Freepod

In this ever expanding multimedia world, media production services are becoming more and more essential for businesses and non-profits.In this week's interview, Freepod host Alan Wenzel talks with Will Clark, founder & creative director of 815 Natives, a media production company based in Freeport, Illinois. Will shares the story of his business, as well as what the future holds for multimedia and what its like being a young entrepreneur in our community.

Freeport Fire Chief Announces RetirementKrape Park South Entrance Improvement ProjectSC Health Dept is a Drug Overdose Prevention ProgramIllinois AG Uses Illinois Hate Crimes Act for Carroll County CrimeGov. Pritzker Signs Historic Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability ActEnvironmental Study Group Presents "Our Changing Climate: The Science, Risks, and Getting to Solutions"Trump Administration Attempts to Freeze $1B in Federal Funds for Illinois Child Care & Social ServicesElizabeth Business Receives Economic Development GrantTerry and Bonnie Sueltman Scholarship Fund Established to Support Freeport High School GraduatesHCC 2025 Excellence Award RecipientsAudition for the Pitmen Painters at HCCWinter Trails and Naturalist TalesDriftless Region Beef Conference

Theraplay is a local children's therapy operation focusing on helping kids with a range of needs by offering occupational, physical, and speech therapy.Freepod host Becky Connors spoke to Kelsey Grove about what treatment looks like at Theraplay.

FREEPORT AWARDED $31 MILLION FOR NEW WELL AND CLEANER DRINKING WATERLIBRARY TO HOST LECTURE SERIES ON COST OF LIVING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE IN NORTHWEST ILLINOISFREEPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS MORE TO OFFERFLU CASES SURGING AND LIKELY TO GET WORSEFHN IS NOW MERCYHEALTH FHNLOCAL LAWMAKERS SHOW BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR NEW NICU LEAVE LAWNEW LAWS FOCUSING ON EDUCATION IN ILLINOISSENIOR RESOURCE CENTER HOSTS MONTHLY OUTREACH IN JO DAVIESS COUNTYPARK DISTRICT HOSTS FIT FOR LIFEORANGEVILLE NATIVE MAKES IT TO OLYMPICS ROSTERFREEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT SWEARS IN NEW OFFICERSCHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSALEAGLE VIEWING IN CARROLL COUNTYWEE NATS PROGRAMMING FOR JANUARYHIGHLAND BEGINS A NEW SEMESTERINDOOR FARMER’S MARKET THIS SATURDAY

Mort's Bar & Grill in downtown Freeport has been a local institution for decades. Freepod host Tim Connors sat down with owner and manager Mike Marten to talk about the bar's history, the role he's played in the downtown community, and Mort's Dinner Theater.

New FPD Police ChiefNew Laws in IllinoisDOJ sues Illinois’ GovernorIllinois Ramps Up Holiday Road PatrolsSenior Resource Center Medicare Open Enrollment Program Sets New Savings RecordTony McCombie Ranked as ‘Most Effective Republican Lawmaker’ in Illinois HouseFormer FHS Athlete of the Year Passes UnexpectedlyBASE Camp RegistrationGet Fit with FHNAsian Copperleaf Found in Stephenson CountyChristmas Trees to be Used as Fish Habitat in Illinois lakesPollinator PresentationAdult Basketball League at the Y

FREEPOD and TimBeck2 hosts Tim Connors and Becky Connors and FREEPOD host Alan Wenzel recall highlights of their 2025 interviews.

Miller appointed to national positionCity update on EV chargersHCC President receives recognitionPearl City Elevator and Stephenson Service mergePropane tank tips for winterFreeport High School speech team posts winsIcicles are pretty, but….Two Freeport businesses closingDeadline extended for Marketplace health insurance enrollmentFACC now a site for UIC residency trainingAT&T ending landlines in IllinoisGirls Scouts receive grantFormer Freeport student hits BroadwayReminder: REAL ID needed for some activities in 2026Feed the birdsWe miss The Red Apple Tree too!The week ahead…Vote for your favorite tree at the FHN Festival of Trees at the LibraryChristmas tree trivia

FREEPOD and TimBeck2 host Becky Connors visits with LaFrancine Baker about Kwanzaa.

