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 War and helped prepare the aircraft carrier based F-4 Phantom Jets for sorties during the war. He was a member of the F-4 Memorial Committee that brought the jet to Lena.

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 Students
11. Text-to-911 Now Available Throughout Carroll County
12. Construction Begins on Ogle County Memorial Plaza
13. Illinois Farm Bureaus & FFA Chapters Raise Money for Hunger Relief
14. Durbin Will Not Back Farm Bill
15. Illinois Has 6th Highest Gas Prices in Country
16. May is Bike Month
17. Cop on a Rooftop Returns

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.

1. REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
2. COLUMBIA COLLEGE OFFERING DISCOUNT FOR HCC ALUMNI
3. HCC HORTICULTURE SELLING SEEDLINGS
4. STOCKTON FARMERS WIN CONSERVATION AWARD
5. FREEPORT ANNOUNCES ELECTRONIC RECYCLING EVENT
6. FREEPORT REFRESH IS UNDERWAY
7. INVASIVE SPECIES OF TICK FOUND IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS
8. MAJOR INTERSECTION BEGINS ROAD WORK
9. NEW FOUR-WAY STOPS BEING INSTALLED
10. MAJOR BRIDGE WORK IN JO DAVIESS COUNTY
11. FNWIL OPENING OFFICE IN GALENA
12. STATE LOOKING FOR DROUGHT SOLUTIONS
13. NUCLEAR SUBSIDIES BECOME FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR CONSUMERS
14. PINT NIGHT FOR FREEPORT CONCERT BAND
15. ROYAL SCOTS PRESENTS VINYL MASTERS
16. 6TH ANNUAL WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY
17. PRETZEL CITY WINEFEST THROWS IT BACK TO THE 80S
18. FHS PRESENTS PETER PAN GOES WRONG

In a relatively short amount of time, the Lena Brewing Company has become a premiere destination for the people of northwest Illinois. From live music to trivia to just enjoying a good brew, LBC has won a place among the best of northwest Illinois.

Freepod host Tim Connors sat down with new owner Katie Quittschreiber to talk about what her plans are for the taproom, as well as what it's like going from employee to owner.

1. Storm Recovery Resources
2. Large Repaving Effort Underway in Krape Park
3. Highland Names New Head Coach for Men's Basketball
4. Gennings Dunker Drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers
5. Citywide Garage Sale Announced
6. FAM Art Camps Open Registration
7. Astronomy Beginners Course Being Offered at Firebaugh Observatory
8. How to Tickproof Your Yard Without Chemicals
9. Take the Breakfast Localvore Challenge
10. 150,000 Illinois Households Set to Lose Federal Food Assistance
11. School Cell Phone Ban Looks Likely
12. HCC Hosts Spring Instrumental Concert
13. Cost of Living with Climate Change Series Final Lecture
14. Voices to Host Mother's Day Flower Sale
15. Alan and Ed's Film Club
16. Getting the Scoop on Dietary Guidelines
17. Mercy FHN Hosting Striking Success for Children Event

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