Northwest Herald

WOODSTOCK - A McHenry County judge ruled today that a 46-year-old Woodstock man was legally insane when he doused a mental health clinic receptionist with gasoline and set her on fire. Full Story »

CRYSTAL LAKE – A Crystal Lake man has been charged with several felonies after police said he kidnapped his ex-girlfriend as she left work and tied her up in his car. Full Story »

CRYSTAL LAKE – New advancements in testing for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are making it easier for adults to get help. Full Story »

By the time the winter storm blows through, county plows will have been on the roads for at least 43 consecutive hours. Full Story »

WOODSTOCK – A McHenry County judge ordered state officials to prepare a plan for releasing with supervision a 70-year-old convicted of murdering a 3-year-old girl in 1962. Full Story »

SPRING GROVE – A semester-long pen pal correspondence between students young and old came to fruition this week at Spring Grove School. Full Story »

LAKE IN THE HILLS – After a one-year hiatus, the Lake in the Hills Police Department is set to again be a member of a local gang task force made up of area police departments. Full Story »

CRYSTAL LAKE – McHenry County College leaders are asking residents what qualities they would like to see in the institution’s next president. Full Story »

CRYSTAL LAKE – There were no public attendees at the public hearing for the Regional Transportation Authority, which provided an overview of its 2010 tentative budget that includes fare increases on Metra trains. Full Story »

CRYSTAL LAKE – A toy drive is under way at Mr. A’s Italian Beef Restaurant in Crystal Lake. Full Story »

CRYSTAL LAKE – The McHenry County Animal Welfare Coalition will host an adoption event Saturday. Full Story »

WOODSTOCK – Every year, the Woodstock Christmas Clearing House delivers food and toys to needy families. Full Story »

WOODSTOCK – A 21-year-old Round Lake Beach man told a judge Wednesday that he wasn’t thinking the night he and another man allegedly set a gazebo on fire as they tried to escape Crystal Lake police. Full Story »

CRYSTAL LAKE – The youth ministry of Unity Church of Crystal Lake will be collecting new and gently used coats on Sundays through Dec. 20. Full Story »

WOODSTOCK – The last of three suspects in two November incidents was taken into custody Wednesday morning. Full Story »

Another $750,000 in federal money may be secured to help pay for the Rakow Road widening project. Full Story »

CRYSTAL LAKE – ’Tis the season for John Lutsch’s phone to ring. Full Story »

CRYSTAL LAKE – Because of the inclement weather and the icy conditions, McHenry County College canceled auditions for “Pippin” that were scheduled for Wednesday night and rescheduled them for 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Full Story »

Even a blizzard couldn’t stop the Johnsburg Police Department and Lions Club from hosting their annual Shop With A Cop event. Full Story »

ST. CHARLES – In a case a judge called “horrendous,” a North Aurora man stands charged with burning his 1-year-old son with scalding hot water, causing third-degree burns and the amputation of toes. Full Story »

Sitting at a table this week in the Northwest Herald boardroom wasn’t the first time that McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren and his challenger, Zane Seipler, had joined together for an acrimonious discussion. Full Story »

CRYSTAL LAKE – Due to the inclement weather and the icy conditions forecast for tonight, McHenry County College has canceled tonight’s auditions for “Pippin” and rescheduled auditions for 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Full Story »

WOODSTOCK – A McHenry County judge ordered state officials to prepare a plan for conditionally releasing a 70-year-old convicted of murdering a 3-year-old girl in 1962. Full Story »

Newspaper delivery in some areas may be later than usual today because of weather-related delays. Full Story »

The following school districts have closed today due to inclement weather: Full Story »