Kevin Hotz named 2025 Beef Days Grand Marshal
Cami Rasmussen Special to the Solon Economist
SOLON — This year’s 2025 Beef Days Grand Marshal is Kevin Hotz. Kevin was born and raised in rural Lone Tree, the son of Marvin and Caroline Hotz, and attended Lone Tree High School. He was involved in football and FFA and was also active in Johnson Co. 4-H with an emphasis in the swine projects. Kevin belonged to the Lone Tree football chain gang for 35 years and even got a broken leg while doing it.
Kevin is no stranger to long standing service and holds an impressive resume that includes 12 years on the Johnson County Fair Board, 35 years on the Fair Swine Committee, and 25 years on the Johnson County Pork Council. For many years Kevin helped teach gun safety classes with his dad and also worked at Sharpless Auctions. Everyone knows that volunteer work behind the scenes is the secret to success and volunteering was Kevin’s specialty. Kevin worked behind the softball scoreboard in Lone Tree for ten years, he helped work at Beef Quarters at the State Fair for 15 years, called numbers at the fair’s BINGO, and helped with the woodcarving auction. He was also there to help when the Pork Producers and Cattlemen hosted the Tractorcades and volunteered with the REC’s Annual dinner meetings.
Kevin and his family are well-known for supplying local Hy-Vee stores with their famous home-grown sweet corn while his love for life is farming. His connection to Solon Beef Days began some 37 years ago as the liaison between the event committee and the Johnson County Pork Council who came each year to cook the burgers during Beef Days.
Over those many years, Kevin was active on the Beef Days Committee and, in his true nature, found many ways to volunteer his time including Thursday night set up, calling BINGO, serving on car raffle committee, and driving the raffle car in area parades including Coralville, Oxford, Ely and Hills along with friend Norm Ziskovsky.
To a long time Beef Days Committee Member and volunteer, a special thank you to our friend Kevin Hotz for all of his service to Solon Beef Days.
Solon’s Callie Levin named 2025 Beef Days Celebrity Grand Marshal
University of Iowa Women's Basketball Guard and Solon Lady Spartan alumni Callie Levin (#32) has been named the 2025 Solon Beef Days Celebrity Grand Marshal.
Family/Background:
Levin was born and raised in Solon and is the daughter of Nathan (lawyer for F3 law firm) and Tara Levin (psychologist at Cross Roads Psychology and also works at the VA). Her siblings are MaKinley (senior at the U of I), Tenley (Solon HS freshman), Mayley (7th grade at SMS), and McGuire (4th grade at SIS).
School/sports career highlights:
Solon High School Records: All-Time Career 3-point Record Holder (209); Single Season 3-point record holder (73- set 20232024 season)
Athletic honors/recognition:
2024 Miss Iowa Basketball; 2024 USA Today Iowa Player of the Year; 2024 SBLive/Sports Illustrated Iowa Player of the Year; 2024 McDonald's All-American Nominee;4 x 1st Team AllState; 4x All-Region; 4x All-District; 4x Conference Player of the Year; 4x Unanimous 1st Team All-Conference; 4x Des Moines Register All-Iowa Team (3x 1st Team and Elite Team in 2024); 4x Cedar Rapids Gazette All-Area Team and 2024 Gazette AllArea Player of the Year; 2024 Class 3A State Champion; 2024 3A State All-Tournament Team; 2024 3A State Tournament Top Producer Award; State of Iowa All-Classes Freshman PPG Scoring Leader; State of Iowa All-Classes Sophomore PPG Scoring Leader; Ranked #1 Point Guard in Iowa in Class of 2024 by Prep Girls Hoop . Favorite Beef days event: “…Going on the rides with my friends when I was in Middle School!”
Steve and Shirley Knight named 2025 Beef Days Cornerstone Grand Marshals
SOLON — Shirley and Steve Knight have been chosen as this year’s Solon Beef Days
Cornerstone Grand Marshals of the 2025 Celebration. This special recognition is awarded for their involvement in community activities that have made a positive impact on the Solon community and surrounding area.
Thank you for giving your time and care to our community!
Steve's Background:
Steve was raised in Iowa City and after graduating from City High he went into the U.S. Navy and was a radioman on the USS Muliphen, AKA-61. After he returned home, he continued his service in the reserves for six years and worked for Roadway Express for 32 years.
Shirley's Background:
Shirley was born in Sigourney, IA and
raised on a farm in Webster. She worked for several years before working with college students in advising and admissions while proudly claiming her dream job was becoming a grandmother to four grandchildren.
Family:
Shirley and Steve were married in Sept.1969 and will celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary this year.
Their family includes two children: their daughter, Stephanie, and a son, Chris (Bubba). Stephanie and her husband, Mike, have two children Cormac and Keegan and live in Olathe KS. Chris and his wife, Sarah, have two children, Austin and Gable, and live in Solon.
Solon became their home in 1977 when their daughter was 4yrs old and son was 2yrs and they are thankful to have met so many wonderful people, and glad that many are in Solon today.
Steve’s involvement over the years:
Board of Adjustments and P&Z, Library Board, member of the Solon American Legion, took stats for Solon Football for 32 years watching his son, Chris and grandson, Austin, play, coached both their kids in youth basketball for YMCA League, past Solon Athletic Booster Club President, coached boys Babe Ruth League with
Hotz
Shirley and Steve Knight
Charles Whetstine, played on a Softball team at Legion Field with other Solon residents, participated in the Sunday Basketball Team at the old H.S. in Solon with Denny Gruber and Jerry Linderbaum, PEO (Precinct Election Official) for 20 plus years and have worked the late shift at the Beef Days Beer Tent for several years.
