3 Oaks Rescue; VFW Jackpot; Kids Crash Bus: Top Stories of 2018

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL – Another year has come and gone. And as we prepare to ring in 2019, it is a good time to look back on the stories that have grabbed your attention in 2018. So, without further ado, here is a look at the top ten most-read stories on Crystal Lake-Cary Patch over the past year:

1. Husband Gets 50 Years In Craigslist Prostitution Murder – A 34-year-old Woodstock man who pimped his wife over Craigslist, and then killed a man responding to the prostitution ad, received a lengthy prison sentence this past fall. The article was the most-read story on Crystal Lake-Cary Patch this past year. More via the Crystal Lake-Cary Patch.
2. Kids Crash Double-Decker Disney Bus At Volo Auto Museum: Two grade school-aged kids took a rare double-decker bus, which was once used to transport tourists around Disney World in the 1950s, for a joy ride this past summer. They ended up driving the bus down an 80-foot hill and crashing it into a tree. Thankfully, the children were not hurt. But the bus, which was one of only six built by Disney, was damaged. More via Crystal Lake Cary Patch.
3. McHenry VFW Queen of Hearts coverage: Stories on the McHenry VFW Queen of Hearts game this past year drew plenty of readers as many waited each week to hear if a winner had been named (and also to find out how they could snag tickets for upcoming drawings). The game ended with a drawdown and a $7.08 million jackpot up for grabs. The lucky winner ended up being a park district employee. The Queen of Hearts game will start up again in January. More via Crystal Lake-Cary Patch.
4. Gun Pulled On Dealership Workers Over Servicing of Vehicle: Two men were charged after one of the men allegedly pointed a gun at employees at Volkswagen of Crystal Lake in March 2018 following a dispute "over the servicing of a vehicle," authorities said. Thankfully, the men did not shoot anyone. More via Crystal Lake-Cary Patch
5. Kids Allegedly Left Unsupervised In Home With Mold, Collapsed Roof: Police and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services were called after authorities found mold in several rooms in a McHenry home and a collapsed ceiling in one of the rooms. Two kids, who were both under the age of 10 years old, were left alone and police were called to check on their mother. They found the woman lying in the roadway, apparently due to her level of intoxication, and a man inside the home lying in vomit. More via Crystal Lake-Cary Patch
6. Girl, 6, Pulled From Water At Three Oaks Meets Her Rescuers: A 6-year-old girl was found face down in the water at Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake this past July. The girl was pulled from the water by witnesses, who worked with a lifeguard to perform CPR on the girl. The girl, whose name is Bella, had a heartbeat and was breathing when she was transported to the hospital. Weeks after the incident, Bella and her mom got to meet Bella’s rescuers, paramedics, a lifeguard, a 911 telecommunicator and a beach patron, during a meeting at city hall in Crystal Lake. More via Crystal Lake-Cary Patch
7. Cary Man Says 'I Have AIDS,' Bites Officer: Police – A 37-year-old Cary man who allegedly informed police he had AIDS, and asked if an officer also wanted AIDs before biting him in the leg, now faces charges in McHenry County. More via Crystal Lake-Cary Patch
8. Coroner IDs 3 Men Killed In Crash Near Woodstock: A tragic crash in December claimed the life of three young men from Woodstock. The crash happened when a car went off Lily Pond Road near Woodstock and collided with a tree. More via Crystal Lake-Cary Patch
9. Young Woman Hit By Lightning: 'She Is A Living Miracle' – Lisa Prehn says her 22-year-old daughter was in the wrong place at the wrong time when she was struck by lightning over the summer while camping with friends at a country music festival in Wisconsin. Brittney Prehn of Woodstock was on her phone at the time of the lightning strike, trying to find her friends while at the Country Thunder Music Festival in Twin Lakes, Wis. That cell phone, doctors say, likely saved her life, according to media reports. More via Crystal Lake-Cary Patch
10. After 24 Years In Cary, Timbertown Playground Is Coming Down: Many local residents were sad to see the popular wooden playground structure, which has been around for 24 years, go. But park district officials held a little celebration in the days prior to the removal of the playground on Georgetown Drive. And in its place will be a more up-to-date play structure, complete with a zip line and splash pad. More via Crystal Lake-Cary Patch.

Thanks, Crystal Lake-Cary Patch readers, for following along in 2018. We look forward to providing you with more local coverage in 2019. If you haven't already, be sure to sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook. - Amie Rowland