirement to searching for UFOs, sharing his experiences, including a sighting in 1962 while flying a tanker plane over England.
• Pembrokeshire, Wales: An aerial survey from the 1950s revealed mysterious circular patterns in a field, prompting speculation about their origin, from hoaxes to UFO landing sites.
• Bexleyheath, England: A former policeman is researching a 1955 UFO sighting where a craft reportedly landed in the road, described as black, sleek, and streamlined with flashing white lights.
• Scotland: Bonnybridge is highlighted as an "epicentre" of UFO activity and the unofficial European capital of UFOs, attracting tourists and leading to calls for the village to be twinned with Roswell, New Mexico.
• Port Washington, Wisconsin: Three men are building a device called "The Attractor" to lure UFOs and record information about them, utilizing advanced technology and various sensors.

Skeptics and Believers

Articles touch upon the divide between skeptics and believers. A letter to the editor from Terry Hansen criticizes the use of the term "believer" for UFO investigators and argues that scientific decisions should be based on evidence, not government pronouncements. Conversely, George Filer 3rd expresses his belief in UFOs and the importance of changing public viewpoints, calling it "mankind's most important endeavor."

UFOs and Government Secrecy

An article discusses the "Disclosure Project," which aims to expose government secrets about UFOs and extraterrestrial intelligence. It mentions that witnesses claim top-secret military and government groups possess information and technologies derived from alien spacecraft, which are being withheld from the public.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the enduring mystery of UFOs, the cultural impact of UFO-related media (like the movie "Signs"), the ongoing debate between skepticism and belief, and the persistent question of government transparency regarding unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and expert opinions without definitively concluding on the nature of these phenomena, while also acknowledging the scientific approach to investigation.

This issue of the magazine, dated July 25, 2002, features a prominent cover story on a large crop circle discovered near Stonehenge, dubbed 'Crophenge'. The issue also includes articles and reports on UFO sightings, cryptids like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, and scientific investigations into animal mutilations.

Cover Story: Crophenge

The main cover story highlights a 750ft wide crop circle found in a wheat field near Stonehenge, England. Enthusiasts suggest it links three Bronze Age burial grounds. Steve Alexander, an enthusiast, expresses excitement about the discovery, noting its proximity to the historical landmark and its intricate precision, dismissing theories of it being the work of pranksters. The article mentions the upcoming release of a Bruce Willis movie, 'Crop Circles: A Quest For Truth', which focuses on the phenomenon. The discovered circle is noted as the second largest found, with the largest being a 1,500ft diameter shape at Milk Hill, Alton Barnes.

Web Watch: We are not alone...

Rick Jones of DoverWeb.co.uk reviews several websites related to unexplained mysteries. These include:

• Loch Ness Monster (www.nessie.co.uk): Explores sightings and sonar evidence of the Loch Ness Monster, questioning whether a giant dinosaur exists or if it's a romantic pastime.
• UFOS (www.ufoworld.co.uk): Offers information on UFOs, spooky stories, and a feeling of being watched.
• The Yeti (www.legendofyeti.com): Details the legend of the Yeti in the Himalayas, with mentions of footprints and artifacts, but no actual photos.
• Bigfoot (www.netcomuk.co.uk/~rfthomas/bigfoot.html): Presents a site dedicated to Bigfoot, featuring plaster casts of footprints and images of people in gorilla suits.
• Planetary Mysteries (www.planetarymysteries.com): Explores beliefs in a higher order, featuring photos of Mars with alleged structures, UFOs, and artificial structures on the moon. The author reflects on how easily people can be fooled.
• LOCAL UFO GROUP (http://www.homestead.com/kentufowatch/ufomek.html): A local group that records and investigates UFO sightings, featuring a picture gallery.
• The Dover Demon (www.unexplained-mysteries.com): A comprehensive site covering various unexplained phenomena, including UFOs, cryptids, and strange events like green rain caused by bees.

Rick Jones concludes by pondering that half of humanity might be idiots, but he's unsure which half.

Airport Clue to UFO Sightings?

This article from Metro News reports on Detective Constable Gary Heseltine of the British Transport Police, who believes Manchester Airport's radar may have captured evidence of UFOs. He compiled a report, 'Police Officers Who Observe UFOs', detailing sightings by officers. One incident from 1989 involved radar controllers detecting a stationary object over Mow Cop, which police investigated and observed as a green and white UFO, during which their personal radios failed. Heseltine appeals for more officers to come forward with their experiences.

