Crystal Lake

Carolyn Campbell began as a volunteer for schools and the McHenry County Conservation District. Now she's on the county board and an influential leader.

A man accused of possessing and sharing images of children and toddlers “screaming and crying” as they were being sexually assaulted by adult males was detained in McHenry County jail Wednesday.

A look back at some of Northwest Herald photojournalist Gregory Shaver's favorite pictures in the Northwest Herald from April 2025.

A look back at some of Northwest Herald photojournalist Gregory Shaver's favorite pictures in the Northwest Herald from March 2025.

A new tabletop role-playing board game called "Woodlander" brings to life a Crystal Lake native’s world filled with illustrations he created of woodland animals based on his favorite fantasy novels.

In honor of mothers everywhere, enjoy a gallery of our favorite Northwest Herald photos of mothers and daughters and mothers and sons - and grandmothers too! – from the past year.

A Crystal Lake man accused of possessing images of children being bound and sexually assaulted previously worked as a volunteer wrestling coach for Deerfield High School, Township High School District 113 has confirmed.

A Woodstock man accused of entering a Crystal Lake home and threatening a woman with a crowbar has been sentenced to one day of conditional discharge.

From a kindergartner named Leo to pastors and faithful at churches, McHenry County-area Catholic react with excitement to the new pope - and his Chicago ties.

The Seger tribute band will celebrate the timeless hits of this American legend on May 16.

Two people are accused of throwing a homemade ‘firebomb’ at a residence in Crystal Lake last month allegedly tied to a drug deal gone bad.

Glen Pecoraro, the first baseball coach in Prairie Ridge history, is retiring from coaching at the end of the 2025 season. He plans to retire from teaching in the next 2-3 years. His Wolves have advanced to state twice, finishing second in Class 3A in 2021.

Homeschool teachers Melissa Ryan and Tammy Massey created a STEM-focused robotics team in McHenry County that has now reached international competitions twice.

Crystal Lake South teachers Dan Mitchell and Ben Stoner worked together to involve special education students in the school's recent plays and musicals.

Amber Bauman teachers middle school math in Crystal Lake has spent nearly a lifetime teaching, both in the classroom and the horse arena.

Tammy Nobbe teaches children six days per week – five at her job at the Cary Park District preschool and Sunday school at Bethany Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake.

A Barrington acupuncturist accused of fondling a client in her Crystal Lake home has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery and was sentenced to 50 hours public service and one year conditional discharge.

Shop the Algonquin Garden Club’s plant sale and check out reptiles at the Animal Expo this weekend in McHenry County.

A developer constructing single-story apartment homes in Crystal Lake and Fox River Grove will start seeing their first residents move in this summer.

The McHenry County Mental Health Board invites parents, teachers, business leaders, community advocates and others interested to its annual town hall meeting Thursday, May 8.

A day after veteran U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky announced she won’t run again in 2026, state Sen. Laura Fine of Glenview on Tuesday threw her hat into the ring for the seat.

President Trump's Department of Education has canceled a multimillion-dollar mental health grant awarded to Crystal Lake School District 47, saying the program conflicts with administration priorities.

Several mayors from McHenry County spoke to a real estate group, highlighting housing issues and what the end of the state's grocery tax could mean if towns don't enact their own.

Breaking Bread Catering & Deli in Cary is known for sandwiches and has partnered with a bakery from Wheeling to sell fresh loaves of bread and desserts at its store.

Construction is moving along at Water’s Edge, Crystal Lake‘s largest development, with a goal to have a public park open this summer followed by retail spaces by the end of this year.

The band channels the spirit of rock legends such as The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin and Heart.

With veteran Democratic U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky expected to announce Monday if she’ll run for reelection in Illinois’ 9th District, another newcomer has launched a campaign for the seat.

Proceeds from the May 3 show will benefit American Legion Post 171.

Performer Doug Varty will pay tribute to Rod Stewart Friday, May 2.

Run for the arts in Crystal Lake and watch military helicopters land in Lake in the Hills this weekend in McHenry County.

A veterans group, Rolling Thunder, has donated a POW/MIA Chair of Honor to the McHenry County sheriff's office, which will remain perpetually empty as a symbol of those who remain missing from previous conflicts.

After one year of planning and construction, locally-owned Florio’s Italian restaurant is opening Wednesday off Randall Road in Crystal Lake.

Huntley is the latest municipality in the McHenry County area to go for a local grocery tax.

Eduardo Roman of Crystal Lake is accused of advertising drugs to minors online and selling drugs and guns out of his home, authorities say.

The Crystal Lake Park District will host its annual State of the Lake meeting Thursday.

Over 200 people gathered outside the McHenry Veterans Affairs Clinic with signs and flags Sunday afternoon to protest against potential nationwide staff cuts to the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Who bought and sold property in McHenry County for the week of April 21?

Retired Cary-Grove High School teacher Susan Schuerr has a story in one of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul" books and will make an appearance Saturday.

A Chicago man has pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing nearly $750,000 in methamphetamine and fentanyl when he was arrested in a Crystal Lake motel parking lot last year.

The mother of Caitlin Hodges – the Crystal Lake woman whose remains were identified this month – said she hopes authorities are able to figure out how she died. The family suffered the loss of another daughter recently too.

A car crashed into downtown Crystal Lake business Angelo’s Shoe Repair Wednesday afternoon completely breaking the front window.

Veteran Democratic U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston plans to announce she won’t seek reelection, likely early next month, according to media reports.

Plant trees in Huntley for Arbor Day and learn about wild weather in Crystal Lake this weekend in McHenry County.

Health teacher Nicole Thompson of Bernotas Middle School in Crystal Lake was honored with the inaugural Turning Point Heart Award.

Tributes to Pope Francis were shared Monday by McHenry County churches, schools and Catholic faithful, many of whom awoke to the news of the pontiff’s death after having observed Easter the day before.

The McHenry County Department of Health encourages private well owners to test their water supply at yearly and is offering reduced-cost testing in April. .

Remains found in North Carolina have been confirmed to belong to missing Crystal Lake woman Caitlin Hodges, 29, according to authorities.

The Crystal Lake Park District will host its second annual Once Upon A Time Princess Fest April 26.

Crystal Lake appoints its deputy city manager as city clerk for an automatically renewable four-year term once the term of the current elected clerk, who is facing felony charges, ends this month.

Healthcare workers from McHenry County joined the Cary-based Joshua Mission in a weeklong trip to Negril, Jamaica to provide free medical services to over 500 people.