Solon Scouts soar to Eagle rank
AJ Dolan Solon Economist
SOLON — As the color guard entered the Timber Dome Lodge, six members of the Solon BSA troop 120 followed, grinning as they knew it was finally time for them to receive their highly-coveted Eagle Award.
“It is a big deal to earn the rank of Eagle scout,” said Lynn Rose, an assistant scout master and parent. “Approximately five percent of all scouts earn the Eagle rank. For our troop to have six scouts earn the rank over a course of a few months is a big achievement.”
At the Eagle Court of Honor event Sunday June 29 (the ceremony in which scouts are officially minted to Eagles) scouts Jamie Calef, Ian Cronk, Jaxon Davis, Elliot Hamm, Spencer Michels, and Owen Young were recognized for their achievement.
The ceremonial process involves scout practices that are revered as extremely important. After the Eagles enter and are introduced, they are provided pins for both a parent and a mentor that helped them along their journey to becoming an Eagle, in which said Eagle will place on them.
“It’s just great to be here to see them get this award,” said Scott Hamm, parent and scout participant.
The festivities continued, culminating in a presentation of the Eagle Award and concluding with speeches from those closely connected with troop 120 as well as an oath from the six new Eagles.
The ceremony of Eagle Court of Honor not only highlighted how prestigious this opportunity is in the world of scouts for the new Eagles, but also for the family and friends connected to them, showcasing them as scouts and their individual impact on the community through their leadership and the qualities of excellence they vow to revere.
“It’s special…you get to know a lot of people and you get to try a lot of new things,” said Owen Young. “It’s just an experience largely based on the people around you.”
Mill Creek Band hits the Mainstreet Stage
AJ Dolan Solon Economist
SOLON — The Mill Creek Band rocked the Mainstreet Stage Wednesday, June 25, bringing a finely-tuned concert to downtown Solon.
The six-member group played the Music on Main event for the ninth year in a row, covering several artists from The Beatles to Elton John to Chris Stapleton. The Mill Creek Band is made up of lead singer Kinsey Collins, guitarists Curtis Hendrickson and James McAtee, keyboardist Emma Gostonczik, bassist Ken Beck and drummer David Patrick, bringing a mix of rock, country, and pop to the Solon audience.
Next up from Music on Main is Kevin Burt on Wednesday, July 9 followed by The Country Biscuits Wednesday, July 16, at Meadowlark Acres (moved due to Beef Days set up). The Funk Daddies bring their R&B
and Soul to the Mainstreet Stage Wednesday, July 23 while Code Blues ends the month Wednesday, July 30 and Kickin’ Country closes out the series Wednesday, August 6.
All concerts are at 7:00 p.m., weather depending.
The
Above right: Mill Creek Band member Curtis Hendrickson riffs on his
Above: Mill Creek Band bassist Ken Beck and guitarist James McAtee groove with the music while performing on the Main Street Stage in Solon Wednesday, June 25.
Right: Mill Creek Band singers Kinsey Collins and Emma Gostonczik sing on the Main Street Stage in Solon Wednesday, June 25.
AJ Dolan | Solon Economist
Eagle scouts walk into the Eagle Court Ceremony at the Timber Dome Lodge in Solon Sunday, June 29.
Photos by AJ Dolan | Solon Economist
Top:
Mill Creek Band, from Solon, captivates the audience in Solon Wednesday, June 25, as part of the weekly Music on Mainstreet concert series.
guitar during Music on Main Wednesday, June 25.
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist file photo
Steaks sizzle on the grill during the 2022 Solon Beef Days. With beef prices on the rise due in part to smaller cattle herds, the Beef Days Committee is discontinuing the 50-year Steak Dinner tradition, but will still have steak sandwiches and several other food options this year.
It’s still Beef Days
the years of support.”
SOLON — Shockwaves were felt last Friday as the Solon Beef Days Committee made a startling announcement on social media platforms.
“Thank You for 50 Years of Steak Dinners!
After five incredible decades, we’ve made the tough decision to retire the Steak Dinners from our Beef Days food offerings. We know this tradition meant a lot to many, and we’re so grateful for all
Beef Days President Denise Bruck explained via email it is simply a matter of cost.
“We try to make Beef Days an affordable event for everyone,” said Bruck.
“With the increase in beef prices, we chose to keep our focus on lower-price sandwiches. We (will) have steak sandwiches, pork loin sandwiches, and the very popular pork burger.”
A full list of food vendors is available at https://beefdays.com/events/food/.
An urgent request from the Pantry
SOLON — As diverse as the patrons are who utilize the Solon Food Pantry, so too are the requests Elaine Claude, Director of the Solon Food Pantry, receives from people needing a little help to get by.
“It’s a food pantry but I’ve had requests for laundry detergent and feminine products specifically,” she said.
Also, the Pantry will gratefully accept donations of shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, and dish soap.
For food, the Pantry is looking for baked beans, condiments such as dressings and
Independence Day 2025 hours for Johnson County departments and offices
Most Johnson County governmental departments and offices will be closed Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.
Detailed schedule changes include:
Ambulance: Johnson County Ambulance Service (JCAS) will be available for routine and emergency response. The JCAS billing and administrative offices will be closed. Emergency services remain available 365 days a year. In an emergency, residents should always dial 911.
Conservation: The Conservation administrative office and Education Center will be closed. All conservation areas will remain open and park rangers will be on call.
Emergency Management: The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) administrative office will be closed, but emergency services remain available 365 days a year. In an emergency residents should always dial 911. For non-emergency matters call 319-356-6700.
Medical Examiner: The Medical Examiner Department (JCME) will be available for emergency response. JCME administrative offices will be closed. JCME should be contacted via the 24-hour pager service by calling 563244-0054.
SEATS: Johnson County SEATS will not provide service on Friday, July 4.
Secondary Roads: The Secondary Roads administrative offices will be closed. Road crews will be available for emergency response if necessary.
Sheriff’s Office: The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Administrative, Civil and Records divisions will be closed. All other services will operate as normal and be available for routine and emergency response.
State offices located in County buildings: The Clerk of Court, located in the Johnson County Courthouse, 417 S. Clinton Street in Iowa City, will be closed. The Courthouse will also be closed and there will be no court hearings in the Courthouse.
The Department of Health and Human Services and Juvenile Court Services, both located in the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building, 855 S. Dubuque Street in Iowa City, will be closed.
mayo, canned meat, boxed potatoes (au gratin or scalloped), Hamburger Helper®, Suddenly Salad®, soups other than vegetable, crunchy peanut butter, and cereal (other than Cheerios® or Life®).
The Pantry’s stock of food and toiletries can fluctuate greatly from month-tomonth, even week-to-week depending on demand and donations received.
The Pantry is open to receive donations Mondays, 8:30-10:00 a.m. with a 24/7 drop-off box outside the Pantry door.
For more information on how to help the Pantry in their mission to provide assistance to your neighbors, including how to volunteer, call Elaine at 319-321-5232 or email luv2runiowa@yahoo.com.
What causes glare?
Dr. Ian Hui
Glare can be very troublesome to your vision, especially when driving at night. In dim illumination your pupil dilates or enlarges, allowing peripheral rays of light to enter the eye, which causes halos and glare around lights. Glare can increase when cataracts develop inside the eye, since they scatter the light rays even more. Glare is worse if you have dry eyes. Glare also is caused by reflections from your car’s dashboard, the highway, water, or snow on the ground.
Wearing polarized sunglasses can significantly reduce glare when driving, boating or fishing. Anti-reflective coatings can be used to reduce glare when driving at night or when using a computer. If you have glare symptoms, have a full eye examination to be checked for cataracts, dry eyes, or other ocular conditions that are treatable.
