Highland Community College is in a period of transition. President Chris Kubersk is set to retire in June and the college is in the early stages of building a new athletics and learning center on campus.
Freepod host Alan Wenzel spoke to Kuberski about the progress that has been made on the new facility so far, as well as what the future looks like for this undertaking.
DIOCESE CONSIDERING CLOSING AQUIN ACADEMY
The Catholic Diocese of Rockford has sent a letter to alumni and current student families of the Aquin Academy, formerly Aquin High School, announcing that it is considering closing the academy outright.
According to the letter, priests from four parishes supporting the school petitioned Bishop David J. Malloy to cease operations. In response, the bishop established a task force to explore options for the continuation or closure of Catholic education in Freeport.
The diocese closed Aquin High School in 2024 after years of declining enrollment and subsequent budget concerns.
Community members are being solicited for their input. You can email your thoughts to ctransier@rockforddiocese.org.
DEMOLITION BID APPROVED FOR OLD HOLIDAY INN
An abandoned hotel once operating as a Holiday Inn, a Ramada Inn, and then the Grand Victoria Hotel is now one step closer to demolition.
The building, located at 1300 E. South St. in Freeport, has been condemned since 2017. Long-running legal battles delayed its demolition, and the structure has rapidly deteriorated. However, at the city council meeting on Feb. 17, Director of Community and Economic Development Gertrude Heimerdinger announced that the city had accepted a bid for demolition of the property.
The demolition bid, awarded to Alber & Sons Earthworks, was considerably lower than initial estimates.
Although the demolition has been approved due to public safety concerns, the property is still privately owned. The city is actively seeking ownership through the courts.
FREEPORT AWARDED ENROLLMENT IN DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROGRAM
Freeport has been selected as one of four cities nationwide to join the 2026 Recast Leaders cohort, a program focused on downtown revitalization and economic resilience.
Freeport's effort will be led by the Greater Freeport Partnership in collaboration with the City of Freeport. The 10-month program begins Feb. 18 and focuses on boosting small-scale manufacturing to fill vacant storefronts and strengthen local businesses.
Katie Gentz, Main Street manager, said the program offers tremendous opportunities for the future of downtown Freeport.
"What our initial goal is to really what can we see for our downtown to help sell some storefronts? You know, we do have some vacancies that are available. And what could be some possibilities that could enter into those storefronts? Right now, we’re at the beginning stages of really trying to figure out what is it that downtown Freeport needs. We would love to fill it with local people, but at the same time, if there’s another business that’s successful in other communities and they want to build off and have a second or third location, why isn’t Freeport the next stop for them?”
STEPHENSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE GIVES OUT AWARDS
Stephenson County Sheriff Steve Stovall has announced his office's 2025 Employee Awards.
Lieutenant Mike Backus was named Manager of the Year, while SVU Investigator Koryn Brickson received Deputy of the Year. Jacob Hinde received Corrections Officer of the Year honors, and Social Service Administrator Erica Erickson was given the Civilian Employee of the Year award. Deputy Jordan Brickson received the Aggressive and Criminal Enforcement (A.C.E.) Award.
Special recognition was also given to Deputy Matthew Carpenter for saving a dog from a partially ice-covered Willow Lake in December.
Congratulations to all of the winners of this year's awards.
CITY COMPLETES LEAF CLEANUP
City crews took advantage of "false spring" this past week to complete leaf pick-up for the season.
During the regular leaf-pickup schedule last fall, an early snowstorm made completion impossible. As the weather shifted, city crews returned to the streets to collect leaf debris previously covered by snow and ice.
Regular leaf pick-up will begin again in the fall.
STEPHENSON COUNTY HOME SHOW LOOKING FOR VENDORS
The Stephenson County Home Show is coming back for another year and they are looking for vendors to fill the Freeport Masonic Temple.
Local businesses looking to network with homeowners and other contractors can sign up. The Greater Freeport Partnership says the event is a great opportunity to meet residents planning projects, build customer relationships, and boost visibility.
To sign up as a vendor for the home show, please email mjoyner@greaterfreeport.com.
TESSA JANECKE WINS GOLD
Orangeville native and current Penn State star Tessa Janecke is bringing home Olympic gold.
Team USA went undefeated in seven games, including a thrilling overtime victory over Team Canada in sudden death. Janecke recorded assists on five of the team’s 33 total goals.
Congratulations to Janecke and the rest of Team USA!
OREGON TEACHER RECEIVES HONORS
Courtney Gaulrapp, a fifth-grade teacher at Oregon Elementary School and a Freeport native, was named Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Gaulrapp was nominated by the Oregon Community Unit School District for creating a student-centered learning environment that produces consistently above-average outcomes.
"I guess it just shows me that, like, hard work pays off. I’m constantly that person who wants to do better and wants to keep changing. So this just kind of proved to myself that, like I am doing the right thing. I feel not deserving too, because I feel like every one of my coworkers deserves this. Like, I wish it could be a group award."
She also emphasized the importance of continual improvement.
“It’s boring for me to do the same lesson every single year. I obviously have to teach the same curriculum, but each student in each class is completely different. So you have to adapt your teaching style for the students. So I think it’s super important to learn new strategies, new techniques and keep adapting your, your, teaching for your students.”
Gaulrapp will be recognized at an awards banquet in April.
