The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist
The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist
The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist

Chris Umscheid, Editor

Chris Umscheid is the editor of the Solon Economist.

All content by Chris Umscheid
Volunteer and mentor Sammy Edwards (middle) pre-inspects Solon Robotics Team 367, “Organized Chaos’” robot before a scrimmage match Thursday, October 16 at the Solon Community Center. Edwards, in her mid-20s, has been involved in robotics at all levels since she was in middle school and helps start new robotics clubs while assisting Solon’s program.

Working out the kinks

Chris Umscheid, Editor
October 23, 2025

Council approves MacBride Pointe’s application for city water

Chris Umscheid, Editor
October 23, 2025

Spartans clinch District Championship

Chris Umscheid, Editor
October 23, 2025
Rene Meza flies past flowering weeds, prairie grass, and content cows in the distance Saturday, Sept. 27 during Anamosa’s invitational meet. Meza was the second Spartan to the finish line with a 14th place showing in 17:54.0.

[Photo] Rene Meza emerges as a leader for Spartan XC

Jonah Frey, For the Solon Economist
October 23, 2025
Don Glueck (Scouting BSA, Order of the Arrow) 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.

Solonites contribute to another successful Honor Flight

Chris Umscheid, Editor
October 23, 2025
PTT 1

[Photo] Passing the torch

October 16, 2025
Gavin Wisman (24), a senior, enters the “tunnel” made up of teammates and senior parents as Senior Night draws to a close Friday, October 10.

[Photo] An emotional Senior Night full of tradition and solace ends with the Spartans shutting out the Washington Demons 42-0

October 16, 2025
Freshman Amelia Guinn has produced 190 kills (as of Sunday, October 12) this season for the varsity Lady Spartans.

[Photo] Solon volleyball’s Amelia Guinn building confidence amid strong freshman season

Chris Meglio, For the Solon Economist
October 16, 2025
Drum Major Evann Freerks salutes at the conclusion of the Solon Marching Band’s 2025 halftime show, Cirque’ Du Solon, at the State Marching Band Competition Saturday, October 11, at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids. The band and color guard were awarded a Division I (highest) rating, their first since 2017.

A busy (and rewarding) weekend for the Spartan Marching Band

Chris Umscheid, Editor
October 16, 2025
Piper Stahle and Eli Kampman were crowned 2025 Homecoming Queen and King in separate events last week during Homecoming Week.

Kampman and Stahle crowned 2025 Homecoming King and Queen

Chris Umscheid, Editor
October 8, 2025
Grey Johans (314), Crystal Nicholson (361), Lauren Vande Kamp (425), and Mirai Hong-Noerper (309) with many others, start the third annual Bone Dash fundraiser at the SRNA.

Bone Dash is this Saturday

Chris Umscheid, Editor
October 8, 2025
The Spartans charge onto the field through a tunnel made up of Solon’s Youth Football players Friday, October 3 for the Homecoming Game against Keokuk. The Spartans rolled the Chiefs 58-6 to improve to 6-0 ahead of Senior Night this Friday, October 10.

[Photo] Eli Kampman continues to defy all expectations in dismantling of Keokuk

Chris Meglio, Special to the Solon Economist
October 8, 2025
Owen Bock prepares to slam a metal folding chair against the locker room floor after a recent win. Bock, a sophomore, had made a touchdown, earning the right to pummel the chair in what has become a Spartan tradition.

[Photo] This seat is taken

Aidan C. Wirtz, Special to the Solon Economist
October 8, 2025
Anders Holmes, a sophomore, is leading the varsity cross country boys this season. The only Spartan to make it to the state meet last year, Holmes is determined to run in Fort Dodge again this year, but alongside his teammates.

[Photo] ‘Just try to pass someone’

Jonah Frey, Special to the Solon Economist
October 8, 2025
Phillip Miller takes aim during a mini-tournament hosted by the Solon Archery Team in 2023.