Shirley’s involvement over the years:
Solon PTO, classroom mom for holiday parties at Lakeview when their kids attended school there, Rock ‘n Read at Solon Elementary when their grandchildren were in kindergarten and 1st grade, read to children at Play and Learn where their granddaughter attended, Solon Women’s Club.
Both Steve and Shirley have sold tickets since the early 1980s for the Beef Days Steak Dinners, were youth group sponsors Solon United Methodist Church when their kids were young teens, were members of the Solon Athletic Booster Club throughout their kids’ school years, working many events at the Carver Hawkeye Arena, and have worked the Legion fish fries in recent years.
Favorite Beef Days Memory:
When their kids and extended family surprised them for their 25th wedding anniversary by building a float and riding in the Beef Days parade. They were coming down the street past their home on Dubuque St. and couldn’t believe it was really them! The float stopped and Steve and Shirley climbed upon the hayrack and rode together the rest of the parade route. Steve and Shirley still have the t-shirts made for the occasion!
Meet Larry Swann, the 2025 Solon Senior of the Year
Ella McEntaffer Solon Economist
SOLON — Originating in 2006, the Solon Senior of the Year award is designated for a senior member of the community who has made a profound impact on Solon and its residents. There is no one who fits this description better than Larry Swann, this year’s recipient. Originally from Cedar Rapids, Swann has lived in Solon for over 50 years and was brought to the small town by his wife, Delores (Vislisel) Swann. The pair were married on June 7, 1958. The couple spent over five decades together, and had seven children, Mark, Steve, Mike, Terri, Kathi, Sandi, and Debbi, and as Swann says, “a whole bunch of grandchildren.” Before his time in Solon, Swann
Correction
served in the Navy from 1952 to 1954. Swann says that he wanted to be an electrician with the Navy but ended up working in communications instead.
“First thing I had to do was learn Morse code by heart,” Swann said.
Following a two week leave, Swann was then assigned to work in radio operations, where he spent the rest of his deployment while stationed in Virginia. Swann said that the most important thing he learned from his career in the Navy was how to persevere through tough times.
“You gotta keep putting one foot in front of the other,” he said.
After serving with the Navy, Swann headed back to Iowa. He began working as an electrician and was also a founding member of what is now the ESCO Group with his business
Due to a reporter’s misunderstanding, Solon resident Toni Russo’s comments during the Citizen’s Speak portion of the Wednesday, July 2 regular meeting of the Solon City Council were quoted erroneously. Russo has since clarified her remarks.
“The city and utility committee need to discuss with the public the ongoing issue and request from MacBride Point regarding hooking up to Solon’s water through Gallery Acres West. I want a public hearing so the city of Solon realizes what's about to happen with our water,” she said. “A total of about fifty houses will be getting Solon’s treated water, paying no property tax and nothing toward the debt for Solon’s sewer system. And we want to know the impact on our wells and ground storage tanks of approximately 50 homes getting our water, and how and when does this responsibility end.”
The Economist strives for accuracy and fairness at all times and apologizes for any distress we may have unintentionally caused Ms. Russo.
partner Wayne Engle.
Throughout his time in Solon, Swann has also been deeply involved with St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and rather famously, the Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460.
“I tried for a month to get into the legion,” Swann said. “Then I met Jack Beranek in ‘54 and he said I'll get you into a meeting and get you signed up.”
Besides being an avid legion member, Swann has also spent six years as a board member for the American Legion of Iowa Foundation. The charitable entity helps provide financial support for many different programs across the state of Iowa. Last August, Swann and fellow board members presented the Solon
Fire Department with a check for $1,000. Another popular event Swann is involved with is the annual American Legion of Iowa Foundation’s golf outing at Saddleback Ridge Golf Course. The event, the Solon Charity Golf Tournament, took place last month. The foundation is also a large supporter of Camp Courageous, a recreational program for individuals of all ages with disabilities.
“It’s been a good thing,” Swann said of his role with the foundation. “We’ve put the money where it’s needed the most.”
Furthermore, Swann is also a former commander of the Solon American Legion and was also a past district commander, so he has spent plenty of time working closely with the Solon community
and beyond.
Despite his lifelong service to his country and community, Swann said that he never expected to be awarded Solon Senior of the Year, so he was surprised when it happened.
“One thing about this community, it’s a little on the tight side,” he said.
“The people look after each other, that's what's good about this community. And now an outsider is an insider.” And as far as what the city of Solon and surrounding community means to Swann, it’s pretty simple. “Everybody works together and gets it done,” he said. “And that's what happens in this community.”
Swann will be celebrated for his work at the upcoming Solon Beef Days, where he will ride in a convertible during the Saturday, July 19 parade. Swann said that he is looking forward to his family coming from out of state for the event, and that the whole family loves Solon Beef Days.
“Yeah, the whole family, the family that's around and everybody's coming home to see it,” he said.
