UFO Newsclipping Service - 2010 02 - no 487

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO Newsclipping Service, Number 487, dated February 2010, is published by NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE and costs $5.00. The cover headline is "Mystery lights in the sky," and it features commentary from J.D. Mullane and an "Intelligencer" piece from Doylestown, PA, dated December 15, 2009.

In Loving Memory of Jane Thomas Guma

The magazine opens with a tribute to Jane Thomas Guma, who passed away on January 2, 2010. She was the UFONS Spanish translator and a contributor for many years, described as an avid UFO enthusiast. Her contributions and correspondence will be missed.

Commentary: Mystery lights in the sky by J.D. Mullane

J.D. Mullane discusses the surge in UFO sightings in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which became the "UFO-sighting capital of the nation" according to MUFON, with over 120 incidents reported in 2008 and 2009. He interviews Richard M. Dolan, an expert in "ufology," who has moved from skepticism to belief in alien visitations after studying declassified government documents. Dolan points to a "government trail" of reports, including military pilots attempting to shoot down UFOs, and notes the military's long-standing interest in the phenomenon despite public denials. He mentions Winston Churchill's memo on UFOs and the involvement of figures like Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter, the first CIA director, in investigating aerial phenomena.

Dolan acknowledges that not all lights in the sky are alien craft, and admits there's no hard physical evidence for crashes or retrievals. The commentary includes an anecdote about attendees at Dolan's talk who were convinced aliens were among them.

San Francisco Examiner: Giant UFOs near the sun, standing by?

This article from February 1, 2010, reports on images from NASA's Stereo Spacecraft showing huge spherical UFOs near the sun, appearing around January 18, 2010. The objects are described as potentially planet-sized and moving. The author questions why they haven't been pulled into the sun by gravity and notes they reflect sunlight like metal ships. The article includes a response from Dr. Joseph B. Gurman, STEREO Project Scientist, explaining that image discrepancies are due to different data transmission modes (beacon mode vs. normal playback telemetry) and a failure in the central data recorder at DSN, causing delays in full-resolution image processing.

Barron News Shield: UFO sightings near Prairie Farm

This brief report from January 16, 2010, mentions dispatchers at the Barron County Sheriff's Department receiving calls about strange lights in the skies over two consecutive nights, which authorities characterized as nothing unusual.

Chagrin Solon Sun: Newbury man sees large, silver UFO, but it quickly vanishes

From January 21, 2010, this report details a Newbury man's sighting of a wingless, 20-foot-high, 100-foot-long silver object with bright white lights hovering 50 feet above trees, which vanished when he looked away.

KOLO TV Chan.8: UFO sightings in eastern Nevada's White Pine County

This February 18, 2010, report from Reno, Nevada, discusses ongoing UFO sightings in White Pine County. Witnesses like Heather Morrison describe lights blinking on and off, seen by multiple motorists. Charles Gledhill, who runs a rest stop, notes neighbors have seen these lights. Mike Bertrand describes a large, green and orange light that appeared suddenly and disappeared. Mark Easter, a MUFON field investigator, confirms ongoing sightings. Mary Sorenson recounts seeing a hovering object that changed direction, speculating it could be government testing.

The article notes potential terrestrial sources for sightings, such as Nellis Air Force Range and Area 51, and mentions the familiarity of delta-shaped crafts, similar to the stealth fighter. It concludes that the silent maneuvers and characteristics of these objects are unlike known aircraft, leaving witnesses to draw their own conclusions.

examiner.com: Latest UFO sighting - Strange blue unknown object recorded over North Carolina

This February 19, 2010, article describes a sighting of a bright blue light that performed tight figure-8 patterns, then turned bright green and shot up into the air, followed by huge loops and flashing blue and black. The witness, who recorded a short video, states he sees strange things in the sky 2-3 times a month and that this sighting was witnessed by his brother and his girlfriend.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Anyone see a UFO near Lake Saint Louis?