[Photo] Archery parent meeting and sign up is Sunday, October 19

October 8, 2025
167 girls from preschool through 5th grade performed as cheerleaders during halftime of the frosh-soph game Friday, October 3 under the direction of the JV and varsity cheerleaders.

Mini Cheer Clinic fills the field and boosts cheerleaders’ coffers

Chris Umscheid, Editor
October 8, 2025
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.

[Photo] Support Solon kid in upcoming Bone Dash

Ella McEntaffer, Intern
October 1, 2025

Meet the city council/school board candidates Monday, October 20

Chris Umscheid, Editor
October 1, 2025
Boden Laing personifies cross country athletics in Iowa as he runs past tall grass and colorful weeds with a cow herd in the background Saturday, Sept. 27 at Anamosa’s invitational. The Solon Middle School boys won the 2-mile event.

Solon Middle School boys win at Anamosa Invitational

Chris Umscheid, Editor
October 1, 2025
Falyn Svalstad leads an Oelwein Husky past flowering weeds, prairie grass, and content cows in the distance Saturday, Sept. 27 during Anamosa’s invitational meet. Svalstad led the Lady Spartans to a runner up finish with her third place showing in 19:42.9.

Lady Spartans 2nd, Spartans 6th at XC Anamosa Invitational

Chris Umscheid, Editor
October 1, 2025
Emmett Swancutt, a 2nd grade student, runs a play for the 5th grade green team during the Flag Football Tournament Saturday, Sept. 20 in Spartan Stadium.

[Photo] Annual Punt, Pass, Kick, and Flag Football Tournament raises nearly $1,500 for Solon Football

October 1, 2025
Veterans and others look for the names of fallen comrades, friends, or family members on the Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance Saturday, Sept. 20. The 120-foot long memorial and historical display was set up on the Legion’s ballfield and in Solon from Thursday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Sept. 21 in its first visit to Iowa.

Remembering those who have fallen in the never ending war against terrorism

Chris Umscheid, Editor
September 25, 2025
Falyn Svalstad led the varsity girls with a seventh place finish in Solon’s home invitational Monday with a time of 20:27.4.

Lady Spartans win at Indee’s invitational, take runner up at home

Chris Umscheid, Editor
September 25, 2025
A pair of Bobcats make Cody Milliman their prey as the Spartans battle Benton Community Friday, Sept. 19 in Van Horne. The Spartans held off the ‘Cats for a 28-21 win to stay undefeated at 4-0.

28 points and a FB win, the hard way

Chris Umscheid, Editor
September 25, 2025
Freshman Makinley Galvan (4) smacks the ball toward the Stormin’ Pointers Tuesday, Sept. 16 at home. CPU topped Solon 3-2.

[Photo] Weekly volleyball recap

September 25, 2025
Above: Caidence Macke (in hat) stood beside the Solon volleyball team during introductions Tuesday, Sept. 16 as the Lady Spartans prepared to face Center Point-Urbana on Cancer Awareness Night. Macke was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma as a freshman.

[Photo] Solon volleyball honors one of their own for Cancer Awareness Night matchup against CPU

Chris Meglio, For the Solon Economist
September 25, 2025

Multiple choices for city council, uncontested races for school board on Nov. 4 ballot

Chris Umscheid, Editor
September 25, 2025
Brian Romans, founder of Romans Warrior Foundation and curator of the Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance, takes the point to lead the third annual RUCK 22 march for veterans suicide awareness Saturday, Sept. 20. The 2.2-mile hike raised funds for Iowa Veterans Outdoor Experience, a Solon-based all-volunteer veterans advocacy group that provides recreational and healing opportunities for veterans.

For those who survived war but lost to demons

Chris Umscheid, Editor
September 25, 2025

Time has come today

Chris Umscheid, Editor
September 25, 2025
Students dressed in red, white, and blue, and other patriotic attire swarm the field after the 35-20 varsity football win over archrival Mount Vernon Friday, Sept. 12 on Armed Forces Night.

Spartans honor all who’ve served on Armed Forces Night

Chris Umscheid, Editor
September 19, 2025
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