UFO Newsclipping Service - 2003 12 - no 413

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated December 2003, is titled 'Search for UFOs' and features a lead story about ufologists at Texas A&M University examining notes from the Condon report's field investigator. The magazine covers a range of UFO-related topics, including eyewitness accounts, historical incidents, and the phenomenon of crop circles.

Condon Report and Texas A&M Archives

The main article, "Ufologists at Texas A&M dive into notes from Condon report field investigator" by Lianne Hart, details the release of eight boxes of raw data from the University of Colorado's $500,000 UFO investigation, led by physicist Edward U. Condon. Roy Craig, the chief field investigator, donated his records to Texas A&M. Craig expressed disappointment that most sightings were explainable by science, though he noted the project's thoroughness. The Condon Report, released in 1969, concluded that UFOs were not indicative of alien life or unknown natural phenomena, a conclusion that remains controversial among UFO believers.

UFO Sightings by State and Eyewitness Accounts

The National UFO Reporting Center's data is presented, listing the top 10 states with the most reported UFO sightings, with California leading. The magazine also includes several eyewitness accounts from East Tennessee, such as a sighting in Kingsport of an object resembling a '50-yard tarp' and a bright light in Knoxville. Other reports detail a 'boomerang shape, silvery and distant' object seen in Bristol, and a 'flattened, perfectly disc-shaped' object also seen in Bristol. A sighting in Dandridge describes an oval, silver object flying along trees, and an Oak Ridge report mentions a small dark object floating above the city.

Crop Circles and Local Impact

An article from the Daily Republic, "Circles lure hordes to nearby businesses," discusses the impact of crop circles discovered in Rockville, California. The formations attracted hundreds of people, boosting local businesses like lemonade stands, cafes, and coffee houses. However, the increased foot traffic also damaged the crop circles and the farmers' wheat fields. The article notes international media coverage of the event.

Another piece from the Times, Pleasant Hill, MO, reports a UFO sighting south of Pleasant Hill, describing a 30-foot object with six bright amber lights. It notes similar sightings in other Missouri locations and across northwest Arkansas and Cuba, Missouri.

Historical UFO Incidents and Investigations

The Mountain Mail features a two-part series on a previously unreported UFO crash in Socorro County, New Mexico, involving non-human life forms and military recovery. The article revisits the famous 1964 Lonnie Zamora sighting and mentions eyewitnesses who claim to have seen the same UFO. It also touches on the broader UFO phenomenon in central New Mexico during the mid-20th century.

Another section, "Where Are They Now?" profiles Remigio 'Reme' Baca and Jose Padilla, who claim to have witnessed a UFO crash and recovery operation in San Antonio, New Mexico, in August 1945, predating other well-known incidents.

International UFO Reports

The Express, Burnley, England, reports on a sighting by taxi driver Steve Haworth of a silver cigar-shaped object with a pulsating light. The article notes that Burnley has a history of UFO sightings dating back to 1869.

The East Anglian Daily Times discusses a researcher dismissing a prank theory for the Rendlesham Forest UFO incident, highlighting inconsistencies in the claims.

The Express, Wakefield, England, features a Horbury couple who claim to have filmed a UFO near the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The Observer, Accrington, England, reports on a strange object photographed over the former Rists factory, with the photographer suggesting it might be related to discussions about a UFO sculpture.

The Express & Star, Wolverhampton, England, details an increase in UFO reports in the Black Country, with sightings of 'unexplainable lights and objects' and mentions a connection to earthquake occurrences.

The Daily Star, London, England, reports that 84 UFO cases have been documented by serving or retired UK police officers, suggesting these sightings lend weight to the case for extraterrestrial visitors.

The Evening News, Worcester, England, covers a 'UFO flap' with sightings of triangular objects and pearl-shaped objects in the skies.

The Evening Post, Bristol, England, interviews Denis Plunkett, a founder of the British UFO Research Organisation, about his 50 years of investigating UFOs, including 'Foo fighters' and the 'men in black'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include eyewitness testimony, the ongoing debate surrounding the Condon Report, the impact of UFO phenomena on local communities, and the persistent nature of UFO sightings across different countries and time periods. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and investigations without definitively concluding on the nature of UFOs, while acknowledging the skepticism and the scientific efforts to explain the phenomena. The publication itself, the UFO Newsclipping Service, acts as a collector and disseminator of these diverse reports and perspectives.

This issue of the Evening Post, dated September 23, 2003, features a prominent report on the death of UFO expert Graham Birdsall at the age of 49. It also includes coverage of a "Symposium on circles and UFOs" held in Glastonbury, England. The magazine presents a collection of articles detailing various UFO sightings and related phenomena from different parts of the world, alongside a historical perspective on UFO research.

Key Articles and Reports

UFO Expert Graham Birdsall Dies at 49

The lead story announces the passing of Graham Birdsall, a world authority on UFOs and editor of UFO Magazine. Birdsall died at 49 following a brain hemorrhage. He had been ill at his home in Colton, east Leeds, and underwent surgery. His son-in-law, Russel Callaghan, who helped produce the magazine, confirmed his death. Birdsall's interest in UFOs began in 1967 when he saw something strange from his garden. He dedicated his life to investigating the UFO phenomenon. He had recently completed a video called "The Journey" and was scheduled to lecture on UFOs during the final voyage of the QE2. His brother, Mark Birdsall, noted that they started the UFO Magazine about 20 years ago. Birdsall's funeral service was scheduled for September 30.

