UFO Newsclipping Service - 2007 04 - no 453

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated April 2007, focuses on the enduring mystery of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and the ongoing debate surrounding them. It features a prominent article on the "Chicago phenomenon" that rekindled the UFO debate, alongside reports on various other sightings and related topics from around the world.

Chicago Phenomenon Rekindles UFO Debate

The lead article, by Dom Armentano, discusses the extraordinary decision by the Chicago Tribune to publish a UFO story on its front page concerning an incident on November 7, 2006. A gray, egg-shaped object was observed hovering unusually low over Chicago O'Hare International Airport by multiple witnesses, including United Airlines ground personnel. The object, described as metallic with a soft luster, was seen to disappear straight up through the overcast, leaving a hole. Despite initial denials, the FAA eventually acknowledged the sighting. Armentano contrasts this with decades of "absurd government denials" and cites two early, secret official UFO documents from 1947. General Nathan Twining's memorandum stated that 'flying discs' were "real and not visionary or fictitious" with "operating characteristics such as extreme rates of climb, maneuverability and action which must be considered evasive." Lt Col. George Garrett's memo detailed features like rapid grouping, evasive action, and the ability to "CUT A CLEAR PATH THROUGH CLOUDS." Armentano suggests the O'Hare incident might signal the end of a 60-year government cover-up.

Former Ariz. leader Symington says he saw a UFO 10 years ago

This article from the Log Cabin Democrat reports that former Arizona Governor Fife Symington, who famously used an alien aide for a publicity stunt, now claims he personally saw the mysterious lights over Phoenix ten years prior. Symington, a former Air Force captain and pilot, stated the object was "bigger than anything that I've ever seen" and remains a great mystery. He refrained from admitting it earlier due to public panic concerns and his own legal troubles at the time.

Intrigue persists over lights in sky

This Arizona Republic article by Scott Craven revisits the "Phoenix Lights" incident of March 13, 1997. It highlights Lynne Kitei, a physician who resigned her position to investigate the lights, publishing a book and documentary. Kitei describes seeing six amber orbs evenly spaced in a line, which later condensed to three. She spent seven years researching similar sightings globally. The article also mentions former Phoenix Councilwoman Frances Emma Barwood's call for an investigation. The military eventually explained the lights as flares dropped during exercises at the Barry M. Goldwater Range, with Lt. Col. Ed Jones of the Air National Guard confirming he piloted one of the aircraft that dropped flares. However, some, like computer specialist Jim Dilletoso, believe the flare explanation is a lie, as Kitei's video did not match known flare characteristics.

The flares exposed

This section further details the military's explanation for the Phoenix Lights, with Lt. Col. Ed Jones of the Maryland Air National Guard explaining that leftover flares were ejected during nighttime exercises. He recounts seeing the string of lights and notes the "couple million" candle power of each flare. Despite the official explanation, some believe it's a cover-up. The article also touches on the enduring mystery and the psychological impact of such events, quoting pastor Bobby Brewer who described the lights as taking his breath away.

Ever seen a UFO?

This Free Press article profiles Alfie Carrington, a Macomb County resident who has spent over half his life building a 14-foot-wide flying saucer. Carrington, a construction worker by day, believes he has discovered a simple design for a vertical lift aircraft that could replace automobiles. He has two patents and a company called Vertex Aerospace. His work has drawn skepticism from aeronautical engineers due to the complex mechanics involved, particularly regarding rotation speeds and centrifugal force.

Did anyone else spot UFO?

This Evening Star article reports on Marcus Normanton, a builder who claims to have seen three strange objects in the sky over Ipswich, England. He described two small objects that "cris-crossed and shot straight up" followed by a larger, glowing object with an audible noise. He admits to being unnerved and expecting ridicule but is convinced others must have seen them.

Was this a UFO sighting above Moel Famau or just a military aircraft?

This Free Press article details a sighting above Moel Famau in Denbighshire, Wales, where witnesses reported bright white flashing lights that grew larger and disappeared. While North Wales Police suggested it could be the Army or someone hunting, witnesses like Sally Gavin insist it was not a plane or helicopter due to its size and brightness. The article notes a history of UFO sightings in Denbighshire and mentions the BBC's "Weird Wales" webpage documenting such events.

