McHenry County

Calling it “an incredible miracle,” the family of Karen Schepers issued a statement Wednesday thanking all those involved in finding their loved one, who had been missing since 1983. Divers uncovered her remains and her Class of 1977 Sycamore High School tassel.

The hottest race in Nunda Township Tuesday was for the highway commissioner job. Incumbent “Iron Mike” Lesperance was losing to his challenger, Township Trustee Rob Parrish.

Only one incumbent ran for school board in both Crystal Lake-based school districts 47 and 155. How did they do and who else prevailed at the ballot box.

Mark Alex doesn't deny he attacked his wife in her Crystal Lake apartment, but his lawyer said he wasn't trying to kill her and isn't guilty of attempted murder.

Write-in votes and outstanding mail-in ballots in McHenry County local elections might not be counted until April 15.

McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett has declared victory at the polls Tuesday though votes are still being reported.

In the Huntley Community School District 158 race, candidates endorsed by the teachers union and a grassroots organization are leading.

Cary's mayor of 12 years, Mark Kownick, appears to be on the path toward another term as he polls ahead of challenger and local business owner Randy Scott.

Hebron Village President Robert Shelton appears to have lost his seat to Steve Morris, with Shelton in third place in unofficial results.

Huntley Village President Tim Hoeft appears to be on track for a second term, seeming to have fended off a challenge from Trustee John Piwko.

McHenry County voters go to the polls on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, to cast their ballots in the 2025 Consolidated Election.

In McHenry County, turnout in Tuesday’s local election has surpassed 2021 and 2023 totals, though it’s still expected that fewer than 1 in 5 registered voters will have cast ballots.

Voters in the McHenry County are selecting hundreds of local municipal leaders in the election that ended Tuesday. Here are a few things to watch for as results come in.

Voters this week in McHenry County determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

A person was flown to a hospital with critical injuries following a two-car crash Tuesday near Union.

Two Wisconsin men are charged with felony counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm into a building and other offenses after a shots fired report Monday in Harvard.

A 43-year-old woman has been identified as the person who was found dead from a fire that broke out in a single family home last week in Crystal Lake, officials report.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness McHenry County will honor Vision of Hope Award winners at its Sunset Gala fundraising event May 9.

A car crashed into a storefront Tuesday afternoon in downtown Marengo, officials report.

The Crystal Lake Park District has started to plan for the preservation of a 140-year-old historic barn after talks of demolition were on the table. But its future remains uncertain.

Several public libraries in the McHenry County area are joining others from across Illinois to help residents improve their financial literacy.

The Pistakee Country Club could soon be converted to a solar farm in Lakemoor – but neighbors living nearby have issues with it.

It's election day for mayors, city councils, school boards, townships and other local offices. Polls are open until 7 p.m. and there's still time to register.

Woodstock is officially on the hook for $16 million for Route 47 widening.

Construction work has begun at the McHenry Public Library that will restrict some areas and services temporarily.

Nearly 20 years after a similar plan was first proposed, a townhouse complex could be coming to Lake in the Hills.

Cary-Grove's Tony Moretti recently resigned as head girls basketball coach after six seasons. The Trojans had four winning seasons under Moretti, including the past two with 20-plus wins and back-to-back regional championships.

This spring, McHenry County voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

A self-described nonpartisan group is backing candidates in the Huntley District 158 school board races. Their endorsements indicate they want to steer the board toward a new path after a slate that opposed COVID rules gained a majority.

A question has been raised about whether a candidate for Bull Valley Village Board is eligible because of how long he's lived in the village.

A doctor said that a 14-year-old boy would have lived had his parents called 911 after finding him unresponsive in his dad’s home near Richmond and suspected he had ingested his mother’s fentanyl and xylazine.

Metra is moving ahead on a new site for train storage along the rail line serving McHenry County, moving storage from Crystal Lake and Barrington for train cars when they're not in use.

The village of Cary has selected Nick Radcliffe to fill the position of assistant village administrator.

Application deadline Monday for McHenry County Sheriff's Office telecommunicator position.

McHenry County’s Planning and Development Department has launched its first-ever application portal for building, zoning and stormwater permits and payments.

Enrollment at McHenry County College grew by 670 students this spring semester compared to last year, a trend coinciding with community colleges across the state, according to Illinois Community College Board records.

A Woodstock man who had worked as a firefighter in McHenry County pleaded not guilty to allegations he stalked and harassed a woman in violation of an order of protection.

"Iron Mike" Lesperance, who has been Nunda Township's highway commissioner for the past 12 years, is battling current Township Trustee Rob Parrish for the seat.

After almost three decades, Woodstock Opera House Director Daniel Campbell is stepping down from his posi

A motorcyclist was injured in a crash Saturday in Oakwood Hills.

Storm weather is expected Saturday night into Sunday.

A man was taken to a hospital with critical injuries after a crash Saturday in Woodstock.

Directors from Illinois Head Start centers, the federally supported child care and early education program, said they fear cuts, as it targeted in The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.

A Spring Grove man admitted Tuesday he stole multiple firearms from a Harvard home including automatic rifles, shotguns and handguns.

A Crystal Lake lawyer defrauded investors out of about $140,000 in a cryptocurrency scam and his license has been suspended, according to official documents.

Learn about gardening at MCC and get into spring break mode at D.C. Cobbs in McHenry.

Voters in Huntley will decide on the next four years of village leadership Tuesday as incumbent Village President Timothy Hoeft faces off against board member John Piwko.

Mike Oliver, McHenry, proposes drive-up boat storage, an expanded marina, car condos and public space at a revived Paradise Cove at Chapel Hill Road and the Fox River.

Crystal Lake South's Annalee Aarseth overcame struggles during the season to finish runner-up at the state tournament, tying McHenry County's highest placement. For her efforts, Aarseth was named the 2025 Northwest Herald Girls Wrestler of the Year.

Meet the 2025 Northwest Herald All-Area girls wrestling team.