New Directions Case Manager Joe Ledesma shares how he went from living in the organization's sober living facility to helping those who are in the same position he once was in.

A Crystal Lake has made it his personal mission to provide blankets to people who are homeless. He pitched his plan to his principal, and in the process got others at his school into giving.

Holly Eberle is a librarian, mentor, volunteer, advocate for people with mental illness, defender of intellectual freedom and more.

Tim Dempsey's job is to get kids in school, but in the process he sees a lot of families struggling to keep food on the table. “Could you look in a kid’s face that is hungry and tell them no? ... It is impossible," he said.

After a Cary woman started a free food pantry on her front porch, neighbors starting taking it upon themselves to help keep it stocked.

At any hour and in any weather, two retired firefighters dedicate themselves to assisting fire departments in emergency calls across McHenry County by keeping bellies full and hearts warm.

Huntley finished first in four events and won the IHSA Class 3A Belvidere North girls track sectional title. It's the fifth straight title for the Red Raiders. Hampshire, Jacobs, Cary-Grove, Burlington Central, McHenry and Crystal Lake Central all qualified events for state.

McHenry and Huntley baseball both won to remain tied for first place in the Fox Valley Conference, while Marian Central softball clinched a share of the Chicagoland Christian Conference title. Plus, more in Wednesday's Northwest Herald roundup.

Ashton Stern won a pitcher's duel against Braden Behringer, pitching a no-hitter as Johnsburg beat visiting Sandwich 2-0 in a Kishwaukee River Conference baseball game Wednesday.

Up-and-coming Prairie Ridge had two individual champs and finished runner-up to Boylan, while Richmond-Burton, Johnsburg, Woodstock, Marengo, Marian Central, Harvard and Woodstock North each advanced individuals from the Class 2A Johnsburg Girls Track and Field Sectional.