This January 31, 2010, article reports on Bill Cole's sighting of an illuminated flying saucer hovering above Lake Saint Louis on Saturday night. He described lights changing from red to blue to green to violet. His son and neighbor, Jack Hogrebe, also witnessed the event. Police received a second call but found no reports of UFO sightings.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Pop goes UFO claims in Lake Saint Louis

This February 2, 2010, follow-up article reveals that the "UFO" seen over Lake Saint Louis was a deflated advertising balloon with LED lights, being tested by inventor Paul Bauer. The balloon, described as round and flashing, was mistaken for a UFO by residents.

Centennial Citizen News: Close encounters of the suburban kind

Published January 21, 2010, this article details a sighting by college student Will Chambers in Centennial, Colorado. He described a bright white, cigar-shaped or disk-shaped object that turned blue and seemed to be an "intelligent design." The article notes Colorado as a UFO hotspot, with MUFON receiving about a dozen reports monthly. It mentions bizarre cattle mutilations in Southwestern Colorado and a proposed ordinance in Denver to create a city commission to investigate UFO sightings. Alex Kalkman reported seeing a silent object in Lone Tree, Colorado, that hovered and then moved north.

From last page (Centennial Citizen)

This section continues the discussion on UFOs, mentioning Kalkman's later sighting in Utah and the public's increasing willingness to discuss UFO experiences. It highlights Stanton Friedman's efforts to lend credibility to UFO research and Doug Wilson of MUFON's investigative process, which explains about 70% of sightings as mundane.

Folsom, CA News Blaze: UFO Insanity: Skydivers Mistaken For Invaders From Outer Space!

This February 9, 2010, article humorously describes how 68 skydivers in colorful suits performing a diamond formation were mistaken for UFOs, leading to 911 calls reporting an extraterrestrial invasion. The author dismisses the idea of aliens and urges people not to tie up emergency numbers with misidentified phenomena.

CHANNEL 7 News: UFO: UFO Unexplained Object Over Niagra Falls

This January 19, 2010, report from Buffalo, New York, discusses a mysterious hovering object near Niagara Falls that was video-taped and photographed. Officials and experts from the U.S. and Canada had no knowledge of it, and no major UFO groups reported it. The article speculates if it could have been an "inter-dimensional or an inter-galactic tourist."

SIGNS OF THE TIMES: US: Five Separate UFO Reports from Texas

This February 10, 2010, section compiles five reports from Texas:

• Sierra Blanca, TX (02-07-10): A large, white/silver, cylinder-shaped object with one wing was observed flying east, followed by a jet airplane. Witnesses described it as larger than the jet and making no noise.
• Texas (02-08-10): Multiple colored spheres, some hovering and some flashing, were seen at different altitudes. Military aircraft were observed later. The witness feels they are the only one seeing this activity.
• San Antonio, TX (02-09-10): A bright orange-red light, described as similar to an HID light, was seen by the witness and confirmed by a friend. Three such lights were observed, along with smaller blinking white lights that appeared to be jets.
• Texas (02-09-10): Two small red lights, resembling tail lights but in the sky, were seen above a barn, followed by blinking white lights. Similar lights were seen previously. The object's movement was noted.
• Texas (02-09-10): Four red lights were observed moving in formation low across the horizon, with no white lights or sound, unlike typical aircraft. The witness states it was unusual and asks if other reports have been made.

mcdowellnews.com: Mike Conley's Tales of the Weird: Scottish forester gassed by UFO

This February 10, 2010, article recounts the 1979 encounter of forester Robert Taylor in Scotland. He described a large, circular, dark metallic object with stems and propellers, hovering over a forest floor. Two smaller spheres dropped from the object, attached to his pants, emitting a hissing noise and an acrid smell. Taylor was dragged toward the larger UFO, lost consciousness, and later found himself unable to speak or stand. The object and spheres were gone upon his awakening. An investigator suggested a mirage of Venus caused an epileptic fit, but Taylor maintained his story until his death in 2007.

