The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist
The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist
The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist
All content by Solon Economist
Grace Erwin (4) puts the ball over in action against Mount Vernon during last Thursday’s WaMaC Tournament at Marion High School. The archrival Mustangs beat Solon 2-0.

Lady Spartans go 2-1 in WaMaC Tournament postseason play this week

Solon Economist
October 23, 2024
Left: Standout freshman Anders Holmes leads the way for Solon boys' varsity, earning WaMaC Second Team All-Conference honors last Thursday in the conference meet at the Antioch Christian Church in Marion.

Lady Spartans 2nd, boys 6th in WaMaC meet

Solon Economist
October 23, 2024
(From left) Alannah Mahoney, Dylan Dunnwald, Connor Mahoney and Arthur Martin brought home medals from the Wilton Trapshooting Competition. (Not pictured: Dylan Dunnwald) Sunday, October 19.

Spartan Trapshooters excel at Wilton Trap Meet

Solon Economist
October 23, 2024
Madison Singbeil(2024 Johnson County Fair Queen),Addie Wilmer, and Adlie Miller launch Sienna Landuyt skyward asLayla Knazze, and Jordyn Hale watch Friday, Sept. 13 at Central DeWitt High School.

Sideline Standards

Solon Economist
September 19, 2024
Eddie Johnson (10) runs for one of his two touchdowns against the Central DeWitt Sabers.

Spartans run wild against the Sabers

Solon Economist
September 19, 2024
Vince Steinbrech (13) is fouled by Davis County’s Cason Young in a Class 3A Substate 5 first round game Monday, Feb. 19 in Solon. The Spartans rolled the Mustangs 75-36 to advance to the second round against Keokuk.

Chiefs’ war party ends Spartans’ season

Solon Economist
February 29, 2024
SIS Alpha Club members pose with roughly a half-ton of donated food they collected for presentation to the Solon Community Food Pantry recently.

SIS Alpha Club collects ½ ton of food for Solon Food Pantry

Solon Economist
February 25, 2024
Vince Steinbrech, shown here in action against Independence, led all with 24 points against West Delaware last Monday.

Spartans finish the regular season as WaMaC East Champs

Solon Economist
February 22, 2024
Jordan Schmidt finished fifth in 138 pounds at the 2024 IHSAA State Wrestling Championships last week at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Schmidt improved on his 7th place finish last year.

Schmidt takes fifth place at State Wrestling

Solon Economist
February 22, 2024

Little Hawks 12th at Boys State Swimming

Solon Economist
February 15, 2024
The Lady Spartans celebrate their 55-54 win over Mount Vernon, and the buzzer-beating three-point basket by Kobi Lietz that made it happen.

Revenge!

Solon Economist
February 8, 2024
From left - Olivia Bonnema, Alannah Mahoney, Kara VeDepo, and McKenna Rogers competed in the 2024 Girls State Wrestling Tournament last week at the Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Lady Spartans compete at State Wrestling

Solon Economist
February 8, 2024

Spartans stay perfect with two more wins

Solon Economist
February 8, 2024
(From left) Alannah Mahoney, Olivia Bonnema, Kara VeDepo, and McKenna Rogers qualified for the 2024 Girls State Wrestling Tournament at the Region 6 Super Regional Friday at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids.

Lady Spartans qualify four for State Wrestling Tourney

Solon Economist
February 1, 2024
Solon firefighters place equipment in large “coffin compartments” on top of their new heavy rescue truck Saturday, April 15.

Another busy year for Solon Fire is in the books

Solon Economist
February 1, 2024

Solon, Mount Vernon papers to be sold to The Daily Iowan

Solon Economist
February 1, 2024
Lucas Feuerbach took 2nd at 215 pounds Saturday in the 2024 WaMaC Conference Tournament at Williamsburg.

