Freepod

For families in the Freeport area struggling to find healthy connections with their children, a local organization exists specifically to help children find and build relationships. Freepod host Alan Wenzel spoke with Linsey McDanel, founder & leader of Hope WINS, about the origins of her organization and the important work they are doing in our community.

Freeport Names Street After Beloved City Mother Pretzel City Area Transit Announces Fixed Route Pilot Program Re-Fresh Freeport Returns National Night Out 2026 Announced Book Nook Half Price Sale Sign Up For a Digital Farmers' Market Passport Tips on Helping the Birds Beat the Heat SCSD Seizes Nearly 29 Pounds of Marijuana in Traffic Stop WIFR/WREX Announce Merger Details Lanark Native Named CEO o...

When news spread that Deininger Floral was closing shop, the community mourned. But just as abruptly as the announcement of the shop's closing was made, so to was the announcement that it was re-opening with a familiar face at the helm. Freepod host Tim Connors spoke with Craig Deininger about what it meant to him to re-open his family's business in Freeport and what the plans are for the future o...

City Council Update City of Freeport Gets New Salt Shed Traffic Control Added on Galena Avenue Firefighters Make Adjustments for Working in Extreme Heat Give Your Input on a City Land Acquisition Proposal Stockton Athlete Named Male Athlete of the Year Former Carroll County Deputy's Criminal Case Moves Forward Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office Mourns Loss of K-9 Ogle County Fair Needs Volunteers...

Agriculture is such a vital element of our community, and one small dairy in Freeport is doing its part to change the way we all look at dairy operations. Freepod host Alan Wenzel sat down with the family behind Deerland Dairy to talk about the origins of their operation, as well as how they are doing things a little differently by utilizing a "cow to kitchen" approach to their dairy operations.

FSD Cuts Bus Routes Due to Budget Deficit Freeport Beef-a-Roo Is Only Location Still Operating After Mass Layoffs YMCA Purchases New Facility Tickets on Sale for Freedom on the Rocks GFP Selected for Illinois Economic Development Pilot Program Audition Call for Winneshiek Theater Stephenson County Sheriff's Office Arrests Two Women on Drug Charges Drug Search in Jo Daviess County Yields 3 Arrests...

Freeport is Pretzel City USA. But why can't you buy a pretzel in Freeport? That riddle is over now as Freeport Pretzel Company has launched. Proprietors Alex Lavoilette and Dylan Shipley spoke to Freepod host Tim Connors about what brought the Freeport Pretzel Company to fruition and what they plan on rolling out in the future.

Freeport City Council Meeeting Devolves into Chaos Stephenson County Gets Disaster Proclamation from State Tree Removal Underway with Mixed Response from Community Krape Park South Entrance Improvement Underway New Study Highlights HCC's Economic Impact on Region SRC Expanding Services to Jo Daviess County Thanks to FNWIL United Way Announces More than $250,000 in Local Grants Canyon Camp Celebrat...

The Stephenson County Fair is one of the longest running county fairs in the state of Illinois. And this year's event is fast approaching. Freepod host Alan Wenzel speaks with Kate Boyer, Executive Manager of the Stephenson County Fair, about new offerings, old favorites, and some returning events for the 2026 Stephenson County Fair.

Electronic Recycling Event Brings in More than 20,000 Pounds of Waste Kuberski Named President Emeritus of Highland Community College Pearl City Names New Superintendent Freeport Art Museum Previews Façade Improvement Grant Project Northwest Illinois Safe Streets Plan Moving Forward Area Farmers Optimistic After June Rainfall 3 Injured in Grand Detour Bridge Crash Illinois Route 2 Roadwork Underwa...

Freeport is full of talent. And one of the biggest names in town is Blackcat Manor. Freepod host Tim Connors speaks with Kris Valkema, lead singer of Blackcat Manor, about the journey he's taken to national recognition in the music world.

FPD Launches Safety Campaign Land Bank Transforms Formerly Blighted Property Stephenson County Unemployment Rates Dropped in April Volunteers Needed for Prairie Stewardship Ag Olympics Registration Coming Due Egg Prices Create Shock for Farmers June is Dairy Month Pec Playhouse to Break Ground on New Theater Former Mine Near Galena Cited as Health Risk Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation Receives S...

In its 64 years of serving northwest Illinois, Highland Community College has only ever had 9 people serve as President. But next month, that number goes to 10. Alan Wenzel spoke with outgoing President Chris Kuberski, incoming President Dr. Jamal Scott, and Chair of the Board of Trustees Doug Block about the legacy Chris leaves behind, the future envisioned by Jamal, and the hopes and needs of th...