The Solon Economist strives for accuracy and fairness in reporting news. If we’ve made an error or a report is misleading, let us know about it: news@soloneconomist.com.
STAFF
Publisher Jason Brummond jason.brummond@dailyiowan.com
Editor Chris Umscheid chris.umscheid@ soloneconomist.com
Advertising Sales Catherine Bilskie catherine.bilskie@ soloneconomist.com
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Copyright 2025 Solon Economist, a division of The Daily Iowan and Student Publications, Inc. All articles, photographs and graphics, both in print and online editions, are the property of Student Publications, Inc., and may not be reproduced
Solon Economist
Solon Economist
Lawrence (Larry) A. Meister, 89, of Solon, passed away Friday, June 26, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics following a brief illness. A visitation will be held Thursday, July 3, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Gay and Ciha Funeral Home in Iowa City, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 pm. A private burial will be held after the service at Oakland Cemetery in Solon. Larry was born on August 16, 1935, in Brooklyn New York, to Edward and Minerva Meister. He grew up in Hempstead, on Long Island before becoming a transplanted Iowan. He and his wife Dee lived in the Solon area for 61 years, where they raised their children, Julie and Brad. Following in his father’s footsteps, Larry came to Iowa to attend the University of Iowa. There he met the love of his life, Delores (Dee) Taves. They married on August 18, 1957. Larry then graduated from the University of Iowa, earning his BA in 1957, his MA in 1962, and his EDS in 1976. Shortly after he and Dee were married, Larry was drafted into the US Army. They spent the next two years in Maryland, and Larry did classified research at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. When Larry’s tour was up, he and Dee moved back to Iowa, built a house in the Lake Macbride area and started a family.
Larry’s 37-year career was spent in the Solon School District as a classroom teacher from 1962 to 1965, athletic director from 1964 to 1967, and high school principal from 1964to 1999. He was also the “voice of Solon” announcer for Solon Spartan football for 20 years. He felt that “Solon (HS) has been blessed with many talented, dedicated and caring faculty and staff that have contributed to the positive learning in the school.”
He truly enjoyed his friendships with the HS staff and with the Solon community.
During his time as an educator and principal in Solon, Larry was recognized with many honors including the Iowa Association for Counseling and Development Outstanding Administrator of the Year in 1989 and the Brain Injury Association of Iowa Outstanding Educator for the East Central Group in 1997. He also received the IHSAA School Administrator’s Award in 1999.
Retiring in 1999 didn’t slow Larry down. He maintained his huge vegetable garden and he continued as a volunteer for many organizations. He was a founding member of the Vislisel Family Foundation, which offered four-year scholarships to Solon graduates, and was also a founding member of the Solon Area Community Foundation (SACT) where he served for 40 years as president. He was also on the board of the Solon Senior Advocates, and he helped found Our Lord’s Church in Solon. As members, he and Dee enjoyed helping with the weekend soup ministry and free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. He continued to earn several acknowledgements in retirement, among them Cornerstone Grand Marshall in the Solon Beef Days Parade in 2021 and was named Solon Senior Citizen of the Year by the Senior Advocates in 2022.
Having grown up in New York Larry was also a lifelong Yankees fan thanks to his uncle Marvin who took him to many games. Larry shared his love of the Yankees with his son Brad and his good friend Don Ellis. There was always much passionate discussion of good and bad trades, stats, great plays, and of course the ups and downs of Brad’s fantasy baseball team.
Larry and Dee were avid bridge players for many years. They also loved to travel and spend their free time together and with friends. Long family vacations early on in the station wagon were common during summer break, always ending in Florida or New York to visit family. In 1993, Larry gave Dee a camera for Christmas and this led to a long love affair with travel and nature photography. Larry and Dee spent weeks every summer traveling out west where they would hike and Dee would take hundreds of pictures. They were long-time participants in the Iowa City Camera Club.
Larry and Dee were devoted Hawkeye fans, especially football and basketball, often traveling to home and away games with a group of close friends. They even attended the Rose Bowl several times, starting in 1957, when they took the train to Pasadena to see the game. Larry and Dee have had women’s basketball season tickets for over 25 years.
Larry often told people what a great life he has had and how he wouldn’t change a thing. He will be dearly missed by so many.
Surviving Larry are his wife, Delores (Grand Living Bridgewater in Coralville); daughter, Julie (North Liberty); and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Brad; his parents; and his sister, Linda.
A special thank you to Pastor Renee Lunemann for her guidance and support, and for being at his side at his passing. Thank you also to the ICU staff for their dedicated care and compassion during his stay.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Solon Library or the Solon Food Pantry.
Tristan Joseph Metzler, 16, of Shueyville and formerly of Solon, passed away on June 21, 2025, at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital after a long illness in the arms of his Mom and Dad. Visitation was held from on Monday, June 30, 2025, at the Solon United Methodist Church. A memorial service followed with Pastor Doug Peters officiating.
Tristan was born in Cedar Rapids on June 13, 2009. At three months old, he joined his forever family and was later adopted by Daniel and Lisa (Hanes) Metzler. Tristan attended Prairie High School and just completed the 9th grade this spring.
Tristan had a love for music and enjoyed watching movies and musicals. He loved colorful light shows in the dark, both at home and at school. He had an infectious smile and laugh, and he loved being with his family and friends.
He participated in Special Olympics, Best Buddies, Miracle League and attended Camp Courageous.
Despite his life full of challenges, he faced each day with courage. His positive attitude, his strength and his bravery were his superpowers. He loved unconditionally and was a light to everyone who met him.
Tristan is survived by his loving and devoted parents, Daniel and Lisa Metzler; siblings: Ashley (Chris) Maiers, Zach (Autum) Metzler, Jacob (Jena) Metzler and Armando Metzler (his brother, long time roommate and best friend); niece and nephews: Ilsa and Micah Maiers and Magnus Metzler; maternal and paternal grandmothers: Mitzi Hanes-Pratt and Anne Metzler; and his birth family.
He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandfathers: Robert Hanes, Rev. John Metzler and Rulon Pratt and his Nana Jeni.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o Lisa Metzler and online condolences may be shared at www.lensingfuneral.com.
SOLON PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS
The Library is for everyone and Summer Reading is too! Come check out a book, movie, cake pan, and even a telescope. The Library has something for everyone to read, learn, and enjoy this summer.
The Iowa Adventure Pass is back! Using your Solon Public Library card you can reserve passes to local attractions like Des Moines Children Museum, Science Center of Iowa, and the Quad Cities Fun Bundle (includes Niabi Zoo, Putnam Museum, and Quad Cities Botanical Garden). Learn more about the Iowa Adventure Pass and make your reservations at www.IowaAdventurePass.org Library Programs
Why do things explode? We'll explore the interactions of pressure, temperature and states of matter to explain why things pop, bang or blow up. Experiment with ultra-cold liquid nitrogen and combustible gases in this spectacular assembly. Join us at the Family Life Center (131 N. West St) for this all-ages program with our friends from The Science Center of Iowa Monday, July 7, at 1:00 p.m. No registration necessary.
Learn to fold your own Origami cranes and flowers at DIY Night Tuesday, July 8, at 6:30 p.m. This night of learning and creating is for adults and young adults (16+), please register on our website calendar or by calling the library.
Storytime continues every Tuesday morning at 9:30 or 10:30 a.m. Perfect for littles and their caregivers to enjoy stories, songs, and social time. Saturday, July 12, we’ll enjoy Saturday Splash Pad Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Meet us at the Solon Splash Pad, located in the Solon Recreation and Nature Area (SRNA) near the Timber Dome to enjoy stories, books, and fun!
