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One is too many Next month’s RUCK 22 walk continues the mission to raise awareness and prevent veteran suicide
Hardcore cycling defines core4 Annual weekend run and ride event put participants to the test Solon Economist
Chris Umscheid Solon Economist
Distance cyclists and runners had their choice of challenges this past weekend as the annual core4 run/ride event took participants on trails, Level ‘B’ roads, gravel, and paved roads in the Iowa City, Coralville, Tiffin, and Solon areas. Cyclists had their choice of a 20, 40, 70, or 120-mile course while runners tackled either a 5 or 10k course. Volunteers from the Solon Lions Club assisted with the event.
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Researchers have said for many years that on average, 22 veterans end their lives by suicide every day. However, some feel the estimate is too low, arguing some medication overdoses and “accidents” may have been suicidal efforts in actuality. Regardless, veterans advocates like Solon’s Doug “Doc” Thompson, believe even one is too many. Thompson is intimately acquainted with the trauma – physical and mental – of war. As a Navy hospital corpsman he was sent to the Fleet Marine Force in Vietnam where he served as a combat medic. In the decades since the Vietnam War, he has seen veterans (from all conflicts) battling Post Traumatic Stress and has seen veterans lose their personal war with their demons. RUCK | 2
More photos of core4 run/ride on page 12
Solon CSD Back-to-School Guide Everything you need to know going into the new school year Grace Escritt
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Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist file photo
Doug “Doc” Thompson, U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman (combat medic) assigned to the Marines’ Fleet Marine Force during the Vietnam War, organized Iowa Veterans Outdoor Experience’s first 2.2mile ruck (walk/march) in 2023 to raise awareness of veteran suicide (estimated by some at 22 per day). This year’s RUCK 22 event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26. All proceeds go directly to IVOE to fund their mission to support veterans.
INSIDE
As the new school year approaches for the Solon Community School District (CSD), there are a plethora of slight changes and updates that the district encourages families to be mindful of. Josh Lyons, the district’s associate superintendent of teaching and learning, explained the renovation work being done at Lakeview Elementary is one of the biggest things students,
2027-28 academic year begins, according to Lyons and superintendent Davis Eidahl. Although the ultimate goal of the building’s parents and guardians will be However, the two main priorities interior renovations is to create a affected by. have been reshaping the build- better flow in the long run, Lyons “When we look at some of our ing’s interior to facilitate a said creating that fluidity in other buildings across the district better flow of traffic and improv- movement may be challenging as and some of the new construc- ing parking. the 2026-27 school year begins, tion, Lakeview is obviously our “I think some of the renova- as the center of the building will oldest building and probably in tions are really going to help the be closed down while work conthe most need of some tender love flow of traffic and the flow of stu- tinues. and care,” he said. “As we looked dents throughout the building,” Although most everything at what the needs were of the dis- Lyons said. is progressing on pace with the trict, that was one of the areas In addition to improving move- Lakeview Elementary renovathat we really wanted to try and ment within the building, these tions, Eidahl said it will be about uplift.” interior renovations are also three weeks until the east parkAlong with ensuring the build- intended to simplify navigation. ing lot is completed. However, ing is up-to-code, Lyons said a Lyons said these renovations will parking will be available on the few key focuses of this renova- result in each grade level having west side of the building. Along tion work have been on replacing its own “area” or section of the with this, student pick-up and HVAC pieces that have deterio- building that can be more clearly drop-off will take place in the bus rated over the years, upgrading identified. loop during these first few weeks the central office area, improving All renovations at Lakeview of school. security pieces, and placing new Elementary are projected to carpet as well as other flooring. be completed by the time the BACK-TO-SCHOOL | 2
Legion Riders Legacy Run coming through Solon Monday The 20th anniversary Legacy Run for the American Legion Riders will pass through Solon Monday, August 24. The Riders are expected to arrive from the west via Hwy. 382 between
10:30 and 11 a.m. with a stop at the All Veterans Memorial for a short presentation. Main St. will be closed in the vicinity of Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 for a few hours as the Riders
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make a lunch stop at the Legion before departing for their end-ofday stop in Muscatine. The Legacy Run will assemble and leave Lincoln, Neb., Sunday, August 23, and travel approx-
imately 1,000 miles through Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana before finishing Thursday, August 27, at the General George Patton Museum of Leadership in Fort Knox, Ky.
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RUCK from 1
In 2023 Thompson began working on a plan to “ruck (hike)” 22 miles, with a 22 lb. rucksack, to raise awareness of veteran suicide and to raise money (through pledges) for Iowa Veterans Outdoor Experience (IVOE) – a Solon based all-volunteer organization providing support and activities for veterans at no charge. The 22-mile march evolved into a 2.2-mile hike through the streets of Solon in September 2023, with 35 participants paying a $22 entry fee, and raising $3,000 for IVOE. This year’s event, the fourth annual, will take place Saturday, Sept. 26 for a 2.2-mile walk starting and ending at the Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460. The entrance fee remains at $22 per person with T-shirts also priced at $22. All proceeds from the event will go to IVOE to fund activities including a fishing trip in Missouri, bow hunting in Iowa, and a fishing trip exclusively for female veterans coming up next April. Participants in the ruck are encouraged (but not required) to wear a 22-pound vest (as Thompson does), or a weighted rucksack. The weight, Thompson said, is symbolic of carrying veterans who are struggling. Also, non-veterans are welcome and encouraged to participate as well. “We’re trying to get vets out there with others Thompson is encouraging participants to preto see that they’re supported,” Thompson said. register through IVOE’s Facebook page, www. Morning of registration is available, however facebook.com/IowaVeteransOutdoorExperi-
BACK-TO-SCHOOL
mainly focused on consistency in communicafrom 1 tion and response regarding disruptive student behavior. “We anticipate just a little interaction — if any “Depending on the level of student, grade — between buses and vehicles due to the fact level of student or age of student, we want to that we’re also altering our rotation of the buses ensure that we’re responding age-appropriately, at the buildings,” Eidahl said. “In the past, the but I think the things that we’ve been really middle school has always been the last drop-off talking about are consistent communication, and the last pick-up, and we’re going to change consistent response across the district, and conthat to Lakeview so that we allow parents to sistent documentation to be able to support that clear the parking lot before bringing buses in.” decision-making.,” Lyons said. “Especially, we Aside from all bus and car traffic now tak- want to make sure we’re working with parents.” ing place on the west side of the elementary building, there are no other notable changes to Cellphone policy continues district bus or transportation routes. Similar to the 2025-26 academic year, one policy students can expect to interact with is the New disruptive student district’s no-phones policy. Lyons and Eidahl policy in effect confirmed that last year, students as well as Lyons discussed the district’s updated pol- teachers noticed a boost in their productivity, icy regarding “violent and non-violent student engagement and attention due to not having disruption in the classroom and the learning this secondary, digital distraction. Therefore, environment,” which is in relation to board the policy will remain in effect — that is, with no policy 503.08. These additions, which are a notable modifications — with some exceptions product of Iowa’s new law Senate File 2428, are during break periods.
Two open houses announced for Solon Robotics Solon Robotics will host two open house meetings for new and returning student members. Saturday, August 22, 8:30-10:30 a.m. and Monday, August 24, 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the robotics meeting rooms. The rooms are in the lower level of the Central Office building, 301 S. Iowa St. Entry is on the North West end of the building, next to the Johnson County Sheriff substation. If you are in the Solon Community School District and are in 7th through 12th grade, you are able to join the Solon First Tech Challenge teams. Information about First robot ic s367@g ma i l. Tech Challenge is available game-and-season. com or bmattaliano@ C ont ac t t he g roup at https://www.firstinsolon.k12.ia.us. through email at solonspires.org/robotics/ftc/ Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist file photos
Top right: Volunteer and mentor Sammy Edwards (middle) pre-inspects Solon Robotics Team 367, “Organized Chaos’” robot before a scrimmage match Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Solon Community Center. Edwards has been involved in robotics at all levels since she was in middle school and helps start new robotics clubs while assisting Solon’s program. Above: Abby explains explains the workings of a sample robot to team Bison Robotics of Cedar Rapids Prep. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students were able to try out a robot on a practice course before Solon Robotics’ scrimmage match Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Solon Community Center.
ence, using Venmo® or PayPal®. “Positive things are coming out of this,” Thompson said looking back on the previous rucks, and looking forward to next month. “People are becoming aware.”
