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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@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com Neil Diamond is having a moment. That might come as […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
January 23, 2026
District 200 photo. During staff recognition at the Jan. 13 D-200 Board of Education meeting, Woodstock High School staff members were honored for their exceptional efforts in their jobs. Pictured (from left) are WHS Principal Art Vallicelli; Jayro Avila, junior; special education associate Dave Munson; math teacher Brigid Fujino; Liana Balderas Viderique, junior; and Lucy Neubauer, junior.

D-200 OKs partnership for emergency vaccination sites

County could dispense vaccine in large-scale disease or bioterrorism event By Eileen Millardnews@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com The D-200 Board of Education Jan. 13 approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the McHenry County Department […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
January 22, 2026

Fire destroys garage, brings safety warning

Staff Reportnews@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com A fire that destroyed a garage and threatened two nearby homes brought a word of caution from fire officials about the charging of reusable batteries. The fire Jan. […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
January 22, 2026

Gravel pit extension decision delayed by a month

By Larry Loughlarry@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com An overflow crowd of opponents to the extension of an eastside gravel pit caused the city’s Plan Commission last week to move its meeting from City Hall […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
January 22, 2026

Community

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@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com Neil Diamond is having a moment. That might come as a s…
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@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.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

Middle schools raise $3,600 for Christmas Clearing House

By Kevin Lyons District 200 A friendly rivalry between Creekside and Northwood middle schools helped make the holiday season brighter for scores of local children.  Falcons and Warhawks students parti…
December 24, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

(c) Tricia Carzoli TLCPHOTOGRAPHYAND

Time to light up Woodstock for the holidays

Staff Report news@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com The city of Woodstock will officially kick off the holiday season in its historic downtown on Friday, No…
November 26, 2025
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Business

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@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com Always, when The Woodstock Independent runs a Business Buzz, a few stray items straggle into [……
December 4, 2025
Danny Room stands with the Harley-Davidson Dyna Street Bob that he was readying for a customer. Reflecting on the difference between biking culture in the U.S. and his native Britain, Room said that open space and sunnier weather make for a longer riding season here. U.S. riders, he said, are more lax about wearing protective gear. “I wear full protective gear all the time,” he said. “I value my skin.”

Meet the meticulous motorcycle man

By Susan W. Murraynews@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com Allied Motorsports offers inspections, repairs, and storage It’s possible, when turning into the driveway at 14910 Kishwaukee Valley Ro…
October 31, 2025
Independent photo by Tricia Carzoli. Family, friends, and guests from the city are in a celebratory mood just before the ribbon was cut to celebrate the 45th anniversary of 3 Brothers Restaurant.

3 Brothers turns 45

An anniversary and a celebration of the American dream By Susan W. Murray news@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com As Kim Alimovski cut the ribbon on Oct. 15 to commemorate 45 years in business for […]…
October 22, 2025

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Schools

Courtesy photo. Dressed for pajama day, St. Mary students hold up the ‘Meal in a Bag’ each donated to the food pantry at the Woodstock Public Library during the Advent season before Christmas. Per parent request, students’ names were not provided.

St. Mary students assemble ‘Meal in a bag’ kits

By Janet Dovidionews@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com In December, St. Mary Catholic School students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade participated in a special Advent outreach project. “Each year S…
January 22, 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.  Th…
January 22, 2026

Sports

WHS boys advance to bowling sectionals

By Steve Peterson news@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com The Woodstock boys bowling squad advanced to the IHSA Sectional after finishing second at the Belvidere Regional. Competing at Don  Carter Lanes in R…
January 22, 2026

Woodstock co-op swimmers prepare for FVC championships

By Steve Peterson news@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com Woodstock District 200 swimmers hosted the District 155 co-op team Jan. 15. The best event for the home team was the 100-yard breaststroke, which had…
January 22, 2026

Student of the week

1/21/26 Student of the Week – Marc Cheng

1/21/26 Student of the Week – Marc Cheng

Marc Cheng, a senior at Marian Central Catholic High School, is the son of Pamela Lu and Derek Cheng. His teacher said, “Through hard work, curiosity,…
January 22, 2026

Athlete of the week

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