• Woodstock's most trusted news source since '87
  • Friday, July 11, 2025

Trust the Torch!

Subscribe
Main Menu

Top Stories

Thank you, Mailman Jim!

Thank you, Mailman Jim!

Jim Weith’s first day as a mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Woodstock was Jan. 5, 1987. At that time, Denise Graff Ponstein and I had plans to […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
July 9, 2025
PHOTO COURTESY OF WOODSTOCK FIRE/RESCUE DISTRICT Emergency crews respond at the scene of a traffic accident that took the life of a Belvidere man June 24 on Kishwaukee Valley Road near Hughes Road west of Woodstock.

Tragic consequences lead to safety reminders

”Start  seeing  motorcycles”  is  a  seasonal  reminder  to  motorists  in  Illinois  of  the  increased  good-weather  presence  of  motorcyclists  and  their  low-profile  machines  that  can  be  hard  to  see  in  city  […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
July 9, 2025

Technicality delays zoning hearing for slaughterhouse

By Susan W. MurrayNEWS@thewoodstockindepenDEnt.com Two recent proposals to build slaughterhouses in the county have pointed out that for all of the appeal of living in a bucolic setting, neighbors in […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
July 9, 2025

WFRD prevents deck fire from spreading

News Brief courtesy Alex Vucha, WFRD Public Information Officer On Saturday, July 5, 2025, at 5:53 p.m., the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District was dispatched to the 200 block of Barn Swallow […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
July 6, 2025

Community

(c) Tricia Carzoli TLCPHOTOGRAPHYAND

McHenry Co. Antique Farm Equipment Association

Low-profile club encourages youths to explore careers in agriculture By Tricia Carzoli news@thewoodstockindependent.com The McHenry County Antique Farm Equipment Association of Illinois just wrapped u…
June 30, 2025
The Woodstock Dolphins held their Firecracker Relay meet on Friday June 27th at Woodstock Waterworks.

Swimmingly Fun! Woodstock Dolphins Firecracker Relay.

The Woodstock Dolphins held their annual Firecracker Relay Meet at Woodstock Waterworks in Emricson Park. It was a morning full of exciting relays, team spirit, and breakfast fun! This year […]…
June 28, 2025

Woodstock veteran receives ramp and flagpole

By Tricia Carzoli news@thewoodstockindependent.com When Woodstock resident and Vietnam veteran Benjamin Jankowski learned he would require an amputation, the Veteran Network Committee of Northern Illi…
June 28, 2025

Remembering Rudy Pahl

By Janet Dovidio news@thewoodstockindependent.com While alive, Woodstock resident Rudy Pahl enjoyed all that Woodstock had to offer, especially in his senior years.  Pahl passed away on May 7, at the …
June 22, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Photo Courtesy of Bethany Zero Snook Woodstock Shakespeare Players include (front row, from left) Jake Seelye, Krist Neumann, Holly O’Hair, and Sean Unverzagt; (back row) Jaime Churchill, Marisa Snook, Nathan S. Forrester, Lauren Krelle, Megan McCarthy-Cook, and Mara Hoyt.

‘A seamless and exciting experience’

Woodstock Shakespeare Players to present free Shakespeare in the Square StaffReport news@thewoodstockindependent.com Woodstock  Shakespeare  Players  …
June 19, 2025
TOTAL MARKET ISSUE

State News

Consumers likely to pay more each month for utilities’ infrastructure improvements

Illinois Commerce Commission Chair Doug Scott presides over a commission meeting in Chicago in late January. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
 By ANDREW ADAMSCapitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent…
March 18, 2024

Critics of governor’s budget proposal: Disappointed, insulted, deeply concerned; but comptroller praises ‘targeted approach’ as revenue proposals draw ire of GOP, interest groups

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza – the state’s chief financial officer – is swarmed by reporters for her reaction to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed budget moments after leaving the House of Representatives chambers. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
By ALEX ABBEDUTO, COLE LONGCOR  and JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The annual process of negotiating the state budget kicked off Wednesday with Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposing a $52.7 […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
February 22, 2024

Public Safety Logs

Get full access to The Independent today!

  • Award winning reporting
  • Most trusted news source since '87
  • The best community coverage
Start Free Trial

Business

Independent Photos by Andrew Rousey On June 23, the doors opened to Valley Hi’s new memory care unit within the facility at 2406 Hartland Road.

‘Very proud moment for Valley Hi and county’

By Susan W. MurrayNEWS@thewoodstockindepenDEnt.com When Tom Annarella interviewed for his current position of nursing home administrator at Valley Hi 15 years ago, the subject of incorporating a memor…
July 2, 2025
Cup of Wonder owner Sarah Dycus and assistant manager Linnea Oien serve customers from behind the counter. independent photo by Andrew Rousey

‘Local hangout to relax, work, or meet a friend’

Cup of Wonder now open in Wonder Lake By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com Wonder Lake resident Sarah Dycus had a lifelong dream of opening a coffee shop.  One night, she […] …
June 28, 2025
Behind stacks of cinnamon rolls, Blessed Little Kitchen’s owner and baker, Mary Holzkopf, stands with her son, Ashton, who helps staff the booth. Independent photo by Andrew Rousey

Wrapping up the roundup

Introducing the final three new Farmers Market vendors By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com Of the 60 Saturday and 32 Tuesday vendors at the Farmers Market – most of which overlap [&hel…
June 19, 2025

Get full access to The Independent today!

Get 15 Days Free

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

Schools

district 200 photo Steve Bridges is pictured at District 200’s annual Retirement Celebration on May 15.

Steven Bridges retires after 31 years

Bridges found his fifth-graders’ growth ‘interesting, inquisitive’ By Janet Dovidio news@thewoodstockindependent.com After serving School District 200 for 31 years, teacher Steven Bridges is retiring …
June 28, 2025

Sports

courtesy photos Ryan Jones competes for the University of Illinois-Springfield.

Ryan Jones finishes college X-C with honors

ByDanChamness news@thewoodstockindependent Ryan Jones, a Marengo resident and Marian Central Catholic graduate, was a steady top five scorer for the University of Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars du…
June 30, 2025
Woodstock North Thunder varsity softball defeated the Plano Reapers Monday night at North

North makes short work of Plano

The Woodstock North Thunder took on and took out the Plano Reapers Monday needing just 3 and a half innings to take the victory. The Thunder poured in 8 runs […] Subscribe or Login …
May 20, 2025

Student of the week

Athlete of the week

The most reliable local news source in McHenry County since 1987

Sign up today for a free trial and get full access for 15 days

Get Instant Access

Live

Trust the Torch!

Information

Submissions

Community

Contact

Subscriber Access

Login

Need an account? 

What can we help you find?

Search

Popular Topics