UFO Newsclipping Service - 2007 01 - no 450

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE
Issue: 450
Volume: January 2007
Publisher: Lucius Farish
Country: USA
Date: January 2007

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service delves into the ongoing efforts to verify UFO reports, featuring perspectives from scientists, ufologists, and eyewitnesses. The publication highlights the work of organizations dedicated to investigating these phenomena and explores the growing conviction among experts that alien life may indeed be visiting Earth.

Organizations Seek to Verify UFO Reports

The lead article, "Organizations seek to verify UFO reports," by Cheryl Winkelman, discusses the increasing belief among scientists and ufologists that alien life visits Earth. It highlights the National UFO Reporting Center, which received 105 UFO sightings in the first 16 days of July, with many reported in California. The article introduces MUFON (Mutual UFO Network), an international organization that investigates sightings by conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and involving around 300 volunteer scientists. MUFON, founded in 1969, is digitizing its paper reports to identify patterns. While about 1,200 cases are investigated annually, only 10-20% remain unexplainable, with mundane explanations often found for others. Chuck Reever, director of investigations for MUFON, notes recent sightings in the Central Valley. The group concludes that extraterrestrial life is likely present on Earth, but not necessarily frightening, potentially offering insights into advanced propulsion techniques.

Scientific Perspectives

Jack Welch, professor in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence at UC Berkeley, views finding life elsewhere as an opportunity to understand humanity's future. Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at the SETI Institute, acknowledges the near certainty of life existing beyond Earth, despite no definitive proof yet. He mentions the discovery of about 200 planets in the Milky Way Galaxy around stars. SETI is developing the Allen Telescope Array to detect radio signals. A controversial discovery of a meteorite containing reportedly fossilized Martian microbes is also mentioned, though viewed skeptically by many scientists.

Historical Sightings: The Week Flying Saucers Came to the Inland Valley

This section recounts a series of UFO sightings from July 1947 in the Inland Valley, USA. The R.V. Allen family of Riverside reported seeing a "school" of flying discs. B.A. Runner reported seeing and hearing a craft with a motor. Other reports include a "spinning platter" crashing into an almond grove near Lancaster, "silvery eggs in a straight line" over March Field, and tumbling objects over Pomona. The article notes that these events occurred just before the Roswell, N.M. announcement of a "flying disc" recovery, which was quickly refuted. It also mentions a humorous incident where a skywriter mocked the frenzy by spelling "Saucers" in the sky.

UFO Crash Retrieval Conference

"UFO chatter fills conference" by Lawrence Mower reports on the 4th Annual UFO Crash Retrieval Conference in Las Vegas. Approximately 300 people attended, including Ken Jenkins, a 77-year-old retired Navy man interested in UFOs. The conference aimed to provide information on the paranormal, which Jenkins felt was ignored by mainstream media. His wife, Maxine, expressed that people deserve to know the truth. Keynote speaker George Knapp, a KLAS-TV reporter, discussed the stereotype of UFO enthusiasts being seen as "crackpots" and the lack of definitive answers to questions about UFO origins and purpose, despite abundant evidence. Linda Moulton Howe, a UFO Web site operator, criticized the lack of mainstream coverage. Richard Dolan urged a scientific approach to the evidence, noting progress in understanding the phenomena.

UFO Documentaries and Local Interest

"WME to host world premiere of UFO documentary" announces the premiere of "Fastwalkers" in Show Low, Arizona. The documentary, produced by Robert D. Miles, examines the "hidden" world of UFOs and extraterrestrials, claiming to reveal suppressed information. Miles describes it as a film of hope, not a typical Hollywood UFO movie, with international participants. He also shares a personal UFO experience from 1968 involving an encounter with a "woman" and a teleportation experience. The documentary is described as a "world film" and aims for an intelligent approach. A follow-up article notes the film's run was extended due to demand.

UFOs and Other Mysteries of the Kickapoo

This section features several local UFO sightings and mysteries from the Kickapoo Valley area. John H. Sime reports on a woman from Viroqua who saw a large circular bright light that appeared and disappeared twice. A man from Viola reported seeing a hovering object with wings and a basket-type thing. The section also includes a non-UFO related mystery about a strange animal sighting and a detailed account from Jay Rath's "The W-Files" about William Bosak's 1974 sighting of a disc-shaped craft with a cow-like creature inside, leaving a round crater.

A Ghost Hunter Visits the Kickapoo Valley

Chad Lewis, author of "The Wisconsin Road Guide to Haunted Locations," presented at the Soldiers Grove Public Library. He and his associate Terry Fisk use scientific methods to analyze alleged haunted locations. The article debunks the legend of Kate Blood, showing she could not have murdered her husband as she died years before him. Despite debunking some legends, the article notes that genuine ghostly events are still reported at places like the Walker House hotel and the Bodega Brew Pub.

