A Woodstock woman was arrested for prostitution and endangering the lives of her children following a police investigation near a Sheila Street apartment building. Sheila E. Johnston, 29, of the 1900 block of Sheila Street, was arrested Thursday, March 5 and charged with multiple offenses including one count prostitution, two counts endangering the life and […]
The Woodstock Public Library’s indoor miniature golf fundraiser mirrors a PGA tournament in one way: Any golfer making a hole-in-one wins a new car. It’s probably worth noting new car prizes at the library’s After Dark and Mini Links golf events, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, are small remote-control cars and […]
Amanda L. Williams was a standout volleyball player who graduated from Belvidere North High School in 2014. Upon graduating from high school, the 19-year-old committed to play for the McHenry County College Scots on a scholarship, and she moved to a Woodstock apartment with her teammate and friend, Livi Warren, to be closer to the […]
The city of Woodstock is making tentative plans to own the Old Courthouse and adjacent Sheriff’s House on the Square for at least another five years. The city’s proposed Capital Improvement Program, which outlines its plans for expenditures on infrastructure over a rolling five-year span, calls for $3.2 million in spending through April 2020 on […]
A 19-year old Woodstock woman was killed Wednesday evening when the car she was driving was struck by a commuter train at an icy crossing, authorities said. The McHenry County Coroner’s Office on Thursday identified the woman as Amanda L. Williams, formerly of Belvidere. She was a freshman at McHenry County College, where she played volleyball. Williams was pronounced dead […]
UPDATED A Woodstock woman was killed Wednesday evening after a Metra train struck her car at Lily Pond Road in Woodstock. The McHenry County Coroner’s Office on Thursday identified the victim as 19-year-old Amanda L. Williams, formerly of Belvidere. The accident, which occurred at a grade crossing near Highway 14, happened at around 5 p.m., according to […]
A McHenry man has been arrested after he allegedly beat and robbed a 31-year-old Woodstock man. Jacob R. Stanton, 25, last known address of 4815 Chesterfield Ln., was charged Feb. 24 with one count each of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm; aggravated battery in a public place; and theft, according to the Woodstock […]
A candidate for Woodstock City Council wants the city to enact an ordinance to limit what he described as “possible nepotism” in Woodstock. Scott Gessert, who is running for one of three available spots on the council, called for the ordinance during public comment at the Feb. 17 City Council meeting. “I believe there is […]
A new paved pathway for walkers and cyclists might soon link Highway 14 and Lake Avenue under the terms of an agreement approved unanimously by the Woodstock City Council Feb. 17. The 1,400-foot pedestrian and bike path — part of a proposed agreement between the city, McHenry County and the McHenry County Conservation District — […]
Four years ago, the village of Bull Valley was on the verge of bankruptcy. Expenditures had exceeded revenues, and the 1,076 residents of the sprawling, picturesque community feared they would lose valuable assets such as snow plows and trucks. “We were going to die,” said Village President Ron Parrish. “…We were sinking.” When word spread […]
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.