Strange Silence in the Skies Over Surrey

This piece from the Evening Gazette notes a recent quiet period for UFO sightings in the Surrey-North Delta-White Rock area of Canada, with only two sightings reported in July and none in August, according to the National UFO Reporting Centre (NUFORC). This is in contrast to Northern B.C., which recorded 53 reports in 60 days. Graham Conway of UFO*B.C. is puzzled by the shift, recalling a time when the area was a hotspot for sightings, attracting US television crews.

Pair Spot Strange Light Over Homes

An article from the Evening Gazette describes Elsie Brown and her daughter spotting a strange light moving slowly across the sky near Mereside, which they believe might be a UFO. Elsie Brown described it as a 'big flame in the sky' and noted it was moving very fast.

Circles Start to Crop Up on Prairies as Wheat Matures

This article from the Calgary Herald details the appearance of crop circles in Saskatchewan, Canada. John Erickson, a pilot, has been documenting these formations since 1998. The number of circles varied annually, with a drought in 2000 seeing none, followed by an increase in subsequent years. Erickson personally discovered a formation near Midale in August 2002. The article discusses various theories for their origin, including meteorological phenomena, pranksters, and aliens, with Erickson humorously suggesting 'alien teenagers' creating graffiti.

Translations: Mutilated Bovine Cases and UFOs

This section presents translated articles from Argentinean newspapers concerning animal mutilations and UFO sightings:

• UFO Seen Over Smith (Diario El Oeste, June 26, 2002): A family in Smith reported seeing a UFO twice on Monday night, with lights issuing bright flashes and aiming multicolored rays.
• Mutilated Bovine Found at Hortensia (Diario El Oeste, June 26, 2002): A mutilated bovine was found with its tongue and eye missing, and incisions on its maxillaries. Authorities classified the offense under law 1434611, which deals with animal abuse.
• Livestock Ministry Found Nothing 'Abnormal' (Diario Uno, June 28, 2002): A provincial official stated that a dead Aberdeen Angus calf showed signs common to a carrion bird attack, with no abnormal findings.
• Many Believe Mutilations Phenomenon Will Never Be Explained (La Nueva Provincia, June 30, 2002): Two specialists propose an interdisciplinary team to investigate the mutilation phenomenon, suggesting the involvement of biologists, anthropologists, geologists, pathologists, veterinarians, and paranormal experts. They emphasize the need for scientific rigor and critical analysis.
• Two New Mutilation Cases in Entre Rios (El Diario, June 26, 2002): Reports of two new mutilated bovine cases in Entre Rios, adding to the province's total. One case involved a bull missing parts of its testicles and tongue, with a precise incision.
• A Wild Boar is Added to the List of Cows, Horses, Sheep and a Guanaco (La Nueva Provincia, June 27, 2002): A wild boar carcass was found with strange incisions, missing its anus, tongue, and jaw. This adds to the growing list of species experiencing mutilations.
• In La Pampa (La Nueva Provincia, June 27, 2002): An Aberdeen Angus bovine carcass was found missing parts of its body, including its tongue and mammary glands.
• In Carhue (La Nueva Provincia, June 27, 2002): Cases of strange animal deaths continue, with a pregnant cow found showing incisions. A witness reported seeing intense red lights moving quickly across the countryside.
• A Racehorse (La Nueva Provincia, June 27, 2002): A racehorse was found dead with strange mutilations, missing an eye and part of its tongue, and with its intestine and rectum removed.
• Lights Over Carhue (La Nueva Provincia, June 27, 2002): Several residents reported seeing strange lights allegedly related to UFOs, described as white, round, and giving off a haze.
• Experts Say Mutes Dying 'From Malnutrition' (LA PLATA (DIB), June 28, 2002): A report from the Universidad Nacional del Centro suggests that bovine deaths and mutilations are due to malnutrition and consumption by rodents and carrion animals, refuting theories of aliens or supernatural causes.
• Residents of La Chiquita Blame Animal Mutilations on 'Red Magic' (NORTEEdicion Digital, June 30, 2002): Residents blame 'red magic' for the mutilation of a horse, noting the absence of blood and the strange incisions.
• Authorities Explain Argentinean Cattle Deaths (EFE News Service, July 1, 2002): A final report concludes that a small carnivorous mouse known as 'red muzzle' (hocicudo rojizo) is responsible for the mutilations, with cows dying of natural causes and then being scavenged.

