Small businesses in McHenry County survive in shaky economy

CRYSTAL LAKE – Joe Ornelas remembers crashing in his office at 3 a.m. after another gig in a Chicago bar. ... Read More ť

Individual hearings set for District 300, others in virtual charter school appeal

CARPENTERSVILLE – A state commission’s recent decision to grant individual appeal hearings for all Fox Valley school districts affected by a proposed virtual charter school was in response to a misunderstanding, said the commission’s chairman. ... Read More ť

MUSICK: The ice is extra nice in Detroit

CHICAGO – Here’s what I know about ice: It’s a few million years older than I am. It reduces swelling. It’s a pain to scrape off of my windshield. ... Read More ť

Woodstock grads urged to start on life scripts

State workers anxious as Illinois lawmakers debate pensions

Quinn pushes for ban on high-capacity ammunition

Recent News

NWH Pet of the Week: Bianca

POTW: Cary-Grove's Felderman saves the day

Cary-Grove wins regional title on penalty kicks

CL Central beats Johnsburg for share of title

Woodstock High School Graduation

Alden-Hebron High School

Hampshire High School Commencement

Woodstock North Commencement

Looking Forward for May 20, 2013

MONDAY Program to offer tips for business startups A National Small Business Week Program, “Business Start-up Resources,” will be presented at 7 p.m. Monday at the Crystal Lak ... Read More ť

State workers anxious as Illinois lawmakers debate pensions

SPRINGFIELD – An Illinois agency manager might have to delay retirement. A former university secretary wonders where she’ll have to cancel vacations. A state office assistant ... Read More ť

Police department looking for victims of con man

PARK RIDGE – Police in Park Ridge have a sneaking suspicion that a man arrested on theft charges in March may have scammed dozens more people out of artwork, sports memorabili ... Read More ť

2 men arrested in killing over iPad in Las Vegas

Two men have been arrested in the killing of a teenage boy over an iPad in Las Vegas, police said Sunday. Jacob Dismont, 18, and Michael Solid, 21, were booked Saturday into t ... Read More ť

Metro-North: Conn. train outage expected for days

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Tens of thousands of commuters are bracing for a difficult trip around southwest Connecticut and to New York City beginning Monday as workers repair the Me ... Read More ť

Woodstock's Beattie puts setback behind her with state title

Maura Beattie’s promising running career took an unexpected turn two years ago. ... Read More ť

Peavy walks 2 with bases loaded in defeat

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Jake Peavy can’t explain why he felt so good but pitched so poorly. Peavy gave up four runs and four hits over six innings and walked five – two with the bas ... Read More ť

HAWKS VS. RED WINGS: Game 3 preview

TAKING THE TEMPERATURE HOT Blackhawks Patrick Kane: Although the Hawks inexplicably lacked energy in Game 2, Kane did his part by logging 24 shifts and scoring his first goal ... Read More ť

MUSICK: The ice is extra nice in Detroit

CHICAGO – Here’s what I know about ice: It’s a few million years older than I am. It reduces swelling. It’s a pain to scrape off of my windshield. Here’s what I didn’t know ab ... Read More ť

Hospital charges vary for same treatment throughout McHenry County

CRYSTAL LAKE – Hospitals serving McHenry County charge wildly different prices for the same treatment, according to figures released by the federal government for the first ti ... Read More ť

Morton: Quebec Act paved way to independence

On this day (May 20) in 1774, the British Parliament passed the Quebec Act, which the American colonists regarded as one of the coercive acts that the Lord North ministry had ... Read More ť

Our View: A rough week for Obama administration

The Northwest Herald Editorial Board offers this week’s thumbs up and thumbs down: Thumbs down: To the Obama administration for the numerous scandals that have become a major ... Read More ť

Stolen from graves

To the Editor: Over the past several months, I have purchased and placed little solar lights on the graves of my parents at Woodland Cemetery in McHenry. When I have gone back ... Read More ť

Marriage arrogance

To the Editor: In his May 7 letter to the editor, Bud March asked why same gender couples needed to be married instead of having a civil union. It could very well be because t ... Read More ť

Donley’s offers kids fun without tech, devices

Children won’t be playing with their thumbs at Donley’s Wild West Town, unless they have a sling shot or rope in their hands. ... Read More ť

Not Necessarily Uniform

Penny Keck has used her roots and medical background to open a Crystal Lake business that offers uniforms for medical, public safety, security and culinary personnel. ... Read More ť

Wood or chain-link? Picking the right fence for your home

Around my neighborhood, I see vinyl, cedar, metal and a number of other fence types. Here are the pros and cons of homeowners’ most popular choices. ... Read More ť

ť Payoff Pitch

Cubs' Garza scheduled to make season debut Tuesday

CHICAGO – Right-hander Matt Garza will finally make his first start of the season Tuesday at Pittsburgh.

ť Hawk Talk

Quenneville deflects praise for Jack Adams nod

Joel Quenneville deflected all of the credit Friday after learning that he was a finalist for the NHL's coach of the year award.

ť Good Food, Good Health

Where would we be without flavor?

It’s all about flavor. Today we are going to concern ourselves with Asian flavors.

ť Business Scene

Feeding America receives $1M from Caterpillar Foundation

Feeding America, the nation's leading hunger-relief organization, has announced a $1 million investment from the Caterpillar Foundation to support programs that provide fresh fruit and vegetables to low-income clients who do not have the access or financial means to provide these foods to their families.

ť Opening Doors