Ready to get a little wild with your imagination? Join us for FrankenToys! In this playful, hands-on program, participants will take apart stuffed animals and reassemble them in unexpected, monstrous ways. Think mismatched limbs, extra eyes, and creatively creepy creations—just like Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory, but a lot more cuddly. Whether your final creature is funny, spooky, or somewhere in between, you’ll leave with a oneof-a-kind monster made by you! All supplies provided. FrankenToys! is Thursday, July 10, at 3:30 p.m. for Teens, incoming 6th-12th graders.
Get ready to move! Teens & adults are invited to join us for two exciting sword skills programs Monday, July 14. In Ninja Sword Class, learn swift, stealthy moves inspired by the legendary shadow warriors. Then, channel your inner warrior in Samurai Sword Class, where
discipline and precision take center stage. Register for one or both sessions—no experience necessary, just a sense of adventure! This teen & adult program takes place at the Family Life Center and registration and a waiver are required for participation. Please visit our website calendar for the details.
These are just a few of the fun things we have coming up this summer so take a look at the calendar and join us for some library fun!
Program registration can be completed on our website calendar by clicking on the specific event and completing the form. You may also call or visit the Library for assistance with registration. Registration for July programs opened on June 20.
And don’t forget—reading all summer long earns you small prizes and chances to win grand prizes and unlock new levels of achievement.
So, grab your library card, gather your friends, and get ready to Level Up your summer—only at your library!
The Summer Reading Program runs from June 1 through July 31. Track your participation on paper slips or in the ReadSquared App.
Library Access
Regular Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays. Please always refer to our website calendar or call to check hours as weather may impact our ability to be safely open.
We are closed Friday, July 4, for Independence Day. We are open Friday, July 18, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and closed Saturday, July 19, for Solon Beef Days.
Everyone is welcome at the Library and our programs. Please contact us with access needs.
What’s New?
Real stories. Real knowledge. Really good reads. Check out something from the nonfiction shelves.
Free Ride by Noraly Schoenmaker. Noraly Schoenmaker was a thirtysomething geologist living in the Netherlands when she learned that her live-in partner had been having a long-term affair. In desperate need of a new beginning, she decided to quit her job and jet off to India. But her plans were dashed when she fell quickly and helplessly in love: with a motorcycle. Behind the handlebars, she felt alive and free—nimble enough to trace the narrowest paths, powerful enough to travel the longest of roads. Free Ride is an inspiring story of self-discovery and renewal. Filled with unforgettable figures, hilarious disasters, and powerful human connections, it shows you what happens when you open your heart and let the world in.
Wildfire Days by Kelly Ramsey. When Kelly Ramsey drives over a California mountain pass to join an elite firefighting crew, she’s terrified that she won’t be able to keep up with the intense demands of the job. Not only will she be the only woman on this hotshot crew and their first in ten years, she’ll also be among the oldest. As she trains relentlessly to overcome the crew’s skepticism and gain their respect, megafires erupt across the West, posing an increasing danger both on the job and back home. In vivid prose that evokes the majesty of Northern California’s forests, Kelly takes us on the ground to see how major wildfires are fought and to lay bare the psychological toll, the bone-deep weariness, and the unbreakable camaraderie that emerge in the face of nature’s fury.
Write Through It by Kate McKean. Writers all want the secret to getting published: the magic formula for a query letter, the list of agents who will instantly say yes, and the perfect marketing campaign to hit “The List.” But writing is about so much more than the intellectual act of putting pen to paper—writers also deserve reassurance that the emotional highs and lows of writing is a normal, valid part of the process. And it might seem easier to focus on the nuts and bolts of writing books—word counts, query letters, and author platforms—than the messy feelings that accompany writing like doubt, fear, and hope, but the two things are inextricably linked.
Tristan Metzler
Lawrence Meister
OPINIONS
When July 4th meant homemade ice cream
Food for Thought Milli
Q&A: Senate beefs up law enforcement tools to protect Americans
Gilbaugh
My dad had a pretty sizable sweet tooth and that meant dessert with every meal – including breakfast. This was probably because, when he was a kid, the family ran a small grocery store and he and his siblings had free access to the candy counter.
Ice cream was one of his favorite treats. During his childhood (he was born in 1904), ice cream was usually homemade and, because most people had only ice boxes or spring houses to keep food cool, when you made ice cream, you had to eat it all. Commerciallymade ice cream had been around for about fifty years by then but was only available in larger cities. The first ice cream cones, incidentally, were introduced at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. In the small Wisconsin town where he lived, ice cream was produced only occasionally at a local dairy and the homemade variety was much more common. This was usually a Sunday afternoon project conducted around a large washtub full of ice with the wooden hand-cranked churn swathed in wet burlap to “hold in the cold.” It took an experienced touch to know just when to stop cranking, pull out the paddle and pack the cylinder in salt and ice to “ripen.”
During my childhood, few people had home freezers. Refrigerators had tiny ice cube compartments barely cold enough to freeze water, and not quite cold enough to store ice cream for more than an hour or so before it became soupy. What commercially made ice cream we had was obtained in the form of 'hand-packed' from the local drugstore soda fountain and rushed home to be served immediately. Several times each summer, when we were growing up, Dad would declare it was a perfect day to make ice cream. Mother would cook up a thin custard of egg yolks, sugar and milk, add heavy cream, vanilla and a little salt and chill it in the refrigerator while Dad made a visit to the ice plant for a big block of ice. He usually made ice cream during strawberry season, nearly always on the Fourth of July and for our annual family picnic reunion when he hauled the ice and equipment to our picnic site on the former farm of Mother’s parents in Clarke County, Iowa. Often, there would be a Sunday afternoon or two sandwiched in there that seemed to be a “good ice cream” day, as well. After we moved to the acreage and had milk cows, our own rich milk and abundant cream and a big deepfreeze where Mother could freeze big chunks of ice to have on hand for such things, he bought an electric ice cream churn and Mother pretty much took over the ice cream making. There were lots of experiments with different recipes and flavors of ice cream and I vividly remember the strawberry ice cream with whole strawberries that froze hard as rocks and didn’t soften up until the ice cream itself had long since melted. There was a cafe in my home town that also manufactured ice cream. They had a wide variety of flavors and the ice cream was equal to any of the more expensive ones you can buy today. Dad bought it in three-gallon tubs, weekly, and we usually had three or four flavors in the freezer to choose from. On hot summer days, when Mother deemed it too hot to cook, we ate cold sandwiches and ice cream for supper – a combination I still enjoy. Bedtime snacks were common at our house and, especially during summer, these usually involved ice cream. We made ambitious sundaes and banana splits. We ate dishes of ice cream buried in chocolate syrup, fresh peaches or sugared berries, and made floats and sodas with just about every flavor of soda pop known to mankind. And, of course, if there was pie, cake, pudding, Jell-O or cookies for dessert, Mother always asked if we’d “like a scoop of ice cream with that.” Considering all the whole milk we consumed, ice cream, homemade cottage cheese and mountains of whipped cream, I don’t think any of us had a shortage of calcium. I have since changed my ways, and though I am grateful for hard, dense bones. I guess it’s a trade-off and I’m glad we hadn’t heard about cholesterol then!
With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Q: What border security measures did you lead in the Senate budget bill?
A: As chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I included significant upgrades for border security in the Senate’s budget bill that address the disastrous open border policies of the Biden-Harris administration. During the previous administration, more than 10 million illegal immigrants from countries around the world poured across our nation’s southern border, including violent criminals and potential terrorists.
