I have a long row of a hedge on the side of the house. a section in the middle has become dry. should i take out that section from the root or should i just take off the dried spindles/leaves. i live in chicago

Hi evemar,
Unfortunately, the shrub in the center appears to be dead.

It is hard to remove roots on a hedge row , If you are going to replant you will have to , but if not it is OK to cut it back to the ground . I have placed a nice pot in the bare area for a year or two and the old root will rot enough it can be removed much more easily.