UFO Newsclipping Service - 2006 09 - no 446

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated September 2006, focuses on the 40th anniversary of a significant UFO sighting at Presque Isle State Park in 1966, which garnered national attention. It also delves into recent government studies and expert opinions on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), exploring the possibility of extraterrestrial life and government secrecy surrounding the topic.

Presque Isle 'Sighting' Drew National Attention in 1966

The lead article recounts the events of July 31, 1966, when park police officers Ralph Clark and Bob Loeb responded to a stranded motorist at Presque Isle State Park. They encountered Betty Jean Klem and Douglas J. Tibbets, who reported seeing a metallic, mushroom-shaped craft with bright lights descend and cause their car to vibrate. Klem described the object as silvery and the craft as having a narrow base. Tibbets reported seeing the object hover and a beam of light. Later, Klem reported seeing a dark, featureless creature. The incident drew significant attention, and the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book listed the sighting as unexplained.

Gerald LaBelle, who was with the group, missed the initial sighting but arrived later with friends to find them in a state of panic. The park was subsequently swarmed by the U.S. Air Force, state police, and curious citizens. Two park police officers found triangular impressions in the sand near where the car had been. The Air Force's investigation concluded that while some sightings could be explained as common objects, 701, including Presque Isle, were unexplained.

Clark himself now wonders if the object was a military experiment. The article notes that Anita Haifley, another witness, wanted nothing more to do with the incident after it made her a household name.

ET for World Peace Conference

This section reports on the Extraterrestrial Civilizations and World Peace Conference held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The conference brought together speakers discussing topics such as Bigfoot, alien abductions, and UFO encounters, aiming to promote world peace and environmental protection. Angelika Whitecliff, co-founder of the Exopolitics Institute, stated that extraterrestrials are assisting humans in these efforts. The conference concluded with the drafting of the 'Hawaii Declaration.' Speakers included Joan Ocean, who spoke of dolphin communications with underwater extraterrestrial spaceships, and former Canadian Minister for National Defense Pal Hellyer.

C.B. Scott Jones, a peace activist, expressed his belief that secrets about extraterrestrial activity are being kept from the public due to fear and a lack of trust, urging for more open disclosure.

The Intergalactic Tourists Came a Really Long Way

This article from the Nevada Herald explores the area around Area 51, focusing on Rachel, Nevada, and the 'Little A'Le'Inn' restaurant. The author met a life-sized inflatable alien toy and discussed the reputation of the area as a center of alleged UFO activity. The article mentions 'Janet' flights, which are government-operated 737s shuttling workers to Area 51. Chuck Clark, a local UFO enthusiast, provided his handbook on Area 51. Explanations for sightings include flares, satellites, military operations, and weather balloons, though some, like Chuck Clark, suggest possibilities like particle beams or extraterrestrial spaceships.

UFOs: Can They All Be Hoaxes?

This clipping from the Daily Mail discusses a newly published top-secret British government study that reveals thousands of alien sightings reported by highly respected military personnel, not just 'cranks.' The article highlights historical sightings, including one by astronaut Gordon Cooper in 1951, and mentions the U.S. Air Force's investigation into UFOs. It notes that while up to 95 percent of sightings can be explained conventionally, tens of thousands remain unexplained. The study suggests that the proliferation of sightings during World War II might be linked to the dawn of the nuclear age, necessitating increased surveillance by advanced intelligences.

Documents declassified by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) reveal that military personnel have recorded significant sightings. The article mentions a 1933 report of a grounded flying disc near Milan and a 1936 report of an unknown flying craft near Venice. During World War II, sightings intensified, with reports from Allied and Axis airmen of small, remotely controlled objects. The article also touches upon the 'ghost rockets' wave in 1946 and the U.S. War Department's review of these sightings.

Alien Encounters Prompt Book

This article from The Okanagan Sunday features Corina Saebels, who is self-publishing a book on UFO encounters based on her experiences since childhood. She describes an encounter on July 31, 2003, involving erratic lights that merged into a bright green object, followed by a feeling of strange energy and physical effects. Saebels believes aliens collect biological samples. The article also references the Roswell incident and claims by Lieutenant Colonel Philip Corso about recovered alien technology and an alien life-form.

Crop Circle Shaped Like Music Note Sparks Debate

This report from Province discusses a crop circle discovered in a barley field near Armstrong, Canada. Pilot Clarence Glaicar discovered the circle, which appeared to be shaped like a music note. While the farmer, Jack Noble, believes it's a hoax, others find it eerie. Researchers from the Canadian Crop Circle Research Network and BLT Research Team are investigating, with initial indications suggesting it might be a fake due to its location and lack of typical signs of authenticity, such as plant stem elongation.

