To mark its Independence Day concert Wednesday, July 2, in Woodstock’s Park in the Square and its 130th concert season, the Woodstock City Band will debut a piece specially composed for the event. “Spring City Overture,” composed and directed by Michael Sweeney – director of band publications for Hal Leonard Corporation in Milwaukee, one of […]
As Ed Spencer, Cary, climbed into the cockpit of the bright yellow Piper Cub, he was all smiles. “These two decided I should fly a Piper Cub for my Father’s Day gift,” he said, pointing at his son and daughter-in-law. Holding a pilot’s license since 1952, Spencer experienced flying many planes, including an SX300 experimental […]
Chloe Harvey, 19, was crowned Miss Woodstock 2014 at the Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s scholarship pageant June 20. Harvey, a 2013 graduate of Woodstock High School, sponsored by Betty’s Kids, was awarded a $2,000 scholarship. “I felt like I was the underdog the whole way,” Harvey said, who said she convinced herself last minute […]
Although the Woodstock City Council voted down a prevailing wage ordinance at its June 3 meeting, Council conceded to the state statute and passed the ordinance June 10 with a 6-1 vote. “I would only say that those of us who voted against this ordinance who vote [in favor of] it this particular time, it’s […]
For the Loyola University Chicago Retreat and Ecology Campus in Woodstock, an additional kitchen means more educational opportunities, an increased capacity to prepare its campus-grown produce and fewer trips to the grocery store throughout the year. The newly constructed Duchossois Food Systems Lab and Kitchen, made possible by donations from the Duchossois family, was debuted […]
As some versions of the Native American totem indicate, a hummingbird is known for spreading joy, beauty and healing and is associated with the appreciation of aesthetics, art and music. The symbol could not be a closer match to Dorothy Biris’ goal for her new downtown store, Hummingbird Inner Resources. Hummingbird is a small retail […]
About 550 people will lose their jobs when Brown Printing Company, Woodstock’s only remaining major printer, closes later this year. Executives at Brown told employees June 18 that the company’s 500,000-square-foot facility on McConnell Road, recently acquired as part of a $100 million deal with Wisconsin-based Quad/Graphics, will shut down by the end of September. […]
A teacher accused of battery for allegedly touching two girls inappropriately was granted a severance package of about $27,000 at a Woodstock School District 200 Board of Education meeting June 17. Jeffrey M. Steurer, 39, was suspended without pay from his position as a music teacher at Olson Elementary School on March 11 after he […]
Current Woodstock North High School Assistant Principal Justin Smith will be swapping teal and black for blue and white this fall as he crosses town to become the new principal at Woodstock High School. Smith’s selection as the new principal was announced at the Woodstock School District 200 Board of Education’s June 17 meeting by […]
Cats are living cozier at Helping Paws Animal Shelter, thanks to funding from a Pepsi grant that allowed the shelter to install two outdoor “catios” – caged patio areas, allowing the indoor cats a protected, yet freeing outdoor area to play and lounge. “Our whole philosophy is the health and well-being of the animals,” said […]
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.
