The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist
The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist
The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist
All content by Joel Kellar
Kobi Lietz (1) puts up a two-point shot in varsity action Friday, Dec. 13 against Benton Community. The Lady Spartans powered past the Bobcats for a 61-24 win with a game-high 19 points from Lietz.

Lady Spartans dominate Benton in statement victory

Joel Kellar, For the Solon Economist
December 18, 2024
Senior guard #1 Kobi Lietz goes up for a layup during the game against Iowa City West.

Lady Spartans basketball falls in tough test against Iowa City West

Joel Kellar
November 27, 2024
The Lady Spartans take the floor for the second half of the Class 3A Championship Game Friday, March 1, 2024, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Solon defeated Estherville-Lincoln Central 54-47 for their first 3A State Championship, and the first since 1998 (2A).

New team, same expectations for Lady Spartan Hoops

Joel Kellar, Solon Economist
November 20, 2024
Emotions begin to show for the Lady Spartans after finishing the 5k. They placed fourth place at the State Meet Friday, Nov. 1 in Fort Dodge.

Girls’ cross country places fourth at state meet

Joel Kellar
November 7, 2024
Rene Meza, a member of Solon Robotics, observes the arena seconds before a scrimmage competition begins Thursday, October 24 at the Solon Community Center.

A new season begins for Solon Robotics

Joel Kellar
October 31, 2024
Livya Nelson, Sydney Dee, and Kinley Mai run in a pack at the front of the race. The Lady Spartans placed second at the Williamsburg

Williamsburg meet primes cross country for big October

Joel Kellar
October 9, 2024
Preston Raasch and (right) Deacon Waddell finish together. The freshmen are two of three that scored for the Spartans this past Saturday in Anamosa.

Girls cross country places second at Anamosa, boys place six amid more injuries

Joel Kellar, Solon Economist
October 2, 2024
Sydney Dee battles her way to a 4th overall finish in the Women's Varsity race Monday in Solon’s home invitational meet.

Lady Spartans win, Spartans fourth at home XC meet

Joel Kellar, Solon Economist
September 25, 2024
Allen Shima (left) and Kacey Craig (right) set up for their shots during trapshooting practice.

The perfect shot

Joel Kellar, Solon Economist
September 25, 2024

‘The energy was electric’

Joel Kellar, Solon Economist
September 19, 2024
Senior Evan Burg (339) and teammate Anders Holmes, a freshman, charge up the steep hill at the Kickers Soccer park in Iowa City last Thursday during Regina Catholic’s Bob Brown Cross Country Classic.

Lady Spartans win, Spartans fifth at Regina’s Bob Brown Cross Country Classic

Joel Kellar, Reporter
September 11, 2024
Sophomore Maddox Kelley (4) sails toward the soft new turf after being tripped up by an Assumption defender this past Friday in the varsity season opener.

Spartan football dominates Assumption 33-7 in season opener

Joel Kellar, Reporter
September 5, 2024
Fire Chief Bob Siddell receives a $1,000 donation from Henry Rios and Larry Swan, representing the American Legion of Iowa Foundation.

American Legion of Iowa Foundation makes donation to Solon firefighters

Joel Kellar, Reporter
August 28, 2024

$30 Million Conservation bond up for vote in November’s general election

Joel Kellar, Reporter
August 28, 2024
Contributed

New senior housing complex proposed for Solon

Joel Kellar, Reporter
August 21, 2024
Ruben Galvan is the new head coach for Lady Spartans volleyball this season. Galvan, who spent 26 years leading the program at West Liberty, brings 35 years of coaching experience to Solon.

A new season and a new coach for Solon volleyball

Joel Kellar, Reporter
August 21, 2024
The Spartans gather around the Class 3A State Participant trophy after falling 45-14 to WaMaC West rival Williamsburg Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in the Semifinal round at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls. (Deb Rebal / Special to the Solon Economist)

Solon football looking to finish the job

Joel Kellar, Reporter
August 21, 2024
Rene Meza (303) and Gabe Nicholson (305) charge up the hill at the Kickers Soccer Complex in Iowa City during Regina Catholic’s Bob Brown Invitational last year.

