• Woodstock's most trusted news source since '87
  • Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Trust the Torch!

Subscribe
Main Menu

Top Stories

2/11/26 Student of the Week – Colin Kowalsky

2/11/26 Student of the Week – Colin Kowalsky

Colin Kowalsku, a senior at Marian Central Catholic High School, is the son of Natalie and Todd Kowalsky. His teacher said, “Colin is a three-sport athlete who is a true […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
February 11, 2026

2/11/26 Athlete of the Week – Dan French, Wrestling

Dan French continues to make history for Marian Central Catholic High School wrestling. The Hurricanes’ 190-pounder captured a Regional championship, officially qualifying for sectionals for the third straight year. Earlier […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
February 11, 2026

Marian’s track coaching duo named to Hall of Fame

By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com History took place on May 10, 1974, a Friday afternoon at a Woodstock track. The newly formed Marian Central Catholic High School girls track-and-field team took […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
February 5, 2026

Community

Independent photo by Andrew Rousey. (From left) Jo, Meadow Roth, shares a tender moment with her sister Beth, Maddie Delgado, at the seashore.

‘Becoming the March family’

WHS Theatre to stage ‘Little Women’ Feb. 6-8 BySusan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM “Little Women” director Billy Seger describes Woodstock High School’s spring musical as “a simple story …
February 5, 2026
Courtesy photo. “Neil Diamond has become hip. He has basically written the soundtrack of our lives,” said Rob Garrett, who will bring his Neil Diamond tribute show to the Woodstock Opera House on March 7.

‘The soundtrack of our lives’

Rob Garrett to bring Neil Diamond show to Opera House for performance on March 7 By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com Neil Diamond is having a moment. That might come as […] …
January 23, 2026

54 D-200 students named Illinois State Scholars

District 200 Fifty-four students in the Woodstock and Woodstock North High School graduating classes of 2026 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars for the 2025-26 school year.  The Illinois …
January 22, 2026

Family Christmas dinner served for homeless

Staff Reportnews@thewoodstockindependent.com Steven’s Home, McHenry County’s Homeless Street Outreach and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, collaborated with Pioneer Center/PADS Shelter to provide a Christmas “m…
January 7, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

(c) Tricia Carzoli TLCPHOTOGRAPHYAND

Time to light up Woodstock for the holidays

Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com The city of Woodstock will officially kick off the holiday season in its historic downtown on Friday, No…
November 26, 2025
TOTAL MARKET ISSUE
Our once monthly free digital issue for you to read. Consider subscribing to keep up with news in and around the Woodstock community.

Public Safety Logs

Get full access to The Independent today!

  • Award winning reporting
  • Most trusted news source since '87
  • The best community coverage
Subscribe Now

Business

Independent file photo. Napoli Pizza took over Dusty’s Pizza in Wonder Lake in May 2022. Last week, Shawn and Brigitte Baker nnounced thet would close the Wonder Lake location.

Business Buzz

All that’s new in openings, closings, moves, and ownership changesBy Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com In Wonder Lake restaurant news, Napoli Pizza announced on Facebook on Jan. 26 that…
February 5, 2026
Independent photo by Susan W. Murray. While modestly priced by Woodstock standards, this home northwest of the Square was listed for 77 percent over the price that it sold for in 2020, reflecting fast-rising prices that have been the norm for five years.

Woodstock home prices rise in 2025

Average price for a single-family, detached home hits $410,359 By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com For the first time, the average price for a detached, single-family home in the 60098…
January 28, 2026
Independent photo by Susan W. Murray. A shuttered Dairy Queen used to be a sure sign of the approaching winter in Woodstock, but this year, owner Rafael Castaneda is experimenting with remaining open during the winter months, with the exception of a 10-day break between Christmas and New Year’s.

Business Buzz

In the spirit of the season of leftovers . . .By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com Always, when The Woodstock Independent runs a Business Buzz, a few stray items straggle into [……
December 4, 2025

Get full access to The Independent today!

Subscribe

Know about breaking news and developing stories, and get updates as they unfold.

Schools

Independent photo by Andrew Rousey. (From left) Jo, Meadow Roth, shares a tender moment with her sister Beth, Maddie Delgado, at the seashore.

‘Becoming the March family’

WHS Theatre to stage ‘Little Women’ Feb. 6-8 BySusan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM “Little Women” director Billy Seger describes Woodstock High School’s spring musical as “a simp…
February 5, 2026
Courtesy photo. Third-graders at Westwood Elementary School work on computers while using headphones to block out distractions. Student Ryder Cyrul is in the foreground, and Madison Wells is in the background.

‘No ears left behind’

Impact Grant ensures all third-graders have needed headphones By Janet Dovidio news@thewoodstockindependent.com Westwood third-grade teacher Kecia Griffin received funds from a District 200 Education …
February 5, 2026

Sports

Courtesy photo. Kaitlyn (Thompson) Bordeaux, left presents Pat Leucht, right, widow of Marian Central Catholic High School Hall of Fame member Charles Leucht, Jr., with a plaque at a school Hall of Fame ceremony Jan. 24.

Marian’s track coaching duo named to Hall of Fame

By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com History took place on May 10, 1974, a Friday afternoon at a Woodstock track. The newly formed Marian Central Catholic High School girls trac…
February 5, 2026
Woodstock North senior Ava Caldwell sends the ball down the alley this season. Caldwell was the KRC conference champion runner-up. Independent file photo by Andrew Rousey.

Caldwell earns KRC runner-up; North bowlers 3rd

By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com Woodstock North’s Ava Caldwell gained runner-up honors at the Fox Valley Conference-Kishwaukee River Conference league meet. Caldwell finished with a…
February 5, 2026

Student of the week

Athlete of the week

The most reliable local news source in McHenry County since 1987

Sign up today for just 6 dollars and get full access for 1 month

Get Instant Access

Live

Subscriber Access

Login

Need an account? 

What can we help you find?

Search

Popular Topics