The McHenry County Division of Transportation has significantly reduced plans for right-of-way acquisition for its proposed Alden Road construction project. On April 10, MCDOT held a public hearing proposing a revised plan for a construction project along Alden Road, stretching from Charles Road north to Route 173. Perhaps most notable in the new plan […]
For the past 13 years, the Sarah Grace Lydia McCullagh Memorial Dance Clinic has been held to honor the memory of Sarah McCullagh, a Woodstock High School student who died in 1999 the day before her senior year would have begun. Sarah and one of her closest friends, Alyssa Rosati, were expected to be […]
A construction timeline for the new Woodstock Panera Bread location has not been confirmed, but there is an indication construction could be completed before fall. Eve Metheny, director of brand marketing for Harma Enterprises, said a summer groundbreaking date would likely be announced in three weeks. Once the groundbreaking date is set, Metheny said the […]
About 400 acres of land that once were expected to be part of Apple Creek Estates subdivision are being turned back into farmland. The Apple Creek Estates site was annexed into the city in June 2005 and final plat documents were submitted in March the following year. The overall site was nearly 600 acres. […]
Katherine Sheetz-Tatak has been looking for a special place for some time. Three years ago, she closed her store, Katherine’s Bead Boutique, which she had operated on the Woodstock Square for five years. Last June, Sheetz-Tatak found exactly what she was looking for in the Starline Gallery & Studios at the Starline building, 306 W. […]
Woodstock has promoted Finance Director Roscoe Stelford to the deputy city manager position and hired Cort Carlson as the new community and economic development director, filling vacancies left by the announced departure of Derik Morefield. Morefield, who split duties in both positions, will become city administrator for the city of McHenry later this month. […]
Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County is embarking on a monthlong campaign to recruit 30 Big Brothers. Robyn Ostrem, executive director, said BBBS organizations nationwide face a constant struggle to recruit male volunteers to participate in the program. “Women are more inclined to volunteer than men,” Ostrem said, adding only around three out of […]
With the spring season firmly in place and warm weather here to stay, The Woodstock Independent takes a look at the city’s parks system and gives readers a rundown of everything they need to know about how best to use the amenities offered at each. Field reservations While recreation department programs, local sports leagues and […]
St. Paul Anglican Church announced it has moved from Woodstock to a new church home. The new address is the Masonic Lodge, 200 Ellsworth St., Crystal Lake. Sunday services will be held at 9:30 a.m., and Sunday school will meet at 9:30 a.m. For information, call 815-338-0205 or call the Rev. Michael DuCette at […]
The McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission will offer a photo contest open to McHenry County residents ages 18 and older. The theme is “Documenting Historic or Vintage Architecture in McHenry County.” The photo should show an entire building, a structure on the property or an aspect of the building with historical or vintage interest. […]
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.
