Published every Wednesday | Est. 1987 | Serving Woodstock, Wonder Lake and Bull Valley, Ill. | September 20, 2017
Orphans Memorial Fundraiser Reaches Goal
Project on track to be dedicated in spring of 2018 A campaign to build a memorial to children buried in an unmarked cemetery plot has reached its fundraising goal. In less than a month, donors contributed enough to the Orphans Memorial fund to ensure it’s built,...
Beer. Bacon. Bluegrass.
Beer. Bacon. Bluegrass. Need we say more? Good drinks (and good food) return for a good cause this October. Beer, bacon and a side of bluegrass are returning to Woodstock for the fourth annual Woodstock Ale Fest. The festival, a 21-and-over event at the corner of Clay...
New Development Approved for Highway 14
Plans are moving forward for a new commercial complex with a drive-thru on Highway 14 after the Woodstock City Council backed the development at its Sept. 5 meeting. Chicago-based Troutman and Dams LLC wants to build a 10,400-square-foot, multi-unit complex in front...
Judy Collins to Kick off Creative Living Series
WFAA announces lineup for 54th season of popular speaker series Renowned ’60s singer/songwriter Judy Collins will kick off the 54th season of the Woodstock Fine Arts Association Creative Living Series. Beyond her music, Collins is an accomplished painter, filmmaker,...
D-200 Student Enrollment Drops
Student body shrinks by 116, according to unofficial tally Student enrollment in Woodstock School District 200 is down this year, according to preliminary data from the district. District 200 has 6,444 students enrolled for the 2017-18 school year, 116 fewer than last...
‘A Step Back in Time’
Where can you see a Grammy-nominated band and a blacksmith up close, at the same event? The Woodstock Square’s annual fall celebration, of course. Harvest Fest and its partner festival, Fair in the Square, will return from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17....
Streaks Defeat Indians, Move to 3-0
The Woodstock High School Blue Streaks moved to 3-0 in the season when they defeated the Marengo Indians 14-7 Sept. 8 at Larry Dale Field. “The win was an overall team effort,” said head coach Tommy Thompson. “With [starting quarterback] Tanner Heidtke out, Carl...
City Council to Vote on 1-Point Home-Rule Sales Tax
Woodstock’s sales tax rate could rise in 2018 if the City Council approves an increase at a meeting later this month. The council will consider an ordinance Sept. 19 imposing a one-point home-rule sales tax that would raise the rate in Woodstock from 7 to 8 percent,...
Man Rescued From Tree After Injuring Himself With Chainsaw
Public Works bucket truck used to reach man A man who suffered an injury while 40 feet in the air was rescued with the help of the city’s Public Works Department. Woodstock Fire/Rescue District crews were dispatched to 13215 Hickory Lane in Woodstock around 1:25 p.m....
Thunder Win First Conference Game of Season
Woodstock North Thunder head coach Jeff Schroeder said his team is much better prepared this year than last, even though their current record of 1-2 does not show it. “At this time last year, we were 3-0 but played lesser competition,” said Schroeder. “Playing a...
Woodstock Launches Health Care Campaign
Public hearing on Centegra set for Oct. 2, city’s meetings begin Sept. 18 As a public hearing on cuts at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock moves forward, the city of Woodstock is pushing to replace services that appear set to be eliminated. In a press release issued Sept....
Hurricanes Blanked by Benet Academy
Injuries claim four starters in game against Redwings Marian Central went into its first conference game of the season against rival Benet Academy hoping to maintain its momentum from the previous two games. Coming off a 55-0 win in Columbus, Wis., a game in which the...
WL Man Injured in Motorcycle Crash on Route 120
A 20-year-old Wonder Lake man is in critical condition after he crashed his motorcycle while attempting to pass multiple cars in unincorporated Woodstock, authorities said. Woodstock Fire/Rescue District, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and Woodstock Police Department...
Teen Mourned as Police Investigate Death
A young man who recently graduated near the top of his class at Woodstock North High School is being mourned by friends and family as authorities investigate his death. Ryan Hanson was an Eagle Scout, a talented student and a multi-sport athlete for the Thunder who...
Roundabout Opens at Charles and Raffel
The Woodstock area’s first roundabout has opened. The intersection at Raffel and Charles roads in rural Woodstock began receiving traffic Sept. 1, shortly after workers completed construction on a roundabout there. Work on the $2.2 million project from the McHenry...
Mexican Independence Day Celebration Set for Sept. 17
A new business group focused on Hispanic entrepreneurs will mark Mexican Independence Day with a celebration in Woodstock. The event, which will include Mexican music, dancing and food, is hosted by Hispanic Connections Woodstock. The celebration is open to the...
Farm Stroll Returns Sept. 24 Throughout County
Farms around McHenry County will offer visitors a peek into their daily lives and a look at the agriculture business for the third annual Farm Stroll. On Sunday, Sept. 24, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 12 McHenry County farms will open their doors for self-guided tours...
Country Band to Heat up Fall Night at Niko’s
National act Parmalee to play outdoor stage Sept. 8 Niko Kanakaris, owner of Niko’s Red Mill Tavern, has been trying to get a national country act booked on his outdoor stage for a couple of years. Friday, Sept. 8, his dream will become a reality, when...
District Begins Facilities Presentations
Residents worry about proposal to close school, change elementary structure A proposal to close a school and change elementary programs would save money and help teachers, Woodstock School District 200 officials said, but concerns about social drawbacks for students,...
WFRD Crew Wants to Say Thanks
Groceries were paid for when they were called to an emergency A group from the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District is searching for a one-of-a-kind dinner guest in order to say thanks for a recent act of kindness. As they do at the start of most shifts, on the...