1. Winter is here!

2. Strategic Plan and Budget approved for Freeport

3. Freeport has a Sister City!

4. Park District news

1. Oakdale and winter equipment rental
2. Santa comes to Krape Park
3. New Park District website

5. Hanukkah begins this weekend

6. Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is champion sponsor for Dolly Parton reading project

7. Get Fit registration opens

8. Salvation Army Angel Walk

9. Tech tips for seniors

10. The week ahead…

1. Paws to Read and Santa at the Library
2. Letters to Santa
3. Trans-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.

1. City news
   1. Leaf pickup will continue
2. Freeport business awarded grants
3. Lena-Winslow football team wins 1A state championship
4. Lena Christmas Parade and Celebration
5. New fundraising initiative for United Way
6. This "nasty, hard-to-kill virus" is early this year
7. School funding from the State
8. Music sounds strong at FSD 145
9. FHN collects letters to Santa
10. Support children who’ve lost parents to gun violence
11. Salvation Army needs your help
12. Rockford interchange finalized
13. The week ahead…
    1. FHN Holiday Classic Movie
    2. Tickets still available for several holiday productions
    3. Victorian Christmas Tea
    4. Stories with Santa
    5. Safe 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.

1. City news
   1. South Street improvements
   2. Safety Action Plan
   3. Snow removal reminders
2. Pretzel City Transit Changes
3. Trans-Siberian Christmas concert
4. Highland Distinguished Alumni
5. South Street CVS closes
6. Giving Tuesday
7. Store your driver’s license on your phone
8. Winneshiek Playhouse presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
9. Freeport High School grad on Baltimore Ravens
10. FHN receives recognition
11. Farm Bureau bus trip to Chicago
12. Consumer energy costs slowed
13. Hope Wins selected by 100 Women Who Care
14. Victorian Christmas Tea
15. Should you warm up your car before driving?
16. The week ahead…
    1. Community Festival of Trees
    2. Classic Movie at Lindo Theatre
    3. THE MESSIAH at HCC
    4. Biggest pumpkin pie ever

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

1. Capital Plan, EV chargers, and more from the City
2. 2026 Election season begins with candidate filings
3. Mistletoe Walk this Saturday
4. FHN receives highest care grade
5. FSD 145 launches Rising Pretzels Academy
6. Library receives State funding
7. Protein to the People!
8. Stephenson County Historical Society craft fair
9. Greater Freeport Partnership receives accolades
10. New way to get local produce and other goods…delivered!
11. New exhibition at Freeport Art Museum
12. Art Museum matching gift opportunity
13. Fallen leaves healthy for soil and wildlife
14. Pearl City resident places third in Illinois Farm Bureau event
15. Make your food pantry or drive easy to find!
16. The week ahead…
    1. Tech Time – Android phones
    2. Sensory Play Day at the Library
    3. FSD #145 grant for Learning in Spanish and Language Arts
    4. Tickets for THE MESSIAH and THE NUTCRACKER
    5. Soup Week at the Library
    6. Salvation Army Bell Ringers needed

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

1. City tax levies determined for 2025
2. Leaf collection, winter parking
3. New energy legislation for Illinois
4. Township supports local food pantries
5. This is It closes
6. Frozen at Freeport High School
7. Family Engagement Conference
8. New York Times food columnist in televised Library presentation
9. Apple pruning workshop
10. Another successful season for the Cub Foods brat stand
11. Community Holiday Tree Lighting
12. Celebrate the Holidays at Cannova’s
13. Holiday performances: The Nutcracker and The Messiah
14. The week ahead…
    1. VOICES Fall Half Price Sale ends tomorrow
    2. Free flute and piano concert
    3. Library food drive
    4. Farmers Almanac news
    5. Salvation Army needs bell ringers

FREEPOD and TimBeck2 host Tim Connors visits with local restaurant owner Sam Cimino about the restaurant’s history and Sam’s life in Freeport.