Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com Woodstock is in line to get $5 million in the fiscal year 2024 federal budget toward the moving of Metra’s rail yard to the west side of the city. U.S. Rep. Bill Foster announced his support for that project among 15 community funding requests for his 11th Congressional District. They are part of the […]
Woodstock needs more affordable housing and diverse housing options, and don’t forget that hotel. Embrace diversity in the city and support the Hispanic community. Develop the former Die Cast factory site north of the train station as a northward expansion of the downtown and a possible catalyst for more development, including transit-oriented development. Support arts […]
McHenry County College will acquire the Aurora University campus in downtown Woodstock for a new university center where two-year MCC grads and others can pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a variety of Illinois schools. The announcement from MCC this week said the yet-to-be-named university center at Church and Madison streets would begin with […]
Downtown restaurants don’t need another tax I read in The Independent that Woodstock is going to charge restaurants for their use of public sidewalks and parking spaces for outdoor dining. The city should support all their restaurants, not just the Public House. We need to help these folks, not tax them more. I have a […]
With Sweet Reds Patisserie and Café’s grand opening last week, the Woodstock Square once again has a local bakery in the middle of the 100 block of North Benton Street – this time with a French flair. Kim Loewe’s grandparents owned the former Henny Penny restaurant in McHenry. So, in 2010, when she decided to […]
By Eileen Millard news@the woodstockindependent.com Although new housing starts are currently slow in Woodstock, the city’s 2019 Downtown Development Plan has a goal to double the number of housing units within a quarter mile of the train depot to 1,000 by 2030. The plan envisions high-rise, transit-oriented housing within walking distance of the Metra station. […]
City Council members are pushing back on the escalating costs of remodeling the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House. But despite their questions and concerns at last week’s council meeting, members voted unanimously for the consent agenda that included an additional $262,000 in the contractor’s change orders for the project. That brings the added costs over […]
Woodstock bars and restaurants that want sections of public sidewalks and parking spaces used for outside seating will now need to get a permit from the city and pay a square-footage fee for the area. Under a new ordinance approved last week by the City Council, businesses may apply to the city starting March 1 […]
The Mobil gas station pictured in the Feb. 15 issue of The Woodstock Independent is at 135 Washington St., current home of Napoli Pizza. The Mobil station moved to 315 N. Madison St. in 1982. In 1985, A Little Pizza Heaven, formerly located at 100 Cass St., took over the location. Owners Roger and Jenny […]
MobCraft Beer of Milwaukee wants to borrow from Woodstock’s revolving loan fund to set up its new micro-brewery and taproom on the lower level of the Sheriff’s House. Makity Make of Algonquin “will be exploring” some of that 3 percent money to expand its do-it-yourself craft business that is moving into the first floor of […]
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.
