January

• Dozens of hikers embarked on a two-mile trek along the shore of Lake Macbride for the annual First Day Hike, a nationwide initiative started by the National Park Service to open the new year with a self-guided stroll through nature in national and state parks.

• The Solon City Council approved the site plan for a proposed senior housing (55+) complex. The Solon Community Housing Corporation is proposing to build two 20-unit residential structures on two lots located on the south side of Solon directly north of the Solon Pet Health Center on Windflower Lane. Solon Community Housing, a non-profit organization, already oversees the Meadowlark Acres senior housing development located between the Solon Middle School and St. Mary Catholic Church.

• The Solon Optimist Club and Knights of Columbus Randall-Steinbrech Council 12129 held their annual basketball contests Sunday, Jan. 26 at the Community Center.

February

• 18 Solon High School students received their distinctive National Blue with Corn Gold jackets signifying their membership in Future Farmers of America (FFA). The students – Alannah Mahoney, Allen Shima, Brayden Netolicky, Bubba Kreps, Emily Pence, Jack Steinbrech, Kaden Recker, Mackenna Craig, Mackenzie Craig, Maddi Singbeil, Mary Richards, Payton Pearson, Peyton Netolicky, Raleigh Bennett, Reece Meyer, Tess Richards, Will McAtee, and William Katzer attended FFA classes at Prairie for the first time during the 2024-2025 school year. Solon FFA students previously traveled to West Branch.

• 85 year old Jack Peacock, of Cedar Rapids, died in an incident at Lake Macbride State Park. Multiple agencies including the Solon Fire Department and Johnson County Metro Dive Team were called to the scene near the boat ramp where broken ice and a pair of gloves were found.

• The annual Lake Macbride Fat Tire Classic challenged cyclists with 15 and 30-mile loops through the woods, along a single track trail, on gravel, and through fields. The event, sponsored by the Solon Centennial Lions Club and Sugar Bottom Bikes, benefits the Lions. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7.

• After 26-1/2 years of service to the community, Public Works Director and Assistant City Administrator Scott Kleppe retired from the City of Solon.

• The Solon Economist was recognized with 30 awards in the Iowa Newspaper Association’s 2025 contest in Class 1 (small weeklies), including First Place – General Excellence.

• The Solon Centennial Lions Club made a financial contribution to Bobbi Jo, a Labrador retriever puppy being raised as a service dog for Leader Dogs for the Blind.

• Solon High School’s thespians brought The Pirate Sisters and the Bounty for Bluebeard to the stage in the Performing Arts Center.

March

• Solon Middle School (SMS) held a mini-dance marathon – a scaled down imitation of the University of Iowa’s annual event, which provides financial and emotional support to families and patients at the U of I’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The SMS event, conducted during an afternoon, raised money for two local families battling cancer.

• Solon’s high school and middle school archers competed in the 2025 Iowa National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Tournament at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The high school team took second place in Bullseye (traditional target) and set a new school record score of 3,377 in the process. Six Spartans shot a perfect round (all five arrows hit the bullseye) – Otto Gehrke and Raelynn Hamer for the Middle School, and Andi Billerbeck, Peyton Carlson, Ashley Farnsworth, and Trevin Wilcox for the high school. The Spartans’ performances qualified the teams for Nationals, held in Louisville, KY, in May.

• Solon’s farming roots were explored with a profile on Solon Feed Mill and FJ Krob & Co. Elevator.

• Discussion by the city council continued over a proposed new church to be built by Jordan Creek Church west of Solon along Hwy. 382. The parcel, outside of city limits and within the two-mile fringe area, posed a challenge for both the council and Johnson County Board of Supervisors over infrastructure requirements for new developments.

April

• The Solon Community School District announced a $.03 increase in the property tax rate, which raised the levy to $16.25 per $1,000 of valuation. Superintendent Davis Eidahl noted in 2015 the levy was $16.35 and expressed the district’s desire to stay below that amount. Board members acknowledged property taxes had shot up, which increased the assessments on property, but countered that even with the higher tax assessments, the district was facing rising costs as well as mandates from the state increasing pay for new teachers and uncertainty as to what the state was going to set its State Supplemental Aid at.

• The School Board of Education unveiled a proposed new cell phone policy, in line with legislation from the state restricting the use of smartphones in classrooms. Student representatives Jaya Farlinger and Madison Singbeil were asked for their input. Singbeil suggested a ‘take it all’ approach with phones prohibited in the buildings from first bell to last bell.

“Of course there’s going to be some blowback,” said Singbeil, “because we’re teenagers.”