A tale of two cities for Solon’s runners this season

Joel Kellar, Reporter
August 21, 2024
Erin Kerkhoff and Jessica Heims

Local athletes to represent Team USA in Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Joel Kellar, Reporter
August 21, 2024
Jessica Heims throws the discus during the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. This was the first meet that Heims committed to only throwing discus. (Contributed photo)

Jessica Heims’ pipe dream turns into a reality for a third time

Joel Kellar, Reporter
August 21, 2024
Erin Kerkhoff finishes a relay race during her high school career at Solon. Kerkhoff won 11 state medals and broke two school records during her time racing as a Lady Spartan. (Contributed)

Erin Kerkhoff, the Hometown Hero that can’t see

Joel Kellar, Reporter
August 21, 2024
SCSD’s first day is next Friday

SCSD’s first day is next Friday

Joel Kellar, Reporter
August 14, 2024
Allen ties these beads to his guitar and mic for every show he performs. Allen uses the beads to honor his longtime friend he shared the stage with many times, Stevie G.

Solon’s own stars at Music on Main Street

Joel Kellar, Reporter
August 7, 2024
Brodie Hansen looks at one of the dinosaurs that were scattered around the library lawn for the scavenger hunt.

An evening with the dinosaurs

Joel Kellar, Reporter
August 7, 2024
People stand in line for the Rockstar ride back-lit by the Sizzler in the Sam’s Mainstreet Market parking lot Friday evening. Sam’s Amusements & Carnival from Shawnee, OK returned to Beef Days and once again filled the lot and Main St. with rides and games.

Photos: Solon Beef Days

Chris Umscheid and Joel Kellar
July 31, 2024
Solon high school welcomes new principal, Drew Bunkers

Solon high school welcomes new principal, Drew Bunkers

Joel Kellar, Reporter
July 31, 2024
Lane Steinbrech leads his cow into the ring to be judged.

[Photo] Photos/Results: Solon’s 4-H’ers shine in the ring

July 31, 2024
Avery Babbit walks back to her teammates after striking out to end the game. The Lady Spartans could not get themselves out of the four run hole they were in after the first inning as they fell 5-1 to Benton Community last Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the 3A State Softball Tournament in Fort Dodge.

‘The Best 18-24 Team You’ll Ever See’

Joel Kellar, Reporter
July 31, 2024
The 2024 Solon Beef Days Parade stretches down the length of Dubuque St. Saturday morning. The parade began at 10:00 a.m. and lasted a little over an hour.

Photos: Solon Beef Days Parade

Chris Umscheid and Joel Kellar
July 24, 2024
Kade Pieper throws the hay bale well over the bar during the contest. Pieper won the hay bale toss at the 2024 Beef Days, topping out at 12 feet. Pieper wanted to chase down the record held by his Hawkeye football teammate, Gennings Dunker, but fell a few throws short. “I think the bales were lighter last year, they were pretty green and heavy this year.”

Hay Bale Toss: A new champion is crowned

Joel Kellar, Reporter
July 24, 2024
Sherri Nieukrik sets up a game on the carnival midway set up along West Main Street in downtown Solon. Nieukrik has run the carnival game for 16 years at Beef Days and said her favorite part of the festival is seeing all the people, both new and returning.

Solon Beef Days: It takes many hands

Joel Kellar, Reporter
July 24, 2024
Miranda Simison shoots and arrow during the second annual Beef Days Archery Tournament. Simison is a member of the Solon Spartan Archery Team. Solon archery head coach Steve Madura said, “This event benefits the team because we are able to have our archers shoot in the summer when it’s the off-season. And we are reaching out to the community and letting them see what our organization is about.”

Spartan archers showcase their sport during Beef Days

Joel Kellar, Reporter
July 24, 2024
  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2