Do we get to pick, chose the laws we want to obey? So fortunate we are in McHenry County that we have not been added to the ranks of Uvalde, Sandy Hook, Highland Park, and so many others. We have been spared the heartache of these many communities. Reading that our sheriff, Robb Tadelman, […]
“OK, campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties ’cause it’s cooooold out there today!” At 7 a.m. Thursday, an air temperature in single digits is expected to greet the crowd at the Park on the Square for Woodstock’s annual Groundhog Day Prognostication. But this is Woodstock. And it’s Groundhog Day. And it’s what […]
Who knew the 15 ballots needed to choose a U.S. House speaker would have an effect on Woodstock? Well, not all of Woodstock, Just the editor of the local newspaper. I had interviewed our now-former member of Congress, 14th District U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, the week before the new Congress was scheduled to be seated. And I […]
If you’re confused about who represents you in Congress, your confusion is understandable. In just a little over four years, Woodstock has had three different representatives in the U.S. House from two political parties. Between 2011 and 2019, we were part of the 14th Congressional District, represented by Republican Rep. Randy Hultgren, who had originally […]
By Cheryl Wormley Looking back, it seems fortuitous that Mike Palmquist, co-owner of Knuth’s Sport Outfitters, and I crossed paths in front of the Old Courthouse Feb. 2, 1994. I remember it as if it happened yesterday. Mike had reveled in the filming of “Groundhog Day” on the Square. He’d taken photos, interacted with the […]
Cash bail is punishment for people who can’t afford it Your recent editorial on a key provision of the SAFE-T Act (“State making an attempt at fairness for pretrial detainees,” Jan. 16) was spot on. As you note, the issue of cash bail is an issue of equity. I would only add that lack of […]
By Cheryl Wormley “What do you say to people who say they get The Independent and you know they are talking about the one that comes free the third week of every month?” That was photographer Ken Farver’s question as he walked into our news and editorial staff meeting at Cesaroni’s last week. It wasn’t […]
Let’s say we have two criminal defendants, each charged with the same crime, like aggravated assault. One sits in jail for months while awaiting trial. The other goes free the day of arrest until the trial date arrives. What’s the difference? The guy stuck in jail cannot afford to post bail. The other can. It […]
Make personal commitment on behalf of civil rights We’ve just commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. and his work in the Civil Rights Movement. His goal was to emancipate blacks from harmful and degrading discrimination fostered by law and condoned policy. The results of his effort can be seen, but the underpinning of his passion and […]
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.
