Ella McEntaffer Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com
Whether Saddleback Estates should transition from a planned area development to a traditional subdivision dominated discussion during the July 1 Solon City Council meeting, as council members weighed the long-term precedent such a decision could set while also addressing localized flooding, public safety concerns and upcoming community events.
Developers of Saddleback Estates asked the council for feedback on a proposal to convert the existing planned area development into a subdivision with individually owned lots. The development was originally approved as a condominium-style planned area development, meaning homeowners own their homes but not the land beneath them.
City Administrator Cami Rasmussen said developers have approached the city several times over the past few years after finding buyers increasingly prefer owning both the home and the lot.
"They're trying to promote this property," Rasmussen said. "Their goal is to fill up these lots, and it gives them an ability to plan and go forward in how they're going to promote and sell these lots and get people moved into Solon."
City Engineer Dave Schechinger explained this would require numerous variances because the existing development was designed under planned area development standards instead of normal subdivision requirements.
"The complication with this is that it doesn't fit very well with our setbacks," Schechinger said. "Essentially what they want to do is still build the same houses, the same footprints, but sell the property with the lot."
Mayor Dan O'Neil questioned whether approving the request would establish a precedent for future developments.
"My concerns are with the road width, from a maintenance standpoint. Would it stay a private road? Would it become a public road?" O'Neil said. "You want to change course on it and have nonconforming lots, having the homes not meet the setbacks. To me, what kind of message does that send to any other developer that wants to come do business with Solon?"
Council member Greg Morris echoed those concerns.
What to know about Beef Days 2026
Friday evening. Last year, the jam-packed crowd watched history being made again as U of I football player Kade Pieper defended his 2024 Championship and survived a final showdown against Wayne Seagren with a 13’ toss to retain his title in a ‘two-peat.’ Who will win this year? Find out Friday, July 17. The action starts at 7 p.m. on Main Street.
Since beginning in 1971, Solon’s annual Beef Days festival has raised about $900,000, all of which was returned to the community.
“We support the schools, the city, the parks and rec programs, the Legion here in town; so, that is why we do it, is to support the community,” Denise Bruck, president of the Beef Days festival, said.
For Beef Days 2026, the event will begin Friday, July 17, at 5 p.m. by food
vendors and the carnival opening up for the weekend, which will close at 10 p.m. before opening back up Saturday morning. Food vendors, however, will remain open until 11 p.m., and the beer tent won’t close until midnight.
In many ways, this year’s Beef Days will be the same as in previous years. One example is the return of Sam’s Amusements to provide the carnival portion of the festival.
“We get a lot of positive feedback from the attendees with the rides and the games and concessions that they bring along,” Bruck explained.
Additionally, signature Beef Days events like the Hay Bale Toss, the children’s tractor pulls and big wheel race will be returning.
For those that can’t be in attendance to watch the Hay Bale Toss in person on Friday, Iowa’s News Now live streams the event on their YouTube channel and on their website, cbs2iowa.com.
Despite keeping many things the same, there is one way in which it will be different: the 5K race and Fun Run routes will be changed.
This year, because of construction in the parking lot of Lakeview Elementary, both runs will end back at St. Mary’s Catholic Church instead. Both will be held at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.
The annual Beef Day’s parade will begin at 10 a.m. following the races.
SCSD moves forward with new administration building
Public hearing on project Thursday, July 16
Solon Economist
A public hearing will be held Thursday, July 16, by the Solon Community School District (SCSD) Board of Education to receive comments regarding plans for the new Central Administration Building.
The facility, which will replace the current offices located in the former high school/middle school at 301 South Iowa Street, will be built just south of the Iowa Street entrance to the Solon Intermediate School (SIS) on a pair of vacant lots purchased several years ago by the District, and allowing the offices to be located on the District’s existing campus. Plans call for an approximately 4,100-square foot
building, which will house the central administrative offices and a boardroom for Board of Education meetings, district committee meetings, and for staff professional development.
The Central Administration Building is the final project associated with a $25.5 million General Obligation
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist file photo
OPN Architects rendering courtesy of Solon Community School District
According to Bruck, the amount of candy thrown out during the parade is well known and quite notable.
Saturday’s events will then be kicked off by music, and the opening of food vendors and the beer tent at 11 a.m. The carnival, vendors, and beer tent will close at the same times as Friday night, which will include the festival.
“By noon [Sunday], Main Street’s back open, the carnival rides are gone, the tents are down, and you almost can’t tell Beef Days even happened,” Bruck said.
Most of the parking for the event will be north and south of Main Street in Solon. Accessible parking can be found north of Main Street, and there will be signage put out on Highway 1 to direct toward it. Restrooms will be found
behind the bandstand and throughout the carnival area, and First Aid will be located by the t-shirt booth. Although soft-sided coolers are accepted, Bruck encouraged attendees to buy from
• Creation of a dedicated Transportation Center
the local vendor. Additionally, alcohol is not allowed, as it is sold in the beer tent. Tents and canopies are also prohibited.
“We have a great turnout every year, and we have a lot of fun doing it,” Bruck said.
Sheriff’s time report for Solon
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) provides law enforcement to the city of Solon on a contracted basis and releases a monthly Town Time Report documenting the agency’s activities and time spent within the corporate limits of Solon.
June summary
Deputies reported 209 hours, nine minutes spent in Solon in June with 190 calls for service.
As a reminder the Sheriff’s substation is located at 223 S. Iowa St. in Solon. The facility is not staffed 24/7 but if a deputy is needed (non-emergency) call 319-3566800 to make a request to have one meet you. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
Volume 146 I Issue 28 Of a Little Weekly Miracle PO Box 249, Solon, IA 52333 Phone: 319-624-2233 news@soloneconomist.com
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
Production Manager Heidi Owen heidi.owen@dailyiowan.com
Bond measure approved by voters in 2023. Demolition of the current building, which also contains the Solon Community Center is slated for 2027 after completion of the new facility.
Bond-funded projects include:
• Expansion of SIS
• Updates to Lakeview Elementary School
• Turf replacement at Spartan Stadium
• Addition of a multi-use facility (currently under construction adjacent to Solon Middle School)
The new administrative building has an estimated project budget of $1.2 million and the District says the
project has been intentionally designed to attract bids from local contractors, a move they feel could reduce overall construction costs to approximately $900,000.
The public hearing is scheduled for 5:40 p.m. Proposed drawings, specifications, and form of contract may be examined at the Central Office, 301 South Iowa Street, from 9 a.m.4 p.m.
"If we do it, what's going to prevent us from having to do it with the next person?" Morris said.
Council member Tim Gordon also questioned whether nearby property owners supported the proposal.
"I'd like to hear from people that live out there," Gordon said. "I'd be curious to see what they say about lot size, neighbors, stuff like that."
Developers said they understood the council's concerns and emphasized they were seeking feedback before beginning the lengthy legal process necessary to pursue the conversion.
Council members took no formal action.
Earlier in the meeting, resident Jamie Miller addressed the council regarding the former Eastwoods building on Windsor Drive, where she said someone has been living for several months under unsafe conditions.
"My concern is safety," Miller said. "That building is attached to three other businesses... I think it's really important that we keep the safety."
Miller cited concerns about fire hazards, emergency exits, and what she described as escalating behavior from the occupant.
City Attorney Kevin Olson said the city has already begun enforcement action.
"We did issue a notice of violation to the owner of the property saying that he had 20 days to get whoever that person is out of there," Olson said. Olson explained that even if someone is occupying a building without authorization,
Iowa law requires the property owner to complete the formal eviction process before the individual can be removed.
"If the person doesn't leave by their own volition, you may have to go through a forcible entry and detainer action," Olson said. "At the end of the process, they get a court order and the sheriff shows up."
Council members also received a report from Schechinger following heavy rainfall in June that caused localized flooding in several neighborhoods.
Schechinger said more than seven inches of rain fell over the course of a week, including approximately 2.8 inches during one storm event after the ground had already become saturated.
"The five-year rain event is supposed to pass through the storm sewer system," Schechinger said. "Beyond that, it's supposed to run overland in swales."
He explained that saturated soil significantly increased runoff because little rainfall could infiltrate into the ground before entering the drainage system.
City staff inspected storm sewers, intakes and drainage areas following the storms and documented flooding in residential areas. Schechinger said the investigation found drainage infrastructure functioning as designed in many locations, although the volume of water exceeded what portions of the system were intended to handle.
Council members also approved an event application and street closure for the American Legion Legacy Run, which will stop in Solon on Aug. 24.
The nationwide motorcycle
ride, expected to bring between 250 and 500 riders to the city, raises money for veterans and children's charities.
"We raise anywhere from $800,000 to $1.2 million a year for veterans and children's foundations," American Legion Riders representative Michael Walker said. "We've been doing this for 20 years now."
Walker said riders will stop in Solon for lunch before continuing east through Iowa.
The council also heard a presentation from Greater Iowa City Economic Development's Evan Doyle, who shared demographic and economic data collected on Solon to assist with future planning and business recruitment.
