UFO Newsclipping Service - 2011 08 - no 505

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE
Issue Date: August 2011
Issue Number: 505
Editor: David Marler
Publisher: Roderick B. Dyke, Archivist (Archives for UFO Research - AUFOR)
Price: $5.00

This is the final issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service (UFONS), a publication that documented UFOlogy and related phenomena for 42 years. The issue features a personal message from the founder and original editor, Rod Dyke, reflecting on the publication's history and its extensive archive of over 10,000 pages and 30,000 newsclippings.

Editor's Note: A Personal Message from Rod Dyke

Rod Dyke, the originator of UFONS, shares his reflections on the publication's end. He started the service in May 1969 at the age of 17 and served as editor until issue #98, then as co-editor with Lou Farish from issue #99 to #258. Dyke expresses his honor in saying "last words" for the journal that documented the "intriguing and amazing, (and sometimes wacky), world of UFOlogy, Cryptozoology and related Fortean news." He thanks Lou Farish for taking over editorship, Dave Marler for his role as the fourth and final editor, and his wife Colleen, along with hundreds of subscribers. Dyke concludes with a heartfelt thanks to those who maintain a sense of wonder about the universe.

Dyke also announces that, as the archivist for AUFOR, he retains the copyrights to all UFONS issues. He is excited to inform researchers that all 505 back issues are being scanned and will be made available in printed or PDF editions.

Articles and Features

Daniel Rubin: Air Force vet not buying UFO stories except the Roswell thing (The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 1, 2011)

This article profiles Tom Carey, a retired Air Force veteran and insurance industry investigator who has spent 20 years investigating the 1947 Roswell incident. While Carey dismisses most UFO phenomena like lights in the sky or crop circles, he believes the Roswell event involved a crashed "nuts-and-bolts craft" with humanoid beings and a subsequent government cover-up. Carey co-authored "Witness to Roswell" with Donald R. Schmitt, which includes an affidavit from former Roswell Air Army Base public information officer Walter G. Haut, detailing otherworldly metallic strips, an egg-shaped craft, and alien bodies.

Kennewick man says he spied an unusual object (tricityherald.com, August 10, 2011)

Dan Arrenholz of Kennewick, WA, reported seeing an unusual object moving quickly and silently over the Columbia River on Tuesday morning. He initially thought it might be an ultralight plane or balloons but concluded it was manmade due to its rapid, diagonal movement. Airport officials and the FAA had no reports of such activity, and the National UFO Reporting Center had not received reports from the immediate area, though it has nearly 80 reports from the Tri-Cities region.

Texas UFO: Is it unknown flying object or just a meteor (Bazar Chitli Qabar Delhi, India, July 29, 2011)

This article discusses a UFO sighting in Texas, captured by a traffic camera in Fort Worth. The footage showed a bright light dropping from the sky. While UFO experts are reviewing the clips, many viewers are skeptical, suggesting it might be a shooting star or meteor. A witness described seeing a flash of light that looked more like a meteor.

UFO investigators' convention emphasizes scientific methods (Los Angeles Times, July 31, 2011)

The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) held a symposium in Irvine, CA, focusing on scientific methods for UFO investigation. Certified investigator David MacDonald stressed the importance of keeping an open mind, looking at evidence, and approaching investigations like a scientific researcher. Attendees were advised to approach sightings objectively, pack recording devices, and follow protocol, including proper paperwork from witnesses. The article also touches on the public's perception of UFO investigators as being on the fringe and the challenges of gaining scientific community acceptance.

UFO sighting? Kingman light show defied logic, photographer says (DAILY MINER, August 7, 2011)

Michael Baca photographed a series of lights over Kingman, AZ, that he described as methodical and silent, forming oval and rectangular shapes. Local historian Rob Chilcoat compared the sighting to the 1997 Phoenix Lights phenomenon. The article notes that such sightings often occur near military installations or smaller airports. Baca reported his sighting to the National UFO Reporting Center.