4th annual RUCK 22 Date: Saturday, Sept. 26 Time: 9 a.m. Location: 2.2-mile walk/hike starting and ending at Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 Cost: $22 per person Pre-registration (starting Monday, August 24): Iowa Veterans Outdoor Experience’s Facebook page Same day registration: 8 a.m.
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist file photo
Veteran Jason Rekers carried this rock in his rucksack for Iowa Veterans Outdoor Experience’s first 2.2-mile ruck walk Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. The rock memorialized his friend and fellow vet Dave “Creature” Ashton, who committed suicide the previous year. The event raised funds for IVOE to use to help vets while raising awareness of veteran suicide, which is estimated by some at 22 per day. This year, the 4th annual RUCK 22 will be held Saturday, Sept. 26.
Multi-purpose facility on-track for spring opening Later on in the school year, the district’s new multi-purpose facility — which will be accessible to all students, regardless of what sport or athletic activity they partake in — will be completed around March 2027. This facility will be placed north of the middle school on what is currently an open, grassy field.
Final thoughts Lyons and Eidahl encourage families to help their children — regardless of age — get back into the school routine so they are prepared for the first day on Aug. 24. The district is excited to see how new changes — such as a new K-5 math curriculum and a civics test high schoolers must pass to graduate — will impact its students. For more information about upcoming changes for the 2026-27 academic year, visit the Solon CSD website or attend tonight’s board of education meeting at 5:45 p.m. in the district’s Central Office at 301 S. Iowa St.
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Volume 146 I Issue 34 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.
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Publisher Jason Brummond jason.brummond@dailyiowan.com Editor Chris Umscheid chris.umscheid@ soloneconomist.com Advertising Sales Catherine Bilskie catherine.bilskie@ soloneconomist.com Production Manager Heidi Owen heidi.owen@dailyiowan.com Advertising Director Juli Krause juli.krause@dailyiowan.com Interns Grace Escritt, reporter Cadence Dighton, reporter Abby Princehouse, digital/ social media, sports 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.
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SOLON PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS In September, the Library is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of our current building! Join us Saturday, September 25, for a celebration of the Solon Public Library, its history, and of course its Library community. Hosted by the Friends of Solon Public Library, Board of Trustees, and the Solon Public Library Foundation. September is also Library Card Sign-up Month! Each September, libraries across the country join with the American Library Association to promote sign-ups at local libraries in support of students and the start of the school year. Visit the Library in September for more information about our Library Card Sign-up Month activities. Don’t have a Library card? Visit the Library or sign up for a Library card on our website at https://www.solon. lib.ia.us/services/library-card. Children and teens under the age of 14 require a parent’s or guardian’s signature to complete an application. When setting up a parent Library card, be sure to indicate if you’d like to allow your child or children to use your card to check out materials. There is no limit to the number of materials a patron can check out! We have movies, audiobooks, and of course fiction and nonfiction for all ages. We also have a Library of Things, a special collection of tools, cake pans, and hobby materials available for our patrons. Need to renew or replace your Library card, or want to learn more about what a Library card offers at the Solon Public Library? Call or visit the Library to learn more!
hinder the quality of our water.
before we opened in 2001. Several classes from the elementary school helped to carry those books over five city blocks to the new building. Many adult volunteers helped Library access Regular Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.- 7 to reshelve the books in their new home. This was a monp.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Closed Sundays. umental effort that was successful thanks to our many, Please always refer to our website calendar or call to check many helpers! hours as weather may impact our ability to be safely open. The Library will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, August 28. Everyone is welcome at the Library and our programs. Please contact us with access needs.
While you’re waiting
On hold for The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett? Here are some recommendations to read in the meantime! The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. Texas, 1921. A time of abundance. The Great War is over, the bounty of the land is plentiful, and America is on the brink of a new and optimistic era. But for Elsa Wolcott, deemed too old to marry in a time when marriage is a woman's only option, the future seems bleak. Until the night she meets Rafe Martinelli and decides to change the direction of her life. With her reputation in ruin, there is only one respectable choice: marriage to a man she barely knows. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. Jacob Janowski's luck had run out; orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. A Library programs veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge Afterschool programs return in September! of caring for the circus menagerie. It was the Great DepresFor teens, starting immediately after school on Tuesdays, sion and for Jacob the circus was both his salvation and a join us for Switch and Social starting September 8! Hang living hell. There he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian out with friends, eat snacks, and play games! We’ll have a star married to August, the charismatic but brutal animal variety of board games available and games for our Switch. trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who Also for teens, Thursday, September 24 at 3 p.m., we’re was the great hope for this third-rate traveling show. The making Shrinky Dinks! From keychains and charms to bond that grew among this group of misfits was one of earrings and necklaces, teens are welcome to join us for love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for some afterschool crafting time. survival. Early-out Thursday activities for 1st-8th Graders returns Heart the Lover by Lily King. Our narrator understands with BAM POW our Build and Make, Play or Watch pro- good love stories--their secrets and subtext, their highs grams! Starting September 10, we’ll start with Build it! and free falls. But her greatest love story, the one she lived, Tiny Cardboard Construction. On September 17, join us never followed the simple rules. In the fall of her senior year for our Make It! Perler Beads. Finally, on September 24, we of college, she meets two star students from her 17th-Cenwill finish the month with Play It! Homemade Play Dough. tury Lit class: Sam and Yash. Best friends living off campus For adults, DIY Night will return with Basic Cake Deco- in the elegant house of a professor on sabbatical, the boys rating with Kurthcakes! Join us Tuesday, September 8 at invite her into their intoxicating world of academic fervor, 6:30 p.m., with special guest Alexis Kurth, owner of Kurth- rapid-fire banter and raucous card games. They nickname cakes, for a fun, hands-on introduction to cake decorating! her Jordan, and she quickly discovers the pleasures of Registration for this program is required. friendship, love and her own intellectual ambition. But Monday, September 21, at 5:30 p.m., join us with special youthful passion is unpredictable, and soon she finds herguest Dee Swartzendruber for a presentation on the history self at the center of a charged and intricate triangle. As and intricacies of the Hurdy-Gurdy. graduation comes and goes, choices made will alter these Thursday, September 24 at 6:30 p.m., join us with special three lives forever. Solon Public Library contributed photos guest David Cwiertny, PhD, from the University of Iowa These photos show Solon students helping move for a presentation on our local water quality! Learn about History of the Solon Public Library, part 21 thousands of books five blocks across the city to the new where our local water quality stands, what you can do to The Library had to move 15,487 books into the new space Library building in 2001. improve water quality, and what barriers currently exist to
Solon welcomes new librarian to town In late May, University of Iowa alumni Victor Resendiz joined the Solon Public Library staff, where he now works as an adult services librarian Grace Escritt Solon Economist
news@soloneconomist.com
For Victor Resendiz, storytelling is far more than just a means of entertainment. Rather, it is a way for him to connect with his heritage, explore history and analyze the evolution of stories across multiple mediums. “It’s a really enjoyable experience to be connected to the past, but also to modern interpretations of your favorite stories and then seeing those come to life in different mediums,” he said. In late May, Resendiz — who is particularly drawn to sci-fi and fantasy stories — joined the Solon Public Library staff as a communications and technology specialist. After working in this role for around two months, however, he transitioned into the adult services librarian role. Although he just recently took up this librarian role, Resendiz’ history with writing and storytelling goes much further back. When he was 17, he worked his first job as an editor’s assistant at a local newspaper near his home in Clewiston, FL. Upon graduating high school, Resendiz attended the University of South Florida, where he earned his first bachelor’s degree in English literature. Soon after, he served for around five years in the U.S. Army doing Patriot missile system repair. It was not until he learned
about the University of Iowa’s writing community that he moved to the Midwest. Resendiz said that at the University of Iowa, he completed an undergraduate degree in creative writing and publishing as well as a master’s degree in school library science. This — coupled with experience interning in the Iowa City Public Library’s digital media lab — both prepared and led him to the position he holds now as an adult services librarian in Solon. As the Solon Public Library's adult services librarian, Resendiz is responsible for programming events — such as DIY and craft nights — for adult members of the community. In addition, he said one of his biggest duties is to understand and accurately respond to the needs of all age groups. “The adult services role also includes these very niche things about what adults need through different decades, because it’s a huge group,” he said. “It’s maybe the biggest group that the library can serve…so that could be as simple as providing college information — like tips on financial aid and things like that — all the way to senior planning.” Resendiz explained there are countless resources he can provide to the Solon community as a librarian. However, a few of the most common things he assists with are finding reference materials, navigating digital media and technology, setting up library cards, showing visitors where to access travel services, and guiding guests through contacting certain parts of the city. “I feel like communities kind of underestimate the power that a librarian can bring to them…not just books,” he said. “We can definitely do that. There’s definitely so many systems we can use to find someone their next perfect book, [but] there’s also a ton of information that we can give through the general reference librarian channels
New librarian Resendiz.
