Former Crystal Lake city clerk Nicholas Kachiroubas' own police report about an online extortion attempt led to charges against him, authorities said. He pleaded guilty to possessing an image depicting child sexual abuse.

'It's a Wonderful Christmas Carol' runs on select dates through Nov. 30 at the Woodstock Opera House.

A student who suffered a serious injury earlier this month at McHenry County College was caused by a piece of machinery that came off while in use.

A controversial solar farm near Johnsburg was among three the McHenry County Board took up at its meeting Nov. 18. Many opponents attended, some wearing "deny" stickers.

The McHenry County Board has voted to raise its property tax levy by the inflation-tied limit allowed under the tax cap, but it won't go with the "lookback" option.

A man and a woman found dead in a car along the road of a Crystal Lake residential neighborhood earlier this month have died from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, officials report.

The owners of Angelo’s Fresh Market in Johnsburg – closed since mid-September – are rebranding the store, plan to reopen in the spring and are having a liquidation sale though Friday.

With Huntley out of the running, the smaller town of Marengo is looking at whether it could be a stop along the Chicago-to-Rockford rail line. But leaders have a lot of questions.

Authorities encourage anyone with information to come forward about the death of Anna Schneider at 19 in Sleepy Hollow in 2009. Her manner of death was reclassified homicide in 2022.

Lake in the Hills has given the OK to a new development called Silverthorne’s Cheswick Meadows, which consists of 24 single-family homes. The plan was first approved about 20 years ago.

Freshman Scarlett LaFleur totaled 10 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while sister Audrey LaFleur scored 13 points as Burlington Central beat Sycamore 55-51 during the Mark Einwich Girls Basketball Tournament on Tuesday.

A would-be congressional candidate from the North suburbs who has an extensive history of antisemitic social media posts was removed from ballot consideration Tuesday.

This year's Jeeps on the Run, one of the largest area contributors toward Toys for Tots, takes place Sunday, Dec. 7 and will be the 13th annual event.

The McHenry County Board is set to vote Tuesday on a trio of solar farms, but a few board members – and nearby residents – have raised objections.

A decision on raising the McHenry County property tax levy – a move that has drawn the ire of both political parties and taxpayers – is expected Tuesday evening.

Nicholas Kachiroubas was the elected Crystal Lake city clerk and had held several other civic roles when he was charged with possessing lewd images of children and grooming. He's now agreed to plead guilty to the former and faces prison.

Island Lake Republican Rocio Cleveland went on to remove and describe the items in the bag one by one. They included a toothbrush Cleveland said Abughazaleh would need “once you are in prison … to protect yourself.”

The McHenry Township Fire Protection District fought a brush fire that burned about 15 acres.

Village Road near Randall Road in Crystal Lake will have intermittent closures into Tuesday.

Reflecting what some experts see as a national trend, four of the six congressional representatives running for reelection in the North, West or Northwest suburbs next year are facing primary challenges.

There's a road closure in Woodstock Monday morning because of a water main break.

The girls basketball season starts today. Check out our team-by-team preview with top returners, newcomers and info on each team in the Northwest Herald area for the 2025-26 season.

A driver was flown and passenger was also hospitalized after a crash in Crystal Lake that involved a car left unoccupied in the southeast-bound lanes, police said.

Here are five girls basketball players to watch in the Northwest Herald area for the 2025-26 season.

A lakefront property owner’s association will continue to be the Crystal Lake Park District’s lake ecology advisory committee, after a vote failed to replace the group with a previous committee specially created for the role.

McHenry County businesses and organizations were awarded for innovation and collaboration at this year's McHenry County Economic Development Corp. dinner and awards banquet.

For the second year in a row, wreaths will be placed on local veterans' graves as part of Wreaths Across America. Community members are invited to participate and sponsor wreaths.

McHenry has tried billboards, fliers, radio promos and more to try to bring more people into its Recreation Center. Now it's considering a $37,000 business and marketing analysis.

Almost 4 acres of marshland were burned Saturday near Cary.

A car rolled over after a crash Saturday near Woodstock.

"Exes of Christmas Past" was filmed mostly in Woodstock, with some scenes shot in Lake County. The film is making its streaming debut.

A Genoa man has been charged with aggravated DUI and driving with a revoked licensed in McHenry County after authorities said he hit a curb and a sign and drove into a grassy area.

Prairie Ridge fell to Normal University in two sets, 25-20, 25-18, in the IHSA Class 3A State semifinals on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025.

Two Huntley residents have been accused of sexual conduct involving an animal, Huntley police said.

A former Cary man accused of starting a fire in his Crystal Lake motel room was detained Wednesday in jail.

A newly married couple found deceased in a car in Harvard in October died by murder-suicide, with the husband found to have pulled the trigger, authorities said.

A Wonder Lake man who was convicted in 2002 of fatally shooting his wife, and who last year was cleared of felony domestic battery charges, faces new domestic battery misdemeanors.

Pace’s 2026 budget is supported by $18.9 million in new funding from state legislation and includes significant service and program investments without increasing fares

A driver suffers injuries in a rollover crash involving a tree Thursday morning near Marengo, officials report.

Huntley will open its retail incubator, Shops on Main, on Saturday with 10 small retailers selling everything from clothing to candy to kitchen gadgets and pastries.

First Secure State Bank of Johnsburg has been honored with the Community Impact Award by the Johnsburg Area Business Association.

How does FVC champion Huntley follow up a historic season? Can Johnsburg, led by twin sisters Skye and Summer Toussaint, dethrone Marengo in the KRC? Here are five storylines to watch in the Northwest Herald area ahead of the girls basketball season.

The parents of Michael Jake Porter of Cary say his autism and anxiety led him to the "desperate and terrible decision" of taking his life after misunderstandings led to drawn guns and a police response.

No candidates who filed to run in the 2026 election in McHenry County have had their petitions challenged - meaning the races for next year are coming into view.

The Frostmoon Faire is Saturday, Nov. 15 at The Dole in Crystal Lake. The McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes Holiday Market runs on Saturdays through Dec. 6.

A Michigan man is accused of starting a fire inside the Super 8 motel in Crystal Lake Monday, and the manager who extinguished it is being praised as a “bonafide hero.”

Developers looking to turn the former Maplewood School property into a residential area in Cary have been granted another 60 days to propose the final plan to the Village Board.

Members of the Knights of Columbus held a ceremony and placed flags at the gravesites of veterans Tuesday in McHenry County Memorial Park Cemetery, in Woodstock. Members of the Knights of Columbus Patriotic 4th Degree from the Bishop Boylan Assembly placed American flags at nearly 140 veterans gravesites in the cemetery. Bob Schafer stated: "As members of the Patriotic Degree of the Knights of Columbus, we want to remember those veterans that are at this final resting place. They all contributed to the freedom we enjoy in the USA, and we are here to show our appreciation and respect for their service.”

McHenry worked with the American Legion to light up the city for Operation Green Light, honoring Veterans Day. And see other Veterans Day events.

There’s no missing the new artwork that’s been installed in the center of a roundabout in Woodstock.