UFO Newsclipping Service - 2004 08 - no 421

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated August 2004 and issue number 421, compiles reports and articles related to UFO sightings and related phenomena from various publications. The cover story, "True believer: Woman keeps eyes on skies for UFO activity," features Davina Ryszka, a volunteer investigator for MUFON in Colorado.

Davina Ryszka: A Dedicated Investigator

Davina Ryszka became fascinated with UFOs as a child in Montana. Now, as a MUFON field investigator for 14 Western Slope counties, she probes hundreds of sightings. Ryszka, a cafeteria worker, interviews witnesses, collects evidence like photos and videos, and files reports. She was inspired by a video of three pulsating, round objects seen by hunters in 1996 and has amassed a large library of UFO-related materials. She believes the US government may be covering up UFO activity and that citizens have a right to know what is happening in their skies. She can be contacted for sightings at 874-8679.

"The Worm": Strange Sightings in Wenatchee

An article titled "The Worm: Things are getting weird around here" from the WORLD newspaper in Wenatchee, WA, reports on recent UFO sightings. A resident spotted a red-silver object streaking across the sky, making a 90-degree turn and heading upwards. Another resident reported an object with red and white flashing lights crossing the Columbia River, which also performed a sharp turn. These incidents have led to speculation about non-airplane phenomena.

Rockville Crop Circles: A Year Later

The Daily Republic in Fairfield, CA, revisits the crop circle phenomenon that appeared in Rockville a year prior. Farmer Larry Balestra discovered a large, symmetrical design in his wheat field. The event drew national attention, with psychics and researchers flocking to the area. While some claimed to feel healing energy, the origin remains debated. Four teenagers initially confessed to creating the circles as a hoax, but their story had inconsistencies. Research by PsiApplications suggested the circles were subjected to microwave energy and required advanced geometric knowledge. Balestra has since planted black-eyed peas in the field.

Tilden Crop Circles: Skepticism and Investigation

The Chippewa Herald in Wisconsin reports on paranormal investigators Chad Lewis and Terry Fisk examining crop circles in Tilden. Farmer Francis Swoboda, whose field hosted the circles, is skeptical, believing they were likely made by pranksters. The circles, appearing in an oat field, were investigated for signs of human or extraterrestrial creation. Investigators noted the circles' rough appearance compared to others and found evidence of a pre-existing footpath. Samples were taken for testing, and theories ranged from government airplanes to humans.

Clinton, MO UFO Report

The EYE newspaper in Clinton, MO, details a UFO report from May 21, 2004. A resident described a blinking, diamond-shaped object seen for five minutes. The report, submitted to the National UFO Reporting Center, describes the object as having lights in the middle and turning in circles. The witness attempted to photograph the craft, capturing an orange object with a blue craft behind it.

UFOs: Maybe Not So Real?

Keith Gebers, writing for the Citizen in Elk Grove, CA, reflects on his lifelong fascination with UFOs, noting that while he doesn't put much stock in their probability anymore, he once did. He recounts his teenage experiences searching for UFOs and designing models. He discusses the influence of Donald Keyhoe's book "The Flying Saucers Are Real" and his later realization of Keyhoe's fictional writing background. Gebers also mentions the biblical angle and the possibility of "Foo Fighters" or secret military weapons.

Unlimited Financial Opportunity in UFOs

A Tribune article from Chicago, IL, discusses the concept of an "intergalactic currency" called the Galacto, proposed by a Bulgarian foundation for interplanetary trade. It also touches on Mark Kimmel's belief that extraterrestrials are warning humanity about environmental issues. The article contrasts these beliefs with skepticism from figures like Jim Underdown, who argues there is no physical evidence of aliens and that proponents of such ideas are profiting from them.