Spartans seventh at WaMaC Tourney

Solon Economist
February 1, 2024

Spartans fourth at Herb Irgens Invitational

Solon Economist
January 25, 2024
Jackson Feuerbach battles Mount Vernon’s Cooper Hird in the 165-pound match last Thursday in Mount Vernon. Feuerbach lost 4-0.

Mustangs take down the Spartans

Solon Economist
January 25, 2024
(From left) Councilmen Andrew Kramer and John Farlinger with Mayor Dan O’Neil and Councilman Cole Gabriel stand with Tish Young and Marilyn Muhle from Chains Interrupted after O’Neil’s signing of a proclamation declaring January as Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Month.

January is Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Month

Solon Economist
January 25, 2024
Kara VeDepo won at 100 pounds last Friday in the 2024 WaMaC Conference Tournament at Clear Creek Amana HS in Tiffin.

Lady Spartans fourth at WaMaC Tourney

Solon Economist
January 25, 2024

Mustangs top Lady Spartans 51-30 on the mat

Solon Economist
January 25, 2024
Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel and former Mayor Steve Stange stand by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office logo in the new Solon substation during a January 6 open house. The facility is now officially the Steven R. Stange Public Safety Building in recognition of Stange’s career as a law enforcement officer and 30 years as a Solon volunteer firefighter.

City Council approves dedication of Sheriff’s substation as the Steven R. Stange Public Safety Building

Solon Economist
January 25, 2024

School Board approves 2025-2026 calendar

Solon Economist
January 25, 2024

Solon Republicans choose Trump

Solon Economist
January 18, 2024

Lady Spartans pillage and plunder the Trojans

Solon Economist
January 18, 2024

Spartans slide past Trojans

Solon Economist
January 18, 2024
Neysa Volkert sent in this photo of Ashton Volkert in a snow tunnel. Heavy wet snow from the first storm was perfect for building tunnels, snow forts, and snowmen.

Snow Days

Solon Economist
January 18, 2024
Callie Levin notched a major achievement last week when she became Solon’s all-time leading three-point shooter with 161, breaking the record previously held by former Lady Spartan and Iowa Hawkeye player Lindsey Meder.

Lady Spartans survive Bobcats’ upset bid

Solon Economist
January 11, 2024
Lawsin Sinnwell gets up after pinning Williamsburg’s Sawyer Kirby in a varsity 144-pound match Thursday, Dec. 7 at home.

Spartans reign at South Tama

Solon Economist
January 11, 2024
Olivia Bonnema rises after pinning Tarriel White (Marion) in 1:53 last Thursday at South Tama High School. Bonnema was a double winner after pinning South Tama’s Paisley Bro as well.

Lady Spartans split on South Tama’s mats

Solon Economist
January 11, 2024
Coaches Scott Smyth and Kent Ball inspect the bows of Hailey Anderson and MJ Haege before their flights during this past weekend’s tournaments.

Spartan archers compete in largest home tourney ever and annual ‘Battle of the Orange’

Solon Economist
January 11, 2024
Kara VeDepo (at left) took second place at 100 pounds Saturday in Anamosa’s Girls Tournament.

Lady Spartans 12th at Anamosa Girls Tourney

Solon Economist
January 11, 2024

Spartans reign supreme at North Mahaska Invitational

Solon Economist
January 11, 2024
Vince Steinbrech (13) drives for the basket Friday, Dec. 8 at home against Grinnell. The Spartans improved to 2-0 with a 73-64 win including 17 points from Steinbrech, a senior.

Spartans stay perfect with pair of wins

Solon Economist
January 11, 2024

Little Hawks soak the Wahawks

Solon Economist
January 11, 2024

Lady Spartans 10th at Williamsburg invitational

Solon Economist
December 7, 2023

Schmidt takes third, Steapps sixth and seventh at Cliff Keen wrestling invitational

Solon Economist
December 7, 2023
Olivia Bonnema, second from right, finished sixth at 145 pounds at the prestigious Dan Gable Donnybrook high school wrestling tournament this past weekend in Coralville.

