Stephenville Update

(Cue the X-Files theme music now.)

From The Independent Reporter:

STEPHENVILLE, TX - A staff writer with the Stephenville Empire-Tribune recently found herself at the center of her own story after she was directed to stop writing about UFO’s and pursue more flattering articles.

Ultimately, she ended up out of a job.

Angelia Joiner, a staff writer with the Empire-Tribune for the past 18 months, on February 3-4, 2008 wrote two in-depth articles about Ricky Sorrells who alleged that he was being harassed by the United States Air Force…

Sorrells was one of several witnesses who claimed to have seen a UFO in Stephenville and was interviewed by the Associated Press in mid-January.

According to Ms. Joiner’s published account, Sorrells alleges that “military officials have been harassing him by flying military aircraft over his property at low altitudes.” The article goes on to state that the military flyovers have disturbed the man’s livestock and interrupted sleep patterns.

The articles created a lot of interest within the community, generating record revenue for the newspaper through increased readership in January, but eyebrows were raised within the editorial offices.

In an email posted on Open Minds Forum — a message board specializing in UFology, Disclosure, Exopolitics and Paranormal Studies — Ms. Joiner revealed that the newspaper wanted her to cease and desist crafting stories related to the matter.

Pressure may have come from influential citizens within the community. As one city councilman allegedly put it, “the whole thing was an embarrassment to the town,” Joiner stated.

The writer then made the decision to submit her two week notice, but was asked by her boss to leave sooner. Her computer was “confiscated”, her rolodex came up missing and she was “made to feel like a criminal.”

Stephenville Empire-Tribune: UFO witness claims harassment
Stephenville Empire-Tribune: More twists in the Sorrells’ saga
YouTube: CNN covers Stephenville Texas U.F.O. Sighting
CNN: UFO fever
Open Minds Forum: Angelia Joiner’s email to a message board administrator
Open Minds Forum: Read all posts by former newspaper writer Angelia Joiner (posted as “ajoiner”)
Above Top Secrets: Dublin Texas UFO witness Ricky Sorrells being harassed by the Air Force (MUST READ)
UFO Blog: Stephenville, Texas UFO - Empire-Tribune Writer Silenced! (Commentary)