UFO Frenzy Takes Hold In Stephenville

NBC5

STEPHENVILLE, Texas -- The reputation of a Texas country town known for years for its cows and cowboys changed almost overnight.

Dozens of people reported seeing strange lights in the sky above Stephenville last week. The story has appeared on thousands of blogs and Web sites around the world.

One woman said the town is now known as something other than the cowboy capital of the world.

"And now we're just crazy," another woman with her said with a laugh.

Dozens of other people have stepped forward, saying they also saw the mysterious lights.

"There were four orange lights, and they were in a straight line," one man said.

Other residents made light of it, such as the town's city secretary, who put on an alien mask before a council meeting.

Stephenville Mayor Rusty Jergins said he isn't sure what to think of the incident.

"All I know about this is what I read in the newspaper," he said.

Jergins said a variety of people said they saw "something."

UFO expert Steve Hudgeons said he takes the sightings seriously.

"I take it pretty serious, because something's up there," he said. "Everybody has seen something. I'm not saying it's extra terrestrials from outer space."

When asked if the attention is good for Stephenville, Jergins said, "Well, it's interesting, and provides for an interesting story."

The town is already advertising Stephenville's next rodeo as "out of this world."

The hoopla likely will not die down anytime soon. UFO buffs from around the country will descend on the town this weekend.