City newsRe-Fresh bulk trash program continues in 2026Snow removal parking reminderPartnership Cash makes a great gift!Temporary break coming in ComEd pricingLady Pretzels atop the NIC-10Deadline near for HCC Spring registrationHCC Call for Entries in Juried Art ExhibitFreeport Art Museum receives grantSpring 2026 Art Explorers registration openPesticide Applicator Training beginsAnnual Christmas Bird CountSmart salting tipsFreeport area Posada celebrationBells are still ringing!Holiday movie at Winneshiek PlayhouseFamily history as a holiday giftHoliday decorations to enjoy from your car!The week ahead…Luminaria NightFHN Community Festival of Trees

Freepod Host Tim Connors sits down with John and Kate from Freeport Martial Arts to talk about what they have to offer Pretzel City. Freeport Martial Arts is in its third of operation and offers classes for adults and children in jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts, and women's self-defense.

1. Winter is here!2. Strategic Plan and Budget approved for Freeport3. Freeport has a Sister City!4. Park District newsOakdale and winter equipment rentalSanta comes to Krape ParkNew Park District website5. Hanukkah begins this weekend6. Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is champion sponsor for Dolly Parton reading project7. Get Fit registration opens8. Salvation Army Angel Walk9. Tech tips for seniors10. The week ahead…Paws to Read and Santa at the LibraryLetters to SantaTrans-Siberian Tribute concert

FREEPOD host Alan Wenzel visits with local history author Ed Finch and Sharon Welton, director of the Stephenson County Historical Society Museum about Charles Guiteau, featured in a the new Netflix series Death by Lightning.

City newsLeaf pickup will continueFreeport business awarded grantsLena-Winslow football team wins 1A state championshipLena Christmas Parade and CelebrationNew fundraising initiative for United WayThis "nasty, hard-to-kill virus" is early this yearSchool funding from the StateMusic sounds strong at FSD 145FHN collects letters to SantaSupport children who’ve lost parents to gun violenceSalvation Army needs your helpRockford interchange finalizedThe week ahead…FHN Holiday Classic MovieTickets still available for several holiday productionsVictorian Christmas TeaStories with SantaSafe winter driving reminders

Next Tuesday, FREEPOD host Alan Wenzel visits with local resident Larry Feiner about building memories with family and friends through outdoor activities.

City newsSouth Street improvementsSafety Action PlanSnow removal remindersPretzel City Transit ChangesTrans-Siberian Christmas concertHighland Distinguished AlumniSouth Street CVS closesGiving TuesdayStore your driver’s license on your phoneWinneshiek Playhouse presents The Best Christmas Pageant EverFreeport High School grad on Baltimore RavensFHN receives recognitionFarm Bureau bus trip to ChicagoConsumer energy costs slowedHope Wins selected by 100 Women Who CareVictorian Christmas TeaShould you warm up your car before driving?The week ahead…Community Festival of TreesClassic Movie at Lindo TheatreTHE MESSIAH at HCCBiggest pumpkin pie ever

FREEPOD and TimBeck2 host Becky Connors visits with Captain Lisa of the Salvation Army.

Capital Plan, EV chargers, and more from the City2026 Election season begins with candidate filingsMistletoe Walk this SaturdayFHN receives highest care gradeFSD 145 launches Rising Pretzels AcademyLibrary receives State fundingProtein to the People!Stephenson County Historical Society craft fairGreater Freeport Partnership receives accoladesNew way to get local produce and other goods…delivered!New exhibition at Freeport Art MuseumArt Museum matching gift opportunityFallen leaves healthy for soil and wildlifePearl City resident places third in Illinois Farm Bureau eventMake your food pantry or drive easy to find!The week ahead…Tech Time – Android phonesSensory Play Day at the LibraryFSD #145 grant for Learning in Spanish and Language ArtsTickets for THE MESSIAH and THE NUTCRACKERSoup Week at the LibrarySalvation Army Bell Ringers needed

FREEPOD and TimBeck2 host Tim Connors visits with Freeport’s Noah Eisenhower about professional car racing.

City tax levies determined for 2025Leaf collection, winter parkingNew energy legislation for IllinoisTownship supports local food pantriesThis is It closesFrozen at Freeport High SchoolFamily Engagement ConferenceNew York Times food columnist in televised Library presentationApple pruning workshopAnother successful season for the Cub Foods brat standCommunity Holiday Tree LightingCelebrate the Holidays at Cannova’sHoliday performances: The Nutcracker and The MessiahThe week ahead…VOICES Fall Half Price Sale ends tomorrowFree flute and piano concertLibrary food driveFarmers Almanac newsSalvation Army needs bell ringers