A bill proposed in the wake of controversy over the alleged conduct of a Woodstock Police Department sergeant was signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn Aug. 15. State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, said the legislation he introduced in February that increases the penalties for “grooming” minors may have helped to prosecute Sgt. Charles “Chip” […]
A future with four-lanes along U.S. Highway 14 is not far off. The Illinois Department of Transportation is gaining ground on the lane-widening project that will work with the city of Woodstock for the portion from West Lake Shore Drive to Lucas Road, with the city of Crystal Lake for the stretch from Lucas Road […]
As he glided around the arena on his Arabian horse, Steamer, Rex White proudly held the reins, as if he were in a show, adjusting to every command made by his instructor. His instructor? His mom. John White Stables, 4319 McCauley Road, offers year-round horseback riding camps from trotting tots to participants in their 60s. […]
The cause of a five-alarm fire that engulfed a barn on Hughes Road will be hard to determine, authorities said. About 70 firefighters from 23 departments in McHenry and Lake counties, as well as southern Wisconsin, responded to a blaze at 308 N. Hughes Road just before noon Aug. 5. But by the time the […]
A medical marijuana dispensary could come to Woodstock if the City Council approves a special-use permit for the facility. A Crystal Lake-based company called 4500 NW Highway LLC is looking to open a dispensary in a building on the city’s south side at 2300-2312 S. Eastwood Drive. “We didn’t anticipate the interest in Woodstock that […]
Zipping about the grounds at the McHenry County Fair July 31, an older man rolled around in his electric scooter to watch exhibitors show swine. When he sat still, he was glued to the happenings in the show pen, but as soon as his wheels hit pavement, the man squeezed the accelerator as hard as […]
Two recent Woodstock High School graduates are spending a year in Germany, learning the language and culture and working through internships to pursue their chosen careers. Of 25 students chosen throughout the country, Mallory Bellairs and Augie Scott were awarded the highly selective Congress-Bundestag vocational exchange program scholarship. “Since 2007, we’ve had eight scholarship winners,” […]
For Adriana Kille, a junior at DePaul University in Chicago, this fall is not just another semester. Kille is embarking on a four-month cruise with Semester at Sea, a floating university, where she will visit 16 countries on three continents while studying international business. “I’ve always known that I wanted to do something international,” said […]
After the launch of its new e-commerce store in November, Designs by Maida will close its shop on the Woodstock Square and open a web store. The home décor shop at 105 E. Van Buren St. was opened by Woodstock resident and professional designer Maida Korte eight years ago. Though the Woodstock outlet will close, […]
A book 20 years in the making, but a story that began more than 50 years ago, “The New Kid,” by former Woodstock Mayor Bill Anderson, finally made its way to readers this month. The 164-page narrative, written under the alias Andrew Moss, recounts 11 years of true stories and real experiences Anderson had growing […]
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.