"The data can be used for a lot of different things," Doyle said. "You can use it internally. You can use it to market the city and kind of the services and the pros of the city."
In other business, the council approved amendments to the conditional zoning agreement, developer's agreement and preliminary plat for Trail Ridge Estates Part 4.
The Solon Public Library reported nearly 700 participants have taken part in the summer reading program and more than 1,500 prizes have been distributed. Library Director Megan Richardson also announced a CPR and AED education program scheduled for July 8 and recognized library employee Sherr for 25 years of service.
Public Works Superintendent Dave Richards reported work continues on the city's water tower rehabilitation project, with interior painting expected to wrap up next week before the tower returns to service following a curing period.
Advertising Director Juli Krause juli.krause@dailyiowan.com
Interns Ella McEntaffer, reporter Cadence Dighton, reporter Grace Escritt, reporter John Charlson, photographer/ reporter
Official Newspaper: Solon, Johnson County, Solon Community School District, Solon Tri-Township Emergency Response The Solon Economist (USPS 500860), a division of The Daily Iowan, is published weekly on Thursdays by Student Publications, 100 Adler Journalism Building, Room El31 Iowa City, IA 52242. Periodicals Postage Paid at the Solon Post Office and additional offices.
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 2026 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 or republished without written permission. soloneconomist.com
Beef Days 5k Run/1-mile walk map
SOLON PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS
Looking for a break from the summer heat? Cool down at the Library! At the end of the month, we’ll be wrapping up Summer Reading with our FOAM PARTY, Thursday, July 30, at 2:00 p.m.! Wear a swimsuit or active-wear clothing that can get wet, and please bring a towel. Goggles are also encouraged to keep foam out of little eyes.
Interested in supporting our Library community? Consider joining either the Library Board of Trustees, the Friends of the Library, or the Solon Public Library Foundation! As a member of the Library Board of Trustees, you’ll be working with our Director on such tasks as reviewing and updating library policies, making decisions about library operations, and developing library plans. As a member of the Friends of the Library, you’ll help fundraise for the Library and support Library activities and events. As a member of the Solon Public Library Foundation, you’ll work to fundraise for major library programs and long-term building projects. Being a member of these teams means playing an important role in keeping the Library running!
Want to volunteer? Visit our website at https://www.solon.lib.ia.us/about/volunteer-opportunities to fill out our online application! Call or visit the Library for more information.
Library programs
Storytimes at the Library are going strong with two available times every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Join us for singing, dancing, reading, and playing games. We encourage families to pick the most comfortable time to attend. These events will be identical. Don’t worry about missing either one.
Join us for Make Your Own Slime Monday, July 13, at 6 p.m. Available for all ages. Enjoy a messy evening at the Library as we combine colors and textures to make slimes of your choice!
Looking for a relaxing art session? Join us with special guest Austina Scott as she leads a flower painting tutorial Tuesday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will paint a picture of yellow flowers against the sky, while receiving instruction from Austina Scott. We’ll provide the canvases, paints, and paintbrushes. Intended for adults, registration is required.
Missing the ocean vibes this summer? Join us with Ocean Odyssey: Stingray Touch Tanks Friday, July 24, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.!
The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium’s traveling touch tank is bringing live ocean animals to the Library! Attendees will learn how these critters survive, their importance to the ecosystem, and how you can help with conservation efforts! Attendees will also have the opportunity to get their hands wet! For all ages, registration is required!
Library access
Regular Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 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.
Special hours in July Friday, July 17, the Library will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the Library will be closed on Saturday, July 18 for Solon Beef Days. Friday, July 24 the Library will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Everyone is welcome at the Library and our programs. Please contact us with access needs.
Online resources in the Library collection
Going on vacation and need media for mobile devices for a long drive?
Use your Library card to sign up with Libby to check out audiobooks!
Thanks to Bridges, finding audiobooks
with Libby couldn't be easier! With thousands of titles available to Library patrons, you're sure to find audiobooks of some of your favorite authors from every genre! You can access Libby through any browser, or any compatible mobile device. With a Bluetooth connection, you can play your audiobooks through vehicle media players and mobile speakers.
Want to watch movies without signing up for a new streaming service bill?
Try out Kanopy, available on your mobile devices and smart TVs! Kanopy is a rental streaming service made for public libraries! Make an account with your library card to access a plethora of action-packed movies, insightful documentaries, and even educational courses. Each month, patrons using Kanopy receive 15 movie tickets to spend on whatever they'd like, no billing, no monthly fees. Download the app on your mobile devices to get started, or install it on your smart TV.
Call or visit the Library for more information about using or getting started with online resources through the Library.
New books in the collection
Here are some new books in the Library collection!
This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum
Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world. The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy and Xander's one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. The one clue shedding light on the couple's disappearance is the incomplete, previously unseen first draft of Joy's memoir. Benny is desperate to find them, even when the police soon zero in on him as their prime suspect.
Angel Down by Daniel Kraus Private Cyril Bagger has managed to survive the unspeakable horrors of the Great War through his wits and deception. But his
survival instincts are put to the ultimate test when he and four other grunts are given a deadly mission: venture into the perilous No Man's Land to euthanize a wounded comrade. What they find amid the ruined battlefield, however, is not a man in need of mercy but a fallen angel, seemingly struck down by artillery fire.
No Matter What by Cara Bastone Roz and Vin can't look each other in the eyes anymore, let alone share a bed. It's been a year since they survived a life-altering accident, and their marriage hasn't been the same. But Roz has held out hope that they can fix things, until she discovers Vin has signed a new lease. So she does what any soon-to-be-divorced Manhattanite would do: sign up for a figure-drawing class. As Roz works to capture the wholeness of the person she fell in love with, will they both be able to draw upon the feelings they buried deep inside to finally heal together?
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone Lenny's a bit of a mess at the moment. Ever since cancer stole away her best friend, she has been completely lost. She's avoiding her concerned parents, the apartment she shared with her best friend, and the ever laminated "live again" list of things she's promised to do to survive her grief. But maybe if she acts like she has it all together, no one will notice she's falling apart. Turns out, sometimes your life has to end to find your new beginning.
History of the Solon Public Library - Part 15
The new Library building was constructed to be 8,150 sq. feet on the main level with another 8,150 sq. feet for HVAC equipment and storage in the basement. The new basement currently houses Dinosaur Jack’s incredible dinosaur collection, along with many donation materials for the Friends of the Library. In perspective, the Library’s 750 sq. ft meeting room was the same size as the old library.
Local officials address ongoing problems with LRS’s trash collection
Ella McEntaffer Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com
Residents and elected officials in Solon and Lisbon voiced growing frustration with continued garbage and recycling collection problems by LRS Waste & Disposal Service during recent city council meetings, with both communities demanding improved service and stronger communication from the waste hauler.
In Solon, several residents addressed the council during public comments and described repeated missed garbage collections, inconsistent pickup schedules and the inconvenience of having to dispose of overflowing trash themselves after weeks of missed service. One resident told council members his household had experienced eight missed garbage collections since Jan. 1 and had been forced to transport trash to another residence because it was not being picked up.
Mayor Dan O'Neil noted LRS representatives were present at the meeting to respond to residents' concerns.
LRS promises staffing, communication improvements
Representatives from LRS told council members the company recognizes the seriousness of the ongoing service issues and is working to rebuild staffing and improve operations.
One of the company’s new local managers said the company is actively working to correct the problems residents have experienced and acknowledged delays and missed pickups, adding that improvements are underway.
He also emphasized the company’s commitment to resolving the issues.
LRS Director of Operations Rupert Jemmott said he traveled from Indianapolis after learning of the problems and plans to remain in the area until operations stabilize.
Jemmott said he intends to stay until the situation is resolved and is prepared to provide daily communication updates if requested.
He added that experienced managers are being brought in to help train employees and improve service, while additional crews are working to address staffing shortages.
Solon’s patience has run out
Council members acknowledged the company's staffing challenges but said residents have repeatedly been promised improvements while service problems continued. They said the city continues to receive complaints from residents who expect reliable trash collection for a service they pay for and urged LRS to restore consistent pickups as quickly as possible.
Communication also emerged as one of the largest concerns during the discussion.
City Administrator Cami Rasmussen said city staff spent much of the previous weekend responding to resident complaints while coordinating with LRS.
"Cities are required to offer five essential services," Rasmussen said. "Emergency services, water, sewer, streets, garbage. When one of those five are not working as they should, it is a big deal."
Rasmussen said city staff should not have to spend entire weekends handling
The manager said LRS had hired seven drivers and expected additional drivers and managers from other locations to assist with operations and training as the company worked to restore service.
trash complaints and stressed residents deserve consistent collection times, timely delivery of carts, prompt notification of delays, and reliable communication when trucks break down.
"You've used it all up," Rasmussen said, referring to residents' patience after repeated explanations involving staffing shortages, equipment failures, and weather delays. "You got to fix it. You got to reestablish the trust of this community."