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
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Design Intern Emma Calabro
Production Manager Heidi Owen heidi.owen@dailyiowan.com
Business Manager Debbie Plath debra.plath@dailyiowan.com
Official Newspaper: Solon, Johnson County, Solon Community School District, Solon Tri-Township Emergency Response Solon Economist USPS #500-
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Solon Economist at PO Box 249, Solon, IA 52333. Subscriptions: Contact Catherine Bilskie at 319-624-2233 or catherine. bilskie@soloneconomist.com for additional information. Subscription rates: Johnson and adjoining counties – $55 annually; elsewhere In Iowa – $75 annually; out of state – $85 annually.
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
It’s not too late to join Summer Reading, the fun continues through July 31st! And don’t forget—reading 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!
Library Programs
What’s better than a life-sized game of Candyland at the Library?! Join us for Live-Action Candyland Sensory Night Monday, July 21, at 6:00 p.m. All-ages will enjoy playing the game, and sensory activities like slime and play-dough. No registration necessary.
Teens will enjoy Water Wars Tuesday, July 22, at 1:30 p.m. It’s the perfect chance to cool down as you enjoy water blasters, sprinkler, and water pom poms with friends. This teen program is for incoming 6th-12th graders, no registration necessary. In case of bad weather our rain date is Thursday, July 24, at 1:30 p.m.
Do you have what it takes to escape the “upside down” in our Escape Room for Teens & Adults?
Inspired by the hit Netflix show, Stranger Things, registered teams will help Will escape from the “upside down” in a 30-minute timeslot. Register your team online or at the Library.
Test your knowledge at Level Up Trivia Friday, July 25, at 6:30 p.m. This trivia is game themed and will feature four rounds of trivia covering everything from sports, board games, and video games. Register your team online or at the Library to compete. Trivia is intended for adults.
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.
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 open Friday, July 18, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and closed Saturday, July 19, for Solon Beef Days. Come see us at Kids Corner at Noon, Saturday, July 19!
We are open Friday, July 25, 9:00 a.m.-4:00p.m. to allow time for our monthly staff in-service.
Everyone is welcome at the Library and our programs. Please contact us with access needs.
What’s New?
From thrillers to romantasy and everything in between, we’ve got something on the new shelf for everyone! Come check it out and discover your next read.
The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley. Loyalties are tested in this slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy following an assassin and a healer forced to work together to cure a fatal disease, all while resisting the urge to kill each other—or,
Things to know about Beef Days
Solon Beef Days is happening this weekend (Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19). Ahead of the big event, here are some important things you should know.
Handicapped parking - Our Lord’s Church (131 N Market Street)
ATM Locations - Sam’s Main Street Market, Solon American Legion, Solon State Bank, RJ’s BP Convenience Store
First Aid - Solon Fire Department will have a booth next to the t-shirt/info booth
Pets/Animals - Pets are not allowed for the safety of everyone especially the animal Fireworks including snakes and sparklers - No Fireworks are allowed
Kiser named to Spring 2025 Dean's List at St. Olaf College
NORTHFIELD, Minn. Aurora Kiser, from Ely, was named to the Spring 2025 Dean's List at St. Olaf College. The Dean's List is a scholarly award for students who demonstrate academic excellence and have earned a GPA of 3.75 or above and completed at least three credits for that semester.
Merchandise / T-shirts - There is a booth selling t-shirts during Beef Days on Main Street.
Alcoholic beverages - No outside alcohol is allowed. The beer tent sells a variety of Budweiser and Big Grove beverages.
Coolers - No glass, soft side coolers only, no alcohol. Restrooms - Restrooms are available behind the band stand.
Pop-Up Tents - No personal tents are allowed Volunteer Opportunities – https://beefdays.com/ get-involved/, or check Facebook, www.facebook.com/ SolonBeefDays for volunteer opportunities.
Weather / Cancellation – Check Facebook, www. facebook.com/SolonBeefDays for updates during the event.
Mount Mercy University congratulates June 2025 graduates
CEDAR RAPIDS — The following students graduated from Mount Mercy in June.
Solon – Cade Chapman (Bachelor of Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude) and Stephanie Schwake (Master of Science in Nursing).
Additionally, Chapman received the Outstanding Human Resource Management Student Award during the Honors Convocation Friday, May 16.
2025 Beef Days Scholarship winners announced
The Solon Beef Days Committee has announced the recipients of the 2025 Beef Days scholarships.
Bob Stinocher Scholarship –Awarded to Rose McAtee. Bob (who passed away in 2016) was a founding member of Beef Days starting in 1971 with his wife Jean and a 57-year member of the Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 with 40 years on the Color Guard.
Larry Meyers Scholarship –awarded to Eddie Johnson. Larry (who passed away in 2009) was also a long time Beef Days Committee member and was on the Johnson County Board of
Supervisors at the time of his death.
Kris Brown Scholarship –awarded to Michael DeValk. Kris retired from three decades as the Solon Library Director and was named Solon Senior Advocates’ Senior of the Year in 2021. She also has served as the Beef Days secretary for many years and continues to enjoy her retirement here in Solon.
“These named scholarships reflect the memory or dedication for some special folks that have been involved with Beef Days over the years,” noted City Administrator Cami Rasmussen.
Beef Days Scholarship – awarded to Owen Einwalter.
worse, fall in love.
Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh. Jia Song has always been destined for greatness. As the daughter of Korean bodega owners, she promised herself that she would have every Fifth Avenue luxury when she grew up, and it is all finally within reach. She has just made junior partner at her prestigious Manhattan law firm, she can count on her two best friends to have her back, and she is about to score the ultraluxe gold-on-gold Birkin bag of her dreams. So when her boss asks her to sit in on the hush-hush family implosion of a high-level client, she accepts without hesitation―only to find out that it is one of the most famous Korean families in the world.
Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje. Spanning twenty years and one life-altering summer in Croatia, Slanting Towards the Sea is at once an unforgettable love story and a powerful exploration of what it means to come of age in a country younger than oneself.
The View from Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani. After a painful divorce and family upheaval in working-class Lake Como, New Jersey, draftswoman Jess Capodimonte Baratta flees to Carrara, Italy, where artistic ambition, and new relationships reshape her understanding of love, loyalty, and personal fulfillment.
The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware. In this follow-up to the multi-million copy mega-hit The Women in Cabin 10, Lo Blacklock returns to attend the opening of a luxury hotel, only to find herself in a white-knuckled race across Europe. Available in print and audiobook!
SOLON
E E CO NO MI ST
whats happening around you.
Two Grandmas, Miss Bruce and a new baby sister
Food for Thought
July 16, 1936, was the hottest day on record in Iowa and the day I became a middle child. It was a mere three months past m second birthday and I was blissfully unaware of what has become known as the 'middle child' syndrome. My paternal grandmother had come from Milwaukee to visit for a week of her annual vacation. My maternal grandmother, with whom I was much better acquainted and much more comfortable, had come specifically to care for my older sister and me, and to see to the household routines when my mother gave birth to her third child.
After my older sister had been born in a hospital where Dad was for bidden to hold his first child or to visit his wife whenever he chose, it had been agreed that I and subsequent babies were to be born at home. The family doctor was agreeable to the prospect, which was still a fairly common practice, and a highly professional midwife/baby nurse reserved for the event. Her name was Miss Bruce and she arrived clad in a dark blue woolen suit over which she immediately tied a long, white apron. She seemed to be fond of me and I didn't understand, at the time, that she had been present at my own birth and considered me to be one of “her” babies.
Most people believe that we don't remember things that happened to us during the first two or three years of our lives, but I distinctly remember much of the day that Betty Lou was born. I can clearly visualize the hospital bed that had been brought into our dining room (converted temporarily into a maternity ward.) I remember sitting on the bed while Mother told me stories and said I might soon have a baby brother to help take care of. There are many aspects of that day that I have no memory of at all. I recall nothing about where my older sister Dorothy was that day, or where I was for the hours after I sat on the bed talking with our mother, but I do remember Miss Bruce holding my new baby sister, showing me her little hands and tiny fingernails and saying that Betty had played a trick on us and decided she wanted to be my little sister instead of being a brother. I would come to believe the part about Betty playing tricks, for within a few years it became clear that she had inherited our maternal grandmother's delight in practical jokes, riddles and spontaneous fun.
I once conducted a writing class at a senior center in a small town for a few months. One of the women, who had been a school teacher, wrote a short autobiographic sketch to introduce herself to the group. She began with, “I was born a middle child...” Of course, she was not BORN a middle child because at the time of her birth, she had been the youngest child and only became the middle child when a third child was born to her parents. I was never able to convince her of the illogic of her statement and could not persuade her to change the wording.
Many a middle child, as with me, does not remain a middle child forever, depending on the number of siblings born after them. I'm not sure when all the hoopla about the fact of having been a middle child and its consequences became a subject for study. However, I held that position in our family for over six years and I can't think of any disadvantages it brought me. Theories indicate that the middle child is often ignored or neglected in some way. I was free from the expectations and responsibilities of being the oldest, and the smothering attentions of being the 'baby' to be coddled, protected and humored long past babyhood.
Where the middle child is sometimes thought to be lonely, I had the luxury of privacy, solitude for daydreaming and reading, time to explore ideas and possibilities. I credit all that free time for the opportunities to experiment with writing, drawing, inventing and imagining. I'm quite sure that I would never have been a writer, artist or teacher had I not been allowed those luxuries. Because Betty and I were much closer together in age than any others of us four girls (I was eight when Ruth Ann was born.) Betty and I became a sort of 'dual middle child' - a true blessing for both of us.
Q&A: Wins for rural America signed into law
With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Q: How did you leverage your leadership for alternative energy?
A: More than three decades ago, I helped launch Iowa’s rise to dominance in alternative energy with the first-ever federal wind energy tax credit. Wind energy supports more than 9,000 jobs in Iowa and generates more than 60% of our state’s electricity, making it the largest source of electricity in Iowa. During negotiations on the One Big Beautiful Bill, I fought tooth and nail to secure a 12-month runway that allows planned wind and solar projects to begin construction after the law’s enactment. This victory prevented a devastating blow to alternative energy that would have stunted investment, innovation and production when there’s growing demand for clean, affordable electricity. My efforts will help accelerate near-term growth in these projects to get them from the drawing board to installation and production while also providing the industry a sensible pathway to self-sustainability. It puts wind and solar on a level playing field with other technologies with respect to imported materials and components. Specifically, I led efforts to strike a punitive new tax on wind and solar projects that would have sunk domestic production and investment, as well as job creation here at home.
Q: What new measures will boost Iowa’s renewable fuels industry?
