Freepod

Freepod

A podcast bringing you the latest news from Freeport, Illinois.

Episodes

July 16, 2026 16 mins
  1. FSD Cuts Bus Routes Due to Budget Deficit
  2. Freeport Beef-a-Roo Is Only Location Still Operating After Mass Layoffs
  3. YMCA Purchases New Facility
  4. Tickets on Sale for Freedom on the Rocks
  5. GFP Selected for Illinois Economic Development Pilot Program
  6. Audition Call for Winneshiek Theater
  7. Stephenson County Sheriff's Office Arrests Two Women on Drug Charges
  8. Drug Search in Jo Daviess County Yields 3 Arrests
  9. Mount Carroll Holding Fundraiser for Po...
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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.

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July 9, 2026 25 mins
  1. Freeport City Council Meeeting Devolves into Chaos
  2. Stephenson County Gets Disaster Proclamation from State
  3. Tree Removal Underway with Mixed Response from Community
  4. Krape Park South Entrance Improvement Underway
  5. New Study Highlights HCC's Economic Impact on Region
  6. SRC Expanding Services to Jo Daviess County Thanks to FNWIL
  7. United Way Announces More than $250,000 in Local Grants
  8. Canyon Camp Celebrates 90 Years
  9. Special Interview with Cong...
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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.

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July 2, 2026 19 mins
  1. Electronic Recycling Event Brings in More than 20,000 Pounds of Waste
  2. Kuberski Named President Emeritus of Highland Community College
  3. Pearl City Names New Superintendent
  4. Freeport Art Museum Previews Façade Improvement Grant Project
  5. Northwest Illinois Safe Streets Plan Moving Forward
  6. Area Farmers Optimistic After June Rainfall
  7. 3 Injured in Grand Detour Bridge Crash
  8. Illinois Route 2 Roadwork Underway in Ogle County
  9. Cyberbullying Now Incl...
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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.

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June 25, 2026 22 mins
  1. FPD Launches Safety Campaign
  2. Land Bank Transforms Formerly Blighted Property
  3. Stephenson County Unemployment Rates Dropped in April
  4. Volunteers Needed for Prairie Stewardship
  5. Ag Olympics Registration Coming Due
  6. Egg Prices Create Shock for Farmers
  7. June is Dairy Month
  8. Pec Playhouse to Break Ground on New Theater
  9. Former Mine Near Galena Cited as Health Risk
  10. Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation Receives State Praise
  11. Major Resurfacing Project Und...
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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 the community Highland serves.

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June 18, 2026 23 mins
  1. Neighborhood Watch Meetings Moving to Central Location
  2. Freeport Fire Requests an Increase in Ambulance Fee
  3. Carroll County Deputies Honored for Bravery
  4. DeMeester's Greenhouse to Go Up For Auction
  5. Major Bridge Construction on US-20 Heading to Iowa
  6. NIBNA Releases Crane Count Numbers
  7. Highland Releases Dean's List for Spring 2026
  8. Stephenson County Fair Books Available Now
  9. CFNIL Grants Opening Soon
  10. Small Food Pantries Get Access to a New Gran...
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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.

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June 11, 2026 19 mins
  1. Sorenson Seeks $4M in Federal Funding for Albertus Airport
  2. Deininger Floral Receives Façade Improvement Grant
  3. FHS Student Garden Program Expands
  4. Freeport Art Contest Launches
  5. Night Sky Events with Firebaugh Observatory
  6. Sign Up For Pickleball at Krape Park
  7. Dakota Softball Wins State Championship
  8. Galena Named Runner-Up for Best Small Town in the Midwest
  9. Hanover Fire Department Receives State Grant
  10. Illinois Schools Get Moderate Raise in Fu...
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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.

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June 4, 2026 21 mins
  1. Freeport City Council Fails to Censure Alderwoman
  2. Small Business Administration Makes Diaster Loans Available
  3. LWPC Girls Track and Field Finishes Season on Top
  4. Honoring a Former HCC Athletic Director
  5. FACC/UIC Offering No Insurance Street Medicine
  6. Highlighting a Façade Improvement Grant Winner
  7. Mosquito Abatement Begins in Freeport
  8. Music on Chicago Returns
  9. UW of Ogle County Brings Back Summer Eats Meal Program
  10. Jo Daviess County Shares Re...
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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.

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May 28, 2026 22 mins
  1. Aquin Academy Announces Closure
  2. Freeport Man Charged with Intent to Deliver Fentanyl
  3. HCC Nursing Program Gets Reaccreditation
  4. Shawnee-Hancock Viaduct is Open
  5. RAMP Offering Free Communication Devices for Area Residents
  6. Galena & US Grant Museum Gets Major Gift
  7. Jo Daviess County Transitioning to New Emergency Notification System
  8. Stellantis Prepares to Reopen Belvidere Plant
  9. RFD Adds New Destinations
  10. Legislature Approves Amendments to C...
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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 the two towns, as well as how this r...

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May 21, 2026 21 mins
  1. Lena Man Sentenced to 150 Years in Prison for Exploiting Children
  2. ComEd Rate Spike Announced
  3. FPD Announces "Click It or Ticket" Crackdown
  4. Ogle County Sheriff Releases Distracted Driving Enforcement Numbers
  5. Seaga Manufacturing Acquires Micromarket Company
  6. FSD Names New Principals
  7. Stephenson County Fair Looking for Junior Volunteers
  8. YIELD Program Has Extra Trees Available
  9. Pecatonica High School Wins Voter Registration Award
  10. JDCF Welcomes ...
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May 19, 2026 23 mins

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 in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam...

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May 14, 2026 12 mins
  1. FSD Leaders Respond to DOJ Investigation
  2. Highland Commencement This Weekend
  3. Township Giving Boys & Girls Club Computer Upgrades
  4. GFP Launches 'Simply Stephenson County' Branding
  5. Winners Chosen for Downtown Façade Grants
  6. Lindo Theatre Gets Major Upgrade
  7. City Prepares for Demeter Drive Water Main Project
  8. City of Freeport Receives Recognition for Water Quality
  9. Composting Supplies Available at Farmer's Market
  10. Essay Contest Open to Area S...
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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.

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