A sure sign of spring is the arrival of chicks and ducklings at area farm supply and feed stores. Backyard chicken enthusiasts seeking to add new birds and curious fans flock to these stores to check out the chicks. Blain’s Farm & Fleet, 11501 Highway 14, Woodstock, carries chicks in the store, while supplies last […]
A 39-year-old Fox Lake woman was seriously injured Thursday morning after she allegedly jumped from a car traveling 50 miles per hour along Route 120 during a domestic dispute. Bull Valley Police and Woodstock Fire Rescue District responded to the scene, located just west of Thompson Road, at 11:31 a.m. March 26, according to a news […]
A 35-year-old Woodstock woman has been arrested in connection with an attempted burglary at Woodstock Bible Church. Jessica R. Madsen, 136 First St., was charged March 24 with one count each of burglary to a place of worship, a Class 1 felony, and criminal damage to property causing over $300 damage, a Class 3 felony, according […]
Officials from the city of Woodstock have unveiled their proposed 2015-16 budget, which includes a spending plan of $31.8 million and anticipated revenues of $31.4 million. The budget’s proposed expenditures are up by about $2.3 million, or 7.7 percent, over the current fiscal year. Just under half of that increase came about due to the […]
The economy and the future of the Woodstock Square were prominent themes March 19 during a Woodstock City Council candidate forum that included all eight candidates vying for three available council seats. The 90-minute forum, which attracted about 125 people to the Woodstock Public Library, featured answers to questions submitted by local residents on a […]
Gov. Bruce Rauner visited Woodstock on March 19 to sell his “Turnaround Illinois” agenda to a crowd of about 200 invited guests gathered in the McHenry County Board meeting room. Rauner’s entourage entered the McHenry County Administration building through a side stairwell, stopping for a few minutes to talk with television and news reporters before […]
A 50-year-old Johnsburg man has been charged in connection with a 5-acre brush fire that burned dangerously close to nearby homes and businesses along Route 47 in Woodstock on Friday. David N. Ashley, last known address 3502 Aubrey Dr., Johnsburg, was arrested and charged with reckless conduct, said Woodstock Police Chief Robert Lowen. […]
A shop featuring lingerie and adult novelty items could open just off the Woodstock Square in early May, but members of the Woodstock City Council are trying to scuttle the owner’s plans. Scott Bialas of Wheeling is working to open Redlight Boutique at 116 E. Calhoun St., adjacent to NICA Shooting Accessories and across the […]
Bracing for the possibility of deep funding cuts from Springfield, the city of Woodstock has instituted a hiring freeze. The freeze, which went into effect in late February, was initiated as a response to a proposal from Gov. Bruce Rauner that would cut municipalities’ shares of income tax revenue by 50 percent. In Woodstock, that […]
A candidate for City Council is calling on the Woodstock Police Department to increase its communication with residents and improve its response to problems on the Woodstock Square. Don Frick, one of eight candidates vying for a seat on the Woodstock City Council, addressed the current members of the council during a meeting March 3, […]
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.
