AI Magazine Summary
UFO Newsclipping Service - 2006 11 - no 448
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This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated November 2006, number 448, is published by Lucius Farish and edited by Lucius Farish. It is based in Plumerville, AR, USA. The cover headline prominently features "TINLEY PARK LIGHTS STILL SHINE," accompanied by an image of three…
Magazine Overview
This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated November 2006, number 448, is published by Lucius Farish and edited by Lucius Farish. It is based in Plumerville, AR, USA. The cover headline prominently features "TINLEY PARK LIGHTS STILL SHINE," accompanied by an image of three red lights in the sky.
Tinley Park Lights Still Shine
The lead article, by Adam Summers of The Star, details recent sightings of unidentified lights in the night sky over Tinley Park and surrounding areas. Sam Maranto, an investigator with the Illinois chapter of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), reports an increase in sightings and emphasizes the importance of the Tinley Park events. The sightings of three red, silent, slow-moving lights were first reported on August 21, 2004, with subsequent sightings on October 31, 2004, and October 1, 2005. The National UFO Reporting Center received numerous calls for each event, with director Peter Davenport calling the Tinley Park sightings "among the most well-documented cases." He notes the presence of multiple witnesses, videotapes, and FAA and law enforcement documentation. T.J. Japcon, a former Tinley Park resident, also reports seeing similar lights on September 23. Dr. Jerry Galloway of Georgia State University expresses skepticism, attributing such sightings to human nature's tendency to invent explanations for the unknown and emphasizing the irrefutability of physics. Maranto welcomes scientific inquiry but criticizes scientists who dismiss evidence without investigation, stating, "We have ruled out balloons. We have ruled out flares. This is not a hoax."
More Suburban Sightings
Japcon recounts seeing three lights on September 23, which he initially mistook for a star but noticed was flashing in a familiar pattern. His son also reported seeing three lights later that night. The influx of reports fuels interest in finding explanations.
Maybe Not So Other-Worldly
Dr. Jerry Galloway of Georgia State University questions the extraterrestrial origin of these lights, suggesting that human nature invents supernatural explanations for the unexplained. He stresses the importance of recognizing the limitations of science and the irrefutability of physics. Maranto welcomes serious scientific inquiry but is frustrated by dismissive attitudes from some scientists, asserting that the Tinley Park sightings are "really weird, really difficult ones."
Sightings Elsewhere
The article notes that the Tinley Park sightings are not isolated. Similar sightings occurred in Minnesota on August 19, 2004. Activity was reported worldwide around the time of the August 21, 2004, event, including reports from Houston and Australia. A mass sighting in Rockford on February 16, 2000, featured similar orange lights. The "Phoenix Lights" incident in March 1997, where thousands reported seeing lights from a large craft, is also cited as a credible UFO sighting potentially connected to the Tinley Park case.
The Scientific Approach
Brian Vike, director of HBCC UFO Research, highlights the rarity of consecutive-year sightings at the same time. He emphasizes the importance of weeding out hoaxes and determining the credibility of reports based on their writing, the expressed emotion, and the type of event. While most reports are explainable, the "few really weird, really difficult ones" are what drive research. Maranto describes the Tinley Park lights as acting in conjunction, maintaining geometric form, and exhibiting connected behavior. He mentions withholding some information to verify witness credibility.
In Search of the Truth
Maranto believes that ongoing investigations into the Tinley Park case have the potential to change everything known. Galloway reiterates his skepticism, finding extraterrestrial explanations less likely than man-made phenomena. Davenport, however, views the question of humanity's place in the galaxy as the most important scientific question. Maranto states his goal is to find the truth, not to feed hysteria.
Investigating Things That Go Bump in the Night
This article, from the RECORD in Troy, NY, by Kathryn Caggianelli, discusses UFOs and unexplained phenomena with local investigators Raymond Cecot and Jim Bouck. Cecot, co-founder of the Independent Researchers Association for Anomalous Phenomena (IRAAP), emphasizes the need for skepticism and an open mind. He explains how stationary stars or planets are often mistaken for UFOs, especially on clear nights. IRAAP investigates various phenomena, including UFOs, crop formations, and cattle mutilations.
Report a Sighting
Information is provided on how to report a UFO sighting via MUFON.com or by contacting Jim Bouck directly.
