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Community

Rey Canto\, father of the late Melissa O’Leary, runs in the Memorial Splash Bash run/walk May 27 to raise funds for a splash pad at the city pool that will be named in honor of his daughter. (Independent photo by Ken Farver)

‘Running for Melissa’: Splash Bash gets huge turnout as fundraiser for splash pad project

By Morgen Neuhauser news@thewoodstockindependent.com Hundreds of runners and dozens of families came out May 27 for the Melissa O’Leary Memorial Splash Bash 5K and 1-mile Family Fun Run. The event, [&…

June 6, 2023

Valeri Marinakis strings lights on her bicycle in preparation for the 2022 Ride to Keep a Light On fundraiser that benefited local nonprofit agencies. This year’s annual event, which starts and ends on the Woodstock Square, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 16. (Independent file photo)

Leave a Light On: Eight nonprofits to benefit from annual lighted ride – or walk

By Morgen Neuhauser news@thewoodstockindependent.com Material Things Artisan Market will host the third annual Ride/Walk to Leave a Light On Friday, June 16, with p-articipants meeting on the Woodstoc…

June 6, 2023

4,811 pounds of food waste diverted from landfills in four weeks of composting program for businesses

By Destiny Seaton According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2019 about 66 million tons of waste was generated by the food retail, food service, and residential sectors, with about [……

June 6, 2023

Community Briefs: Medal of Honor, property taxes, ham radio operators field day, Girl Scouts

Two from sheriff’s office awarded Medal of Honor The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office had two Medal of Honor recipients – Sgt. Daniel Kramer and the late Deputy Jacob “Jake” Keltner […] …

June 6, 2023

Arts & Entertainment

Explorer Will Steger will be the first speaker in the 2023 Creative Living Series at the Opera House. (Courtesy photo)

Arts Briefs: Creative Living Series, Naval Wars, Black Box Theatre

Renovations shorten Creative Living Series Planned renovation of the Opera House will shorten the 60th anniversary season of the Creative Living speak…

June 6, 2023

“Spring Festival of Dance,” on the Opera House stage in two performances this weekend, explains the chronology of a dancer’s story. (Courtesy photo)

Spring in their step: ‘Festival of Dance’ at Opera House will feature nearly 100 performers this weekend

By Lydia LaGue news@thewoodstockindependent.com Spring is a time for new beginnings, and with it brings opportunities for new expressions. The Woodsto…

May 30, 2023

State News

State board of education looking for new providers in preschool ‘deserts’: Agency looks to open 5,000 new slots in underserved communities

Illinois State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders is encouraging public and nonpublic organizations to apply for funding to expand the availability of preschool in areas of the state that are currently underserved. He is pictured in his Springfield office. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)

By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Even though Gov. J.B. Pritzker has yet to sign the budget bill lawmakers just passed, the Illinois State Board of Education is seeking […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independant …

June 1, 2023

Governor touts new budget’s higher education spending: MAP grant increase will make community college tuition-free for many

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is pictured at the University of Illinois Springfield during a news conference Wednesday to tout the state budget's higher education spending. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)

By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. J.B. Pritzker began a tour of the state Wednesday to tout the new state budget that lawmakers passed last week, stopping at […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independant …

May 31, 2023

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Business

Future job creators: Entrepreneur class students at Marian Central pitch their products to pros

“Fog-Off,” a set of goggles that solves the problem of goggles fogging up quickly in military simulation games, was judged the winner among five teams during the annual INCubatoredu Pitch […] …

June 6, 2023

The foundation is in for the Tropical Smoothie Cafe in the Jewel-Osco shopping center, near Panera. (Independent photo by Ken Farver)

Business Buzz: The Independent takes a look at comings and goings around town

With spring having really and truly arrived, correspondents for The Woodstock Independent have been out and about collecting information on business openings, closings, and changes in ownership. Witho…

May 30, 2023

independent photo by ken farver
Theater patron Don Hodory of Woodstock displays a beer he bought from Woodstock Classic Cinemas assistant manager Jacob Rightmyer before a May 13 show. The cooler for alcoholic beverages is over Rightmyer’s right shoulder. Woodstock City Council granted the theater a Class E-6 liquor license in early April. The Woodstock location became the 15th of 16 Classic Cinemas theaters to sell alcohol. (Independent photo by Ken Farver)

Cocktail with your cinema? The days of wine and shows premiere at Classic Cinemas Woodstock

No spotlights searched the sky, no red carpet covered the sidewalk, but two members of the press showed up for the premiere of alcohol sales at Woodstock’s Classic Cinemas. After […] …

May 23, 2023