Boyne Valley UFO Claims Denied

The Leader in Drogheda, Ireland, reports on claims by UFO and Paranormal Research Ireland (UPRI) that an Aer Lingus 737-400 was damaged by a triangular UFO over Slane. UPRI member Carl Nally alleges the UFO circled the plane, causing a power drain and wake turbulence that damaged the aircraft's wings. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) denies the claims, stating no report was filed and that such incidents would be well-documented. The IAA spokesperson called the story "not credible."

Last Night's TV: The British UFO Files

A review from the Northern Echo discusses "The British UFO Files" on BBC2, which examined unexplained events in the skies over Britain. The review notes the reliance on government files and eyewitness accounts, including those of pilots. The reviewer remains unconvinced, referencing the "Flying Saucer Working Party's" conclusion that sightings could be explained by mistaken identification or intoxication.

UFO Video Could Be Key in Enthusiast's Career

Laurence Iliff writes for the Morning News in Dallas, TX, about Jaime Maussan, a Mexican journalist and UFO enthusiast. Maussan claims to have secured definitive proof of extraterrestrial visitors from a Mexican air force video showing 11 unexplained luminous flying objects. The article highlights Maussan's credibility issues among scientists but notes the military's cooperation due to a perceived lack of other researchers. Maussan believes the universe is full of intelligent life and that these entities are trying to communicate with humanity.

Are We Alone? A 1949 UFO Sighting

The Hoosier Times in Bloomington, IN, features Clifford "Spike" Nail's account of a UFO sighting in 1949. Nail described a silvery, cylinder-shaped object hovering above treetops. He believes the US government has known about UFOs for a long time and questions conventional historical accounts, suggesting advanced ancient civilizations. The article also mentions a Gallup poll indicating significant public belief in UFOs and notes that even Jimmy Carter reported a UFO sighting.

Researcher Hovers Around Theory of Crop Circles

Shawn Windsor reports for the Daily News in Fort Walton Beach, FL, on Mike Esper, who discovered three crop circles on his farm. Esper believes they are not man-made and are the result of an unexplainable natural phenomenon. Researcher Jeffrey Wilson studied the circles and noted higher radiation levels in the center. The article explores theories linking crop circles to electromagnetic fields and transformers, drawing parallels to the discovery of sprites and jets in atmospheric research.

UFO Bore a Wake-Up Call to Save Earth, a Phoenix Doctor Says

Alfred Lubrano writes for the Inquirer in Philadelphia, PA, about Lynne Kitei, a Phoenix doctor who witnessed the "Phoenix Lights" in 1997. Kitei describes the experience as "awesome" and felt an "intelligent presence." She believes the lights delivered a message that humanity must "wake up before we destroy our world." The article contrasts Kitei's beliefs with debunkers like Philip Plait and James Oberg, who attribute such sightings to mundane explanations or self-deception.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This collection of articles consistently explores the theme of unexplained aerial phenomena, primarily UFOs and crop circles. There's a recurring tension between eyewitness accounts and scientific skepticism, with many articles highlighting the challenges of proving the existence of extraterrestrial visitors. The role of government secrecy and potential cover-ups is also a recurring motif. The publications generally present the information without taking a definitive stance, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, though the inclusion of investigator interviews and eyewitness testimonies leans towards validating the phenomena's existence for the purpose of reporting.

This issue of ALIEN NATION from June 25, 2004, explores a wide range of paranormal phenomena, with a particular focus on UFO sightings, alien encounters, and other unexplained mysteries.

Reader Opinions on UFOs

The cover story, "Open minds on subject of Unidentified Flying Objects," presents the views of several readers from Drogheda, Ireland, on the possibility of alien life. Bridie Maxwell believes "nothing is impossible," while Louise Davis remains skeptical, calling abductees "mad." Dolores King explicitly states she "doesn't believe in UFOs at all," attributing sightings to attention-seeking behavior. In contrast, Fr. Paddy Rushe believes "they are out there" in the vast universe, and Sandra O'Sullivan agrees that it would be "pretty big-headed" to think humans are alone, suggesting there must be "something behind all these claims and sightings."