From the beginning
Cecot and Bouck investigated a rash of UFO sightings in Stillwater and Cairo in the early 1990s. One witness in Cairo was so terrified by an object that exploded, lighting up a field, that they moved out of their home the next day. Cecot and Bouck use scientific methods for investigation and submit physical evidence for analysis.
Stillwater Incident
Bouck recalls an incident in Stillwater on October 7, 1994, where a teenaged girl reported seeing up to 12 UFOs. Over thirty witnesses were interviewed, reporting lights that danced, formed triangles, and melted out of sight. A neighbor's cat's frantic behavior alerted the girl to the lights.
Schenectady Visitor
In December 1998, a family in Schenectady reported a ghostly nighttime visitor. The woman woke to a short, black silhouette by her bed. Her son also reported seeing a small, black man emerge from his closet through a closed door, corroborating his mother's experience. Bouck links this to descriptions of "greys" in alien abduction lore.
Scientific Perspective
Bob Kilpatrick, a National Weather Service meteorologist, notes that Doppler radar is designed for atmospheric reflectivity, not unusual air traffic. Heidi Newberg, a physics professor, considers the possibility of intelligent life elsewhere logical but doubts landings have occurred. She advocates for an open mind, citing her own experience where her findings defied existing physics models. She believes mainstream science is concerned about the scientific rigor of UFO investigations but acknowledges legitimate researchers.
Crop Circle Caused by Microwave Action
This article from the JOURNAL in Salina, KS, by Tim Unruh, reports on a crop circle discovered in a sorghum-sudan grass field near Beloit, Kansas. Jane Wallace, the landowner, is certain it was not man-made and suspects another phenomenon. The circle, measuring 133 feet by 132 feet, attracted tourists. Investigators Rich Webb and Ted Robertson determined it was a "nonman-made crop circle" likely caused by a "microwave burst." They noted that the plants inside the circle had expanded nodes, a sign of microwave heat. The circle formed between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on September 9, with no footprints or paths leading to it. Jean Rose described the cane as "melted." Webb noted that the plants were swirled clockwise, which he believes cannot be replicated by hoaxing. The investigation found no scarring, unlike man-made circles that use ropes and boards.
Microwave Evidence
Evidence of microwaves was found on the nodes of the plant stems, which were expanded inside the circle and normal outside. Webb explained that microwave heat causes moisture in the nodes to expand without killing the plant. There were no dead plants in the circle.
'Green Monster' Still News in Flatwoods
This article from the REGISTER-HERALD in Beckley, WV, by Mannix Porterfield, revisits the 1952 "Green Monster" or "Phantom of Flatwoods" incident in West Virginia. Connie Skidmore, executive director of the Braxton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, notes that the sighting remains a topic of interest, with frequent inquiries. The town capitalizes on the event with an annual "Braxton County Monster Festival." Skidmore acknowledges that "somebody saw something" that caused a stir. The article mentions John Gibson's "monster" statuettes and reprints of "The Phantom of Flatwoods" by Judy Davis. Regulars at the Century Inn Restaurant, like Junior Gibson, express skepticism about the "monster deal," while others recall flying saucer sightings. Skidmore believes the witnesses saw something that made them nervous, whether it was government-created or not.
Author Says UFOs Still Buzzing W.Va.
Frank Feschino Jr., author of "The Braxton County Monster: The Cover-up of the Flatwoods Monster Revealed," spent years researching the incident. He examined Air Force Blue Book reports and interviewed witnesses, concluding the "monster" was an alien inside a metallic probe or shuttlecraft. Feschino theorizes that three spacecraft escaped a dogfight with U.S. Air Force jets and landed in the US. He believes Braxton County is a "hotbed for UFO sightings" and that aliens may be conducting reconnaissance flights. Feschino's book details sightings occurring over 18.5 hours in 1952, suggesting Flatwoods was not an isolated incident but part of a larger phenomenon. He claims 90% of people believe the story, with only 10% skeptical. The book has sold well, and there have been offers for a movie adaptation.
UFO-OLOGY
This article from the PRESS-ENTERPRISE in Riverside, CA, by John Asbury, discusses a UFO seminar at the March Field Air Museum featuring resident UFO-ologist Bob Mauger. Mauger will explain how many reported UFO sightings are actually secret U.S. Air Force planes, such as the SR-71 Blackbird. He notes that some things in the sky are unexplained. Mauger will discuss secret surveillance planes used in WWII and during the Cold War, including the XP59 jet, U-2 spy plane, SR71, and F-17 Nighthawk. He suggests the Roswell incident was a government cover-up for a downed spy balloon. Mauger believes alien sightings are driven by movies and science fiction, and while not ruling out alien life, he finds no evidence supporting it, noting that potentially habitable planets are thousands of light-years away. The museum will also feature a UFO video and crafts.
