The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist
The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist
The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist
All content by By Chris Umscheid [email protected]
Mount Vernon’s Lauren Swartzendruber intercepts Kayla Meseck on her way to third base Wednesday, June 22 during the annual rivalry doubleheader. The Mustangs swept the Lady Spartans 13-1 and 4-3.

No.1 ranked Mustangs sweep Lady Spartans

Chris Umscheid
June 30, 2022
Fischer Harrison battles in a 160-pound match Friday, June 24 during the Spartan’s Summer Slam Duals held in the football stadium. Six teams squared off on three mats in the second annual wrestling event.

Summer Slam heats up the mats

Chris Umscheid
June 30, 2022
A fleet of golf carts sits lined up and ready to go before the start of the American Legion of Iowa Foundation’s annual tournament at the Saddleback Golf Course Monday, June 20. The event raises funds, which are disbursed to non-profit organizations across the state.

Teeing off to help others

Chris Umscheid
June 30, 2022
Parker Pentico delivers a pitch in game one of a doubleheader against rival Mount Vernon Thursday, June 23 at home. Pentico worked 3-2/3 innings giving up two hits and four earned runs in a 13-4 Solon win.

Spartans shut out Mustangs

Chris Umscheid
June 30, 2022
Holly Anthony, Assistant Director of the Iowa Raptor Project, introduces Superior, a female Harris’ Hawk, during a visit to the Solon Public Library Thursday, June 16. The event was one of ten family programs being hosted by the library this summer.

Raptors spread their wings in Solon

Chris Umscheid
June 23, 2022
Members of the Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 conducted a flag retirement ceremony, in accordance with the Flag Code, Tuesday, June 14. Burning is considered by the code to be the proper way to dispose of a flag, which is no longer serviceable due to its condition.

With respect and reverence

Chris Umscheid
June 23, 2022
Brett White does a little celebratory dance after stealing second base Wednesday, June 15 in a non-conference game against Fairfield. White later blasted a grand slam homerun as the Spartans shutout the Trojans 15-0.

Spartans pummel Trojans

Chris Umscheid
June 23, 2022
Isaac Early tosses a newspaper into the target during the Solon Optimist Club’s annual bike rodeo Saturday, June 18 at the middle school. Early, age 3, didn’t quite understand the rules, but had fun nonetheless, to Optimist Club member Donnie Miller’s amusement.

Fun, challenges, and trophies

Chris Umscheid
June 23, 2022
Drew Wilcox delivers a pitch in the first inning of game one of a varsity doubleheader at home against Beckman Catholic Wednesday, June 8. Wilcox pitched 6-1/3 innings in an 8-5 win.

Spartans and Blazers split

Chris Umscheid
June 16, 2022
Aaron Schultz uses a soft brush to scrub the gravestone of Leonard Stahle in the Oakland Cemetery west of Solon. Schultz has been volunteering his time to clean veterans’ graves and uses the same materials and techniques as are used in national cemeteries.

Maintaining history

Chris Umscheid
June 16, 2022
Davis Eidahl

School district purchases property for new transportation facility

Chris Umscheid
June 16, 2022
Kendall Jensen went the distance in the circle giving up two hits, walking one, and issuing seven strikeouts in game one of a varsity doubleheader at home against Beckman Catholic Tuesday, June 7. Solon swept the Blazers 5-0 and 7-4.

Lady Spartans extinguish the Blazers

Chris Umscheid
June 16, 2022
Charlie Hiatt has fun with all things related to bicycles, from riding to rebuilding/restoring, and repairing.

The Bike Guy

Chris Umscheid
June 9, 2022
Kendall Jensen delivers a pitch Tuesday, May 31 in the top of the first inning of what was scheduled to be a varsity doubleheader against Benton Community. A gas leak led to suspension of the game to a later date.

