Woodstock High School Principal Corey Tafoya said Jacob Norys and Alec Kaiser brought energy, friendship, smiles and laughter to the school during their two years they attended WHS. “Jacob and Alec were terrific people,” Tafoya said. “It was remarkable how many lives they touched.” On July 1, the 16-year-olds were involved in a crash in […]
Woodstock has received a report from Rockford-based Gary W. Anderson Architects & Associates identifying short-term and long-term needs and goals associated with Old Courthouse Building, 101 N. Johnson St., which is owned by the city of Woodstock. While the city has yet to release the report, the Woodstock City Council and the Historic Preservation Commission […]
Acrobatics on horseback are not just for circus performers. The Midwest Renegades Drill Team brings specialty acts to McHenry County that incorporate comedy, bull whip techniques, trick riding, Roman-style or rodeo riding, mounted cowboy shooters and more. The group is divided into three separate drill teams. The brainchild of Bev Vlahos, the Midwest Renegades was […]
Amateur radio enthusiasts participated in the 10th annual McHenry County Wireless Association Field Day June 23 and 24 at the McHenry County Government Center. Sponsored by the American Radio Relay League, ham operator Jim Rospopo said the event was held primarily to test the emergency service system and introduce interested people to amateur radio. “A […]
After nearly an hour of discussion, the Woodstock Plan Commission voted 6-0 in favor of recommending a change to the city’s sign ordinance that would pave the way for full-color illuminated signs. When the city’s Unified Development Ordinance was passed in 2007, a single-color text illuminated sign was allowed for the first time within the […]
The Woodstock City Council voted unanimously in favor of waiving competitive bids and approving a $38,709 contract for the purchase of playground equipment for Emricson Park. “It is important that the city continue to provide funding for the replacement of each of these facilities, not only to ensure safety, but to also provide new and […]
For 16 years, Jim Campion has helped organize Woodstock’s Independence Day fireworks display at Emricson Park as a member of the Woodstock Fourth of July committee. But Campion’s service represents fewer than half the pyrotechnic displays the city has seen over the decades. “For over 40 years, Woodstock has been putting on a fireworks show,” […]
Woodstock City Council members spent about 10 minutes expressing frustration with annual prevailing wage requirements before unanimously approving adoption of the requirements. Under the State of Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, the city is required to include certain specific wage classifications and wage requirements with most of its public works contracts. Under law, the city is […]
A recent expansion of Young Masters is making the business more than just a martial arts studio — it’s becoming a complete fitness studio. Now called Young Masters Fitness Studio, the space has more than doubled to 6,000 square feet, said Robert Knuth, owner of the business. Knuth started Young Masters in 2007 with his […]
The largest city on Wisconsin’s western border, La Crosse is known for its beautiful scenery, advances in technology and an abundance of recreational activities. “We have a lot of natural beauty – rivers, bluffs and valleys are carved throughout the region,” said La Crosse Chamber of Commerce President Dick Granchalek. “Our housing developments and farm […]
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.