UFOs sighted locally – for class study, anyway
This article from the JOURNAL GAZETTE in Ft. Wayne, IN, by Krista J. Stockman, reports on a new class at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) called "UFOs - Perception, Reality and Sightings in Indiana." The class, taught by Roger Sugden, assistant state director of MUFON, will cover UFO history, crop circles, and recent sightings. Sugden aims to provide factual evidence and encourage critical thinking, not to make students believers. Michael Shermer of Skeptic magazine cautions that lending credibility to such claims in a university setting can be problematic. The class will cover historical sightings, including those attributed to Egyptian pharaohs and Alexander the Great. Sugden plans to discuss cases of landings and sightings of beings. He hopes to offer the class for credit in the future and is planning another course for skeptics and believers.
UFO group to discuss unusual sightings in Indiana
This article from the COURIER & PRESS in Evansville, IN, by Jacob Bennett, discusses the Indiana Mutual UFO Network's fall meeting. Jerry Sievers, director of Indiana MUFON, notes an increase in reported UFO activity in Indiana, including crop circles, landings with traces, and alleged abductions. The meeting will cover topics such as "Men In Black" and unusual aerial phenomena, including a possible shootout over the Wabash River involving a large triangle shape and two F-16 fighters. The article also mentions an alleged sighting at Bristol-Myers Squibb and the investigation of crop circles, with Roger Sugden confirming a non-man-made circle in a wheat field near Huntingburg.
Strange, bright lights surprise stargazers
This article from the NEW MEXICAN in Santa Fe, NM, by Tom Sharpe and Jason Auslander, reports on widespread sightings of bright lights across the western U.S. Theories include meteors, space debris, and UFOs. Peter Davenport of the National UFO Reporting Center noted reports of fireballs and objects ejecting smaller objects. FAA officials suggested the lights were likely meteors. Sightings were reported in Winslow, AZ; Cheyenne, WY; Hartsel, CO; and Raton, NM, with descriptions varying from fireballs to multiple orange and gold objects. Davenport mentioned similar reports in California and Colorado. He noted that some characteristics, like fragments and flaring, are typical of meteors, but others suggest space debris.
Investigators ponder occurrence of crop circles
This article from the POST-DISPATCH in St. Louis, MO, by Michael Shaw, discusses crop circles found near Belleville, IL. Field investigators from MUFON photographed the circles, which varied in size. JoAnne Scarpellini, a Midwest investigator for BLT Research Team Inc., believes these circles are not man-made. The circles were tested for magnetic anomalies and unusual animal behavior or electromagnetic effects, with negative results. BLT Research Team Inc. is known for seeking scientific explanations for crop circles. The article notes that cell phones worked properly, and neighbors reported no unusual activity.
UFO more than a glow
This article from the DAILY HERALD in Plainview, TX, by Kevin Lewis, features Mark Harmon, who claims to have witnessed a UFO on Monday night outside his home. Harmon described a V-shaped object with seven yellowish-white lights, moving silently at an estimated 1,000-2,000 feet. He reported the sighting to local TV stations but found no other reports. His family was skeptical but noted his unusual reaction. Harmon found a picture online of a similar object taken in Croatia. The article mentions Harmon's wife's interest in astronomy.
Former Paratrooper Tells of UFO Sighting
This article from the BOROUGH CHRONICLE in Hounslow, England, by Aidan Jones, details a sighting by Michael Coetzee, a Heathrow Airport worker. Coetzee, a former paratrooper instructor, described seeing a spherical silver object hanging motionless in the sky on Christmas Day. The object made jerky movements and then zipped off at high speed. Coetzee's managers were dismissive, but he shared his experience after reading about another sighting in the Chronicle. He believes many people see similar things but are afraid to speak out.
John's Convinced We're Not Alone
This article from the WEEKLY NEWS in London, England, by Russell Stoddart, features retired policeman John Hanson, who has written a series of five books on UFOs, collectively titled "Haunted Skies." Hanson recounts his first UFO sighting in 1996, a "globular craft" over Alvechurch. He initially dismissed UFO reports but became convinced after investigating claims. He has spoken to many sane, rational, and puzzled individuals. The article mentions early sightings, including Andrew Cherry's account of a globe-shaped object with alien occupants in Edinburgh in 1947, and Margaret Westwood's report of a strange light and a fragment from an object in Wentworth in the mid-1970s.