Gassed out

Chris Umscheid
June 9, 2022
Brett White slides safely into second base as Benton Community’s Jordan Thys lands with the ball Tuesday, May 31 in Solon. The Spartans split with the Bobcats winning 8-2 and falling 7-5.

Spartans and Bobcats split

Chris Umscheid
June 9, 2022
Firefighter Jamie Linden flips sausage patties Sunday, May 29 for the Solon firefighters’ annual breakfast. Over 2,000 were served all-you-can eat pancakes, sausage, ham, and eggs.

Over 2000 served

Chris Umscheid
June 2, 2022
Chris Umscheid and Catherine Bilskie are committed to continuing to publish The Solon Economist weekly with as local of a focus as possible.

The end of an era… sort-of

Chris Umscheid
June 2, 2022
Members of Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 fire a rifle salute Monday, May 30 during the annual Memorial Day observance.

Honoring the ultimate sacrifice

Chris Umscheid
June 2, 2022
Drew Wilcox delivers a pitch to a Washington Demon Friday, May 27 at home. Solon won the non-varsity contest 6-4.

Spartans drive out the Demons

Chris Umscheid
June 2, 2022
Dillon Bruck fires a header at Independence’s goal Monday, May 23 in a Class 2A substate match. The Spartans won 7-0 with four goals from Bruck, a senior.

Spartans roll Mustangs but fall to Bluejays in substate final

Chris Umscheid
June 2, 2022
Denny Hansen and Doug Thompson flank John Hatcher and Margo Davis, Center Operations Supervisor, USO Rock Island Center as they hold a shadowbox containing medals earned by Eugene Parker, a Navy and Air Force veteran buried in the Rock Island National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal.

Preserving a veteran’s legacy

Chris Umscheid
May 26, 2022
Larry Meister shows off cakes baked in his honor as the 2022 Solon Senior Citizen of the Year. An open house was held Saturday, May 21 for Meister.

A transplant who never looked back

Chris Umscheid
May 26, 2022
Kendall Jensen delivers a pitch Tuesday, May 17 during a scrimmage against Liberty High at home.

A new era begins for Solon softball

Chris Umscheid
May 26, 2022
John Peters, shown here in pregame warm-ups, only allowed one goal in a 10-1 substate win over Aplington-Parkersburg/Dike-New Hartford Thursday, May 19 at home.

Spartans smash Falcons 10-1

Chris Umscheid
May 26, 2022
The Class of 2022 tries to keep their caps from blowing away as they walk down the steps to the field in Spartan Stadium Sunday, May 22 for their graduation ceremony.

Graduation 2022

Chris Umscheid
May 26, 2022
Blake Timmons waits for the pitch Wednesday, May 11 in a scrimmage against Prairie, Cedar Rapids. Timmons, a junior, is among four returning starters this season for the Spartans.

Four “big bats” to lead Spartans on the diamond this season

Chris Umscheid
May 19, 2022

A pair of shutout wins for the Spartans

Chris Umscheid
May 19, 2022
Kevin Szcodronski’s 1930 Model A Ford sits in the parking lot at Mushroom Park Wednesday, May 11 before setting out on a tour of Lake Macbride State Park. Szcodronski is the former director of Iowa’s state parks and is touring them all in his vintage car.

Cruisin’ the parks in a classic

Chris Umscheid
May 19, 2022
A crowd gathered at the bandstand in Mushroom Park in downtown Solon Saturday, May 14 for the American Legion Stinocher Post 460’s Fire and Ice street dance, a fundraiser for new furnaces and air conditioning equipment for the Legion Post.

Dancing in the street for a good cause

Chris Umscheid
May 19, 2022
William Wittich and CPU’s Gabe Hansen battle for possession down the sideline Tuesday, May 3 in Solon. The Spartans shutout the Stormin’ Pointers 4-0.

