With an air of mystery analogous to a theatrical opening night, the Arts & Culture for Woodstock Fund will kick off its fundraising endeavors Nov. 6 at the Woodstock Opera House. The black-tie gala at 6:30 p.m. (gold ticket $100) will bring in local performers like Cassandra Vohs-Demann, Alayna DeVar, and Billy Seger, and will […]
Third time was the charm for property at 217 W. Judd St. to come before the Historic Preservation Commission, which has voted to recommend a certificate of appropriateness on the site where next-door owner MBI consultants had demolished an old house. Almost a year ago, the commission recommended the consulting business not be allowed to […]
Woodstock’s 22-month-old Arts Commission has canceled more meetings than it’s conducted. In fact, its members have never met face-to-face as a commission. That should change with the appointment of a new chairwoman of the commission through April 30, 2023. The appointment of city Councilwoman Wendy Piersall by Mayor Mike Turner was approved 5-0 by the […]
As the Woodstock Police Department continues the long process of obtaining crisis-intervention training for its officers, the addition of a social worker to the department has been discussed. Local police have seen an increase in the number of people suffering mental health crises, Police Chief John Lieb said, and that number increases every year. Because […]
D-200 board to consider back-to-school protocols ”Progress of the … plan to return to school on Aug. 16” was scheduled for discussion Tuesday night by the Woodstock School District 200 Board of Education. According to the meeting agenda, Supt. Mike Moan was to update the board on administrative plans. A vote by the board was […]
Three months after the more than $200,000 restoration of the Metra station in Woodstock was dedicated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the city’s Historic Preservation Commission voted 5-0 to deny the project a certificate of appropriateness. Although the five commission members realized the practical futility of their action, they wanted to go on record about how […]
A recent strategic planning workshop of the Woodstock City Council revealed numerous complications within the city’s Arts Commission, which is still searching for an identity 19 months after its inception. The commission was established to transform Woodstock into a more arts-focused community, promoting economic growth and community well-being. At the June 28 meeting, Economic Development […]
When the future clashed with the past last October at a meeting of Woodstock’s Historic Preservation Commission, the past won. In a rematch last week before the City Council, the future came out ahead. Council members, who have final authority in such matters, voted unanimously 6-0 to allow demolition of a house in the city’s […]
Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.
Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.
Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.
Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.
