Sharing a “ghost-hunting” expedition with a friend turned out to be a religious experience, said Tim Hackworth of the Richmond-based H&H; Paranormal Investigators.
“A buddy of mine is an atheist,” he said. “He went with us one time and he changed his ways. He got really religious really quick. He was screaming ‘Oh God, Oh God, something’s after me.’ He said that something black came through a tombstone and started chasing him. He beat me and Matt back to the car and had locked the doors.”
It was the Sci-Fi Channel’s “Ghost Hunters” show that peaked the interests of Hackworth and Matt Hoskins, both of Berea.
For about six months, they have been using their weekends to explore a life that some say begins at death, but does not end in the grave.
The Sci-Fi Channel’s “Ghost Hunters,” featuring TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society), is what sparked the interest in Hackworth and Hoskins.
Paranormal is defined as: “Not scientifically explainable,” according www.merriam-webster.com.
Hackworth, an employee at Fort Boonesborough State Park, and Hoskins, an employee of the Eastern Kentucky University grounds crew, have traded many Saturday nights out on the town for nights out in a cemetery.
Some people believe the two are “nuts,” Hoskins said.
A law enforcement officer spotted the two one night, Hackworth said.
“(The officer) asked us if we were drinking, smoking or doing anything else that would cause us to see ghosts,” he said. “He also wanted to know what we were doing out at 3 in the morning.”
They explained to the officer they were working paranormal investigators, and the officer did not cite them, Hackworth said.
A Waco cemetery was among the first locations to be observed, Hoskins said. Another location was a Union City cemetery with tombstones dated back to the 1800s.
Some pictures taken at cemeteries feature faint faces and other formation, he said.
“We took a digital camera with brand new batteries (to a ‘ghost hunt’),” Hackworth said. “Sometimes, the ghosts will draw energy from the batteries. As soon as we got back in the car to change the batteries, the camera came on just fine. It had a full charge.”
Another cemetery experience ended abruptly, Hackworth said.
“We took a digital camera and a camcorder, and sure enough, we got ran out of it,” Hackworth said, referring to a ghost sighting rather than police or cemetery keepers.
A common sight on television ghost-hunting shows is what is referred to as an “orb,” or a glowing sphere that appears to be floating in the air.
“We mostly find those in cemeteries,” Hackworth said. “We’ve stood outside of Richmond Cemetery (on Big Hill Avenue) at the fence, snapped a few pictures and got quite a few (orbs) in the pictures.”
Common equipment for their ghost-hunting expeditions include a digital camera, camcorder and an electronic magnetic field meter that measures heat.
The two soon will be enrolling in a class taught in Lexington to receive their official paranormal investigator certifications.
Hoskins has not always been a believer in ghosts, and still said, “It’s hard to say.” And Hackworth also is more of a “believe-it-when-I-see-it” kind of guy.
“I kind of do and kind of don’t,” he said. “Some of the pictures I’ve seen make me more of a believer.”
H&H; Paranormal Investigators work free of charge, but do accept donations. Hackworth can be contacted at 661-6160 and Hoskins at 779-3599.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.
Local News
Normal or paranormal?
Ghost hunters explore the supernatural
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Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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EKU closes dining room at Arlington Clubhouse
A Richmond country club is no longer offering dining to members, but remains available for catered events and will be open on certain holidays.
Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
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Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
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Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.
Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
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Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
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Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
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