UFO Newsclipping Service - 2004 01 - no 414

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO Newsclipping Service, dated January 2004, Number 414, is published by Lucius Farish and covers a range of UFO-related topics, including sightings, investigations, and historical cases. The cover headline highlights a report from Durango, Colorado, about a sighting of a low-flying boomerang-shaped craft.

Durangoan Reports He Saw UFO

The lead story details a sighting by Tim Butler in Durango, Colorado, on September 28th. Butler, a sound engineer, described seeing a silent, silver boomerang-shaped aircraft, estimated to be 40-60 feet long, flying over Fort Lewis College and the city. He noted its lack of markings, cockpit, tail, or visible propulsion, and that it made no sound. Butler theorizes it was unknown technology, possibly military. The article also mentions other sightings reported in Silverton, Colorado, by Anita Steck and Tammy Rhoades, and Chris Tousimis.

UFO Testing in Burnett?

This article reports on a sighting by Ted Wistrom and Heather Berrard near Grantsburg, Wisconsin, on a Wednesday evening. They observed a craft moving alongside Highway 87, then crossing the highway and hovering about 50-100 feet above a field. They described four rectangular orange lights on the rear of the craft, which turned blue and white when hovering. Wistrom believes the sightings might indicate some form of testing in the area. Officials in law enforcement and the DNR found no explanation.

Sci Fi Special Puts Kecksburg Mystery Under a Microscope

This article discusses a Sci Fi Channel special titled "The New Roswell: Kecksburg Exposed," which examines the 1965 Kecksburg UFO incident. Eyewitnesses like Robert Blystone and Bill Weaver recall seeing a "controlled fireball" and a "bluish light." Other accounts mention military presence and "unearthly screams." The special aims to explore the unanswered questions surrounding the event, including why the military was so anxious to cover it up.

At 84, Original 'Abductee' Still Wants to Believe

This piece focuses on Betty Hill, now 84, who claims to have been abducted by aliens with her late husband, Barney, in 1961. The article recounts their experience on Route 3 near Lancaster, New Hampshire, where they reported seeing a puzzling object in the sky. Under hypnosis, they described being taken aboard a craft and experimented upon by aliens. The article highlights the role of psychiatrist Benjamin Simon in documenting their story and mentions the subsequent media attention and a movie based on their experience. It also touches on the skepticism surrounding their claims and the scientific credentials of those who investigated.

Crop Circles Called Out of Teens' League

This article investigates crop circles that appeared in a Solano County, California, farmer's wheat field. While four teenagers initially confessed to creating them as a hoax, investigators from Psi Applications, including former NASA engineer Jean-Noel Aubrun, concluded the circles were too geometrically sophisticated to be man-made. They suggest the possibility of an "anomalous source" and mention findings related to microwave energy. The article notes that the boys who confessed have not recreated the circles when invited.

Timmerman Says the Truth Is Out There

This article features UFO researcher John Timmerman, who shares his experiences collecting UFO stories and investigating alleged incidents. He recounts an encounter with a man claiming to be a "disinformation man" for the U.S. government. Timmerman's interest in UFOs began in 1947 after reading about the Roswell incident. He worked with Dr. J. Allen Hynek and the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS), collecting over 1,200 interviews. He believes the U.S. government possesses information about UFOs and extraterrestrial life, which influences space exploration.

'UFOlogists' Focus on Documents at Sunset Station Conference

This piece previews a conference organized by Majestic Documents, focusing on "government coverups" and "paper trails" related to UFOs. The group aims to authenticate "leaked" documents about an alleged government program called Majestic 12. Speakers include Ryan Wood and Robert Wood, who have researched these documents. The article also touches on skepticism from figures like Phil Klass and the work of organizations like MUFON and NIDS in investigating UFO sightings.

Mystery of Mystic Proportions: Why Not Here?

This article profiles Roy Craig, former chief field investigator for the Condon Project, an Air Force-sponsored investigation that concluded without finding physical evidence for UFOs. Craig wrote "The UFO Song" and played it on his dulcimer. His extensive collection of papers related to UFO research has been donated to Texas A&M University's Cushing Memorial Library. The article notes Craig's enjoyment of UFO celebrations and his belief that UFO reports have changed popular culture, making people more accepting of the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligences.

Alien Owns My Mind

This foreign news clipping from Mercury, Leicester, England, details the experience of Lydia Stalnaker, who claims she was abducted by aliens in 1974 and had her mind merged with that of an alien named Antron. Stalnaker reportedly developed psychic abilities, including healing and telepathy, as a result. Experts like Dr. James Harder and Dr. Evelyn Brunson could not fault her story, and lie-detector tests reportedly supported her claims. Antron allegedly told Stalnaker that aliens had landed previously and were studying Earth.

UFOs Are Seen Flying Over Town

This clipping from Daventry, England, reports on Adrian Dalton's sighting of two "jellyfish-like objects" flying over his home. He described them as brown with dark centers and pulsating. The article also mentions a similar sighting recorded in Worcestershire and poses the question of whether Daventry is a target for extraterrestrial activity.

New UFO Theory

This brief report dismisses a theory that the Rendlesham Forest UFO incident was a prank by an American serviceman, citing inconsistencies. It mentions Georgina Bruni, author of a book on the incident, and the ongoing mystery surrounding the events of 1980.

'Spacecraft' Is Spotted in Our Skies

This article from Evening Star, Ipswich, England, discusses UFO investigators targeting Suffolk, England, following a sighting of a yellow, D-shaped object that changed shape and flew off. The witness contacted an organization that records UFO sightings. The article notes that sightings in East Anglia often involve objects flying inland from the sea and back again, and mentions the historic Rendlesham Forest incident.

