Nearby Crystal Lake elementary schools were put on security alert for a reported person walking around nearby with a knife, but was only found with a pencil Thursday morning, police say.

Homegrown: The Zac Brown Band Tribute Experience will perform Sept. 12 at Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake.

The show will feature hilarious and talented comedians sharing their unique experiences, anecdotes and frustrations about school life and being an educator.

Politicians around northern Illinois mourned Charlie Kirk, who was from the Chicago suburbs and was fatally shot Wednesday while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.

Lakewood officials are protesting a solar farm proposed near the village, claiming it would jeopardize future land development.

Crystal Lake will make a claim for a piece of a $7.4 billion nationwide settlement with Purdue Pharma related to the national opioid crisis.

Crystal Lake could be home to two marijuana dispensaries once again as another company looks to take over the shuttered Spark’d location nine months after it abruptly closed.

For the 48th year, the Service League of Crystal Lake’s Housewalk fundraiser Sept. 12 offers a look into four homes that exemplify Crystal Lake as “a good place to live."

A man was cited for possessing a firearm in a school zone after police said he dropped a gun at a Crystal Lake school playground and it was found by a child.

Crystal Lake will enact a 1% grocery tax as the statewide tax ends at the start of next year, but will keep its home rule sales tax steady at 1.25% despite previous promises of lowering it.

This live concert experience pays tribute to the iconic music and personalities that defined the golden age of FM radio.

Guzman Y Guzman, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant, will offer BOGO burritos or bowls from 4-11 p.m. Fridays September through November. Visit locations in Crystal Lake and Naperville.

Purrfect Cat Rescue, a Crystal Lake cage-free no-kill shelter, took on the immense task of giving 40 cats a second chance at life after they were rescued from a home where the owner had hoarded them.

A fundraiser is planned for Saturday, Sept. 6 for Ken Bland, a Crystal Lake man facing Stage 4 cancer.

A Crystal Lake man who pleaded guilty in federal court to defrauding investors of more than $8 million is requesting for his sentencing to be postponed again due to ongoing health issues, according to court documents.

Members of the Crystal Lake Community High Class of 1965 were nearly done with high school when the Palm Sunday tornado struck that spring. They recalled the impact during their reunion this weekend.

A child was flown in critical condition Saturday afternoon after being run over by a lawnmower near Cary.

Crystal Lake Main Beach is closed for swimming Sunday because of elevated bacteria levels.

Relive the timeless music of Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline at Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake this fall.

McHenry has agreed to make payments to the Illinois Department of Transportation between 2026 and 2030 for its portion of the Route 31 widening project.

A Chicago man admitted Thursday that he asked a woman outside an Algonquin store for a donation for “underprivileged children,” then increased her offering from $10 to $1,000.

A driver was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after crashing into a tree and suffering serious injuries and causing injuries to two passengers early Friday morning in Crystal Lake, officials report.

The family of a Crystal Lake man paralyzed after a car crashed into his home says the costs of his care is thousands of dollars a month and they've restarted a GoFundMe effort.

A new Crystal Lake park board majority wants to end the so-called "lake wars" – but with lakefront residents now dominating the board, some critics question whose interests they're looking out for.

Residents of a townhome community in Prairie Grove are pushing back against paying for new roofs, arguing it's up to their homeowners association to finance the project.

"Together, we can ensure your legacy becomes a lasting source of hope, impact and opportunity," writes Amy Hernon, executive director of The Community Foundation for McHenry County.

Alan Hanke of Crystal Lake - due to be sentenced next week in an $8 million Ponzi scheme - is trying to withdraw his guilty plea to defrauding the McHenry American Legion.

Popular restaurant DC Cobb’s in Woodstock has permanently closed its doors.

The second of three men charged in connection with the fatal fentanyl overdose of a Crystal Lake man has pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

A nearly 100-year-old Crystal Lake building, previously Hickory Hall, has been transformed by new owners into a light and airy venue called The Ellery.

Crystal Lake Main Beach is closed Saturday due to high bacterial levels.

A man was sentenced to prison for setting fire to a Lakewood house, which occurred while he was awaiting trial on charges he crashed his car into a Crystal Lake home and paralyzed a man inside.

Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 is currently hiring paraprofessionals and substitutes and is hosting an upcoming job fair.

Fan Halen will perform at Raue Center for the Arts in downtown Crystal Lake Saturday, Sept. 27.

A McHenry man is accused of "exposing” and “rubbing" himself in a Crystal Lake medical supply store.

A Crystal Lake man who pleaded guilty to secretly videotaping his stepdaughter and possessing mushrooms was sentenced Tuesday to 180 days in jail.

McHenry County is looking to collect storm damage data while towns begin debris clean-up from the strong thunderstorms that knocked out power to thousands.

While pickleball remains the fastest growing sport, municipalities across northern Illinois are looking to the latest fads of pump tracks, futsal courts and inclusive playgrounds to add in public park renovations

The village-owned RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood will be adding two golf simulators this fall with the village manager betting her job that they will make a profit over the winter despite board concerns on the golf club’s finances.

About 1/3 of Fox River Grove remained without power Sunday afternoon after storms rolled through the McHenry County region Saturday afternoon and evening.

ComEd reported more than 60,000 customers from Freeport to Joliet were without power following a Saturday storm.

For many first-time buyers, the idea of purchasing a home can feel overwhelming, especially when navigating mortgages, credit scores and down payments.

A strong thunderstorm rolled through McHenry County on Saturday, Aug. 16, downing trees and interrupting power.

Mercyhealth health care system agreed to pay over $1 million to employees and offered to reinstate employees after the company terminated workers for refusing to comply with its COVID-19 vaccine policy for religious reasons.

After municipal leaders of Lakewood and Crystal Lake issued statements slamming the Crystal Lake Park District for terminating an intergovernmental agreement that structures boat sticker fees, a new proposed agreement may be on horizon.

A woman injured when crossing train tracks in Crystal Lake and collided with Union Pacific Railroad maintenance machinery Tuesday morning was cited for driving around railroad gates, officials said.

A group of residents concerned over recent actions by the newly elected Crystal Lake park board gathered for a rally outside Park District headquarters.

The Salvation Army of McHenry County and Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 made sure students were well-equipped for the new school year at recent back-to-school events.

The Salvation Army of McHenry County and Crystal Lake School District 47 helped ensure that hundreds of local children had backpacks, supplies and haircuts to start the new school year. The district and charitable group hosted separate back-to-school fairs to connect families with resources as children return to classrooms.

A woman was injured as her car crossed train tracks in Crystal Lake and collided with Union Pacific Railroad maintenance machinery, officials say.