Grace Escritt | Solon Economist
where we’re on top of the information needs that people want.” Looking ahead, Resendiz said he is looking forward to implementing new changes at the library that will help to create further community engagement. "I'm very excited about having this job,” he said. “It’s a fun job to have, and I’m excited to get all the planning set up. I know people are going to enjoy all the changes that I’ll bring, because I’m hoping to be more artsy, more fun.” For more information about upcoming library events, many of which have been planned by Resendiz, visit https://www.solon.lib.ia.us/calendar, the Solon Public Library Facebook page, and the Library’s weekly update in the Solon Economist.
OPINIONS
4 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026 | SOLON ECONOMIST
Lessons from a young teacher Food for Thought Milli Gilbaugh
June Boyd was born in 1922 and grew up in southwestern Iowa, was a wartime bride and taught, at first, in a one-room school before she ended up in Knoxville. She graduated from high school at age fifteen and from Tabor Junior College at seventeen. After a summer of Education classes at Simpson College in Indianola, she landed a job at Dutch Hollow School near Thurman, Iowa. There, she was the sole teacher, janitor, nurse, counselor and whatever for a roomful of students from first through eighth grades. In Knoxville, near the end of World War II, she was only a dozen years older than the students in her junior high classes. We all loved her, possibly because she was young enough to relate to the things that occupy the lives of adolescents June knew how to get along without luxuries and how to make do with what was available. Her budget for the summer at Simpson College; From a total of ninety dollars from her father, she managed to pay her half of the rent for a room she shared with another girl, pay her tuition, buy her books and supplies, the penny postcards she wrote to her parents frequently, and pay for her share of the food she and her roommate prepared in their “light housekeeping” room. At the end of summer school, she had exactly two dollars left – and she spent it for a new pair of shoes. There are a lot of us who remember the orange crate. Made with two sturdy ends and a center divider, thin slats of rough wood for two sides and the bottom, these handy wooden cases could be stacked on their sides to provide book or storage shelves, or stood on end to serve as the supports for a four-foot board that would be the top of a dressing-table, the rough boards covered with paper, so sweaters or lingerie wouldn’t get snagged. Often, short curtains were thumb-tacked to the edge of the top board to cover the open shelves and a pretty dresser scarf finished off the whole thing. Hang a mirror on the wall above it, arrange your prettiest perfume bottles, a little tray to hold cosmetics, brush, comb and hand mirror and you had a functional and feminine dressing table. Similar constructions served as sewing cabinets or storage for diapers or toys in the nursery. As a desk, you might cover the top board with a scrap of smooth linoleum and stack some wooden cheese boxes on the shelves to hold small items. (Those cheese boxes were popular with children as material for some of the toys they made for themselves – boats, trucks, trains, airplanes, doll furniture and mysterious “whatsits”.) Thumb-tacks seem to have been a near-necessity during those days. They were used for many things other than the bulletin-boards for which they were designed. Perhaps, it had something to do with the fact that, during the depression and the war, there were fewer men around and women had to find simple ways to hang curtains and pictures, fasten down that loose corner of linoleum, or put up Christmas decorations without the tools and expertise that were considered men’s territory. Thumb-tacks generally didn’t require a hammer, they were removable, reusable and inexpensive. It didn’t take long for manufacturers to figure out that the plain metal ones were considered less aesthetic than colored ones and that women would buy them to match a color scheme. Leftover wallpaper was never discarded. Paper the inside of a shoebox and you could imagine it was a room for a dollhouse. Fasten several “rooms” together and you could have a mansion! Wallpaper could line dresser drawers, be turned into May-baskets or holiday decorations, cover worn books, or turn a big, cardboard ice cream tub into a pretty wastebasket. A good rainy-day project for children was to make what my grandmother called “portieres” by cutting wallpaper into long triangles about an inch wide and ten inches tall. Paste the backs and, starting with the wide end, roll them around a skewer or knitting needle to make beads. Remove the skewer and allow the beads to dry. String them on long strings or yarn and hang them from the top of a window or doorway – with thumbtacks, of course! With today's soaring prices, we could all save a little by following the examples of people like June Boyd and our grandparents who made it through worse times and bigger challenges a century ago.
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Don Pardo, what has Hendrik Van Pelt won?
Game shows have one virtue Iowa’s open-records enforcement system does not: Winners and losers know on the spot what prizes are theirs to keep. Hendrik Van Pelt learned this firsthand. In February, the Guttenberg man won a case before the Iowa Court of Appeals when the judges affirmed a district court decision in his favor and reversed the Iowa Public Information Board’s dismissal of his public-reRandy Evans cords complaint against the Iowa Freedom of Information Council City of West Des Moines. The outcome seemed like a citizen just beat the government transparency agency. But not so fast. Don Pardo, tell Mr. Van Pelt what he’s won. That’s right, a no-expense-paid trip back to the IPIB. The court remanded Van Pelt’s complaint to the very agency that dismissed the case three years ago, appealed when it lost in district court, and then lost again in February. That is Van Pelt’s prize. At least to this point. In 2023, he used the public records law to ask West Des Moines for a copy of its new contract with Flock Group Inc., a company that installs and operates license-platereader cameras. He specifically asked for a copy of the Flock deployment plan and map of Flock camera locations in the city. Flock has similar agreements to install its surveillance cameras along roads in hundreds of cities and counties in the United States. The cameras record vehicle information and provide it to law enforcement agencies in a mappable database officers can search while investigating crimes. But these data-gathering networks are controversial. The Washington Post reported recently on officers misusing the information for personal purposes. Authorities have accused at least 50 law officers of using the cameras to stalk former spouses and ex-girlfriends. In other communities, Flock has provided local surveillance data to federal agencies without the city’s knowledge. Van Pelt wants to know where West Des Moines put its cameras. The city gave him the Flock contract without attaching the deployment plan or map. The city argued it had nothing to produce because Flock created and kept the map. While city staff reviewed it online before approving it, West Des Moines says it never printed or saved a copy. So, the city claims there is no public record to give Van Pelt. In October 2023, he filed complaint against West Des Moines with the IPIB. The board staff asked a few questions of the city after the IPIB’s December 2023 board meeting. Erika Eckley, the IPIB executive director at the time, then prepared a proposed decision finding Van Pelt’s complaint legally insufficient because the city provided him all records it possessed. The full board reviewed and approved her proposed dismissal order in January 2024. The shape of that ruling is worth noting. The board decided a public record did not exist and closed the file without requiring the city to prove anything. Instead, the IPIB took the city at its word. The following month, Van Pelt sued in Polk County District Court, asking the court to review the IPIB decision. The district court ruled for him, and the IPIB then appealed its loss. Earlier this year, the Court of Appeals affirmed the district court decision with rationale that sounds self-evident: The Flock deployment plan and map were expressly incorporated into the West Des Moines contract, so the
Stray Thoughts