Symposium on Circles and UFOs

The Central Somerset Gazette reports on the 13th Glastonbury Symposium, focusing on crop circles and "Signs Of Our Times." The event, held over a weekend, featured speakers discussing crop circles, UFOs' history, alien abduction, and other mystical subjects. Speakers included Chet Snow, Peter Chin, Maurice Cotterell, and Budd Hopkins, who was set to speak about his investigations into alien abductions. An organizer, Sheila Martin, mentioned a trading room and displays of crop formations.

Historical Perspective: The British Flying Saucer Bureau

An article details the history and activities of the British Flying Saucer Bureau (BFSB), founded by Denis and his father. Denis recounts his experiences and beliefs, including a theory that UFOs might have influenced the disappearance of an aircraft over Chile. He also shares an anecdote about clashing with a skeptic from the Bristol Astronomical Society and his own sighting of lights in the sky in 1966. The article touches upon the "Men in Black" phenomenon and the increasing public belief in UFOs over time. It notes the challenges faced by the BFSB, including a drop in membership due to the rise of the internet and a lull in UFO activity, leading to the suspension of meetings.

International UFO Sightings and Incidents

Several reports from various newspapers detail UFO sightings and incidents across the globe:

• Australia: The Victorian UFO Research Society, based at Moorabbin airport, takes UFO sightings seriously. Publicity officer Paul Norman has been investigating UFO cases since the 1950s. He recounts a recent visit to the Grampians where reported UFO sightings stopped after two jet aircraft were heard in the area. The article also references the 1978 disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich, who reported seeing bright lights and instrument interference before vanishing.

• England: Douglas Wragg, a retired aviation enthusiast from Petts Wood, reported seeing a cylinder-shaped "UFO" resembling two rolls of carpet. Biggin Hill airport air traffic control did not detect the object on its radar.

• Wales: Residents of Penrhys reported seeing an object with green-and-red flashing lights hovering noiselessly over their area on August 12, 2003, while having a barbecue.

• Argentina: A report from Circulo Ovnilogico Riocuartense details the investigation of a dead and mutilated bovine near Rio Cuarto. Another report from San Salvador de Jujuy describes a journalistic team from Canal America 2 recording several UFOs near Maimara. A third report from Salta details three mechanics being followed by a large, spherical UFO for over two hours.

• Dominican Republic: Reports from Santiago and Navarrete discuss alleged crashes of two objects, with eyewitness accounts of smoke and metal chunks. Authorities are investigating, but no definitive explanation has been found.

• Chile: A report from Vina del Mar describes the recording of a red colored object with three vertexes moving swiftly over the coastline at high speed. Another report from La Serena discusses the SAG attributing strange animal deaths to canines, discarding the Chupacabras theory, though residents remain unconvinced.

• Spain: An article from Anyos-Luz discusses intense UFO activity around Cerro El Avila in Caracas, Venezuela, with reports of strange luminous and circular objects.

• China: A survey indicates that half of the Chinese population believes in UFOs, with China having a large number of UFO enthusiast organizations. The article mentions a 1998 incident where a Chinese fighter played a game of cat-and-mouse with an alleged UFO.

Other Items

• Fortena News: A brief report from Topeka, Kansas, mentions frog eggs raining on a man's roof due to Hurricane Isabel.

• Fate Magazine: An article discusses "Fate" magazine, a publication dedicated to paranormal phenomena, including UFOs, Bigfoot, and ghosts. It highlights the magazine's editor, Phyllis Galde, and its history, dating back to 1947 with the coining of the term "flying saucer."

• UW-Parkside Conference: An announcement for a conference at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside debating extraterrestrial life, featuring experts on Mars anomalies, intelligent design, and the possibility of alien life.

• Ashland Filmmakers: A report on filmmakers in Ashland, Oregon, consulting with children who claim to be "Indigoes" for their movie about advanced youngsters with psychic powers.

• New York Times Article: An article by Dennis Overbye discusses Enrico Fermi's paradox about the absence of extraterrestrial life despite the vastness of the universe, exploring various hypotheses such as the "zoo hypothesis."

• Disputed Map: A study suggests that the ink used to draw a disputed medieval map of the New World supports its authenticity.

• Bigfoot: A local column from Vance Orchard discusses a "petrified foot" found in the Burns area, linking it to Bigfoot theories.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and the ongoing investigation into the possibility of extraterrestrial life. There is a blend of contemporary reports on sightings and incidents with historical context, such as the founding of the British Flying Saucer Bureau and the origins of the "flying saucer" term. The articles generally present the subject matter with a degree of seriousness, even when discussing anecdotal evidence or speculative theories. The overall stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, acknowledging both skepticism and the persistent public interest in the subject. The death of Graham Birdsall underscores the dedication of individuals within the UFO research community.