McHenry County Front Headlines

The 30 Days for 30 Vets initiative, coordinated by The Bremer Team – Keller Williams Success Realty, gave area veterans more than $200,000 in home improvement projects last year and has opened up nominations for 2025

McHenry County had a “threefold increase” in salmonella cases in June compared to May, the McHenry County Department of Health said.

Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake held its Night Owl Bike Ride fundraiser Saturday. Cyclists from around the area explored the city under the stars and also raised money for the local performing arts center, which held an after party.

McHenry’s Riverwalk Summer Fest takes place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2.

A mother-and-daughter duo opened McHenry’s The Hideous Heart last year and recently moved to a larger space at 5302 W. Elm St. in McHenry.

"It’s patently false that where you live renders that your opinions irrelevant. If that were true, then the district should fire every out-of-town firm they engage for advice," Steve Willson of Huntley writes in a letter of the editor.

A Crystal Lake woman whose husband admitted he secretly videotaped her daughter said their home was in “chaos” and they were trying to protect the 16-year-old.

Prosecutors allege a Lake in the Hills man sexually assaulted a child over a number of years and bought her a wedding ring to wear out of jealousy.

A Chicago man pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver cocaine during a Crystal Lake drug buy and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

The Huntley Farmers Market is bringing kids in to sell their homemade goods. Other local farmers markets, including Woodstock's and The Dole's in Crystal Lake, also offer kids as young as 5 the chance to participate.

Three Illinois lawmakers on Thursday called for reform for the Department of Children and Family Services after the death of a young person in foster care was not reported to lawmakers.

The body of a kayaker, who was last seen fishing on the Fox River in St. Charles Tuesday night, was found Thursday by a passerby, officials said. He was later identified as a Hanover Park man.

Prairie Ridge’s 5-9 quarterback/defensive back Luke Vanderwiel is ready for a big season. The senior rushed for 1,005 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, despite missing four games because of a broken bone in his left leg.

"Hearing loss is often associated with several other health conditions," writes Dr. Mary Agulo of Mercyhealth Hospital and Physician Clinic-Crystal Lake.

A DeKalb man has been arrested following a police pursuit that authorities say started in Caledonia, Wisconsin, and ended with a stolen car abandoned on Interstate 90 in McHenry County.

Four people aged 20 and younger have been charged in armed robbery reported July 17 at a Carpentersville park, authorities said.

A Hampshire woman was cited in a crash Thursday that sent two to anthe hospital, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

"No voter has ever approached me requesting the ability to vote for their second or third favorite candidate," writes McHenry County Clerk Joe Tirio in a guest opinion.

Lingering wildfire smoke is the reason for an air quality alert issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for a large portion of northern Illinois

The Illinois Commerce Commission will hold a public hearing for Nicor Gas customers to provide comments on the utility’s proposed rate increase. Customers can also comment online.

Rescue crews have been searching the Fox River in St. Charles since 10 p.m. last night for a missing kayaker.

A former Huntley Little League volunteer treasurer is accused of stealing more than $14,000 from the league over multiple dates in 2022, court records show.

A Cary man died from a self-inflicted gun shot after he was reported to be brandishing a gun around neighborhoods near the Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area in Cary, officials report.

The Village of Prairie Grove opted to continue a 1% grocery tax as the statewide tax ends at the start of next year, but there won’t be any effect as the village does not have any grocery stores.

Greg and Bonnie Dervis were stuck in the Dominican Republic after Greg had emergency brain surgery while they were there on vacation.

Toll increases are contemplated in a refreshed Illinois tollway strategic plan that also envisions extending existing highways or constructing new ones.

Marengo defensive end Brady Kentgen enters his fourth varsity season with big goals for his senior season. Marengo will rely on a physical defense as it tries to build on last year's 5-5 record.

An 18-year-old man accused of being intoxicated during a crash that killed two other young people in McHenry has been ordered to be held in jail pending his trial on aggravated DUI charges.

A power outage forced Woodstock's City Hall to shut down Tuesday.

State Rep. Steve Reick, R-Woodstock, is running for a sixth term in the Illinois House.

A 17-year-old Spring Grove girl who died last week after visiting a Grayslake dental clinic was recalled in her obituary for her caring and debout nature. A funeral service has also been set.

A DeKalb School District 428 bilingual teacher and Cortland mother of three will seek to unseat a three-term Sycamore Republican from the statehouse.

Woodstock North’s Parker Halihan was not immediately sold on the pitch to play quarterback. But the former wingback grew into the position, and last year led the Thunder to the most wins in program history. Now he's one of 19 starters back for first-year coach Jeremiah Homuth.

Hospitals in Chicago, the suburbs, and beyond made U.S. News & World Report’s list of best hospitals. They include four in Chicago, seven in greater Cook County, four in DuPage, three in Lake, one in Will and the hospitals in McHenry County

A 76-year-old man charged with killing his daughter-in-law Friday outside a Schaumburg hotel will remain behind bars while awaiting trial, a Cook County judge has ruled.

The McHenry City Council gave a thumbs up - but not an official yes - to a proposal for a solar farm off of Curran Road that neighbors are not opposed to

A 17-year-old Spring Grove girl died Thursday after visiting a Grayslake dental clinic, according to Cook County Medical Examiner's Office records.

Lake in the Hills has purchased a home next to Ryder Park and the Property Owners Association bar.

"We need a cultural shift: wearing a helmet should be as automatic as buckling a seat belt," Karen M. Battaglia, trauma coordinator at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, writes in a letter to the editor.

Fox Lake has become the latest community to enact rules regulating electric bikes and electric scooters on village roads and sidewalks.

A 76-year-old Ogle County man fatally shot his daughter-in-law during a wedding at a Schaumburg hotel Friday because he was upset she planned to divorce his son, police said Sunday.

"It seems this writer does not have a good definition of hate, equating it with simply exercising American’s traditional Constitutional right to dissent. Labeling that as 'hate' is simply incorrect," Joan L. Davis of Huntley writes in a letter to the editor.

"As a long-time resident and business owner in Harvard, I know how challenging it can be for independent retailers to stay afloat, let alone thrive," Randy Donaldson of Harvard writes in a letter to the editor.

Round Lake-based Lomeli's International Market moving into former Island Foods market, set to open before Thanksgiving

Bailey

A former Algonquin man, initially charged with 45 counts of possessing child sex abuse materials, pleaded Friday to one count.

Crystal Lake's Main Beach reopened Saturday after closing Friday for high bacteria. The beach also closed for several days in a row earlier this summer.

"In 2017, legislators celebrated their new evidence-based funding plan. EBF was just putting a Band-Aid on the funding problem," Jim Yaworski of Crystal Lake writes in a letter to the editor.

Alan Hanke was convicted in federal court of defrauding investors in an $8 million Ponzi scheme. Thursday he pleaded guilty in McHenry County to fraudulent use of a debit card belonging to McHenry American Legion.

A man has been arrested three times accused of being naked and performing lewd acts in front of a window in his Marengo apartment.