Local news
Woodstock
McHenry County, Illinois
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Bomb squad, FBI and National Guard called after apparent 'U.S. Army' rocket found in tree near Woodstock
A homeowner’s discovery of an object marked “U.S. Army” hanging in a tree near Woodstock prompted a response from a bomb squad, the FBI and National Guard representatives Tuesday. Crews established a safety perimeter…
Three-bedroom house in Woodstock goes for $475,000
A three-bedroom, three-bathroom home at 1259 Muriel Street in Woodstock sold for $475,000 on Oct. 8. The two-story, 2,053-square-foot house was built in 1999 and includes a fireplace, central air conditioning and an…
McHenry County Board to take up data center moratorium
The McHenry County Board is preparing to consider a 12-month pause on data center proposals, with officials weighing a separate zoning action to address legal concerns. The county’s State’s Attorney’s Office warned that…
Former School Counselor, Swim Coach Accused Of Offering Sex For Money Online
Former Woodstock school counselor and swim coach Renee J. Walker, 52, was charged Sunday with three misdemeanor counts of prostitution and a felony count of disorderly conduct, according to McHenry County court records…
Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week: Prairie Ridge's Emmie Foster
Prairie Ridge junior Emmie Foster has been named the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week following her impressive postseason performance. Foster captured the Class 2A individual sectional title in Woodstock…
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McHenry County property transfers: Oct. 26-Nov. 1
McHenry County reported 44 residential property transfers for the week of October 26 to November 1. The median sale price for the period was a 3,783-square-foot property on Chadwick Lane in Lake In The Hills, which sold…
McHenry County voters say no to home rule; issue split county Republicans
McHenry County voters decisively rejected a nonbinding home rule proposition in the recent midterm election. With over 65% of the vote against the measure, the proposal failed in every precinct. The County Board had…
For 1st time, female veterans gather at McHenry County symposium
McHenry County hosted its first female veterans symposium this fall in Woodstock, organized by the Veterans Assistance Commission. The event aimed to address the needs of an underserved population by providing…
From Marine Corps to Warp Corps: Mentoring youth, helping homeless people, focusing on sobriety
Marine Corps veteran Rob Mutert founded the Woodstock-based nonprofit Warp Corps to support youth and homeless individuals. Drawing on the discipline he learned during his military service, Mutert helps young people…
Woman recalls losing brother in Vietnam – among McHenry County heroes whose memory Woodstock vet keep alive
Army veteran Mark Hutson has launched a website to archive the stories of nearly 300 fallen service members from McHenry County. The project includes the story of Gary Kieselburg, who was killed in Vietnam in 1970. His…
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Maine man jailed in McHenry County on charge he solicited local child, 12, for lewd video
Jonathan Miles, a 41-year-old Maine resident, appeared in a McHenry County courtroom Friday after being charged with soliciting child sex abuse materials and distributing explicit content to a minor. Authorities allege…
11/4/26 Athlete of the Week - Colin Hernon
Colin Hernon has been named Athlete of the Week by The Woodstock Independent. This season, Hernon has demonstrated strong performance on the field, recording 69 completions in 107 attempts for 1,067 yards and 11 passing…
11/4/26 Student of the Week - George Kordopitoulas
George Kordopitoulas, a senior at Marian Central Catholic High School, has been named Student of the Week. His teachers praised his commitment, responsibility, and discipline in working toward common goals…
Man pleads guilty in YouTube threats to shoot McHenry County judge, Barrington Hills police
Joel Koskinen, 36, pleaded guilty Wednesday to making YouTube videos threatening to shoot a McHenry County judge and Barrington Hills police officers. He was sentenced to 18 months of probation, psychiatric treatment…
‘Massive change’: McHenry County GOP takes stock after election losses but ‘pendulum will swing back’
McHenry County Republicans are reassessing their political strategy following significant losses in the recent midterm elections. The GOP's long-standing supermajority on the County Board is expected to shrink from 15-3…