The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General earlier this month confirmed the BidenHarris administration failed to properly vet all Afghan evacuees, encountering at least 55 individuals with hits on the terrorist screening database. Last fall, the FBI arrested an Afghan national for plotting a terror attack on U.S. soil after gaining entry on a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV). Following Operation Midnight Hammer on June 22 that struck three of Iran’s nuclear sites, tensions between Iran and the United States underscore the real and present danger of an open border policy. Just consider, of more than 1,500 Iranian nationals who were encountered at the southern border crossing illegally into the U.S. during the previous administration, nearly half were released into the country. The potential for Iranian sleeper cells on the ground here in the United States is a reckless consequence of the Biden-Harris open border policies. The Trump administration is coordinating among federal agencies to address this risk.
As the Senate hammered out the details for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, I led historic investments in the nation’s immigration system to support law enforcement and give frontline immigration enforcement officials the tools they need to secure the border. Specifically, the legislation would boost funding for immigration agencies; reimburse states who pitched in to protect the U.S. border during the Biden-Harris administration; expand resources for law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to protect public safety; and bring fiscal accountability
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Troubled by City’s response to Jordan Creek Church
The saga of the City of Solon and the development of a new Jordan Creek Church site seems to be never ending. The recent “clarification” by this publication (6/26) and the accompanying quotes of the City’s opposition to the church building proceeding without the City’s total control of the process is troubling.
It seems that the City wants to dictate all aspects of the process, design and plan when they barely have any jurisdiction given the site is outside city limits. If the city
NEWS FROM JOHNSON COUNTY
into the immigration system by raising fees to offset enforcement costs.
Q: How did open border policies impact the safety of law enforcement personnel?
A: Plain and simple, the foolish border policies under the Biden White House unleashed an unmanageable mess at the southern border. The border crisis overwhelmed law enforcement and immigration officials and empowered dangerous Mexican drug cartels to ramp up their human smuggling and drug trafficking networks. In June, I convened a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to shed light on law enforcement’s ongoing work to combat cartels and regain a foothold at the border to protect American lives and restore U.S. sovereignty. Officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations testified about their experiences enforcing the law and investigating crimes at the border, including being surveilled and targeted by the drug cartels. Our bill includes more resources for the Department of Justice to combat the flow of deadly drugs like fentanyl that have devastated too many families.
As a strong supporter of the men and women who serve on the thin blue line, I pushed to boost funding for the Byrne JAG and Community Policing Services (COPS) to support boots-on-the-ground efforts to combat violent crime in local communities. My oversight work has exposed critical gaps in the Bureau of Prisons. After hearing from law enforcement, I worked to boost funding to address staff shortages and capital improvements to upgrade deteriorating detention facilities. The bill also beefs up recruitment and training tools for the U.S. Secret Service in the wake of two assassination attempts against President Trump. The Senate bill responds to the mandate of the last election. The electorate voted for the America First agenda, and that includes reclaiming our sovereignty and rule of law at our borders to keep Americans safe.
wants to have so much control over the building of a new church or other developments in the future, then they need to annex the areas!
I’m sure the church will continue to be a tremendous asset to the city and further hostile language and seemingly unnecessary stipulations from the city and it’s administrators will only worsen relations. Perhaps the city decision makers should go to Jordan Creek Church next Sunday for a service and find out what it’s all about! They may leave with a change of opinion, or perhaps, a change of heart.
Homeowners in unincorporated Johnson County eligible for Pocket Prairie Program
Homeowners in unincorporated Johnson County are eligible for a program to add pocket prairies to their landscapes. Eligible homeowners can apply online beginning at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 1.
The program is a collaboration between Johnson County and Master Gardeners of Johnson County. The program provides participants with technical guidance and enough pollinator plants to establish a 10’ by 10’ pollinator garden.
Prairie plants provide habitat and food for insects and animals, while the plants’ deep root systems help improve soil health. Healthy soil can better infiltrate rainfall and keep pollutants out of creeks and streams.
Approved participants must attend a workshop and commit to three years of maintenance to establish their prairies.
Interested homeowners can learn more and apply for the program at https://johnsoncountyiowa.gov/JoCoPPP. Approval for participation will be on a first-come, firstserved basis.
For more information, contact Kasey Hutchinson, environmental regulations coordinator, or Becky Soglin, sustainability coordinator, in the Johnson County Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) Department at soilhealthprogram@johnsoncountyiowa. gov or 319-356-6083.
Josh Mann Solon
COLLEGE NEWS
Minnesota State, Mankato announces 2025 spring semester Dean’s list
MANKATO, Minn. — The Academic High Honor and Honor lists (Dean's lists) for the past spring semester at Minnesota State University, Mankato have been announced by Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs David Hood.
Among 4,037 students, 2,725 students earned a 3.5 to 3.99 average to qualify for the Honor List including Carly Ellison, Colton Hoffman, and Chloe Ortiz, all from Solon.
To qualify for academic honors, undergraduate students must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours for the semester.
Mount Mercy University students named to Spring 2025 Dean's List
CEDAR RAPIDS — The following students were named to Mount Mercy University's Spring 2025 Dean's List.
Ely – Nathan Jones, Heather Nielsen, and Catie Reittinger
Solon – Cade Chapman, Brennan Heesch, Sarah Heick, Joseph McAtee, Joshua Milliman, Maria Milliman, Dustin Powers, and Drew Turner
Students with a semester grade point average of 3.60 or better and who are graded for six or more semester hours are eligible for inclusion on the Dean's List.
Loras College announces 2025 graduates
DUBUQUE — Loras College has announced Zebulon Gnida, of Solon, has earned a bachelor's degree or master's degree in 2025.
Iowa State University announces spring 2025 Dean’s List
AMES — More than 11,300 Iowa State University students have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the 2025 spring semester Dean's List. Students named to the Dean's List must earn a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded course work.
Ely - Victoria R Allard (Animal Science, B.S.), Mitch
Dennis Mahoney (Agricultural Business, B.S.), August Cole Sellon (Psychology, B.S.), Emily Grace Stuecker (Event Management, B.S.), Lucas Carl Sunner (Mechanical Engineering, B.S.), and Jakob G Vavra (Mechanical Engineering, B.S.)
Solon - Violet Helena Burns (Psychology, B.S.), Adam Christopher Deeb (Finance, B.S.), Aira Foster (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Non-Degree), Rylie Greazel (History, B.A.), Addison Lynn Hackbarth (Biology, B.S. (AGLS)), Kaia Kinsley Holtkamp (Finance, B.S.), Bella Jedlicka (Elementary Education, B.S.), Abigail Marie Kaska (Veterinary Medicine, D.V.M.), Christine Louise Lilleodden (Animal Ecology, B.S.), Megan R Mallicoat (Mechanical Engineering, B.S.), Emma M Martin (Criminal Justice, B.A.) Garett Robert Martin (Forestry, B.S.), Lance Martin (Electrical Engineering, B.S.), Brooke TerriAnn Miller (Animal Science, B.S.), Hailey H Miller (Diet and Exercise (HHSCI) Undergraduate Pre-Major), Brady E. Mullen (Supply Chain Management, B.S.), Nathan Joseph Schadler (Civil Engineering, B.S.), Will Jansen Soat (Finance, B.S.), Weston Steinbrech (Agricultural Studies, B.S.), Ryan A Walsh (Mechanical Engineering, B.S.), Hayley Rose Wisman (Elementary Education, B.S.), and Mike Yeomans (Agricultural Engineering, B.S.)
2025 Spring semester President’s List honorees announced
IOWA CITY – More than 1,250 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa were named to the president’s list for the 2025 spring semester.
