Unearthing 
family roots: Start at a library in your own backyard, genealogists say

Craig Pfannkuche has been retired for years. As a youth, long before he became a history teacher at Crystal Lake South High School, Pfannkuche remembered the stories his grandfather used to tell about his great-grandfather, who was a hero in Texas. Only years later did Pfannkuche discover the extent ... Read More »

Local News

Man charged with stabbing in Union

CRYSTAL LAKE – A Chicago man faces charges for allegedly stabbing a co-worker Thursday at a manufacturing business in Union after a dispute. Noe X. Casimiro, 22, was charged w ... Read More »

Suit charges teacher with sexual harassment

McHENRY – An administrative aide at McHenry District 156 is suing a former assistant principal at McHenry High School West Campus, alleging sexual harassment. In the civil law ... Read More »

State News

Democrats in Illinois Senate offer budget proposal

SPRINGFIELD (AP) – Illinois should maintain education spending and pay a chunk of the state's overdue bills while cutting money for prisons, health care and most other service ... Read More »

Illinois governor will approve child-care bailout

SPRINGFIELD (AP) – Illinois child care agencies that faced an uncertain financial future got a reprieve from lawmakers. Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law Friday a measure that sh ... Read More »

Nation & World

Jurors in Edwards trial will resume talks Monday

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — A jury deliberated for about five hours Friday in John Edwards' campaign corruption trial involving money from wealthy donors that was used to hide his ... Read More »

Prep Sports

Cary-Grove relay hopes to "do some damage" in state finals

CHARLESTON – Cary-Grove’s 4x200-meter relay team has consistently dropped its time through the season with no other real competition other than the clock. ... Read More »

Chicago Sports

White Sox's Konerko leaves game after scary moment

CHICAGO – It takes a lot to knock White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko out of a game. That’s why Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski was so concerned when Konerko left Friday’s game h ... Read More »

Musick: Kerry Wood retirement bittersweet

CHICAGO – Kerry Wood started his career with sizzle and ended it with style. The 14-plus years in between were uneven to say the least, but such is life. Wood, 34, said goodby ... Read More »

Pros & Colleges

Clemens judge imposes time limits to speed trial

WASHINGTON (AP) – The judge in the Roger Clemens perjury trial is imposing a time limit on all future witnesses in an effort to speed things up. U.S. District Judge Reggie Wal ... Read More »

Business

Facebook stock debut fails to sizzle

NEW YORK (AP) – It was barely a "like" and definitely not a "love" from Facebook investors as the online social network's stock failed to live up to the hype in its trading de ... Read More »

Opinion

Our view: McHenry County service clubs seek members

For decades, the Richmond Lions Club has given back to the community through service projects and generous donations of money that was raised through a variety of fundraisers. ... Read More »

Our view: End shock of tax season

The losses have mounted for McHenry County homeowners with each passing month. In April, the Illinois Association of Realtors reported that the median home sale price in the c ... Read More »

Letters to the Editor

Local management

To the Editor: I was amazed by the full-page ad that appeared in Friday’s Northwest Herald, from the Stilwell group of New York City. They attacked the Harvard Savings Bank an ... Read More »

Common sense

To the Editor: This is concerning the front-page library expansion story published May 9 in the Northwest Herald. A lot of money is being talked about in this story ($28 milli ... Read More »

Entertainment

Make it POPcast for May 17-20, 2012

Rob Carroll previews new music from Adam Lambert and local events Fair Diddley and "Laugh Your Glass Off" comedy event in Woodstock. Plus, film critic Jeffrey Westhoff tells you if the new movie, "Battleship," should sink or float. ... Read More »

Daily Dish

George Clinton, Black Eyed Peas settle song suit

LOS ANGELES (AP) — George Clinton and the Black Eyed Peas have settled a lawsuit in which the funk pioneer accused the pop group of improperly using his music. Court filings s ... Read More »

APNewsBreak: Loretta Lynn married at 15, not 13

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Country music legend Loretta Lynn is three years older than she has led people to believe, an age change that undermines the story she told of being mar ... Read More »

Lifestyle

Pineapple’s bark ideal for the grill

As I stood at the cutting board slicing slabs of thick skin off a fresh pineapple, a thought occurred to me – the strips of skin were an awful lot like the cedar planks some p ... Read More »

McHenry Co. Mag.

Sweet Success

Kim Loewe has a cute retro-style cupcake bakery and coffee shop in McHenry, as well as 60-hour work weeks and a family to take care of. ... Read More »

Planit Northwest

Planit Picks! 5.17.12

Parents, gather your kids and head over to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital for the Spring Into Health Kids Fair this Saturday.  Enjoy a high energy day of playing, laughing an ... Read More »

Real Estate

What you should know about pocket listings

Over the past year or so, “pocket listings” have become a more mainstream option for quietly marketing a home. ... Read More »

Celeb mothers who list

What event alters a celebrity’s real estate status quo more than anything else? Kids. ... Read More »

Blogs

» Make it Pop
Make it Pop

Make it POPcast for May 17-20, 2012

Rob Carroll previews new music from Adam Lambert and local events Fair Diddley and "Laugh Your Glass Off" comedy event in Woodstock. Plus, film critic Jeffrey Westhoff tells you if the new movie, "Battleship," should sink or float.
» Job Bridge
Job Bridge

6 Secrets to Quickly Land the Job

More employers are hiring in a hurry, making decisions within days or in some cases hours of meeting great candidates.
» Payoff Pitch
Payoff Pitch

Report: Cubs' Kerry Wood is retiring today

CHICAGO – After 14 years in the big leagues, Cubs reliever Kerry Wood is retiring today according to reports.
» The Doctors
The Doctors

When dizziness is dangerous

The Doctors for USA WEEKEND
» Algonquin Blog
Algonquin Blog

Run for Recreation on Saturday, road closure scheduled

ALGONQUIN – The inaugural Algonquin Run for Recreation 10-mile race will take place Saturday on various streets between Route 31 and Randall Road.

National Video

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Reader Poll

Which of this weekend's movies most appeals to you?

"Battleship"
"The Dictator"
"What to Expect When You're Expecting"
none of them