Tracy phones home her close encounter

This Frome & Somerset Standard article features Tracy Major, a resident of Wanstrow, England, who reported seeing dozens of UFOs. She described an "unexplained close encounter" where she saw about six bright orb lights making different patterns, followed by a long triangle shape, near Cley Hill. The sighting lasted about five minutes and was captured on her mobile phone. Military and local astronomers could not explain the lights, and Longleat Estate and Center Parcs confirmed they were not laser shows. Major, usually a skeptic, could not explain the phenomenon, ruling out fireworks and laser shows.

10th annual UFO conference flies in big name guests

This Cornishman article announces the 10th annual UFO conference hosted by the Cornwall UFO Research Group, featuring Budd Hopkins, a leading expert on UFO abductions. Hopkins, who became involved in UFO research after a daylight sighting in 1964, will discuss his work on the abduction phenomenon, presenting case material and evidence. The conference also includes talks by other researchers on UFO sightings and related topics.

What was it?

This Evening Press article from York, England, describes a sighting by Aled Jones of Bridlington, who saw a "brilliant white light" in the sky, about the size of a large car and circular. He watched it for about ten seconds before it vanished. Jones believes it was a genuine UFO sighting, as it flew at a high altitude and did not move like a conventional aircraft.

Orange lights may be geese

This Echo article from Loughborough, England, explores sightings of orange lights in the sky. While some witnesses believe they are UFOs, John Wells suggests they could be flocks of geese whose wet bellies reflect streetlights. The article also references sightings in the Halewood area and discusses various mundane explanations for such phenomena, including aircraft, birds, laser shows, and fire balloons.

Paul Hellyer has a unique solution to global warming and the gas shortage - ask aliens what makes their saucers fly

This Sun article profiles Paul Hellyer, former Canadian Defence Minister, who believes UFOs hold the key to solving global warming and the gas shortage. Hellyer suggests that wreckage from UFO crashes, including the Roswell incident, provided humanity with advanced technology like micro-chips and lasers. He posits that the propulsion systems of flying saucers, likely based on zero-point energy, are pollution-free and could offer a solution to environmental crises. He advocates for transparency from governments regarding alien technology and believes humanity has a right to know.

Account of a UFO spotter

This Advertiser article details a series of UFO sightings reported by Natasha James and her friends in Long Eaton, England. They observed flickering red, orange, and yellow lights that moved upwards and vanished. They also reported hearing loud noises consistent with army helicopters circling the area later that night.

UFO spotted over Ugthorpe

This Gazette article reports a UFO sighting near Ugthorpe, England, by Mel Sprague, who saw an odd light changing direction in the sky. The light moved forwards, then dropped diagonally, and moved to the side, not following a uniform path.

France makes UFO reports public on Net

This Arkansas Democrat-Gazette article discusses France's National Center for Space Studies releasing over 1,600 UFO case files online. The files, spanning 50 years, include witness testimony, photographs, and film footage. While the agency states the data does not prove the existence of extraterrestrial beings, it also does not rule it out. The article highlights a particularly intriguing case from 1967 involving "four small black beings" and a sphere observed by two children in France.

UFO witnessed over Stratford

This Midweek Herald article describes video footage of an unidentified flying object (UFO) over Stratford, England, captured by Jonathan Kiefert. Multiple witnesses saw the object, described as a fireball moving slowly and silently before changing direction. While some, like Steve Smith of the Stratford Astronomical Society, suggest it was a meteor, UFO researcher Keith Owen disputes this, noting the object made a right-angled turn and lasted for several minutes, unlike typical fireballs.

US air base filmed for UFO show

This Evening News article reports that scenes for a television documentary about a major UFO incident were filmed at the Lakenheath American Air Force base in England. The incident involved a massive triangular-shaped UFO reported by police and military personnel in March 1993. The show's producer, Kay Hill, described the Americans at Lakenheath as "absolutely super" and noted that the case, based on a UFO file obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, is considered "the most convincing UFO incident" by former UFO project head Nick Pope.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent nature of UFO sightings across different regions and time periods, the challenges in obtaining official explanations from governments and military bodies, and the ongoing debate between skeptical explanations (like flares or atmospheric phenomena) and the possibility of extraterrestrial origins. The editorial stance, as reflected in the selection of articles and the framing of the information, leans towards presenting UFO phenomena as a serious subject worthy of investigation and public awareness, often highlighting witness credibility and questioning official dismissals. There's a clear emphasis on the idea that "the truth is out there" and that governments may be withholding information.

