Crystal Lake

The Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline has been chosen as one of the featured acts in the Salute to Independence Day parade in Philadelphia next year for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

A car believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run crash that killed a 15-year-old boy has been located, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office announced Saturday.

The McHenry County Youth Sports Association’s Summer International Championships is set to return next weekend for the 32nd year of the highly-popular tournament. Here's what to know about this year's upcoming MCYSA baseball tournament.

Besides the four years he spent in Navy, Danny Kakazu has worked at The Breakers bar and restaurant near Crystal Lake continuously since 1964. Sunday was his last day.

People who want to stake out their spots for Sunday’s Crystal Lake Independence Day parade are going to have to wait until Saturday to call dibs.

Here's where you can find fireworks displays in the McHenry County area.

One of McHenry County's signature events The Lakeside Festival, got underway Thursday, July 3, 2025, on the grounds of the historic Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake. The fest runs through Sunday. Crystal Lake's Independence Day Parade takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday down Dole Avenue to the festival, and the fireworks display over the lake off Main Beach takes place at dusk Sunday.

Here's what's going on around McHenry County around the Fourth of July.

Police said a teen was hit by a car and killed while riding a bicycle near Crystal Lake and that the driver fled the scene. They have put out a description of the car they believe was involved.

The man convicted of trying to kill his estranged wife in her Crystal Lake apartment by beating her in the head with a hatchet and hammer was sentenced Thursday to 36 years in prison.

An assortment of new food options are popping up in Crystal Lake this summer, including a bakery that has already opened and authentic Mexican restaurants.

Cafe Olympic owner Rachel Skubiszewski has opened Black Market Bakery right next door at 86 N. Williams St. in Crystal Lake. It's open-concept, where customers can see bakers working on goods from scratch and bringing items into display cases.

Lakeside Festival at The Dole will bring bands, a carnival, Cornhole tournament and more fun to Crystal Lake July 3-6.

You don't have to fight city traffic to enjoy a day at the beach in northern Illinois.

A second Chicago man arrested in the parking lot of a Crystal Lake motel with nearly $750,000 worth of methamphetamine and fentanyl has pleaded guilty.

Crystal Lake’s Main Beach reopens just in time for Independence Day weekend after a six day closure because of high bacteria levels.

Crystal Lake’s Main Beach extended its streak of closed days Tuesday because of high bacteria levels and a splash pad at Veterans Acres is closed for repairs.

Danny Dezanek of Spring Grove recalled being a child in the back of a small Cessna airplane and being “terrified for the takeoff.” However, that experience sparked his desire to become a professional airplane pilot.

Crystal Lake’s Main Beach extended its streak of closed days Monday because of high bacteria levels.

McHenry County College will create a new events center on campus to host future community and college happenings.

A fledgling Elmhurst-based company that distributes vending machines offering electronic cigarettes and vaping products is facing pushback from some suburbs.

Crystal Lake’s Main Beach extended its streak of closed days Sunday because of high bacteria levels.

The Crystal Lake Park District is again considering the purchase of a shuttered Northwestern Medicine Health and Fitness Center, after rejecting the idea two years ago.

A Crystal Lake man was charged with recklessly discharging a gun that fired a bullet into a neighbor’s house with two adults and a nine-month-old baby in the home.

Landmarked by Historic Preservation Commission in 2023, Crystal Lake's McCormick Park is one of the oldest public grounds in McHenry County. A recognition of the park's landmark status and walk through its markers takes place Sunday.

Beaches in Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills and elsewhere in McHenry County temporarily closed due to elevated levels of bacteria in the water.

Mark Alex said "I know I did bad" when he hit his wife with a hammer and hatchet in Crystal Lake but still asked for leniency.

The Crystal Lake location is celebrating 30 years in business, while the Elgin location is marking 20 years.

People enjoy the beach and music during the Crystal Lake Park District's Concert in the Park on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Main Beach in Crystal Lake. The concert was part of the park district's weekly Tuesday night summer concert series.

Recent actions by the Crystal Lake Park District board, with three newly elected members, have caused tension in the community, with many residents speaking out against a series of swift changes.

Ride motorcycles for veterans in McHenry and have a field day with radios in Crystal Lake this weekend in McHenry County.

Before losing reelection as Nunda Township Highway commissioner, "Iron Mike" Lesperance used taxpayer money for projects that went beyond the office's legal authority, his successor contends.

If Woodstock raises its sales tax, will it be the highest in McHenry County? Take a look at what shoppers pay in taxes for general merchandise in each county community.

A Lake in the Hills man was sentenced to three years in prison after he was accused of striking and choking a woman as she slept in her home - while awaiting trial on charges of beating the same woman.

The Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce has named Steve Slack grand marshal of the 2025 Independence Day Parade.

The McHenry County Conservation District invites visitors to “Find Your Wild” and join its interactive journey through the county’s public open spaces all summer long in pursuit of fun prizes.

Developers are looking to create six "industrial condos” in Crystal Lake to house manufacturing businesses – space the plan commission sees as a potential business incubator.

The drive-through-only coffee chain 7 Brew is quickly expanding its presence in the McHenry County, with several new locations planned.

A Chicago man who was on parole when he was accused of multiple thefts – including stealing Christmas presents from a Crystal Lake church – pleaded guilty Wednesday to burglary from a vehicle.

Heat indexes in McHenry County could climb to the triple digits in the coming days.

Saturday, June 21 is World Martini Day. Check out these top-rated bars and restaurants for the best martini in Kane, McHenry and DeKalb counties and the Illinois Valley area.

Service League of Crystal Lake celebrates 100 years with a centennial celebration Saturday at the Dole Mansion.

The McHenry County Coroner’s Office identified a man who died in a Hebron-area motorcycle crash last week.

No one was seriously hurt in a two-car crash early Sunday that closed Route 31 for more than an hour. No one was transported to the hospital.

Take a look back at some of our recent pictures of fathers and grandfathers for Father's Day.

Online bidding ends at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 14, on mini-artworks created by local residents for the Raue Center for the Arts’ 6x6 Art Auction. A reception is also Saturday evening.

A Crystal Lake church agreed to remove rodent bait boxes from its property to help protect a family of great horned owls living nearby.

A Crystal Lake man was killed in a three-vehicle crash Wednesday on Route 47 in Greenwood Township.

View art in Harvard and go fishing with the McHenry County Conservation District this weekend in McHenry County.

Attempts are underway to preserve several old farms buildings around McHenry County – including one that just made a most-endangered list – but how to save them isn't always clear.