UFO Newsclipping Service - 2008 07 - no 468

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE
Issue: Number 468
Date: July 2008
Publisher: UFO Newsclipping Service
Country: USA
Price: $7.50

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service delves into recent and historical UFO sightings, exploring witness accounts, official investigations, and the persistent mystery surrounding unidentified flying objects.

Recent Sightings

Surry Nuclear Power Plant Incident

Cortney Langley reports on a sighting in James City, Virginia, where Bob Foster claimed to have observed a "silvery disk" hovering near the Surry Nuclear Power Plant for approximately 20 minutes on a Monday afternoon. Foster described the object as making a slow circuit on the river side of the plant and estimated its diameter at 50-100 feet. While the power plant representative, Rick Zurecher, stated that security had been contacted and that no unusual activity was reported, he acknowledged the individual had reported seeing a UFO over the station. The article notes that airspace over nuclear power plants is restricted for national security reasons and that claims of UFO sightings over such facilities are surprisingly common.

Newbury, Massachusetts Sighting

Katie Curley details an incident in Newbury, Massachusetts, where Robert Mace and his nephew James Mace reported seeing a "silver, illuminated saucer" flying over Interstate 95. They described the object as changing shape into a cylinder and leaving a trail of smoke before disappearing. Robert Mace expressed his certainty about what he saw, stating he knows the difference between a jet and a plane. State and Newbury police reported no similar sightings or calls. The article also touches upon the Exeter incident in New Hampshire from 1965, where Norman Muscarello reported seeing a large orb of red and blue lights.

Stephenville, Texas Phenomenon

Denise Gellene covers the mass UFO sightings in Stephenville, Texas, which began in January. Constable Lee Roy Gaitan was among the first to report seeing brilliant red orbs. The town, previously known as "The Cowboy Capital of the World," became a focal point for UFO investigations, attracting media attention and leading to the creation of theme T-shirts. Steve Allen, a pilot, described seeing brilliant white lights that reconfigured into an arch shape before bursting into a "dirty white flame." The article mentions that the Air Force later stated that 10 F-16s were on a training mission over Erath County at the time of the initial sightings, though this was initially denied. The phenomenon sparked various theories, including military experiments and even extraterrestrial visitation.

Hollin Hall, Virginia Sighting

John Arundel reports on an incident in the Hollin Hall area where two residents were awoken by a levitating flying object with rectangular green and red lights, emitting a "whoosh" sound. Initial investigations ruled out the nearby Army's Fort Belvoir base and Fairfax County police. The object was described as being about 100 feet off the ground.

Tinley Park, Illinois Sightings

Kristen Schorsch writes about the "UFO Hunters" investigating sightings in Tinley Park, Illinois, where a trio of red lights shaped like a triangle appeared multiple times in 2004 and 2005. Witnesses like Wally Bekta and David Palagi described the lights as flares on balloons, though others, including Sam Maranto of the Mutual UFO Network, suggested the sightings were more significant. The article notes that the History Channel show "UFO Hunters" examined these cases.

Historical UFO Accounts

The Great Airship Wave of 1896-1897

Tara McClellan McAndrew recounts the "Great Airship Wave" of 1896-1897, when numerous reports of "airships" with lights were seen across the United States, particularly in Illinois. The Illinois State Journal reported on April 12, 1897, that "Airships in the sky appear to be all the rage." Theories ranged from hoaxes and misidentified planets to actual flying machines. The article also mentions a spoof by the Illinois State Register, which claimed the airship was an advertising medium for the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Scottish UFO Files

David Perry discusses the release of secret Ministry of Defence (MoD) reports on UFO sightings in Scotland. These files detail hundreds of sightings, including an incident in November 1984 where a pilot and co-pilot reported a "red rocket with a yellow trail" corroborated by air traffic control. Other reports include a "spherical object" seen by Kirkwall Coastguard and a "bright, diamond-shaped object" reported by police in Kingussie. The MoD maintains that while strange phenomena are observed, there is no evidence to suggest they are alien spacecraft, emphasizing that their interest is in ensuring national defence.

