Scott Stich has played a significant role in the music community of northwest Illinois for decades. But as with all good things, that time is winding down. Scott will conduct his final concert as conductor of the Highland Community College Wind Ensemble on May 1st.

Scott speaks with Freepod host Becky Connors about his journey in music education and his plans for retirement.

1. Severe Weather Devastates the Area
2. Ogle County Residents Express Concerns Over Proposed Data Centers
3. Former Holiday Inn Gets Demolished
4. Sellers Gives Blistering Annual Township Address
5. Lead Artist Named for United We Create Project
6. United Way Creates Searchable Early Childhood Resource List
7. FHS Journalism Program Sends 10 Events to State Competition
8. Young Leaders Finish Major Efforts in Stephenson and Carroll County
9. Warren Library Wins Carnegie Gift
10. Hanover Man Killed in One Car Rollover Crash
11. Father and Son Killed in Train v. Truck Collision Near Savanna
12. Stephenson County Farmer's Market Announces Temporary New Home
13. Stephenson County Restaurant Week Begins
14. Decoding the Driftless Screening at Library
15. Creative Container Garden Program Offered

Whether it's his role with Bocker Automotive Group, Beef-a-Roo, or the Greater Freeport Partnership, Delbert Bunker shows every day that he is a Pretzel through and through.

Delbert talks with Freepod host Tim Connors about the rebounding used car business, the local fast food staple, and what makes him proud to be from Pretzel City.

1. HCC Names New President
2. Marijuana Dispensary Gets the Green Light
3. GFP Receives Rural Development Grant
4. FHS Has 20 Illinois State Scholars
5. Stockton Man Indicted on Federal Drug Charges
6. Elizabeth Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Crimes
7. Automatic Draft Registration Could Begin in December
8. Ag Visa Program Eases Labor Shortages
9. State Ed Officials Request Public School Budget
10. HCC Hosts Express Registration
11. National Library Week Activities at Freeport Public Library
12. Freeport Park District Offers Let's Play Registration Event
13. Celebrate Arbor Day with the Park District
14. Pretzel Fest & Polka Fest
15. Join the Great Pretzel Bite
16. 50/50 Raffle for Downtown Flower Planting

Freeport swore in a new police chief in January. Chief Jacquelyn Frausto comes to Freeport after a long career with the Chicago Police Department and her impact is already being felt in the Pretzel City.

Freepod host Alan Wenzel spoke to Chief Frausto about her life story, as well as her vision and philosophy for leading the Freeport Police Department.

1. FSD Board Unanimously Approves RIFs
2. Deininger Floral is Re-Opening
3. City Employees Trained on UV Water Disinfection
4. FPD to Start Cracking Down on Distracted Driving
5. City of Freeport Having Ribbon Cutting for New EV Charging Station
6. Interview with Stephenson County Animal Control Officer Kristin Loue
7. Severson Dells Gets a Name Change
8. Natural Land Institute Secures Large Prairie Area for Restoration
9. VOICES Book Nook Half Price Sale
10. State Business Leaders Asking for More Child Care Funding
11. Pritzker Wants Year Round E-15 Gasoline
12. Highland Hosts 53rd Annual High School Juried Art Exhibit
13. Stephenson County Clean Up
14. Freeport's Community Clean Up Day
15. Stephenson County 4H Hosts Super Saturday

The Freeport Public Library has a new director!

Freepod host Becky Connors speaks with Emily Schaub about her first impressions and ultimate goals for the Freeport Public Library.

1. Updates on FSD Reductions in Force
2. Freeport PD Works with DHS, FBI, and IRS For Local Operation
3. JCWIFI Withdraws Zoning Appeal
4. Municipal Parking Lot Closed for Construction
5. Shawnee/Hancock Viaduct Construction Resumes
6. Civil Constructors Wins Nearly $12M Contract for Roadwork
7. Route 20 West of Stockton To Close for Repairs
8. Jo Daviess County Gets a New Sheriff
9. Area Ticks Test Positive for New Virus
10. Galena Library Offers Free Seeds
11. School Cell Phone Ban and Social Media Regulations Advance in State Legislature
12. Community Colleges Could Soon Offer Baccelaureate Programs
13. Cost of Living with Climate Change Presentation
14. Showtime 46 Opens
15. United Way Celebrity Dinner

The city of Freeport has undertaken some large projects in the last year. And even more are on the horizon.

Freepod host Alan Wenzel speaks with Freeport City Manager Rob Boyer and Randi Kohlbauer, Environmental & Regulatory Compliance Officer for the city, about major infrastructure projects both underway and coming soon.

1. JCWIFI to Host Townhall About Proposed Tower
2. City Prepares to Take Demolish Vacant Downtown Building
3. Dillan Vancil Wins GOP House Primary
4. HCC Signs Transfer Agreement with ISU
5. Freeport Student Garden is Now Taking Orders
6. Pollinator Seeds for Sale by Stephenson County Farm Bureau
7. Paint the Port T-Shirt Contest for Kids
8. Reminder About Dropping Off Woody Debris
9. Carroll and Ogle County Among State Leaders in Wheat Production
10. IHDA Asks for Feedback on Housing Needs
11. Proposed Bill Would Require High Schools to Offer Voter Registration
12. Pritzker Calls for Higher Numbers of Postsecondary Degrees
13. State and Local Lawmakers Examine Rules for Data Centers
14. Boyer Colloquium Announced
15. Polkafest Tickets On Sale Now