Ely - Bailey Heathman and Rylee Lueken
Solon - Heather Bachus, Elizabeth Iverson, Camryn Keith, and Peyton Pentico
Iowa Lakes Community College announces Spring 2025 Honors Lists
ESTHERVILLE — Iowa Lakes Community College proudly recognizes the outstanding academic accomplishments of students named to the Spring 2025 Honors Lists. This semester, 141 students earned a place on the prestigious President’s List, while 242 students were honored on the Dean’s List, including Grant Bumsted of Solon.
The Dean’s List acknowledges full-time students who earned a GPA of 3.25 or higher with a minimum of 12 graded credits completed.
Quiet moments, big memories: Sensory-Friendly Morning returns to the Iowa State Fair
DES MOINES — The Iowa State Fair is proud to partner with presenting sponsor ChildServe, along with programming sponsors Drake University and IAble, to host Sensory-Friendly Morning on Wednesday, August 13, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Now in its fourth year, Sensory-Friendly Morning continues to grow, offering a welcoming and accessible Fair experience for individuals and families. Thoughtful adjustments will be made across the Fairgrounds to reduce sensory overload, including lower sound levels, limited flashing lights, clearly marked directional signage, designated educational areas and trained volunteers throughout the morning.
For the morning, two air-conditioned calming rooms will also be avail-
able for anyone needing a break. "Calm Your Body" Room – A quiet, relaxing space with fidgets, dimmable lighting, soothing music, coloring sheets and soft seating will be in the Robert G. Horner and Sheri Avis Horner Service Center. "Move Your Body" Room – An active area featuring stretching, jumping, therapy balls and a small obstacle course will be in the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center classrooms. Both rooms will be staffed by ChildServe Occupational Therapists from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13.
New this year:
• A welcome tent, sponsored by Drake University at Gate 15: Stop by the new welcome tent inside Gate 15, where families can get all their questions answered and get a jump-
start on their adventure.
• Variety Star Playground near Hy-Vee Fun Forest: The new inclusive playground features agriculture-themed equipment with accessible ramps and easy-to-navigate surfaces where children of all abilities can play!
• Stage Programming at the MidAmerican Energy and Susan Knapp Amphitheater stages: Stop by the Susan Knapp Amphitheater or MidAmerican Energy stage for special programming on mobility, sensory adventures and make-and-take activities. We are still working on all the awesome activities that morning. A full schedule of Sensory-Friendly Morning fun will be posted in mid-July at www.iowastatefair.org. Can't make it that morning? The Fair offers sensory-friendly features every day! Visit the
SOLON ECONOMIST
website for daily recommendations and activities designed for individuals with sensory processing needs. The Service Center's calming room will also be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Presented by ChildServe
SPORTS
Postponements, sweeping the Pointers, and postseason brackets
Spartans go 2-2 as the regular season nears its end
Chris Umscheid Solon Economist chris.umscheid@soloneconomist.
com
SOLON — Dylan Gorham, a junior, achieved hero status last Thursday evening as he smacked an RBI double, scoring courtesy runner Tyler Greazel, breaking a 5-5 tie with the Stormin’ Pointers, and delivering a 6-5 win over Center Point-Urbana (CPU) in game two of a varsity doubleheader for a WaMaC East sweep.
The Spartans took game one, a late afternoon affair with storms forecast for later, 13-0 with four runs in the bottom of the first inning, three in the second, and five in the fourth.
Sophomore Maddox Kelley led with three hits (including a homerun and a double) while freshman Luke Merrick, Gorham, and senior Jackson Link had two hits each with a double for Merrick. Senior Nolan Seagren and sophomore Brady Wick produced one hit each. Link drove in three runs with two RBIs for Kelley, Gorham, and sophomore Luke Deike. Merrick and Wick drove in one run each.
Freshman Tate Miller pitched the one-hit, five inning game walking two and striking out three.
Merrick put the Spartans on the scoreboard first in the nightcap with his first homerun, a two-run effort, in the bottom of the third. Merrick drove Seagren home with the dinger after Seagren walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch.
Gorham smacked a base hit in the fourth but headed to second on an overthrown ball at first base and made it all the way to third on the Stormin’ Pointer error. Deike brought Gorham home with an RBI sacrifice for a 3-0 lead. The Spartans loaded the bases as junior Hunter Knorr walked and stole second, Link smacked a base hit, and Seagren was hit by a pitch. With three on and two out, Kelley flew out ending the inning.
CPU tied with three runs in the fifth and scored twice in the top of the seventh.
Junior Carson Kidwell tied the game with a two-RBI double scoring Seagren and Kelley and setting the stage for Gorham.
Kelley led at the plate with two hits while Seagren, Merrick, Kidwell, Gorham, Deike, and Link produced one apiece. Deike started on the mound and pitched 4-2/3 innings giving up three hits and three unearned runs with one walk and three strikeouts.
Gorham relieved Deike for 1-1/3 innings giving up three hits, no runs, and striking out three with Merrick taking the win with one inning giving up one hit and two earned runs with one strikeout.
The win improved Solon’s record to 15-10 overall and dropped CPU to 6-16.
Benton
Community 7 Solon 5
The week opened with one half of a varsity doubleheader Monday, June 23 at Benton Community. The Bobcats won 7-5 with game two postponed to Wednesday, July 2 due to weather.
The Spartans opened with three runs in the top of the first, but the ‘Cats clawed out two runs in the bottom half to cut the lead. Both teams plated one runner in the fourth with one more Spartan crossing the dish in the fifth ahead of a four-run effort by Benton in the bottom of the inning.
Carson Kidwell produced two hits including a double with one hit each from Nolan Seagren and Luke Merrick. Kidwell drove in two runs with an RBI each for Seagren, Dylan Gorham, and Ty Bell.
Brady Wick went the distance giving up seven hits and seven runs (six earned) with one walk and three strikeouts.
Assumption Catholic 8 Solon 5
The Spartans hosted the Knights from Assumption Catholic Wednesday, June 25 and fell 8-5 despite scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning and holding a 4-1 lead until the top of the fourth when four Knights crossed home plate for a 5-4 lead. Solon
scored one run in the fifth to tie the game but three more Assumption runners scored in the sixth.
Luke Merrick and Brady Wick led at the plate with two hits each with a double for Merrick. Nolan Seagren, Maddox Kelley, Carson Kidwell, Dylan Gorham, Ty Bell, and Luke Deike had one hit each with a double for Bell. Seagren, Kidwell, Bell, Wick, and Hayden Detra drove in one run each.
Tyler Greazel took the loss after 3-1/3 innings on the mound giving up three hits and three earned runs walking one and striking out two. Jackson Link pitched 3-2/3 innings giving up eight hits and five earned runs walking three and striking out one.
Upcoming schedule
Clear Creek Amana (CCA) visits for a WaMaC East vs. WaMaC West varsity doubleheader Thursday, July 3 starting at 3:00 p.m. Monday, July 7 Solon travels to North Scott for a 5:00 p.m. non-conference game and finishes the regular season Tuesday, July 8 with a trip to North Liberty and a 7:00 p.m. non-conference varsity game against Liberty High School.
Postseason play begins next Friday
Eight teams – Marion, Vinton-Shellsburg, Mount Vernon, Central DeWitt, Assumption Catholic, Washington, Solon, and Grinnell make up Class 3A Substate No. 5 with all eight opening postseason play Friday, July 11. Marion will host VintonShellsburg while Mount Vernon will host DeWitt in the top half of the bracket with Assumption taking on Washington and the Spartans hosting Grinnell at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets for the first round game must be purchased in advance and will go on sale Tuesday, July 8 at 9:00 a.m. at www.iahsaa.org/tickets/
Winners advance to the semifinals Monday, July 14 at 7:00 p.m. at sites to be determined while the Substate Final, with a spot in the Class 3A State Tournament in Sioux City on the line, is set for Wednesday, July 16 at 7:00
p.m. (site to be determined).
