Northwest Herald

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, but maybe not as much as last year. Full Story »

The more than 1,300 employees at the Mc­Henry County Government Center have to get special permission to tweet, re-tweet and poke. Full Story »

WOODSTOCK – A coroner’s jury ruled Monday that the manner of William J. Vahldieck’s death was “undetermined.” Full Story »

Several hospitals in McHenry County and the surrounding area are enacting temporary visitor limits, hoping to control the spread of the H1N1 virus. Full Story »

McHENRY – Nominations are being accepted for the Frank E. Low Award, the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce’s highest award to an individual for distinguished community service. Full Story »

CRYSTAL LAKE – The winter-spring 2009-10 Crystal Lake Park District program brochure will be mailed to residents beginning Saturday. Full Story »

CARY – The District 26 board could vote on two controversial issues this month: closing a school and asking the taxpayers to support a significant tax hike. Full Story »

WOODSTOCK – A 27-year-old Woodstock man was sentenced to 2½ years in prison for threatening to rape and kill a mentally handicapped teen who refused to get in his car. Full Story »

WOODSTOCK – Crews worked for more than two hours Monday night to battle a fire that appeared to start between the walls of a Woodstock apartment complex. Full Story »

MARENGO – In 1872, who would you have seen to order blinds for the house? Full Story »

HUNTLEY – The Huntley Area Jaycees will host its second annual “Wheel of Meat” fundraiser Nov. 21 to benefit the Grafton Township Food Pantry. Full Story »

CRYSTAL LAKE – A young Lake in the Hills girl involved in a multiple-vehicle crash Saturday reportedly is home and doing well. Full Story »

NEWTON, Iowa – Eustace K. “E.K.” Shaw, former chairman of the board of Shaw Newspapers, died Friday in Newton, Iowa, where he and his wife, Nancy, had lived the past 60 years. He was 84. Full Story »

WOODSTOCK – A judge declined to reduce bail Monday for a 35-year-old Palatine man accused of financing and organizing a large-scale marijuana growing operation in McHenry. Full Story »

SOUTH ELGIN – The 35th annual Turkey Spin of the South Elgin Lions Club will be Nov. 20. Full Story »

WOODSTOCK – A 52-year-old Antioch Upper Grade School teacher formally denied Monday allegations that he had four sexual encounters with a one-time student between March 1997 and April 1999. Full Story »

RICHMOND – If dis­aster struck Richmond today, local police and firefighters would be the first to respond. In a few months, there will be another contingency eager to help during floods, snowstorms and other catastrophes: residents. Full Story »

CRYSTAL LAKE – The Crystal Lake Historical Society will offer candle light tours of Col. Palmer House with a “Welcome Home Soldiers: Christmas 1863” theme. Full Story »

CRYSTAL LAKE – Contestants are being sought for the Miss Crystal Lake Pageant, which will be part of the Crystal Lake Business Expo on March 27. Full Story »

WOODSTOCK – The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County are holding a used book sale at 225 N. Main St. on the Woodstock Square. Full Story »

ALDEN – The annual Alden-Hebron Community Thanksgiving Eve Service will be hosted this year by Alden United Methodist Church. Full Story »

JOHNSBURG – A bingo session to benefit the McHenry Lions Club will be at 7 p.m. Monday at the McHenry Moose Lodge, 3535 N. Richmond Road. Full Story »

WOODSTOCK – A McHenry County judge didn’t believe that a 50-year-old Crystal Lake man’s first two drunken-driving convictions were committed by someone else after his wallet disappeared in the late 1970s. Full Story »

CARPENTERSVILLE – The community’s opinion on the overall quality of education provided in District 300 as well as its thoughts on the district’s fiscal responsibility have improved during the past two years, survey results presented to the school board Monday night show. Full Story »

WEST DUNDEE – A 54-year-old West Dundee woman was sentenced to three years in prison for abducting her own children. Full Story »