1999 Dodge Grand Caravan Ignition & Creakers

I have a 1999 Automatic, 3.8L Dodge Grand Caravan and I read through the numerous :) posts and didn't find my specific problem, so here goes. We really have never had trouble with this van-unlike the tons of other postings-maybe we should get rid of it now! It has 107,000 miles and it's new trick is that we can take the key out of the ignition with the car running-found that out by accidentally hitting it a couple of weeks ago. Now in the morning or after it hasn't been started for a couple of hours it will click when you turn the key, but not start. Sometimes if you take the key out and turn it over it will start but today it took a couple of minutes but eventually it started. I am wondering if it is related-ignition problem or something more serious. It has a brand new battery and it never did this before the "key trick" presented itself. Also it does it with both mine and my husband's keys and I think this was before they put chips in the keys. Another issue it has is an extreme "creaking" problem in the front end-only when the weather is warm (doesn't happen in the winter unless the car is extremely warm-idling waiting piano lessons for 45+ minutes) then it is so loud that you can hear it in the car and outside only when you are turning the wheel. It reminds me of an old heavy door creaking open, just much louder! Thanks so much any and all info would be appreciated! I really do love my van and we finally own it so would like to make it last a little while!