Doug Lindner

SOLON– It could have been a soul-crushing loss.
But the varsity Spartan basketball team shook it off.
After watching a nine-point first-half lead evaporate, Solon fell in double-overtime to Benton Community, 57-52, in the home basketball opener Friday, Dec. 13.
And when the Spartans hosted the Stormin’ Pointers of Center Point-Urbana (CPU) the next day, they fell in a 16-0 hole before their first points hit the scoreboard in the second period.
When the final horn sounded, however, Solon emerged with a 48-46 win.

SOLON– The city will be downsizing its community center starting Jan. 1.
In an attempt to control costs, city representatives negotiated a new six-month lease with the Solon Community School District for the former middle school at 313 S. Iowa St.
The new lease was approved by council members at a Dec. 4 meeting, and awaits consideration by the school board later this month.

SOLON– When the current Solon High School opened, Matt Lesan was an eighth grader.
He was there the day crews put up the basketball hoops in the new gymnasium and he snuck in to sink the first shot in the west side basket.
Former coach Ed Hansen had beat him to the east side.
Lesan went on to become Solon’s most prolific scorer, and now he’s back on the sidelines as the head coach for the varsity Spartan basketball team.

SOLON– City council members selected the proposal that was ready to roll.
Citing financial and legal readiness, the city approved selling an empty lot next door to City Hall to developer Mark Pattison during a Nov. 20 council meeting.
North Corridor Properites Investments will take possession of 120 W. Main St. in December and begin construction on a two-story mixed-use building with two commercial units on the ground level and a single, upper-level residence.
The city considered a competing offer from Uptown Main LLC, represented by developer Al Wells.

SOLON– We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.
The heartfelt message from Solon graduate and Vietnam veteran Mike Montgomery was delivered to Solon High School students Tuesday, Nov. 12,
during the district’s annual Veterans Appreciation Program.
Montgomery was a member of the 1963 football team and a 1964 graduate of Solon High School. Three months after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Vietnam with numerous commendations and medals.
After his service, he obtained a doctorate in business administration with a minor in management.