Managers acknowledged communication had not met expectations.
Lisbon begins formal contract action
Lisbon officials discussed similar concerns during the June 22 City Council meeting.
City Administrator Brandon Siggins said the city has documented complaints involving garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection for months, with problems escalating during the previous collection cycle.
"We do keep a log of every complaint that comes in for yard waste, recycling or trash issues," Siggins said.
Siggins said city staff met with LRS crews on the morning of June 22 to ensure routes were completed after delays stretched through the weekend. During the final portion of the route, a truck experienced transmission problems before another vehicle was dispatched from Iowa City to complete collections.
Although LRS recently assigned two new operations managers to the area, Siggins said similar management changes have occurred several times over the past year.
"This is about the fourth group of new employees that they've had as supervisors," he said.
Siggins also told council members the
city dealt with a public urination incident involving an LRS employee during the latest collection cycle. According to Siggins, LRS informed the city the employee involved had been terminated.
Because of the ongoing service issues, Lisbon has formally begun documenting potential contract violations.
Siggins said that Lisbon’s city attorney reviewed the municipality's contract with LRS, which runs through 2028, examined the city's complaint logs, and prepared a formal notice of default identifying specific contract provisions the city believes had been breached.
Rather than immediately attempting to terminate the agreement, Siggins said the recommendation is to provide LRS an opportunity to correct the deficiencies to reduce potential legal risk.
LRS issues public statement
LRS released a public statement June 20 from Director of Operations Rupert Jemmott outlining the company's plans to address continued service interruptions. Jemmott apologized for the disruptions and said the company was working to restore normal service.
"We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We appreciate your patience and we look forward to getting our valued customers back on their normal scheduled service days," he said.
While both Solon and Lisbon officials acknowledged LRS's recent staffing efforts and willingness to communicate, they said residents ultimately expect consistent, reliable trash, and recycling collection. Officials in both communities indicated they will continue monitoring the company's performance as it works to resolve the ongoing service issues.
OPINIONS
How to avoid bear traps and quicksand
Food for Thought
Milli Gilbaugh
Experience – or learning from mistakes is a part of the education that we don't get in formal classrooms. Sometimes it takes more than one lesson for an idea to make itself clear or for us to recognize and learn to apply it in different situations. I know, from my own experience, not to take too literally the admonition to turn the other cheek and give people or situations a second chance. After a bad experience, I used to think that maybe people weren’t all alike, and maybe I was merely the victim of an unfortunate coincidence. Or maybe I am just plain stubborn and unwilling to think the worst of other people's faults. Whatever the reason, I have finally learned a number of things the hard way and am ready to list a few maxims that appear to have been proven by time.
I once thought that the expression “three’s a crowd” was limited to romantic situations. But I've learned that it also applies to situations as innocent as being invited to join a friend for lunch. Then, she mentions that a childhood friend, a visiting sister, or an old college roommate will be joining us. “You’ll love her,” your friend insists, “she’s so funny, and we always had a ball when we were young. I haven’t seen her for over ten years.” Here is where the sirens should start to wail and it is prudent to remember an appointment to have a root canal. Believe me, at least the dentist will give you Novocaine to help you through the worst of the experience, but there will be little or no relief from being trapped with two bubbly, chattering old buddies catching up on the past decade and reminiscing about the decades before that. One can only study the menu, examine the restaurant décor, or eavesdrop on the couple at the next table for so long.
Then there’s the celebratory party – where an acquaintance wants an appreciative audience to relive the glory of some recent accomplishment. Unless the celebrant is very dear to your heart – and unless you are not possessed of even the tiniest iota of jealousy – you will do well to send a bottle of champagne and regrets rather than to attend the festivities. The celebrant will be unbearably modest or unbearably smug, and you will tire, very rapidly, of the only topic of conversation. Spending two or three hours in unlimited gushing can be exhausting.
Beware of the off-hand, casual invitation. This includes everything from “drop in any time” to “if you ever get to this part of the country, be sure to look us up.” More times than not, your host or hostess will be on the way out the door for choir practice or in bed with the flu when you “drop by.” The former classmate or shirt-tail relation who insisted on being “looked up” will be, at the moment of your phone call or unexpected arrival, conducting a Cub Scout meeting, volunteering at the Senior Center in twenty minutes, or visiting an ailing aunt. Don’t even consider the impulsive invitation to “come stay with us a few days during your vacation.” You will most likely be bedded down on an air mattress in the rec room, trodden by kids and dogs, fed Chinese carry-out or charred hamburgers on the patio, and entertained with endless games of Scrabble or home videos of last year’s vacation. And it will rain the whole time – count on it.
Expect about fifty percent replies to any RSVP you request. Providing stamped, addressed envelopes helps – but not much. To be safe, you simply have to be prepared for everybody you invite to show up. Have contingency plans for any outdoor event you plan – from a family picnic to a garden wedding. This is especially true if you live in Iowa. Don’t believe everything you see in the movies, on television or in the newspaper or magazines.
Remember that estimates are only estimates – and they are ALWAYS lower than the final bill. And finally – and most importantly – never assume that, just because something turned out okay the first time, doing it the same way will always insure success. Every day holds adventures and surprises, and the only sure thing is that there’s no such thing as a sure thing.
Our rights extend beyond mere verbs
Buried words, like buried treasures, sometimes surprise and enrich. But buried landmines only create problems now, and later.
Such is the case with a passage buried in a 71-page Iowa Supreme Court decision last month.
In a unanimous ruling, the court decided that a law authorizing Iowa prisons to block inmates from receiving printed materials containing nudity was constitutional.
The justices laid out a cogent rationale for their conclusion: Some inmate freespeech rights must give way inside prisons to protect safety and security. One such permissible restriction, the court said, allows government in Iowa to ban inmate access to commercially printed materials depicting nudity.
But the discussion did not stop with that.
Stray Thoughts
Buried within Justice Christopher McDonald’s separate concurrence is an idea that should concern every Iowan — not because it deals with prison censorship, but because it advances a legal theory that reaches far beyond prison walls.
McDonald agreed with the court’s majority in the lawsuit brought by nine inmates wanting access to magazines with nude images. But he rejected his fellow justices’ legal reasoning.
The court’s error, McDonald urged, came in holding that inmates, or any Iowan for that matter, has a right to receive information under the state constitution.
The inmates’ claim fails for two reasons, McDonald asserted. First, the Iowa Constitution contains no language expressly protecting a right to receive information. Even if it did, he continued, materials depicting nudity were historically prohibited in the state when the constitution was adopted in 1857.
If the Supreme Court followed McDonald’s approach, no one — not just those in prison — could claim a right to stay informed or to obtain facts and data without government interference. In McDonald’s view, Iowans would have no right to listen, no right to hear, no right to read, no right to receive, regardless of whether it involves nudity or just bare facts.
He argued, “The text of the state constitution does not support the conclusion that there is a state constitutional right to receive information. The constitution protects the right to ‘speak, write, and publish sentiments on all subjects.’
“These are all active, expressive verbs. They protect the right of the individual to express or communicate one’s own sentiments. None of these verbs encompasses, by its ordinary meaning, a passive right to receive or possess
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
I have lived in Johnson County for nearly 50 years, and I have seen how it has changed over the years. Our urban communities continue to grow, while our rural populations have dwindled. Small to medium-sized farms have been replaced by factory hog farms and row crops polluting our waters and contributing to many health issues, including skyrocketing cancer rates in Iowa.
As a member of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, I’m glad to be part of an organization focusing on water quality and the health outcomes of Iowans. Everyday Iowans know we should be able to enjoy our lakes and streams and be able to turn on the tap without fear of contamination.
One solution we want front and center is support for a mandatory nutrient reduction strategy. We know all too well that voluntary doesn’t work.
Iowa adopted a voluntary nutrient reduction program
Q&A: Farm bill update
With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Q: How did the Working Families Tax Cut law boos the farm safety net?
A: Exactly one year ago on July 4th, President Trump signed into law the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. During my annual county meetings this week across Northwest Iowa, I heard from Iowans how the tax law put more
materials created by others.”
McDonald went on: “It might be urged that the right to publish is inherently relational and thus implies an audience with a correlative right to receive, but Article I, Section 7 [of the Iowa Constitution] protects the act of publishing, not the act of receiving.”
That even one justice of the Iowa Supreme Court would advance this view is troubling. His opinion received pushback from other justices. Writing for the court’s majority, Justice Dana Oxley dismissed his analysis: “Justice McDonald’s opinion concurring in the judgment would have us hold that … apparently no Iowa citizen has the constitutional right to receive information of any type, period. The liberty of the press would mean little if it merely protected the right to publish but not the right to distribute or receive that which is published.
“Freedom of speech is not merely freedom to speak; it is also freedom to read. Forbid a person to read and you shut him out of the marketplace of ideas and opinions that it is the purpose of the free-speech clause to protect,” the Oxley majority continued.