A Readstown Ghost Story

A woman from Readstown reported a ghostly encounter in her parents' home in the 1970s, where she saw a young man in a black suit standing in the kitchen. She was not scared, but her father found no intruder.

Bristolian Seeks to Identify Flying Objects

Kim Shaffer, East Tennessee state director for MUFON, researches UFOs and has collected numerous pictures and videos of alleged sightings. While not necessarily believing they are alien spacecraft, he is dedicated to understanding these phenomena. He started the Appalachian UFO Research Center (AUFORC) with 20 members to collect reports and footage.

Manatee UFO Enthusiasts Want to Believe

This article focuses on the UFO Group of Manatee, a local organization of about 20 members, mostly retirees, who meet to share stories, discuss theories, and watch documentaries. Members like retired EMS chief Ed Straight and retired teacher Jackie Miller share their experiences and the desire to find explanations for the unknown. The group aims to provide a safe space for people to share their experiences without judgment.

Foreign News: UFOs and the Experts

Several international clippings discuss UFO sightings and expert opinions.

• The Scotsman (Edinburgh, Scotland): "The truth is out there, but it's probably only gas, say the experts." A report on a Ministry of Defence study suggesting that UFO sightings might be explained by "plasmas" of gas created by electrical charges, which can create vivid impressions. Ron Halliday, a Stirling University academic, remains unconvinced, questioning why such effects would only produce UFO sightings. Billy Buchanan, a local councillor, dismisses the gas theory, citing personal video evidence of large objects.
• The Scotsman (Edinburgh, Scotland): "Astronomers ask if anyone's out there." A conference of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) will review progress in the hunt for alien life, discussing the likelihood of extraterrestrial civilizations and attempts to receive signals. Monica Grady will present a paper on the possibility of zero communicating civilizations, while Dr. Ian Crawford will outline a search for alien artifacts.
• Chronicle (Congleton, England): "UFO 'sighting' prompts phenomena group appeal." An appeal for witnesses after a driver reported a spinning disc near Macclesfield. The article mentions previous sightings in the area, including a silver sphere identified as a hot air balloon and blobs of light explained as aircraft or Venus. It also recounts a "near miss" with an unidentified craft by a Boeing 747 pilot.
• Mail (Hartlepool, England): "Delving into paranormal." Michael Bourne, a UFO spotter, is publishing a book on the paranormal and seeking articles from aspiring writers. He shares his own UFO experience from age 16.
• Reporter (Westminster, England): "Red bricks but no sign of little green men!" Investigator Tony Dodd was drawn to a mysterious crater in Longdendale, England, but it turned out to be the remains of a demolished mill chimney. The article notes that many "sightings" in the area, such as silver spheres and blobs of light, have been explained as hot air balloons or aircraft, but some remain unexplained.
• Merseymart (South Liverpool, England): "Were crafts UFOs?" A woman in Bridgtown reported seeing a triangular craft with a white halogen-type light and dull green lights. Graham Allen of the Staffordshire UFO Group noted that orange balls of light and triangular shapes have been reported simultaneously in the past.
• Evening Telegraph (Kettering, England): "Frightened by sightings." A child in Croxteth reported seeing a bright blue light that flew vertically upwards. Later, the child and a friend saw a flare-like object that shone beams of light. The father reported a "scary face" projected onto the bedroom wall, possibly linked to the UFO.
• Evening Telegraph (Kettering, England): "Strange events after woman sees UFO." Sarah Hodges spotted bright orange lights over the A14, which disappeared suddenly. She also reported a disturbed night with the doorbell ringing inexplicably. Similar sightings were reported in Kettering and Northampton.

Yukoners to Put UFOs Under Scrutiny

"Yukoners to put UFOs under scrutiny" by Chuck Tobin reports on a UFO conference in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. The event attracted over 300 people, including ufologists and locals sharing experiences. Stan Friedmann, an authority on the Roswell incident, believes it was a cover-up. First-hand accounts of UFO sightings in the Yukon are presented, including a 1996 sighting of a spacecraft witnessed by 31 people. Martin Jasek, founder of the local UFO organization, hopes to encourage more witnesses and see the topic accepted. Kevin Brumm shared his 1987 abduction experience on the North Canol Road, describing friendly aliens and scoop-like scars. He believes that sharing experiences openly can lead to greater acceptance. Jasek also highlighted a sighting of two round objects over Mary Lake in February 2005.