North Devon Sightings

Amanda Tassell reports on UFO sightings in North Devon, England, detailed in the 1978-1987 UFO national archives released by the Ministry of Defence. One particularly spooky night in May 1985, RAF Chivenor received multiple reports of apparent UFO sightings, including an object the size of a Sea King helicopter and sets of lights described as better than the Red Arrows. Other reports mention tiers of white, red, and green lights and a large cylindrical object.

Montgomery County, Indiana Airship

The Paper of Montgomery County recounts a historical sighting from September 1891, where eyewitnesses described an unidentified aerial phenomenon, referred to as an "airship." The Crawfordsville Star reported on the event, with witnesses like John Callahan describing a "dark looking object" with a "fish's tail" formation. While some dismissed it as a hoax or misidentification, the article notes the persistence of such reports.

Thanet Times Close Encounter

An article from the Thanet Times describes a "surreal experience" reported by pilot Bob Cox, who heard a roaring sound above his home, unlike any known aircraft. Andrew Warren also reported seeing strange lights accompanied by a strange engine noise on the same night.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO Newsclipping Service presents a diverse collection of UFO reports, ranging from recent sightings near nuclear facilities and highways to historical accounts of "airships" and government-released files. The publication appears to maintain a neutral stance, presenting witness testimonies and official statements without definitively concluding the nature of the phenomena. It highlights the ongoing debate between skepticism and belief, the challenges in identifying unexplained aerial events, and the public's enduring fascination with the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation. The recurring theme is the persistent occurrence of unexplained aerial phenomena across different times and locations, prompting continued investigation and speculation.

This issue of the SUNDAY EXPRESS, dated May 25, 2008, focuses heavily on UFO and cryptid-related phenomena, with a prominent cover story about a former US military chief's account of a British UFO sighting.

Ex-US military chief tells all on British Roswell

The lead article details the testimony of Charles Halt, a retired Lieutenant Colonel who was in charge of the American base in Suffolk in 1980. He speaks for the first time about the Rendlesham Forest incident, dubbed 'Britain's Roswell'. Halt's report, now part of the National Archives, describes strange lights and a triangular craft that hovered for hours near RAF Woodbridge. He recounts being alerted by his men to strange lights and a triangular craft over Rendlesham Forest. Two nights later, he was interrupted at a Christmas party and told 'It's back.' In the forest, he and two assistants found three deep indentations in a triangular shape, evidence of mild radiation, and broken tree branches. Halt describes a 'very strange event' where he saw a bright red and orange oval object with a black centre, which he likened to a 'blinking eye'. The object manoeuvred through trees, receded when approached, and then silently broke into five white objects. One object approached at high speed and sent down a beam near his feet, which he described as 'more like a laser beam.' Communication with the base was difficult due to radio interference. James Pennington, a former senior security officer, corroborates seeing a triangular craft on Boxing Day 1980, covered in blue and yellow swirling lights. He states that after 45 minutes, the lights intensified, and the craft lifted off silently, manoeuvred through trees, and shot off at unbelievable speed. He noted that 80 air force personnel witnessed the take-off.

Other UFO Sightings and Incidents

Vietnam

Thanh Nien News reports on June 1, 2008, that Kien Giang Province authorities in southern Vietnam have reported the discovery of metal debris, believed to be fragments from an unidentified flying object (UFO), to the central government. Metal pieces rained down in Ganh Dau and Cua Can communes on Phu Quoc island. The Military Command of Phu Quoc District recovered 14 metal pieces. Rumors suggest some individuals found 'dollars' or 'very cold' metal pieces. Kien Giang police deputy chief Nguyen Thanh Banh warned that spreading rumors that negatively affect security would be dealt with according to law.

China

ShanghaiDaily.com reports on June 23, 2008, about a heated debate over a photograph taken by He Zhongyuan in Chongqing. He claims to have captured a huge, oval-shaped UFO on Saturday night. The object was described as green and yellow, bigger than half a football field, with holes like doors and windows. The city's lighting authority confirmed a laser light show occurred at Chaotianmen Square during the time of the sighting. Wu Zhilun of the Chongqing Astronomy Association examined the pictures and suggested it was probably an illusion, noting the difficulty in determining if it was related to extraterrestrials. The Shanghai UFO Research Center confirmed the pictures were not altered and a team would examine them.