“It is well established that the right to hear — the right to receive information — is no less protected by the First Amendment than the right to speak. Indeed, the right to hear and the right to speak are flip sides of the same coin. One way to test Justice McDonald’s analysis of the Iowa Constitution is to apply his legal rationale to other questions having nothing to do with publications containing nudity.
Consider, for example, voting rights.
What value is the right to vote if there is no right to have your ballot counted? The Iowa Constitution is silent on the right to have your ballot received and tallied.
Then there is Iowans’ right to keep and bear arms.
Following McDonald’s reasoning, gun-owning Iowans would lack a right to fire those weapons. After all, the words “discharge,” “fire” or “shoot” appear nowhere in the text of the constitution.
But constitutional rights cannot be reduced to isolated verbs divorced from context.
As Justice Oxley and court’s majority recognized, the right to publish necessarily implies a right to receive what is published. Strip constitutional language of those necessary implications, and the rights themselves become little more than empty promises.
Iowans have known that since 1857, despite their state constitution lacking a laundry list of verbs.
Randy Evans can be reached at DMRevans2810@gmail.com.
in 2013 allowing farmers to opt in to conservation practices through their local Farm Service Agency. In the 13 years since we have only seen our water quality worsen along with our health outcomes. Putting more money into these programs is like pouring water into a bucket with a hole in the bottom. Iowans are ready for clear common sense mandatory programs that protect our health and water and reign in the reckless practices of extractive industrial agriculture.
If we want to correct our course to a better Iowa for future generations, we have to start in our communities by talking to friends and neighbors about leaving behind what hasn’t served us and advocating real solutions to city and county officials.
Helene Hembreiker Iowa City, Iowa Iowa CCI
money in their pockets thanks to tax cuts on tips, overtime, and senior income. The Republican-led tax law delivered historic tax relief to the American people and unleashed the promise of prosperity, a founding pillar of the American economy as we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday.
The tax law also strengthened the farm safety net, boosting farm risk management programs by more than $65 billion over the next decade. Family farmers feeling the pinch of high input costs will get much-needed relief if market prices fall below federal baseline prices. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act set the minimum threshold at
Randy Evans Iowa Freedom of Information Council
$4.10/bushel of corn and $10/bushel of soybeans. It also improved the formula used to calculate effective reference prices through the 2031 crop year. USDA also will expand eligibility for these risk management programs to 30 million new acres starting in the 2026 crop year, further strengthening the farm safety net for the 2% of Americans who feed and fuel America.
The federal law also boosted the government’s share of crop insurance premiums to help improve affordability for beginning farmers, enabling more producers to qualify for assistance and secure savings on insurance premiums. On the one-year anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, I’m glad these agriculture policies are the law of the land to deliver peace of mind to Iowans whose livelihoods depend on a strong farm economy. Now, I’m pressing to get the five-year farm bill to the president’s desk.
Q: What policies are you pushing in the Senate Farm Bill?
A: As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I’m glad the chairman of the committee released a bipartisan discussion draft to keep the ball rolling on the overdue farm bill. The House of Representatives passed its five-year farm bill on April 30th. One of my legislative priorities on behalf of Iowa farmers is addressing the high
Healthy SNAP food waiver update
Danielle Sample Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has received formal notification that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) has vacated the Healthy SNAP food waiver for Iowa.
Treasurer Smith announces 99-county ISave 529 summer giveaway
Jacob Holck Public Affairs Office of the State Treasurer of Iowa
DES MOINES — State Treasurer Roby Smith has announced the ISave 529 Summer Giveaway, providing families across the State of Iowa the opportunity to step up to the plate and take a swing at saving for future education expenses.
This year's giveaway will award 99 ISave 529 contributions worth $529 each (one winner from each
cost of fertilizer.
As a lifelong family farmer, I understand how variable costs of seed, fertilizer, fuel, and chemicals impact profitability. High fertilizer costs are hammering farmers’ bottom lines across the country, adversely impacting their ability to manage risk and invest in future production. That’s why I’ve been so outspoken to take off the Biden administration’s countervailing duties on fertilizer imports from Morocco. I strongly opposed the Biden Commerce Department raising tariff rates from zero to 18% in 2021, costing farmers an estimated $7 billion in the first four years. On behalf of Iowa farmers, I thank President Trump for listening and eliminating these misguided duties to help lower costs. That’s a big step in the right direction to address affordability for America’s farmers and families, from the farm field to the grocery store.
As work continues on the farm bill in the Senate, I’m glad the discussion draft includes a number of my bipartisan bills that I’ve introduced or co-sponsored, including:
• Fertilizer Research Act – Would give farmers a cleareyed look into market conditions that influence fertilizer costs;
• Farmland Security Act – Would improve transparency and compliance on reporting requirements of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland;
As a result, Iowa HHS has directed all participating retailers to update their point-of-sale systems so SNAP benefits can once again be used for all items that meet the federal definition of “food,” consistent with long-standing federal SNAP guidelines. All food items eligible before the Healthy SNAP waiver went into effect on January 1, 2026, are now eligible for purchase again. Retailers have been instructed to make these changes in the most expedient manner possible.
SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) will continue, and it will also follow these federal food rules. Because the SUN Bucks program was already underway when this update took effect, foods that were previously eligible before the waiver will be allowed under SUN Bucks.
county in Iowa). In addition, one grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 ISave 529 contribution.
"Whether you're cheering from the bleachers at a Little League game or spending summer evenings around a campfire, now is the perfect time to think about your child's future," said Treasurer Smith. "The ISave 529 Summer Giveaway gives families in every corner of Iowa a chance to round the bases toward their education savings goals."
An ISave 529 account is a tax-advantaged way to save for qualified education expenses, including college, apprenticeship programs, trade schools and K-12 tuition. Funds may also be used for certain student loan repayments and other qualified education costs.
"When it comes to preparing for the future, every dollar counts," Smith said. "Starting early can make a big difference, and ISave 529 helps Iowa families hit a home run with long-term education savings."
To learn more about this giveaway opportunity, visit www.isave529.com/content.
Connect with ISave 529 on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to stay informed of updates and news.
Attorney General Brenna Bird secures victory to restore competition and free speech in digital advertising
DES MOINES — Attorney General Brenna Bird announced a decisive victory to stop the nation’s largest advertising agencies—known as the “Big Six”— from unlawfully manipulating the digital public square and suppressing free speech.
The Big Six are the world’s largest advertising, marketing, and media-buying holding companies who control hundreds of individual agencies and billions of dollars in global annual ad spend.
Starting in 2018, these advertising companies— Havas Media Group USA, WPP, Publicis, Dentsu, Omnicom, and IPG—illegally imposed what they called “brand safety” standards across the digital advertising industry. Ad agencies agreed to adopt the standards and stopped purchasing digital advertisements on websites containing what they classified as “misinformation.” The advertisers created organizations that determined which opinions were disfavored and used that information to target the companies’ advertisers.
The result was that certain news and opinion sites lost the ability to earn money, particularly con -
servative publishers, because they were denied critical digital advertising revenue. Advertisers lost the benefits of competition since they had fewer media options to choose from, and American consumers were denied the benefit of a competitive media marketplace.
“Iowans have a right to make their own decisions about what they read and buy with their hardearned money,” said Attorney General Bird. “These advertising giants thought they could secretly rewrite the rules by denying digital publishers ad revenue simply because they disagreed with their viewpoints. This settlement restores competition between ad agencies and is a massive win for the First Amendment.”
Iowa joined the federal antitrust complaint alongside the FTC, Florida, Indiana, Montana, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia. The settlement mandates the largest U.S. advertising agencies will be strictly prohibited from agreements that set common brand safety standards or restrict advertising based on biased, ideologically driven, or politically motivated criteria.
The complaint and proposed final order were filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
• Innovative FEED Act – Would clarify FDA regulations of animal feed substances to reduce foodborne pathogens;
• Farm to Fly Act – Would foster development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and open a ramp to new markets for farmers and rural economic development;
• U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (U.S. SHIP) –Would standardize biosecurity, traceability, and disease surveillance for pork producers.
At the same time, I’m pushing additional policies that would boost the farm economy for years to come, either within the farm bill or another must-pass legislative vehicle leaving the station in this session of Congress. These items include a fix to California’s disastrous Proposition 12, that’s hurting Iowa pork producers and driving up costs for families, and enacting permanent, year-round E-15 that would pump $14 billion into the farm economy and lower prices at the pump.
Jen Green Office of the Iowa Attorney General
SPORTS
Lady Spartans get two upset wins, start playoffs tonight in Solon against Maquoketa
Photos by John Charlson | Solon Economist
Right: Catcher Chloe Madura makes it safely to first base in the first inning during the second game in a varsity double header between the Solon Lady Spartans and the Clear Creek Amana Clippers at CCA Athletic Complex in Tiffin on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The Spartans beat the Clippers, 7-5. Center: Pitcher Zoey Melloy looks for someone to pass to in the first inning during the second game in a varsity double header between the Solon Lady Spartans and the Clear Creek Amana Clippers. Bottom: Kinley Strief makes it safely to second base in the second inning during the second game in a varsity double header between the Solon Lady Spartans and the Clear Creek Amana Clippers at CCA Athletic Complex.