This compilation of articles from late 2006 and early 2007 delves into a variety of unexplained phenomena, ranging from potential alien invasions and UFO sightings to the enduring mystery of Bigfoot and scientific speculation about extraterrestrial life on Mars. The content draws from various newspapers and magazines, presenting a mix of personal accounts, expert opinions, and research findings.

Key Articles and Reports

'Invasion warning is no joke' (ECHO, Nov. 24, 2006)

This article highlights the concerns of Nick Pope, former head of the Ministry of Defence's UFO project, who warns that the UK is in danger of alien invasion due to the dismissal of credible UFO sightings. The piece also touches on anecdotal evidence, including Hilary Porter's claim of being abducted by aliens multiple times, and the possibility that the orange lights seen over Quorn were significant.

Mike Devlin: 'The way I see it...' (EVENING LEADER, Nov. 9, 2006)

Columnist Mike Devlin explores humanity's fascination with the sky and the question of extraterrestrial life. He recounts historical UFO sightings, including 'mystery silvery balls' seen during WWII and a triangular craft reported in North Wales. Devlin also shares a graphic personal experience from a nine-year-old girl who claimed to have seen silver beings emerge from a saucer-shaped object. He concludes by questioning humanity's assumption of being the only intelligent life in the universe.

'714 UFOs are spotted' (EXPRESS & STAR, Oct. 14, 2006)

This brief report states that the Ministry of Defence received 714 reports of unidentified flying objects in the preceding six years, with only 12 deemed worthy of further consideration and none posing a threat to UK air defence.

'Retired Trucker Tells of His Alien Encounter' (SUNDAY MERCURY, Nov. 19, 2006)

Pat McDonald, a retired lorry driver, breaks a 40-year silence to recount his encounter with a triangular-shaped spacecraft in 1966. He describes a beam of light and a massive, silent craft that followed him home. He also mentions a similar spacecraft sighting by two policemen in 1966 and a triangular craft seen over RAF Cosford in 1993, investigated by Nick Pope.

'I Hacked Into NASA to Find Aliens' (DAILY STAR, Nov. 23, 2006)

Gary McKinnon, a British hacker, discusses his intrusion into top-secret NASA files where he claims to have found a file marked 'non-terrestrial' and seen a picture of a UFO. He downloaded an image of a cigar-shaped vessel. McKinnon faces extradition to the US for his actions, which caused significant damage.

Puerto Rico UFO Cases (TRANSLATIONS, Feb. 2, 2007 - Feb. 9, 2007)

• This section presents several translated reports from Puerto Rico:
• A 'UFO Turns Out To Be A Balloon?' incident in Yucatan, Mexico, where a balloon launched for a religious promise was mistaken for a UFO.
• A summary of UFO cases in Puerto Rico, including a shining metallic oval object seen near the Mayaguez Zoo by Pedro Navarro.
• An 'ENTITY CAPTURED ON VIDEOTAPE' at Mayaguez Zoo, where a family recorded a strange creature.
• A 'Mystery lights' sighting in Yatton, UK, involving over 30 orange, tennis ball-shaped objects.
• A 'WHITE LIGHT WITH HORIZONTAL MOTION' seen and recorded over Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.
• 'STRANGE OBJECTS APPEAR IN RESEARCHER PHOTOGRAPHS' in Moca, Puerto Rico, with four photos showing white objects and a face-like image.
• A 'BRIGHT OBJECT OVER MAYAGUEZ, P.R.' described as a very intense white light.
• An 'UNEXPLAINED LIGHT OVER LAKE CARRAIZO' described as a bright white light the size of a ping-pong ball.
• A 'SINGLE WHITE LIGHT SEEN FROM GURABO, P.R.' observed by an amateur astronomer and pilot.

