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Independent photo by Andrew Rousey. Nate Shirley competes in the 100-yard butterfly at the Fox Valley Conference swim meet at the Woodstock North High School pool, earning a personal best time in this race. (Below) Geo Kopolous swims the 200 free.

Woodstock co-op hosts Fox Valley Conference invite

By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com The Woodstock co-op swim team hosted the Fox Valley Conference Invite Feb. 14 at Woodstock North High School, and coach Maggie Sullivan was happy with the […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
February 17, 2026
Independent file photo by Andrew Rousey. Brianna Crown faces down an opponent earlier in the season. She is one of the first two state qualifiers for the Woodstock co-op girls wrestling team.

Goal achieved: 2 girls advance in state wrestling

Blue Streaks’ Taqi Baker heading to IHSA Class 2A state in boys wrestling By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com When the 2025-26 Woodstock co-op girls wrestling season began, head coach Eric Hunt […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
February 17, 2026

Crosstown nail-biter goes to WHS girls

Blue Streaks edge out rival Thunder, 51-49 By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com Woodstock and Woodstock North had an all-important regional matchup coming in six days, but that did not take away […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
February 17, 2026

School ‘kill list’ was not credible threat, police say

Staff Reportnews@thewoodstockindependent.com A “hate/kill list” on social media shared by some students at Woodstock High School last week was determined by police not to be a credible threat, school officials […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
February 12, 2026

Community

Courtesy photo. Cast members (from left) are Nathanael Vasquez, Lia Hyrkas, Alexie Hrykas, Alisha Resultay, Reis Verastique, Tomas Melero, Olivia Slome (seated), Devin Manoso, Orabella Suarez, and Mira Burkhart.

‘It’s a sweet little murder mystery’

WNHS brings back a crowd favorite, ‘And Then There Were None’ By Eileen Millard news@thewoodstockindependent.com If you’re looking for a fun night at the theater this weekend, Woodstock North High [&h…
February 12, 2026
Independent photo by Tricia Carzoli. Stephen Tobolowsky signs Lynn Richasen’s poster at the Opera House. Richasen came in from St. Paul, Minn., for Groundhog Days. (At right) Tobolowsky speaks to a packed Opera House on Feb. 2.

And … cut. That wraps up Groundhog Days 2026

By Tricia Carzoli news@thewoodstockindependent.com With the dust of Groundhog Days having settled, the memories are fresh. One highlight of the festival was Woodstock Mayor Mike Turner handing over th…
February 12, 2026

‘Becoming the March family’

WHS Theatre to stage ‘Little Women’ Feb. 6-8 BySusan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM “Little Women” director Billy Seger describes Woodstock High School’s spring musical as “a simple story …
February 5, 2026

‘The soundtrack of our lives’

Rob Garrett to bring Neil Diamond show to Opera House for performance on March 7 By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com Neil Diamond is having a moment. That might come as […] …
January 23, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

(c) Tricia Carzoli TLCPHOTOGRAPHYAND

Time to light up Woodstock for the holidays

Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com The city of Woodstock will officially kick off the holiday season in its historic downtown on Friday, No…
November 26, 2025
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Business

Independent file photo. Napoli Pizza took over Dusty’s Pizza in Wonder Lake in May 2022. Last week, Shawn and Brigitte Baker nnounced thet would close the Wonder Lake location.

Business Buzz

All that’s new in openings, closings, moves, and ownership changesBy Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com In Wonder Lake restaurant news, Napoli Pizza announced on Facebook on Jan. 26 that…
February 5, 2026
Independent photo by Susan W. Murray. While modestly priced by Woodstock standards, this home northwest of the Square was listed for 77 percent over the price that it sold for in 2020, reflecting fast-rising prices that have been the norm for five years.

Woodstock home prices rise in 2025

Average price for a single-family, detached home hits $410,359 By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com For the first time, the average price for a detached, single-family home in the 60098…
January 28, 2026
Independent photo by Susan W. Murray. A shuttered Dairy Queen used to be a sure sign of the approaching winter in Woodstock, but this year, owner Rafael Castaneda is experimenting with remaining open during the winter months, with the exception of a 10-day break between Christmas and New Year’s.

Business Buzz

In the spirit of the season of leftovers . . .By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com Always, when The Woodstock Independent runs a Business Buzz, a few stray items straggle into [……
December 4, 2025

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Schools

Courtesy photo. Cast members (from left) are Nathanael Vasquez, Lia Hyrkas, Alexie Hrykas, Alisha Resultay, Reis Verastique, Tomas Melero, Olivia Slome (seated), Devin Manoso, Orabella Suarez, and Mira Burkhart.

‘It’s a sweet little murder mystery’

WNHS brings back a crowd favorite, ‘And Then There Were None’ By Eileen Millard news@thewoodstockindependent.com If you’re looking for a fun night at the theater this weekend, Woodstock North…
February 12, 2026
Independent photo by Andrew Rousey. (From left) Jo, Meadow Roth, shares a tender moment with her sister Beth, Maddie Delgado, at the seashore.

‘Becoming the March family’

WHS Theatre to stage ‘Little Women’ Feb. 6-8 BySusan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM “Little Women” director Billy Seger describes Woodstock High School’s spring musical as “a simp…
February 5, 2026

Sports

Independent photo by Andrew Rousey. Nate Shirley competes in the 100-yard butterfly at the Fox Valley Conference swim meet at the Woodstock North High School pool, earning a personal best time in this race. (Below) Geo Kopolous swims the 200 free.

Woodstock co-op hosts Fox Valley Conference invite

By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com The Woodstock co-op swim team hosted the Fox Valley Conference Invite Feb. 14 at Woodstock North High School, and coach Maggie Sullivan was hap…
February 17, 2026
Independent file photo by Andrew Rousey. Brianna Crown faces down an opponent earlier in the season. She is one of the first two state qualifiers for the Woodstock co-op girls wrestling team.

Goal achieved: 2 girls advance in state wrestling

Blue Streaks’ Taqi Baker heading to IHSA Class 2A state in boys wrestling By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com When the 2025-26 Woodstock co-op girls wrestling season began, hea…
February 17, 2026

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