examiner.com: UFO Triangle in the San Francisco bay area reported January 26th 2010

This January 28, 2010, report details the photography of an evasive triangle-shaped UFO over the San Francisco Bay Area. The images are considered real, and the article notes the area's concentration of technical research and development firms. The report was submitted to MUFON.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: FLYING SAUCER OVER TUCSON? B-29 FAILS TO CATCH OBJECT

This article from the Tucson Daily Citizen, dated February 2, 1950, describes a fiery object streaking across the sky, leaving a smoke trail. The object was observed at high altitude and appeared to hover over Tucson before gaining speed. A B-29 aircraft attempted to investigate but could not catch the object. Switchboards were swamped with inquiries. Dr. Edwin F. Carpenter, head of the University of Arizona's astronomy department, ruled out a meteor, stating the object's heavy smoke discharge was unusual for natural phenomena. Speculation ranged from experimental planes to alien craft.

DIXON EVENING TELEGRAPH: Air Force Denies It Has Flying Saucer

This March 23, 1954, article reports on the Air Force's stance that "flying saucers" do not exist, attributing sightings to misinterpretation, mass hysteria, or hoaxes. It notes that the Air Force had investigated 375 incidents over two years, with most explained. Civilian scientists and Air Force technical officers were involved in the investigations. The article also mentions a Cuban pilot tracking a saucer and American cameramen filming a "shiny, fast-moving object" in Mexico City.

THE DAILY TIMES-NEWS: 'Flying Saucer' Reports Now Are Routine

Published April 30, 1959, this article discusses how UFO reports have become routine. The Air Force has developed techniques to evaluate sightings, with 206 cases investigated in the last six months of the previous year. Most were explained as weather balloons, aircraft, astronomical objects, or miscellaneous. The article suggests "sky awareness" and "cold war jitters" contribute to sightings. It references Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting and the subsequent global reports of "flying saucers," cigar shapes, and "blobs." The article also notes that some believe the Air Force is aware of UFOs but keeping it quiet, and that some psychologists attribute sightings to a need for fantasy.

The Billings Gazette: 'Flying Saucers' Sighted in State

This July 26, 1951, article reports on various aerial objects sighted over Montana, including "balls of fire," "figure eights," and "silver crescents." Residents reported objects traveling at high speed and reversing course. The weather bureau suggested a "test balloon" from Hill Field as a possible explanation for some sightings, while others were attributed to a lost weather observation balloon filled with helium.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, witness testimonies, and the ongoing debate about their origin and nature. There's a clear focus on recent events, particularly in the US, but also a nod to historical cases. The magazine presents a mix of skeptical and believing viewpoints, with experts like Richard M. Dolan advocating for the possibility of alien visitations and official sources like the Air Force maintaining that most sightings have mundane explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various reports and expert opinions without definitively concluding the nature of the phenomena, while acknowledging the significant number of unexplained cases.

This issue of 'Foreign News' presents a compilation of news clippings from early 2010, primarily focusing on UFO sightings and related phenomena reported across the globe. The collection, curated by Timothy Good, features articles from various international newspapers and news agencies, highlighting witness accounts, photographic evidence, and official responses to these events. The content spans a range of topics including UFO sightings, government investigations, and the persistent mystery of cattle mutilations, alongside reports on Bigfoot.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

Several articles detail specific UFO sightings. In Rossendale, England, Aron Sacks captured a photograph of a 'silver saucer' hovering in the sky, with his father Mike recalling numerous sightings in the area between 1978 and 1979. A reader in Cumbria, England, reported seeing similar UFO lights to those previously reported in the Drogheda Independent, describing a formation of orange lights moving inland. The Drogheda Independent also featured footage of six bright lights filmed over Drogheda on New Year's Eve 2009, described as ovoid in shape with beams of light.

