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

Woodstock grads urged to start on life scripts

WOODSTOCK – Standing alone just outside the south doors of Woodstock High School, Jesus Rodriguez held a cellphone to his ear with one hand, a blue cap and tassel dangling fro ... Read More ť

Woodstock High School Graduation

Alden-Hebron's small class achieved big things

MUSICK: The ice is extra nice in Detroit

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

Final day of marches in protest of school closures

NEW: 7:50 a.m.

CHICAGO — Chicago teachers, parents and students are hitting the streets for a third and final day of citywide marches in protest of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to close doz ... Read More ť

Major CTA rebuilding will affect Chicago commute

NEW: 7:48 a.m.

CHICAGO — Transit officials say the first rush hour of Chicago Transit Authority's Red Line construction project is going smoothly. Monday is the first weekday of the $425 mil ... Read More ť

Commutes long, slow after Conn. train derailment

NEW: 7:55 a.m.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Connecticut commuters planned for long, slow trips to and from work Monday following last week's train collision that that injured 72 people and disrupted ... Read More ť

Tornadoes slam Plains, Midwest; 1 dead in Okla.

NEW: 7:52 a.m.

SHAWNEE, Okla. — Hearing on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, Lindsay Carter took advantage of the advanced warning, gathered her ... 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