city, as a party to the contract, always has a right to the document. “Regardless of its decision to retain a physical copy, the contract belongs to the City just as much as it belongs to Flock,” the Court of Appeals said. In effect, the appeals judges said a city cannot make a record disappear simply by arranging for a vendor to hold it. This is where the irony of Hendrik Van Pelt’s case stops being funny. Because he first took his grievance to the IPIB rather than starting with the district court, the only route for the Court of Appeals was through Iowa’s administrative procedures law. That law says a reviewing court may affirm the agency action or remand the matter to the IPIB for further proceedings. That law also puts the burden of showing prejudice on plaintiffs like Van Pelt. Now, look at what would have occurred if Van Pelt chose to go directly to court to challenge West Des Moines’ action: There, the open-records law’s enforcement provision would have guided the court. It says that after a requester shows a government body is covered by the law, that records sought are government documents, and that the body refused to produce them, the burden shifts to the government. And if the court finds the government body violated the law, the court is commanded to issue an injunction directing the government to release the records and also order the government to pay costs and reasonable attorney fees to the requester. The records are the same. The city is the same. The three years are the same. But down one path lies a mandatory fee award and an order to produce the records in question. Down the other path lies a remand back to the government agency that botched the case in the first place, along with the added uncertainty of placing your fate in the hands of a government entity that litigated against you. There is another difference: Van Pelt’s appellate court victory still has not put the requested map in his hands. That’s because the remanded case has stalled since the Courts of Appeals decision in February. IPIB members last met on Aug. 1, but they did not take action on Van Pelt’s case, despite the appeals court’s clear decision. Compounding this, no one told Van Pelt during his quest for the Flock camera map about the fork in the road that exists when a government agency declines to fulfill a public records request. The Iowa Public Information Board law includes a section captioned, “Election of remedies.” It provides that anyone may seek enforcement of the public meetings or public records statutes by choosing to file a lawsuit challenging the government body’s decision or, in the alternative, by filing a complaint with the IPIB. The practical consequence is this: If the IPIB rules against people like Van Pelt and they decide to file an appeal in court, a judge will follow Iowa’s administrative procedures law. The burden of proof flips, deference attaches to the IPIB’s decision, and the best possible outcome is a trip back to the IPIB. The IPIB’s materials describe this complaint process as free and efficient. The Iowa attorney general’s “sunshine” guidance refers citizens with complaints to the IPIB. But nothing highlights how the free and efficient forum can turn out to be a costly choice — as Van Pelt’s case illustrates. Despite his Court of Appeals victory, his reward, now 1,045 days after he first made his request to West Des Moines, is a line item on an IPIB meeting agenda, filed under matters to be accepted but with the word “Dismiss” still hanging out there to taunt him. That’s a lovely parting gift unlike any Don Pardo ever gave away. Randy Evans can be reached at DMRevans2810@gmail.com.
Q&A: Russia sanctions pave the way to peace With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: How would the Senate-passed sanctions bill help end the war in Ukraine? A: With an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 86-11, the U.S. Senate sent a clear message to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin: stop the killing and end the largest land war since World War II. The late Sen. Lindsey Graham,
the bill’s leading champion who led the congressional effort to bring peace to Ukraine, was the driving force to cut off financing of Russia’s war machine. The bipartisan legislation would impose stiff financial sanctions and put Russia’s energy sector in the crosshairs of an international dragnet by targeting countries that export
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or invest in Russian oil and gas. The bill would empower the president to impose 100 percent tariffs on the top five importers of Russian energy and those who enable Russian sanctions evasion. The bill also targets Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members and Russian banks and financial institutions to apply additional financial pressure to help end the war. The Senate-passed Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act takes a key step towards peace with a formidable recipe of sanctions and tariffs to leverage an end to the war that has killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and tens of thousands of innocent civilians. As an original co-sponsor, I’ll continue pushing to get this bill to the president’s desk. History reminds us why Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine cannot be ignored. Protecting America’s national security and upholding sovereignty in Europe requires a resolute commitment to stop Putin’s effort to resurrect the Soviet empire. I’ll continue leading bipartisan efforts in the Senate to hold Russia accountable and put the brakes on Putin’s violent scheme to trample freedom, persecute Christians and usurp sovereign territory through war and aggression. From the 2008 invasion of Georgia to
the 2014 annexation of Crimea and now the full-scale, four-year war in Ukraine, Putin’s diabolical obsession requires solidarity from the international community to nip it in the bud before more lives and territory are lost. Q: What is the status of your efforts to return kidnapped Ukrainian children? A: One of the horrific crimes orchestrated by Putin’s authoritarian regime is the calculated abduction of tens of thousands of innocent Ukrainian children to Russify them and wipe out their cultural identity, language and heritage. Since 2022, the Russian invasion has exposed young Ukrainians to human trafficking, exploitation, child labor, sexual violence, hunger, injury, trauma and death. I’m leading a bipartisan coalition of senators to raise public awareness and keep the pressure up to return these children before a peace agreement is finalized to end the war. I’ve called upon Secretary of State Marco Rubio to support efforts to investigate Russia’s abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children to help facilitate their safe return home. The more time goes by, the harder it will be to find and identify these kids stolen from their
homeland. According to a report issued by Yale University, abducted Ukrainian children are undergoing “re-education” programs to wipe out their identities. These kids are subjected to military-style training, including weapons assembly and drone operation. Along with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, I introduced the Abducted Ukrainian Children and Recovery and Accountability Act to boost investigative efforts to find the abducted children; provide social, psychological and educational support for returned children; and hold criminals accountable for the mass abduction and deportation of kids in Ukraine, as well as illegal adoptions. President Trump signed our bill in December and work is underway to implement the law. Keeping this issue on the front burner during peace talks is essential to keep hope alive for these children and their families. I applaud First Lady Melania Trump for her leadership to broker dozens of reunifications so far. She’s helped answer the prayers of anguished parents and I’m committed to holding Russia accountable and helping ensure the return of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children from the Kremlin’s clutches.
SOLON ECONOMIST | THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026 | 5
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First installment of property taxes due Sep. 1 Late payment penalties begin October 1
with their payment. In-person payments must be made at the Treasurer’s Office, located on the first floor of the Johnson County The first installment of Johnson Administration Building, 913 S. County property and mobile home Dubuque St. in Iowa City. Business taxes is due Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. hours are Monday through Friday, 8 Other than tax sale redemptions, a.m. to 5 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. payments must be delivered to the on the second Tuesday of the month. Treasurer’s Office, paid online or To make an online payment, postmarked by Sept. 30 to avoid a visit https://pay.iowataxandtags. 1.5% monthly penalty that will begin org. You can pay with an e-check, October 1. The U.S. Postal Service debit card or credit card. Those postmark is the only date recognized methods of payment, whether online for date of mailing. The date written or at the Treasurer’s Office, are subon a check, or a business metered ject to a convenience fee. Iowa Tax date, cannot be accepted as proof and Tags now has customer accounts of the mailing date. Residents who to manage property tax, receive would like a receipt must include a reminders about upcoming bills self-addressed stamped envelope and schedule future payments. New
this tax cycle, customers can now set up recurring payments. Contact the Treasurer’s Office at 319-356-6087 if you have questions about Iowa Tax and Tags customer accounts. C ou nt y Tre a su rer s c ol lec t property taxes on behalf of all jurisdictions in the county and then distribute the taxes collected to the other jurisdictions, including the property owner’s city of residence, school district and other taxing bodies in the county. Questions about payments should be directed to the Treasurer’s Office at 319-356-6087 or rblack@johnsoncountyiowa.gov. Additional information about property taxes is available at www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/department-of-treasurer.