Is it a bird? Is it a spaceship? No, it's a secret US spy plane

This Guardian article discusses the alleged existence of a secret U.S. spy plane, 'Aurora,' capable of hypersonic speeds. Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act suggest the UK Ministry of Defence took UFO-like reports seriously, even if publicly downplayed. The article mentions sightings by Chris Gibson in 1989 and a batch of sightings in 1993 over Devon, Cornwall, and Shropshire, which were later attributed to a Russian rocket re-entering the atmosphere, though the MoD suspected Aurora. The report indicates that the MoD knew about Aurora and that some UAP reports can be attributed to covert U.S. aircraft programs, with certain viewing angles potentially described as 'saucer-like.'

Explaining Unexplained

This clipping from the Daily Mail discusses a Ministry of Defence (MoD) study that concluded UFOs are likely bizarre electrical phenomena, such as 'plasmas,' rather than alien spacecraft. The 400-page document, released under the Freedom of Information Act, suggests that areas prone to dust and industrial pollutants may have a higher prevalence of UFO sightings. The report states that these objects are not intelligently controlled but move in response to natural electrical fields. It also suggests that plasmas might be remnants of meteors. The study explored the possibility that plasma fields could affect human temporal lobes, causing hallucinations, and noted that plasma objects might have been a factor in some aircraft accidents.

However, UFO investigator Russ Kellett dismisses the MoD study as a 'whitewash,' arguing that 'plasmas' are just a theory and that the MoD has not captured a plasma ball. He believes there is more to the mysterious lights in the sky than the MoD admits.

'UFO sighting was no drink or dream vision'

This article from Times, Berkhamsted, features Arthur Cherry, who claims to have witnessed a glowing lime green orb flying past his bedroom window. He describes the object as moving fast and slow, and while he doesn't claim it was a UFO, he seeks a normal explanation. He believes others may have seen similar phenomena but are afraid to come forward. The article notes that UFO sightings in Kent are not uncommon, with several reported in recent years.

The Real X Files

This Daily Express article discusses the publication of a secret British government study on UFO sightings, code-named Project Condign. The author, Nick Pope, who worked on the MoD's UFO Project, states that the report offers tantalizing evidence that 'we are not alone.' While the report suggests that many sightings could be explained by 'plasmas,' Pope argues that this does not explain all cases and that the research leaves many questions unanswered. The article highlights the MoD's historical involvement in UFO investigations, dating back to 1950, and the shift from 'UFO' to 'Unidentified Aerial Phenomena' (UAP) to avoid prejudice. It mentions the Rendlesham Forest incident and the Belgian Air Force tracking a UFO on radar. The report recommends further investigation into the applicability of plasmas in novel military applications and advises pilots not to attempt to outmaneuver UAPs.

Not convinced

This opinion piece from the Sunday Independent criticizes the MoD's conclusions on UFOs, deeming them unconvincing and too late. The author, Stephen Farthing, argues that with 77 percent of UFO evidence remaining unreliable, the MoD likely knows more than it is revealing and that only indisputable information will force transparency.

Fresh Sighting of Mysterious Light

This brief article reports on a recurring mysterious orange light over Horsham, England, spotted again on May 12, similar to one seen on April 28. The witness, Andrew Malone, photographed the object, which appeared cylindrical and seemed to burst into flames. Another reader, Kirsten King, suggests that fragments of Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, which had split into many pieces, might explain such sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent mystery of UFO sightings, the role of government investigations and potential cover-ups, and the ongoing debate between skepticism and belief in extraterrestrial phenomena. The articles highlight historical incidents, recent scientific studies, and personal testimonies, presenting a range of perspectives from official reports to eyewitness accounts. There is a clear editorial stance that UFO phenomena, while often explainable by natural causes, still contain a significant number of unexplained cases that warrant further investigation, challenging the notion that all sightings are simply hoaxes or misidentifications. The publication seems to lean towards the idea that there is indeed something significant occurring in the skies, even if the exact nature of it remains elusive.

This issue of the Evening Press, dated May 9, 2006, features a prominent cover story titled "PIE IN THE SKY?" which delves into a four-year study by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that concluded UFOs are natural phenomena, not alien spacecraft. The article questions whether to believe the official findings or suspect a cover-up.

MoD Study and Expert Reactions

The main article, by Gavin Altchison, reports on the MoD's release of secret papers suggesting that most unidentified flying objects (UFOs) are glowing "plasmas" of gas caused by atmospheric electricity. However, UFO experts in the North Yorkshire region have strongly refuted these claims. Russ Kellett from Filey dismissed the report as a "whitewash" and "totally flawed," arguing it relies on theory rather than fact and lacks evidence. He highlighted North Yorkshire as a major hub for UFO activity, with 22 reported sightings to the MoD in the previous year alone, which he believes cannot be explained by plasma.

Phil Shepherdson, another expert from Woodthorpe, York, accepted that plasma could explain some UFO incidents, acknowledging that astronauts have observed similar phenomena related to lightning. However, he stated that this theory does not account for all sightings and suggested it might be a public "stop-gap." Shepherdson also expressed concern over the report's secrecy, which was compiled between 1996 and 2000 and released under a Freedom of Information request. He advocated for greater openness and trust in UFO investigations.

