People who are mildly to severely immunocompromised will be provided a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine at clinics of the McHenry County Department of Health. The decision to provide a third dose to this small pool of eligible individuals was made after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a formal recommendation on Aug. […]
McHenry County residents who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are urged to contact their physicians to find out how they can enter their vaccination card information into their medical records. According to a news release from the county’s Department of Healt, more businesses and employers are requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Having a record […]
In a two-hour special meeting that became moot in less than 24 hours, the Board of Education last week established a mandatory mask policy to start the academic year in Woodstock School District 200. The next day, Aug. 4, Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered Illinois’ public and private schools to require students and staff, vaccinated or […]
By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Masks will be required at all Illinois long-term care facilities, day cares and Pre-K-12 schools, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday afternoon amid a nationwide surge of COVID-19. “Every time we think we know where this virus is headed, it changes and it shifts,” Pritzker said at a COVID-19 […]
Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com The McHenry County Department of Health has adopted the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionand Illinois Department of Public Health school guidance recommendations – masking for the vaccinated and unvaccinated, both students and staff.. In a news release, the department announced it had had been meeting weekly with local superintendents, providing consultation about preventative strategies […]
McHenry County residents are urged to take precautions now that state and local COVID-19 data show an increasing trend toward “substantial community transmission” based on the Department of Health’s seven-day rolling average incidence rate. In a news release, health officials said they use two indicators – incidence rate and test positivity – to determine community […]
Whether masks will be required this fall for students and staff in Woodstock School District 200 won’t be decided for at least a week. The Board of Education was prepared Tuesday night to set policy on COVID-19 protocols to start the 2021-22 school year, but federal and state health officials earlier in the day changed guidance in […]
“Most other competitions are individual achievements, but the Olympic Games is something that belongs to everybody.” – Scott Hamilton, U.S. Olympic gold medalist in figure skating “The best kids are going to become the best. But the best thing about it is that you’re going to learn lessons in playing those sports about winning and […]
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The wide availability of COVID-19 vaccines has changed the state’s approach for mitigating the virus’ spread statewide and in schools. For school districts, that means suggested rather than required guidance, with an emphasis on local control in imposing mitigations. For the governor’s office, that means there […]
Local schools have the support of county officials as they establish their own guidelines for COVID-19 protocols for the coming school year. The Illinois Department of Health this week adopted guidance for schools, as recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control, that would “not burden children” with more in-school requirements than vaccinated adults, County […]
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.
