• Woodstock's most trusted news source since '87
  • Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Trust the Torch!

Subscribe
Main Menu

Top Stories

Courtesy photo. The Woodstock Folk Festival is one of the premiere summer events on the Woodstock Square.

‘Building Community Through Music’

Woodstock Folk Festival to return for 41st yearBy McKenna Sweet news@thewoodstockindependent.com Musicians from across the state, country, and continent are set to perform on the Square during the annual Woodstock […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
July 15, 2026
Independent photo by R.M. Brands. The Bialas family, Joe (left), Ryder, and Chelsea, stand in front of some of their farm pets at their home on Franklinville Road west of Woodstock.

‘Freshed baked goods, and a side of farm animals’

Bialas Barn will feed you and allow you to feed a chicken or a goat By R.M. Brands news@thewoodstockindependent.com The Bialas Barn is nestled in between an overstuffed barn and […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
July 15, 2026

Public invited to join Methodists’ summer fun

By Janet Dovidio news@thewoodstockindependent.com Woodstock’s First United Methodist Church is hosting special activities throughout the summer months. Community members are welcome at all of the events. Summer Sun Fest began […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
July 15, 2026

Sand volleyball thrives at Kingston Lanes

By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com Sand volleyball has been a summer pastime at Woodstock’s Kingston Lanes since the bowling alley opened 13 years ago.  Monday through Friday, the bar hosts eight […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
July 15, 2026

Community

(Left to right) Cody Hendrickson, Val Balentyne, Nick Nelson, Logan Balentyne, and Delilah make sourdough pizza dough at Fun Fest. Little Logan loved the soft texture of the dough so much that his portion became a sensory toy rather than pizza crust. Courtesy photo.

Public invited to join Methodists’ summer fun

By Janet Dovidio news@thewoodstockindependent.com Woodstock’s First United Methodist Church is hosting special activities throughout the summer months. Community members are welcome at all of th…
July 15, 2026
The Main Court at the Obama Presidential Center features an NBA-regulation-sized basketball court plus several practice courts and accessible seating. Courtesy photo.

‘Kind of a cool permanent installation’

By McKenna Sweet news@thewoodstockindependent.com Local business installs gym floor at Obama Presidential Center After casting his ballot Nov. 4, 2008, future President Barack Obama went to play a gam…
July 9, 2026

Independence Day Art

Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent Read eve…
July 7, 2026

Blueberry Elegy: A dream realized

By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com McCann Berry Farm closes after 41 years of fruit and family fun Since 1984, Woodstock families have driven five or six miles out Kishwaukee Valley […
July 1, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Courtesy photo. The Woodstock Folk Festival is one of the premiere summer events on the Woodstock Square.

‘Building Community Through Music’

Woodstock Folk Festival to return for 41st yearBy McKenna Sweet news@thewoodstockindependent.com Musicians from across the state, country, and c…
July 15, 2026
Independent photo by R.M. Brands. Woodstock Children's Summer Theatre makes it fun to prepare for a show! They say they don't just rehearse the show, but do activities that help confidence, teamwork, and acting skills.

‘Feast for the eyes and ears’

Children’s Summer Theatre to perform ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ By R.M. Brands news@thewoodstockindependent.com Swaths of children stream into the First U…
July 9, 2026
TOTAL MARKET ISSUE
Our once monthly free digital issue for you to read. Consider subscribing to keep up with news in and around the Woodstock community.

Public Safety Logs

Get full access to The Independent today!

  • Award winning reporting
  • Most trusted news source since '87
  • The best community coverage
Subscribe Now

Business

Independent photo by Susan W. Murray. Gina Garbis, (left) a co-owner of the Woodstock BratHaus, is pictured with Woodstock BratHaus general Chris Kelley.

‘Everyone wants to try a new restaurant’

Woodstock’s BratHaus serves up ‘Brats, Burgers, Bier’ By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com On June 22, The BratHaus opened at 101 N. Johnson St., the second of three new restaurants to …
July 9, 2026
Independent photo by Susan W. Murray. Payton Dougherty (left) and Mason Mathews opened Oak & Alchemy, at 11671 Catalpa Lane, on June 25. Having everything on the menu homemade means that the two handle most of the extensive prep work.

‘Nothing like this in Woodstock’

Reservations now open to try Oak & Alchemy’s smokehouse barbecue and woodfired pizza By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com Maybe the patience that Oak & Alchemy owners Payton Dou…
July 1, 2026

Get full access to The Independent today!

Subscribe

Know about breaking news and developing stories, and get updates as they unfold.

Schools

Independent photo by Susan W. Murray. Retiring Marian Superintendent Mike Shukis.

‘Lead with love’

Mike Shukis retires as superintendent at Marian By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com In 2019, when administrators in the Diocese of Rockford asked Mike Shukis to take over as superinten…
June 24, 2026

Sports

Independent photo by Andrew Rousey. A co-ed 4s team plays sand volleyball at Kingston Lanes.

Sand volleyball thrives at Kingston Lanes

By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com Sand volleyball has been a summer pastime at Woodstock's Kingston Lanes since the bowling alley opened 13 years ago.  Monday through Fr…
July 15, 2026
Marian Central head football coach Dirk Stanger (center), speaks to a group of young football enthusiasts at the Under the Lights camp for future Hurricanes. A young camp participant mimics a Marian player in drills. Independent photo by Andrew Rousey.

Stanger welcomes future’Canes at camp

By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com Future and current Marian Central football players are making plans for the new season.  New Hurricanes head football coach Dirk Stanger welcomed abo…
July 15, 2026

Student of the week

Athlete of the week

The most reliable local news source in McHenry County since 1987

Sign up today for just 6 dollars and get full access for 1 month

Get Instant Access

Live

Subscriber Access

Login

Need an account? 

What can we help you find?

Search

Popular Topics