The 2025 State Tournament is set for Monday, July 21-Friday, July 25 at Lewis & Clark Park in Sioux City. The 3,800-seat stadium is host to the minor league Sioux City Explorers. The 3A State Tournament returns to Cedar Rapids next year.
WaMaC East standings (7-28-25)
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Top: Nolan Seagren, a senior, welcomes freshman Luke Merrick home after the freshman’s first career homerun, a two-run effort that scored Seagren, in the bottom of the third inning Thursday, June 26 in game two of a varsity doubleheader at home against CPU. Center: Brady Wick, a sophomore, sign signals an out ending the Stormin’ Pointers’ half of the seventh inning of game two Thursday, June 26 at home after gunning down CPU’s Geovanni Perez on a dive back to second base. Above: The Spartans cross the diamond to congratulate Dylan Gorham (17, center) on his game-winning RBI double in game two of a varsity doubleheader Thursday, June 26 at home against CPU. Gorham scored courtesy runner Tyler Greazel to break a 5-5 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 6-5 win.
Senior Night split with CPU and a
3-3
week for the Lady Spartans
Postseason starts next week at home
Mike Kabela
Special to the Solon Economist
SOLON — The Solon softball team posted a 3-3 record last week in six home games. The Lady Spartans kicked off the week with a WaMaC split versus Center Point-Urbana. Solon’s offense sputtered in game one losing 4-1 despite a nice pitching effort from Emerson Miller. The sophomore tossed all seven innings, allowing three earned runs, striking out a personal best seven while walking three batters. Fellow sophomore Keegan Kleppe managed two infield singles posting Solon’s only hits in the game.
Game two started in the same fashion with Solon’s offense going hitless for four innings while CPU tallied a pair of runs in the fourth and fifth innings off starting pitcher Laeni Hinkle to lead 4-0. However, a CPU error and Liv Nelson RBI single gave the Lady Spartans life in the bottom of the 5th inning. Sophomore Addie Walter followed with a double and junior Dillon Ostrander drew a walk to load the bases. Freshman Beckitt Kabela then delivered an RBI single to cut the lead to 4-2 before the rally fizzled..
Hinkle posted a shutdown inning in the sixth but allowed a fifth Pointer run in the top of the seventh as the Lady Spartan hopes appeared to be on life support with the bottom of the order coming up. But just as they did in the fifth inning, Walter (single) and Kabela (double) rallied the troops. A sharp grounder by Kleppe scored two runs when the throw went past the Pointers’ first baseman. Hinkle followed with a single to put the winning run on base. An RBI groundout by senior Izzy Frees tied the game and Solon took the victory when the next pitch trickled to the backstop allowing Hinkle to score on the wild pitch and pick up her fourth pitching win of the season.
Solon returned to action Friday morning in the Clipper Classic against 4A
4th-rated Carlisle. The Spartans dropped a 10-0 decision as the Wildcats knocked out freshman pitcher Beckitt Kabela in the second inning. Kleppe, Hinkle, Kabela and Senior Addie Miller each had hits for the Lady Spartans.
Game two on Friday was the same score with Solon on the winning end versus Keokuk. Sophomore Zoey Melloy picked up her second win tossing all four innings.
Hinkle had two hits and scored three runs, while freshman Riya Farlinger had a pair of hits including her first varsity home run.
Saturday produced yet another split as Solon started the day with a 5-4 decision over Fairfield. Hinkle picked up her fifth win going five innings. Miller sisters Addie and Emerson supplied the bulk of the offense each connecting for a pair of hits and an RBI, with Ostrander knocking in a pair of runs on a hit and a walk. The Spartans led throughout, but Fairfield plated a pair of runs in the last inning before Hinkle stranded the tying and go ahead runners to end the game.
Solon stepped up into 5A competition for the third time this season in the nightcap losing a 5-1 decision to 12thranked Cedar Rapids Prairie. Emerson Miller took the loss pushing her record to 5-6 on the season. Hinkle and Kleppe each had a pair of hits in the game with Walter smacking a double and Nelson tallying the team’s six hits.
Solon entered this week 16-12 and plays today at 11:00 a.m. in Van Horne resuming a game from last week in the fifth inning with Solon leading Benton 7-4. A second game will follow. Saturday’s tilt versus Anamosa has been cancelled as the teams will instead kick off regional play July 10 in Solon (7:00 p.m.). A Solon win would likely set up a rematch with Mt Vernon July 12.
Upcoming schedule
Thursday, July 3 – At Benton Community, 11:00 a.m.
Monday, July 7 – Home vs. Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 6:30 p.m.
Postseason begins next week
Class 3A Region 3 postseason play begins Thursday, July 10, as Solon will host Anamosa in a quarterfinals game. Mount Vernon will take on Union Community with CPU hosting Hampton-Dumont and Clear Lake playing Forrest City in the bottom half of the bracket. Winners will meet Saturday, July 12, at 7:00 p.m. at Mount Vernon and CPU with the Regional Championship, and a spot in the 2025 3A State Tournament in Fort Dodge on the line, Tuesday, July 15 at the highest remaining ranked team’s site at 7:00 p.m.
Mount Vernon was ranked third in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s June 26 rankings with CPU in the No. 15 spot.
The 2025 State Tournament is set for Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25, at Rogers Park in Fort Dodge.
Tickets for regionals and State must be purchased online at www.gobound.com/ ia/ighsau/softball/2024-25/tickets.
by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Top:Sophomore Emerson Miller delivers a pitch as CPU’s Mya Hillers leads off Wednesday, June 25 during game one of a varsity doubleheader in Solon. The Lady Spartans split with the Stormin’ Pointers, dropping game one 4-1 and coming back for a 6-5 win in the nightcap.
Center: Senior Adelyn Miller focuses before stepping into the batter’s box Wednesday, June 25 during game one of a varsity doubleheader in Solon
Above left: Senior Izzy Frees smacks the ball Wednesday, June 25 during game one of a varsity doubleheader in Solon.
Above right: Sophomore Laeni Hinkle reaches up for an out in right field Wednesday, June 25 during game one of a varsity doubleheader in Solon.
Left: Sophomore Laeni Hinkle collides with a Stormin’ Pointer at second base as the ball rolls harmlessly away Wednesday, June 25 during game one of a varsity doubleheader in Solon. The Lady Spartans split with the Stormin’ Pointers, dropping game one 4-1 and coming back for a 6-5 win in the nightcap.
Photos
Iowa City Mountain Bike Club shines at State Championships, brings home three podium finishes
IOWA CITY — The Iowa City Mountain Bike Club, a nonprofit youth cycling team for athletes ages 8 to 18, delivered a standout performance Saturday, June 28, at the Iowa Scholastic Mountain Bike League’s state championships, held at the Proving Grounds Recreation Area in Dubuque. Facing off against outstanding teams from across the
The Eagle Scouts’ impact and journey
Jamie Calef, a recent graduate from Solon High School, achieved the Eagle rank after completing the Eagle Board of Review in June of 2025.
As a member of the Order of Arrow – Scouting America’s honor society- and a completion of NYLT –a six-day leadership training course – Calef used Eagle Scout qualities within the community, preparing and executing a project in which he repaired, painted, and refurbished picnic tables at Lake Macbride State Park.
Calef plans to attend the University of Iowa in the fall with the goal of becoming an attorney.