The Board voted to implement the new policy, banning phones during the school day, on a pilot basis for the final two weeks of the school year to acclimate students to the change ahead of the new school year in August.

• The City purchased the former Brosh Chapel, at 100 S. Cedar St., for $1.1 million for use as a new City Hall, replacing the current facility, which was built in 2014. When completed, this will be Solon’s fourth City Hall.

• The City lowered its property tax levy $.20 from $11.21346 to $11.01255. However, it was noted property owners were likely to see a tax increase anyway due to increased valuations, which are determined by the Johnson County Assessor’s Office.

• 5th Street Jazz, the High School’s jazz choir, took 1st place in Class 3A at the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships. Solon senior Lucy Miller was awarded Outstanding Performer in Class 3A.

• The Solon Hardware Store celebrated 50 years in business in February having opened its doors February 1, 1975.

• The Solon Public Library welcomed Mykle Clark to the staff as the new Adult Services Librarian, taking over for Alexis Kurth, who had served in the role for five years.

• The Solon Optimist Club held their annual Easter Egg Hunt with 3,456 plastic eggs filled with candy scattered across the football field at the Solon Recreation and Nature Area (SRNA). 117 kids cleared the field in about three minutes.

May

• The annual Spartan Dash turned the SRNA into a messy, challenging, and fun obstacle course to raise funds for the Lakeview Elementary and Solon Intermediate School Parent-Teacher-Organizations.

• Larry Swann was named Solon’s Senior of the Year. The Solon Senior Advocates established the award in 2006 to recognize a senior citizen from the Solon area who has shared their expertise, time, and effort as a volunteer in the community, including programs and activities that benefit the lives of Solon’s seniors. Swann was active in the community as a member of the Solon American Legion, Solon Fire Department, and Knights of Columbus Steinbrech/Randall Council #12129. Mr. Swann died on Dec. 8, and his full obituary is in this week’s edition.

• The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) opened a substation in Solon at 223 S. Iowa St. in November 2024 and celebrated the facility with an open house in May. Rudy, the JCSO’s Crisis Response Canine was the star of the show. As a reminder the office is not staffed routinely. To arrange to meet with a deputy call 319-356-6800 (for non-emergencies only). In an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

• 101 graduates of Solon High School crossed the stage, received their diplomas, and moved the tassel on their cap from the right to the left as the 2025 Commencement Exercise was held.

• Solon veteran Gene Greazel was among nearly 90 veterans who spent a day touring war memorials in Washington, DC on the 55th Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.

• 4th graders at Solon Intermediate School completed a unit reading about historical figures by portraying their favorites as wax statues. In true wax museum form, they stood motionless until somebody pushed a “button,” prompting them to read their biography.

• Members of Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460, the Legion Auxiliary, Scout Troop 120, and Solon Steel youth baseball team placed 190 flags along the driveways of Oakland Cemetery ahead of Memorial Day.

June

• Restructuring and staffing changes occurred in City Hall as City Administrator Cami Rasmussen took on the role of acting Public Works Director in the wake of Scott Kleppe’s retirement after nearly 27 years. A new position – Public Works Superintendent – was created to utilize in-house talent with the promotion of Kris Richardson. Following the departure of Finance Officer Travis Schmidt, the position was reworked to a fulltime Finance Clerk to include monthly accounting and reporting in addition to handling day to day City Hall activities and providing back up to City Clerk Susie Siddell. Amy Randall was hired for the position with 12 years of county government experience. Matt Nost was hired as a Public Works Specialist while Natalie Murphy was hired as a part-time City Hall Clerk.

• The Solon Public Library held their annual Summer Kickoff and again this year a foam machine was the hit of the night.

• Four local girls attended the 2025 session of the Iowa American Legion Auxiliary’s Iowa Girls State. The Solon American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 460 selected Mackenzie Craig and Adlie Miller while Ely American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 555 chose Madison Singbeil and Emma Mahoney. Craig, Miller, and Singbeil were Solon High School students while Mahoney attended Prairie HS.

• The annual Music on Main Street concert series opened with the vibrant sounds and energy of the Solon High School Mariachi Band, under the direction of HS band director Desmond Cervatez with support (and vocals) from Spanish teacher Martin Chapa. The series ran Wednesdays through August in the Main Street bandstand.

• Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 held their annual flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day, Saturday, June 14.

“This is the only approved method of disposing of the American flag,” said Post Commander Adam Hopp. “Any time that it is worn or faded, as it is a symbol of our nation’s freedom, it is not fit to be flown.”