Mike Kabela For the Solon Economist
Solon softball’s rollercoaster season went back on the upswing splitting four games against highly ranked Clear Creek Amana (CCA) and West Delaware last week.
Solon claimed a 3-0 win and heart-wrenching 8-5 loss on Monday June 29, in Solon.
Beckitt Kabela grabbed her first win of the season throwing a complete game shutout in game one. The sophomore who has specialized in keeping games close with highly ranked foes, finally got a lead and made it stand up, holding the 9th ranked (Class 3A) Hawks to four hits in her second career shutout.
Solon got the only the run they’d need in the fourth inning. Liv Nelson’s double and Kabela’s single put runners on the corners. A West Delaware error allowed Nelson to score, and the Lady Spartans had a 1-0 lead. Solon added a pair of runs an inning later on singles by Kinley Strief and Laeni Hinkle, and three Hawk errors. Kabela threw only 83 pitches with just a single strikeout and the Lady Spartan defense held up well going errorless in the game.
Solon opened game two with another 1-0 lead on Kabela’s first inning RBI groundout. West Delaware would counter with a pair of runs in the second and made it 3-1 after 2 1/2 innings. Solon would get their bats going in the fourth. Kabela’s lead-off double was followed by Chloe Madura’s base hit. Dillon Ostrander and Beckett Kruse would drive in runs on RBI doubles and the game was tied at 3.
Each team went scoreless in the fifth and the Hawks would strike for two more runs in the sixth. The Lady Spartans would rally again though. Layla Knazze’s single was followed by Strief’s RBI triple and Ashtyn Swancutt’s RBI single tying the game at 5.
Junior Laeni Hinkle tossed the first six innings for Solon, but gave way to Kabela in the seventh, and she put up her eighth goose egg of the night keeping the score at 5-5.
Kabela then led off the seventh inning with another hit and Madura would follow with a double, but a perfect throw would nail courtesy runner Nora Sanderson at third base and the Solon rally would fizzle, as would Kabela’s pitching night .
Into her ninth inning on a very warm and humid evening, the right hander would crack, allowing three walks and a hit before Emerson Miller would take over. After two more walks, the junior would steady herself and get the next three batters, keeping the score at 8-5.
Kruse and Swancutt would walk in the bottom of the 8th, but a catch by left fielder Nora Peyton crashing into the left field fence and doubling off a Solon runner would end the game and leave the Lady Spartans feeling like a win had slipped away. The Hawks improved to 12-8 in conference play and 21-10 overall. Solon went to 7-13 and 16-18 overall.
Solon travelled to Tiffin Wednesday July 1, playing their last WaMaC games of the year. Game one saw Emerson Miller take on one of the state’s best offenses, averaging over 7.5 runs per game. CCA senior Kyla Schulte entered the doubleheader leading the state in homers (21) and RBI (66).
Solon would take a quick lead on a Kabela RBI single scoring Swancutt who led off with a single. CCA would counter with two in the first and two more in the third. Nelson’s lead-off double in the fourth was quickly followed by another Kabela RBI hit to close the score to 4-2, but the next three Lady Spartans would be retired, and a six-run CCA fifth inning would end the game 10-2.
Solon refused to give in to the Clippers in game two though and would score in each of the first five innings. Kabela again opened the scoring when her two-run double scored Hinkle and Nelson staking pitcher Zoey Melloy to a 2-0 lead. Solon added two more in the second inning. Two out walks to Strief and Swancutt proved large when Nelson delivered a two-run single and Solon was leading 8th ranked (Class 4A) CCA 4-0.
Solon made it 5-0 when Madura led off with a double and a Maddy Bell RBI hit extended the lead. Melloy would allow an unearned run in the third, but Solon would get it back when Nelson walked and was pushed to third by Kabela’s fourth hit of the night and a Madura walk. A wild pitch scored Nelson and Solon could taste an upset victory with a 6-1 lead.
The Clippers would score a pair in the fourth closing the Solon lead to 6-3 but Solon would answer on Bell’s walk, Swancutt’s single, a Hinkle walk and an RBI single from Nelson, her fourth hit on the night. After another CCA run in the fifth, Solon went scoreless in the sixth and Hinkle would relieve Melloy with one out in the bottom of the inning. She would coast through five straight hitters to post her second save of the season, help Melloy to her fifth win, give the Lady Spartans a 7-5 win and lots of confidence for a potential rematch in round two of the Class 4A playoffs Saturday June 11.
Solon took a 17-19 record into a single game at 3A #8 ranked West Liberty, its 15th game versus teams ranked in classes
Top left: Assistant coach Cory Keeney walks back to the dugout after Ashtyn Swancutt is declared out in the fourth inning during the second game in a varsity double header between the Solon Lady Spartans and the Clear Creek Amana Clippers at CCA Athletic Complex in Tiffin on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The Spartans beat the Clippers, 7-5.
Top right: Catcher Chloe Madura gets Clear Creek Amana’s Elizabeth Timmerman out at home plate in the first inning during the second game in a varsity double header between the Solon Lady Spartans and the Clear Creek Amana Clippers at CCA Athletic Complex in Tiffin on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The Spartans beat the Clippers, 7-5.
Above: Zoey Melloy throws a pitch in the second inning during the second game in a varsity double header between the Solon Lady Spartans and the Clear Creek Amana Clippers at CCA Athletic Complex in Tiffin on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The Spartans beat the Clippers, 7-5.
BASEBALL
Postseason schedule
Thursday, July 9 – Class 4A Region 7 Quarterfinals, HOME vs. Maquoketa, 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 11 – Class 4A Region 7 Semifinals, AT Clear Creek Amana, Tiffin, 7 p.m.
• Oskaloosa/Mt. Pleasant winner AT Xavier Catholic, Cedar Rapids Tuesday, July 14 – Class 4A Region 7 Championship, AT highest remaining ranked team’s site, 7 p.m.
Monday, July 20-Friday, July 24 – 2026 IGHSAU State Tournament, Fort dodge For more information – https://ighsau. org/2026-softball-tournament-central
Clippers sweep Spartans 7-4,
John Charlson Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com
The Spartans traveled to Clear Creek Amana (CCA) on Thursday, July 2, for a doubleheader and fought it out until the last inning, losing the opener 4-7. The Spartans gained an early lead when center fielder Dylan Gorham scored a run at the top of the first inning, and pitcher Luke Deike struck out the last Clipper batter to end the bottom. No runs came to either team until the bottom of the third when the Clippers got two hit by pitches to earn two walks to first, which led to three runs for the Clippers and none for the Spartans by the end of the inning.
The Spartans gained a defensive edge for the next two innings, with Tate Miller’s quick footwork getting CCA’s Blayne Roberts out at first in the fourth, and Luke Deike’s pop-up catch to end the inning. The Spartans shined in the fifth, when second baseman Michael Bigelow and Tate Miller coordinated in a double play, getting the Clippers out at second and first bases to end the inning.
The “Boats” regained their footing in the sixth however, scoring four additional runs. Solon attempted to fight back in the seventh, with Luke Merrick scoring a home run while Maddox Kelley and Bigelow were on bases, scoring three runs, ending the game with a three run lead for the Clippers.
In a tied stalemate for all seven innings, the Spartans and the Clippers went into overtime in the nightcap with CCA barely pulling ahead with the deciding run in the ninth inning.
The Spartans started things off with a run by Dylan Gorham, who wasted no time getting a single at first bat. At the bottom of the inning, shortstop Maddox Kelley caught a pop-up to get CCA’s Luke Young out, but the Clippers ultimately tied things with a run of their own.
With no runs from either team for the next seven innings, the Solon defense held its line. Maddox Kelley again, caught a line drive in the fourth, and then another in the fifth. Pitcher Luke Merrick led an amazing game, pitching two strikeouts in the third inning, one in the fourth, two again in the fifth, two more in the sixth, and finishing with three in the seventh before being switched out with Tyler Greazel.
Coming down into overtime, Gorham hit a triple clear into outfield in the ninth inning, but could not make the drive home
2-1
Stats Hits - Carson Kidwell 4, Dylan Gorham 1, Luke Merrick 1, Luke Deike 1, Hayden Detra 1, Michael Bigelow
John Charlson | Solon Economist
Carson Kidwell looks to the dugout after Clear Creek Amana third baseman Texton Bollers scores the game winning run in the ninth inning of the nightcap in a varsity doubleheader between the Solon Spartans and the Clear Creek Amana Clippers at CCA’s Athletic Complex in Tiffin on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The Clippers beat the Spartans, 2-1.
before the end of the top of the inning. In the bottom of the ninth, Deike put CCA’s Benicio Garcia out at first, but the Clippers manage to get one run in, finishing the game.