In Dublin, Ireland, a triangular formation of five lights was filmed flying at 'incredible speed' over the River Liffey. A police officer in Bursa Isnik, Turkey, photographed a disc-shaped UFO. Scotland saw a threefold increase in UFO sightings after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) axed its supernatural investigations department, with reports ranging from airborne objects to 'bright orange bulbs'.

New Zealand is set to release hundreds of pages of secret files on UFO sightings from 1979 to 1984, including reports related to the Kaikoura sighting of December 1978. In Argentina, multiple witness UFO events were reported in Santiago del Estero, with residents capturing photos of strange objects. A former navy man in Llanelli, Wales, reported seeing a 'brilliant orange light' that he described as a disc or ball moving at high speed.

In Exmouth, England, retired engineer Roy Shaw reported a 'white, translucent shape' that he described as a spaceship landing in Phear Park, an event an Exmouth UFO expert termed a 'Close Encounter of the Third Kind'. A UFO was also photographed over Budapest, Hungary, by a witness who described magnetic pulsations and a silent disappearance. Over Burbage, England, a couple reported seeing over 25 UFOs, described as bright orange orbs, filling the night sky.

Government and Official Responses

The issue highlights varying governmental stances on UFO investigations. The UK Ministry of Defence has ceased recording sightings after keeping its UFO department running since the 1950s, stating that investigations offered no defence benefit and were an inappropriate use of resources. Nick Pope, former head of the MoD's UFO department, criticized this decision, warning of increased vulnerability to terrorist attack. In Scotland, Malcolm Robinson of Strange Paranormal Investigations expressed disappointment at the closure, vowing to continue the work. The New Zealand Defence Force is removing personal information from secret UFO files before their release to comply with the Privacy Act.

Cattle Mutilations and Bigfoot

'Mutilations Remain a Mystery' by Rich Tosches explores the ongoing phenomenon of cattle mutilations, particularly in Colorado. Chuck Zukowski, a UFO researcher, has investigated numerous scenes where cattle were found with body parts removed with great precision, suggesting it's not the work of natural predators. While some suspect alien involvement, Zukowski also considers the possibility of military testing or other explanations. The article notes that similar mutilations have been reported in various locations worldwide, including Missouri, Canada, and the Dominican Republic.

'Could Big Foot be in Polk County?' by Palmer Wood discusses sightings of the ape-like creature, also known as Sasquatch, in Florida's swamp areas. The article notes the rarity of quality photographs and videos, and the lack of definitive physical evidence beyond hair samples that do not match known animals. It also touches on the 'Skunk Ape' moniker and the physical capabilities attributed to the creature.

Separately, a report from Boise, Idaho, details a Washington Bigfoot hunter's claim of finding fossil evidence proving the creature's existence. Cliff Crook, a Bigfoot tracker for 56 years, believes an imprint of a fossil from the Jurassic age found in Texas is proof. The article also mentions a Bigfoot Museum selling life-sized sculptures.

Other Reports

'Mike Conley's Tales of the Weird' reports on sightings of a large, hairy, upright creature in Grayson County, Virginia, thought to be Bigfoot. The creature was described as approximately 7 feet tall with black hair all over and reportedly walked upright before disappearing into pine trees. The article also includes a correction regarding the location of a previous UFO encounter in Scotland, clarifying it was not in the highlands.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this collection of news clippings are the persistent presence of unexplained aerial phenomena, the varying degrees of official acknowledgment and investigation, and the public's enduring fascination with mysteries beyond conventional understanding. The editorial stance, as presented through the selection of articles, leans towards reporting on these phenomena with a degree of seriousness, providing witness accounts and expert opinions, while also acknowledging skepticism and the need for verifiable evidence. The inclusion of articles on cattle mutilations and Bigfoot suggests a broader interest in cryptozoology and unexplained events beyond just UFOs.