For me, the 2025 Bears season will be remembered for restoring my faith in an organization that I’ve loved since I was a young child, Marc Silverman writes

Carson Trivellini surpassed 1,000 points as Crystal Lake South boys basketball beat Jacobs, while Richmond-Burton boys basketball knocked off Marengo on Gavin Radmer's buzzer-beating 3-point shot.

Ty Steponaitis delivered a powerful, rim-and-backboard rattling dunk early in the fourth quarter Wednesday night. The momentum of that play, combined with a stellar defensive effort by the Blue Streaks, led them to a 54-45 Kishwaukee River Conference victory over Johnsburg.

Seven Joliet Catholic wrestlers, including Jason Hampton and Nolan Vogel, recorded pins as the Hilltoppers dominated their senior-night match against Marian Central, winning 67-12 on Wednesday night.

Anticipating arctic conditions later this week, Metra will operate on a reduced schedule Friday.

From Capitol News Illinois: Rideshare drivers rallied at the Illinois State Capitol Wednesday to ask legislators to support their effort to unionize.

A Cary man who years ago was convicted of attempted murder, and prior to that acquitted of murder as a teen, has been charged with a sixth DUI, according to court records.

There are several reasons Caleb Williams fits the mold as the NFL’s next multi-championship quarterback. But so do Drake Maye, Bo Nix and maybe some QBs still in school. The clock is ticking on Williams and the Bears, starting next year.

The free performance is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church in Huntley.

A Harvard man was accused of sharing illegal images of children while he awaits trial on a charge that he followed two girls into stores in Crystal Lake.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson met with reporters Wednesday at Halas Hall in Lake Forest as they recapped the team’s 2025 season. Here are five of the most interesting things the Bears said Wednesday.

The single-family residence located at 7625 Loch Glen Drive in the Village of Lakewood was sold on Jan. 7, for $615,000, or $166 per square foot.

Wind chills could plunge to 30 to 35 degrees below zero late Thursday night into Friday, especially northwest of Interstate 55. Elsewhere, wind chills of 20 to 25 below zero are expected, with bitter cold lingering into Saturday morning.

From Capitol News Illinois: In a joint statement from IDPH and the Illinois Department of Human Services released late Tuesday, the agencies confirmed a single case at Shapiro Center — home to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities

Raue Center for the Arts will host a Duran Duran tribute on Friday, while The Vixen will host tribute shows to Soundgarden and Chris Stapleton Friday and Saturday.

A single-family residence located at 539 Primrose Lane in Crystal Lake has a new owner since Jan. 6.

Crystal Lake South senior Laken LePage's offense and junior Tessa Melhuish's tough defense and rebounding helped spark the Gators to a 64-46 Fox Valley Conference win over Jacobs on Tuesday.

Burlington Central's girls basketball team scored 74 points in a Fox Valley Conference win, Johnsburg's girls cruised to its 22nd straight victory, plus more in Tuesday's roundup.

A single-family home located at 3406 Forest Ridge Drive in Spring Grove has a new owner since Jan. 6.

From Capitol News Illinois: Health care providers, food pantries, and other community service organizations that rely on federal funding for social services have felt the brunt of many of Trump’s funding cuts

Officials believe alcohol played a role in a single-vehicle crash that killed a 50-year-old man Monday morning near Wonder Lake.

A burst pipe at O’Hare International Airport’s busiest air traffic control tower has caused delays for thousands of passengers Tuesday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said part of this spring’s agenda will be picking up unresolved initiatives from the fall, which includes insurance reform

The 31st annual Winterfest is Jan. 28-Feb. 1 in downtown Lake Geneva. It is free to attend.

Real estate news: The Crystal Lake single-family house located at 84 South Caroline Street, built in 1910, was sold for $376,000

Areas along and north of I-88 could see 2 to 5 inches of fluffy snow, while localized totals approaching 6 inches are possible near the state border

A Lake County man with a past felony conviction was found guilty of gun and drug charges after authorities said he hid a Glock pistol in the back of a squad car during a McHenry traffic stop.

Johnsburg's girls basketball team captured the Round Lake MLK Tournament title and won its 21st straight game, Richmond-Burton's boys took second at South Beloit, and more tournament basketball results in Monday's roundup.

A man has died in a single-vehicle crash near Wonder Lake.

From Capitol News Illinois: The crisis comes from changes in federal Medicaid policy that were enacted last year as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which slashes one of the main funding tools many states have used for four decades to fund their share of the cost

The Chicago Bears reportedly already lost of a coach from its staff a day after their season ended Sunday. The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly hired running backs coach Eric Bieniemy as their offensive coordinator on Monday.

A Wonder Lake four-wheeler crash resulted in the hospitalization of a child/

Chicago Bears players met with reporters at Halas Hall on Monday a day after their season ended in a 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional round. Here are four of the most interesting things the Bears said Monday.

The plan establishes a decade-long blueprint to ensure the growing population of older Illinoisans “can live dignified, engaged, productive, and meaningful lives at every stage of life,” the Illinois Department of Aging said.

People who use McHenry County’s MCRide and MCRide Connect dial-a-ride services might be paying a little more for their rides in the next couple of months.

The Chicago Bears ended their playoff run Sunday night with a 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional round. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down the season-ending loss and what's next

The Illinois State Police releases latest results of its efforts to combat vehicle theft and hijacking.

Check out these beer festivals happening in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin this winter.

Johnsburg senior guard Jayce Schmitt surpassed 1,000 career points on Jan. 10 and has helped lead the Skyhawks to the top of the Kishwaukee River Conference standings. Schmitt is the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week.

The Chicago Bears' storybook season came to a stunning end Sunday night in their 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional round at Soldier Field. Here are the five big takeaways from a stunning season-ending loss.

The Chicago Bears couldn't mount one more comeback for the ages Sunday night. Chicago's storybook season came to an end with a 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional round.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze will be active and is expected to play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night in their NFC divisional matchup.

Northern Illinois is expected to have a cold weather advisory early Monday.

From Capitol News Illinois: Each letter from the Trump administration cited concerns that Illinois was providing benefits to immigrants lacking permanent legal status, but none provided proof

Catch up on the week’s top McHenry County news in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you, for the week of Jan. 11-17

A rural residence in Hampshire that sold for $2.38 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in McHenry County during the past week.

Johnsburg girls basketball improved to 19-0, Cary-Grove's Adam Bauer scored 35 points in the Trojans' 18th win, and more in Saturday's roundup.

McHenry County has been awarded over $2 million in federal money for safety improvements on Charles Road in the Woodstock area, expected to be used toward a roundabout.

The People in Need Forum on Jan. 31 at McHenry County College is the largest annual gathering of McHenry County resources, with 125 exhibitors and more than 20 breakout sessions.

For prospective homebuyers eyeing the real estate market in the area of McHenry County, here's what sold for $800,000 or under during the past week.