Orange Glow: More Sightings of Strange UFOs Over Island

This article from the Times Guardian reports on UFO sightings over Sheppey, England. Wendy Cowee and her son Michael witnessed an orange object that changed shape, described as a "great blob of spilled water" with bent-up wings and tiny dots of light. Yvonne Arnold reported a similar sighting in January. Doris Winter also reported an orange flash.

I Don't Believe in UFOs but What Was That I Saw?

A couple, Ray and Pauline Thomas, from Durrington, England, reported seeing three lights in a "perfect circle" of around 70 smaller lights for over half an hour. They are seeking explanations for their sighting, stating they are skeptical but cannot explain what they saw.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent reporting of UFO sightings globally, the efforts of organizations and individuals to investigate and verify these phenomena, and the ongoing debate between scientific skepticism and the conviction of eyewitnesses and ufologists. There's a clear emphasis on presenting a range of perspectives, from official government explanations (like the plasma theory) to personal accounts of encounters and abductions. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting the evidence and theories without definitively concluding on the nature of UFOs, but leaning towards the possibility of unexplained phenomena and extraterrestrial presence. The articles collectively suggest that while many sightings can be explained, a significant portion remains anomalous, fueling continued interest and investigation.

This issue of the Press & Journal, dated May 16, 2006, features a prominent cover story titled "It's really sci-fi in the sky – but there is something out there," accompanied by an image of a classic flying saucer. The magazine delves into various unexplained phenomena, including UFO sightings, the legend of Bigfoot, and animal mutilations.

Ministry of Defence UFO Reports

An article by David Perry discusses a Ministry of Defence (MoD) log of UFO reports, detailing multiple sightings of "white circles" and "bright white lights" over various locations in Scotland on September 14, 2005. These events, which occurred in Letham, Blairgowrie, Lochgelly, Kinross, Glenrothes, and Crieff, involved lights moving in circles and semi-circles. The MoD's "official findings," declassified after being stamped "Top Secret," concluded that while there are UFOs, they can be accounted for by natural phenomena rather than alien origins, and there is no evidence of hostile intent or incursions by intelligent foreign objects.

The article also highlights specific UFO sightings from the MoD's files, including a "bright red/orange cigar-shaped object" over Newport-on-Tay in March 2002, a "small torpedo-shaped object" in Fortrose in August 2002, "strange red and white lights" in Dundee, "two aircraft type objects" near Stirling in January 2003, and a "distant object" in Dunkeld. Sightings of yellow spheres in West Kilbride and reports from police, air traffic controllers, and aircraft captains are also mentioned.

SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson expressed that these revelations would be "unconvincing to many," while Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles found the MoD's statement that UFOs exist to be "bizarre."

UFOs Over Northampton

Another article, by Lucy Thornton, reports on a series of bright colored UFOs spotted hovering and "dancing" in the sky above Northampton in July 2006. Hairdresser Paul Symeou described the lights as emitting smoke and a bright beam. A second witness in Moulton also reported an "extremely bright light" traveling very fast and silently. The Ministry of Defence stated that such sightings would be logged rather than investigated unless there was a threat to national security.

Translations of UFO and Chupacabras Reports

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to translations of UFO and Chupacabras reports from various sources, primarily from Mexico and Argentina.

Mexico:

• Tepexpan (November 26, 2006): A UFO was photographed and video-recorded by Victor Gabriel Gonzalez, described as traveling southwest for 30 minutes. The witness flashed light signals at the object, which flashed back.
• Tulancingo, Hidalgo (December 10, 2006): Reports of the "Chupacabras" returning, with seven sheep found brutally injured and one dead. The dead sheep had a six-centimeter hole. Other neighbors also reported dead sheep and goats.
• Chilpancingo (December 16, 2006): Several unidentified flying objects, described as metallic grey and spinning, were seen for over half an hour. Approximately 15 objects were observed, forming geometric patterns. Physicians and SEMEFO personnel witnessed the phenomenon. A related note mentions a Mexican Air Force plane accident on the same date.
• Sierra de la Ventana, Argentina (November 2006): A disk-shaped object was photographed by a tourist, unseen by the tourists at the time.
• Mexico City (December 23, 2006): The crew of a Magnicharter flight witnessed a luminous UFO giving off orange, green, and blue lights at an altitude greater than their aircraft.
• Chile (November 18, 2005): A strange animal, described as half a meter tall with green and pale red spots, attacked a cow, making whistling noises and biting its legs. The creature had a dog-shaped head with large eyes and long teeth, and moved on two legs.

Argentina:

• Corrientes province (December 2, 2006): Cows and calves were reported dead with mutilated eyes and tongues, attributed by local farmers to an alleged "chupacabras." Police confirmed the event, and samples were to be sent for scientific explanation.

