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Community

Josh Douglass, a student at Clay Academy, discusses Nueschwanstein Castle with International Night judges Maggie White and Bob Gallagher. The best part of the project, Josh said, was working with the other members of the club. (Independent photo by Tricia Carzoli)

Celebrating countries, cultures: 4-H International Night an in-person event for first time in three years

McHenry County 4-H groups gathered en masse this month for the first International Night since the pandemic. “We are so proud of the time and effort the youth dedicate to […] Subscri…

March 14, 2023

This is a 1956 photo of Braceros, Mexican men who were allowed to work legally in the United States on short-term labor contracts under a law passed during World War II. (Photo by Leonard Nadel, Courtesy Filmmakers)

Project to study Latinos/Latine in McHenry County agriculture: Program March 30 at Opera House

Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com Stories from local Latino/Latine people about the agricultural history in McHenry County are welcome in a new project that will debut this month in Woodst…

March 14, 2023

Community Briefs: St. Patrick’s Day patrols; early voting; passport applications; MCC open house

Police chief issues warning about St. Patrick’s partying St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday this year, “which means more parties throughout the weekend,” according to Woodstock Police Chief John [&he…

March 14, 2023

Green Scene: Reduce plastic packaging for health of our environment

By Destiny Seaton According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 14.5 million tons of plastic containers and packaging was generated in 2018. Additionally, a new study was recently published in the…

March 7, 2023

Arts & Entertainment

Artisans on Main hosts an open house March 1 to celebrate the stores first anniversary at 220 Main St. It also is the home of the Clayworkers' Guild of Illinois, which is celebrating its 44th anniversary. The guild previously has space in the Old Courthouse. (Independent photo by Ken Farver)

Arts Brief: Marian Central spring musical; exhibit at MCC gallery; Magic of Disney empire; planetarium

Marian students to stage musical this weekend “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” will be performed this weekend at Marian Central Cathol…

March 13, 2023

Michael Weber, artistic director of Chicago’s Porchlight Music Theatre, will talk about musical theater in general and the “Broadway musical” specifically in his Creative Living appearance March 16 at the Opera House. (Courtesy photo)

Regards to Broadway: ‘When it is at its best … it fuses three elements: acting dance and music’

By Eileen Millard news@thewoodstockindependent.com Broadway musicals, according to Michael Weber, are a fusion of “opera … operetta … [and] the world …

March 7, 2023

State News

Republican leaders like governor’s talk about possible tax cuts if state revenues remain strong

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is pictured at a news conference at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, where he discussed the higher education investments in his Fiscal Year 2024 budget. At the news conference, he said he and legislative leaders have discussed potential tax cuts in the coming fiscal year if state revenues continue to exceed expectations. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)

By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – With two months to go before the Legislature adjourns and current-year revenues continuing to smash expectations, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he and legislative […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independan…

March 15, 2023

Moody’s gives Illinois another credit upgrade – eighth in less than 2 years

Moody's Investors Service, one of the "big three" credit rating agencies, on Tuesday announced an upgrade to Illinois' creditworthiness. Tuesday's move represents the eighth such upgrade under Gov. J.B. Pritzker after years of downgrades, including seven during the state's two-year budget impasse under GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner. (Chart by Hannah Meisel and Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois)

By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Moody’s Investors Service announced Tuesday that it had upgraded Illinois’ bond rating to A3, up from Baa1, marking the eighth credit upgrade the state has […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independant…

March 14, 2023

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Business

Miss Bella’s Sweets and Treats owner Kim Doran and her husband, Bill, prepare for last week’s ribbon-cutting at her 1950s-era soda shop. She has operated Pixie Dawgs food truck and the former Church Street Café at the Woodstock train station. (Independent photo by Tricia Carzoli)

‘Something people are looking for’: New 1950s soda shop in Hebron seeks to focus on community needs

When Wonder Lake resident Kim Doran, owner of Pixie Dawgs and the former Church Street Café, was looking for another brick-and-mortar site to launch Miss Bella’s Sweets and Eats, she […] …

March 13, 2023

The Old Courthouse will house Woodstock's incubator space. (Independent file photo)

Retail incubator to offer space in Old Courthouse

Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com Applications are sought through March 31 for the inaugural group in the city of Woodstock’s retail incubation program, The 101. Under the program, a phys…

March 13, 2023

Sweet Reds crew members Kiera Loewe, Kim Loewe, Paul Letizia, and Lauren Zydorowicz show off some of the goods at the new bakery at 110 N. Benton St. (Independent photo by Tricia Carzoli)

‘Part of everything here’: New bakery plans to be in the middle of activities in Woodstock

With Sweet Reds Patisserie and Café’s grand opening last week, the Woodstock Square once again has a local bakery in the middle of the 100 block of North Benton Street […] Subscribe …

March 7, 2023