July

• Six members of Solon Scout Troop 120 received the coveted rank of Eagle Scout in a Sunday, June 29 ceremony at the Timber Dome.

“It is a big deal to earn the rank of Eagle scout,” said Lynn Rose, an assistant scout master and parent. “Approximately five percent of all scouts earn the Eagle rank. For our troop to have six scouts earn the rank over a course of a few months is a big achievement.”

• After 50 years the Solon Beef Days Committee made headlines as they announced the retirement of the steak dinner from the Beef Days food offerings. Cost was cited as the determining factor with the increase in beef prices. Steak sandwiches, pork loin sandwiches, and a pork burger were still on the menu.

• Intern Natalia Scales put the spotlight on Stahle’s Peaches and Cream Sweet Corn in the midst of peak sweet corn season.

• The Solon Beef Days Committee announced the dignitaries for the 2025 event. UI women’s basketball player (and Solon alumni) Callie Levin was named the Celebrity Grand Marshal, Steve and Shirley Knight were named Cornerstone Grand Marshals, and Kevin Hotz was named the Grand Marshal. In addition the Committee awarded scholarships to Rose McAtee (Bob Stinocher Scholarship), Eddie Johnson (Larry Meyers Scholarship), Michael DeValk (Kris Brown Scholarship), and Owen Einwalter (Beef Days Scholarship).

• Coverage of the 2025 Solon Beef Days dominated the July 24 edition with our most extensive look yet thanks in large part to University of Iowa reporting interns Ella McEntaffer, Natalia Scales, and AJ Dolan with social media intern Katie Henry.

• The Johnson County Board of Adjustment approved a conditional use permit to Jordan Creek Church for a new church to be built on land purchased from Robert Upmeyer just west of the current Solon city limits and within the two-mile fringe area along Hwy. 382. During a public hearing ahead of the Board’s vote City Engineer Dave Schechinger, City Attorney Kevin Olson, and Mayor Dan O’Neil expressed the City’s support for the project while noting the City’s concerns over infrastructure if the site were to be eventually annexed into the City.

“We want to ensure that we have orderly growth and that we want to ensure that we continue to have mindful growth and planning as our community continues to grow,” said O’Neil.

• The Council also revisited Macbride Pointe’s request to connect to the Gallery Acres West water main, and thus gaining access to city water. With naturally occurring arsenic in the ground water the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources supported connecting to Solon’s municipal water system. Macbride Pointe’s proposal stated the 26 homes in the development would be billed through one meter and Macbride Pointe would pay twice the city’s standard rate, potentially four times more if usage exceeded agreed limits. No action was taken at the July 16 meeting.

August

• After 60 years as a hairdresser, Diane Stahle announced her retirement with a retirement party set for August 22.

• The Solon Public Library celebrated the life, and life’s work, of Jack “The Dinosaur Man” Neuzil with their fourth annual Dinosaurs at Dusk event. Many of Jack’s hand crafted wooden dinosaurs were placed on and around the Library’s back patio with several dinosaur-themed activities.

• Reece Meyer and her steer, Whisky, represented Johnson County in the 43rd annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show in Des Moines. Meyer, sponsored by the Johnson County Cattlemen and Reeve Farms, won one of 25 spots in the show and auction after winning 4th place Grand Champion Market Beef, Champion Johnson County Bred Calf, Champion Rate of Gain Market Beef, Reserve champion Carcass Steer and Reserve Champion Crossbred Steer in the Johnson County Fair.

• The Solon Centennial Lions Club set up a hydration station at the SRNA in support of the Core 4 bike races, a series of 60, 40, and 20-mile events, which originated and terminated at Wilson’s Orchard and consisted of a mix of paved roads, gravel roads, muddy Level-B roads, and trails.

• The Solon Community School District’s Board of Education took up the subject of multiple time zones within the confines of the high school during their August 21 regular meeting. Malfunctioning and non-functioning clocks throughout the building had led to a state of time dysphoria, which Board President Tim Brown felt needed to be corrected. The problem was made worse by the district’s new no phones during the school day policy, leading to unintentional tardies being issued to students who looked at the wrong clock. A bid for a new clock system came in at $24,000, significantly higher than anticipated or desired. A desire to find a less expensive solution was expressed with further discussion and resolution scheduled for September’s meeting.

• The City Council discussed a report from the U.S. Geological Survey looking at the Silurian Aquifer, which provides ground water to a significant portion of Iowa, including Solon, and the potential for reduced availability in the future. Strategies considered by several council members on how to combat the predicted drawdown included possible pumping limitations and the spreading out of city wells to balance the drawdowns centralized in Solon.

