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Johnsburg's Alexa Schwichow takes on National Braille Challenge

JOHNSBURG – Alexa Schwichow knows she can’t get nervous or she might not do as well. The 18-year-old Johnsburg High School graduate is one of 60 students from across the U.S. and Canada set to compete in the National Braille Challenge on Saturday at the Braille Institute in Los Angeles. This is her ... Read More »

Local News

Cary teen impaled by wooden stake in fair condition

CARY – A Wauconda teenager is in fair condition after falling off a fence and impaling himself on a wooden stake Wednesday. Cary Fire Lt. Michael Douglass said paramedics resp ... Read More »

Open house for Fox Bluff plan set

The recreation hall at the former Camp Algonquin site would be expanded under a proposed plan. The final draft, which lays out a vision for the Fox Bluff Conservation Area, we ... Read More »

State News

Memorial planned for cremated remains in Geneva

GENEVA – Cremated remains of seven people have been turned over to next-of-kin three months after they were found along with 40 others in an office storage unit, Kane County C ... Read More »

Chicago police pull man's body from Lake Michigan

CHICAGO – Chicago Police have pulled the body of a man from Lake Michigan. Spokesman Jose Estrada said the body was found Wednesday morning on the city's South Side after a fi ... Read More »

Nation & World

Untested privacy board overseeing NSA spying

WASHINGTON – The obscure oversight board that President Barack Obama wants to scrutinize the National Security Agency's secret surveillance system is little known for good rea ... Read More »

Syria troops fight rebels near major Shiite shrine

BEIRUT (AP) — Hezbollah fighters joined Syrian forces in battling rebels in a Damascus suburb that is home to a revered Shiite Muslim shrine, in a push to secure the area arou ... Read More »

Chicago Baseball

Cubs hold on for win

ST. LOUIS – Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ransom hit back-to-back homers in a four-run first inning and that was plenty for Jeff Samardzija, who pitched the Cubs over the St. Louis Ca ... Read More »

Chicago Blackhawks

MUSICK: Hawks' key to Game 4? It's a secret

BOSTON – Pssst. Hey, you. Yeah, you. Want to know a secret? OK, here it is. Hockey is filled with secrets. Shhh. You didn’t hear it from me. Before we go any further, let’s ge ... Read More »

Business

Stocks slide as Fed says bond purchases could slow

WASHINGTON – Stocks are closing sharply lower and bond yields are rising after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank could slow its massive bond purchases this year. ... Read More »

Opinion

Our View: Be ready for concealed-weapons law

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has until July 9 to do something with the concealed-carry legislation sitting on his desk. The law would allow residents with a valid FOID card who pay ... Read More »

Oliver: Keep hanging tough, Blackhawk faithful

The Stanley Cup Final. It has a wonderful ring to it, doesn’t it, hockey fans? Even better, the Blackhawks are in the midst of playing in it for the right to hoist Lord Stanle ... Read More »

Letters to the Editor

Majority rule

To the Editor: Re: “Deserving ladies” (It’s Your Write, June 5). You’ve got to be kidding, or at least I hope you are. Who would equate what Bob Anderson is trying to accompli ... Read More »

Disservice to church

To the Editor: The Rev. Brian Grody told the Boy/Cub Scout troops to no longer use the meeting rooms of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. That is unbelievable. There are probabl ... Read More »

McHenry Co. Mag.

Happiness is a Home Brew

See what has lured these McHenry County residents into making their own beer. ... Read More »

    Real Estate

    How to manage the mess

    Getting rid of the clutter may sound like an insurmountable task but, according to professional organizer Elisa Adams, it’s actually the key to living a less stressful life. ... Read More »

    Blogs

    » Hawk Talk
    Hawk Talk

    Hawks' Hossa misses morning skate

    BOSTON – Marian Hossa was absent from the Blackhawks’ morning skate Wednesday at TD Garden, but coach Joel Quenneville continued to downplay questions about his status.
    » Good Food, Good Health
    Good Food, Good Health

    Summer is Sweet and so is Bread Pudding

    Summertime is picnic time and whether we are organizing our own family and friends or are graciously invited to attend someone else's picnic we always want to bring a dish to pass.
    » Woodstock Blog
    Woodstock Blog

    Helping Paws hosting ice cream social

    A portion of proceeds from an Ice Cream Social on the Woodstock Square Wednesday night will go toward Helping Paws Animal Shelter.
    » Huntley Blog
    Huntley Blog

    Huntley reschedules Fourth of July fireworks show

    Ongoing construction on Huntley's interchange project at Route 47 and Interstate 90, and other nearby road work, forced officials to reschedule the village's Fourth of July fireworks show.
    » The Bulletin Board
    The Bulletin Board

    Franks, Althoff discuss local transportation improvements with IDOT secretary, local officials

    State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, issued the following news release Tuesday:

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