With 45 years of service at the Woodstock Veterinary Clinic, recent retiree Lloyd Shaw, DVM, holds the title as the member with the most years at the practice. Growing up on a dairy farm just north of Woodstock, Shaw said he always enjoyed working with animals. His involvement in 4-H encouraged an interest in veterinary […]
After nabbing a sweet spot on the Woodstock Square, 21-year-old Ravi Patel started remodeling at 124 Cass St. to bring frozen yogurt to the downtown area. A new franchise owner of YoFresh Yogurt Café, Patel expects to open his shop by mid-April. The café will consist of six machines with two flavors at each station […]
When the separate paths of five musically talented individuals converged, the group hit the stage as Roads of Solace, a nü prog-style band. Made up of current Woodstock High School seniors Jordan Castillo and Sam Peiffer, 2013 WHS graduates Jonny Gill and Andrew Olson, and 2013 McHenry West High School grad Andrew Bromir, the band […]
Growing up in a town along the Ohio River just after World War II, Rich Brook was raised in a community with a well-integrated system of local food production. Farm stands were a common sight along the main highway through town and grocery stores often sold local produce. The area was a special place for […]
Though Benton Street is lined with competitor restaurants and bars, the friendly neighbors joined together to throw a St. Patrick’s Day block party. As part of the consent agenda Feb. 4, City Council approved plans for the March 15 party from noon to 10 p.m., which will close Benton Street between the railroad tracks and […]
After his two-year battle with cancer ended Feb. 7, Michael Wurtz, a dedicated Woodstock firefighter and father, was honored Feb. 11 with a procession that took him for one last round past all three Woodstock fire stations. Members of the community and fellow firefighters were invited to line the streets along the route to salute […]
Woodstock officials announced they have no plans to impose further sanctions against Sgt. Charles “Chip” Amati, essentially closing the book on a contentious issue that has embroiled City Hall since late November. In a press release issued Feb. 5, the city of Woodstock said it had exhausted its legal options and said the City Council […]
See the VIDEO here! While “sled dog racing” may trigger images of the 1995 movie Balto and the 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska, the sport has become very popular in sprint form. Though they are not racing a route to deliver diphtheria antitoxin to an epidemic-stricken Nome, Woodstock couple Jeff and Jennifer […]
Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Monica Reeves, a Wonder Lake native, was recently named the 2013 Sailor of the Year for Navy Medicine. “The process of her being picked is a very robust process,” said Master Chief Corpsman Michael Sam, one of Reeves’ overseers. Working as leading petty officer for Naval Branch Health Clinic, Marine Corps […]
Though his work has been primarily behind-the-scenes, Dave Reeve has spent a life in the lights. After almost 21 years at the Woodstock Opera House, the 74-year-old production manager is retiring. “The reason I’m retiring is that I promised myself – and my wife – that I would not be working when I was 75 […]
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.