A: Iowa’s farm economy drives the state economy, employing nearly one in five Iowans in agriculture or ag-related industries. Family farmers across the state take pride in growing crops that feed and fuel the world. As a lifelong family farmer and tireless champion for the livelihoods and way of life for farm families, I brought the concerns of Iowa farmers to the policymaking tables during negotiations on the One Big Beautiful Bill. That includes expanding domestic markets for feedstock. The renewable fuels industry adds value to homegrown corn and soybean crops. I successfully fought to eliminate tax subsidies for renewable fuels produced from imported feedstocks, such as used cooking oil from China or tallow and sugar cane from Brazil. In 2023, the U.S. imported three billion pounds of used cooking oil that exploited tax incentives and clean fuel policies. The U.S. taxpayer should not foot the bill for subsidies that benefit foreign farmers at the expense of corn and soybean
farmers from Iowa. Ensuring our nation’s renewable fuel policies benefit American farmers was my top priority as I fought to improve and extend the Clean Fuels Production Tax Credit through 2029. I also successfully secured transition relief for small biodiesel producers who shut down operations during the previous administration due to a lack of workable guidance implementing this credit. Taken together, this is a victory for Iowa farmers and Iowa renewable fuel producers.
Q: What’s in the new law for Iowa farmers?
A: Iowa farmers waited two years for Congress to update the five-year Farm Bill. High input costs for seed, fertilizer, fuel, machinery and rent were cutting into the bottom line, making it difficult for farming operations to make ends meet, let alone turn a profit. The farm safety net needed to reflect the double-digit increase to farm production costs. With President Trump’s signature on July 4, the new law increases reference prices and boosts the effective reference price escalator for the 2025 through 2031 crop years. That raises the benchmark for farm payments, such as the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) programs, to help ensure the farm safety net reflects higher input costs. The law also improves crop insurance for beginning farmers for the first decade of their operations, increasing the coverage level and affordability of certain crop insurance policies. Iowa’s agrarian heritage is not only the backbone of our state’s economy, it’s a way of life. Iowans should not be punished for wanting to keep a family farm in the family. For nearly two centuries, Iowa families have handed the reins of their farming operation to their kids and grandkids. An unfair, punitive death tax would force sons and daughters to sell the family land to pay the federal estate tax liability. I’ve long championed efforts to repeal the death tax and was glad to support provisions in the new law that permanently boost the death tax exemption, raising it to $15 million for individuals and $30 million for couples. In addition, the new law provides critical investments in conservation, ag research, trade promotion and animal health to help fight disease outbreaks, such as New World screwworm (NWS), Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and African swine fever (ASF), to support livestock producers and protect the food supply.
Johnson County launched a new online portal for development and building permit applications Monday, July 14.
The new platform will make it easier for residents, business owners, contractors and others to submit building permit and development applications as well as wastewater system applications. The public can also use the portal to upload plans, schedule inspections, pay fees and track project status. Code complaints can also be submitted through the platform.
Using the portal will require registration, which is free. Anyone can establish an account by visiting
the webpage www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/pds and clicking on the “Apply Online” button, then select “My Account” from the menu options at the top of the next webpage. The new platform is supported by Citizenserve software.
For more information or disability-related accommodations to access the platform, contact the Johnson County Planning, Development and Sustainability Department at 319-356-6083 or pds@johnsoncountyiowa.gov.
Milli Gilbaugh
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 •••••••••
Friday, July 18
Summer Herb Crusted Fish Rice Pilaf Carrots Watermelon w/Honey Lime
Monday, July 21
Chicken Biscuit Casserole Corn Fresh Fruit Chocolate Texas Cake
Wednesday, July 23
Chicken Stir Fry w/Vegetables
Steamed Rice
Banana Split Dessert
Friday, July 25
Seafood Pasta Alfredo Bake
Broccoli
Garlic Toast Gelatin Crunch
Monday, July 28
Chicken Spaghetti Green Beans Garlic Toast
Seasonal Fresh Fruit
Wednesday, July 30
City Representative
Salisbury Steak
Mashed Potatoes w/Beef Gravy
Candied Carrots Banana Bread Blondie
Thank you Solon Senior Dining volunteers!
Help Butch the cow find his friend Bessy
Spot 5 Differences in the pictures below
Across
1 Actress Green of “Casino Royale”
4 Play ground?
9 Edible part of okra
12 Word before or after “open”
14 “Weeping” giant
15 Tick off
16 Condition that Simone Biles has described as giving her a “superpower,” in brief
17 Ticked off
18 ___ Wister, the so-called “father of western fiction”
19 Like some “On Air” signs
20 They draw people
21 Guarded
22 “Principle of parsimony” philosopher
24 Pick up
25 ___ white (lightbulb specification)
26 Sixth word in the Gettysburg Address
27 Exemplar of excellence
30 Cries of wonder
32 She was named the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year five years in a row
33 Adds power to, as an engine
34 Writer Capote, to friends
35 Correspondants, fréquemment
37 Stone used in ancient Greek jewelry
38 Orchestra tuner
39 Mini-brawl
40 Owned (up)
41 “___ are like sausages. It is better not to see them being made” (quote attributed to Otto von Bismarck)
42 Visionaries
44 Dining places
45 Some hot spots
48 Phys. or chem.
50 Major basketball feat … or a feature shared by 3-, 6- and 9-Down
57 Sephora competitor
58 Handle, as questions
59 “Hold your horses!”
