Grinding noise, some squeak from right front of car...help!?

[Agt. Michael Scarn]

Tonight I was driving and heard a sqeal, almost like a chirping or plastic rubbing as I drove. The noise increased and decreased as my speed did. That noise is still present over 30 mph. But there is a much more scary noise that has developed as well. It is almost a metallic or ceramic grinding as I drive ay anything under 30. It sounds awful. It must be coming from tire area as it just has that rotating sound about it. I had to drive it to work but the sound makes me feel as if it is very unsafe to drive. Anyone know what this grinding rotating noise in the front right tire area could be?
The car is a 2001 Ford Taurus with 169,000 miles on it. Last time I put brakes on it was 2003-2004 time frame, when I first got it. My first thought was that it might be breaks, but the noise doesn't only occur when applying brakes, so I was unsure.
Too add details, the noise varies with speed..it is a sporadic chirp above 30 miles and hour... it is a grinding from 20-30mph.

[TaxPayer]

hard to say without knowing the type of car and year