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Community Corner

MUFON seeks Southland Investigators

Think Chicago Heights and H-F citizens should keep an eye on the sky? This could be the group for you.

Illinois MUFON, a citizens' organization which studies Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) is looking for a few good men and women from Homewood-Flossmoor and Chicago Heights to become field investigators for the group.

Illinois MUFON Director Sam Maranto said the non-profit group's mission of volunteers studying unidentified flying phenomena has often been misunderstood.

"It's not about believing, this is about research," said Maranto.  "There are no tinfoil hats in our group. I want to research this for the betterment of humanity. I feel it's our birthright to have this information."

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The majority of UFO reports are ultimately attributable to natural phenomena, aircraft or other explainable causes, he said.

Maranto was lead investigator of  the well-documented 2004 Tinley Park Lights, featured on the History Channel's UFO Hunter's "Invasion Illinois" episode. He also researched Chicago's O'Hare Airport sighting of 2006.

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He has been a source for many television programs, including 10 Best UFO Encounters, NBC  Dateline, Aliens at the Airport.

MUFON offers more information about requirements for investigators here. Chicago Heights and Homewood-Flossmoor residents who believe they've seen a UFO can report the sighting here.

Interested in learning more about MUFON and area UFO reports? MUFON is inviting the public to a Southland meeting June 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Orland Park Public Library at 14921 Ravinia. The event is free. For more information, email Maranto at mufonsam@comcast.net

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