Bigfoot and Sasquatch

Several articles focus on the phenomenon of Bigfoot and Sasquatch.

• "Shadowing Bigfoot" (The Register-Guard, December 17, 2006): This article profiles Autumn Williams, a believer in Sasquatch since childhood, who runs the website www.oregonbigfoot.com, listing numerous alleged Sasquatch reports. It also features Jeffrey Meldrum, an associate professor of anatomy at Idaho State University and a leading Bigfoot researcher, who discusses the scarcity of evidence and the nature of the creature. The article touches on the history of Bigfoot sightings in the Pacific Northwest and mentions Governor Ted Kulongoski's past involvement.
• "Film crew says something's afoot, in search for Bigfoot" (Press Staff Writer, October 19, 2006): A documentary crew from Kansas explored Bigfoot sightings in eastern Oklahoma, interviewing locals and visiting the Honobia Bigfoot festival. The crew, including brothers Tyler and Derek Mleynek, found numerous reports and heard various sounds attributed to Bigfoot.
• "A foothold on Bigfoot" (East Oregonian, November 11, 2006): This piece discusses Jeffrey Meldrum's work and compares his pursuit of Bigfoot to Adrian Shine's investigation of the Loch Ness Monster, suggesting that such research can contribute to understanding the natural world, even if the primary subject remains unproven.
• "Library hosts Bigfoot program" (Independent, October 14, 2006): The Port Orchard Library hosted a program featuring researchers from the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) to discuss evidence and local sightings. The BFRO's goal is to present scientific evidence and local stories without necessarily convincing skeptics.
• "Science adviser" to "Spooky Southcoast" (Globe, October 30, 2006): Chris Balzano, a writing teacher and "science adviser" for a paranormal radio show, discusses his attempts to find scientific explanations for phenomena in the Bridgewater Triangle, noting that some occurrences defy easy explanation. He also mentions reports of a "mad trucker" on Copicut Road.

Bridgewater Triangle

The article "The old haunting grounds" by Brian MacQuarrie (Globe, October 30, 2006) explores the Bridgewater Triangle in southeastern Massachusetts, described as a "paranormal hot spot." It details various alleged sightings and phenomena, including Native American ghosts near Profile Rock, reports of a "red-headed hitchhiker" on Route 44, and alleged hauntings at Taunton State Hospital and Stonehill College. Matt Moniz, co-host of "Spooky Southcoast," is featured as someone who investigates these claims.

Animal Mutilation Cases

Several articles touch upon animal mutilation cases, often linked to UFOs.

• "Horse that launched animal-mutilation UFO lore lands on eBay" (Rocky Mountain News, December 5, 2006): This article revisits the case of Snippy, a horse found dead in Alamosa in 1967, whose owner claimed it was mutilated by space aliens. The horse's skeleton appeared on eBay, sparking a dispute over ownership involving attorneys for heirs, the Alamosa Chamber of Commerce, and descendants of the original owner. Dr. Wallace Leary, a veterinarian, had previously debunked the alien theory, suggesting Snippy was shot by humans.
• "Struggle for UFO mare's remains" (Rocky Mountain News, December 9, 2006): This follow-up article details the ongoing dispute over Snippy's bones, with various parties claiming ownership. The Alamosa Chamber of Commerce and UFO investigator Chris O'Brien planned an event to raise funds to buy the skeleton, emphasizing its historical significance to the valley's UFO lore.

Other Reports

• "Sheriff wonders about '72 monster" (Sun-Times, November 7, 2006): This article recounts the search for a "Cohomo Monster" in Tazewell County, Illinois, in 1972, involving 100 armed men. The creature was never found, and the search was called off after an accidental shooting. The former sheriff, James Donahue, does not dismiss the idea entirely, suggesting that something may have been seen.
• "Science unlocks secrets of 'world's first computer'" (The New York Times, December 1, 2006): This piece reports on new research using high-resolution imaging and X-ray tomography to study the Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient Greek astronomical calculator. Researchers have deciphered inscriptions and reconstructed gear functions, revealing a sophisticated level of technical sophistication for the 2nd century B.C.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of the unexplained, including UFOs, alien encounters, cryptids like Bigfoot, and mysterious animal mutilations. There is a clear interest in presenting witness accounts, researcher findings, and official reports, even when they are declassified or controversial. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various perspectives and reports without necessarily endorsing any single explanation, while also acknowledging the scientific skepticism surrounding many of these phenomena. The inclusion of translations from other countries broadens the scope of reported events, suggesting a global interest in these topics. The magazine also highlights the role of media and public perception in shaping the narratives around these mysteries.