The Woodstock Independent

01/06/2026

BREAKING:
Susan W. Murray shares what we know about Walmart closure and reopening.

https://www.thewoodstockindependent.com/2026/01/walmart-partially-reopens-six-days-after-fire-shuts-store/

01/01/2026

We are so excited to carry our Partners Program into 2026!

Thank you to everyone who has given to our Go Fund Me, chosen to partner with us through our Independent Partners Program, subscribed to our newspaper, and committed to advertising with us.

We value our community and feel so loved by those who have shared your love for us!

As a reminder, in observance of the holidays, we will resume publishing on Jan. 7, 2026.

If you are not a subscriber and would like to see our last digital total market, please click the link below:

https://www.thewoodstockindependent.com/total-market-issue-2/

We hope you enjoy reading about our community!

12/27/2025

In case you missed it:

IN WEDNESDAY'S EDITION
OF THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

• City has new partner for Die Cast site development, pg. 3.
• Woodstock garbage rate increase as of Jan. 1, pg. 4.
• A visit from St. Nicholas, pg. 6
• Declarations: Nancy Shevel on offering a hand-up to neighbors in need, pg. 7.
• Schools: Middle schools raise money for Christmas Clearing House, pg. 9, impact grants, pg. 10.
• A&E: Ushers earn new vests, pg. 11.
• Business: Business Buzz, pg. 13.
• Community: Seniors celebrate at SOAR@Dorr holiday party, pg. 17.
• Community: When it comes to Christmas … simplicity wins, pg. 20.

• In Sports: Crosstown Bowling, WHS Taqi Baker earns 100 career wrestling wins, Lady ‘Canes basketball, St. Mary Men’s Smoker welcomes Eddie Olczyk, and the Dan Chamness College Report.

➡️ Student of the Week: WNHS Adrian Pavlik
➡️ Elementary/Middle School Student of the Week: Creekside’s Ryann Carpenter
➡️ Athlete of the Week: WNHS’s Eva Hermansson

To subscribe to The Independent, visit thewoodstockindependent.com/subscriptions/
To buy a copy (or two!) of the newspaper, visit one of these retailers:
Casting Whimsy, 203 N. Madison St.
Country Cupboard, 123 E. South St.
Expressly Leslie, 100 S. Johnson St.
Isabel's Restaurant, 1110 N. Seminary Ave.
Jewel/Osco, 145 S. Eastwood Drive
Kristensen's Service, 230 Washington St.
Madison Shell, 315 N. Madison St.
Read Between the Lynes, 111 E. Van Buren St.
Village Market, 3410 Thompson Road, Wonder Lake
Walgreen's, 305 S. Eastwood Drive
Woodstock Food & Liquor, 501 Washington St.
Woodstock Food Mart, 1013 N. Seminary Ave.
Woodstock Shell, 110 N. Eastwood Drive

12/18/2025

COMING IN WEDNESDAY'S EDITION
OF THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

• D-200 Board of Education kicks off ’26-’27 budget process, pg. 3.
• Groundhog Day preview – Chili Cookoff returns!, pg. 4.
• Opinion: Downton hotel proposal, pg. 6.
• Declarations: Paul Lockwood on happier holidays, pg. 7.
• Schools: Challenger Center counts down to a year of anniversaries, pg. 9.
• A&E: Opera House offers extensive lineup, pg. 10.
• Business: Studio D, MD Trains, Thoughtfulness Shop collaborate on holiday display, pg. 13.
• Community: Woodstock artist helps decorate White House, pg. 17.
• Community: Nancy Shevel talks poinsettias, pg. 20.

• In Sports: WHS’s Max Beard reaches 100 points, WNHS girls basketball a mixed bag, WHS basketball coverage, WHS girls bowling, Marian wrestling, Woodstock girls wrestling co-op, and the Dan Chamness College Report.