Journalists who shun UFO reports fail readers (COLUMBIA DAILY TRIBUNE, August 16, 2011)

Bill Wickersham argues that journalists have largely ignored or ridiculed UFO reports for over 60 years, failing in their professional duty. He cites the COMETA report, which concluded that extraterrestrial visitation is the most plausible hypothesis for UFO phenomena. Wickersham criticizes mainstream media outlets for defaulting on the issue, citing the Phoenix Lights sighting as an example of negligence. He suggests that applying sound journalism practices could help move the UFO/ET issue past ridicule and opposition towards acceptance.

More veterans challenge Blue Book (Herald-Tribune, August 15, 2011)

This article discusses a press conference held by seven military veterans who shared recollections of UFOs surveilling or disabling U.S. nuclear missiles in the 1960s and '70s. The Air Force's response, referencing an old press release about Project Blue Book, dismissed these reports. The article quotes Capt. Edward Ruppelt, a former Blue Book investigator, who warned of a movement to mislead the public and questioned the Air Force's explanations for UFO reports, suggesting they were not always valid and that the distribution of UFO reports did not align with normal population distribution.

Radar Track Of 2 UFOs Confirmed (Tucson Daily Citizen, May 25, 1964)

This archival clipping reports that the Air Force confirmed its radar tracked two unidentified flying objects over White Sands Missile Range. The Aerial Phenomena Research Organization in Tucson reported that three different radars picked up the objects flying leisurely at about 20 miles per hour and low altitudes. An Air Force pilot reportedly saw "egg-shaped" objects on the ground, and a policeman at Socorro reported seeing a similar object land with two figures emerging.

MoD expert: Best UFO I saw was in Rufford (Lancashire Evening Post, July 14, 2011)

Nick Pope, a former UFO expert for the UK Ministry of Defence, shared his favorite sighting: a UFO described as a "twister" moving alongside a funnel cloud, photographed by Pat Regan near Rufford Canal, Lancashire, in July 2008. Pope noted that Lancashire has a fair share of interesting sightings and incidents, and that while some photos are hoaxed, this one seemed genuine. He also expressed concern about UFO sightings near airshows and mentioned other cases, including a bus-sized UFO and a triangular craft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The UFO Newsclipping Service, throughout its 42-year run, maintained a stance of documenting UFO and Fortean phenomena without editorialization. The final issue, however, reflects on the importance of evidence-based investigation, as highlighted by David MacDonald's quote and the MUFON symposium's emphasis on scientific methods. There's a recurring theme of skepticism towards official explanations and a critique of mainstream media's dismissal of UFO reports, as articulated by Bill Wickersham and the discussion around the COMETA report. The issue also revisits historical cases like Roswell and the White Sands incident, underscoring the long-standing nature of the UFO mystery and the persistence of witness accounts despite official skepticism. The overall tone is one of continued inquiry and a desire for open-minded yet rigorous investigation into unexplained phenomena. The publication's archive is being preserved, ensuring its content remains accessible for future research.

This issue of the Yorkshire Evening Post, dated July 13, 2011, features a prominent cover story titled "Do aliens get a fair deal in the media?" The main headline poses a critical question about the public and media's perception and treatment of UFOs and extraterrestrial phenomena. The accompanying article discusses an upcoming Exopolitics conference in Leeds, which aims to explore how such events would be handled by various sectors of society.

City Conference on Visitations from Space

The article details the 3rd Annual Leeds Exopolitics Expo, a three-day conference scheduled for August 5-7 at the University of Leeds. The event is set to bring together global experts to discuss extraterrestrials and the media, with a focus on the politics of disclosure. Speakers will include a former CNN correspondent, a former NASA consultant, TV broadcasters, and UK journalists. Notable speakers mentioned are Nick Pope, former Ministry of Defence UFO desk officer; Richard D Hall of Richplanet UK; Bill Birnes of UFO Hunters (US); and Bryce Zabel, CNN correspondent and screenwriter known for the UFO series 'Dark Skies' and the mini-series 'Taken'. Event organiser Anthony Beckett highlights the growing belief in extraterrestrial visitation and questions the continued dismissal of such possibilities by governments. The article provides a website for more information: www.exopolitics-leeds.co.uk.