End of summer traffic safety Nicole Hassenstab GTSB Media and Communications DES MOINES — As preparations for end of summer and holiday weekend celebrations take shape, planning ahead for a sober ride should be number one on your to-do list. Last year, in the final four weeks of summer, 36 people died on roadways in Iowa; One third of those fatalities were caused by impaired driving*. Taking a few extra minutes to arrange a safe and sober ride can literally be a lifesaving decision. The Governor’s Traffic Safety
Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with law enforcement statewide to support enforcement efforts aimed at decreasing impaired driving. From August 19-September 7, agencies are participating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement project. During this time, the public will see an increased presence of officers working together to remove impaired drivers from the road. “Impaired driving isn’t just drunk driving- Whether it’s alcohol or drugs, Law Enforcement officers
F U on community. S
and Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) are trained to identif y impairment, and will stop impaired drivers when they see them,” says DRE State Coordinator Brad Walter. Make sure everyone you’re celebrating with has a safe way home by designating a sober driver, calling a taxi/rideshare service, or using a community sober ride program if available. If you see or suspect an impaired driver/rider on the road, contact local law enforcement. *Source: Iowa DOT Crash Analysis Tool, August 1- September 1, 2025.
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6 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026 | SOLON ECONOMIST
2026 VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Week Zero – Friday, August 21 – Scrimmage at Linn-Mar HS, 6:15 p.m. Week One – Friday, August 28 – AT Assumption Catholic, Davenport, 7:30 p.m. Week Two – Friday, Sept. 4 – HOME vs. Williamsburg, 7:30 p.m. (Armed Forces Night) Week Three – Friday, Sept. 11 – AT Mount Vernon, 7:00 p.m. Week Four – Friday, Sept. 18 – HOME vs. Benton Community, 7:30 p.m. (Youth Football Night) Week Five – Friday, Sept. 25 – HOME vs. Fairfield, 7:30 p.m. (HOMECOMING) Week Six – Friday, October 2 – AT Keokuk, 7:30 p.m. Week Seven – Friday, October 9 – AT Washington, 7:30 p.m. Week Eight – Friday, October 16 – HOME vs. Mount Pleasant, 7:30 p.m. Week Nine – Friday, October 23 – HOME vs. Fort Madison, 7:30 p.m. (Senior Night) Class 3A Playoffs Friday, October 30 – Round of 16 Friday, Nov. 6 – Quarterfinals Saturday, Nov. 14 –Semifinals Thursday, Nov. 19-Friday, Nov. 20 – Championships
2026 VARSITY GIRLS AND BOYS CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE Thursday, Sept. 3 – Bob Brown Invitational (B&G) at IC Kickers Soccer Club, 4:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 – Gilbert XC meet (B&G) at Iowa State University XC course, 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 – Independence Invitational (B&G), Independence MHI, 5:15 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21 – HOME Invitational (B&G), SRNA, 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 – Anamosa meet (B&G), Anamosa Middle School, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Williamsburg Invitational (B&G), Williamsburg Rec Center, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 3 – Steve Johnson Invitational (B&G), Max Championship Course (Wartburg College, Waverly), 12:10 p.m. Saturday, October 10 – Bob Mudd Lynx Invitational (B&G), North Linn HS, Troy Mills, 8:40 a.m. Wednesday, October 14 – WaMaC XC Championship (B&G), Seminole Valley Park, Cedar Rapids, 4:30 p.m.
Postseason Wednesday, October 21 - Class 3A State Qualifying Meet (B&G) Saturday, October 31 - Class 3A State Meet (B&G)
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SOLON ECONOMIST | THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026 | 7
2026 VARSITY VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE Thursday, August 20 – Scrimmage at Liberty HS, North Liberty, 4:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 – Marshalltown Apgar Quad, Marshalltown HS, 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 – Spartan Invitational, SHS & SMS, 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 – AT Mount Vernon, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 – HOME vs. Vinton-Shellsburg, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 – Linn-Mar Tournament, Linn-Mar HS, 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 – AT Center Point-Urbana HS, Center Point, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 – Clinton HS River Queen Invitational, 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 – HOME vs. Marion, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 – AT West Delaware, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 3 – Union HS Invitational, 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 6 – HOME vs. Independence, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 10 – CPU Tournament, Center Point, 8:30 a.m. Thursday, October 15 – WaMaC Tournament – Solon HS, 4:00 p.m. Postseason Tuesday, October 20 – 3A Regional Tournament Thursday, October 22 – 3A Regional Tournament Tuesday, October 27 – 3A Regional Tournament Monday, Nov. 2-Friday, Nov. 5 – State Tournament
2026 VARSITY GIRLS SWIMMING (with Iowa City High School) SCHEDULE Tuesday, August 25 – At Dubuque Hempstead (District Aquatic Center), 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1 – HOME (Mercer Park Aquatic Center) vs. Cedar Rapids Washington, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 – At Prairie, Cedar Rapids (Prairie Summit YMCA), 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 – HOME vs. Cedar Falls, 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 – HOME Little Hawk Invitational, 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 – At Wahlert Catholic (Loras College AWC San Jose Pool, Dubuque), 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 – Cedar Rapids Kennedy Cougar Invitational, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 – HOME vs. Dubuque Senior, 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 6 – At Iowa City West (Coralville Rec Center), 6 p.m. Thursday, October 22 – MVC Championship Diving Meet at IC West (Coralville Rec Center), 5 p.m. Saturday, October 24 – MVC Championship Swimming Meet at IC West (Coralville Rec Center), 12 p.m.
Postseason State Qualifying Diving Meet, Thursday, Nov. 5 Regional (State Qualifying) Swimming Meet, Saturday, Nov. 7 State Diving Meet, Thursday, Nov. 12 State Swimming Meet: Prelims Thursday, Nov. 12, 12 p.m. Finals Friday, Nov. 12, 12 p.m.
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8 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026 | SOLON ECONOMIST
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2026 VARSITY GIRLS TENNIS (with Iowa City High School) SCHEDULE Thursday, August 20 – HOME vs. Iowa City West High, 4 p.m. Tuesday, August 25 – At Xavier Catholic, Cedar Rapids, 4 p.m. Saturday, August 29 – At Wahlert Catholic, Dubuque, 9 a.m. Saturday, August 29 – At Western Dubuque, 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1 – HOME vs. Liberty HS, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 – HOME vs. Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 – At Waterloo West, 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 – At UNI Tennis Complex vs. Cedar Falls, 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 – HOME vs. Linn-Mar, 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 – At Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 4 p.m. Postseason Regional Individual Meet – Wednesday, Sept. 23 Regional Team Meet – Saturday, Sept. 26 Regional Team Meet – Wednesday, Sept. 30 Regional Team Meet – Saturday, October 3 State Individual Tournament – Wednesday-Thursday, October 7-8, Byrnes Park, Waterloo State Team Tournament – Monday-Tuesday, October 12-13, Waukee NW High School
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
It’s time to toss the pigskin Solon’s football team has some big shoes to fill as they enter into the 2026 season John Charlson
Solon Economist
news@soloneconomist.com
Last year, the Solon High School football team made it to the semifinals in the Class 3A State Tournament in Cedar Falls. Now, the Spartans must regroup after losing their star quarterback as the spotlight is turned on Solon to see how they manage in their first official game of the season on the road against Davenport’s Assumption Catholic High School Friday, August 28. “We lost a really good quarterback in Eli Kampman last year. He kind of led the charge there,” said Coach Stanton. Now in his seventh year as head coach of the Solon football team, Lucas Stanton has clearcut goals for the 2026 season. Stanton cites the defensive line as a major strength in the 2025 season, adding that most of those defensive linemen are returning this fall. However, a point of improvement learned from the previous season is Solon’s ability to run the ball. “Granted, we do have a talented wide receiver group and talented quarterback, but ultimately I think that kind of came into play.” Stanton says a goal for this year is returning to those roots of being a run heavy team, “but knowing that we also have the ability to pass too. So it’s just a balance and taking what the defense gives you.” Balance and a depth of ability in defense and offense is where Stanton and his
coaching staff have been focused during their training camps and the offseason leading up to this week’s scrimmage against LinnMar. “That’s one area that we’re trying to focus on is how are we going to build depth behind our d-line or o-line.” Stanton says they have a good number of players in both the senior and junior classes, but that they also don’t have a lot of lineman this year. Kyler Jensen, Tripp Johnson, and Teague Williams were all strong linebackers who graduated last spring, and finding the next set of players to fill their shoes has been a focus for Solon’s coaching staff. “We lost three really solid guys there,” said Stanton Stanton adds that those next in line for this season are linebackers Luis Buck, Foster Owens, Ian Cronk, and Colin Dunn. “Those four right now are really doing a good job of adjusting to everything and stepping in. I think what they’ve done in JV has prepared them pretty well for that.” Stanton’s eyes are also on incoming senior Jackson Burk. “Nothing’s decided, he hasn’t won the running back spot, but I think he’ll be a significant contender at running back in terms of special teams and possibly one of our corner spots.” Last year was Burk’s first year ever playing running back, which Stanton says served as a learning opportunity and adds that the main focus for Burk now is getting used to what the team’s aiming points and footwork expectations are for the position. “What we’ve seen this week is he’s made some strides in improving in that area.” Stanton says the
scrimmage this week will be telling of Burk’s potential now that he is a senior. “He’s done a really good job.” Rising stars on the team include incoming junior Wyatt Young, who Stanton says when the sophomores came out for playoffs, Young stood out on the scouting team. “He was always one of the best players for the opposing team and always stuck out. He’s earned himself into a role of fighting for a couple of positions on both sides of the ball and he’ll be heavily involved in special teams as well.” The talented junior Paxton Holtkamp is also next in line for wide receiver, only due to the team’s high return rate this year. Sophomore Luke Devery is also rising to the varsity level this season, “he still has to adjust to the speed of varsity games a little bit, but he’s getting better every day, and looking like he may be able to contribute somewhere.” As far as coaching changes go this year, both Aaron Kampman and Frank Haege have stepped down, with
Haege accepting an assistant coaching position with the Cornell College football team. In their place, Solon has hired former University of Iowa lineman Travis Meade, who coached at Iowa City West after graduating from the University. Will Cavanagh has also joined the assistant coaching staff. Cavanagh played defensive back for Central College in Pella, and is the son of Pete Cavanagh, who was head football coach at Mid-Prairie High School in Wellman. Stanton adds that each year’s team never gets credit for last year’s accomplishments. “Just because we made the semis last year, that’s a completely different team, so this is a new team with new players.” Friday, Solon will travel to Linn-Mar stadium (Marion) to play the Linn-Mar Lions in a scrimmage match, but Stanton is looking forward to what the Spartans can prove. “We have a lot of work to do between now and week one, but I like the direction we’re going.”