Spartans shut out Stormin’ Pointers and Raiders

Chris Umscheid
May 12, 2022
Members of the community gathered in the Solon Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall Wednesday, May 4 for a dinner benefiting humanitarian relief efforts for victims of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

SMC’s Ukraine Benefit helps feed war refugees

Chris Umscheid
May 12, 2022
Larry Meister was named Solon’s Senior Citizen of the Year for 2022 at the city council meeting Wednesday, May 4. Sandy Hanson presented Meister with his certificate from the Solon Senior Advocates.

Larry Meister is Solon’s Senior Citizen of the Year

Chris Umscheid
May 12, 2022
Rylie Greazel lines up a shot Thursday, April 28, at home, against Benton Community and South Tama.

Solon girls second in home triangular with Benton and S. Tama

Chris Umscheid
May 5, 2022
Megan Meyers, a fourth grade teacher at Solon Intermediate School, presents a “check” for $1,450 to the Solon Fire Department to go toward their new fire station. Firefighter Greg Morris accepted the donation Thursday, April 28.

Building the House, with blankets

Chris Umscheid
May 5, 2022
Ethan McLaughlin, Gabe Hinman and Lauren Roskopf were guest DJs on Kirkwood’s KCCK-FM Monday, April 25, as part of the Corridor Jazz Guest DJ program, part of the Corridor Jazz Project, a mentoring, recording and performing opportunity offered to schools by KCCK.

Sharing their love of jazz

Chris Umscheid
May 5, 2022
Owen Erusha attacks Benton Community’s goal Friday, April 22, at home. The senior had two shots on goal in a 2-1 win in overtime.

Spartans win 2-1 in OT over Bobcats

Chris Umscheid
April 28, 2022

Expanding opportunities for students

Chris Umscheid
April 28, 2022
Participants in the 2022 Spartan Dash started the nine-event, one-mile course with “Big Mouth,” a challenging climb followed by sliding down a tube into a pile of slippery ORBEEZ.

Spartans dash, the schools get cash

Chris Umscheid
April 28, 2022
Girina Tatyana Georgievna, a native of Ukraine, talks about conditions on the ground as Russia’s invasion enters its third month. A benefit showing support for Ukraine and raising funds for World Central Kitchen, a charity organization feeding Ukrainian refugees in Poland, will be held May 4 at the Solon United Methodist Church in the Fellowship Hall.

Supporting Ukraine through comfort food

Chris Umscheid
April 28, 2022

A busy but short week for the Lady Spartans on the links

Chris Umscheid
April 21, 2022
A young boy’s excitement and enthusiasm is apparent as he participates in the 19th Easter Egg hunt held by the Solon Optimist Club.

Scrambling for eggs

Chris Umscheid
April 21, 2022

Blazers scorch the Spartans

Chris Umscheid
April 21, 2022
Trail Ridge Estates – a new residential community currently under construction west of Solon along Hwy. 382, will include a mix of duplexes and single-family homes, and is being developed by the Watts Group.

The place to be

Chris Umscheid
April 21, 2022
The 2022 Solon Trapshooting Team (from left)– Carter Moen, Caden Stull, Allen Shima, Spence Michel, Ethan Ressler, Jack Howsare, Gabe Nicholson, Ryder Lain, Cole Birky, Landon Hummel, Sam Kunkel, Ryan Bilskie and Ian Ressler. Not pictured – Aaron Greco.

Guns up, clays down

Chris Umscheid
April 14, 2022
Josiah Hale battles with Marion’s Brandon Cole Tuesday, April 5, in Marion. The Wolves snapped Solon’s five-game winning streak, 2-1, in the rain.

Wolves snap Spartans’ 5-0 streak

Chris Umscheid
April 14, 2022
Solon HS art students and others crafted a variety of colorful clay bowls for the annual Empty Bowls Soup Luncheon held Saturday, April 9, to raise awareness of hunger and to benefit local food pantries.

