Catch up on the week’s top McHenry County news in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you, for the week of Feb. 22-28

State Rep. Suzanne Ness will host a virtual town hall Tuesday to discuss Illinois Gov JB Pritzker’s annual budget proposal.

A Crystal Lake man has pleaded guilty to aggravated reckless driving in a head-on crash that seriously injured two people and occurred when he was 18.

A beloved Crystal Lake sushi and Asian cuisine restaurant will permanently close next week, leaving Cary as its sole location.

Developers are looking to finish out a townhome development in downtown Crystal Lake that has been on pause for over 30 years.

The chair of the McHenry County College board, who also runs a community health care center in Crystal Lake, will be a guest of U.S. Rep. Bill Foster at President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday.

The McHenry County Coroner’s Office identified a man who was found along Route 176 in the Prairie Grove area Saturday.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness McHenry County plans a Feb. 26 open house for its new community hub in Crystal Lake with a Living Room to address mental health crises and a Drop-In Center to combat social isolation.

A man was found dead in the grass along Route 176 Saturday morning in Prairie Grove after being reported missing hours earlier, officials report.

Packed with big-top excitement and bubble magic, Circus of Bubbles offers an extraordinary evening of laughter, amazement and interactive fun.

The Crystal Lake Park District Executive Director will be retiring after nearly 16 years of service, leaving the decision for the replacement up to the board.

Crystal Lake police officers are investigating a possible burglary after a car smashed through a smoke shop Friday morning, officials report.

Breaking Bread in downtown Crystal Lake is launching indoor markets and trading card shows this months with the hope of making them permanent monthly events. The first event is Saturday, Feb. 21.

Crystal Lake planning and zoning commissioners say a proposed drive-thru coffee shop is not a good fit for a former bank location off Route 14.

A Woodstock man is accused of secretly filming three women while they used the bathroom at McHenry County College, according to court records and authorities.

Residents of a Crystal Lake home are displaced by a fire that broke out Thursday afternoon, officials report.

A Palatine man who was accused of “misrepresenting” the cost of driveway repairs for an elderly Crystal Lake homeowner by more than $4,000 has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

Audiences will be transported back to 1959 for over two hours of high-voltage rock ‘n’ roll featuring the hit songs that changed music forever, including “That’ll Be the Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “Oh Boy,” “Rave On,” “La Bamba,” “Chantilly Lace” and many more.

Online memorials and tribute posts honor a Crystal Lake woman who was killed in Friday afternoon crash in Hoffman Estates and whose name was released Wednesday.

A suspicious package prompted a strong police response that put a Crystal Lake high school on a security alert and shut down a road Tuesday afternoon. A walkout was supposed to take place but was canceled.

Hoffman Estates police continue to investigate a single-vehicle crash Friday evening that killed a 25-year-old Crystal Lake woman.

The Hobby Lobby in Algonquin is relocating to a new home still within the village’s boundaries.

The owner of McHenry’s Freundly Designs teamed up with McHenry High School Athletics to create limited-edition “Riverside Strong” T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies.

More students from schools across McHenry County walked out of class Friday to protest the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

A Round Lake Beach man is accused of purposely driving his car into the garage of a Crystal Lake home and damaging a Crystal Lake business Thursday night, causing approximately $135,000 in damage, authorities said.

The United Way of Greater McHenry County lost a major sponsor years before corporate owners indicted in January.

A Crystal Lake man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for using the dark web and Facebook to distribute methamphetamine, authorities said.

Audiences are invited to celebrate Valentine’s weekend with a one-night-only stand-up showcase featuring Maggie Hughes DePalo and Jim Flannigan, hosted by Chicago favorite John DaCosse.

This year’s event transforms Raue Center’s stage into a Studio 54-inspired disco celebration, offering guests a high-energy night of music, food, dancing and more.

A Crystal Lake man accused of sending “sexually explicit” messages to a child and saying he wants to “kiss her from head to toe” has been detained in the county jail.

A Wisconsin man was arraigned last week on charges alleging he sexually assaulted an 8-year-old child in Crystal Lake, according to court records and authorities.

Two McHenry County-based nonprofits working directly with veterans were awarded grants this week, thanks to the Illinois Lottery.

A street in downtown Crystal Lake was closed Wednesday due to a gas leak, with an alarm that was upgraded, officials report.

Illinois was unsuccessful in appealing FEMA's denial of a major disaster declaration from storms that caused damage around the Chicago area last August.

Dozens of high school students, some with anti-ICE signs, walked out of the building and through the downtown area Monday.

About 100 Crystal Lake Central High School students walked out of class Monday to protest the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Karen and John Ferrero of Crystal Lake, who have been foster parents themselves, have helped CASA McHenry County create the Family Support Fund, providing opportunities for foster parents and children.

Crystal Lake continues to add more street parking regulations in response to a new café that is bringing in more cars to a residential area because its parking lot can't accommodate all its customers.

A single-family home in Crystal Lake that sold for $1.9 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in McHenry County over the past week.

After another lengthy discussion and a community meeting with neighboring residents, the Crystal Lake City Council postponed its vote on a possible third Dunkin’ Donuts location for a second time.

A Crystal Lake man who pleaded guilty to a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme in federal court started his 4 1/2-year prison sentence Friday after multiple attempts to push it back.

A Crystal Lake man is accused of sending sexual messages to a minor, according to authorities.

A man who served prison time for possessing cocaine found in his Crystal Lake motel room in 2023 faces new drug and weapons charges, court records show.

A fire that broke out in a garage of a multifamily apartment complex in Crystal Lake was quickly put out thanks to a sprinkler system that prevented the fire from spreading into homes, officials said.

Get ready for a dazzling night of music, glamour, and powerhouse vocals as Annika Starr pays tribute to one of the most iconic performers in pop culture history.

This unforgettable concert event pays tribute to the iconic Southern California sound of the late 1960s and 1970s, blending folk, rock and country into what became known as 'California Country Rock.'

Today marks the first of a two-part series about the use of automated license plate readers, commonly known as LPRS or Flock cameras, in northern Illinois. Today’s installment focuses on how cities use the cameras and the successes they have noted

The third annual Great Seed Event at McHenry County College invites gardeners to swap seeds and learn about how to be a better gardeners.

What began as a small circle of people online interested in gardening has blossomed into the McHenry County Plantings Facebook group with about 14,000 members and in-real-life events like the Great Seed and Soil Event, planned for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at MCC's cafeteria, including seed swaps, vendors and demonstrations.

Alan Hanke of Crystal Lake succeeded in delaying his sentencing several times. Now he's due to report to federal prison for an $8 million Ponzi scheme but continued to seek more delays as he awaits trial in McHenry County.