Peru

El Regional de Piura reports on April 20, 2008, that a hospital security guard in Sullana filmed a luminous sphere flying around the moon with his cell phone. Eder Córdova Purizaca captured the images around 8:26 pm, describing the light as strange and moving with pendulum motions, unlike an airplane. He believes it was a UFO.

United Kingdom

Southampton: The Southampton Evening Echo on June 19, 2008, investigates a mystery involving strange black triangles spotted flying over Southampton landmarks. The article suggests these were likely solar balloons, made from bin bags, which can be mistaken for UFOs. Echo reporter Peter Law crafts a similar shape. Michael Lowe, organiser of a Southampton Kite Festival, agrees that these were likely solar balloons.

Beeston: The Evening Post on May 13, 2008, reports on possible UFO sightings in Beeston, where residents reported a bright, stationary triangular light with a loud noise over the town square. Notts police received a call about a possible UFO sighting.

North Wales: The Liverpool Daily Post on May 15, 2008, reports on documents surfacing about the Berwyn Mountains incident in 1974. The incident involved reports of lights, an earthquake, claims of a crashed object, and a potential cover-up. Theories range from a meteor shower and earthquake coinciding to covert military testing or a crashed secret aircraft. UFO researcher Russ Kellett is convinced something extraordinary happened, citing evidence of similar objects seen across the UK that night.

Romania

UPI.com reports on June 6, 2008, that the Romanian Defense Ministry confirmed a fighter plane was struck by four unidentified flying objects on October 31, 2007. The MIG 21 Lancer plane landed safely, and a video of the incident was released, showing 'two solid bodies.' Authorities are investigating the nature of these objects, ruling out birds, ice bodies, other planes, meteors, rocket launches, and ground artillery.

Cryptid Reports

Malaysia

The Borneo Post reports on June 13, 2008, about the discovery of two extra-large footprints near an orchard fence in Daro. The footprints measure 47 inches from heel to toe and 17 inches sideways, leading to speculation about 'Bigfoot'. Villagers also recall feeling uncomfortable and sick months prior, attributing it to something 'unclean' in the air. The Borneo Post later reports on June 16, 2008, that Sarawak Museum anthropologist Dr. Charles Leh dismissed the footprints as a hoax, stating they were man-made and too shallow to be from a creature weighing over 200kg.

Jamaica

The Jamaica Gleaner reports on June 5, 2008, about the return of the 'Scott Town monster' in Manchester. Residents describe an unidentified nocturnal creature, about twice the size of a big dog with a snout and four long, skinny legs, which has been stealing melons and damaging banana trees. Theories about its identity vary, with some believing it to be a 'beast of the devil'.

Scotland

The Toronto Sun reports on June 1, 2008, on the allure of the Loch Ness Monster. It highlights Adrian Shine's Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, which presents evidence suggesting a plesiosaur-like creature could not exist in the loch due to a lack of nutrients. However, Shine maintains that 'the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.'

USA/Canada

The timesunion.com reports on May 18, 2008, about Barbara Malloy's belief in a sea serpent nicknamed 'Memphre' in Lake Memphremagog, straddling Vermont and Quebec. Malloy has documented over 100 sightings since 1816 and maintains a website about Memphre.

Texas, USA

The Arlington Star Telegram reports on May 28, 2008, on the 'Chupacabra Lady,' Phylis Canion, who is seeking further DNA tests on a recently found carcass. Previous tests identified a creature as a coyote or Mexican wolf cross. Canion suggests a scientific explanation for the myth, possibly related to a genetic baldness gene or a vitamin deficiency causing a craving for blood.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, and cryptid phenomena from various parts of the world. The articles present eyewitness accounts, official reports, and expert opinions, often highlighting the mystery and debate surrounding these events. There is a clear interest in unexplained aerial phenomena and mysterious creatures, with a focus on providing detailed accounts and exploring different theories, including potential cover-ups and scientific explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena, presenting evidence and witness testimonies, while also acknowledging skepticism and alternative explanations.