Doug Lindner

SOLON– A Solon couple claims their residential lot was incorrectly graded and was serviced by an undersized storm water intake prior to a damaging 2016 flood, according to a civil suit filed in Johnson County District Court April 14.
Marty and Jessica Kelchen, of 716 Bergamot Ln., seek unspecified damages from North Corridor Custom Homes, Inc., Fox Run Development, Inc., MMS Consultants, Inc. and the City of Solon.

SOLON– A county initiative to build a behavioral assessment center received positive responses from members of the Solon City Council.
“I can guarantee you the money that is saved by having these types of services for people that are mentally ill, versus throwing them into a jail or a prison system, is substantial,” council member Shawn Mercer said after a presentation during an April 19 meeting.

SOLON– There will be at least two candidates for the special city council election Tuesday, May 30.
Both Dale Snipes, appointed April 5 to fill a seat vacated by longtime council member Mark Krall, and Lauren Whitehead, who had also applied for the position, plan to appear on the ballot.
Anyone interested in becoming a candidate has until Friday, May 5, to submit the appropriate paperwork to the Johnson County Auditor’s Office. Ten signatures are required for the nomination petition.

SOLON– Solon High School’s 5th Street Jazz vocal ensemble participated in the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships nine times and won the Class 3A title five times, but the group was not invited to participate in 2016.
It made this year’s competition special for Solon seniors.
“My sophomore year, I was in Blame It On Our Youth, and we got third at championships, so it was very hard last year, being in 5th Street and not qualifying,” Solon senior Elizabeth Hand said.

SOLON– Everyone’s favorite route between Solon and Cedar Rapids will be the subject of extensive construction this year.
Two more phases of an Ely Road (W6E) overhaul are planned for this season, including the conversion of its intersection with Highway 382 into a three-way roundabout.
Following the completion of the roundabout, the Johnson County Secondary Roads Department plans to proceed with the paving of three-quarters of a mile of Ely Road from the intersection north to 140th Street NE, adjacent to the Lakeview OHV park.