Hello, Kankakee County and beyond! As the Halloween season draws near, it’s the perfect time to immerse ourselves in tales of mystery and the unexplained. Today, I bring you a special re-release of one of our spookiest episodes yet, recorded live at the Kankakee County Museum. Join us as we once again delve into the world of paranormal investigations with the Kankakee Paranormal Investigations Team.
Date of Original Release: October 2022
Guest: Mike Zenz, Steve Reinbold, Emily Wurl, Chris Wurl
Paranormal Encounters Close to Home
On this spine-chilling episode of the Kankakee Podcast, we dive deep into the enigmatic with our special guests from the Kankakee Paranormal Investigations Team. Mike Zenz, Steve Reinbold, Emily Wurl, and Chris Wurl share their most haunting experiences and unravel the mysteries that lie within our very own Kankakee County.
First Brush with the Unknown
When asked about their initial experiences with the paranormal, each guest had a remarkable story to tell.
- Mike Zenzre called his first encounter at age 12, witnessing the ghostly outline of his late grandfather. “It wasn’t at the moment of his death but over a week later. It made me question everything about existence,” Mike shared, setting the eerie tone of the discussion.
- Steve Reinbold took us to the Iroquois Cemetery, recounting a night where he saw a figure resembling the Grim Reaper. “Just after asking for a sign, my phone played ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ from a World War II game,” Steve revealed, attributing the experience to a veteran spirit named Bill.
- Emily Wurl’s childhood was filled with unexplained phenomena in her Centerville, Iowa home. “There was no apparition, but objects moved, and our cat sensed unseen presences,” she noted, underscoring the pervasive and yet unseen nature of her experiences.
Investigating with Tech and Skepticism
- Chris Wurl emphasized the importance of using high-quality audio and video equipment, explaining, “Most orbs, like those we captured in a hotel room during the pandemic, can either be debunked as dust or proven as something more.”
- Mike Zenz discussed the crucial task of disproving supposed paranormal events to confirm genuine ones, illustrating this with how old electrical wiring once fooled him during an investigation. “It’s about filtering out the noise to find the true unexplained phenomena,” Mike said.
Fascination with Historic Sites
The team also explored haunted locales rich with history.
- The Majestic Theater became a hotspot for mysterious activities. “Despite colder temperatures and drained batteries, no apparitions were seen, but the energy was palpable,” Emily and Steve Wurl recounted.
- They even took on the Roth House, known for its first documented possession in Illinois. “Hearing a chilling EVP in the basement made us realize the gravity of the place,” Steve shared.
Ghostly Classrooms and Intelligent Responses
A standout experience took place in a schoolhouse with a ghost box— a device scanning radio frequencies to pick up spirit voices.
- “We pointed at states on a map and wrote on a chalkboard, getting relevant responses like ‘Texas’ and letters matching ‘Catcher in the Rye’,” Mike detailed, noting the seemingly intelligent interactions.
Intriguing Equipment and Techniques
From the MEL Meter, which detects electromagnetic fields, to devices like the REM pod and GS2, which can sense temperature changes and movement, the team leverages cutting-edge tech to communicate with the other side.
- Chris Wurl shared, “These tools help us validate genuine events and distinguish them from simple technical anomalies.”
Preparing for Future Investigations
The team hinted at future explorations, such as a historic schoolhouse and the mysterious City Tavern. “We’re always ready to uncover more stories and delve into the unexplained,” Mike teased.
Acknowledgments
A heart felt thanks to the Kankakee County Museum, our audience, and all our sponsors including Chicago Dough Company and Noble Dairy Queen Stores. Special mention to our Patreon supporter Stephanie Vanderweide for your unwavering support.
Dive Deeper: Watch the Investigation
For a visual journey into our investigations, visit the Kankakee Podcast’s YouTube and Facebook pages where you can find a video of our exploration at the Taylor one-room schoolhouse.
Conclusion: Embracing the Unexplained
This re-released episode is a reminder of the rich, mystical fabric of Kankakee County. It’s a tale of history interwoven with the inexplicable, showing us that the past is ever-present and mysterious. A special thank you to you, our listeners, for your continued curiosity and support as we tell these haunting histories.
Thank you for joining us on this spectral journey. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the Kankakee Podcast and follow us on social media. As always, this is Jake LaMore, signing off. Stay curious and keep exploring the unknown!
Until next time, may your Halloween be filled with both fun and a little fright!
