Editor Larry Lough covers lots of meetings where important decisions are made. And I mean a lot of meetings. The Woodstock City Council meets twice a month, the Woodstock District 200 school board meets about 20 times a year, the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Board meets monthly. Larry goes to all of them, takes notes, and […]
Woodstock has been my family’s hometown for generations. I’m proud of its tradition of tolerance and acceptance for people of all races, backgrounds, identities and beliefs. This is a spirit I hope to foster as a leader in our community and of our school district. Like all Americans, I’m saddened and angered by the recent […]
On a perfect early June morning Saturday, hundreds of people showed up prepared for the first day that the Woodstock Farmers Market had been on the Square this year. Some people were unprepared. ByThe Independent’s unofficial observation during an 11 a.m. lap around the Square, about 90 percent of the people were wearing face masks […]
Church has to be more than another building Some people see limiting the ability of places of worship to open their doors and continue as though we are not in the midst of a pandemic as state persecution. The question I ask is this: What is a place of worship? There is a song sung […]
By CHERYL WORMLEY I’m back! I thank Larry Lough for writing Declarations last week. I needed a break, and I think you did, too. Larry writes really good columns as evidenced by “’Man bites dog’ is news defined.” Thanks to all of you who called and sent emails in response to the last paragraph in […]
We’re rolling the dice, you know. There’s a chance we’re not really ready to move social and business life into Phase 3 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to Restore Illinois in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s still with us, that virus that has sickened nearly 1,600 people in McHenry County and caused 73 […]
When Farm Team PAC endorsed 14 candidates – including two in the Woodstock area – for the primary election in April, The Independent chose not to report it. The political action committee, which was founded by Democratic Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, announced it was backing – surprise! – a group of Democrats who were seeking their […]
Think of the proposed design plans for the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House as two sides of the same coin. One side faces Johnson Street with restored exteriors in brick as the 19th century buildings keep watch over the Square. The other side along Throop Street would include a 21st century touch, with a two-story […]
They thanked teacher for making beautiful music I’m an orchestra teacher at Woodstock High School, and my seniors came to surprise me and say goodbye. They’re they best! A few signed into class online and then told me to look outside. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for surprising me and taking time […]
I didn’t tally how many times in the past three decades I was asked, “How’s The Independent doing?” But I can tell you I’ve been asked dozens of times the past couple of weeks by people who know The Independent is a small business and small businesses are suffering under “stay at home.” Until COVID-19, […]
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.