UFO Sighting in Ireland

An article by Paul Dykes, "'UFO' is spotted in skies," reports on two men working on a radio mast in Co. Monaghan who claim to have seen a "delta-winged craft" traversing the sky at ultrasonic speed. Miles Johnston of the Irish UFO Research Centre is convinced it was an "advanced space craft," and Terry Malone described the object as "absolutely enormous!" and "gone in an instant."

Irish UFO Sightings and Paranormal Phenomena

Esther McCarthy's article, "New book probes Irish UFO sightings," introduces "Paranormal Ireland" by Dara deFaoite, which documents UFO and ghostly phenomena in Ireland. Eamonn Ansbro, an astronomer from Roscommon, has built his own observatory to track "Anomalous Observational Phenomena" and notes frequent UFO activity in the region. Betty Meyler, who founded a UFO Society after her own close encounter, is organizing the first Irish international conference on UFOs at NUI Galway. The conference features speakers like Dr. Roger K Leir, who claims to have removed "implanted objects" from alleged alien abductees, and Stanton T Friedman, an investigator of the Roswell incident.

"Winged Dog" Attacks in Chile

Several translated articles from Chile detail a series of mysterious attacks attributed to unknown creatures. Juan Acuna of Parral claims to have been attacked by "two strange beings, like earless dogs with wings," possessing "demonic strength." Forensic analyses of his injuries suggest an animal attack, but of an unknown species. Similar incidents include the deaths of sheep and hens, with descriptions of the attackers often matching "winged dogs" or creatures with sharp claws. The phenomenon has spread fear and incredulity in the region, with some linking it to the mythical "Chupacabras."

Crop Circle Warnings

An article from Mid-Devon Advertiser warns farmers are urging "pranksters not to create crop circles" due to damage to livelihoods. The Oxfordshire Crop Circle Group (OCCG) notes a lack of recent crop circles, but the National Farmers' Union (NFU) appeals to people to "think twice" about trespassing and damaging crops. While the NFU believes most crop circles are man-made, the debate continues over whether they are caused by unusual weather, supernatural forces, or UFOs.

Bigfoot and Cryptozoology

Several articles focus on cryptozoology. The FORTEANA NEWS section highlights the "Third Annual Southern Crypto Conference" in Conroe, Texas, featuring discussions on Bigfoot, black panthers, and other cryptids. Chester Moore, founder of the conference, is researching jaguarundis and believes in a "hidden species of 'bi-pedal primate."' Bob Gimlin, who filmed the famous 1967 Bigfoot footage, is a keynote speaker, though a new claim suggests the footage may be a hoax. Another article from the National Post reports two Yukon residents seeing what they believe to be Sasquatch on the Alaska Highway. The Citizen newspaper details possible "buttock impressions" from Bigfoot found in Washington State, examined by researchers D. Jeffrey Meldrum and Daris Swindler.

Other Paranormal Reports

"I saw Ogopogo twice, woman says" by David Wylle reports on Debbie Gelter of Vernon, Canada, who claims to have seen the legendary lake monster twice in Okanagan Lake. The ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE features "It's raining fish" in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where a thunderstorm reportedly caused small fish to fall from the sky. The EVENING PRESS reports on Russell Kellett, a UFO and paranormal investigator, joining the hunt for the "mysterious black panther" in North Yorkshire, England. The IDAHO PRESS-TRIBUNE details Ralph Birdwell's claim of finding "special stones" that he believes are meteorites, though a Boise State University expert suggests they are likely old earth stones.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of the unknown, the questioning of established scientific explanations, and the presentation of eyewitness accounts of unexplained phenomena. The magazine appears to maintain an open-minded stance, giving voice to various perspectives on UFOs, cryptids, and other paranormal events, while also including skeptical viewpoints and scientific analyses. The translations section highlights a global interest in these topics, particularly from South America.