UFO Newsclipping Service - 2004 06 - no 419

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO" (Newsclipping Service, June 2004, Number 419) is a compilation of articles from various newspapers, focusing on UFO sightings, investigations, and related phenomena. The cover headline "Out of this world" is accompanied by an image of a grey alien, setting the tone for the issue's content.

UFO Enthusiasts Share Reports, Stories (Brookford, NC)

The article "Out of this world" by Josh Yoder from the Record Staff Writer highlights a meeting of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) of North Carolina in Brookford. It features the story of Kate Hearn, a 78-year-old woman who claims to have seen 4-foot-tall "little men" in uniforms in a tobacco field in 1937. Despite past ridicule, Hearn shared her experience with receptive MUFON members. The article also mentions George Fawcett, the 74-year-old founder of the North Carolina chapter of MUFON, who has studied UFOs for 60 years and aims to provide a forum for people to share their experiences without ridicule. Fawcett notes that North Carolina ranked fourth in the nation for UFO sightings in 2003, with 85 towns reporting activity. Bill Stanley presented ideas from Zecharia Sitchin, who theorized that human civilization was influenced by extraterrestrial visitors. Bob Null, a 63-year-old enthusiast, expressed his long-standing fascination with UFOs.

Meteor May Be Culprit in Tuesday Night Mystery (Conway, AR)

This article by Becky Harris from the Log Cabin Democrat reports on a "big boom" and a streak of light over Central Arkansas, potentially caused by a meteor. Callers reported the noise and dogs reacting fearfully, while baseball game attendees described a "shooting star" as "big as the moon." NASA's website explains that bright meteors, or fireballs, can produce sonic booms when they pass through the atmosphere at high speeds.

UFO Witnesses Sought for Investigation (Lincolnton, NC)

George W. Fawcett, a field investigator, is seeking witnesses in Lincolnton who reported seeing two cigar-shaped UFOs flying west to east on April 1 at 6:14 p.m. The witness, an aviation professional, contacted the National UFO Reporting Center. The objects were estimated to be at 15,000 feet, traveling at high speed without vapor trails or sound. Fawcett is investigating this and other cases and asks witnesses to contact him confidentially.

Star Wars: Three Wisconsin Towns Duke It Out for the Title of UFO Capital of the World (Chicago, IL)

By Josh Schonwald, this article explores the rivalry between Dundee, Belleville, and Elmwood, Wisconsin, each claiming to be the "UFO Capital of the World." Wisconsin has a history of paranormal reports, with a 1947-1969 air force survey showing more sightings than any state except New Mexico. Elmwood's claim began in 1975 with officer George Wheeler's sighting of a flaming ball, leading to an annual "UFO Days" festival. Belleville's claims started in 1987 with officer Glen Kazmar reporting flashing lights, also leading to a UFO festival. Dundee, a smaller town, boasts a UFO theme at Benson's Hide-A-Way bar and hosts its own "UFO Daze." The article details the origins of these claims, the media attention they garnered, and the economic impact of the UFO festivals on these small towns. It also touches upon the skepticism surrounding some claims and the commercialization of UFO experiences.

The Dubious Believer: A UFO Hunter Demands Evidence (Eau Claire, WI)

This piece by Chad Lewis profiles his work as a paranormal investigator. Lewis, who holds a master's degree in applied psychology, approaches UFO reports with "vigilant skepticism," prioritizing evidence and logical explanations. He often debunks sightings, attributing them to planes, planets, or satellites. Lewis is critical of UFO capitals that benefit from tourism and expresses doubt about some claims, though he acknowledges Dundee as a central hub for UFO information. He is working on a book about Wisconsin's strange history, covering various paranormal phenomena.

PhilStanford: On the Town - 3 Days Before Roswell, Portland Buzzed By Saucers (Portland, OR)

This column by Phil Stanford recounts reports of flying saucers over Portland, Oregon, on July 4, 1947. Police officers, pilots, and civilians reported seeing silvery discs traveling in formation. The article notes that the Portland sighting is generally acknowledged as the largest, and discusses expert opinions at the time, including a psychology professor suggesting mass hallucination due to public anxiety over atomic warfare.

Topanga Canyon, a 'UFO hotspot' (Malibu, CA)

Preston Dennett, author of "UFOs over Topanga Canyon," is featured in this article by Jonathan Friedman. Dennett believes extraterrestrials regularly visit Earth and considers Topanga Canyon a "UFO hotspot." He recounts a "UFO wave" in the summer of 1992 and mentions sightings by the Mexican Air Force. The article also references the 1947 Roswell incident and a 1996 Gallup Poll indicating that 72% of Americans believe in life elsewhere in the universe. Dennett is scheduled to sign his book.