Empty Bowls returns to Solon

Chris Umscheid
April 14, 2022

Spartans shutout Trojans

Chris Umscheid
April 14, 2022
Solon’s Reid Wilson (left), Stephen O’Neil (from St. Paul, Minn.) and their canine companions clear the finish line.

A busy day for runners in Solon

Chris Umscheid
April 14, 2022

Lady Spartans win Benton Invitational

Chris Umscheid
April 14, 2022
Spartan senior Logan Sieverding alters course to evade West Delaware Hawk Gil Johnson during the first half of Solon’s 10-0 thrashing of the Hawks at home on Monday, March 28.

Spartan boys knock off Regina for first time since ‘07

Chris Umscheid
April 7, 2022
Jay Proffitt, owner of Proffitt Construction, Inc. poses with a large Caterpillar excavator at a trade show in Peoria, IL. Proffitt is truly a “go-to guy” for Solon through countless acts of service to the community.

Solon’s go-to guy

Chris Umscheid
April 7, 2022
Dylan Sloan

A man with a plan

Chris Umscheid
April 7, 2022
Brent Wears

When it all needs to go away

Chris Umscheid
March 31, 2022
Jill Weetman (left) and Sandy Hanson with Solon Senior Support and Solon Senior Advocates, respectively.

A helping hand, and more

Chris Umscheid
March 31, 2022
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presents a $5,750 Choose Iowa grant to Carlos Williams, Helaina Thompson, Carmen Black and Maja Black, representing the Local Harvest CSA located near Solon. Naig visited the Sundog Farm CSA Friday, March 25.

Local Harvest CSA receives Choose Iowa grant

Chris Umscheid
March 31, 2022
Sophomore Eli Freerks passes the ball to a teammate Thursday, March 24, in a scrimmage match against Mid-Prairie. Freerks scored the fourth goal in the 4-1 victory.

Spartans’ scrimmage ends in victory

Chris Umscheid
March 31, 2022

Keeping seniors active, engaged, and entertained

Chris Umscheid
March 31, 2022
Brandon Merrick

Soaring with the Eagles: A spotlight on Solon’s Eagle Scouts

Chris Umscheid
March 24, 2022
Ada Garms

SUMC Activity Days provide spring break fun in Solon

Chris Umscheid
March 24, 2022

Lady Spartans ready to hit the ground running

Chris Umscheid
March 24, 2022

Spartans to build on last year’s success

Chris Umscheid
March 24, 2022
Connor Shepherd

Soaring with the Eagles: A spotlight on Solon’s Eagle Scouts

Chris Umscheid
March 17, 2022
Solon Firefighter Greg Morris accepts a $1,000 check to the Solon Firefighter’s Association from Ryan Camuso, Area Manager for Mast-Jägermeister US, and Breann O’Hern, Eastern Iowa Sales Manager for Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits. The check for the new fire station was presented Tuesday, March 8, with firefighters Brian Huyck, Dean Stange, Jamie Linden, Jon Reyhons and Doyle Spence present.

$1k donation to Solon Fire Dept.’s new station

Chris Umscheid
March 17, 2022
Bill “Ginks” Ginkens, from Solon, shoots a scene with Carson MacCormac for the independent film “East of Middle West.” The film was shot in and around Solon in 2019 and will be shown April 3 at The Film Scene in Iowa City.

East of Middle West comes home

Chris Umscheid
March 17, 2022
President of the MacBride’s Pride 4-H club and Youth Trustee for the Iowa 4-H Foundation Madison Craig visits with former Governor Terry Branstad at a recent 4-H Gala. The Solon High School senior credits 4-H for providing many opportunities she feels will help her in the future.

Growing with the times

Chris Umscheid
March 17, 2022
Madison and Paityn enjoy fidget spinners given to them by Joella Gerber, LISW, RPT, Clinic Program Manager with Tanager Place in Cedar Rapids (at left) as mom Sandi looks on during a wellness fair Thursday, March 3 at the Solon Middle School.