➡️ Student of the Week: WHS Cheyenne Gee
➡️ Elementary/Middle School Student of the Week: Westwood’s Scarlet Schiavone
➡️ Athlete of the Week: WHS’s Melanie Ziemann, Kierra Merrell

To subscribe to The Independent, visit thewoodstockindependent.com/subscriptions/
To buy a copy (or two!) of the newspaper, visit one of these retailers:
Casting Whimsy, 203 N. Madison St.
Country Cupboard, 123 E. South St.
Expressly Leslie, 100 S. Johnson St.
Isabel's Restaurant, 1110 N. Seminary Ave.
Jewel/Osco, 145 S. Eastwood Drive
Kristensen's Service, 230 Washington St.
Madison Shell, 315 N. Madison St.
Read Between the Lynes, 111 E. Van Buren St.
Village Market, 3410 Thompson Road, Wonder Lake
Walgreen's, 305 S. Eastwood Drive
Woodstock Food & Liquor, 501 Washington St.
Woodstock Food Mart, 1013 N. Seminary Ave.
Woodstock Shell, 110 N. Eastwood Drive

12/11/2025

Read WEDNESDAY'S EDITION
OF THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
in print, or online!

https://www.thewoodstockindependent.com/subscriptions/

• Downtown hotel project delayed another year, pg. 3.
• Thompson’s Appliance roof collapse, pg. 4.
• Construction underway at city Rec Center, pg. 5.
• Opinion: Holiday Magic, pg. 6.
• Declarations: Cheryl Wormley on local newspapers and The Woodstock Independent Partners Program, pg. 7.
• A&E: Judith Svalander Nutcracker a part of the fabric of the holiday season, pg. 11.
• Business: Small Business Saturday Redo, pg. 13.
• Community: New Tree in Christmas Tree Walk honors women community leaders, pg. 15.
• Community: Two women share their stories about life on an organ donor wit list, pg. 17.
• Community: Kennedy Way Station, part two, pg. 18.

• In Sports: WNHS grads Jadyn Grismer, Haley Halsall, Isabelle Halsall, and WHS grad Liam Mickle are featured in Dan Chamness’ College Report this week, Woodstock Co-Op Girls Wrestling, Marian’s Mastny leads wrestlers at Gable meet, WHS wrestlers qualify for sectionals, Marian basketball, WHS football players named to all-KRC football team, Woodstock senior Matt Cress reflects on last football season, and college softball signings.

➡️ Student of the Week: Marian’s Jackson Hatfield
➡️ Elementary/Middle School Student of the Week: Prairiewood’s Rebekah Bilyk
➡️ Athlete of the Week: Marian’s Connor Brandt

To subscribe to The Independent, visit thewoodstockindependent.com/subscriptions/
To buy a copy (or two!) of the newspaper, visit one of these retailers:
Casting Whimsy, 203 N. Madison St.
Country Cupboard, 123 E. South St.
Expressly Leslie, 100 S. Johnson St.
Isabel's Restaurant, 1110 N. Seminary Ave.
Jewel/Osco, 145 S. Eastwood Drive
Kristensen's Service, 230 Washington St.
Madison Shell, 315 N. Madison St.
Read Between the Lynes, 111 E. Van Buren St.
Village Market, 3410 Thompson Road, Wonder Lake
Walgreen's, 305 S. Eastwood Drive
Woodstock Food & Liquor, 501 Washington St.
Woodstock Food Mart, 1013 N. Seminary Ave.
Woodstock Shell, 110 N. Eastwood Drive

12/05/2025

COMING IN WEDNESDAY'S EDITION
OF THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

• Woodstock Police Department clarifies position on role in local ICE actions.
• Square lights up for the holidays in photos.
• Opinion: Security cameras.
• Declarations: Radio Station importance.
• Schools: Marian Central Outdoor Club.
• A&E: Author Shelby Van Pelt.
• Business: Business Buzz.
• Community: Woodstock Public Library’s Austin Nord selected for leadership development program.
• Community: New Grace Fellowship pastor returns to U.S. from Ukraine.

• In Sports: Thunder, Streak, and Hurricane basketball coverage, North’s Gabby Shefke named top KRC player, The College Report.