September

• We saluted the Solon HS Marching Band and Cheerleaders for their efforts on Football Friday Nights to pump up the crowd in Spartan Stadium. We also put the spotlight on Don Ellis, “The Voice of the Spartans,” since 1988.

“It’s fun. It’s a way to stay close to sports, I’ve been in sports my whole life. I certainly enjoy it and get to meet new families, you get to meet great guys like the guys in the press box (Kevin Miller, Scott Seagren, Scott Stiegelmeyer, Brad Kruse, and Jeff Sears) that really help me do my job with the spotting and helping out with tackles and giving the opportunity for people to hear their kid’s name,” said Ellis.

• Reanna Robb and Lily Graham were in this fall’s Iowa Community News class through the University of Iowa’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and had Solon as their assigned beat. The class is considered a “capstone” class – a course in which students put the knowledge gained throughout their college career into practical experience.

“Reanna took public affairs reporting with me in the spring, and she’s passionate about uncovering the truth in small towns. I haven’t had Lily in class yet, but I know she’s serious about journalism and has a nose for news,” said Ty Rushing, Assistant Professor of Practice and instructor this semester.

• Armed Forces Night was held Saturday, Sept. 12 in Spartan Stadium as Solon squared off against Mount Vernon on the football field. Solon resident Jim Croy was honored as the Veteran of the Night. Croy served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1970 with NMCB 5, the Seabees construction battalion, including a tour in Vietnam from January to September 1969.

• The Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance, a 120-foot long double-sided wall, is a traveling memorial and visual history of the war against terrorism and was in Solon for three days at Legion Park. The Wall of Remembrance travels the country in honor of our fallen service members in the never ending battle against terrorists starting with the 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon; the nearly 3,000 who were murdered by Islamic terrorists on 9-11-01; and ends with the 13 (11 Marines, one Soldier, and one Sailor) who were killed in a bomb attack at the Kabul airport during the withdrawal while the final panel is available for visitors to write the names of service members lost to suicide.

• Even with spotty rain showers and the threat of more, 47 participants (many with 22 pounds on their back in a rucksack) in the third annual RUCK 22 marched a 2.2-mile track through Solon Saturday, Sept. 20. They marched for comrades lost to the demons haunting them. They marched in support of those struggling. They marched in the hope that no more veterans will return from war but lose the war in their mind. The ruck not only drew attention to veteran suicide but served as a fundraiser for Iowa Veterans Outdoor Experience (IVOE), an all-volunteer veterans advocacy group based in Solon, who provides support and recreational and healing opportunities for veterans.

October

• Gable Knight, Jillian Elijah, Piper Stahle, Jozie Lahr, Kiley Devery, Kennedey Whitford, Nick Stahle, Eli Kampman, Nick Gerdin, Teague Williams, Ty Turner, and Tripp Johnson were selected for the 2025 Solon Homecoming Court. Kampman, the Spartans’ primary quarterback, received his sash and crown Wednesday, October 1 during a pep rally following the annual Homecoming Parade while Stahle was presented with her sash, crown, and a bouquet during halftime of the varsity Homecoming Game Friday, October 3.

• Fernando Oliveira wants drivers to slow down when driving through his Solon neighborhood, and he shared those concerns with city officials during the Oct. 1 Solon City Council meeting.

“I don’t know if you guys had that problem before, but we are seeing a lot of people speeding,” Oliveria told the council. “On Saturday, I saw a guy coming westbound at 55 miles per hour, and I was outside walking my son. I think that is unacceptable.”

Oliveria lives in the Saddleback Estates subdivision on the eastern edge of Solon. The maximum speed for any vehicle in a residential district of Solon is 25 miles per hour, according to the city ordinance.

• Our local farmers were saluted as they brought in the 2025 harvest.

• The Solon Fire Department made their annual visit to Lakeview Elementary School bringing a message of fire prevention and fire safety while also giving tours of a fire engine and their heavy rescue truck full of specialized equipment.

• Solon veteran Bill Brown was among 88 veterans greeted by an elbow-to-elbow crowd at the in Cedar Rapids Tuesday, October 14 at the conclusion of the 57th Honor Flight out of the Eastern Iowa Airport.

• The City Council once again looked at the Macbride Pointe’s application to hook up to the city’s municipal water lines during their regular monthly meeting. By unanimous vote the Council approved the application, however a series of studies must be conducted before final approval and any connection is made.

• Solon High School social studies teacher Todd Kopecky talked about his efforts to keep local history alive through a deep-dive assignment for his students.