Skeptic Doubts Saucers Fly (Eugene, OR)

Mark Baker's article introduces Robert Sheaffer, a UFO skeptic and writer who challenges claims of alien contact, specifically mentioning Billy Meier's alleged contact with beings from "Pleiades." Sheaffer, who has studied UFOs for 25 years, will give talks debunking UFO cases. He discusses the famous Trent case in McMinnville, Oregon, suggesting the photos were a hoax involving a pickup truck's side mirror. The article also mentions the 5th Annual UFO Festival in McMinnville and the prevalence of UFO-related events in Oregon.

Letters to the Editor (Cherryville, NC)

George D. Fawcett, a field investigator for MUFON-NC, Inc., seeks a Cherryville resident who reported a unique UFO encounter near a pier involving a "misty blue rectangular-shaped UFO." The witness reported the encounter to the National UFO Reporting Center in November 2003. Fawcett is investigating this and other local cases and requests contact.

Close Encounters: My Father Was Always on the Lookout for Aliens. His Obsession Made His Kids Expect the Inconceivable. (New York, NY)

By Dan Barry, this personal essay reflects on growing up in a family where the father's obsession with UFOs and paranormal phenomena shaped the children's worldview. Barry describes childhood experiences of late-night discussions, strange packages, and family outings to look for UFOs. He posits that these experiences taught larger lessons about life's fragility and the possibility of the extraordinary.

Crop Circles Appear in County (Corning, AR)

Fred Martin reports on the appearance of a large crop circle in a wheat field in Western Clay County. The design, described as a moving wagon wheel, features flattened wheat in concentric circles and spokes. The article notes the absence of tracks and evidence of human entry. Nancy Talbott of BLT (Burke, Levengood, and Talbott) is researching crop circles, examining soil and root systems with scientists from the University of California, Davis, to understand the effects of energy on plants.

Foreign News: We Are Not Alone! Squadron of UFOs Is Filmed Chasing an Air Force Plane (London, England)

This article from the Daily Mail reports on a Mexican Air Force reconnaissance plane capturing footage of 11 unidentified flying objects (UFOs) on March 5. The objects, described as bright points of light or large headlights, moved rapidly and surrounded the jet. Lieutenant Mario Adrian Vazquez stated, "I think they're completely real." The Mexican government's release of the video is seen by British UFO expert Richard Lawrence as a significant step towards openness about UFO activity.

Air Force Pilots Film UFOs Over Mexico (Vancouver, B.C., Canada)

This report from Province details the same incident as the Daily Mail article, confirming that Mexican air force pilots filmed 11 unidentified flying objects. Radar operator Lt. German Marin expressed fear, stating, "A little afraid because we were facing something that had never happened before." The video was aired on national television and presented by UFO investigator Jaime Maussan.

Mexican Military Mum on UFO Report (Little Rock, AR)

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that Mexican Defense Secretary Ricardo Vega Garcia stated the military had made no conclusions about the UFOs filmed by Air Force pilots, emphasizing that UFO investigator Jaime Maussan's interpretation was his own.

The Thing From Outer Space (Wiltshire, England)

This article from the Warminster Journal identifies Cley Hill in Wiltshire as the second most likely place in the UK to be abducted by aliens. Over 50 years, thousands have reported seeing UFOs near the iron age fort. Various types of UFOs, including "foo fighters," have been reported. The article mentions a list of top 40 UK UFO hotspots compiled by Grolsch, with Bonnybridge, Scotland, topping the list, followed by Cley Hill and the Great Orme in Wales.

Great Orme is a Hotspot for UFOs (Conwy, Wales)

Nick Pope, an author and ufologist, compiled a list of the top 40 vantage points for UFO sightings, placing the Great Orme in Llandudno at number three. Pope admits there is no precise system for recording sightings but claims these hotspots exhibit significantly more sightings than other areas. Bonnybridge, Scotland, is listed as number one.

Our UFOs on Film (Cannock, England)

This article from the Burntwood Post discusses a documentary titled "Flying Triangles" produced by a UFO group in Cannock, England. The film investigates mysterious craft seen over Cannock Chase, an area known for UFO activity since the late 1980s and early 1990s. Graham Allen, director of the Staffordshire UFO Group, believes the documentary, which includes interviews with MoD officials and police, could put Cannock on the UFO map. The film compares sightings to the Belgian Triangle incident.

