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Pricey sign plan OK’d, but changes to be delayed

By Larry Loughlarry@thewoodstockindependent.com Woodstock has a new Wayfinding Master Plan to help people unfamiliar with the city to get where they intend to go and to know where they are […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
May 13, 2026
Courtesy photo. The smile! Jim Campion, in his fireworks apron, pauses for a photo Denise Graff Ponstein on July 4, 2025, at the entrance to Emricson Park.

Jim Campion – so good to and for Woodstock

“He was a good Catholic, a good family man, a good lawyer, and most of all, a really nice guy.”  That’s how Jim Campion’s best friend, Jack Darby, described him […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
May 13, 2026

Hearthstone saga turns another page

By Susan W. Murraynews@thewoodstockindependent.com One chapter of the Hearthstone story has now closed. During the last week of April, Hearthstone Community – the assisted living apartment building, the skilled nursing […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
May 13, 2026

Thunder in firm control of KRC softball

By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com Woodstock North pitcher Kylee Nicholson kept Marengo’s offense from having a big lead, coupled with stellar defense behind her in the circle, and the team came […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
May 7, 2026

Community

Courtesy photo. The smile! Jim Campion, in his fireworks apron, pauses for a photo Denise Graff Ponstein on July 4, 2025, at the entrance to Emricson Park.

Jim Campion – so good to and for Woodstock

“He was a good Catholic, a good family man, a good lawyer, and most of all, a really nice guy.”  That’s how Jim Campion’s best friend, Jack Darby, described him last week. Jim died April 19…
May 13, 2026

‘Productive public land’

Apple Creek Food Forest open house scheduled for May 9 By Ruth Raubertas news@thewoodstockindependent.com A family-friendly open house, “Celebrating Mother Nature,” will be conducted from 10 a.m. to n…
May 7, 2026

Business Buzz

All that’s new in openings, closings, moves, and ownership changes By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com The Woodstock Independent looks at news in business. The last of the businesses h…
May 7, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Courtesy photo by Hilario Done. Farmer and chef Antonio Delgado, shown at his farm in Marengo, is one of the storytellers featured in the upcoming documentary “Nuestras Historias” (Our Stories).

Program to spotlight Latino farmworkers

A sneak preview of the documentary ‘Nuestras Historias’ will be shown Staff Report NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM Contributions of Latino farmworker…
March 18, 2026
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Business

Independent photo by Susan W. Murray. Roberto and Maria Diaz, owners of Stewart’s Cleaners, reopened at 365 S. Eastwood Drive on May 4. The move was necessitated when the city bought the building at 225 E. Calhoun St. in anticipation of a hotel development at the northeast corner of Jefferson and Calhoun streets.

Business Buzz

All that’s new in openings, closings, moves, and ownership changes By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com The Woodstock Independent looks at news in business. The last of the …
May 7, 2026
Independent photo by Susan W. Murray. New awnings, newly painted trim, and the "We are hiring!" sign point to an imminent opening for the BratHaus.

Business Buzz

All that’s new in openings, closings, moves, and ownership changes By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com With the local business climate warming up along with temperatures, The Woodstock…
April 30, 2026
Independent photo by Susan W. Murray. "You don't have to ride horses to find something in here," said Lorie Shinsky, owner of the Wild Buffalo Trading Co., which opened at 106 N. Benton St. on April 10.

Putting the ‘West’ in the Midwest

Wild Buffalo Trading Co. now open on Benton Street BySusanW.Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com Five minutes after Lorie Shinsky opened the door of her Wild Buffalo Trading Co. at 106 N. Benton St…
April 22, 2026

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Schools

Courtesy photo. Mary Endres Elementary School social worker Amanda Zuidema speaks with Oliver and his "Big," Audrey Laski, a Woodstock North sophomore, on April 15 during their Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County program.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters get up pretty early

WNHS students mentor elementary students through Big Brothers Big Sisters program By Katie Hughes District 200 While many high schoolers are still waking up, about 10 dedicated Woodstock North High [&…
May 7, 2026

Sports

Independent photo by Steve Peterson. Woodstock North junior Kylee Nicholson looks in to get a sign on which pitch to throw against a Marengo hitter. The Thunder won 5-3 April 28.

Thunder in firm control of KRC softball

By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com Woodstock North pitcher Kylee Nicholson kept Marengo's offense from having a big lead, coupled with stellar defense behind her in the circle, a…
May 7, 2026

Senior night win for top Blue Streak singles player

By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com Persistence was rewarded on the tennis court for Ben Vanderville, the Blue Streaks’ No. 1 singles player, who won his first match of the season on [&…
May 7, 2026

Student of the week

4/29/26 Student of the Week – Thomas Hang

4/29/26 Student of the Week – Thomas Hang

Thomas Hoang, a junior at Woodstock North High School, is the son of Chi Nguyen. His teacher said, “Thomas is one of our leading contributors in class…
April 30, 2026

Athlete of the week

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