McHenry County Mental Health Board's Community Connections Summit is planned for Sept. 12 at McHenry County College, with a focus on how to rise and thrive together to transform challenges into opportunities.

As community colleges take on an evolving role in recent years, Shaw Local News Network is providing details on the compensation of presidents who lead 10 of these publicly funded schools in northern Illinois.

A visitation and memorial service are planned Aug. 9 and 10 for John Blazier, who died months after both of his parents, Bob and Rosemary Blazier, who were known as "Mr. and Mrs. Crystal Lake."

Melissa Cooney grew up in Woodstock and learned at an early age from her parents and grandparents the importance of civic life. Cooney is one of the Northwest Herald's 2025 Women of Distinction honorees.

The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District recently recognized five of its members who graduated from McHenry County College’s paramedic program.

Danny Dezanek of Spring Grove recalled being a child in the back of a small Cessna airplane and being “terrified for the takeoff.” However, that experience sparked his desire to become a professional airplane pilot.

McHenry County College will create a new events center on campus to host future community and college happenings.

Daniel Avila needed a car to help care for his family. His community stepped up by raising $10K in a GoFundMe campaign.

Take a look back at some of our recent pictures of fathers and grandfathers for Father's Day.

The McHenry-Wonder Lake Lions Club recently awarded $13,000 to organizations serving the blind and visually impaired and other community organizations.

Ten accomplished mentors, businesswomen, organizers, local leaders and family pillars are honored by Shaw Media/Northwest Herald with 2025 Women of Distinction awards on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

The Friends of McHenry County College Foundation has announced the Ervin J. LeCoque University Center Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship for an MCC grad to attend the University Center in Woodstock.

Kim Hankins is the leader of The Sustainability Center at McHenry County College and one the current class of Northwest Herald's Women of Distinction honorees.

Robin Berry spent much of her law career defending juveniles. She uses those real-life scenarios from the courtroom in the classroom as a teacher and full-time department chair and instructor.

In front of a generally friendly crowd in red McHenry County, U.S. Rep. Bill Foster explained Democrats’ “calculation” on whether to impeach President Donald Trump again.

Attendees at a town hall meeting with U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, a Naperville Democrat, raised concerns about tariffs, Social Security and due process.

McHenry County College's Sustainability Center held its first Repair Fair Tuesday, April 15, giving people the opportunity to have household items like lamps and bicycles repaired for free by local volunteers and experts. Environmental Defenders of McHenry County cohosted.

The MCC Sustainability Center and the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County host the county's first Repair Fair with a focus on sustainability and community connections.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Bill Foster's upcoming town hall at McHenry County College is sold out plans are to livestream the event.

Looking for an easy way to fix common household items? McHenry County College will host the county’s first Repair Fair Tuesday evening.

Shop at a craft fair at the McHenry VFW and hop along a bunny trail in Lake in the Hills this weekend in McHenry County.

Paramedic students at McHenry County College had a chance to spent time at a Woodstock care facility, Sheltered Village, to learn from experience about interacting with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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.

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

Here are a few fun things to do this weekend in the McHenry County area.

Potentially severe weather Wednesday evening has prompted the postponement of a McHenry County College open house.

Registration is now open for McHenry County College’s spring and summer Kids and College programs.

McHenry County College will honor St. Patrick’s Day with a concert and dance performance at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

A lively score and talented cast propel this production of the musical comedy based on the film "Legally Blonde."

Terri Greeno, among the current class of winners of the Northwest Herald's Women of Distinction, is a McHenry County Board member, businesswoman and an advocate for job training and groups that help children.

“A Sisterly Snow Day: A ‘Frozen’ Character Dining Experience" takes place Sunday at Galati's Hideaway in Cary.

Outtakes from recent photo assignments from the Northwest Herald for Feb. 16, 2025.

Vocalist Maureen Christine and woodwind artist Michael Bazan will perform “Music from the 1980s and More” at McHenry County College Feb. 16.

At least two school districts and McHenry County College have released statements declaring their schools to be safe spaces for for all students

The art and artists around McHenry County College.

The Historical Society will be hosting a grand winter opening in Union and Harley Davidson will have a Cabin Fever party in Woodstock this weekend.

Shop Valentine’s Day gifts in Huntley and take in the Groundhog Day festivities in Woodstock.

Doug "Dougie" Webster was killed Nov. 12 in a Woodstock apartment building fire. He was a prolific artist and student at McHenry County College, which now has a retrospective of his work on exhibit.

Learn about storm chasing in Woodstock and shop sales in Crystal Lake this weekend in McHenry County.

"The new year brings an abundance of opportunities for those in our county to access needed services," writes guest columnist Leonetta Rizzi of the McHenry County Mental Health Board.

Robert Blazier – whose decades-long, immeasurable impact on the Crystal Lake area spanned education, philanthropy, health care, business and the arts – has died at 98.

Marcy Piekos, a recipient of the Northwest Herald's Women of Distinction Award, knows the movers and shakers throughout McHenry County. She’s helped shape them.

McHenry County College recently recognized Justice Peterman with its Joseph A. Blanco Spirit Award for Fall 2024, which includes a $600 scholarship.

Take a look back at some of the biggest news stories of 2024 in the McHenry County area.

A selection of some of Northwest Herald photojournalist Gregory Shaver's favorite photos of 2024.

Enrollment for McHenry County College’s spring semester, which begins Jan. 21, is now open.

Almost 500 students earned associate degrees or certificates at McHenry County College’s winter graduation ceremony.

Hundreds of students earned associate degrees and certificates at MCC's 2024 winter commencement exercises.

More women are finding work in the traditionally male-dominated union trades amid demographic and economic shifts.

The McHenry County College Concert Band will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at Woodstock High School as part of the college’s 2024-25 concert series.