One Man's Search for King-Size Salamanders

This article from the National Post discusses Barrie Alder's conviction that a new species of giant salamander, measuring up to 1.5 meters, exists in Pitt Lake, British Columbia. Alder has been collecting anecdotal evidence for over 20 years. He recounts stories from loggers and fishermen who have reported seeing 'big lizards'. Danny Gerak, who runs Pitt River Lodge, reported seeing a large, black 'something' swimming in the lake, described as having a black, undulating body and a head raised about eight inches above the surface. John Kirk of the British Columbia Cryptozoology Club finds the reports intriguing. Dr. John Richardson, researching Pacific giant salamanders at the University of B.C., expresses doubt about a new species, suggesting it's more likely someone releasing a pet or an oversized known species, but acknowledges the possibility of undiscovered creatures.

Mystery Spot's Secret: Straight-out Fun

This article from the Sentinel discusses the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, California, a tourist attraction that opened in 1940. It features demonstrations of perceptual illusions in a tilting house. The article addresses myths about the Spot being a hoax, stating it is a perceptual illusion rather than an optical illusion. It explains the origin of the tilting house from a cabin that slid off its foundation during a mudslide. The article highlights the popular ball-on-the-board demonstration and mentions that the Spot was sold to its lawyer, Christopher Smith, who has made improvements. The author, a former tour guide, asserts that the Mystery Spot has nothing to hide and is a worthwhile attraction.

Bigfoot Continues to Elude Capture

A brief report from the Chronicle states that police in Sappho, Washington, followed up on a reported Bigfoot sighting but found no signs of the creature. Forks Police Chief Mike Powell noted the difficulty in impounding such a creature. Undersheriff Joe Martin mentions that Sasquatch sightings are infrequent in the North Olympic Peninsula.

Exhaustive Fusion Research Released

This article from Scripps Howard News Service and the Log Cabin Democrat details the research of Rusi Taleyarkhan at Oak Ridge National Laboratory on 'bubble fusion' or 'sono-luminescence'. Taleyarkhan claims to have achieved results indicating nuclear fusion by using sound waves to create collapsing bubbles that release energy. The research faced intense scrutiny due to the history of 'cold fusion' experiments. Taleyarkhan's method involves acoustic cavitation and the use of deuterated acetone and neutron pulses, with estimates of temperatures reaching 18 million degrees Fahrenheit. The article notes the significant attention and reviews his work received.

Orchard Gives More Reports of Bigfoot

This piece from the East Oregonian reviews Vance Orchard's new book, 'The Walla Walla Bigfoot'. The book compiles accounts of Bigfoot encounters, plaster casts of footprints, and other evidence. Orchard, a retired newsman, updates his 1963 book and focuses on the Mill Creek Watershed area. The book is noted for its fascinating accounts, though it could benefit from proofreading.

Strange Sighting Scares Woman Into Hotel

This article from the Country Ledger Press reports on Loretta Potter's claim of seeing a Bigfoot-type creature near her home in Maple Plain, Wisconsin. She described a strong, acrid smell and saw a large, dark creature. Her son, Peter Cupp, also witnessed it and described it as much larger than himself. They reported the incident to authorities, who took pictures of tracks that were later washed away. The creature's presence was also linked to the disappearance of two pet rabbits. The article notes that Bigfoot sightings are more common in the Pacific Northwest but have occurred in Wisconsin.

Bigfoot Legend Still Fascinates

This column from the Idaho State Journal discusses the enduring fascination with Bigfoot. The author expresses intrigue with local anatomy professor Jeff Meldrum's involvement in a Discovery Channel documentary on the topic. The author recounts a past encounter with Bigfoot reports from Eureka, California, and mentions the town of Willow Creek, known for the Bigfoot Museum and the Patterson film. The author concludes that while they have never seen Bigfoot, they find the legend compelling and hope for scientific confirmation.

Bigfoot Believers Attend Convention on Creature

A brief report from the Capital-Journal states that about 120 people attended the East Coast Bigfoot Conference and Expo in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, to exchange stories and items related to Bigfoot. Eric Altman, director of the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society, cited the extensive evidence collected as proof of the creature's existence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores phenomena that challenge conventional understanding, including UFOs, cryptids, and unexplained events. There's a clear interest in presenting both anecdotal evidence and scientific investigations, often juxtaposing them. The articles frequently touch upon the skepticism surrounding these topics, the challenges of scientific validation, and the public's enduring fascination with the unknown. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various perspectives and evidence without necessarily endorsing any single theory.