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist file photo
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SOLON ECONOMIST | THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026 | 9
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.
AUGUST MENU • • • • • • • Friday, August 21 Honey Butter Biscuit
Edited by Will Shortz No. 0716
Pollack Macaroni & Cheese Broccoli Bread Fresh Fruit Monday, August 24 Country Fried Steak Mashed Potatoes Cream Gravy Honey Buttered Carrots Fresh Fruit Wednesday, August 26 City Representative Smothered Pork Chop Baked Potato Green Beans Blueberry Crisp Friday, August 28 Lasagna Roll Up Sliced Beets Garlic Toast Brownie Monday, August 31 Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta w/Marinera Sauce Tossed Salad w/Dressing Fresh Fruit
State Treasurer Roby Smith launches Money Match to return unclaimed property faster New initiative allows eligible Iowans to automatically receive qualifying unclaimed money without filing a claim Jacob Holck
Public Affairs Office of the State Treasurer of Iowa
DES MOINES — State Treasurer Roby Smith kicked off day two of the Iowa State Fair in the Varied Industries Building by announcing Money Match, a new initiative from Great Iowa Treasure Hunt designed to make it easier for Iowans to get unclaimed funds back in their pockets. “Since taking office, I’ve worked hard to modernize the way Great Iowa Treasure Hunt returns lost money back to owners and heirs,” said State Treasurer Smith. “Money Match is that next step. With this new initiative, we are streamlining the process to return funds for many Iowans.” Using secure data provided by the Department of Revenue, the Treasurer’s Office is able to verify ownership and automatically send a check to the rightful owners through the new initiative. While
Money Match will simplify the process for many Iowans, not every property will qualify for an automatic payment. More complex claims, like estates, businesses, trusts, securities and certain owner claims, will continue to follow the traditional claims process. “Keep an eye out to see if you’ll be one of the first recipients of a check for Money Match,” said Treasurer Smith. “We will start off by sending a letter, notifying you that you’ll be receiving funds. A few weeks later, the funds should arrive in your mailbox in the form of a warrant, which is like a check, from the State of Iowa.” Even with the new initiative, Treasurer Smith still encourages Iowans to visit Great Iowa Treasurehunt.gov and search their name. “Money Match is going to be a great addition to the way my office works to reunite properties, but not all properties will qualify,” said Treasurer Smith. “That’s why I’m telling everyone watching, listening or reading this right now to take a couple of minutes to search GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov and see if they have property available to claim.” For more information about the new Money Match initiative, visit https://www.iowatreasurer.gov/money-match.
Moses’ artistic talent shines at Iowa State Fair Amelia Moses, 5, of Solon, earned first place in the agriculture art contest at this year’s Iowa State Fair in the 5- to 6-year-old age division.
Across
1 Smart 5 Sensation 10 Acquisition on the big day 15 “That’s a good one!” 16 Galápagos island that was home to Lonesome George, the last tortoise of his subspecies 17 Who knows what preceded the Big Bang 18 *Yes – three arduous ones 21 February 14, informally 22 Scratch that! 23 El ___ 24 Like novices 26 Spoil 28 Preceder of how, way or where 29 *Yes – sometimes more than 1,000 31 Patooties 33 Little dipper? 34 “Tout à fait!” 35 Tire 37 *Yes – exactly one, in common usage 42 First line on many a form 43 Common garnish in a chirashi bowl 44 Had at present? 47 Article of lab wear 50 *No – but it does have three feet 53 Elizabethan curse 54 Country that las islas Canarias are part of 57 Important blood line 58 “___ is the proper task of life”: Nietzsche 59 Business whose rewards program gives “Stackholder Perks” 60 Raving 61 Question during a brainstorming session ... or of the answers to the starred clues 67 Popular Japanese brew 68 Alcohol, slangily 69 Literary heroine who says “I would always rather be happy than dignified” 70 Its capital is Sanaa 71 Heavens 72 Debugging component?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 19 20 24 25 26 27 30 32 35 36 38 39 40 41 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 55 56 60 62 63 64 65 66
Down
Letter after upsilon Trireme tool Cleared, as snow “Messiah” composer Neuter What a big hand indicates: Abbr. Its colony can be considered one superorganism Struggle World’s most populous Creole-speaking country Pretty much assured Japanese drama Feline in a 2000s meme Dub ... or rub Fast-food restaurant that sells Frostys ___-pedi Oft-injured part of the knee, for short Clock-setting std. ___ Bravo (México/Tejas border) Certain tie score Mince words? Frost piece Sound of dissatisfaction Botanist’s study Told stories Business ending Roll in dough Actress/union leader Drescher Symbol of spiritual insight, in Hinduism Class ___ Music genre with “walking” bass lines Steamy occasion? Lugubrious Pioneers’ prairie pullers Harangues Store Worked sufferingly “Pipe down!” Composure Attest ___-goat “Wait ... really?” One of a kind Test for future Ph.D.s Not needing anything else
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.