• Halloween took over with feature stories covering events such as the Monster Mile fundraiser for UIHC Stead Family Children’s Hospital patients, the Boo Barn at Miracles in Motion (near Swisher), and the Monster Mash Trunk or Treat event at the SRNA.

• Solon HS’s drama department brought “The Wizard of Oz” to the stage in the Performing Arts Center. In keeping with the visuals of the original movie, the musical opened with costumes and the set in sepia tones before transitioning to full color. Madisen Kleppe starred as Dorothy, Piper Stahle was Glinda (the Good Witch), Ashley Farnsworth was The Wicked Witch of the West, and furry little Maysie Russell played Toto.

November

• Change came to the Solon City Council in the wake of the Nov. 4 city and school election as Tim Gordon, Matt Macke, and Greg Morris were elected replacing Steve Duncan (who retired from the Council) and incumbents Lauren Whitehead and Cole Gabriel. Incumbent school board of education members Dan Coons, Megan Laing, Cassie Rochholz, and Tim Brown ran unopposed.

• Sam Lensing and his Sam’s Main Street Market were in the spotlight celebrating 50 years for Solon’s grocery store and 20 years under Lensing’s ownership. The store was originally named Jack and Jill and was founded by Ron and Bob Hendricks, who co-owned and operated it for several years. When Bob left to open a new store in Central City, Iowa, Ron continued operating the market on his own before passing ownership to Hendricks. The store has faced many challenges including a Thanksgiving Day fire in 2008.

• Solonites were treated to a vivid sky as the Aurora Borealis (“Northern Lights”) went wild in a massive cosmic light show. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Space Weather Prediction Center, a severe geomagnetic storm – a major disturbance in the Earth’s magnetic field, occurred with charged particles from the sun (a Coronal Mass Ejection) slamming into the magnetic field and collided with gases in the upper atmosphere to create the red, pink, blue and green bands.

• A study conducted by consulting firm CommunityScale determined Johnson County’s small towns and unincorporated areas will need more than 700 new dwellings over the next decade. The study, presented to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors and funded by Johnson County, was conducted with 35 hours of engagement with nearly 120 residents, stakeholders, elected officials, and local government staff, and included a public information meeting in September in Solon. The study looked at a variety of housing needs ranging from young families to senior citizens considering downsizing and noted the challenges of increasing housing prices and limited existing housing stock.

• The run up to the Christmas season began with a profile on The Solon Little Christmas Shoppe as they prepared for their tenth year of helping Lakeview elementary students with holiday cheer through the opportunity to shop for multiple gifts for their loved ones.

“It’s just so much more than I ever thought. That first year we did it, it was crazy how many people reached out to thank us, the PTO, and the school for doing it because of how happy it made the kids,” co-founder Mollie Kilburg said.

“It’s a really great program,” said coordinator McKenzie Macke. “And really, the whole thing is letting kids feel included in the holiday season and letting them feel excited to have something to take home to grandmas, grandpas, moms, siblings, you know, whoever they choose to shop for.”

December

• Solon’s annual Christmas Tree Walk and Craft Fair filled the gym at the Solon Methodist Church’s Family Life Center again with the usual array of decorated trees, a scavenger hunt, baked goods and craft items for sale, and one of Santa’s many visits to Solon.

• The City Council was provided with an update on the future wastewater treatment plant by City Engineer Dave Schechinger during their Dec. 3 regular meeting. The existing facility will continue to serve as part of the collection system with a trunk sewer running south (under Hwy. 382) to the new facility, which will have room to expand as the city’s population continues to grow. An array of aeration basins, digesters, clarifiers, and sludge handling equipment will process the sewage sludge while an ultraviolet (UV) system will provide final treatment of the water before discharge into Mill Creek.

• A look into “Generation Solon,” examining the thoughts and perspectives of Solon HS seniors Rayne Dooley and Alyson “Allie” Bulecheck gave insights into Solon’s young adults with observations and advice from HS Principal Drew Bunkers as well.

• The continued growth of Solon and the changes that have come with that expansion were examined revealing a 73% increase in population from 2000 to 2010 with a 2023 population of approximately 3,092.

Editor’s note – Emma Jane (The Daily Iowan), City Administrator Cami Rasmussen, Joel Kellar, Ella McEntaffer, Natalia Scales, AJ Dolan (interns), Alli Walker (UI School of Journalism and Mass Communication – Community News Class), Reanna Robb (UI School of Journalism and Mass Communication – Community News Class), Ty Rushing, Ryan Bilskie, and Aviva Adams-Wilk (UI School of Journalism and Mass Communication – Community News Class) contributed to this retrospective.