60 Breaking a tie, informally
61 Article about a photo?
62 Rainbow, to some
63 P, in the NATO alphabet
64 The Titanic disaster partly inspired its invention
65 Org. that developed the “pumpkin suit”
Down
1 McGregor who played Obi-Wan Kenobi
2 Output from Blizzard Entertainment
3 Temporarily established panel
4 Do laps, say
5 Low pressure indicator
6 You can go anywhere with one of these
7 Briefly experienced, with “of”
8 She-eep
9 Gridiron game for young tykes
10 Risks an interception, say
11 Just say “no” to
13 Pulitzer winner Ferber
15 What you have to pony up to play?
23 Oscars V.I.P.s
25 Motor oil brand
26 Epiphanic moments
28 Have one’s feet up, maybe
29 Told “You’re on!,” for example
31 Brings an action against
36 Excel function
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.” — Elizabeth Andrew SUDOKU
38 N.B.A. great Hakeem who is one of only four players ever to achieve a 50-Across (1990)
43 Big thing in California?
44 ___ Max
46 Fans
47 ___ Agnew, vice president who resigned in 1973
48 City that’s an anagram of SALEM
49 Farmer’s squeeze?
50 Pithy remark
51 Leg : fibula :: arm : ___
52 Crowning
53 Cut and trim
54 Tuscaloosa’s Tide, to fans
55 They may be white or naked
56 High point of a trip to Italy?
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.
Sanderson, Michaela
Schade,
Scharf,
Schlote,
Schlote,
Schnor,
Schulte,
Schuster,
Seaton,
Vaughn, Edith 3,250.30
Vislisel, Tonya 28,212.72
Visser, Lindley 52,942.78 Vogel, Hannah 49,913.97
Vollstedt, Taylor 49,535.17
Volquartsen-Menke, Scyler 50,177.80 Walden, McKenah 58,161.31
Walker, Jossalyn 21,065.39 Walter, Mathew 62,100.00 Watson, James 63,770.17 Wentzien, Kristine 19,577.66 Werner, Paula 4,132.50
Smola, Abigail 507.50 Solares, Tristan 28,222.16
Sovers, Mark 98,166.56
Spence, Jessika 21,521.81
Spengler, Emma 1,345.00
Spengler, Nathan 4,059.00 St. John, Lynn 13,467.72
Stahle, Adam 3,511.00
Stahle, Amanda 90,335.78
Stahle, Samantha 19,885.63 Stanley, Corinne 1,087.50 Stanton, Lucas 77,069.61
Stiegelmeyer, Rylen 2,763.00
Stinocher, Laurie 76,715.74
Stoneking, Todd 37,359.09
Stookey, Skyler 145.00
Straka, Alexis 45,837.85
Strausser, Kelsey 24,282.89 Sutton, March 44,991.00
Swancutt, Patrick 2,634.00
Swierczewski, Jill 19,811.74 Taylor, Robert 59,437.45 Thompson, Kelly 90,255.59 Thompson, Michael 96,543.88
Thomsen, Alicia 982.39
Thomson, Jonathan 1,490.00
Timmons, Jeffrey 4,214.00
Tubbs, Caitlynn 3,828.00 Turner, Justin 73,388.60 Van Houten, Spring 20,686.74
NEWS FROM THE IOWA DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DNR seeks public input on wildlife rules
Code (IAC) Chapters 76 (Unprotected Non-game), 93 (Commercial use of captive-reared waterfowl), 104 (Wildlife Importation, Transportation, and Disease Monitoring), 112 (Hunting Preserves) and 116 (Help Us Stop Hunger program administration).
of a rule. Drafts of the rules, including a “clean” copy and a version showing revisions, can be found on the DNR webpage: www. iowadnr.gov/about/ administrative-rules.
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking informal comments on administrative rules related to Iowa's wildlife.
Executive Order 10 (EO10), signed by Governor Reynolds on January 10, 2023, requires all state agencies to identify which administrative rule chapters will be retained or rescinded. The EO10 process includes public engagement with the opportunity for input.
The Iowa DNR has reviewed chapter 571 Iowa Administrative
Based on the review, DNR has revised these chapters to modernize processes and improve clarity to customers. The public is invited to provide informal comments on the proposed rule changes. DNR will accept written comments through September 23, 2025. Written comments regarding the proposed rules should be submitted to: Chris. Ensminger@dnr.iowa. gov. Comments should be made to specific portions
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“That inning kind of got away from us there,” said Holub. “We gave up five, so that kind of took the wind out of our sails.”
The story for Solon was the missed opportunities. An Izzy Frees long ball to right field in the third gained some much needed in-game force back, only for the Mustangs defense to step up and make a play when needed.
A two-run top of the fifth just wasn’t enough to really get the ball rolling for the Spartans as the Mustangs traded blows right back at them, going on to score five more runs by the top of the seventh and closing out the game routinely, bringing the final score to 4-10.
“They gave me everything they had,” said Holub. “We played hard… but sometimes you just got to say hey, the other team played really well, but we did make them earn it. The ball just didn’t bounce the right way for us tonight.”
After the game, the pride of what the Spartans had accomplished this season was felt throughout the entirety of the team, but the somberness was there as well as two valued players, Izzy Frees and Adelyn Miller, had played their last game as a Spartan.
