With Illinois entering its 10th straight month without a budget and with statewide elections coming up in November, Allen Skillicorn, Republican candidate in state House District 66, says the root of the crisis lies with the state employee pension program.

Former Jacobs High School star Maggie Hansen is eagerly awaiting the start of the 2016 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball season. “We have expectations of doing well," Hansen recently told the McHenry Times. "We have to come to every game ready to play, and we can’t take any team lightly."

For Matt Sutherland of Cary, the keys to success in life are hard work, strong family ties and close relationships with his friends.

The Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake is currently accepting applications for the 2016 summer season.

The McHenry County Housing Authority is currently accepting applications on an appointment-only basis for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which gives low-income households a grant toward their home heating utility bills.