Most UFO Sightings Are Explainable, Says Expert, But There Are Some

UFO researcher Chris Styles states that 90% of UFO sightings are mistakes, often mistaking bright lights like the International Space Station for alien spacecraft. However, he believes that proof of UFOs exists in government documents, citing detailed RCMP and Defence Department reports. He co-authored a book about a supposed UFO crash in Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the theme of unexplained aerial phenomena and the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics. There is a strong emphasis on government secrecy and cover-ups, with several articles discussing alleged leaked documents and the military's historical involvement in UFO investigations. The publication appears to lean towards presenting evidence and witness accounts, while acknowledging the skepticism surrounding these phenomena. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into the unknown, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of extraterrestrial life and unexplained events, even while acknowledging that many sightings can be explained by conventional means.

This issue of MERCURY, dated August 15, 2003, features a prominent cover story titled "I didn't believe in UFOs before that night," detailing a personal encounter with an unidentified flying object.

"I didn't believe in UFOs before that night"

The main article recounts the experience of Arthur Warrington, who claims to have seen a UFO over a shoe factory in Leicester, England, over 50 years ago. Warrington describes the object as circular, huge, and hovering a few hundred feet off the ground. He reported seeing occupants with big heads and eyes peering out of windows. Despite his earnest retelling, Warrington notes that many people do not believe him, stating, "Seeing is believing." He admits he hadn't heard of UFOs before the incident.

The article questions why aliens would choose such an ordinary location as Leicester for their visit. Warrington recalls the sighting occurred on a balmy Autumn night in mid-October. He insists he had not been drinking and was not scared, describing the object as non-threatening. He saw three men in white smocks with big eyes and big heads through one of the UFO's three windows.

Following the sighting, a report appeared in the Leicester Evening Mail, lending some credibility to his story. However, Warrington found that recounting the event often led to people's eyes glazing over.

Expert Opinions on UFO Sightings

Graham Birdsall, editor of UFO magazine, states that his desk receives over 500 reports annually, with up to 95% being explainable. However, he acknowledges that between 20 and 30 sightings per year remain unexplained.

Birdsall identifies Bonnybridge, Scotland, and Bonsall, Derbyshire, as hotspots for UFO sightings in the UK. He notes that Leicestershire has not had many reported incidents.

Kevin Yates, communications manager at the National Space Centre, expresses an open mind but finds such reports unlikely. He suggests that many accounts are likely misidentifications of weather balloons or the planet Venus, which can appear as a very bright light in the sky. Yates emphasizes the vast distances involved in space travel, noting that even the fastest spacecraft would take around 73,000 years to reach Earth, making extraterrestrial visits seem unlikely.

Related Sightings and Phenomena

The issue also includes brief reports on other UFO-related events:

• Walsall, England: Paul Riccobono claims to have made seven UFO sightings in six months, describing a shining, bell-like object moving sideways.
• Dover, England: A report mentions an "unprecedented number of UFO sightings," including a silent illumination hovering over the A258, and other unidentified objects seen in daylight. Chris Rolfe of UFO Monitors East Kent notes this is known as a "flat" when multiple reports come from one area.
• Ontario, Canada: Farmer Ervine Willert discovered crop circles in his 16-hectare wheat field. Researcher Joanna Emery suggests these formations are difficult to hoax due to changes at a cellular level, indicating they are likely natural.
• Basildon, England: Basildon is identified as an Essex hotspot for UFO sightings, with reports including flying black triangles and glowing white orbs. Mark Doulton of Southend UFO group notes sightings near Cranes Farm Road and a black drum-shaped object visible over St Nicholas Church.
• Whitehaven, England: A UFO was spotted over Whitehaven, described as a "big star surrounded by white lights and what appeared to be a framework." John Burns reported a pear-shaped object with no navigation lights, and some parts appeared to break off and fall to earth.
• Shepton Mallet, England: Residents reported seeing a strange, silent, dome-shaped light with a bright white flame at the bottom. Town clerk Graham Brown suggested it might have been the International Space Station, though some residents believe it was something else.
• Russia: Russian Civil Defense authorities sent a helicopter to Kemerovo after inhabitants claimed to have seen an unidentified flying object that gave the impression of having "landed."
• Argentina: A luminous object was seen traveling at airliner speed over Rosario.
• Casilda, Argentina: Neighbors reported seeing a "black elf" in the Candelaria channel, described as small, hairy, and black. Some believe it might be an otter, while others still hold to local legends.
• Lake Elsinore, California: Paul Groslouis, a self-proclaimed "Dr. Ghostlouis," photographs glowing orbs in cemeteries, believing them to be restless spirits.
• Spain: A scientific team is monitoring "megacryometeors" – large balls of ice falling from clear skies, possibly linked to global warming.
• Jersey Devil Legend: The article touches on the legend of the Jersey Devil in the Pinelands, with groups like the Pinelands Preservation Alliance and the "Devil Hunters" investigating reported sightings.
• Ogopogo: A UFO expert is joining a quest to find the mythical creature believed to lurk in Okanagan Lake, Canada.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the issue is the persistent human fascination with unexplained aerial phenomena and mysterious occurrences. The articles present a range of perspectives, from personal eyewitness accounts to expert analysis and skepticism. While some reports are attributed to misidentification or natural phenomena, others remain officially unexplained, fueling ongoing curiosity and research into UFOs and other paranormal events. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena and the public's interest in them, without necessarily endorsing any particular explanation.