“This was their fourth season being here, starting as freshman… and this is the best team dynamic we’ve had in their four years here, everybody getting along and lifting each other up, and that says a lot about those two seniors,” said Holub.
The Spartans now look to next year’s season, filling the holes left by the Frees and Miller as necessary, and hoping to make it to state and succeed in the ways they had wanted to this season.
“I don’t worry about who’s on our schedule, I worry about us,” said Holub. “If we do the things we can and we can get some consistency across the board, I think we will be in a good spot.”
Postseason campaign opened with 9-1 win over Anamosa
Mike Kabela
the Solon Economist
For
SOLON — The Solon Lady Spartans advanced to the second round of the Regional Playoffs with a 9-1 win over Anamosa Thursday, July 10, in Solon. The game was tight for four innings. Solon opened the scoring in the first inning when Laeni Hinkle smacked a double and Addie Miller followed with a two-out, two-run homer, her seventh of the season.
The lead stood up as Emerson Miller tossed three scoreless innings to maintain the 2-0 lead. The Blue Raiders broke up the shutout in the fourth on an RBI hit by Anamosa’s Leigha Hinrichs. However, another scoreless inning by Miller in the fifth woke up the Solon bats.
Keegan Kleppe, Laeni Hinkle, Izzy Frees and Addie Miller each singled to start the bottom of fifth inning making the score 4-1. A Blue Raider error and Liv Nelson double pushed the lead to 7-1 and the rout was on. An Addie Walter ground ball added a run and Kleppe’s second hit of the inning ended the game by run rule 9-1, setting up a rematch with WaMaC rival Mt Vernon in the semifinals.
J-Hawks top Lady Spartans to end the regular season
Mike Kabela For the Solon Economist
SOLON — The Solon Lady Spartans finished the regular season with a 2-1 loss to Class 5A Cedar Rapids Jefferson in Solon Monday, July 7. The teams combined for eight total hits as Solon pitchers held the J-Hawks scoreless for the first six innings. Emerson Miller started in the circle for Solon and tossed three scoreless innings before giving way to Beckitt Kabela who stifled the Jefferson offense for three more. Unfortunately for Solon fans, J-Hawk senior pitcher Morgan Hewitt was equally up to the task and held the Spartans scoreless over the first six innings as well.
Laeni Hinkle left the outfield to pitch the seventh for Solon and retired the first two Jefferson batters before allowing a two-out single. The hit proved to be a huge one as catcher Kayleigh Faulkner followed with the J-Hawks fourth hit of the game, a two-run homer to break the scoreless tie.
The Lady Spartans would not go down without a fight however. Addie Miller led off the seventh inning with her second hit of the game, a double, and sister Emerson rapped a single to put the tying run on base. Liv Nelson would knock in a run on a ground out, but another ground out and a strikeout would dash Solon’s hopes. Izzy Frees was the only other Lady Spartan to tally a hit in the game.
Solon finished the regular season with a 16-19 record and the fifth-toughest schedule in Class 3A, losing ten times to Class 4A and 5A teams.
Top to bottom, left to right: Senior Izzy Frees turns the corner at third base and dashes for home (and Solon’s first run) in the top of the first inning of a Class 3A regional semifinal against archrival Mount Vernon in Mount Vernon Saturday evening. The No.3-ranked Mustangs ended the Lady Spartans’ season 10-4 to advance to the finals. Mailee Schmidt, an eighth grader, is ready to blast off from second base during the Class 3A regional semifinal against archrival Mount Vernon in Mount Vernon Saturday evening. Sophomore Addison Walter smiles after putting Mount Vernon’s Sophia Patten out during the Class 3A regional semifinal in Mount Vernon Saturday evening. Senior Addie Miller tosses the ball to her sister, sophomore Emerson Miller as a Mustang celebrates a failed tag-out at home plate in the 3A regional semifinal game Saturday evening in Mount Vernon. Sophomore Emerson Miller delivers a pitch in the first inning of a Class 3A regional semifinal against archrival Mount Vernon in Mount Vernon Saturday evening. Mailee Schmidt, an eighth grader, runs for her life as she scampers around third base and sprints for home plate during the Class 3A regional semifinal against archrival Mount Vernon in Mount Vernon Saturday evening. Freshman Liv Nelson makes a grab for an out during the Class 3A regional semifinal in Mount Vernon Saturday evening.
Page 12: Seniors Addie Miller (left) and Izzy Frees embrace with tears flowing after the final out of the Class 3A regional semifinal against archrival Mount Vernon in Mount Vernon Saturday evening.
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist file photos
Tigers bite Spartans to end the season
Grinnell starts Substate game with 2-0 lead, tops Solon 5-2
WEST LIBERTY — The season ended for the varsity Spartans Saturday afternoon as the Grinnell Tigers preyed upon Solon for a 5-2 Class 3A Substate 5 first round victory.
The WaMaC East vs. WaMaC West contest started Friday afternoon in an ominous fashion with severe thunderstorms in the forecast prompting a three-hour earlier start.
Senior pitcher Jackson Link suffered the indignity of his first two batters cranking out solo homeruns – one to deep right field, the other to deep left field, as turbulent storm clouds drew ever closer. As the third Grinnell batter was taking his place in the batters box, the outdoor warning sirens sounded for a severe thunderstorm warning across the northern edge of Johnson County, and just north of Solon.