Witness Accounts and Regional Sightings

The article includes several specific UFO sightings reported in North Yorkshire:

• In 1978, Phil Shepherdson saw a triangular object hovering over a field near Huby to Crayke.
• In January 2005, a dog-walker in Scarborough reported seeing 200 white-yellow balls of lights approaching from the North Sea.
• Earlier in January 2005, a UFO-spotter described an object over Selby resembling "a snake in the sky, with lights all over the bottom and top."
• Leslie Brigham captured a photograph in September 1971 of a mysterious light in the sky over York.

Public Opinion in York

Photographer Gavin Aitchison polled people in York about their beliefs in UFOs and their thoughts on the MoD report. Eilidh Alexander (31) was open to the possibility of alien connections, while Sharon Forster (19) recalled seeing two bright lights that didn't appear to be reflections. Matthew Block (26) believed UFOs likely exist but hadn't seen one, and Aaron Baxter (21) suggested sightings might be people making up stories or misinterpretations, attributing it to government influence.

Other UFO and Paranormal Reports (from accompanying pages)

Several other articles and reports from different publications are included, detailing various unexplained phenomena:

• Horsham, England (May 12, 2006): Residents Marie McKay, Claude Harvey, and Margaret Goard reported seeing mysterious lights and objects in the sky, described as bright fire, orangey-yellow, and moving unusually fast or smoothly. Theories included meteors, noctilucent clouds, or ice crystals from meteor showers.
• Lincolnshire, England (Date Unknown): Echo readers reported seeing spaceships hovering over the county, described as "orange, cone-shaped objects burning in the sky" and a "plate with a flame on it."
• Pueblo, CO (July 22, 2006): Costilla County officials are investigating a possible cattle mutilation, with marks consistent with previous cases involving the udder, tongue, and rear end. Sheriff Roger Benton noted the clean cuts and lack of blood, suggesting it was not the work of predators.
• Argentina (August 6, 2006): Reports from Santiago del Estero mention mutilated goat carcasses found in a pen, preceded by sightings of strange lights. Similar incidents of mutilated cattle occurred in 2002. Residents described the animals as having organs removed surgically, with no signs of putrefaction or carrion animals feeding on them. Some accounts mentioned "electricity" preventing approach to the carcasses.
• Argentina (August 11, 2006): Witnesses reported a large, silent, triangular object with numerous lights and fog-like emissions flying noiselessly over the Quintas de Toay district.
• Cuba (August 20, 2006): An article discusses a recording where Raul Castro mentions ordering a private plane carrying Fidel Castro to land due to "contacts" detected by the air base, which were referred to as UFOs.
• Jalpatagua, Guatemala (August 22, 2006): Residents are alarmed by the deaths of several sheep, drained of blood but not devoured, attributed to the "Chupacabras" or possibly a jaguar.
• Calama, Chile (August 26, 2006): A "Chupacabras" attack is suspected after numerous animals were found dead in pens, with a deep hole on one rabbit noted as a trademark.
• Mexico City (August 27, 2006): Photos of probable UFOs over the Basilica de Guadalupe were submitted to researcher Ana Luisa Cid.
• Nicaragua/Costa Rica (August 30, 2006): A "phantom lady" reportedly appeared and vanished in San Jose's Saprisssa Stadium before a football match.
• Mena, AR (April 20, 2006): Bigfoot researcher Scott Schubbe is investigating alleged Bigfoot sightings and evidence near Pat Mayse Lake, driven by a personal encounter with an unusual sound in the woods.
• Little Rock, AR (August 13, 2006): Columnist Mike Masterson discusses research on cellular communication and consciousness, referencing Cleve Backster's experiments with plants and human cells, suggesting consciousness extends beyond the physical body.
• Kansas City, MO (August 27, 2006): A "conspiracy confab" called "Dark Star" is announced, featuring discussions on UFOs, 9/11, and ancient technologies, with author Jim Marrs scheduled to speak.
• Denver, CO (June 12, 2006): A report on the mysterious red rain in Kerala, India, in 2001, suggesting the particles might be extraterrestrial life forms.
• Denver, CO (June 28, 2006): A grouping of granite blocks in Brazil's Amapa state, potentially an ancient astronomical observatory, is discussed.
• Spokane, WA (July 16, 2006): A "megacryometeor" (giant ice ball) fell in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Toronto, Canada (August 19, 2006): An expert suggests a mysterious beast found in Maine might have been a wild dog, possibly mixed with a wolf, rather than an unexplained creature.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine issue primarily focuses on UFOs and related phenomena, presenting a dichotomy between official explanations (like the MoD's plasma theory) and persistent eyewitness accounts and expert skepticism. There's a recurring theme of potential government cover-ups and a desire for greater transparency in investigations. The inclusion of articles on Bigfoot, cattle mutilations, and other unexplained events suggests a broad interest in fortean phenomena and mysteries. The editorial stance appears to lean towards questioning official narratives and giving credence to witness testimonies, while also acknowledging the role of misidentification and natural explanations for some events. The inclusion of diverse reports from various locations indicates a wide-ranging coverage of paranormal and unexplained occurrences.