The 6x6 Project brings together artists of all ages and abilities to create original artwork on 6-by-6-inch canvases.

Featuring a powerhouse lineup of comedians, Fathers Comedy is the ultimate pre-Father’s Day celebration—perfect for dads, families and anyone who appreciates the hilarity of everyday life.

A new wave of flavors from Thailand arrived in Crystal Lake after the beloved Chinese restaurant New Peking closed following over two decades in business.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs through July 19.

Chris Plazak, founder and owner of the Breaking Bread sandwich shops in Cary and Crystal Lake, died earlier this month after health struggles. He was active in the Cary community.

Lake in the Hills police said 15 to 20 motorcyclists surrounded a vehicle Saturday afternoon, preventing the driver from moving, and one rider punched and hit the driver with his helmet “multiple times.”

People celebrate Flag Day and President Donald Trump's 80th birthday Sunday, June 14 ,2026, at the Trump and Truth Store and Hangout in Crystal Lake. The celebration featured music, shopping for Trump merchandise, food and a birthday cake.

Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation, The McHenry County Jewish Congregation and the Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church are now sharing the Presbyterian building as faiths struggle with lowered attendance, problems with their buildings.

Crystal Lake officially reopened Depot Park on Saturday with hopes the downtown park will give a sense of place for its residents

Northern Illinois authorities say to be on the lookout for romance scams, which tend to begin with gaining a victim’s trust on dating and social media apps. This courting is then followed by requests for money.

A Crystal Lake man and former Deerfield High volunteer coach was sentenced to prison Friday for possessing an image depicting child sex abuse. A prosecutor called the allegations "deplorable."

McHenry's Maria Burrafato has put down her needle and thread for good after 46 years altering McHenry clothes. She didn't want to retire but health issues prompted the move.

The sky turned an eerie blend of orange, pink and red tones after Thursday's storms. Why was that?

A 6-acre empty lot along Randall Road in Crystal Lake that has been vacant for years may be getting its first tenant with yet another car wash.

The death of a Crystal Lake child was confirmed to be that of an 8-year-old boy, prompting a multi-agency investigation.

For the year 2025 alone, the Federal Bureau of Investigations Internet Crime Complaint Center reports that the financial loss to the public is more than $20 billion. More often than not the victims are 60 years and older.

A child has died in a Crystal Lake home and at least two different agencies have launched investigations into the child's death.

Crystal Lake South faces Fenwick in the IHSA Class 3A Wintrust Field Supersectional on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Schaumburg.

Country Club Road at the railroad tracks near Woodstock and Crystal Lake is closed for work, affecting both car and potentially rail transportation.

Crystal Lake Pride event-goers included the mayor, several local churches and several hundred people.

Several hundred people participated in the third annual Crystal Lake Pride Walk and Social on Sunday, June 7, 2026. The walk stepped off about 11 a.m. near Williams Street and Crystal Lake Avenue before looping around Woodstock Street to Grant Street before ending at the Brink Street parking lot, where a social was held Sunday afternoon.

A Crystal Lake man who was accused of taping bags of methamphetamine to his body and bringing some into McHenry County jail has pleaded guilty to a possession charge.

A residential home in Crystal Lake that sold for $800,000 nears the top of the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in McHenry County over the past week.

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.

Crystal Lake South defeats Grayslake Central in an IHSA Baseball Class 3A Sectional Championship game on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Grayslake Central High School.

New fast-casual restaurant Minnie Bird will be replacing Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers off Route 14 in Crystal Lake after it closed late last year.

The Quarry at Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a free event Sunday.

Shaw Local newspapers received a combined 45 awards in contest categories that included general excellence, photography, news writing, opinion writing and design.

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.

McHenry County College saw a record number of students participate in graduation this spring – so many that the school divided its commencement activities into two sessions.

After nearly 50 years as a downtown Crystal Lake staple – and more than 30 years under the same owners – the Clothes Gallery boutique is permanently closing next month.

A Crystal Lake teen who is a globally ranked skateboarder is accused of striking a person with a skateboard, causing “significant injuries,” including a brain bleed, at the downtown Crystal Lake train station, according to authorities.

Now in its 14th year, 10 McHenry County leaders were recognized Wednesday with Shaw Local/Northwest Herald's Women of Distinction awards for their leadership, mentorship and community contributions.

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.

Crystal Lake South faces Deerfield in the IHSA Class 3A Grayslake Central Sectional semifinal baseball game Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Grayslake Central High School.

Crystal Lake Central faces Grayslake Centralin the IHSA Class 3A Grayslake Central Sectional semifinal baseball game Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Grayslake Central High School.

Crystal Lake houses that were once homes to veterans of the Civil War will be highlighted in this year’s Trolley Tour hosted by the Historic Preservation Commission and the Historical Society.

As the executive director for Veterans Path to Hope in Crystal Lake, Laura Franz leads a team whose members fill an important role connecting veterans and active military members and their families to services and support.

As another group of freshly graduated college students enters the job market, challenging times may be ahead with slow hiring rates across the country.

A judge has been reassigned to a felony DUI case a year after charges were filed against a former volleyball coach and dean in Crystal Lake-based Community High School District 155.

Prairie Ridge faces Antioch in an IHSA Softball Class 3A Supersectional game on Monday, June 1, 2026 at Kaneland High School in Maple Park.

Spies Of The World is a Chicago-based band inspired by the music of the Grateful Dead.

Catherine Jones is relatively new to her role as executive director of Leadership Greater McHenry County, but has a long professional history of connecting people with potential employers, mainly through her previous role at McHenry County College.

As Shaw Media celebrates its 175th anniversary, we looked back at four front pages from May 31

Crystal Lake Central defeats Woodstock North in the IHSA Class 3A Regional Championship baseball game on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Crystal Lake Central High School.

Prairie Ridge faces Kaneland in the IHSA Class 3A Belvidere North Sectional softball final game on May 29, 2026, at Belvidere North High School.

Crystal Lake Central faces Belvidere North in IHSA Class 2A Crystal Lake Central Sectional final girls soccer match on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Crystal Lake Central High School.

ComEd crews are relocating 246 power poles in preparation for the major Route 31 expansion project, expected to start in earnest in 2027 after years of prep work.

A proposed Illinois law would require police to delete license plate reader data after three days unless it’s tied to an active investigation.

Crystal Lake Central faces Wauconda in IHSA Class 3A Regional baseball on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at Fred Tipps Field on the campus of Crystal Lake Central High School.