10/02/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MIDWEST CENTER FOR ANOMALOUS OBSERVATION OPENS INQUIRY INTO REPORTED ACTIVITY NEAR AMBOY, ILLINOIS
Multiple reports describe unexplained lights and unusual sounds on consecutive nights in May of 2026
DIXON, ILLINOIS — The Midwest Center for Anomalous Observation (MCAO) has opened a preliminary inquiry following multiple reports of unusual aerial and acoustic phenomena in rural Lee County near Amboy, Illinois.
The reported activity occurred on two consecutive nights, May 15 and May 16, and appears to have been concentrated in the vicinity of Pine View Campground.
According to witness accounts received by the Center, unusual lights were first observed shortly after nightfall on May 15. Witnesses described pale green and white lights appearing at low altitude, sometimes remaining stationary for extended periods before moving or disappearing from view.
Several observers reported that the lights did not appear to behave in a manner consistent with conventional aircraft.
Additional activity was reported the following evening.
On May 16, witnesses again reported lights above or beyond the tree line near Pine View Campground. Several accounts also describe an intermittent low-frequency humming or pulsating sound apparently originating from the same general area.
Other reported effects included brief radio interference, unexplained static, and unusual behavior among dogs and other animals.
The activity reportedly ceased sometime after midnight.
MCAO investigators have not identified a conventional source for the reported phenomena. The Center emphasizes that the designation “unexplained” does not imply an extraterrestrial origin and simply indicates that available witness information has not produced a satisfactory identification.
The location is of particular interest because of an earlier account involving an unusual green light observed south of Amboy near the Green River in the 1990s. In that incident, a witness described a large green luminous object descending toward a wooded area and remaining visible near ground level for several minutes.
MCAO is examining whether the earlier account and the May 15–16 observations share any significant characteristics.
“At this stage, we have reports of light, sound and possible electromagnetic interference occurring within a relatively confined geographic area over two consecutive nights,” said an MCAO field investigator. “That makes the Pine View reports worthy of documentation. It does not tell us what caused them.”
The Center is asking anyone who was at the Pine View Campground on the nights of May 15 or May 16 and observed unusual lights, sounds, radio interference or other unexplained activity to preserve any photographs, video recordings or contemporaneous notes they may have made.
MCAO has provisionally designated the series of reports as the PINE VIEW INCEDENT..
The investigation remains open.
ABOUT THE MIDWEST CENTER FOR ANOMALOUS OBSERVATION
Founded in 1978, the Midwest Center for Anomalous Observation (MCAO) is an independent research organization dedicated to the documentation and investigation of unusual aerial, atmospheric, electromagnetic and acoustic phenomena reported throughout the Midwestern United States.
Media Contact:
Office of Public Information
Midwest Center for Anomalous Observation
Northern Illinois Field Office