Bonnema 6th at prestigious Dan Gable Donnybrook tourney

Solon Economist
December 7, 2023
Trevor Myers (57), Conlan Poynton (22), and Mason Scott (59) work to clear a path for Eddie Johnson (10) in a Class 3A State Semifinal game this past Saturday against Williamsburg in the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls.

Heartbreak in the Dome

Solon Economist
November 16, 2023
Jordan Schmidt looks for the pin against Midland’s Shayden Hansen in a 132-pound match Thursday, Feb. 2 in the Solon Duals. Schmidt finished the ’22-’23 season with a 7th-place showing at the 2023 State Meet.

Spartans still young but bringing back experience

Solon Economist
November 16, 2023

Change at the top and a new face on the city council

Solon Economist
November 16, 2023
Grace Hoeper won the varsity 200-yard freestyle (1:53.43) and 100-yard butterfly (57.58) Tuesday, August 22 in City High’s season opening meet at Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

Still the Champion

Solon Economist
November 16, 2023
The Lady Spartans wrestling team poses for a group photo during a recent practice. Their season, the second as an IGHSAU-sanctioned sport, started Monday (Nov. 13) with a JV tournament and with the South Tama tournament Thursday (Nov. 16).

Lady Spartans start their season this week

Solon Economist
November 16, 2023
Grace Hoeper returns to the State Swimming and Diving Meet this weekend to defend her 50-yard freestyle title, and to compete in three other events.

Hoeper to defend State 50-yard freestyle championship

Solon Economist
November 9, 2023

Little Hawks tenth in MVC Sophomore Championships

Solon Economist
November 2, 2023
Grace Erwin (4) was a WaMaC East All-Conference 1st Team pick. Erwin, a junior, produced 186 kills this season.

Season ends for Lady Spartans

Solon Economist
November 2, 2023

Grace Hoeper named MVC Valley Div. Swimmer of the Year

Solon Economist
November 2, 2023
Grace Hoeper earned MVC conference titles in the 200 and 100-freestyle events Saturday, October 21 at the conference meet in Dubuque. Hoeper was named MVC Valley Division Swimmer of the Year.

Little Hawks take ninth in MVC Conference swimming meet

Solon Economist
October 26, 2023
Steve Stange

Stange seeking reelection

Solon Economist
October 19, 2023
Conlan Poynton (22) tangles with Williamsburg’s Braylon Wetjen (0) on a carry Friday, October 6 at home. The Spartans dethroned the Raiders from the top of Class 3A District 6 with a 21-14 win.

Spartans roll the Trojans

Solon Economist
October 19, 2023
Addie Miller (12) swats the ball in a kill attempt Thursday, October 12 during the WaMaC Conference Tournament at Marion High School.

Lady Spartans defeat Williamsburg and Indee at WaMaC Tourney

Solon Economist
October 19, 2023
Jack McCarty (6) intercepts a pass intended for Williamsburg’s Braylon Wetjen (0) Friday, October 6 as the Spartans upset the No.4-ranked (in 3A) Raiders 21-14.

Spartans knock off Raiders in 3A-5 upset

Solon Economist
October 12, 2023
Herky the Hawk helped countdown to the start of the first Bone Dash 5k and Monster Mile event last year at the SRNA. The event, a fundraiser for the Joining Hands Support Group for pediatric rheumatology patients at the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital, returns to the SRNA Saturday morning.

2nd annual Bone Dash 5K & Monster Mile is Saturday

Solon Economist
October 12, 2023

Tigers soak the Little Hawks 134-52

Solon Economist
October 12, 2023
Dan O’Neil

O’Neil running for Mayor

Solon Economist
October 12, 2023

Hawks fly away with a victory over the Lady Spartans

Solon Economist
October 5, 2023

Little Hawks fall to Trojan-Bolts in annual crosstown rivalry

Solon Economist
October 5, 2023
Bridget Toomey is an advocate for ovarian cancer awareness and has spearheaded efforts to have National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month recognized in the state of Iowa and Johnson County in September with proclamations signed by Governor Kim Reynolds and Johnson County Supervisors Chairwoman Lisa Green-Douglass.

