Though the prolonged cold weather may have hindered mosquitoes this year, ticks have been on the prowl since the snow melted. In 2013, the McHenry County Health Department recorded 37 cases of Lyme disease and three cases of other tick-borne illnesses, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and erlichiosis, inflicted by the eight-legged parasites. While there […]
Woodstock residents will see their water and sewer bills increase by 3 percent beginning May 1. An ordinance passed by the City Council at its April 15 meeting means the average resident’s water and sewer bill will increase by $3.30 per quarter, according to a memo from the city’s finance department. “Woodstock’s always done a […]
For three nurses, Hearthstone Manor has been work, home and family for at least 25 years. This year, registered nurses Yumi Kawi and Jeanette DeVogelaere celebrate 32 and 30 years at Hearthstone, respectively, and licensed nurse practitioner Barbara Stenglein, celebrates 25. “Their long term commitment and dedication to the residents and the patients that we […]
For the past few years, Kathy Benson has started noticing that scrapbooking is becoming nothing more than a memory. After six years in business, the owner of Lorraine’s Memories Inc., Scrapbooking & More, 110 N. Benton St., is preparing to close her store on the Square. Sadly, she said she has realized as people adapt […]
For years Susan Eyre had been trying to nominate her friend Jane Collins for the Woodstock Professional & Business Women’s Woman of the Year award. Each time Eyre asked, Collins would tell her, “Absolutely not.” But this year, Eyre finally nominated her friend, and Collins was named the Woodstock Woman of the Year April 21. […]
About 2,500 third- and fourth-grade students were given a two-hour overview of agriculture in McHenry County when they attended Ag Expo, April 15 to 17, at the McHenry County Fairgrounds. Since 1988 the Expo, sponsored by the McHenry County Farm Bureau, has helped more than 40,000 students connect the agricultural industry to the food and […]
After visiting the Challenger Learning Center for Science & Technology in fifth grade, Thomas Martinez set his heart on becoming an astronaut. For his Northwood Middle School Project, the now eighth-grader wanted to put together a presentation about his dream job. But how was he going to find an actual astronaut to interview? Martinez turned […]
One of the most well-known faces in the Woodstock Police Department and the community’s elementary and middle schools, Patrol Officer Fred Spitzer, will officially retire May 2. During his 30 years on the police force, Spitzer served as a patrolman, field training officer, detective and, most memorably, Drug Abuse Resistance Education and Violence Education Gang […]
The McHenry County College Fire Science Department has teamed up with the Illinois Fire Service Institute to educate first responders, large animal owners and students about large animal rescue awareness and training in case of emergencies. The free class is from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 26, in the Luecht Conference Center at MCC. […]
A Woodstock mom is on a mission to bring awareness of pediatric sleep disorders to area parents by starting a non-profit foundation, hosting a fundraiser bike ride in September and sharing her son’s story. Valerie Deegan’s son, Connor, was an “angry child.” From the time he was little until he was in fourth grade, Connor […]
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.