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Single-family home sells for $592,500 in Woodstock
A single-family residence located at 661 Hickman Lane in Woodstock was sold on October 14 for $592,500. The two-story home, constructed in 2007, offers 3,179 square feet of living space, including four bedrooms and four…
Refreshed Woodstock capitalizes on bye week: McHenry County football notebook
The Woodstock Blue Streaks football team secured their first playoff win in 17 years by defeating Prairie Ridge 35-7. After a difficult end to the regular season, the team utilized a bye week to recover and refocus on…
Felon accused of threatening to harm prominent Woodstock attorney for over a year, telling him 'karma's coming'
Scott T. Comstock, 64, has pleaded guilty to violating an order of protection after a prominent Woodstock attorney reported being threatened for over a year. Despite never representing Comstock, the attorney received…
Woodstock’s Route 47 project entering new phase with new road closures, detours
Le projet de construction de la Route 47 à Woodstock entre dans une nouvelle phase ce lundi, entraînant la fermeture complète de McConnell Road entre la Route 47 et Zimmerman Road. Des changements de circulation…
McHenry County property transfers: Oct. 19-25
McHenry County reported 60 residential property transfers for the week of October 19. The sales included various residential properties in towns such as Algonquin, Cary, and Crystal Lake. The median sale price for the…
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Man accused of directing racial slurs at victim before punching him in the face, leaving him bleeding in Woodstock
Jack D. Hoschouer II, 29, has been charged with aggravated battery following an incident on September 20 in Woodstock. Authorities allege that Hoschouer directed racial slurs at a pedestrian near Benton and Church…
Cash White, on his birthday, scores 4 TDs to send Woodstock past Prairie Ridge to first playoff win since 2009
Woodstock quarterback Cash White celebrated his birthday by leading the Blue Streaks to a 35-7 victory over Prairie Ridge in the Class 5A first-round playoffs. White threw two touchdown passes and rushed for two more…
Photos: Streaks take down the Wolves, earn first playoff victory since 2009
The Woodstock Blue Streaks secured a 35-7 victory over the Prairie Ridge Wolves, marking the team's first playoff win since 2009. Despite entering the game as underdogs, the Blue Streaks dominated the matchup behind…
Emmie Foster, Prairie Ridge girls XC win sectional titles; CL Central boys also take 1st to qualify for state
Prairie Ridge’s Emmie Foster secured the individual title at the Class 2A Woodstock North Sectional, leading the Wolves to a team victory with 93 points. In the boys' competition, Crystal Lake Central claimed first…
Dundee-Crown co-op girls swimming captures third straight FVC title
The Dundee-Crown co-op girls swimming team secured its third consecutive Fox Valley Conference Invite title on Saturday at Woodstock North High School. The team dominated the competition, winning nine of 11 events and…
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Woman seriously injured, trapped inside SUV that ended up in woods after 2-vehicle crash with teen driver near Woodstock
A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries Saturday morning following a two-vehicle crash near Woodstock. The collision occurred at the intersection of Route 47 and Lucas Road, causing the woman's SUV to veer into…
Driver trapped in car, seriously injured in 2-vehicle crash near Route 47 in Woodstock
A two-vehicle crash near the intersection of Route 47 and Lucas Road in Woodstock resulted in one driver being trapped and seriously injured on Saturday morning. The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District extricated the woman…
Boys soccer: 2026 All-Kishwaukee River Conference team announced
The 2026 All-Kishwaukee River Conference boys soccer team has been announced, featuring top talent from across the region. Alex Carbajal of Woodstock North was named Goalkeeper of the Year, while Nick Kyes of…
American Indian Center of Chicago acquires 6 acres near Woodstock to reconnect Native community with land
The American Indian Center of Chicago has acquired six acres of land near Woodstock to provide a dedicated space for the Native community to practice land-based traditions. The site, which includes prairie and oak…