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Olga Gize Carlile, longtime Journal-Standard journalist, dies at 94 Former colleagues and the community remember Olga Gize Carlile Jane Lethlean Special to The Journal-Standard FREEPORT — Olga Gize Carlile's name is synonymous with being the biggest cheerleader for the community of Freeport. For nearly 60 years, she simply was The Journal-Standard, with a career that was filled with numerous awards from The Associated Press, the Woman’s Press Association and the Illinois Press Association. Carlile, 94, died Friday, leaving a legacy of deeply caring for the community of Freeport, and T...

Freeport martial arts studio teaches women's self-defense Jane Lethlean Special to The Journal-Standard FREEPORT — As one of a minority of female truck drivers working in the United States, Angie Rosemeier of Freeport said she has had her share of inappropriate moments on the road. She takes extra precautions when she parks her truck at rest areas, making sure she has things taken care of to hole up safely in her truck at night. Rosemeier has her dog for protection on the road but felt the need to know more about protecting herself by taking a women's self-defense class from Brian Booth ...

Stephenson County Democrats hold drive for veterans Jane Lethlean Special to The Journal-Standard FREEPORT — Leading up to the General Election held in November, Stephenson County Democrats focused on getting people out to vote. Following the election, many in the local party wanted to turn their attention to giving back to the community. On the last week of January and into February, the local political organization held a Veterans Gratitude Drive to collect food and personal items for local veterans. The drop-off point was at the Boys & Girls Club in Freeport. Renardo Weathersby, chairma...

Jane Lethlean Special to The Journal-Standard FREEPORT — Always a seamstress for her children and grandchildren, Sharon Mockridge of Freeport took on a new passion in 2017 when a friend gave her a pattern to make mission dresses for young girls in third world countries. Since then, Mockridge has partnered with three missions to make and send the dresses for young girls each year. To date, she had made 257 dresses, with hopes of topping her yearly goal of more than 40 dresses. Her dresses have gone to Honduras and Nigeria. “It’s my passion,” she said. “After I retired from working at...

Jane Lethlean Special to The Journal-Standard FREEPORT — It has not been easy lately for Winneshiek Playhouse. The last production of “Witness for the Prosecution” was performed a week before the 2020 pandemic shutdown. While the theater remained empty for almost a year, Stacey Sammul, president of the board, said she remains cautiously optimistic for 2021 but isn’t ready to tackle the uncertainty for 2021. “We will be following what is being done on a broad spectrum before we make a definite plan for reopening," she said. "The safety of our patrons, actors and volunteers is our fi...