In the wake of the gas-fueled explosion last week that shook Woodstock, the people of this city responded as you would hope our community would. From the first responders on the scene minutes after the first call about 12:30 p.m. Oct. 9, to the efforts of friends and neighbors to assist the people whose lives […]
By Cheryl Wormley The past 10 days proved once again the blessings of living in community. The horrific explosion on Lincoln Avenue last Monday destroyed homes and left people and families homeless. But even as the Woodstock Fire/Rescue responders were putting out the fires, many of you were finding ways to help, raising money, donating […]
The adverse opinion issued recently by the Illinois Auditor General’s office of its compliance audit of the Department of Children and Family Services deals not only with certain financial irregularities within the agency, but it also shines a harsh light on the failure of this agency to protect the children within its care. DCFS exists […]
In the weeks since the travel-heavy summer months ended with Labor Day, the Woodstock area has enjoyed slowly declining fuel prices. But like the weather that blessed us with summer temperatures throughout September, we don’t expect lower gas prices to last long, either. Temperatures dropped as fall fell this past weekend, and we’re less than […]
By Cheryl Wormley I had planned to write this Declarations about the trip Jim and I took to Colorado last week, but that can wait. Dick Butkus’ death Oct. 5 takes priority. Yes, that’s me and his honor in the photo. The occasion: the 1964 Illinois State Fair. I was Illinois Dairy Princess, and Butkus […]
Coming out of a coma after 70 years into a society he doesn’t recognize, a man ask a younger person to explain the world today. Oh come, sir, I humbly ask, what has become of the country from my past? Your question, old man, is odd and strange. Have you not been aware of the […]
No need to bake a cake or anything, but we at The Independent would greatly appreciate it if you joined us in celebrating National Newspaper Week. The annual observance takes place this week through Saturday. Unlike most cities and towns everywhere, Woodstock has a local newspaper to celebrate. That is one of the assets that […]
By Larry Lough “I want to speak to the person who wrote the editorial in the August 16th newspaper.” That was how a woman opened her recent phone conversation with the editor. I told her the opinion expressed in the editorial was that of The Independent’s editorial board. It’s the newspaper’s opinion, so it didn’t […]
Promoting Woodstock as home, not entertainment I am totally in sync with the opinions of Michael Stanard regarding “marketing” in Woodstock (Your View, Sept. 6, “Other ideas on marketing what Woodstock can be”). Residents and businesses are not going to be enticed by clever taglines or more colorful logos. These are aimed at visitors only. […]
Considering today’s survey-obsessed society, we are kind of impressed that the city’s Annual Community Survey had 1,567 responses – and 77 percent completed the 24 questions. People today are bombarded by requests to rate and evaluate the performance of just about everything. You can’t get your blood pressure checked, your oil changed, or your insurance […]
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.