A share in love God has for this planet

This section, attributed to Sr Janet Fearns, explores the belief in UFOs and extraterrestrial life from a theological perspective. It references a recent video of an alleged sighting over Oxfordshire and declassified Ministry of Defence documents concerning UFO sightings in Britain between 2000-2005. The article notes that while many sightings can be explained by natural phenomena, some remain unexplained. It discusses the common descriptions of 'little grey men' and their prevalence across different countries. The piece also touches upon the intricate patterns found in European cornfields, often speculated to be a form of alien communication. The author quotes St Padre Pio and Jesuit astronomer Fr José Gabriel Funes, who do not exclude the possibility of intelligent life on other planets, viewing it as consistent with God's infinite creative freedom. The article concludes by suggesting that if God's love extends beyond humanity, it might also extend to other beings, making Earth a good place to be if aliens wish to share that love.

Is there anyone out there?

This article by Mike Kelly reports on a UFO conference held in Newcastle, featuring speakers from BUFORA (British UFO Research Association). It challenges the perception of 'Ufologists' as 'nutters,' emphasizing their serious and analytical approach. Speaker Andy Roberts suggests that fear plays a role in many sightings, particularly in the post-World War II era when the term 'flying saucer' was coined. The article discusses hoaxes and natural explanations for sightings, such as lenticular clouds and Chinese lanterns, but also acknowledges unexplained phenomena. Andy Roberts' book, 'UFO Down,' which investigates the alleged crash of an alien spacecraft in the Berwyn Mountains, is mentioned as a significant case. Tony Eccles offers an alternative interpretation, viewing UFO phenomena as a form of modern shamanism, allowing communication with the spirit world. He suggests that people may be subconsciously seeking to re-engage with themselves and their spiritual past.

Mork calling East Dulwich ...come in, East Dulwich

This piece by Aidan Radnedge, published in The Daily Telegraph, reports on a UFO sighting in East Dulwich, South London, involving 'worm-shaped' UFOs. The report details a mother and daughter's experience in 2003, where they claimed two officers who responded to their report were joined by men dressed as 'Mork and Mindy,' characters from the TV sitcom. The Ministry of Defence files released suggest the officers concluded the sighting was possibly a reflection of a star and street light. The article also references other UFO-related files, including a photo of a 'flying saucer' outside Retford town hall, an incident at RAF Lakenheath in 1956 involving scrambled fighter planes, and sightings at the Glastonbury Festival and in Llanfyllin, Wales.

'Gobsmacked' by UFO sighting

This Cambridge News report by Jennie Baker describes a sighting of strange lights by Radio 5live sports reporter Mike Sewell near Stansted Airport. Sewell described the craft as 'disc shape' with flashing lights. The article also features Jorge Monteiro, a student who claims to see red, blue, and white lights weekly in Swaffham Prior. He compares his sightings to the 1980 Rendlesham Forest incident. An RAF spokesperson stated that there were no changes in air traffic patterns that would explain unusual sightings.

ALIENS HAVE BEEN VISITING MOOR FOR 30 YEARS!

This article from the Bristol Somerset & Yeovil Sunday Independent reports on claims by author Mike Freebury that aliens have been visiting Dartmoor for over 30 years. Freebury links the deaths of 15 ponies in 1977 and several sheep deaths between 2005 and 2008 to alien activity, citing their mutilated bodies and unusual decomposition rates. He believes these occurrences are connected and that alien visitors are the only plausible explanation.

No 'smoking gun' in latest UFO files

This report by Tom Potter in The Sunday Telegraph focuses on newly released Ministry of Defence (MoD) files concerning the Rendlesham UFO incident. The files include photographs of the alleged landing site and correspondence, including Parliamentary questions from the late Lord Hill-Norton. UFO expert Nick Pope, who investigated the incident for the MoD, suggests that while the incident was significant, it was likely not an alien spacecraft, and that the men involved may have been hoaxed or experienced optical illusions, possibly related to the Orfordness lighthouse. Colonel Theodore 'Ted' Conrad, the base commander at the time, is quoted as stating that his men were likely hoaxed and that the odds are "way high against there being an ET spacecraft." The article notes that the MoD's press office often used phrases like "little green men" and "flying saucer" to manage media narratives and downplay sightings. It also mentions that a secret four-volume report concluded in 2000 that UFOs did not pose a threat, leading to the closure of the MoD UFO desk in 2009.

