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The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist

The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist

The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist

Sam Lensing and Karen McFarland-Miller sort products for shelving at Sam’s Main Street Market, a Solon staple for 50 years.

A 20-Year Legacy of Local Care: Sam’s Main Street Market Stands the Test of Time

Aviva Adams-Wilk, For the Solon Economist November 12, 2025

Since Sam Lensing became the owner of Sam’s Main Street Market 20 years ago, he has maintained the grocery store’s legacy as a community pillar where Solon residents can catch up with neighbors and...

A volunteer with the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight greets Bill Brown as his daughter Lisa (Brown) Popken pushes him through a corridor lined with family, friends, and other well-wishers as the 27th Honor Flight out of the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids comes to an end Tuesday, October 14.

An ‘unbelievable trip’

Ella McEntaffer, Intern November 5, 2025

Born and raised in Dubuque, Bill Brown never envisioned he would be an Air Force veteran participating in an Honor Flight. Shortly before he enlisted, Brown completed a 60-week electronics course near...

Solon barber retires after 30 years

Ella McEntaffer, Intern November 5, 2025

Lisa Coberly has spent 21 years working at the Solon Barber Shop, and last week was her last. An Eastern Iowa native, Coberly trained at the Cedar Rapids School of Hairstyling, and earned her barbering...

A standing room only crowd filled the large meeting room at the Solon Public Library last Monday as all five candidates for Solon City Council participated in a forum moderated by the League of Women Voters of Johnson County and co-hosted by the Library and the Solon Economist.

In the hot seat

Chris Umscheid, Editor October 29, 2025

The five candidates for Solon city council faced a packed room and tough questions Monday, October 20 in a forum at the Solon Public Library co-hosted by the Library and the Solon Economist, and moderated...

In their own words…

October 29, 2025

All five candidates for Solon City Council were invited to submit up to 350 words introducing themselves and making their request for your vote next Tuesday, Nov. 4. The following are their submissions,...

Senior Housing Consultants and Allison Phillips honored by Iowa Assisted Living Association as 2025 “Associate Member of the Year”

October 29, 2025

Senior Housing Consultants is proud to announce that Allison Phillips has been awarded the prestigious “Associate Member of the Year” award by the Iowa Assisted Living Association (IALA) for 2025. This...

Grey Johans (314), Crystal Nicholson (361), Lauren Vande Kamp (425), and Mirai Hong-Noerper (309) with many others, start the 5k and 1-mile runs for the third annual Bone Dash fundraiser at the SRNA. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, October 11 at the Timber Dome and costumes are encouraged.

Support Solon kid in upcoming Bone Dash

Ella McEntaffer, Intern October 1, 2025

Four year old Liam Mattson of Solon is enrolled in Pre-K at Lakeview Elementary School. His mom, Taylor Mattson, says that his favorite subject in school is recess, he loves to “play” his piano toy,...

Jim Croy waves to the crowd after being introduced as the 2025 Veteran of the Night Friday, Sept. 12 during pregame ceremonies of the Solon vs. Mount Vernon varsity football game.

Jim Croy honored as Veteran of the Night

Aidan Wirtz, For the Solon Economist September 19, 2025

At Friday’s Armed Forces Night showdown between No. 4 Solon and No. 1 Mount Vernon, longtime Solon resident Jim Croy was honored as the Veteran of the Night. Croy served in the U.S. Navy from 1968...

Baristas work behind the counter beneath a neon “Good Vibes Only” sign.

Entering pumpkin spice season with Good Vibes Café

Ella McEntaffer, Intern September 18, 2025

Sisters Krystal Nielsen and Kari Haugse opened Good Vibes Cafe in October of 2018, and the shop has been a Solon staple ever since. Both Nielsen and Haugse are Solon natives and were looking for a way...

Tom Trump uses his decades of experience to diagnose and maintain mowers and other small engines at the Solon Hardware Store.

Tom Trump talks lawnmower care ahead of colder seasons

Ella McEntaffer, Intern September 18, 2025

Perhaps the age old question that homeowners have as the colder months approach each year is what to do with their lawnmowers. Different online sources each give different pieces of advice, and the...

Don Ellis, “The Voice of the Spartans,” announces the end of a lightning delay and that the crowd may reenter Spartan Stadium ahead of the pregame warm ups and ceremony before the opening kick Friday, August 29. Ellis has been the man on the mic since 1988, becoming a Friday night football tradition in Solon.

Until it isn’t fun anymore

Chris Umscheid, Editor September 3, 2025

Tradition runs strong in communities like Solon, including Friday night football. Part of that tradition is the steady voice originating in the press box and booming through the speakers, introducing...

Executive Director of Miracles in Motion Deb Leichsenring poses with a horse poking its head out of a wooden stall.

Miracles In Motion: A life changing equine organization in Eastern Iowa

Ella McEntaffer, Intern August 28, 2025

SWISHER — Spearheaded by Vern Upmeyer in 1988, Miracles in Motion, based in Swisher, provides countless benefits for riders from Linn, Johnson, and surrounding Eastern Iowa counties. “Vern Upmeyer...

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