The McHenry County Department of Health said Monday that bat encounters in the county are on the rise.

The McHenry County Fair celebrates its final day for 2025 Sunday in Woodstock.

If Woodstock raises its sales tax, will it be the highest in McHenry County? Take a look at what shoppers pay in taxes for general merchandise in each county community.

Shop for native plants in Woodstock and join Crystal Lake’s garden party this weekend in McHenry County.

A bat that tested positive for rabies was found inside a home in Ringwood, the first rabid bat in the county in 2025, health officials said.

Who bought and sold property in McHenry County for the week of April 21?

Of the 13 bat species found in Illinois, six are endangered. The northern long eared bat is the reason trees along Route 47 and 31 were cut down over the winter, before the bats return for the summer.

Several McHenry County-area mayors and village presidents faced and fended off ballot-box challenges – but not all. Here's a look at who won and lost and who got a free pass for another term.

A Ringwood man who pleaded guilty in March to aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a girl he met on Snapchat turned himself into the county jail Thursday to begin his five-year prison sentence.

Starting on Saturday, April 5 and going until Sunday, April 13, the public is invited to visit at least eight of the 10 participating museums and libraries in McHenry and Lake counties, scavenger hunt style, to receive a prize at the eighth location.

McHenry County property transfers for the weeks of Dec. 19, 2024 to Jan. 3, 2025.

Attorneys for a woman, accused of DUI of marijuana in a crash that killed an Elmhurst resident, are trying to throw out the toxicology tests, arguing labs incorrectly measured the drug in her body.

Christmas is over and the days are getting longer again, but there’s plenty of winter yet in front of us. To that end, the McHenry County Conservation District hosted a Welcome Winter Celebration on Saturday at Glacial Park’s Lost Valley Visitor Center in Ringwood. With a special emphasis on the ways various indigenous peoples have traditionally marked the winter solstice, the celebrations spotlighted music, dancing, storytelling and arts and crafts, with special guests from Trickster Culture Center in Schaumburg.

New Year’s Eve and Groundhog Day celebrations are right around the corner in McHenry County.

The McHenry County Conservation District will hold a day of holiday fun Saturday, Dec. 14, at Glacial Park.

Henri Giugni brought in four pairs of native trumpeter swans in 1985 and now up to 100 trumpeter swans return every winter to the Harvard castle he owns with wife, June.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will host an open house presenting the preliminary flood maps for portions of the Nippersink Creek Watershed from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Nippersink Public Library, 5418 Hill Road in Richmond.

Smash pumpkins in Cary and shop local vendors in Algonquin this weekend in McHenry County.

Republican McHenry County Board District 6 member and candidate Carl Kamienski answers questions from the Northwest Herald.

Democrat McHenry County Board District 6 candidate Arne Waltmire answers questions from the Northwest Herald.

Friends of the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge will celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week with two upcoming events, one Sunday.

McHenry County property transfers for the week of Aug. 15-21, 2024.

A Johnsburg District 12 school bus collided with an SUV in Ringwood and four people were injured, officials said.

Property transfers in McHenry County for the week of July 10-23.

The Chain-O-Lakes Eagles R/C Airplane, Helicopter and Drone flying club had to leave its Ringwood location and are now flying out of Hebron, want to find permanent home for organization.

A Ringwood man is accused of posing as a teen on Snapchat and grooming and abusing a 15-year-old girl. He'd been detained pretrial but now has been released.

Shop at the McHenry VFW rummage sale and celebrate pollinator week this weekend in McHenry County.

McHenry County has a busy summer schedule of festival, concerts and other fun activities for young and old.

Farmers market season starts in Spring Grove and McHenry County College hosts a wine tasting this weekend in McHenry County.

Cycling Without Age McHenry County will provide free public rides with Cary Public Library, Crystal Lake Park District and the McHenry County Conservation District this year.

Migratory Bird Days will be celebrated in the McHenry County area with events starting April 27.

A crash on Barnard Mill Road in Ringwood sent three people to the hospital.

A Ringwood man was ordered held while awaiting trial on charges that he met a teen girl through Snapchat, lied about his age and sexually abused her.

Here's what will you pay in sales tax if a McHenry County-wide Mental Health Board sales tax referendum and Marengo local sales tax referendum are approved.

Grab gal pals for a girls’ night out in Crystal Lake and learn about nature with the McHenry County Conservation District this weekend in McHenry County.

Learn how to avoid scams at a fraud protection presentation by the Illinois Attorney General's Office at McHenry Township Senior Center.

A McHenry County grand jury indicted numerous people.

People indicted by a McHenry County grand jury and the charges they are facing.

Those charged with felonies the week of Sept. 10, 2023, by the Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Harvard and Richmond police departments, as well as the McHenry County Sheriff's Office.

Those charged with felonies the week of Aug. 13, 2023, by the Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Harvard, Huntley, McHenry and Woodstock police departments, as well as the McHenry County Sheriff's Office.

Those charged with felonies the week of May 21-27 by the 12 police departments, as well as the McHenry County Sheriff's Office.

A head-on crash near Ringwood on Saturday morning sent five people to an area hospital, but all of the injuries appeared non life-threatening, a McHenry Township Fire Protection District official said.

The McHenry Outdoor Theater opens this weekend. Also happening is downtown Crystal Lake's Garden Party and Flower Sale, a wildflower walk in Woodstock, a touch-a-truck event in Algonquin and a special World Migratory Bird Day event at Glacial Park.

Nearly four dozen of the local races in McHenry County will be competitive on Tuesday, as voters head to the polls to decide who will lead their school boards, municipalities, libraries and parks.

Owners among those promoting county's downtown areas, nature

Chuck Howenstine has been maple sugaring for 40 years, from an Ohio kitchen to the family's Ringwood farm, all for fun and to give away.

Chuck Howenstine has been collecting sap for most of his adult life to make maple syrup that he gives away.

Question: Why are you running for office? Answer: My goal is to continue to implement the vision the community has had since its incorporation in 1994, which is to make Ringwood one of the best small towns to live and raise a family. Read Richard Mack's questionnaire here

Hanna Kowal of Hebron has been training her sled dogs, both huskies and lab mixes, to race since high school.

The holidays can be a painful time for those dealing with the loss of a loved one or struggling with depression, isolation or financial instability, which is why the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake will host a Blue Christmas service this month, its minister said.