FRIENDS OF THE PECATONICA RIVER LOOKING FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Community members who have an interest in preserving, protecting, and fostering the vitality of the Pecatonica River are invited to join the Friends of the Pecatonica River Foundation board.
The organization is known for its annual river cleanup, as well as contributions of picnic tables, water fountains, and canoe/kayak launches.
If you're interested in learning more about the Friends of the Pec, or in joining their board, please visit pecriver.org.
PRITZKER ANNOUNCES NEW STATE BUDGET
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed a mostly status-quo budget as the state awaits federal court rulings and potential funding cuts.
The $56 billion spending plan for fiscal 2027 begins July 1, an increase of 1.6%, with most new spending going to education and pensions. Outside those areas, spending would grow by 0.5%.
Revenue is projected at $56.1 billion, including a proposed new tax on large social media companies. K–12 funding would rise $305 million, college funding 1%, and MAP grants would remain flat.
ILLINOIS SCHOOLS CHALLENGED BY SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST SHORTAGE
Over the past year, the Trump administration canceled more than $10 million in federal grants meant to help Illinois schools hire mental health professionals.
For some schools, the shortage of school mental health professionals is reaching a crisis point. National guidelines call for one psychologist per 500 students, but in many rural districts, it’s closer to one per 1,000.
A grant through Northern Illinois University is training current teachers to become school psychologists, but that funding was also terminated. Illinois and other states are suing to restore more than $2 million tied to the program.
Two additional grants supporting the Illinois State Board of Education were also cut.
A federal judge has ruled the cancellations unlawful, but schools are still waiting to learn whether the money — and new mental health hires — will return.
JOYS OF GARDENING PROGRAM THROUGH U OF I EXTENSION
Now that we've had a taste of warmer weather, many in our community are ready to get back to gardening. The U of I Extension Office has programs to help.
On Feb. 28, the U of I Extension Office will hold the 27th Annual Joys of Gardening event on the campus of Highland Community College.
The day kicks off with a keynote by Kathi and Michael Rock about maximizing your garden for hummingbird visitors. After that, participants can choose workshops during two scheduled sessions.
Registration is $15 per person and can be done online or by phone at (815) 235-4125 or at https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/joys-of-gardening-2026
HCC CHAMBER ENSEMBLE CONCERT
Highland Community College will hold a free instrumental Chamber Ensemble concert on Sunday, March 1.
The event begins at 3 p.m. in the Ferguson Fine Arts Center.
SRC LAUNCHES SCIENCE SERIES FOR OLDER ADULTS
The Senior Resource Center is launching a new interactive science series designed especially for older adults.
“Science Spot” begins March 2, and will be held the first Monday of each month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The hands-on classes will be led by Corinne Sosso, a science educator and frequent guest on WIFR’s Morning Blend.
The first session, "Celestial Ballet – Lunar Eclipse," will prepare participants for March’s total lunar eclipse, exploring moon phases and how the sun, moon and Earth align.
Cost is $5 per class at the Senior Resource Center on East Stephenson Street. To register, call (815) 235-9777.
UNITED WAY OF OGLE COUNTY HOSTING ADULT PROM
The United Way of Ogle County invites the community to A Night in Hollywood, an adult prom benefitting the work of the United Way.
The prom, happening Friday, March 6, at the Stronghold Center in Oregon, will feature heavy appetizers, a live DJ, a photo booth, a silent auction, and more.
Costs of the event are $50 per individual or $95 per couple. Entire tables of 8 are also available for $350.
For more information or tickets, please visit https://uwogle.org/a-night-in-hollywood-adult-prom/.
KIWANIS CLUB PANCAKE & SAUSAGE DAY IS HERE
The Freeport Kiwanis Club has started selling tickets for their 72nd Annual Pancake & Sausage Day. The event is a cafeteria-style service where residents can get a hearty breakfast while supporting a good cause.
The Kiwanis Club donates thousands back into the community every year, with most of those donations coming from funds collected during events like this one.
Pancake and Sausage Day is March 7, and runs from 7 to 11:30 a.m. The cost is $12 per individual, or a booster pack is $120 for 11 tickets.
To get your tickets, visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/72nd-annual-freeport-kiwanis-pancake-and-sausage-day.
IN CLOSING…
Before we sign off this week, we’d like to remind you to check out last week’s special interview. I spoke to Wagner House owner-operator Bill Green. Bill and I discussed the origins of the beloved downtown business and what they have planned for the future of Freeport.
This coming Tuesday, the featured interview is my conversation with Highland Community College President Chris Kuberski. I sat down with Chris to get an update on the college’s proposed athletics and learning facility. That interview will be available starting at noon on Tuesday, March 3. You can find it, along with all of our other interviews, on our website, www.freepod.org, or wherever you get your podcasts from.
We'd like to thank our community liaisons and reporters for providing pivotal content for our program, our partners at WNIJ in DeKalb for helping share Freepod to a larger audience, and the Mass Communication department at Highland Community College for producing this podcast.
As always, please like us on Facebook, subscribe on your podcast platform of choice, and share with your friends. If you’d like to make a tax-deductible contribution to support local news content, please visit our website at www.freepod.org.
This has been Freepod. Thank you for listening.
Copy Edited by Eryn Lent