Photo by Janeen Moses
PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 2
CALENDAR & PUZZLES
10 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026 | SOLON ECONOMIST IowaPublicNotices.com THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FORMAL MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 6, 2026 Proclamations, ordinances and resolutions adopted by the Board of Supervisors are only summarized in the published minutes; the full text may be inspected at the Office of the County Auditor, 913 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, Mon. thru Fri., between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and at www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov. Chairperson Green called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building Boardroom at 9:00 a.m. Members present: V Fixmer-Oraiz, Jon Green, Lisa Green-Douglass, Mandi Remington*, and Rod Sullivan. *Denotes electronic participation. Green sought and received unanimous consent for approval of the agenda as presented. Public Comment - Nick Bergus of Iowa City opposed the proposed jail bond referendum, stating the investment would not improve dignity for incarcerated individuals or address systemic issues. Bergus urged the County to prioritize prevention, diversion, and alternatives to incarceration. Elizabeth Rook Panicucci, an organizer for Prairie Lands Freedom Fund, opposed the referendum, citing concerns about the size of the proposed facility and potential future federal use, including immigration enforcement. Panicucci urged the Board to consider how future policies could impact jail operations. Renee Harper of Iowa City opposed the referendum, citing concerns about public engagement, transparency, and the use of available data in the decision-making process. Harper identified several issues she believes warrant further public discussion. Lisa Martincik of Iowa City opposed the referendum, questioning whether the proposal represents the appropriate solution and citing concerns that residents have not received sufficient responses to questions raised about the project, including mental health needs identified by community members with experience related to the current jail. Dr. Emma Denney opposed the referendum, citing concerns about the County’s limited ability to control future federal use of the facility, including potential immigration enforcement actions. Denney advocated for investments in diversion, support services, and alternatives to incarceration. Shelby of Iowa City opposed the referendum, citing concerns about the County’s limited ability to control future uses of the facility by higher levels of government and questioning the timing of previous Board decisions related to the project. Royceann Porter of Iowa City supported the referendum, noting the Board’s extensive discussions regarding the jail project and emphasizing the opportunity to address longstanding concerns related to safety, human dignity, and conditions for individuals housed and working in the facility. Amel Ali, organizer for Johnson County Deserves Better, opposed the referendum, sharing community feedback regarding alternative uses of County resources and questioning whether Supervisor Green’s support for the project aligned with his previously stated commitments to addressing racial disparities. County resident Maeve opposed the referendum and questioned the assertion that residents had sufficient opportunities to provide input, citing barriers to participation, including meetings held during working hours. Oliver Weilen of Iowa City opposed the referendum, citing financial and feasibility concerns with the project. Weilen said addressing jail conditions is not limited to approving a $100 million bond and advocated for diversion programs and alternatives to reduce the need for a larger facility. Anthony Haughton of Iowa City supported the referendum, citing his 14 years of corrections experience and personal connection to the community. Haughton said community perspectives on the project are not one-sided and encouraged discussion of cost, facility needs, and broader policy considerations. Zoey of Iowa City opposed the referendum, questioning the use of population growth projections to justify additional jail beds. Zoey cited diversion opportunities for individuals currently in the jail and advocated for alternatives to incarceration. Elizabeth Marilla-Kapp opposed the referendum, citing her experience as an educator and licensed independent social worker, and urged the County to evaluate diversion efforts, prevention programs, and alternatives to incarceration before determining additional jail capacity is needed while noting that the current jail does not have a mental health provider on staff. Motion by Sullivan, second by Green-Douglass, to approve the following consent agenda items: 1. The claims on the County Auditor’s Claim Register for August 6, 2026, in the amount of $692,429.14: 3E - City Electric Supply............. $460.00 4 Cs Of Johnson County......... $24090.56 ABC Disposal Systems............... $246.72 Adams Multimedia Ia.................... $54.47 Advanced Electrical Svs........... $2438.65 Alliant Energy.............................. $169.25 Amazon Capital Svcs................ $2000.93 Amelia Slaichert............................ $92.60 Andrew Mascher......................... $164.00 Apts In IC.................................. $1400.00 Arnold Motor Supply.................. $145.50 AT&T Mobility........................... $3697.49 Axiom Consultants .................. $3472.77 B&H Photo & Video...................... $76.95 Banacom Signs .......................... $180.00 Berry, Dunn, Mcneil & Park...... $5575.00 Billion Of Iowa City................... $1758.20 Bluebeam Software ................. $2420.00 Brad Kunkel................................... $35.94 Browns W Branch Ford ............ $3626.06 CCL Supply.................................. $479.33 Charm-Tex ................................ $2679.32 City Laundering ......................... $270.67 City Of Iowa City-Acc Rec........$6603.90 CJ Cooper & Associates............. $165.00 Colleen R O'Connell...................... $28.00 Concord Technologies................ $440.78 Consumers Coop....................$30335.60 Covenant Workplace Sol.......... $1898.05 CR Signs ..................................... $122.00
Custom Hose & Supplies............ $395.89 Dans Overhead Doors................. $935.00 Danielle Pettit-Majewski............... $39.01 Deborah Vandergaast................... $98.62 Deery Brothers Ford Loln........$17130.43 Del Ray Ridge.............................. $750.00 Delta Dental IA........................ $13623.71 DKC Real Estate ......................... $475.00 Dre Wilz........................................$400.14 Eastern IA Tire ..........................$1977.84 Eckrich Tool...............................$9577.47 Ecolab Pest Elimination.............. $109.32 Elite Fire Sprinkler Sys............... $770.00 Erin Shane..................................... $69.38 Fastenal Company........................ $65.23 Firepenny.................................... $594.95 Genevieve Anglin.......................$1195.07 Gingerich Well & Pump...............$567.63 Hawk Wash ................................ $525.00 Heartland Business Sys........ $131642.40 Heartland Shredding .................. $265.00 Holiday Mobile Home.................. $800.00 Holiday Wrecker & Crane........... $140.00 Hospers & Brother Printer...........$413.73 ImOn Communications .............. $800.00 Interstate All Battery ..................$917.85 IA Bridge & Culvert................... $3831.50 IA City MHP ................................ $664.25 IA League Of Cities................... $3500.00 IA One Call......................................$18.00 IA Paper ...................................... $985.79 Jack Paige Law Office................. $109.20 Jacob Swestka.............................. $84.00 Jefferson Point Apts................... $700.00 Jill Wenger.................................... $25.00 Johnson Ctrls Build Solut......... $2450.09 Johnson County........................ $1094.80 Johnson County Refuse............. $437.36 Jon Trouten....................................$16.76 Katie Mccune...............................$175.45 Krista Burich................................. $86.86 Kristal Wenger............................ $522.73 Kristen Silver................................ $38.51 Larry Hingtgen.................................$7.25 Legacy Emerg Vehicles ............ $3097.01 Lenoch & Cilek Ace ........................ $5.98 Lepic Rentals ............................. $800.00 Linder Tire Service .....................$141.54 Linn County............................... $4166.70 Lynette Jacoby............................ $948.26 M & A Properties........................ $700.00 Mandy Coates................................ $27.12 Marc Bauer.....................................$31.75 Marks Auto Body ..................... $8847.65 Melanie B King............................ $700.00 Menards - Iowa City.................... $750.23 MGSI Ltd..................................... $700.00 Mid Country Machinery.............. $915.84 Midamerican Energy................. $1448.97 MMS Consultants ..................... $1194.10 Mutual Wheel Company............. $600.52 Napa Auto Parts.........................$1172.98 Navigate 360..............................$2247.00 Neighborhood Ctr Of JC......... $17639.49 Neumann Monson PC..............$14701.30 Nat Institute Jail Operat.............. $145.00 Office Express Products..............$139.98 Office Machine Consult................. $57.17 Old Capitol Screen Print............... $78.98 Ottsen Oil ................................... $299.00 PB Body Shop........................... $1395.00 Pip Print & Market Srvc.............. $338.63 Pirkl Investments.........................$412.50 Pix4d ........................................ $3872.99 Point And Pay........................... $1540.55 PremiStar Iowa............................$548.16 Professional Office Svcs.......... $6016.63 Progressive Rehab Assoc............. $78.00 Psc Distribution.............................$18.77 Qualtrics ................................. $12763.00 Ricoh Usa ....................................$167.38 Sadler Power Train ........................$63.17 Sam Jarvis.................................. $345.50 Schindler Elevator....................... $868.43 Shane Mulligan........................... $164.00 Smiling Tots Daycare.................$1185.00 Staples Commercial ................. $2271.45 Stelter Enterprises ..................... $485.00 Stericycle ................................... $685.93 Storey Kenworthy Corp...............