Neighborhood Watch Meetings Moving to Central Location Freeport Fire Requests an Increase in Ambulance Fee Carroll County Deputies Honored for Bravery DeMeester's Greenhouse to Go Up For Auction Major Bridge Construction on US-20 Heading to Iowa NIBNA Releases Crane Count Numbers Highland Releases Dean's List for Spring 2026 Stephenson County Fair Books Available Now CFNIL Grants Opening Soon Smal...

The St. Vincent de Paul charity is probably best known for its second-hand stores across the country. Even though the charity does not have a storefront in Freeport, it is still doing good in our community. Freepod host Becky Connors speaks with Barb Eberle of the Freeport St. Vincent de Paul to learn more about what services the charity offers to all of Stephenson county.

Sorenson Seeks $4M in Federal Funding for Albertus Airport Deininger Floral Receives Façade Improvement Grant FHS Student Garden Program Expands Freeport Art Contest Launches Night Sky Events with Firebaugh Observatory Sign Up For Pickleball at Krape Park Dakota Softball Wins State Championship Galena Named Runner-Up for Best Small Town in the Midwest Hanover Fire Department Receives State Grant I...

The world of antiques has a lot to offer for people from all walks of life. Freepod host Tim Connors spoke to John Grider of Mac & Cheese Antiques in Stockton, Illinois about the current state of antiques and the broader appeal of these shops.

Freeport City Council Fails to Censure Alderwoman Small Business Administration Makes Diaster Loans Available LWPC Girls Track and Field Finishes Season on Top Honoring a Former HCC Athletic Director FACC/UIC Offering No Insurance Street Medicine Highlighting a Façade Improvement Grant Winner Mosquito Abatement Begins in Freeport Music on Chicago Returns UW of Ogle County Brings Back Summer Eats M...

Parkview Home in Freeport is preparing to celebrate 100 years of service to our community. Freepod host Becky Connors spoke with Ferol Labash and Kourtney Kraft about the history of the long-term care facility and their plans for their centennial celebration.

Aquin Academy Announces Closure Freeport Man Charged with Intent to Deliver Fentanyl HCC Nursing Program Gets Reaccreditation Shawnee-Hancock Viaduct is Open RAMP Offering Free Communication Devices for Area Residents Galena & US Grant Museum Gets Major Gift Jo Daviess County Transitioning to New Emergency Notification System Stellantis Prepares to Reopen Belvidere Plant RFD Adds New Destinati...

Freeport has long prided itself as Pretzel City, USA. But, as it turns out, we're not the only community celebrating the twisted treat. Freepod host Tim Connors traveled to Lititz, Pennsylvania to speak with former mayor Tim Snyder. The two Tims worked together to forge a sister city agreement based on both towns' storied histories with the pretzel. Connors and Snyder talk about parallels between...

Lena Man Sentenced to 150 Years in Prison for Exploiting Children ComEd Rate Spike Announced FPD Announces "Click It or Ticket" Crackdown Ogle County Sheriff Releases Distracted Driving Enforcement Numbers Seaga Manufacturing Acquires Micromarket Company FSD Names New Principals Stephenson County Fair Looking for Junior Volunteers YIELD Program Has Extra Trees Available Pecatonica High School Wins...

If you've driven through Lena in the last few years, you likely saw the fighter jet sitting outside of Lena Brewing Company. Now, that jet is being placed in its permanent home. Freepod host Alan Wenzel spoke with Bing Wells about the upcoming dedication event taking place in Lena. Bing Wells is a life-long resident of Lena and is a retired 30 year employee of the Illinois State Police. He served...

FSD Leaders Respond to DOJ Investigation Highland Commencement This Weekend Township Giving Boys & Girls Club Computer Upgrades GFP Launches 'Simply Stephenson County' Branding Winners Chosen for Downtown Façade Grants Lindo Theatre Gets Major Upgrade City Prepares for Demeter Drive Water Main Project City of Freeport Receives Recognition for Water Quality Composting Supplies Available at Farm...

Freeport is known for its beautiful and well-maintained parks. A big reason for that reputation is due to the continual improvements made by the Freeport Park District. Freepod host Becky Connors spoke to Freeport Park District Executive Director Bruce Cubberley about improvements planned for the city's parks, as well as some summer activities for local youth.