A nonprofit that provides housing in Woodstock said it was cooperating with law enforcement after a man who said he lived in their housing was accused of attacking a woman and attempting to blow up a gas station.

Parts of the Woodstock Walmart reopened Tuesday after a fire on New Year’s Eve that authorities said was intentionally set and caused millions of dollars in damage.

As part of Shaw Media’s 175th anniversary celebration, we looked back at five January 6 front pages spanning more than a century. Together, they reflect how local newspapers have documented civic life, shared challenges, and moments of social change close to home

Flash, the wandering husky rescued from a frigid pond in St. Charles Township last month has found his forever home in Woodstock.

To mark our 175th anniversary at Shaw Media, we looked back at the Daily Sentinel’s coverage of a milestone swearing-in, alongside other front pages that together tell the evolving story of our communities

Professional mixed martial arts “superfights” with athletes from around the country return to McHenry County Saturday in McHenry after a successful debut in Crystal Lake last year.

Woodstock Mayor Mike Turner has reponded to two violent public acts that happened on New Year’s Eve and thanked police and prosecutors for their prompt responses.

From county fair cows to pet emus, here are some of our favorite McHenry County-area animal pictures of 2025 from Shaw Local staff and contributors.

As Shaw Media celebrates its 175th anniversary, the January 3rd editions in our vault reveal a long history of getting down to the serious business of the world – and the heart of the community

Charges have been upgraded to aggravated arson against a 21-year-old woman who is accused of intentionally setting a fire in Walmart in Woodstock.

A man “maliciously attacked” a woman in a gas station in Woodstock and said he intended to kill her, police said.

A fire Wednesday evening at Walmart in Woodstock prompted the store to be evacuated and to remain closed for the evening.

From the deaths of prominent citizens to the far-reaching impacts of the first year of President Trump's second term, here is a look at some of the biggest stories that happened in the McHenry County area in 2025.

Food Shed Co-op in Woodstock opened in 2024 after a decade in the making. But a year and a half later, it's at risk of closing its doors.

A fatal crash in Harvard Monday is among several around McHenry County as slick roads and high winds made for dangerous driving.

A selection of the top feature photos in the Northwest Herald in 2025, by Shaw Local photographers.

Woodstock School District 200 is slated to lower its property tax levy this year, citing in part the use of fund balances to make debt payments.

Donna Rasmussen, one of the Northwest Herald's 2025 Women of Distinction honorees, overcame a challenging childhood. Now she's head of a consumer credit counseling service, mentor and inspiration.

Woodstock residents will be seeing an increase next year in the portion of their tax bills that goes to the city.

Woodstock is the latest McHenry County town to mull adding a special tax for self-storage units, which generally don't generate the kind of property or sales taxes of other types of commercial ventures.

After what Mayor Mike Turner described as having “a couple false starts” going back to 2008, Woodstock is working to redevelop the Die Cast site downtown.

McHenry County voters who want to cast a ballot in the March 17 primary can now ask for a vote-by-mail ballot.

An evening of songs and storytelling, heartstrings and laughter, the show features a blend of original holiday compositions, wintry covers and reworked classics woven together with holiday stories and memories.

What's next for the appliance store in Woodstock that has partially collapsed, as well as affected nearby properties and the street in front?

In less than an hour, a McHenry County jury found a Belvidere man guilty of sexually assaulting a child.

Severe cold headed into the area for the weekend has cause some disruption to weekend plans.

No horses were injured after a barn caught on fire and the owner successfully extinguished it Wednesday afternoon near Woodstock, officials report.

More of the roof and walls at Thompson’s Appliance in Woodstock caved in Sunday morning, Dece. 7.

A new hotel is still planned for downtown Woodstock - but with some changes, including how long it will take.

A judge said a Woodstock woman in jail on drug charges “made several phone calls” to her roommate about “hiding narcotics still in her residence.”

McHenry County businesses are having another go at Small Business Saturday this weekend after last week’s promotion was mostly derailed by almost a foot of snow that blanketed the region.

City officials don’t have a set timeline on when a portion of Clay Street in downtown Woodstock will reopen, as a roof cave-in at Thompson’s Appliances has raised fears the building could collapse.

The roof of a business in downtown Woodstock has collapsed, causing the block to be shut down amid concerns of further collapse.

A Woodstock man is accused of giving a Richmond officer false identification during a traffic stop while being sought on an arrest warrant and in possession of drugs.

A Woodstock woman was denied pretrial release after being charged with having over 3 ounces of cocaine, court records show.

People pack the Woodstock Square for the Lighting of the Square Friday, Nov. 25, 2025, in Woodstock. The annual event featured brass music, caroling, free doughnuts and cider, food trucks, festive selfie stations and shopping.

An Elgin man, arrested in Woodstock with an Algonquin woman, is accused of possessing possession with intent to deliver cocaine, a Class X felony, according to a criminal complaint.

Unique Nails is moving down the street from its downtown Woodstock location, with help from the city.

As Small Business Saturday approaches, McHenry County chambers of commerce are encouraging the community to support local enterprises.

Tree-lightings, parade and festival about this holiday season in the McHenry County area, starting right after Thanksgiving and through Christmas.

After 30 years in the retail industry and a few years with the McHenry chamber, Amy Humbracht is now president of the Woodstock chamber.

The annual Christmas Tree Walk, opens Friday, Nov. 28, following the Lighting of the Square.

A Marengo man is among five charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty in connection to a Woodstock-area rodeo, including men from Sleepy Hollow, Hampshire, Belvidere and a teen from Lockport, court records show.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 5 p.m., greeting children near the Santa Hut on Benton Street.

There's a road closure in Woodstock Monday morning because of a water main break.

Woodstock native Daniel Rausch will perform with The 4 C Notes at the Opera House on Saturday, Dec. 6.

McHenry County businesses and organizations were awarded for innovation and collaboration at this year's McHenry County Economic Development Corp. dinner and awards banquet.

A car rolled over after a crash Saturday near Woodstock.

"Exes of Christmas Past" was filmed mostly in Woodstock, with some scenes shot in Lake County. The film is making its streaming debut.

Members of the Knights of Columbus held a ceremony and placed flags at the gravesites of veterans Tuesday in McHenry County Memorial Park Cemetery, in Woodstock. Members of the Knights of Columbus Patriotic 4th Degree from the Bishop Boylan Assembly placed American flags at nearly 140 veterans gravesites in the cemetery. Bob Schafer stated: "As members of the Patriotic Degree of the Knights of Columbus, we want to remember those veterans that are at this final resting place. They all contributed to the freedom we enjoy in the USA, and we are here to show our appreciation and respect for their service.”