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Solon Economist
October 5, 2023

Little Hawks split with Wahlert Catholic

Solon Economist
September 28, 2023

Little Hawks 7th at Kennedy Cougar Invitational

Solon Economist
September 28, 2023
Conlan Poynton (22) scores a touchdown Friday, Sept. 22 at Grinnell. The Spartans opened district play with a 40-7 win over the Tigers and moved to 4-1 on the season.

Spartans roll Tigers 40-7

Solon Economist
September 28, 2023

Six candidates for Nov. 7 city/school election

Solon Economist
September 28, 2023

School Board accepts bid for SIS expansion

Solon Economist
September 28, 2023
Lily Smith, Youth Services Librarian, shared the books Life Size Zoo by Teruyuki Komiya, and Actual Size by Steve Jenkins with attendees to the BAM POW event Thursday, Sept. 21 at the Solon Public Library. The kids then used modeling clay to make their own colorful creatures.

BAM POW: Making clay creatures at the Library

Solon Economist
September 28, 2023
Davis Eidahl

Construction projects to begin next spring

Solon Economist
September 21, 2023

2.2-mile ruck march to support veterans is Saturday

Solon Economist
September 21, 2023
Yasmine Sell (9) attempts one of her team high ten kills against Center Point-Urbana Tuesday, Sept. 12.

Two big wins for Lady Spartans

Solon Economist
September 21, 2023
The varsity Lady Spartans celebrate a point against rival Mount Vernon Tuesday, Sept. 5. The Mustangs swept Solon 3-0.

Mustangs sweep Lady Spartans 3-0

Solon Economist
September 14, 2023

Lions splash Little Hawks 102-83

Solon Economist
September 7, 2023

Shueyville color run/walk is this Saturday

Solon Economist
September 7, 2023
Steve Stange

Open seats for Nov. 7 City and School Election

Solon Economist
August 31, 2023

Eight Lady Spartans swimming for City High this season

Solon Economist
August 24, 2023
The Spartans will take the field Friday, August 18 in a scrimmage against Monticello and open the season August 25 at Assumption Catholic (Davenport) Solon’s first home game will be Friday, Sept. 1 against Clear Creek Amana.

New district, new challenges for the Spartans on the gridiron

Solon Economist
August 17, 2023

Lady Spartan volleyball, picking up where they left off

Solon Economist
August 17, 2023
Grace Hoeper won the 100-yard backstroke in 1:02.05 Sept. 27 against Iowa City West High/Liberty High. The Solon sophomore is already a State Qualifier in six events.

Six Lady Spartans swimming for City High’s Little Hawks this year

Solon Economist
August 17, 2023

Bands for the Bird House is August 19

Solon Economist
August 17, 2023

Bands for the Bird House is August 19

Solon Economist
August 10, 2023
Bill gives his daughter Sloane some last-minute pointers before her heat of the Solon Beef Days Big Wheel Races Saturday, July 22.

For glory and a big wheel

Solon Economist
August 3, 2023
Don Ellis interviews Sherry Carpenter during the 2023 Solon Beef Days Kiddie Tractor Pull Friday, July 21. Sherry and her late husband Bob started the tractor pull some 40 years ago.

Beef Days Kiddie Tractor Pull still going strong after 40 years

Solon Economist
August 3, 2023
Maddyn “Mad Dog” Gates pitched 11-1/3 innings Thursday, July 6 at home against West Delaware in a 12-inning Class 3A Regional Quarterfinal battle. The Lady Spartans outlasted the Hawks 4-3 to advance.