The game was initially suspended until the expiration of the warning (at 5:00 p.m.), however a downpour rendered the field unplayable and necessitating postponement until the next day. Hopes of an afternoon game in Solon were dashed Saturday morning as the field was still too wet and the contest moved east to West Liberty.
When play resumed the Spartans got one run back in the bottom of the first inning. The Tigers plated three runners in the top of the third while Solon scored one run in the fourth ahead of three scoreless innings.
Individual stats were not available as of deadline.
Solon finished the 2025 campaign at 19-14 overall while the Tigers improved to 15-19 and advanced to a Monday, July 14 semifinal game against Assumption Catholic (2511). The Knights blew away the Washington Demons 18-0 in their first round game. In the upper half of the Substate No. 5 bracket Marion blanked Vinton-Shellsburg 11-0 while Mount Vernon shut out Central DeWitt 8-0 for a Marion (24-8) vs. Mount Vernon (18-12) semifinal match up Monday. The Substate final was set for Wednesday, July 16 with the winner advancing to the State 3A Tournament in Sioux City.
Solon 13 North Scott 6
The week opened with a non-conference game against North Scott in Eldridge Monday, July 7.
The Spartans plated three in the top of the first, four in the third, and six in the fifth while holding the Lancers to two runs in the first, fourth, and seventh. Solon’s batters delivered 14 hits led by junior Dylan Gorham with three including one double and three RBIs. Sophomore Maddox Kelley, junior Carson Kidwell, and senior Jackson Link produced two hits each with three RBIs for Link and two for Kidwell. Freshman Luke Merrick, senior Ty Bell, sophomore Brady Wick, junior Hayden Detra, and junior Hunter Knorr had one hit each. Freshman Tate Miller was awarded the win with three innings on the mound. Miller gave up four hits and two earned runs, walked one, and struck out one. Merrick pitched two innings giving up three hits and two earned runs with one walk and three strikeouts while Bell pitched two innings giving up two runs (one earned), walking one, and striking out one.
Liberty High 5 Solon 3
The regular season ended Tuesday, July 8 as the Mississippi Valley Conference (MVC) Mississippi Division’s Liberty High Lightning visited for a nonconference bout. The “Bolts” zapped the Spartans 5-3. Nolan Seagren (a senior) and Hayden Detra had two hits each for the Spartans with a double for Seagren and two RBIs apiece. Carson Kidwell, Ty Bell, Jackson Link, Brady Wick, and Hunter Knorr had one hit each with an RBI for Dylan Gorham. Gorham was charged with the loss after two innings on the mound giving up three hits and three earned runs, walking three, and striking out one. Wick pitched two innings giving up two hits and one earned run with one strike out, and sophomore Luke Deike pitched two innings giving up no hits, walking one, and striking out one. Jackson Link and junior Tyler Greazel pitched one inning apiece with Link giving up no hits and no runs with one strike out and Greazel giving up two hits and one earned run.
Top left: Senior Jackson Link had a tough start to Friday’s Class 3A Substate No. 5 first round game against the Grinnell Tigers. Link faced two batters and watched helplessly as both drilled solo homeruns just before the game was suspended for severe weather.
Above: With a severe thunderstorm warning in effect just north of Solon and the leading edge of a line of severe storms moving in quickly, the Spartans pull the tarps onto the diamond Friday, July 11, in hopes of resuming once the warning had expired. However heavy rainfall made the field unplayable and the game resumed Saturday on West Liberty’s diamond. As a severe thunderstorm moved across the northern edge of Johnson County, Solon’s outdoor warning sirens sounded suspending the Class 3A Substate No. 5 first round game between the varsity Spartans and Grinnell Tigers Friday afternoon until Saturday afternoon when play resumed in West Liberty as wet conditions in Solon prevented continuation at home.
Lady Spartans handed seasonending loss by Mustangs
Mount Vernon takes regional semifinal 10-4 over Solon
AJ Dolan Solon Economist
MOUNT VERNON — The anticipation in the air could be cut with a knife on Saturday as Spartan fans packed the house of the Mount Vernon Mustangs, fighting for a chance to move on in the postseason.
This regional semifinal battle was a huge test for Solon, not only because winning it would bring them one step closer to a trip to the state tournament, but because it was an opportunity to prove they belong.
In preparation for this game, it seemed as if the calendars had been marked. With a chance to right the ship from an early-season Mustangs doubleheader sweep of the Spartans, they knew their opponent’s approach but mostly knew what they had to do to help themselves.
“We worked on us,” said head coach Brad Holub. “We took a lot of ground balls in practice, a lot of fly balls, and
talked a lot about hitting approach; waiting for our pitch and not swinging at others.”
Early on, the Spartans came out with a certain swagger that showed that they had the power to take control of this game. The ball was coming off the bat well as planned with senior Adelyn Miller highlighting the first inning with a double into center, scoring one run. Accompanied by solid pitching from Emerson Miller and a couple pop flies caught by outfielder Laeni Hinkle in the bottom of the first, the Spartans looked to carry that momentum throughout. The tide seemed to turn early in the bottom of the second. With two outs and no one on for the Mustangs, Mount Vernon’s Annabelle Smith mustered up a deep ball hit to left field, causing chaos in the outfield and allowing for an inside-the-park homerun. From that point on, it was a home team hitting parade, scoring five in the inning.
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist file photos
Solon Economist