Ian Cronk completed his Board of review in September of 2024. He fulfilled the duties of NYLT and is a member of the Order of the Arrow.
Cronk’s Eagle Project was constructing fishing habitats and placing them around the wheelchair accessible fishing pier at Macbride, helping to provide attainable fishing experiences for all visitors.
Cronk continues his high school career as a sophomore, participating in football, track, and baseball.
Jaxon Davis was a counselor-in-training as well as attending both NAYLE – National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience- and NYLT.
Davis has worked at the Howard H. Cherry Scout
state — including clubs from Dubuque, Decorah, Des Moines, Mason City, Scott County, and more — Iowa City secured first-place finishes in both the Junior Varsity and Middle School divisions, while the Varsity team capped off the day with a strong third-place finish.
Solon’s Anders Holmes is on the Varsity team and placed 3rd in state as an individual. Sebastian and Kaleb Holmes are on the Middle School team. Sebastian won 1st place in state as an individual.
Camp (near Central City) as an instructor for the past three summers and has held the role of Senior Patrol Leader and NYLT troop guide. His Eagle project was building bird feeder holders and benches for the Veteran’s trail next to the Coralville Dam.
Davis enters his senior year of high school as a member of the football team as well as Order of the Arrow.
Elliot Hamm earned his Eagle rank in November of 2024. Hamm participated in National Jamboree - a nationwide scout gathering- NYLT, and Order of the Arrow as well.
To provide service to the community, Hamm led a conservation effort at Lake Macbride State Park to clear tree damage left by the 2020 Derecho along the Osprey Trail.
Hamm is going into his sophomore year at Solon High School as a swimmer, trumpet player, and tech crew member for school plays
Spencer Michels is a member of the Order of the Arrow as well as completing NYLT and the National Jamboree, using his constructed hashtag of #DontTouchMyTrailer as a Quartermaster
Michels built a picnic table and cleaned said area of Lake Macbride State Park.
As an upcoming senior, Michels is involved in Cross Country, Track and Jazz percussionist. Michels plans on attending Des Moines Area Community College through Electric Utility Technology.
Owen Young completed his Board of Review this
Now in its third year, the Iowa City Mountain Bike Club has grown into one of the largest and most competitive teams in the league. With a focus on fun, skill development, and a lifelong love of cycling, the team continues to make a name for itself in Iowa’s youth mountain biking scene. The Iowa City team is made up of youth from Johnson, Linn, Iowa, and Washington counties.
“This team has worked and played hard all season. They earned individual awards but even more importantly, they earned these team championships together. They raced against tough competition and still rose to the occasion,” said coach Brian Brandsmeier. “It’s exciting to see their growth over the past few years.”
The Iowa Scholastic Mountain Bike League promotes youth development through mountain biking, offering a positive and supportive environment for riders of all skill levels. The Iowa City team’s success this season is a reflection of the club’s commitment to teamwork, perseverance, and having fun on two wheels.
For more information about the Iowa City Mountain Bike Club, including how to join or support the team, visit Facebook.com/iowacitymtbclub.
June. He was a part of NYLT and is admired as an active leader within his troop.
Young’s Eagle project involved replacing previously dead trees along the Legion Baseball Field, providing environmental conservationism to the Solon community.
Young enters his senior as a member of band, cross country, archery, and track.
Spencer Michels receives his Eagle Award from Legion representative Michael Broghammer at the Eagle Court Ceremony at the Timber Dome Lodge Sunday, June 29.
Ian Cronk receives his Eagle Award from Legion representative Michael Broghammer at the Eagle Court Ceremony at the Timber Dome Lodge Sunday, June 29.
Jaxon Davis receives his Eagle Award from Legion representative Michael Broghammer at the Eagle Court Ceremony at the Timber Dome Lodge Sunday, June 29.
Elliot Hamm receives his Eagle Award from Legion representative Michael Broghammer at the Eagle Court Ceremony at the Timber Dome Lodge Sunday, June 29.
Spencer Michels presents the Eagle Scout mentor pin to Tim Broghammer during the Eagle Court Ceremony at the Timber Dome Lodge Sunday, June 29.
Jamie Calef receives his Eagle Award from Legion representative Michael Broghammer at the Eagle Court Ceremony at the Timber Dome Lodge in Solon on Sunday, June 29.
Owen Young receives his Eagle Award from Legion representative Michael Broghammer at the Eagle Court Ceremony at the Timber Dome Lodge Sunday, June 29.
Photos by AJ Dolan | Solon Economist
Brian Brandsmeier Iowa City Mountain Bike Club
CALENDAR & PUZZLES
SOLON SENIORS
A Big Thank You to our sponsors and donors for their support in Senior Dining’s mission to serve the Solon Community, and especially to those who support Senior Dining by attending the lunches or receive home deliveries.
July Happenings:
Solon Senior Dining is CLOSED Friday, July 4. Wednesday, July 30 – City representative Bingo Wednesdays AM/PM Cards Wednesdays PM
Sponsored Meals in July: Ruzicka’s, Wednesday, July 9
DINING ••••••••••••
In-House Dining - Wednesdays only at 11:30 at the Solon Methodist Church and are provided by the Solon Retirement Village Kitchen. Reservations for Wednesday dine-in are required by calling 319-624-2251 Mondays 10-11:00 a.m.
Home Deliveries - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Meals cost $5.00. Call 319-624-2251 for reservations Mondays 10-11:00 a.m.
JULY MENU •••••••••
Monday, July 7
Turkey Medallions in Gravy Baked Yam Seasonal Vegetable Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake
Wednesday, July 9
Sponsored Meal – Ruzicka’s Chicken Pesto Alfredo California Blend Vegetables Berry Pineapple Pretzel Dessert
Friday, July 11
Fish Sandwich w/Pickle Ranch Creamy Coleslaw Hashbrown Patty Pineapple Dream Bar
Monday, July 14
Brown Sugar Glazed Ham Steak
Macaroni & Cheese
Buttered Peas Seasonal Fresh Fruit
Wednesday, July 16
Celebrate Beef Days
Country Fried Pork Tenderloin
Mini Baker Potatoes w/Cream Gravy Country Trio Vegetables Flamingo Cake
Friday, July 18
Summer Herb Crusted Fish Rice Pilaf Carrots
Watermelon w/Honey Lime
Thank you Solon Senior Dining volunteers! “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.”
July Solon Senior Advocates News
Senior Advocates
The Solon Senior Advocates’ July bus trip will be to Newton for an art tour as well as to Neal Smith’s Wildlife Buffalo Refuge.
2025 Solon Senior Advocate trips
Thursday, July 10 – Newton Art Tour/ Neal Smith’s Wildlife Buffalo Refuge Cost - $70, meal extra
A guided bus tour of the many bronze sculptures located throughout the city. We’ll dine at Biaggio’s (meal cost is extra) following the Wildlife Reserve museum and buffalo bus tour.
Thursday, August 14 – Villages of Van Buren County
Cost – TBA
We’ll start with a light breakfast in Bir-
— Elizabeth Andrew
mingham and then visit the Bentonsport Historic District shops with Greef General Store, antiques, woodcarving, and She Shed handmade Gifts. Then a glass blowing demonstration at Bloom and Bark followed by an Amish lunch and a visit to Dutchman’s Store.
Restaurant Runs
Thursday, July 24 – Cedar Ridge Distillery/Swisher 12:00 Noon, personal cars. Sign-up sheet Wednesdays at Senior Dining or call 319430-8655.
Solon Senior Transport – Provides volunteer transportation for seniors to medical appointments. For information and to enroll please call Cindy Jensen at 319-360-3279.
