- A small town in Southeast Missouri is on the brink of holding the title for being the “UFO Capital of Missouri” and it could occur as soon as this summer.
- State Representative Chris Dinkins (R-MO-144) introduced MO HB1261 in an effort to recognize Piedmont, Missouri in Wayne County.
- Although the town of Piedmont only has population of 2,000, the sightings from February and April of 1973 is astoundingly high with hundreds being reported during this time.
- The bill recently passed two House readings and a public hearing. The bill still needs to be seen by the Senate and House, but in a recent reading, the bill passed 9-0 by the Special Committee on Tourism and passed the Standing Committee on Rules – Administrative Oversight by a vote of 6-1.
- With full approval, the bill could allow Piedmont, Missouri, to earn its proposed UFO title by August 28, 2024.
- The bill currently has no co-sponsors and we are awaiting to see when the bill will get a date for a hearing.
- Between February and April 1973, residents of Piedmont and the surrounding area witnessed unexplained activity in the sky. Several hundred calls were made to local police, sheriffs, and newspapers. The incidents made local headlines and eventually national news outlets began reporting the sightings.
- No official government investigation of the sightings (Project Blue Book was discontinued in 1969); however, Southeast Missouri State University physics professor Dr. Harley Rutledge investigated with his own team. He issued a public paper in 1973, which he later turned into a book called Project Identification: The First Scientific Field Study of UFO Phenomena (1981).
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If you’re in Missouri and want to get involved, Find Your Local Chapter here.
