On January 21, 2026, at 8:23 a.m., the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District responded to the 14400 block of Washington Street in unincorporated Woodstock for a reported motor vehicle accident with entrapment. While crews were en route, additional information clarified that the incident was not a vehicle crash but involved a forklift-related injury. Firefighters and paramedics arrived […]
by Susan W. Murray Six days after damage from an intentionally set fire closed the Woodstock Walmart at 1275 Lake Ave., the store partially reopened on Tuesday, Jan. 6. “Customers can now shop food, fresh [produce], and consumables,” said Ashley Nolan, a senior manager in Walmart’s Global Communications Office. “The pharmacy is also open as […]
Staff ReportNEWS@thewoodstockindependent.com The McHenry County Historical Society and Museum has announced a new interactive way to explore the history of McHenry County. Visitors can immerse themselves in the county’s past through a 15-by-15-foot reproduction of a map dated 1903. This map highlights the 17 townships, as well as the roads, railroads, rural mail routes, churches, […]
For the past 35 years, The Woodstock Independent has been publishing articles about local educators who are retiring. We ran our first one in 1990, when reporter Lisa Kelly profiled Jim Foley. He had begun his 27-year career as a science teacher at the former Westwood Junior High, taught science at Woodstock High School, and […]
By Tricia Carzoli news@thewoodstockindependent Four Woodstock students helped put Northwest Gold High School Figure Skating Team on top at the U.S. Figure Skating Midwest and Pacific Coast Sectional High School Final, held in Evanston April 5 and 6. Woodstock High School sophomore Shylah Smith competed on the NW Gold High Team. Smith’s high-level spins helped […]
Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com One person died and five people were injured in a Sunday afternoon collision that involved three vehicles. ` Emergency crews took two adults to local hospitals, one with critical injuries, after the wreck about 3 p.m. Sunday at U.S. 14 and Dean street. Three juveniles also suffered critical injuries and were airlifted […]
4-2 split vote approves temporary payment for some local households By Larry Loughlarry@the woodstockindependent.com Hundreds of Woodstock households could be eligible for a city subsidy to help them pay increased costs of a new toter-mandatory trash collection program that will begin July 1. At their meeting last week, City Council members approved the new collection […]
By Tricia Carzoli news@thewoodstockindependent.com Groundhog Days is a collaboration among the city, the Woodstock Groundhog Days Committee – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit – local businesses, and other community organizations. This year, after many years of having people wonder why there wasn’t a 5K, Steve Parrish set his mind on making it happen. And he did. “I […]
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.
