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Community

Julie Hybel is shown with some of the children helped through her organization. “They are part of a family of seven,” she said. “A mom, grandmother, and five kids – all in one of the apartments I rented for them.” (Courtesy photo)

‘Hope is what they need’: Former Woodstock resident Julie Hybel helps Ukrainian refugees as missionary in Poland

By Eileen Millard news@thewoodstockindependent.com Julie Hybel grew up in Woodstock and went to Poland in 1998 on a short-term assignment to work with troubled youths through International Messengers,…

November 28, 2023

Woodstock’s new Santa Hut is ADA compliant, with a ramp up from the sidewalk at Benton and Van Buren streets on the Square. Santa will officially begin welcoming kids at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. (Independent photo by Tricia Carzoli)

‘A little magic, too’: New Santa Hut in downtown Woodstock built to be accessible to kids of all ages, abilities

“It is something we dreamed of, planned for, and willed into reality.” That’s how Chris Cantwell, Woodstock Rotary Club’s past youth adviser, explained the new Santa Hut at Van Buren […] …

November 28, 2023

Community Briefs

Monday deadline to file to run for office in 2024 Filing is underway through Monday for state and local offices on the ballot in the 2024 election. Candidates have been […] Subscribe…

November 28, 2023

Photo Detective – The Solution

Last week’s Photo Detective showed what might have been Woodstock’s smallest gas station, located at 425 Washington St.; the street address was 421 Washington St. until 1944. Today, shrubs and [&helli…

November 25, 2023

Arts & Entertainment

Visitors at the annual Gingerbread House Walk chose “Kringle Toy Headquarters,” by Susan Roderick Seibel, for the People’s Choice Award during the annual Lighting of the Square. Judges also chose it for the Showstopper award. (Courtesy photo)

Showstopper best of the ‘breads: Old Courthouse Center displays gingerbread contest creations

Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com Five gingerbread creations were honored this past weekend in the seventh annual Gingerbread House contes…

November 28, 2023

Pictured are Woodstock High School choir students who performed at the ILMEA District 7 festival Nov. 4 at Glenbrook South High School. (District 200 photo)

District 200 student musicians audition to earn state honors

District 200 A total of 32 musicians from Woodstock School District 200 were accepted into Illinois Music Education Association District 7 categories …

November 28, 2023

State News

Gas company rate requests cut, Nicor by 30 percent; low-income customers set to receive new discounts

Illinois Commerce Commission member Michael Carrigan (left), Chairman Doug Scott, and member Ann McCabe are pictured at a commission meeting in Springfield this month. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)

By ANDREW ADAMSCapitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Regulators at the Illinois Commerce Commission have unanimously approved rate hikes for four major natural gas utilities, but the little-known regulatory body’s decision […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Inde…

November 17, 2023

Final decision on natural gas rate increases expected before the end of the year; higher electricity rates also proposed

Yessenia Balcazar of the Southeast Environmental Task Force holds a sign at a March 27 protest of Peoples Gas’ proposed rate increase in downtown Chicago. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)

By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Utility customers throughout Illinois will likely see higher natural gas bills beginning in January after staff at the state’s utility regulatory agency recommended rate increases […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Ind…

October 17, 2023

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Business

Beth Conerty leads a tour for an agricultural conference at the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Lab pilot plant at the University of Illinois. Conerty, a 2006 graduate of Woodstock High School, has been the business development manager at IBRL for six years, working to grow relationships with industry and help bring projects into the IBRL facility. (Courtesy photo)

Made in the U.S.A.: Science lessons for WHS grad opened ways to grow Illinois businesses

In her job as associate director of business development for the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois, 2006 Woodstock High School alumnus Beth Conerty puts her de…

November 28, 2023

Ingrid Navarro, a Woodstock High School graduate and Aurora University student, helps in the Family Thrift Shop, which is owned by her mother, Iliana Cruz. “The store gives new life to things that people don’t want anymore,” Navarro said. (Independent photo by Ken Farver)

Shopping with a conscience: Woodstock’s newest thrift stores part of growing national trend

The Association of Resale Professionals reported in 2023 that the number of resale shops in the United States has increased by about 7 percent over each of the past two […] Subscribe…

November 21, 2023

“I’m very grateful,” said J&G Pastries owner Jessica Cook. The business, specializing in cakes, cupcakes, cakesicles, frosted sugar cookies, and other sweet treats, has grown enough that Cook is opening a shop at 203 Main St., with a grand opening this coming Saturday. The “J” in J&G is for Jessica, while the “G” stands for Cook’s son, 9-year-old Grayson. (Independent photo by Tricia Carzoli)

Sweet dream comes true: J&G Pastries to open this week on Woodstock’s Main Street

When The Woodstock Independent profiled Jessica Cook’s J&G Pastries in July 2022, the baker’s goal was to open a brick-and-mortar location. Less than a year-and-a-half ago, Cook was just starting …

November 14, 2023