Wales of the Unexpected: Were Fairies the Aliens of the Past? (Liverpool, England)

By Richard Holland, this article draws parallels between historical beliefs in fairies and modern UFO sightings. It recounts a story from the 19th century where a servant named Dafydd Fawr experienced missing time after witnessing a "brilliant meteor" followed by a "ring or hoop of fire" with a man and woman inside, who then created a circle on the ground. The author questions whether fairies were the aliens of our ancestors, noting similarities in missing time experiences.

ECHO Alien Story Sparks Revelation: 'I Was Beamed Into Spaceship' (Loughborough, England)

This article from the Echo features Robert Stephenson, a Loughborough resident who claims he was beamed into a spaceship two and a half years prior. He describes the beings as "humans from the future," with one resembling Jesus. Stephenson states he became aggressive during the examination and was returned home with no time having passed. He was inspired to share his story after reading about UK UFO hotspots in the Echo.

Close Encounters: Aliens Head for Cley Hill (Trowbridge, England)

Matt Wilkinson reports on Cley Hill in Warminster, identified as a hotspot for UFOs and alien abductions. The article mentions that thousands have experienced mysterious lights and sounds around the ancient fort over the past 40 years. It notes that the area became an unofficial observatory for British UFO spotters in the 1960s. Christopher Martin, a UFO expert who claims to have been abducted, describes the classic abduction scenario. Many sightings are dismissed as military aircraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings globally, the ongoing investigation into these phenomena by various organizations and individuals, and the debate between believers and skeptics. There's a focus on specific locations identified as UFO hotspots (Wisconsin towns, Topanga Canyon, Cley Hill, Great Orme, Cannock Chase) and the cultural impact of these sightings, including festivals and documentaries. The issue also touches upon the role of military and government in acknowledging or investigating UFOs, as seen in the Mexican Air Force report. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting a wide range of UFO-related news and personal accounts, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions while highlighting the persistent interest and investigation into the unknown.

This issue of the Telegraph & Argus, dated April 14, 2004, features a prominent cover story titled "The UFO incident that left Tony a marked man...", focusing on the experiences of UFO investigator Tony Dodd. The magazine also includes articles on Bigfoot sightings, Chupacabras reports, and an ancient artefact that may depict a spacecraft.

The UFO Incident That Left Tony a Marked Man...

The main article details the 26-year investigation into unexplained phenomena by Tony Dodd, a former policeman. Dodd recounts his personal experiences, including witnessing UFOs firsthand, being followed by shadowy figures, and receiving sensitive information about alleged government cover-ups. He describes an incident in 1978 where he and a colleague saw a disc-shaped object with a dome and port holes. He also recounts a later experience where a hovering object returned and appeared to scan them. Dodd's wife was initially skeptical but later witnessed a similar phenomenon, which frightened her. He established a UFO hotline that received hundreds of reports. During the 1980s, Dodd lectured internationally and appeared in media. After retiring in 1988, he investigated a report of a craft being shot down in the Kalahari Desert. In 1989, while lecturing in Tucson, Arizona, Dodd was threatened by two men claiming to be from the US government, who warned him to be careful about what he was doing. Similar threats and intimidation continued, including a visit from an NSA agent. Dodd believes governments are withholding information about aliens because it would "freak people out."

Want to be abducted by aliens in a UFO?

This article, by Gordon McCully, highlights Rivington Moor in Chorley as the 19th top spot in the UK for alien abductions, according to research for a book and a Grolsch beer advertising campaign. Local UFO enthusiasts Kris and Terry Costello report seeing three orange lights in a triangle formation over Rivington. The article encourages readers who have seen UFOs to contact the Chorley Citizen.

In search of truth

This section features an interview with extraterrestrial expert Eric Morris and discusses the British UFO Studies Centre (BUFOSC) and the Crop Circle Studies Centre (CCCSC). These organizations investigate UFOs and crop circles, receiving numerous reports and using video cameras for quick response. They have participated in BBC and independent television programs. They exclusively showed footage of a UFO flying over Hartford in 2001 and are working on a documentary about the Rendlesham Forest UFO crash. BUFOSC and CCCSC hold regular meetings and conferences, and have successfully campaigned for the release of classified Ministry of Defence letters related to the Rendlesham Forest incident.

