• Woodstock's most trusted news source since '87
  • Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Trust the Torch!

Subscribe
Main Menu

Top Stories

Dean Elementary School staff members were honored for exceptional efforts. Pictured (from left) are Anabelle Gibson, fifth grade; RTI associate Erin Menge; Principal Marivi Galera; special education teacher Scott Becker; and Nova Gutierre, fifth grade. courtesy photo

The use of AI in the classroom, from both sides of the desk

By Eileen Millardnews@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com The D-200 Board of Education heard a presentation at the Feb. 24 meeting about how the district is integrating artificial intelligence into classroom instruction. Presenters talked about […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
March 6, 2026
3/4/26 Student of the Week – Savanna Egert

3/4/26 Student of the Week – Savanna Egert

Savanna Egert, a senior at Marian Central Catholic High School, is the daughter of Quincy and Allison Egert. Her teacher said, “Savanna is always the first to lend a helping […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
March 6, 2026

WHS students win UN app competition

Global app benefits farmers worldwide By Kevin Lyons District 200 Two Woodstock High School students and an alumnus are part of a small team that has achieved global recognition, winning […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
March 6, 2026

‘A very humbling experience’

Family Health Partnership Clinic’s Suzanne Hoban attends State of the Union address By Susan W. Murraynews@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com Suzanne Hoban, founder and executive director of the Family Health Partnership Clinic in Crystal […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
March 6, 2026

Community

Family Health Partership Clinic founder and esecutive director stand with Congressman Bill Foster D-Ill. Courtesy photo.

‘A very humbling experience’

Family Health Partnership Clinic’s Suzanne Hoban attends State of the Union address By Susan W. Murraynews@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com Suzanne Hoban, founder and executive director of the Family…
March 6, 2026
Courtesy photo. Mark Heiress is pictured with granddaughter Skylar Perina and her third-grade teacher, Michelle Villicana, at Crystal Lake Canterbury Elementary School, where Heiress spoke on Veterans Day 2025.

His favorite stories; Woodstock resident publishes memoir

By Janet Dovidio news@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com Woodstock resident Mark Heiress has been nominated for New Author of the Year in the category of memoirs and biographies by the International Impact B…
March 6, 2026

Seven Marian students Illinois State Scholars

Seven students from the graduating class of 2026 at Marian Central Catholic High School have been designated as 2026-27 Illinois State Scholars, School Curriculum Director Debra Cunico announced. They…
February 26, 2026

WHS orchestra, choir up for the challenge

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com Woodstock High School orchestra director Lyndra Tingley and choir director Brian Jozwiak have scheduled a challenging and unique performance by their …
February 26, 2026

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
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@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.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@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.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@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.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

Courtesy photo. Seniors Eshaan Virani and Krishna Patel work on their award-winning app at Woodstock High School

WHS students win UN app competition

Global app benefits farmers worldwide By Kevin Lyons District 200 Two Woodstock High School students and an alumnus are part of a small team that has achieved global recognition, winning fir…
March 6, 2026
Courtesy photo. During staff recognition at the Feb. 10 D-200 Board of Education meeting, Olson Elementary School staff members were honored for their exceptional efforts in their jobs. Pictured are (from left) Olson Principal Jennifer Malecke; registered behavior technician Margaret Cambora; Lillian Hare, third grade; third-grade teacher Renee Simes, and Lilith Szweda, third grade. Lillian Hare’s prepared remarks were in the form of a poem.

School ‘hate/kill’ list a topic at D-200 board meeting

Parent of student on list speaks about the incident and what’s next By Eileen Millardnews@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com During the public comment section of the D-200 Board of Education meeting Feb. 10,…
February 20, 2026

Sports

Woodstock’s Rian Hahn-Clifton (left) and JJ Stokes play defense as Sycamore’s Marcus Johnson runs a play in the Class 3A Boylan Catholic regional final game in Rockford. Independent photo by Steve Peterson

WHS boys’ 22-win season comes to an end

By Steve Peterson news@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com About the time the 40-mile trip from Rockford to Woodstock was over, Blue Streaks boys basketball players were probably feeling strong about the 2025…
March 6, 2026
Courtesy photo. Woodstock co-op wrestler Brianna Crown has her arm raised after a win at 170 pounds at the IHSA State Girls Wrestling Meet.

Co-op girls perform well at first state wrestling outing

By Steve Peterson news@springgreen-pigeon-339172.hostingersite.com Two Woodstock co-op girls wrestlers who competed at the IHSA Girls Individual State – Eva Hermansson at 100 pounds and Brianna Crown, 170 – have a [&…
March 6, 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