➡️ Student of the Week: WNHS Gabriel Patterson
➡️ Elementary/Middle School Student of the Week: Olson Elementary School Cashus Martinez.
➡️ Athlete of the Week: WNHS Abby Ward

To subscribe to The Independent, visit thewoodstockindependent.com/subscriptions/
To buy a copy (or two!) of the newspaper, visit one of these retailers:
Casting Whimsy, 203 N. Madison St.
Country Cupboard, 123 E. South St.
Expressly Leslie, 100 S. Johnson St.
Isabel's Restaurant, 1110 N. Seminary Ave.
Jewel/Osco, 145 S. Eastwood Drive
Kristensen's Service, 230 Washington St.
Madison Shell, 315 N. Madison St.
Read Between the Lynes, 111 E. Van Buren St.
Village Market, 3410 Thompson Road, Wonder Lake
Walgreen's, 305 S. Eastwood Drive
Woodstock Food & Liquor, 501 Washington St.
Woodstock Food Mart, 1013 N. Seminary Ave.
Woodstock Shell, 110 N. Eastwood Drive

12/03/2025

Clay Street is closed between Church and Hutchins Streets for an undetermined amount of time while further assessment of the Thompson Appliance building is underway. The building owner discovered a roof collapse early this morning. No one was injured. The Woodstock Police Department is assisting with traffic control and scene security.

has closed the road to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District is asking residents and visitors to seek alternate routes, avoid the area, and follow posted closures.

Photo credit: Andrew Rousey

12/02/2025

On this Giving Tuesday, The Woodstock Independent would like to thank our loyal readers, subscribers, advertisers, and donors for your support.

We know the value of a free press and the gift of a local newspaper. Our dedicated staff works hard to produce quality content and cover the news you deserve.

We are so thankful for your belief in us. We believe in Woodstock. We believe in our community. We believe in authoritative news. And, we believe in you. We've seen the community donate to our GoFundMe, come in to drop off subscriptions, become partners with us, and bump up their advertising with us. We are overwhelmed knowing how many of you value this local paper.

Because of you, we look forward to continuing to bring you the news you want, when you want it, and how you want it.

Thank you for your support.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-the-woodstock-independent-support-local-news

12/01/2025

Our photographer Tricia Carzoli was out enjoying all the fun at the Woodstock Christmas Parade!

If you missed becoming a part of The Woodstock Independent Family on Small Business Saturday, consider purchasing an annual digital subscription today!

https://www.thewoodstockindependent.com/subscriptions/

You can read all articles, view photos, and have access to all online exclusives.

Join us today!

12/01/2025

11/25/2025

COMING IN WEDNESDAY'S EDITION
OF THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

• Riverwoods developments, pg. 13.
• Domek death signals the, ‘end of an era’ – part two in our series, pg. 3.
• City Council on future of Art Fair on the Square, pg. 4.
• Opinion: Roundabout art, pg. 6.
• Declarations: Food Pantry donations, thanksgiving, pg. 7.
• Schools: D-200 2025 tax levy to go down, pg. 9.
• A&E: Holiday Happenings around town, pg. 11.
• Business: Opera House director needed, pg. 15.
• Community: Christmas Clearing House information, pg. 16.
• Community: Sherwood family history, pg. 18.
• Community: Gratitude in the midst of grief, pg. 18.
• Community: Local organizations support community, pg. 20.

• In Sports: Blue Streak boys bowling looks strong, WNHS Skyler Comer rolls a 300 game, Woodstock native Megan Ivers logs three ironman competitions in two months, Two Woodstock-area girls basketball players top 30-point mark in season, Peter Walsdorf in D-1 cross-country nationals,

➡️ Student of the Week: WHS Nicanor Moreno-Rojas
➡️ Elementary/Middle School Student of the Week: Northwood Middle School, Avaya Perez.
➡️ Athlete of the Week: WHS Sophie Sarabia and Ellery Shutt

To subscribe to The Independent, visit thewoodstockindependent.com/subscriptions/
To buy a copy (or two!) of the newspaper, visit one of these retailers:
Casting Whimsy, 203 N. Madison St.
Country Cupboard, 123 E. South St.
Expressly Leslie, 100 S. Johnson St.
Isabel's Restaurant, 1110 N. Seminary Ave.
Jewel/Osco, 145 S. Eastwood Drive
Kristensen's Service, 230 Washington St.
Madison Shell, 315 N. Madison St.
Read Between the Lynes, 111 E. Van Buren St.
Village Market, 3410 Thompson Road, Wonder Lake
Walgreen's, 305 S. Eastwood Drive
Woodstock Food & Liquor, 501 Washington St.
Woodstock Food Mart, 1013 N. Seminary Ave.
Woodstock Shell, 110 N. Eastwood Drive