Stats Hits - Dylan Gorham 2, Luke Merrick 1, Luke Deike 1, Michael Bigelow 1 3B - Gorham 1
Last Monday (June 29) was Senior Night for the Spartans as they hosted West Delaware in a WaMaC East match up.
Seniors Tyler Greazel, Ty Turner, Carson Kidwell, Dylan Gorham, Hayden Detra, and Caden Bails, and their families, were recognized for their contributions to Spartan Baseball; and celebrated with a sweep of the Hawks with Solon outscoring their guests 26-5.
Maddox Kelley and Luke Deikie, juniors both, led in the opener with three hits each while sophomore Luke Merrick drilled a solo home run and sophomore Michael Bigelow drove in four runs. Tate Miller, a sophomore, went the distance giving up four hits and four runs (three earned), walking five, and striking out two.
Stats Hits – Maddox Kelley 3, Luke Deike 3, Hayden Detra 2, Brady Wick 2, Michael Bigelow 2, Dylan Gorham 1, Luke Merrick 1, Carson Kidwell 1
Brady Wick held the Hawks to just three hits and one unearned run through five innings for the win in the nightcap. The junior issued seven strikeouts in the 12-1 victory. Dylan Gorham and Luke Merrick hammered out a homerun each with three RBIs for Merrick and two for Gorham.
Stats Hits – Dylan Gorham 2, Luke Deike 2, Michael Bigelow 2, Maddox Kelley 1, Luke Merrick 1, Hayden Detra 1, Brady Wick 1
Solon visited Iowa City West High School Tuesday, June 30 for a single
non-conference game against the Mississippi Valley Conference’s Trojans and brought home a 14-7 win.
The Spartans had three cross the plate in the first inning followed by two more in the second, and one each in the fourth, fifth, and sixth. The Trojans rallied in the bottom of the sixth with a seven-run effort to narrow the gap to 8-7. However, six Solon runs in the seventh sealed the win.
Junior Maddox Kelley had the hot bat with four hits including a homer and a double with four RBIs on the night.
Senior Carson Kidwell also cleared the park with a homer and five RBIs in the contest. Thomas Lepic, a junior, took the win after three innings giving up seven hits and five runs (one earned), walking three, and striking out four. Tyler Greazel, Luke Deike, and Dylan Gorham also saw time on the bump.
Grinnell takes care of unfinished business in 8-2 win over Solon
The Spartans and Grinnell Tigers closed out the books on a doubleheader that started June 18 with a 4-3 win for Solon in game one, and the onset of adverse weather in the nightcap leading to the game being suspended in the fifth inning with the Tigers ahead 4-2. Luke Merrick and Hayden Detra knocked out solo homeruns to put the Spartans on the scoreboard in the second and third innings.
Wednesday, July 1, the Tigers returned to Solon to finish the game and added two runs in the fifth and two in the sixth while holding the Spartans scoreless for the win and a WaMaC East vs. West split.
Friday, July 10 – Class 3A Substate 5 Quarterfinals: HOME vs. Keokuk, 7 p.m. Williamsburg vs. Fairfield
Assumption Catholic vs. Maquoketa
Burlington vs. Mt. Pleasant
Monday, July 13 – Class 3A Substate 5 Semifinals: Site TBD, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 15 – Class 3A Substate 5 Championship/State Qualifier: Site TBD, 7 p.m. Tickets – www.iahsaa.org/tickets/
Monday, July 20-Friday, July 24 – Class 3A State Baseball Tournament, Veterans Memorial Stadium, Cedar Rapids
IHSAA State Tournament Central – www.ihsaa.org/baseball/state-tournament-central/
Top to bottom: Hayden Detra gets out at the plate in the seventh inning during game two in a varsity doubleheader between the Solon Spartans and the Clear Creek Amana Clippers at CCA Athletic Complex in Tiffin on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The Clippers beat the Spartans, 2-1.
Sawyer Hansel gets out at the plate in the eighth inning during the nightcap in a varsity doubleheader between the Solon Spartans and the Clear Creek Amana Clippers at CCA Athletic Complex in Tiffin on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The Clippers beat the Spartans, 2-1.
Solon second baseman Michael Bigelow tries to get Clear Creek Amana’s Gavin Zihlman out at second in the sixth inning during game one of a varsity doubleheader between the Solon Spartans and the Clear Creek Amana Clippers at CCA Athletic Complex in Tiffin on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The Clippers beat the Spartans, 7-4.
Photos by John Charlson | Solon Economist
CALENDAR & PUZZLES
SOLON SENIORS
DINING ••••••••••••
FYI – Senior Dining is funded by donations only. THANK YOU donors for supporting Solon Senior Dining in it’s mission to serve seniors!
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 two days in advance of meal by calling 319-624-2251 Mondays 10-11:00 a.m. No meals Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Home Deliveries - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Meals cost $5.00. Call 319-624-2251 for reservations (required) two days in advance of meal.
Bingo Wednesdays AM/PM Cards Wednesdays PM
Senior Dining will call clients personally if we need to cancel meals.
JULY MENU •••••••••
Friday, July 10
Catch of the Day
Baked Potato
Sour Cream
Seasonal Vegetable
Banana Split Dessert
Monday, July 13
Baked Spaghetti Pie
Zucchini Parmesan
Garlic Toast
Seasonal Fresh Fruit
Wednesday, July 15
Roast Beef
Mashed Potatoes
Beef Gravy
Roasted Carrots Cherry Pie
Friday, July 17
Solon Beef Days Friday & Saturday
Honey Butter Biscuit Pollack
Macaroni & Cheese Broccoli Bread Fresh Fruit
Monday, July 20
Country Fried Steak Mashed Potatoes Cream Gravy
Honey Buttered Carrots Fresh Fruit
Wednesday, July 22
Smothered Pork Chop Baked Potato Green Beans Blueberry Crisp
Friday, July 24
Lasagna Roll Up Sliced Beets Garlic Toast Brownie
Monday, July 27
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta w/Marinera Sauce Tossed Salad w/Dressing Fresh Fruit
Wednesday, July 29
City Representative
Open Face Hot Beef Sandwich Mashed Potatoes
Buttered Peas Cherry Bar
Friday, July 31
Breaded Fish Sandwich French Fries Apple Cider Slaw Lemon Fluff
QUINCY, ILL — Eddie Johnson, of Solon, has been named to Quincy University’s Dean’s List for the Spring 2026 semester. Honorees must earn a semester grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) to be included in the biannual Dean’s List. In total, 402 students received the honor during the Spring 2026 semester. COLLEGE NEWS
Johnson named to Quincy University Spring 2026 Dean’s List
Whitetails Unlimited grants $97,000 to Catch-A-Dream Foundation
During the 2025-2026 fiscal year, Whitetails Unlimited has granted $97,806 to the Catch-A-Dream Foundation. The majority of these funds come from WTU's Dream Sheds program. Since 2006, Whitetails Unlimited has provided grants totaling more than $950,000 to the CatchA-Dream Foundation.
The Dream Sheds concept began when Mark and Terry Drury, who have produced extraordinary hunting videos and television shows for over
30 years as Drury Outdoors, approached Whitetails Unlimited with an innovative idea. They had collected a large number of exceptional shed antlers from their properties in Iowa and Missouri and were willing to donate them to use as a fundraiser for a worthy cause. Working with WTU, the Catch-A-Dream Foundation was identified, and the program came together.
Catch-A-Dream is a national, charitable foundation, that provides once-in-a-lifetime
dream hunting and fishing trips to children across the United States and Canada, age 18 and younger, who suffer from life-threatening illnesses. Through these adventures, and exposure to outdoors-minded people who care, the program instills in these children a message of encouragement at a time when they need to know that hope does exist. For more information about the CatchA-Dream Foundation, visit catchadream.org.
Across
1 In “The Tempest,” when Miranda says “O brave new world, That has such people in’t!”
5 Middlemen in illicit transactions
11 Last over the line, say
14 Sushi wrapper
15 Waikiki welcomes
16 Indigenous people of the Great Basin
17 Forbidden idol
19 “American ___”
20 Neighborhood watering hole
21 Subj. for one aspiring to become bilingual
22 Particularly fine examples
23 Tolkien’s Treebeard, for one
24 Cards
26 Shamash holder
28 Really rips into
31 Become enamored with
32 Beguile
34 Bob who narrated “How I Met Your Mother”
35 Historic Bulgarian ruler
38 Faux flattery
40 Bob who hosted PBS’s “The Joy of Painting”
41 Broad-shouldered Titan
43 Most senior
45 Italian liquor distilled from winemaking leftovers
47 Downward dog and others
50 Exactly as desired
52 151, once
53 Discouraging words
55 They come in black, Belgian and double varieties
56 Path to spiritual harmony
58 Bring out
60 Lillehammer’s land: Abbr.
61 Large retail establishment …and a hint to four squares in this puzzle
63 Part of the conjugation of “être”
64 Candy heart phrase
65 Where “the man gave names to all … the birds in the sky and all the wild animals”
66 “Told you!”
