On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Woodstock residents can participate in the Mardi Gras practice of pigging out on paczki, a popular Polish pastry. Swiss Maid Bakery, with stores in Woodstock and Harvard, will be baking up about 8,000 of the succulent sweets. For nearly 20 years Swiss Maid has served up the fried, cream-filled treats on […]
One person was transported to Centegra Hospital-Woodstock after a car struck a utility pole Thursday, Feb. 4 on Route 14 in Woodstock. Woodstock Fire/Rescue District responded to the crash at about 3:40 p.m., which occurred between Lily Pond and Doty roads, according to WFRD Capt. Brendan Parker. The driver of a Volvo station wagon veered […]
Alison Rosenbaum, 42, is grateful for the new drop-in center at the former Woodstock firehouse at Throop and South streets. In addition to providing food and shelter from the cold, the center is the only place Rosenbaum can clean up. “I’m more here for the food and shower,” said Rosenbaum, a homeless woman who spends […]
Owners of Lucky Bernie’s have applied for a city of Woodstock liquor license for the “upscale deli restaurant” they intend to open at 11605 Catalpa Lane. City council members at their Jan. 19 regular meeting voted to waive a moratorium on issuing a Class A-6 liquor license and were scheduled to consider approval of the […]
The first of several changes to come for the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District has been announced since the village of Lakewood declined to renew its emergency services contract with the department. WFRD Chief Ralph Webster said the deputy chief position will be eliminated by April 30 in an effort to save money and ultimately restructure the […]
A Wonder Lake man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of predatory and aggravated criminal sexual assault. Brian E. Tiedemann, 21, was arrested Jan. 22, by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and charged with five counts of predatory criminal sexual assault against a victim younger than 13 years old, Class X felonies; […]
People attending this year’s Groundhog Days festivities can expect the offerings to be just about the same as last year. And that’s precisely the way it should be, said Rick Bellairs, member of the Groundhog Days Committee. “It’s the same old event because that’s what happens in the movie,” Bellairs said. “Groundhog Days are just a […]
Scott Gessert has five words for census workers who will conduct a partial special census in Woodstock: “I do not answer questions.” The Woodstock man who launched an unsuccessful bid for City Council last year is encouraging his fellow residents to opt out of providing information to the United States Census Bureau during an upcoming special […]
A $25,000 payment from the city of Woodstock will help to fund a new arts program aimed at developing writers in the community, including those seeking careers as novelists or screenwriters. The incubator program, called Ignite Woodstock, will provide free training to unknown or little-known writers, with the goal of crafting sellable manuscripts for its participants. […]
Visitation and funeral services have been scheduled for Faith Evelyn Kies, the 16-year-old Woodstock girl who died Saturday, Jan. 16, in Phoenix, Ariz. To honor Faith’s life, a visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock. The visitation will continue at 10 a.m. […]
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.