Many options for a happier, healthier you available locally

Chris Umscheid
March 10, 2022
Brody Cash was fifth out of 391 high school boys, first out of 95 juniors, and sixth out of a field of 1,006 male competitors at the 2022 State Archery Tournament in Des Moines.

Solon’s archers compete at State

Chris Umscheid
March 10, 2022
William Wittich

Soaring with the Eagles: A spotlight on Solon’s Eagle Scouts

Chris Umscheid
March 10, 2022
The cast of “My Son Pinocchio!” fills the stage in the Solon Arts Center. The musical, telling the classic story of Pinocchio from Geppetto’s perspective, ran Friday through Sunday, March 4-6.

Solon thespians present Disney’s My Son Pinocchio

Chris Umscheid
March 10, 2022
Solon’s Toni Russo has installed a display of sunflowers in the window of the Solon Hardware Store to show support for the people of Ukraine.

Standing with Ukraine

Chris Umscheid
March 10, 2022
Jake Quillin drives to the basket in the 3A-4 Championship game Monday, Feb. 28, at Mount Vernon High School. photos by Chris Umscheid

“They left it all out there”

Chris Umscheid
March 10, 2022
poster

My Son Pinocchio JR takes the stage this weekend

Chris Umscheid
March 3, 2022

Carson Reid places 25th at state bowling

Chris Umscheid
March 3, 2022
Landon Hummel

Soaring with Eagles: A spotlight on Solon’s Eagle Scouts

Chris Umscheid
March 3, 2022
Coach Gary Mechtensimer is stepping down following 12 years with Solon’s middle and high school archery teams. The program started with nearly a dozen archers and has 86 today.

Archers aiming for state

Chris Umscheid
March 3, 2022
Sophomore Hailey Miller visits with future varsity Lady Spartans Sunday, Feb. 27 at the annual Solon Dollars for Scholars Solon Shoot Out youth basketball tournament.

Record setting turnout for Solon Shoot Out

Chris Umscheid
March 3, 2022
Gage Marty readies himself for battle against Cameron Geuther in the 2022 State Quarterfinals Friday, Feb. 18 in Des Moines. Marty won by major decision (11-0) and finished his prep career as the runner up at 285 pounds.

Spartans wrestle at State Tourney

Chris Umscheid
February 24, 2022
Gage Marty readies himself for battle against Cameron Geuther in the 2022 State Quarterfinals Friday, Feb. 18 in Des Moines. Marty won by major decision (11-0) and finished his prep career as the runner up at 285 pounds.

Spartans wrestle at state

Chris Umscheid
February 24, 2022

Solon’s Reid qualifies for State Bowling with the Little Hawks

Chris Umscheid
February 24, 2022
Henry Horsfield, a fifth grader, reads his persuasive argument essay on the value of pets in the classrooms to the Solon Community School District’s Board of Education Thursday, Feb. 17. Looking on are student member Hillary Wilson, and board member Dan Coons.

Having his say

Chris Umscheid
February 24, 2022

Demons defeat Spartans in regular season finale

Chris Umscheid
February 24, 2022

A day of rest? Or another day of practice?

Chris Umscheid
February 24, 2022
Cara Flynn

A day for women

Chris Umscheid
February 24, 2022
Senior Logan Sieverding meets resistance from a pair of Pointers Tuesday, Feb. 15 at home against CPU on Senior Night. Sieverding had one point in a 37-35 loss.

Late fouls and a buzzer beater spoil Spartans’ Senior Night

Chris Umscheid
February 24, 2022

Little Hawks stifle the bowling Wolves

Chris Umscheid
February 17, 2022
Spartan junior Oaken Foster shoots over Mustang sophomore Evan Brase at home Friday, Feb. 8, in Solon’s 55-47 triumph over Highway 1 rival Mount Vernon.