67 Containers in orchards
68 Run into Down
1 It’s a matter of degrees
2 Beer brand with the slogan “La Playa Awaits”
3 Political leaflets
4 “The Four Seasons” composer
5 Altered excerpts of a film posted to social media, say
6 Sons of ___, exemplars of biblical wickedness
7 Site of an 1899-1909 gold rush
8 Deep fissure
9 Bald youngster?
10 Montreal-to-Boston dir.
11 Freudian censor 12 Conservative guesses
13 Links openings?
18 Imported beverage brand
22 Pint-size racers
25 ___ mold
27 “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” rapper
29 Six-winged angels 30 Like the appearance of armadillos and anacondas
33 Many a character on “The Pitt,” informally 35 “Just Do It” and “Think Different”
Fashion photographer’s direction 37 Not prix fixe 39 Movie theaters with many screens
More pretentious
Disguise, in a way
Soft rock?
Tube placed during angioplasty
Article that might be prewritten, informally
Bullet point
Airer of “The Graham Norton Show”
SUDOKU
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.
Year round flea & tick prevention protects pets from disease
Solon Pet Health Center says prevention is often less expensive than treatment and should continue through every season
Ella McEntaffer Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com
As warmer weather brings more time outdoors for pets and their owners, consistent flea and tick prevention remains one of the best ways to protect animals from parasites and the diseases they can carry, according to Pet Health Center of Solon Office Manager Vicki See.
See said prevention is important even for pets that spend most of their time indoors.
"There are diseases that ticks carry and can transfer to dogs, such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis," she said.
She added that flea infestations can also become difficult and expensive once they get inside a home.
"I usually tell people it's less expensive to prevent them than it is to try to treat and get rid of them," she said.
FROM JOHNSON COUNTY
While flea populations typically become more noticeable later in the summer, See said tick activity has remained fairly consistent this year, although ticks may be slightly more active than usual.
"My opinion is consistent," she said. "The ticks might be a little worse, but flea-wise we usually don't start having a lot of problems until more like August or September."
Over the years, the clinic has shifted away from topical flea and tick medications in favor of oral preventatives because they provide more reliable protection.
"In the past we used topical things," See said. "However, frequent bathing, dogs that swim a lot, those types of products we were finding were not lasting the complete 30 days."
Instead, Solon Pet Health Center commonly recommends oral medications such as NexGard®, a flavored chewable flea and tick preventative, and Simparica TRIO®, which combines flea, tick and heartworm prevention into a single monthly chewable tablet.
See said most flea and tick preventatives carried by the clinic are safe for pets beginning at about eight weeks of age, though some products require animals to be older. She encourages owners to read product labels carefully and follow the
recommended age guidelines.
If owners discover a tick attached to their pet, See recommends removing the entire tick, including the mouthparts. She said it is common for a small red bump to develop at the bite site and that it often causes unnecessary concern.
Although some owners worry the bump indicates an infection, See said it typically subsides on its own within a few days.
Owners who have concerns can contact their veterinarian for guidance or continue monitoring the area at home.
While the clinic does not provide recommendations for yard treatments, See said homeowners can reduce tick habitat by keeping grass, weeds and other vegetation trimmed around their homes.
"If you keep the excess weeds and things trimmed around the house to not offer so many places for the tick to hide, it's probably best," she said.
For pets that spend time hiking, camping or exploring wooded areas, See recommends consistent flea and tick prevention and encourages dog owners to consider vaccinating against Lyme disease.
"We highly recommend that they go ahead and consider vaccinating their dog for Lyme disease," she said. "Anything you can do for prevention, like vaccinating, will also help protect their pet."
See said one of the biggest changes she has seen during her 37 years in veterinary medicine is the recommendation to keep pets on flea and tick prevention year round rather than stopping treatment after the first hard frost. That recommendation has changed because ticks can survive and become active even during Iowa winters.
"Ticks can come back to life at a pretty low temperature," she said. "It is very common for us the last few years to start finding ticks even as early as January. It's best just to stay in the habit of giving your monthly prevention."
She also noted that dogs that regularly visit groomers, daycare facilities and puppy play groups may face additional exposure to fleas because of the number of animals gathered in one place.
"If your pet does something like that, you should definitely consider doing year round preventative as well," she said.
For more information contact Pet Health Center of Solon
Address – 200 Prairie Rose Ln., Solon Phone – 319-624-2921
Healthy lawn program offered for homeowners in unincorporated Johnson County and its smaller communities
Homeowners who would like to have greener and healthier lawns without using chemicals can apply to have 50% of the costs for soil quality restoration reimbursed (up to $2,000) through the Johnson County Soil Health-Soil Quality Restoration Program.
Good quality soil absorbs more water and provides the nutrients that a lawn needs to be healthy. The result is a reduced need for watering, fertilizers, and pesticides with less runoff and fewer pollutants entering local streams.
Residents of unincorporated Johnson County and Hills, Lone Tree, Oxford, Shueyville, Solon, Swisher, Tiffin, University Heights, and the parts of West Branch
located within Johnson County are eligible to apply for the program.
Homeowners who wish to participate must be pre-approved by the program coordinators and use a contractor from a designated list. Approval of program participation is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The soil quality restoration process involves aeration, which removes small plugs of soil from the lawn to reduce soil compaction, followed by the application of clean compost to add life-restoring organic matter to the soil.
This year, the county is partnering with the Johnson County Soil and Water Conservation District to provide
participants with potential additional reimbursement (up to 25%). Applicants can choose this option on the online application.
Interested homeowners can learn more and apply for the program by visiting johnsoncountyiowa.gov/ soil-quality-restoration. An informational video is available at https://tinyurl.com/SHPjc.
For more information, contact Kasey Hutchinson, environmental regulations coordinator, or Becky Soglin, sustainability coordinator, in the Johnson County Planning, Development, and Sustainability Department at soilhealthprogram@johnsoncountyiowa.gov or 319-356-6083.
Rayser Holdings acquires Memorials by Michel, expanding Midwest Memorials in Eastern Iowa
Memorials by Michel will continue serving Corridor families while joining Rayser’s employee-owned community
Emily Coates
Employee Owner, Marketing Coordinator
Rayser Holdings, Inc.
Rayser Holdings acquired Memorials by Michel, a monument company located in Solon, Iowa, on May 27, 2026. Memorials by Michel has served families throughout the Johnson and Linn County communities for decades. The acquisition expands Rayser Holdings’ Midwest Memorials brand and strengthens its presence in Eastern Iowa. Memorials by Michel will continue serving the Corridor while joining Des Moines Winterset Memorials under the Midwest Memorials brand umbrella.
The two companies share a focus on compassionate service, local relationships, and handcrafted quality in the memorial and monument industry. Memorials by Michel will keep its public-facing name as it becomes part of Rayser Holdings’ employee-owned community.
Families and customers in the Corridor communities can expect the same thoughtful service and commitment to quality that Memorials by Michel has long provided.
The acquisition reflects Rayser Holdings’ continued commitment to growth through businesses rooted in their communities and aligned with employee ownership. As part of Rayser’s Employee Owned Community, Memorials by Michel joins a portfolio built around shared responsibility, long-term thinking, and service to customers across Iowa.
“Memorials by Michel has a meaningful history of serving families in the Corridor, and we are honored to welcome them into the Rayser Holdings community,” said Michelle Jensen, President and CEO, Rayser Holdings. “This acquisition allows us to strengthen Midwest Memorials while continuing to support the local relationships and personal care that matter so much in this work. As an employee-owned company, we are proud to grow in a way that invests in people, communities, and the future we are building together.”
To learn more about Memorials by Michel, visit www.memorialsbymichel.com. Customers and community members can also follow Memorials by Michel on their Facebook page for updates and information.
About Rayser Holdings
Rayser Holdings was established in 2018 to diversify and enhance employee ownership. Rayser’s portfolio comprises CarePro Health Services, Midwest Memorials, and J-TEC Associates. Rayser looks forward to welcoming future organizations that will enhance the portfolio. To learn more about Rayser Holdings, visit their website at rayserholdings.com.
IowaPublicNotices.com THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FORMAL MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 25, 2026
Proclamations,
and at www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov.
Wendling Quarries
William Waldie Jr
Windstream Holdings $623.41
Woodman Controls Co $6550.00
2. The minutes of the Formal Meeting for June 18, 2026.
3. Payroll authorizations submitted by department heads and elected officials.
4. Application for Alcohol License for Paige Ludman at Celebration Farm. Approved unanimously.
PROCLAMATION NO. 06-25-26-01
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
INDEPENDENCE DAY - JUNE 30, 2026
Summary: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) gained its independence June 30, 1960, marking a significant moment in the nation’s history and the broader struggle for African self-determination and sovereignty and Congolese Americans in Johnson County continue to promote diversity and enrich our community through their traditions, entrepreneurship, leadership, and civic engagement Board action: Commemorate Democratic Republic of the Congo Independence Day in Johnson County, and proudly stand in solidarity with Congolese communities both locally and abroad.
