Scenes from the 2026 Woodstock PrideFest Parade on Sunday, June 14, 2026, around the historic Woodstock Square.

A Lake in the Hills built a treehouse in his backyard. A neighbor inquired about it with the village, leading to questions about whether the treehouse was allowed.

The Crystal Lake Central girls soccer team beat Morton 3-1 to win the IHSA Class 2A state championship Saturday afternoon at North Central College in Naperville.

The Crystal Lake Central girls soccer team knocked off Lemont 5-0 Friday in an IHSA Class 2A state semifinal game at North Central College in Naperville.

The Northwest Herald honors the Women of Distinction award winners during a luncheon on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Boulder Ridge Country Club, in Lake in the Hills. The luncheon recognized 10 women in the community as Women of Distinction.

The Huntley girls lacrosse team's historic season ended Tuesday with a 10-6 loss to Barrington in the Huntley Supersectional. Mya Holmberg led the Red Raiders with three goals, and Aubrie Salazar added two.

Host Crystal Lake Central co-op fell behind 5-0 in the first 10 minutes against Barrington and couldn't recover in an 11-6 loss to the Fillies at the Crystal Lake Central Sectional championship on Friday afternoon.

The Kaneland and Woodstock North softball teams traveled to Belvidere North High School Wednesday to meet in a Class 3A sectional semifinal.

Cameron Abordo, who recently returned from a hip injury, scored five goals to lead Huntley's boys lacrosse team to a 13-4 win over Crystal Lake South in a semifinal of the Marian Central Sectional on Tuesday in Woodstock.

Dundee-Crown senior Jordyn Jeffs hit a walk-off home run to beat Burlington Central and set the program’s single-season home run record that had stood since 1984. Jeffs is the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week.

Huntley's boys volleyball team is enjoying the best season in the program's 12-year history. The Red Raiders open the postseason Saturday.

Authorities investigate the cause of a home explosion and remove debris on Monday, May 18, 2026, in 7400 block of Birch Drive, in Wonder Lake, after the Sunday evening explosion that killed one resident of a home and sent two others to the hospital.

Woodstock North's Kylee Nicholson threw nine shutout innings with 21 strikeouts, including a four-inning no-hitter against Harvard, and helped lead the Thunder to their first Kishwaukee River Conference title. Nicholson is the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week.

Sycamore, Kaneland, Genoa-Kingston, Sandwich, St. Viator, Plano, Crystal Lake South, Dixon, Rochelle, and Carmel are among the teams that took part in the Class 2A girls track sectional Friday at Genoa-kingston High School.

Jack Darby, the longtime voice of Woodstock boys basketball and former freshman study hall monitor, remains active with the high school and is beloved by students and faculty alike. His generosity, sense of humor and support of WHS athletics is valued by all.

The Northwest Herald honors the everyday heroes making a difference in McHenry County through their hard work, kindness and dedication.

Cary-Grove senior left-hander Addy Green fired a six-inning no-hitter against Downers Grove North with 12 strikeouts. For her performance, Green was voted the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week.

Johnsburg's Hope Klosowicz stood out in a loaded McHenry County Girls Track and Field Meet field and was named Girls Athlete of the Meet, winning the 200 and 400 and placing runner-up in the 100. Klosowicz is the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week.