Translations

This section presents translated reports from various South American and Spanish newspapers:

• New Chupacabras Attacks in South America (Chile): Arturo Strange reports multiple hen attacks attributed to the Chupacabras, with 25 hens killed. Veterinarian Andres Norambuena is investigating, considering dog or mink attacks but not ruling out the Chupacabras. Local residents have also reported seeing an unknown animal.
• Sheep Found Dead with Wounds (Chile): In Chillan, 15 sheep were found dead with wounds on their heads and necks, attributed by farmers to the Chupacabras. Experts suggest canine attacks are the most likely explanation.
• Teenager Reports Seeing UFO Over Atxondo (Spain): A 14-year-old boy reported seeing a luminous artifact with unusual lights and speed over Apatamonasterio. A woman also reported seeing three small white lights.
• Chupacabras in Providencia? (Chile): Workers found three animal carcasses with unusual features, leading to speculation about the Chupacabras. The skeletons will be examined by veterinarians.
• UFO Over Capilla del Monte (Argentina): A resident reported a yellow light traveling east-west at an estimated elevation of 150 meters.
• Langreo--A Haven for UFOs? (Spain): Maria del Pilar Davila recorded a video of six lights forming an "L" shape, which could not be explained by conventional phenomena.
• Havana Residents Claim Having Seen UFO (Cuba): Several people claimed to have witnessed a UFO landing near EXPOCUBA, described as a small, silver-colored vessel.
• UFO Flies Over Ubate (Colombia): Photographs taken by David Lopez show a small white dot with red and violet hues, which appeared in the images after being taken.
• UFO Crashes in Venezuela?: An unidentified flying object reportedly crashed near the Raul Leoni Hydroelectric Station, with US personnel observed at the site. Seismography registered movement at the time.
• Cattle Mutilations in Rio Cuarto (Argentina): A farmer reported a cattle mutilation case, with the animal missing an eye, ear, and part of its udder and anus. The hair appeared singed. The same night, witnesses saw a bright object moving across the sky.
• UFO Sighting Over Barcelona (Spain): Ms. N.M. reported seeing an unidentified flying object described as a "rhomboid with one of its vertexes broken off or truncated, or rather folded in," having a shiny orange color.
• Luminous Object Over Galicia and Portugal (Spain): An unidentified luminous object was seen over southern Galicia and Portugal, described as a "cosmic rock" or "bolide" by an observatory director, though military experiments were not ruled out.
• Enrique Sepulveda: "As a photographer I don't believe it's a trick" (Chile): A photographer submitted an image of a possible alien figure, described as small with a greyish-green color, though its authenticity is debated.

IS THIS PROOF ALIENS LANDED ON EARTH?

This article by Zecharia Sitchin discusses a 3,000-year-old artefact found in Turkey that resembles a cone-nosed rocket ship with a pilot. Sitchin argues that this sculpture, kept hidden for decades, could be physical proof of alien astronauts visiting Earth in ancient times. He draws parallels with ancient texts from Sumerians, Egyptians, and the Hebrew Bible that describe flying vehicles and celestial beings. The artefact was initially dismissed as a forgery by the Istanbul Archaeological Museum but was later displayed as a "dubious" item. Sitchin suggests that the "headless spaceman" sculpture may be a genuine artefact, potentially linking ancient myths of "fallen ones" to extraterrestrial visitors.

NASA directive on disaster film irks workers

This brief report states that NASA issued a directive to its scientists and officials to avoid commenting on the film "The Day After Tomorrow." The agency was concerned that the film's depiction of global warming causing an ice age might lead the public to blame the Bush administration for inaction on climate change. While initially limiting comments, NASA later appeared to relax its stance, making scientists available to discuss issues raised by the film.

In search of the elusive Bigfoot

This article by Dennis McCaslin explores the phenomenon of Bigfoot sightings, particularly in Arkansas. While Scott and Sebastian counties have had few credible reports, the area around Fouke, Arkansas, has a history of sightings known as the "Boggy Creek Monster," which has become a local tourism draw. McCaslin recounts a report from LeFlore County of a creature described as 6-7 feet tall with reddish-brown fur. He also shares a personal anecdote about seeing a kangaroo, emphasizing the difficulty of being believed when reporting unusual sightings.

Bigfoot revisited

Dennis McCaslin follows up on Bigfoot reports, detailing an incident near Mansfield, Arkansas, where a couple reported seeing a large, hairy, bipedal creature. They found strands of long black hair caught in a fence near the sighting location. McCaslin expresses his belief that the witnesses are credible and intends to have the hair analyzed. He also mentions another report on Highway 378 and discusses the frustration of not being believed when reporting unusual experiences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of unexplained phenomena, including UFOs, aliens, and cryptids like Bigfoot. There is a strong emphasis on investigative journalism, with reporters and experts seeking evidence and interviewing witnesses. The articles often touch upon the idea of government cover-ups and public skepticism towards these subjects. The overall stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting evidence and witness accounts while acknowledging the lack of definitive scientific proof. The inclusion of translated reports from international sources broadens the scope of the phenomena discussed, suggesting these are global occurrences.