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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

Mount Vernon’s Michael Ryan (3) and Caleb Keegan (30) try to keep Maddox Kelley from sailing into the endzone Friday, Sept. 12 in Solon. Kelley, a junior, rushed 13 times for 110 yards and two scores and made three receptions for 21 yards and another touchdown in a 35-20 win on Armed Forces Night.

Staying grounded: Kampman, Solon pound the rock in 35-20 win over top-ranked Mustangs

Aidan Wirtz, For the Solon Economist September 18, 2025

Hundreds of tiny rubber pellets stick to the feet of Eli Kampman. Not to his cleats. Not his socks. He is barefoot, circling Spartan Stadium. In his right hand, Solon’s star junior quarterback grips...

Makinley Galvan (4), Scarlett Ferin (18), Avery Kellen (21), Kalynn Timmons (10), and Kennedey Whitford (1) celebrate a point by Amelia Guinn (8) Tuesday, Sept. 9 at home against archrival Mount Vernon. The Lady Spartans swept the Mustangs 3-0 on Military Appreciation/Youth Night.

Solon volleyball grasps historic win over No. 8 Mount Vernon

Chris Meglio, For the Solon Economist September 18, 2025

History was made in Solon. The high school volleyball rivalry between the Solon Spartans and the Mount Vernon Mustangs has been a one-sided affair for the last two decades. Since the 2014-15 season,...

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...

Reminder: GWOT Wall of Remembrance and Ruck-22 walk next week

September 10, 2025

The Global War on Terror (GWOT) Wall of Remembrance is coming to Solon next week and will be at the Legion Field. The wall, similar to the Vietnam Memorial wall the Solon American Legion Stinocher Post...

Kaden Hoeper takes an Eli Kampman pass in the endzone for a touchdown Friday, Sept. 5 in Williamsburg. The junior made three receptions for 86 yards and a pair of scores in a 33-14 win over the Raiders.

Spartans improve to 2-0 with 33-14 win over rival Raiders

Chris Umscheid, Editor September 10, 2025

WILLIAMSBURG — Gridiron meetings between the Solon Spartans and Williamsburg Raiders haven’t always gone well for Solon. The Raiders pounded Solon 42-13 last year and denied the Spartans a 3A State...

Outdoor siren testing out of sequence for the Johnson County North Zone next week

Outdoor siren testing out of sequence for the Johnson County North Zone next week

Travis Beckman, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency September 4, 2025

Due to recent repairs needed on the outdoor warning sirens located in the North Zone (north of Lake Macbride - Solon, Swisher, Shueyville, and rural areas), Johnson County Emergency Management Agency will...

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...

Maddox Kelley (4) was very (un)popular with the Assumption Catholic HS Knights Friday, August 29 in the season opening game. Kelley took nine passes 84 yards for three touchdowns in a 36-13 Spartan win.

Solon football secures 36-13 victory over Assumption behind QB Kampman’s monster game

Chris Meglio, Special to the Solon Economist September 3, 2025

Minutes before the opening kickoff against Assumption, Solon football head coach Lucas Stanton ushered his team back to the team room behind the left end zone in hopes that the weather delay would quickly...

Hudson Pauley (front) and Mac Svalstad bring down an Assumption Knight Friday, August 29 in the frosh-soph game. Solon shut out the Assumption Knights 8-0.

Frosh-sophs shut out the Knights 8-0

Chris Umscheid, Editor September 3, 2025

Sometimes in football you just have to pick up the ball and run with it. And that’s exactly what freshman quarterback Mac Svalstad did Friday, August 29 in the frosh-soph game at home against Assumption...

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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