Driver Spots Another UFO in the Night Sky
This article from the EVENING NEWS in Norwich, England, reports on a UFO sighting near Acle by Kerry Neal. Neal described a silent, hovering round shape with colored lights. The article also mentions a previous sighting in Hellesdon and quotes Karl Smith, who believes many sightings are of the TR-3B reconnaissance aircraft. Canadian ufologist Jim Tolton is convinced that Earth is being visited by "20 technically advanced species."
The Internet is Looked at by Some for UFOs
This article from the EVENING TELEGRAPH in Derby, England, discusses the internet's role in UFO research. It mentions websites like www.ufocenter.com and www.ufocentral.com, and how people use mobile phone cameras to document sightings. It also touches on the idea that some UFO sightings might be misidentified aircraft or natural phenomena.
A Ballooning in Sightings of UFO
This article from the LUTON NEWS in England, by Andy Soper, discusses a surge in UFO sightings, including one by a woman who claims to have seen a "monster" on a street in Luton. The article also mentions a sighting of a "globular craft" over a farm in Spring Croft, Kimberworth Park, and a strange orange light seen during a thunderstorm.
Was a UFO Seen in Our Skies?
This article from the HERALD in Abingdon, England, reports on the harvest of mysterious crop circles in fields near Abingdon. The article mentions that the circles are not man-made and that the cause is unknown, possibly involving microwaves. It also touches on the idea of alien visitation and the difficulty in solving the mystery of UFOs.
Man's Plea as Family is Startled by a 'UFO'
This article from the STAR in Barnsley, England, by Steve Hewitt, details a sighting by Malcolm Rotchell, who witnessed a bright orange ball during a thunderstorm. Rotchell, a UFO skeptic, described the object as a "fireball" that "whooshed" over his home and then changed direction. He is appealing for others who may have seen the same thing to come forward.
Borough's Close Encounter With Third Kind
This article from the GUARDIAN in Wandsworth, England, discusses unexplained sightings of flying objects in the skies over Wandsworth. Witnesses reported seeing two sets of bright orange lights flying in formation. UFO expert Roy Lake urges more people to come forward with information, suggesting the objects could be experimental craft, military aircraft, or even a terrorist threat. He believes the subject has been ongoing for many years.
Are UFOs Visiting Long Eaton?
This article from the ADVERTISER in Long Eaton, England, reports on a mysterious white light hovering over Grasmere Road. Carol Clarke described seeing two lights, one stationary and one moving closely. The lights were silent and lasted about 15 minutes. Astronomer Alan Heath dismisses it as unlikely to be extraterrestrial. The article also mentions hovering garden lanterns and a lack of unusual aircraft activity reported by the local airport and Ministry of Defence.
Do You Know the UFO Officers?
This article from the ECHO in Dorset, England, asks for information about two retired police officers who, along with motorists, reportedly witnessed a UFO over Lytchett Minster in October 1967. The officers moved away and were unwilling to be involved. The inquiry is part of a catalogue of British UFO experiences.
Have You Heard This UFO Story?
This article from the WESTERN GAZETTE in Dorset & Somerset, England, seeks information about a sighting by Mr. Payne, a bulk milk tanker driver, in May 1957. Payne reportedly saw a "submarine with two large fins" resting on the runway at Winkleigh airfield and was prevented from approaching by a force field. The investigator was Ron Toft. The inquiry is from John Hanson, a retired police officer and author.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring themes in this collection of clippings include UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, crop circles, and the investigation of these events by civilian groups and, sometimes, official bodies. There is a clear division between those who believe in the extraterrestrial origin of these phenomena and those who seek more conventional explanations, often emphasizing scientific skepticism and the possibility of misidentification of aircraft or natural events. The articles highlight the ongoing public interest in UFOs and the efforts of researchers to document and understand these occurrences. The editorial stance, as reflected in the various publications, is generally to report on these events, present different viewpoints, and encourage further investigation and public participation.
This issue of the Daily News, dated October 15, 2006, features a cover story questioning if Earth is a penal colony for aliens, alongside reports on UFO investigations and Bigfoot sightings.