Motion by Remington, second by Fixmer-Oraiz, to approve Proclamation No. 06-25-26-01. Approved unanimously. County Board Office Communications Manager Krista Burich spoke.
Motion by Remington, second by Green-Douglass, to approve the Predesign Agreement with Iowa Department of Transportation for the reconstruction of the I380/F12 (120th Street NW) interchange. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Green-Douglass, to approve the Preconstruction Agreement with Iowa Department of Transportation for paving of intersection return on Oak Crest Hill Road SE at its intersection with Riverside Drive at its ramp connection to the U.S. 218 interchange. Approved unanimously. Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Remington, to approve the Baker Tilly Classification and Compensation Study recommendations as follows and contained in the agenda packet of the meeting: 21-grade general pay plan with consistent midpoint differentials maintaining market competitiveness; position grade assignments; and implementation scenar-
io Option 3: Time in Position Adjustment. Approved unanimously. Motion by Sullivan, second by Remington, to approve the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Juvenile Justice Youth Development Agreements with the following organizations: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County, Iowa City, in an amount not to exceed $65,000.00; CommUnity Crisis Center, Iowa City, in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00; The Dream Center dba Dream City, Iowa City, in an amount not to exceed $65,000.00; Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Iowa City, in an amount not to exceed $70,229.00; Wright House of Fashion, Iowa City, in an amount not to exceed $48,771.00. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Sullivan, second by Green-Douglass, to approve the FY27 Juvenile Justice Youth Development Agreements with United Action for Youth, Iowa City, in an amount not to exceed $70,000.00. Approved 4-0 with Fixmer-Oraiz abstaining.
Motion by Remington, second by Fixmer-Oraiz, to approve the contract with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Des Moines, for the County Attorney's Office to establish a criminal mental health court with Office of Drug Control Policy grant funding in the amount of $115,000. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Sullivan, second by Remington, to approve the FY27 Lease Agreement with the Eastern Iowa Disability Alliance, Iowa City, for the use of five offices and common areas in the County Health and Human Services building, in the amount of $10,080. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Remington, second by Fixmer-Oraiz, to approve the FY27 Lease Agreement with AbbeHealth, Inc., Hiawatha, for the use of the GuideLink Center building and grounds, in the amount of $1.00. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Remington, to reappoint Dr. Consuelo Guayara Sanchez of North Liberty, and appoint Kisha Smith of North Liberty, LilliAnna Scott of Iowa City, and Amanda Harris of Iowa City to the Johnson County Food Policy Council, for four-year terms expiring June 30, 2030. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Remington, second by Green-Douglass, to appoint Douglas Boothroy of Iowa City and Jodi Gibson of Iowa City to the Johnson County Livable Community for Successful Aging Policy Board, for three-year terms expiring June 30, 2029. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Green-Douglass, second by Sullivan, to appoint Josh Mann, Solon, Johnson County Planning and Zoning Commission, to fill the vacancy that exists for a resident of unincorporated Johnson County, expiring December 31, 2027. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Green-Douglass, to reappoint Jerri MacConnell of Iowa City, Marc Rahe of Iowa City, and Lisa Stone of Coralville, to the Johnson County SEATS Paratransit Advisory Committee for two-year terms expiring June 30, 2028. Approved unanimously.
Closed Session - Motion by Green-Douglass, second by Fixmer-Oraiz, to enter into a closed session at 9:19 a.m. pursuant to Iowa Code §21.5(1)(j), to discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property or reduce the price the governmental body would receive for that property. Roll call: Aye: Fixmer-Oraiz, Green, Green-Douglass, Remington, Sullivan. Green adjourned the closed session at 10:23 a.m.
Motion by Sullivan, second by Green-Douglass, to authorize the County Attorney or designee to transmit a letter to communicate that the County’s level of interest in the real estate transaction discussed in the closed session is low. Roll call: Aye: Fixmer-Oraiz, Green, Green-Douglass, Remington, Sullivan.
Adjourned at 10:24 a.m. /s/ Jon Green, Chair, Johnson County Board of Supervisors Attest: /s/ Julie Persons, Johnson County Auditor
On the 2nd day of July, 2026
Recorded by Auditor’s Office: Marly Melsh, Executive Clerk to the Board These minutes were sent for formal approval and publication on July 2, 2026. Published in the Solon Economist July 9, 2026.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PROJECT NO. 26202000
NOTICE OF HEARING 00 11 10 - 1 SECTION 00 11 10 SOLON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING SOLON, IOWA
You are hereby notified that at 5:40 p.m. , local time, on July 16 , 20 26 , at Solon CSD Central Office Board Room (301 South Iowa Street, Solon, IA) , there will be a public hearing as provided
CLASSIFIEDS
Wanted
WANTED: JUNK APPLIANCES. Will pick up for free. Farm clean-up, batteries. Will buy junk cars. 319-331-8122.
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Freedom Truck rolls into West Branch for Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum grand reopening
Interactive America 250 Experience to visit August 6–9
Betsy McCloskey Principal/Partner, Plaid Swan
WEST BRANCH — One of America's most recognizable traveling tributes to freedom and citizenship will arrive in West Branch this August as part of the Grand Reopening celebration of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.
The Freedom Truck, a massive mobile museum touring the nation in celebration of America's 250th anniversary, will be on display August 6–9, 2026, at the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.
The Freedom Truck is part of a fleet of six custom-built 18-wheelers traveling coast to coast as part of the America 250 movement. Featuring immersive exhibits, interactive technology, and educational experiences, the trucks bring America's story directly to communities, schools, military installations, and civic events across the country.
Its appearance in West Branch coincides with the August 6 Grand Reopening of the newly renovated Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, creating a unique opportunity for visitors to experience both America's history and the legacy of one of the nation's most influential public servants.
"Few places are more appropriate for a Freedom Truck visit than West Branch, Iowa," said Tom Schwartz, Director for the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum. "As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, visitors can explore the story of our nation while also discovering the life and legacy of Herbert Hoover, whose commitment to service, humanitarian relief, and civic leadership continues to inspire generations."
The Freedom Truck experience complements the broader America 250 celebration taking place across the nation and reinforces the importance of preserving and sharing America's story. That mission closely aligns with the work of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum and Hoover's own commitment to preserving the nation's historical record through the National Archives system.
"The Freedom Truck provides a wonderful opportunity for visitors to connect the story of America's founding and democratic ideals with the place where Herbert Hoover's own story began," said Pete Swisher, Superintendent of the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. "As we welcome visitors to West Branch during this special celebration, we invite them to explore the birthplace, historic buildings, and landscapes that shaped one of America's most remarkable public servants."
Long before presidential libraries became common, Herbert Hoover championed the preservation of government records and historical documents, helping strengthen efforts that ultimately shaped the modern National Archives. Today, his presidential library continues that mission by preserving and sharing documents, artifacts, and stories that help Americans better understand their history.
Visitors to West Branch will have the opportunity to experience the Freedom Truck throughout its four-day stay while also exploring the newly reimagined museum, which features updated exhibits, immersive experiences, and expanded educational opportunities designed to connect new generations with Hoover's life and legacy.
For more information about the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum Grand Reopening, visit hooverpresidentialfoundation.org.
Annual Bone Dash Fun Run under new sponsorship
Herky the Hawk helped countdown to the start of the first Bone Dash 5k and Monster Mile event October 8, 2022, at the SRNA. The annual event serves as a fundraiser for pediatric rheumatology patients and their families at the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital, and has new sponsorship this year through the Arthritis
Arthritis Foundation to continue October fundraising event
Solon Economist
The Arthritis Foundation is proud to be the new host of the Bone Dash Fun Run, as previously hosted by the Joining Hands Support Group at Stead Family Children's Hospital.
“The mission and goals are the same - to raise money to continue pro -
viding the necessary tools, resources, and educational opportunities for the hundreds of thousands of Iowans who have been diagnosed with the disease,” said Katie Sporrer, Development Manager – Iowa, for the Arthritis Foundation.
The inaugural Bone Dash 5k run and Monster Mile was held in October 2022 with 284 registered runners raising $6,425.25 for the Joining Hands Support Group at the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospi-
tal. The group provides a means for patients and families with pediatric rheumatological ailments to connect with each other and realize they’re not alone.
This year’s event is set for Saturday, October 10, at the Solon Recreation and Nature Area (SRNA).
“Join us for a morning of fun for the whole family and enjoy crafts, games, character visits, costume contests (for humans and 4-legged friends), sponsor booths, prizes, & more!” Sporrer said.
About the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
Located in West Branch, Iowa, The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum collects, preserves, and shares documents and artifacts that record the lives and times of Herbert Hoover, the 31st President and Lou Henry Hoover, First Lady, of the United States. The museum is part of the National Archives and Records Administration's Presidential Library system.
