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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

Sophomore football players carry a 35’ American Flag (on loan from the Cedar Rapids Fire Department) along the sideline as pregame ceremonies for Armed Forces Night are about to get underway during last year’s Mount Vernon vs. Solon varsity football game on Armed Forces Night. This year’s event is this Friday, Sept. 12, with all veterans and active duty military admitted free of charge.

Armed Forces Night is this Friday at Spartan Stadium

September 10, 2025

Solon High School is proud to invite all active-duty personnel and veterans to attend “Armed Forces Night” Friday, September 12 at the Mt Vernon Mustangs vs. Solon Spartans football game. This special...

Nomination period open for Nov. 4 city/school elections

September 10, 2025

City and school elections are set for Tuesday, Nov. 4 with multiple seats on both the city council and school board on the ballot. Details on how to become a candidate and be placed on the ballot are...

The Solon High School Marching Band exits the field after pregame ceremonies Friday, August 29. The 40-some-member band performed the National Anthem and school fight song to open the first varsity football game of the season and debuted their competition piece for the year during halftime.

Pumping up the crowd

Chris Umscheid, Editor September 3, 2025

It's a football Friday night tradition. Before the varsity Spartans take the field, the Solon Marching Band, in their orange and black uniforms with polished black hats and plumes, performs the National...

Coach Elizabeth Rohner keeps a watchful eye as a team of cheerleaders launches Layla Knazze skyward while practicing before the start of the varsity football game Friday, August 29. Rohner and co-coach Kashi Griffith have 20 girls on the squad this season.

Firing up the team and the crowd under the Friday night lights

Chris Umscheid, Editor September 3, 2025

Friday night – the marching band is playing, the student section is decked out in the theme of the week, parents and other fans are in the stands, the Spartans are on the gridiron, and on the track...

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...

‘Does anybody know what time it is?’

Chris Umscheid, Editor August 28, 2025

Benjamin Franklin is said to have coined the phrase, “Time is money.” As the Solon Community School District’s Board of Education found out, time, or ensuring the correct time across the vast...

New Teachers for the Upcoming School year

August 20, 2025

The Solon Community School District is welcoming a new group of teachers and counselors this fall, adding expertise across all grade levels. The district will be adding 18 new staff members for the 2025-26...

What’s new in Solon schools for 2025-26?

AJ Dolan, Intern August 13, 2025

As we fly through August, families and students of the Solon Community School District are preparing to enter another school year, but with the start of the new semester quickly approaching comes changes...

Solon Community School District’s cellphone policy goes into full effect for the upcoming school year

AJ Dolan, Intern August 13, 2025

In response to a new state law enacted earlier this summer, dictating state school districts implement a policy limiting student phone use during school hours, Solon Community School District has adopted...

Rene Meza, a member of Solon Robotics, observes the arena seconds before a scrimmage competition begins Thursday, October 24, 2024, at the Solon Community Center.

Two open houses announced for Solon Robotics

August 13, 2025

Solon Robotics will host two open house meetings for new and returning student members. Saturday, Aug 23, 8:30-10:30 a.m. and Monday, Aug 25, 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the robotics meeting rooms. The rooms...

Solon City and School nearing final agreement on SRNA use and utility costs

Natalia Scales, Intern June 25, 2025

SOLON — City leaders are close to finalizing a long-anticipated update to the SRNA 28E agreement— a shared-use arrangement between the city and Solon Community School District that governs the...

Over $30,000 in improvements have been made to Legion Field in Solon. The Solon Area Community Foundation was a major donor toward a new
scoreboard for the Lady Spartan’s softball field.

Recent improvements to Solon’s athletic facilities

Mike Kabela, Special to the Solon Economist June 18, 2025

SOLON — Solon High School’s baseball field at the Solon Recreation and Nature Area (SRNA) is recognized as one of, if not the top, high school baseball field in Iowa after major improvements done...

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