No one should have been surprised to learn that, according to accident reporting by the Woodstock Police Department, the local intersection with the most vehicle wrecks is Route 47 and Lake Avenue.Such collisions are generally the product of two factors: traffic volume and vehicle speed.As probably the busiest intersection in town, Lake Avenue’s crossing at […]
A piece of land in Woodstock has been taking care of people since 1848. Well, not the land itself, which is bounded by Church, Jefferson, Madison, and Judd streets, but what has occupied it. Through the years, organizations and businesses located at what is now 222 Church St. have provided for the spiritual, material, nutritional, […]
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you.” “Our thoughts and prayers are with [fill in the blank].” My late father was a minister. My oldest brother is a retired minister. I know about the power of prayer. But the “thoughts and prayers” phrase is one that I’ve come to at least dislike, if not hate, […]
I am grateful to live in a community that supports its public library. As we celebrate National Library Week (April 23 to 29), the Friends of Woodstock Public Library have invited library supporters to sign a declaration of appreciation for our library. It has been heartening to see the number of people who have signed […]
As Woodstock raises its game with a new comprehensive plan for growth and development, as well as a branding campaign to improve its profile for recruiting residents and employers, the city could have received no better news than the recent announcement by McHenry County College about creating a new university center in town. MCC has […]
This week I have a lot to share with you. Most weeks I have one topic. This week, there will be five. Before moving to Woodstock, the Wormleys were tent campers, so a quote I saw this week resonated with me. Michael Connelly, a former Daytona Beach News-Journal reporter, said newspapers are the tent poles […]
Bubble show enjoyable, benefits local charities On Saturday, April 1, we were invited to a show about bubbles. The show was presented by “The Bubble Wizard” Ben Jimenez and performed at the First United Methodist Church in Woodstock. We and our two younger brothers along with about 40 to 50 people attended the show. We […]
By Cheryl Wormley As you know from reading Jan Bosman’s article in The Independent last week, April is poetry month. Thanks to Jan, I’ve been thinking about poems this week.I remembered memorizing the start of “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow when I was in elementary school.“Listen, my children, and you shall hearOf the […]
After the 2017 consolidated election, an editorial in The Independent described the 15 percent voter turnout in McHenry County as “paltry.”In 2019, we called the turnout of less than 10 percent “pathetic.”So, here we are in 2023, and we’re looking for the right word for a turnout of under 12 percent. What is between “paltry” […]
Strong democracy needs trusted news media How do you protect yourself from being misled? Americans are politically polarized, cynical about long-respected institutions, and disappointed with elected leaders at the local, state, and national levels. What’s driving these trends? I believe a sweeping lack of trust is a significant factor. Trust is an essential element to […]
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.