Spartans tame the Mustangs

Chris Umscheid
February 17, 2022

A Lenten tradition continues with a few changes

Chris Umscheid
February 17, 2022
Republicans from Big Grove, Cedar, Graham, and Newport townships, and the city of Solon gathered at Lakeview Elementary School Monday, Feb. 7 for their 2022 midterm election caucus. Democrats were also originally scheduled to meet at Lakeview as well but opted for a virtual caucus citing COVID-19 concerns.

Caucus Night in Solon

Chris Umscheid
February 17, 2022
Gage Marty dominates Columbus/WMU’s Russel Coil Saturday, Feb. 12, in the Class 2A District 8 meet in Williamsburg. Marty won the 285-pound title to advance to the State Tournament.

Trio of Spartans head to State Wrestling

Chris Umscheid
February 17, 2022
A pair of riders negotiate a sharp U-turn while participating in the fifth annual Fat Tire Classic race Saturday, Feb. 12 at Lake MacBride State Park.

Fat Tires make tracks at Lake MacBride

Chris Umscheid
February 17, 2022
Sheriff Brad Kunkel

Supervisors trim Sheriff’s budget request

Chris Umscheid
January 20, 2022
Ryan Bilskie, Brody Cash and Ian Ressler present Ed the Robot for inspection prior to competition at the Solon Community Center on Tuesday, Dec. 21. Ed and his humans went 6-0 on the day.

Robots in the spotlight

Chris Umscheid
December 30, 2021
Keeping watch for Santa – Carley watches for any sign of the big yellow and white fire engine carrying Santa Claus.

A tradition returns to Solon

Chris Umscheid
December 23, 2021
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office acquired this military surplus Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle in 2014 through the federal 1033 program.

Sheriff Kunkle asks for $240k for MRAP replacement

Chris Umscheid
December 16, 2021
Santa Claus talks to seven-month-old Cillian Barbee. In addition, to trees and Santa, the Solon Methodist Church’s Men’s Group provided soup and burgers, the Ladies’ Club held a bake and craft sale, and cookies were baked on site with all proceeds going back to the church. This was the sixth year for the event, however the pandemic forced cancellation last year with Santa sitting in a large chair on Main Street instead.

Christmas trees and Santa in the spotlight in Solon

Chris Umscheid
December 9, 2021
Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer toss a beach ball back and forth at the entrance to the West Overlook Campground, at the Coralville Lake, where a mile-long loop of lighted displays were placed as a fundraiser for The Bird House Hospice House, in Iowa City. The displays open Thanksgiving evening, Thursday, Nov. 25, and are available for viewing through New Year’s Eve.

Lights give life to days

Chris Umscheid
November 25, 2021
Yasmine Sell blocks a shot from CPU’s Micol McSweeny during a quad at Clear Creek Amana High School on Thursday, August 26. The Lady Spartans knocked off the Stormin’ Pointers 2-0.

Lady Spartans split with Pointers and Clippers

Chris Umscheid
September 2, 2021
Participants in the Mary’s Meals 5k leave the starting line Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Solon Recreation and Nature Area. A 5k, 10k, and 1-mile fun run/walk were held as part of the annual Hunger Heroes event, which raised money for Mary’s Meals – an international charity, which provides food for needy children.

Local runners go the distance for hungry kids

Chris Umscheid
August 26, 2021
A young girl shares a moment with Lucky, a mini horse at Miracles in Motion Therapeutic Equestrian Center near Swisher on Saturday, August 7. The non-profit facility held an open house in celebration of the dedication of the Verne Upmier Arena.

A little time away leads to big changes

Chris Umscheid
August 19, 2021
The American flag, and visitors are reflected in the highly polished panels making up The Moving Wall, a half-sized replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC. The display, with the names of over 58,000 servicemen and women, was on display in the American Legion Stinocher Post 460’s ball field from Thursday, August 12 until Monday, August 16.

Remembering the Vietnam War’s fallen

Chris Umscheid
August 19, 2021
  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. 2
  5. 3
  6. 4