Local non-profit hopes to feed 450 families this holiday season

MCHENRY COUNTY – When he’s not at his day job, Mike Lyp can be found volunteering his free time, figuring out different ways to provide basic, essential needs to those that are less fortunate. What began as a mission to become more involved locally within the community, quickly grew into an idea that would change the lives of many for the better.

In 2019, Lyp founded Helping Hands and Caring Hearts (HHCH), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies on volunteers to get involved wherever the need is for those that do not have the means to obtain meals.

Huntley resident makes “brew-tiful” ornaments to commemorate the holiday season

The holidays for many, are supposed to be a time for joy where one has the opportunity to show their appreciation towards family and friends following traditions of gift giving, decorations and the ever so awkward but eventful social gatherings with the relatives.

This year, however, seems to carry an air of sadness for most as the pandemic has not been without its casualties. After 14 years of working in the insurance and tax industry, the impact of COVID-19, left Amber Osoria scrambling to come up with a new way to financially support herself and her two children, David and Emmi.

COVID-19 vaccine, mandatory or individual choice?

HUNTLEY – Mandatory versus individual choice for the COVID vaccine has become a hot topic on the social networks but as we close in on the vaccine rollout, you can be sure mandatory versus choice will generate even more heat in 2021. Hot topics are generally reserved for controversial issues and the question of a mandatory vaccine is controversial. The divide is obvious in the private sector where some individuals call for a mandatory vaccine; others either are strongly opposed to taking the vaccine or wish to wait until more information is known about human reaction.

Local restaurants continue the fight to stay afloat during indoor dining ban

HUNTLEY – Sammy’s Bar and Grill is just one of many local restaurants continuing to offer indoor dining services to the public, despite Gov. Pritzker’s Tier 3 mitigation orders forbidding establishments from doing so.

Yet even with McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally’s recent announcement stating that his office will not be enforcing any rules pertaining to the indoor dining ban, Sammy’s co-owners Diane Walsh and Mike Bruski maintain that business is still not as it once was due in part to a variety of factors.

Light Up McHenry hosts first ever lights contest

Visit McHenry County is making spirits bright with first ever countywide holiday lights contest.

Residents looking for some fun and safe holiday activities need to look no further than say, their own neighborhood perhaps. This is the case for Huntley resident Shannon Hill and her family, who have entered their home in the Light Up McHenry holiday lights contest, having been making preparations since before Halloween.

The contest allowed participants to enter their homes into one of five categories which ranged from “White Christmas” (best all white display) to “Blow it Up” (most inflatables per square foot).

McHenry County Department of Health disputes State’s Attorney’s press release not enforcing dine in ban

MCHENRY COUNTY – The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) held a special meeting on December 14 to discuss their concerns regarding the recent press release issued by McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally stating his office will not enforce the rule regarding the ban on indoor dining.

According to McHenry County Board member and treasurer Cindy Gaffney, the primary reason for the meeting, involved discussing the argument that MCDH Board members felt that their messaging about COVID-19 concerns were not being accurately portrayed by the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

How the Grinch is saving the holidays for the United Way of Greater McHenry County

MCHENRY COUNTY – What once was a solitary, grumpy creature bent on ruining the holidays, has now reformed to support the United Way of Greater McHenry County by means of “Grinchy shenanigans” according to fundraiser organizer Kassandra “Kassie” Olea.

“We’re very excited to generate extra Christmas cheer in a year that’s been tough on most, especially the children, and support such a good cause,” Olea said. “We felt [the Grinch] was something we could still do, safely, during these COVID times.

McHenry County Department of Health secures sites for COVID-19 vaccinations

MCHENRY COUNTY – With Chicago anticipating an initial shipment of over 20,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, Illinois officials are hopeful vaccinations will begin to be administered as early as the third and fourth weeks of December. The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) held a Board meeting on November 23 to discuss the two locations they have secured for drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination dispensing sites with a third one in the works.

Susan Karras, the Public Health Nursing Director for MCDH, stated that the Health Department has entered into a contractual agreement with the Village of Algonquin to use their Public Works facility as one location to distribute the vaccines, with the other confirmed location being the McHenry County Fair Grounds.

How a local brewery is all wrapped up in providing for families in need this holiday season

HUNTLEY – Having first opened its doors to the Huntley area in 2019, Sew Hop’d Brewery & Taproom has certainly lived up to its connection with Union Special to become a staple within the community. For those who don’t know, Union Special is an industrial sewing machine factory that has been operating since 1881, having first moved to Huntley in 1948.

Historic roots aside, Sew Hop’d has been keeping busy each holiday season since its debut, to ensure disadvantaged families get the opportunity to experience the magic of the holidays along with everyone else.

Huntley’s response to local restaurants defying Tier 3 mitigations

HUNTLEY – As of Friday, November 20, all of Illinois will have entered into Tier 3 mitigations of Illinois’ plan to curve the spread of COVID-19. Huntley area restaurants are all too familiar with the stricter guidelines which prohibits indoor dinning services as both McHenry and Kane Counties, were amongst the first of many counties to enter into Tier 3 of the state’s plan in the month of October due to a surge in coronavirus cases exceeding the 8% threshold.

As previously reported in My Huntley News, a 78-page lawsuit was filed on behalf of 37 restaurants including Papa G’s and BBQ King of Huntley, asking for an issuance of a temporary restraining order for relief from Gov.

Are at-home test kits the future of medicine?

HUNTLEY – Most individuals are familiar with associating November with Thanksgiving festivities, but this month is also notable for bringing awareness to diabetes. Why is this important to know? With over 30 million Americans having been diagnosed with diabetes to date, people afflicted with this chronic illness are impacted at higher rates of complications if diagnosed with COVID-19, according to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation.

Yet it is not just diabetics that are at risk, senior citizens and the immunocompromised also need to be vigilant about limiting their time outside of the home.

McHenry County Board member passes away at age 63

MCHENRY COUNTY – The announcement came Thursday, November 12, that McHenry County Board member, Charles “Chuck” Wheeler had died overnight. His death was confirmed via a Facebook post made by Wheeler’s stepdaughter, Ashley Muller, and his wife, Susan.

The post read, “To all who know and love Chuck Wheeler-with great sadness, we have to announce the loss of our beloved husband and stepfather Chuck. Chuck passed away in his sleep last night and will be missed dearly.”

Though Susan followed up shortly stating that funeral arrangements are in the works, she has not made any further updates.

A rainbow of autumn colors: Explaining the hues of fall

LISLE, Il – As the days begin to shorten and the temperature cools, trees begin their transition into the beautiful spectrum of red, yellow, and brown shades Illinois residents have come to know as the first signs of autumn. The question remains, however, why do leaves change color?

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IL DNR), the fall season beings to take place in northern Illinois counties around the third or fourth week of September with leaves beginning their color change in central Illinois by the second week of October, and by the last two weeks of that month, southern Illinois will have made the color change transition as well.

THE DOORWAY TO OUR COMMUNITY