18 innings and two wins send Lady Spartans to 3A Regional Final

Solon Economist
July 13, 2023
Vince Steinbrech (11) went the distance for Solon against CCA giving up three hits and no runs in a 2-0 Class 3A Substate First Round game Friday, July 7 in Tiffin.

Season ends for the Spartans

Solon Economist
July 13, 2023

Watermain project to start soon, funding clog delays downtown sewer project

Solon Economist
July 13, 2023
Garret Stebral (22) seeks the umpire’s confirmation after tagging a Clipper at second base Thursday, June 29 at home in a varsity doubleheader against WaMaC West rival Clear Creek Amana.

Spartans wrap up the regular season

Solon Economist
July 6, 2023
Addie Miller (11) follows Claire LaDage (3) home after smacking the second of two homeruns Monday, June 26 at West Delaware. Miller had three hits total with six RBIs but the Hawks still surprised the Lady Spartans with a pair of losses.

Lady Spartans end the regular season with a surprise and a sweep

Solon Economist
July 6, 2023

Fireworks are OK in Solon, but…

Solon Economist
June 29, 2023
Mia Stahle (10) congratulates Addie Miller (11) on her homerun Monday, June 19 at Benton Community.

Lady Spartans split with Benton and CPU, go 3-1 in home tourney

Solon Economist
June 29, 2023
The Spartans race across the field to congratulate Dylan Gorham on his walk off RBI single, that won game one against CPU Thursday, June 22.

Spartans split with Bobcats, sweep CPU, and hammer Regals

Solon Economist
June 29, 2023
Level 2 Coach Monika Bevans directs Layla Knazze to run for home plate Wednesday, June 14 at home against Regina Catholic.

Lady Spartans swept by W’Burg, shutout by Regals

Solon Economist
June 22, 2023
Blake Timmons (2) focuses before delivering a pitch Thursday, June 15 at home against Liberty High’s Lightning.

Spartans sweep Raiders, split with the Bolts

Solon Economist
June 22, 2023
Governor Kim Reynolds presented awards for volunteer service to Madison Craig and Allison Mackin Tuesday, June 6 at the Iowa Braille School in Vinton. The two were among more than 600 volunteers statewide recognized with the Governor’s Volunteer Awards.

Madison Craig and Allison Mackin receive Governor’s Volunteer Awards

Solon Economist
June 22, 2023
Kayla Meseck (2) climbs the wall in an effort to grab the ball in varsity action last week.

Lady Spartans go 6-0 last week

Solon Economist
June 15, 2023
Vince Steinbrech delivers a pitch in the first inning of a non-conference game against City High Saturday, June 10 at home during the Fight With Flash Crosstown Classic.

Spartans go 4-2 last week

Solon Economist
June 15, 2023
Gabby Knipper earned WaMaC East All Conference First Team honors.

Eight named to WaMaC Girls All Conference Soccer teams

Solon Economist
June 8, 2023

Volunteers wanted!

Solon Economist
June 8, 2023
Alex and Molly, featuring Solon’s own Alex Newkirk return to the bandstand in City Park Wednesday, July 26 as part of the Music on Main Street concert series.

Music on Main is back!

Solon Economist
June 8, 2023
Keegan Conway was a WaMaC East All Conference First Team pick.

Six named to WaMaC Boys All Conference Soccer teams

Solon Economist
June 8, 2023
Ty Bell (30) delivers a warm up pitch Saturday, June 3 before starting on the mound against the Iowa City West High Trojans in a non-conference match up.

An up and down week for the Spartans

Solon Economist
June 8, 2023
The Lady Spartans surprise Coach Brad Holub with signs celebrating his 100th win Wednesday, May 31 after an 8-2 win over Vinton-Shellsburg. The ladies made it 101 with a 10-5 nightcap win to sweep the varsity doubleheader.

100 wins for Coach Brad Holub

Solon Economist
June 8, 2023

Spartans fifth at Boys State Golf Tourney

Solon Economist
June 1, 2023
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