Mexico UFO Sightings (Feb. 20, 2007)

Reports from researcher Alfonso Salazar Mendoza detail UFOs sighted over Mexico City International Airport by aviation technicians, described as metallic and spherical. A Mexican Navy helicopter crew also reported a metallic spherical object crossing their path near Chiquihuite Hill.

Chile UFO Allegations (Feb. 23, 2007)

An alleged UFO was captured on a Nikon digital camera at Los Confines Airport. Another report mentions an Unidentified Flying Object shaped like a cylinder captured on film during aerobatic trials by the Chilean Air Force two years prior.

Cellphone Ghostly Image (Feb. 24, 2007)

A cellphone camera captured a ghostly image of a man who was not present in the room during a family gathering in Chile. Technicians believe the phenomenon is 'bizarre' and cannot be explained by normal camera functions.

'Balderdash' on physics schedule (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, March 9, 2007)

This article discusses Roy Masters' presentation of his 'free energy' theory based on gravitational force at an American Physical Society meeting. The APS acknowledges that some presentations are scientifically suspect but maintains a policy of openness. Physicists dismiss Masters' theory as 'balderdash' because it violates the law of conservation of energy.

'TV show to look for Texas Bigfoot' (STAR-TELEGRAM, Feb. 16, 2007)

Tom Biscardi, an Bigfoot enthusiast, is planning a reality-TV show called 'Capturing Bigfoot' to be filmed near Paris, Texas, where he believes a Bigfoot family resides in old Army bunkers. The show aims to capture the elusive creature, with an expedition costing $375 per participant. The Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy criticizes Biscardi's methods as not being scientific.

'Ancient computer had "unexpected degree of sophistication"' (POST, Nov. 30, 2006)

Scientists have reconstructed the Antikythera Mechanism, a geared device from a Roman shipwreck dating to the 2nd century B.C. Using advanced imaging, researchers deciphered inscriptions and revealed the mechanism's sophisticated functions for calculating astronomical information, particularly lunar-solar motions, far exceeding expectations for its era.

NASA Mars Microbes Theory (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, Jan. 8, 2007)

This report details a theory by scientist Dirk Schulze-Makuch suggesting that NASA's Viking space probes in 1976-77 may have encountered and inadvertently killed alien microbes on Mars. The probes were looking for Earth-like life and might have missed life forms adapted to Mars' harsh environment, such as those using a water-hydrogen peroxide mix.

'Professor theorizes on Gurdon Light' (DAILY SIFTINGS HERALD, undated)

Dr. Charles Leming explored various explanations for the 'Gurdon Light,' a mysterious light seen near railroad tracks in Arkansas. Theories include swamp gas, geological pressure on quartz, and the ghost of a murdered railroad man. Leming suggests it's likely a combination of natural phenomena.

'Big' news' (DAILY MINING GAZETTE, Nov. 8, 2006)

This letter to the editor criticizes the ridicule faced by scientists researching controversial topics like Bigfoot and UFOs, comparing it to the hostility Dr. Jeff Meldrum faced for his Bigfoot research. The author argues that such behavior contradicts the scientific principle of unbiased research.

Museum's exhibit 'Bigfoot: How Do We Know?' (FORTEANA NEWS, Aug. 6, 2006)

An exhibit at the Idaho Museum of Natural History explores different ways of knowing, using Bigfoot as an example. It discusses mythology, folklore, and the scientific method. The exhibit features footprint casts, hair samples, and footage of Bigfoot. The article also touches on local Bigfoot sightings in Utah and the cultural significance of the creature.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this collection of articles are the persistent human fascination with the unknown, the unexplained, and the possibility of life beyond Earth. There's a clear interest in UFO sightings, alien encounters, and cryptids like Bigfoot, presented through a mix of anecdotal evidence, expert analysis, and popular culture engagement. The articles also touch upon the scientific investigation of extraterrestrial life, particularly on Mars, and the challenges faced by researchers exploring fringe or controversial subjects. The editorial stance, where discernible, leans towards presenting these phenomena as worthy of investigation, even if skepticism is acknowledged, and highlights the human drive to understand the mysteries of the universe and our place within it. There's an underlying theme of questioning established scientific dogma and embracing diverse ways of knowing.