Does Wisconsin have Chupacabras???

This article from the Messenger of Juneau County reports on a sighting by Highway Patrolman Jeff Potter of a strange, hairless, tan-colored animal weighing 8-10 pounds and approximately 30 inches long. The animal had a swine-shaped body, a possum-like tail, large ears, a dog-like snout, and protruding canine teeth. Potter is seeking answers from local trackers and the University of Wisconsin to identify the creature, which resembles descriptions of a Chupacabra.

WISCONSIN IS WEIRD, BUT BARABOO IS BIZARRE

This News Republic article by Ed Zagorski features Chad Lewis, a psychologist and paranormal investigator, discussing various strange occurrences in Wisconsin. Lewis recounts tales of a werewolf in Elkhorn, a vampire in Mineral Point, phantom kangaroos in Waukesha, and paranormal activity in Baraboo, including sightings of a fur-covered creature, strange colored lights in a cemetery, and a ghost of a woman pushing a stroller. He also mentions the legend of a serpent in Devil's Lake and the story of a Ringling Brothers Circus employee blamed for missing children, with screams reportedly heard from a well.

Loch Ness Monster is plausible and may exist, says Dr Darren Naish

This Metro article reports on Dr. Darren Naish, a dinosaur expert, who believes the Loch Ness Monster is 'plausible' and may exist. Naish suggests that the numerous sightings cannot all be explained away as mistakes or hoaxes, and that some, particularly those made by trained naturalists, likely describe encounters with real, unknown animals. He points to the discovery of new marine species and the sheer size of Loch Ness as factors lending credence to the legend. However, both Dr. Naish and Dr. Charles Paxton debunk the theory that the Loch Ness Monster is a dinosaur, suggesting it is more likely a large marine animal.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, alien visitation, and the media's role in reporting on these phenomena. There is a clear interest in official disclosure and the potential for governments to acknowledge the reality of UFOs. The articles present a range of perspectives, from those who believe in extraterrestrial visitation and potential cover-ups (e.g., Nick Pope, Bryce Zabel) to those who offer more skeptical or naturalistic explanations (e.g., Colonel Conrad, MoD officials). The issue also touches upon the intersection of belief systems, including theological viewpoints on alien life and the psychological aspects of UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and expert opinions while acknowledging the ongoing debate and the lack of definitive 'smoking gun' evidence that would satisfy all parties.

Title: UFONS
Issue: #505 (announced as the last)
Date: July 25, 2011 (Cover date: 7-25-11)
Publisher: UFONS UFO Newsclipping Service
Editor: David B. Marler

Editorial Letter

This document is a letter from David B. Marler, the Editor of UFONS, to the subscribers, announcing the cessation of the publication. Marler states that due to "a number of circumstances," he will be unable to continue publishing UFONS. He notes that since he took over as Editor in January 2009, he has managed to maintain monthly publication, which allowed UFONS to reach its 500th issue and celebrate its 40th Anniversary. He acknowledges Rod Dyke and Lou Farish for keeping the publication alive for decades prior to his tenure.

The letter announces that issue #505, to be sent out in August, will be the last issue of UFONS, unless a willing and suitable replacement editor is found. Marler invites interested individuals or those who know of potential candidates to contact him via email at [email protected] or by writing to the P.O. Box address.

Refunds for subscribers who were due future issues will be processed in early September. This refund process will proceed unless UFONS continues under a new editor. Marler requests patience and asks subscribers to contact him if they have questions regarding their refunds. Both the UFONS email and P.O. Box addresses will remain active until the end of the year to facilitate correspondence.

Marler expresses gratitude for the subscribers' support during his time as Editor, describing the experience as challenging, fun, educational, and a thrill. He states that his activities in the field of UFOlogy will continue, focusing on his roles as a lecturer and historian. The letter concludes with well wishes for the subscribers' future endeavors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this document is the closure of a long-standing UFOlogy publication, UFONS. The editorial stance is one of gratitude towards the subscribers and a hopeful, albeit uncertain, outlook for the publication's potential continuation under new leadership. The editor, David B. Marler, emphasizes the historical significance of UFONS, particularly its 500th issue and 40th anniversary, and positions himself to continue contributing to the field in other capacities.