Senior Advocates Board
Art Tellin 319-626-2816, Barry Byrne 319354-8757, Larry Brecht 319-624-2925, Mark Hollinrake 319-551-2811, Cindy Jensen 319360-3279, Phyllis Fiala 319-331-7447, Joyce Cook, 319-541-6527, and Sandy Hanson 319430-8655.
July Solon Senior Support News
If you need a lift chair. . .
We have a lift chair that is being donated from a local family. If you are interested in it, please call Jill Weetman at 319-624-2773 and we will deliver it to you and set it up.
Senior Coffee is on summer hiatus
The Senior Coffee Group is taking a break in July for vacations.
Join us Fridays at 12:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church for Euchre and Bingo (and coffee and treats!).
Please note, there will not be Bingo/Euchre Friday, July 4.
Senior survey coming soon
A few years ago we sent a survey on which activities/services for older adults you would like to see started in Solon. We will be creating a new survey this summer and would like your input! Be on the lookout for the survey in the August newsletter.
Garden help is available
Do you need some help in your flower bed or veggie garden? Give Jill a call (319624-2773) and she will work with student volunteers to lend a hand.
Across
1 Nosy Parkers
7 “Make like a drum and beat it!”
14 Source of the line “The female of the species is more deadly than the male”
16 “Ditto for us”
17 Half of an Arnold Palmer
18 “Ta-da!”
19 *Mensa, for one
20 “___ Enchanted,” 2004 film
22 What’s never free of charge
23 ___ hat, no cattle (folksy put-down)
24 Swiss Ms.
25 Fed. observance since 1986
28 Music biz scandal
30 Chippewa neighbors
32 Homophone of 26-Down
33 Sees red
35 HBO comedy with 17 Emmys
36 *One with a minority opinion about the shape of the world
37 Word with drum or trumpet
38 2013 film that presaged ChatGPT
39 Stick with it
41 Insect named for the Virgin Mary
43 Upton Sinclair novel
44 Mononymous Irish singer
45 Captivate
49 Material for some ropes and curtains
51 Words from a loud speaker, maybe
53 Preceder of way or word
54 *Two sure things
55 Stage props?
56 X, Y and sometimes Z
57 “Yikes”-worthy
60 Give height, as a hairdo ... or a hint for entering the answers to the starred clues
62 Filled out wrong, say
63 One rushing to a Code Blue, in brief
64 Not equilateral or isosceles
65 Clapped back at Down
1 Something to wear on a run
2 Anarchist Sacco
3 Without pretense
4 Elders, derisively
5 Preparation for a luau
6 Give a dirty look
7 Not on solid ground, say
8 Witty remark
9 London’s ___ Row
10 Shepherd’s stick
11 Certain seasonal workers?
12 Strip poker?
13 Formal vote
15 Big do
21 Female in Mexican-style wrestling
24 One going for a little bite?
25 Inst. known for an annual 15-Down
26 Formal vote
27 Informal 26-Down
29 Give a dirty look
31 One of the “Gilmore Girls” 34 Younger Lennon son
35 Second star ever photographed, after the sun
36 Over-the-top dramatic 38 Prowl
39 End of a Senate address 40 Dissemble 41 Listing at Christie’s
Bacchanals 44 Charles Darwin’s ship
Bakery devices
Disposable
Croaked 50 Bribable 52 Chamber opening?
___ Park, F.D.R.’s home
Laptop brand
Gender prefix 58 G.O.P.
To play: Complete the grid so that every row, column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. There is no guessing or math involved, just use logic to solve.
SUDOKU
Hands-Free, It's the Law.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) are collaborating to educate the public on Iowa’s new Hands-Free Driving Law.
Governor Kim Reynolds signed bill SF 22 into law on April 2, making Iowa the 31st state in the nation to enact hands-free legislation. The law will go into effect on July 1, with an initial warning period through December 31.
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of traffic crashes. A 2024 GTSB survey of over 1,300 Iowans from nearly every county revealed that 90% of respondents considered using a cell phone while driving to be extremely dangerous, even though
50% admitted to driving with a phone in their hand.
“Iowa's new handsfree law marks a pivotal moment in our fight against distracted driving; it's an unprecedented opportunity to fundamentally change driver behavior," says Brett Tjepkes with the GTSB. "By embracing this change, we can drastically reduce fatalities and serious injuries on our roads, making Iowa safer for everyone.”
The hands-free law prohibits drivers from using electronic devices while driving unless the device is in a hands-free setting. This means drivers cannot hold their phone, type, scroll, enter GPS coordinates, stream video, view content, or make calls unless voice activated.
Drivers can use several options to stay hands-free: phone mounts, auxiliary cables, speakerphone features, Bluetooth, and other voice command systems.
With the implementation of the new law, the Iowa State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies will focus on both education and enforcement during the six-month warning period. Law enforcement across the state is distributing educational materials to raise awareness about the law and how drivers can comply with it. The Department of Transportation, cities, and various coalitions are also distributing information.
“Every life lost to distracted driving is a tragedy,” says Iowa State
Patrol Colonel Nathan Fulk. “By adopting Iowa’s new hands-free law, we are taking a major step toward safer roads in our state. Let’s all do our part: put down the phone, focus on the road, and help make Iowa’s roads safer f or everyone.”
Iowans are encouraged
to familiarize themselves with the new law and consider what handsfree options will work best for them and their vehicle. For more handsfree resources, please visit https://dps.iowa.gov/ hands-free-law-materials or DriveSmartIowa. com.
Retail Space For Rent
The second floor of Mt. Vernon's historic First Brick building (224 1st Street SW) is now available for rent. Call Ann at 319-895-6862 (The Perfect Blend) or 319-8958050.
Wanted
WANTED: JUNK APPLIANCES. Will pick up for free. Farm clean-up, batteries. Will buy junk cars. 319-331-8122
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Celebrate the Fourth responsibly
Nicole Hassenstab Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau Media & Communications Specialist
DES MOINES — For many, the Fourth of July is synonymous with fireworks, cookouts, and pool parties. Nationwide, traffic fatalities are also becoming synonymous with the Fourth of July. To help prevent these tragedies previously seen around the holiday, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is partnering with local law enforcement for a high-visibility enforcement campaign July 3-7.
Iowa had nine traffic fatalities over the Fourth of July holiday weekend last year, making it the deadliest Fourth of July weekend in over a decade. No matter how you choose to celebrate, be sure you're staying safe, and never drive impaired.
“We want people to enjoy the holiday and to celebrate responsibly,” says GTSB Bureau Chief Brett Tjepkes. “Impaired
driving endangers everyone, and our law enforcement partners know how to spot an impaired driver and will not hesitate to pull them over. If you’re going to drink, plan for a sober ride ahead of time.”
Need help finding a ride? Designate a sober driver, schedule a taxi or rideshare, or use your community’s sober ride program. Through its Decide to Ride program, Doll Distributing is offering a $10 Uber voucher to encourage Iowans to plan ahead and make safe choices. GTSB is supporting the effort by helping raise awareness. In the graphic is a link to the Fourth of July voucher, which is valid statewide beginning Thursday, July 3, at 5:00 p.m. and ending Monday, July 7, at 2 a.m.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau works with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce death and injury on Iowa roads using federally funded grants.
ABOUT THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the largest law enforcement agency in the state. It includes seven divisions and several bureaus, all working together with local, state, and federal government agencies and the private sector to keep Iowa a safe place by following our core values: leadership, integrity, professionalism, courtesy, service, and
protection. Divisions within the Iowa DPS: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, Professional Development and Support Services Division, and Administrative Services Division. The Department of Public Safety is led by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor.
