• Woodstock's most trusted news source since '87
  • Saturday, May 24, 2025

Trust the Torch!

Subscribe
Main Menu

Top Stories

Courtesy photo by Victor Pacini Victor Pacini records a presentation on body safety and speaking out against sexual assault.

From pain to purpose

Victor Pacini’s journey from survivor to speakerByMariahLejman,MargueriteSchubert,andJaneMcConnellwoodstock High school journalism classVictor Pacini’s life could have easily gone down a different path. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, raised in a […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodsto…
May 8, 2025
Joseph Walsdorf performs onstage during a recent “Bevy” show, a form of improvisational comedy. courtesy photo

Comedy is in Marian grad’s future

‘In a few years, I would like to be performing stand-up at the Chicago clubs’By Janet Dovidionews@thewoodstockindependent.comWoodstock’s Joseph Walsdorf (Marian Central ‘21) graduates in June from DePaul University. He will […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
May 8, 2025

Students today, educators in four years

District 200 honors graduating seniors who plan to become teachersBy Caryl Dierksennews@thewoodstockindependent.comIt was just 7 a.m., but the Woodstock High School Learning Resource Center was buzzing with excitement.District 200 held […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
May 8, 2025

A record year for track and field

Records, new and old, have fallen this spring in girls track and fieldBySandyKucharskinews@thewoodstockindependentIn a sport that’s all about times, heights, and distances, records are a big deal. While any particular […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
May 8, 2025

Community

2025 Melissa O’Leary Memorial Run & Splash Bash

Melissa O’Leary Memorial Run & Splash Bash 2025

The 2025 edition of the Melissa O’Leary Memorial Run & Splash Bash was held Saturday May 24th and while the weather was a bit cooler than normal it was perfect […] Subscribe or …
May 24, 2025
left to right, are: Woodstock Mayor Mike Turner; Offsides Sports Bar & Grill Proprietors George Kordopitoulas, Maria Kordopitoulas, Gus Kordopitoulas; Jeep Raffle Committee Members Tom McGrath, Natalie Ziemba, Al Schmitt and Tim Benoy.

Rotary Club of Woodstock raffles off New Jeep

The Rotary Club of Woodstock held its 5th annual charity raffle for a new Jeep Wrangler 4DR Sport, or 40,000 dollars cash, at Offsides Sports Bar & Grill Friday, May […] Subscri…
May 24, 2025

WHS senior wins Rotary vocational scholarship

By Janet Dovidionews@thewoodstockindependent.comRotary Club’s William “Bill” Frejd Vocational Scholarship winner this year is Woodstock High School senior George E. Jones, who plans to continue his st…
May 8, 2025

From pain to purpose

Victor Pacini’s journey from survivor to speaker ByMariahLejman,MargueriteSchubert,andJaneMcConnell woodstock High school journalism class Victor Pacini’s life could have easily gone down a d…
May 8, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Joseph Walsdorf performs onstage during a recent “Bevy” show, a form of improvisational comedy. courtesy photo

Comedy is in Marian grad’s future

‘In a few years, I would like to be performing stand-up at the Chicago clubs’ By Janet Dovidio news@thewoodstockindependent.com Woodstock’s J…
May 8, 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.comCHICAGO — State regulators are again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Inde…
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.comSPRINGFIELD – The annual process of negotiating the state budget kicked off Wednesday with Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposing a $52.7 billion […] 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

Courtesy photo by Victor Pacini Victor Pacini records a presentation on body safety and speaking out against sexual assault.

From pain to purpose

Victor Pacini’s journey from survivor to speaker ByMariahLejman,MargueriteSchubert,andJaneMcConnell woodstock High school journalism class Victor Pacini’s life could have easily gone down a d…
May 8, 2025
The tell-tale sign that this is no ordinary sale is the lack of clothing on the mannequins. Curated by D&A announced last week that it will close on May 31. Independent photo by andrew rousey

Business Buzz

Curated by D&A to close on Square, maintain online shopBy Susan W. Murraynews@thewoodstockindependent.comFor fans of Curated by D&A, the men’s and women’s clothing store on the Woodstock Squar…
May 1, 2025
Independent photo by andrew rousey Full-time staff members at Naturally McHenry County are (from left) Kristine Austin, marketing manager; Sarah Cain, destination engagement and program manager; and Jaki Berggren, president and CEO. Working under the Illinois Department of Tourism, the organization promotes leisure travel to McHenry County.

Attracting visitors to McHenry County

Naturally McHenry County moves into space in Old CourthouseBy Susan W. Murraynews@thewoodstockindependent.comWith its move into the Old Courthouse Center on April 1, Naturally McHenry County landed in…
April 21, 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

Courtesy Photo Woodstock senior George Jones E. will continue his automotive studies at Universal Technical Institute this fall.

WHS senior wins Rotary vocational scholarship

By Janet Dovidio news@thewoodstockindependent.com Rotary Club’s William “Bill” Frejd Vocational Scholarship winner this year is Woodstock High School senior George E. Jones, who plans to continu…
May 8, 2025
Independent photo by Andrew Rousey Students who are working on the building trades house are onsite for three class periods, either in the morning or in the afternoon. The afternoon group here stands outside the three-bedroom, two-bath home on Sandpiper Lane. (From left) WHS senior Tyler Edwards, WHS junior Ethan Amelse, WHS senior Yael Villegas, building trades instructor Erich Parpart, WHS senior Mason Nicolai, WNHS senior Lincoln Dodge, and WNHS senior Hunter Ryan.

The house that teens built . . .

. . . and you’re going to want to buy itBy Susan W. Murraynews@thewoodstockindependent.comAfter two years in the Building Trades program, Woodstock High School senior Tyler Edwards said that he [&hell…
May 8, 2025

Sports

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
On Senior Night, the Marian Central girls varsity softball team celebrates winning their final regular season game.

Marian cruises, stumbles, finishes strong

The Marian Central Hurricanes had scored 4 runs in each of the first 3 innings against the Chicago Christian Knights at Ray Benoy Field Wednesday afternoon. Subscribe or Login to continue…
May 14, 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