$248.74 Streichers.................................... $416.00 Student Publications.................... $40.00 Suburban Rentals 2 ................... $700.00 Swanson Construction .......... $19824.96 T-Mobile USA ............................. $245.08 Tailwind IC/Quarters At IC.......... $700.00 Tanvi Kuppachi.......................... $3000.00 Tera Denial.......................................$7.25 The Lodge Apartments............... $700.00 Tristar........................................ $3362.58 Truck Country IA .......................... $52.58 TW Training............................... $1800.00 United States Postal Svc........ $10000.00 University Of Iowa.................... $4781.40 Vanguard Appraisals ............... $4812.50 Verizon Wireless......................... $428.46 Visa............................................$1734.17 Walsh Door & Hardware........... $2150.00 Wellmark BCBS Ia................. $247000.00 William Blanchard........................... $5.80 Yotopia Frozen Yoghurt............ $1325.00 Zachary Moore............................ $164.00 2. The minutes of the Formal Meeting for July 30, 2026. 3. Payroll authorizations submitted by department heads and elected officials. 4. Conservation Easement Agreement with Nathan B. Coffelt and Beth A. Coffelt for property located at 5542 Lackender Avenue SW. Approved unanimously. Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Sullivan, to approve the Fiscal Year 2027 End License User Agreement with Granicus at Carahsoft technology Corporation, Reston, VA, for Granicus, LLC meeting and agenda software in the amount of $54,292. Approved unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 08-06-26-01 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SITE PLAN SUBMITTED BY TWS BUILDINGS, LLC FOR THE PROPERTY ADDRESSED AS 4995 WATERWAY LN SW Summary: Application SP26-000004 seeking Site Plan approval to construct a new structure for an existing business on the parcel addressed as 4995 Waterway Ln NW was filed and considered by the County Public Health and the County Planning, Development and Sustainability Departments and have no objections to approval of this Site Plan. Board action: Approve the site plan and authorize the zoning administrator to issue permits for this site in accordance with the standards set forth in the Johnson County Unified Development Ordinance. Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Sullivan, to approve Resolution No. 0806-26-01 . Approved unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 08-06-26-02 ESTABLISHING SPEED LIMIT ON F14 / SUTLIFF ROAD NE Summary: The County Engineer studied F14 / Sutliff Road NE for speed limit recommendations for Board consideration. Board action: Establish and sign
F14 / Sutliff Road NE for 55 miles per hour from the intersection of F14 / Sutliff Road NE and F12 / 140th Street NE to the county line between Johnson County and Linn County; in Sections 1, 2, 9, 10, 11, and 16, Township 81 North, Range 05 West of the 5th P.M. Motion by Green-Douglass, second by Remington, to approve Resolution No. 08-06-26-02 . Approved unanimously. Motion by Green-Douglass, second by Sullivan, to approve Resolution No. 08-06-26-03. Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Remington, to amend the proposed bond referendum language to read: "Shall the County of Johnson, State of Iowa, issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding $94,500,000 and an additional $30,000,000 in interest for the purpose of acquiring land and constructing, equipping and furnishing a new sheriff’s office and jail facility?" Fixmer-Oraiz said the amendment would improve transparency by informing voters of the estimated total cost. Sullivan and Green supported retaining the proposed ballot language, noting it was developed in consultation with bond counsel. Green directed roll call on the amendment. Motion failed, 2-3, with Green, Green-Douglass, and Sullivan voting nay. Green returned to the main motion and asked if there was additional discussion. Fixmer-Oraiz began reading from Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised. Green questioned the germaneness of the comments. Fixmer-Oraiz said the material was relevant because it addressed Board procedure and stated an intention to continue reading. Green requested a motion to call the previous question. Motion by Sullivan, second by Green-Douglass, to call the previous question. Motion approved, 3-2, with Fixmer-Oraiz and Remington voting nay. RESOLUTION NO. 08-06-26-03 RESOLUTION SETTING NOVEMBER 3, 2026, AS THE DATE FOR AN ELECTION ON THE PROPOSITION OF ENTERING INTO A LOAN AGREEMENT AND ISSUING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING A COUNTY JAIL PROJECT WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors (the “Board”) of Johnson County, Iowa (the “County”) has deemed it necessary and advisable that the County be authorized to enter into a loan agreement and issue bonds in a principal amount not exceeding $94,500,000 to finance the cost of acquiring land and constructing, equipping and furnishing a new sheriff’s office and jail facility (the “Project”); and WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 331.402, 331.442 and 39.2(4)(d) of the Code of Iowa, before the County may enter into a loan agreement and issue its bonds for such purposes, the County must hold a special election upon such proposition on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and receive a favorable vote from at least 60% of the total votes cast at such special election; and WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 331.442 of the Code of Iowa, as part of the Board’s action to set a date for an election on such proposition, the Board must publish notice of such proposition, including a statement of the amount and purposes of the loan agreement and the bonds to be issued, a statement of the estimated cost of the Project, and an estimate of the annual increase in property taxes as the result of the bond issuance on a residential property with an actual value of one hundred thousand dollars, which notice must be published, as provided in Section 331.305 of the Code of Iowa, with the minutes of the meeting at which the Board adopts a resolution setting the date for an election on the question of entering into the loan agreement and issuing such bonds, and which notice must be mailed, as provided in Section 39.5 of the Code of Iowa, to each registered voter within the jurisdiction; NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Johnson County, Iowa, as follows: Section 1. The Board of Supervisors intends to undertake the Project at an estimated cost of $94,500,000. In accordance with Section 331.442 of the Code of Iowa, this cost figure is an estimate and shall not be binding on the Board in later proceedings related to the Project. Section 2. A special county election is hereby called and ordered to be held in and for the County in conjunction with the general election on November 3, 2026, at which there will be submitted to the voters of the County the following proposition: “Shall the County of Johnson, State of Iowa, issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding the amount of $94,500,000 for the purpose of acquiring land and constructing, equipping and furnishing a new sheriff’s office and jail facility?” Section 3. It is estimated the annual increase in property taxes on a residential property with an actual valuation of one hundred thousand dollars resulting from issuing the bonds will be $88.00. However, the Board of Supervisors may determine in any fiscal year the debt is outstanding to alternatively budget from any other available revenues for the payment of principal, interest, and premium, if any, pursuant to the terms of the bonds. The jail facility component of the Project is to be designed for a total bed capacity of 140, with readiness for no more than 120 beds upon initial construction. Section 4. All of the foregoing matters are adopted and resolved by this Board, and the County Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to issue a proclamation and notice of the proposition and of the time and place of the election and to take all other actions necessary pursuant to state law to conduct the election. In addition, in accordance with Sections 331.305, 331.442 and 39.5 of the Code of Iowa, the County Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to publish the minutes of the Board meeting at which this Resolution is adopted, including the full text of this Resolution, and to publish along with those minutes the Board’s Notice of Special Bond Election that is attached to this Resolution, in one or more newspapers published in and having general circulation in the County, and to mail the Board’s Notice of Special
Bond Election to each registered voter within the jurisdiction. Section 5..................All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed, to the extent of such conflict. Green directed roll call on the original motion by Green-Douglass, second by Sullivan, to approve Resolution No. 08-06-26-03. Motion approved 3-2 with Fixmer-Oraiz and Remington voting nay. NOTICE OF SPECIAL BOND ELECTION The Board of Supervisors of Johnson County, Iowa, hereby gives notice that a special county election will be held on November 3, 2026, at which there will be submitted to the voters of the County the following proposition: “Shall the County of Johnson, State of Iowa, issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding the amount of $94,500,000 for the purpose of acquiring land and constructing, equipping and furnishing a new sheriff’s office and jail facility?” It is estimated the annual increase in property taxes on a residential property with an actual valuation of one hundred thousand dollars resulting from issuing the bonds will be $88.00. This estimate represents the maximum taxpayer cost and may be adjusted down depending on the final repayment schedule. However, the Board of Supervisors may determine in any fiscal year the debt is outstanding to alternatively budget from any other available revenues for the payment of principal, interest, and premium, if any, pursuant to the terms of the bonds. The jail facility component of the project is to be designed for a total bed capacity of 140, with readiness for no more than 120 beds upon initial construction. In accordance with Section 331.442 of the Code of Iowa, the Board also hereby gives notice that the estimated cost of the project to be financed is $94,500,000. This cost figure is an estimate and shall not be binding on the Board in later proceedings related to the projects. JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Adjourned at 9:50 a.m. /s/Jon Green, Chair, Johnson County Board of Supervisors Attest: /s/Julie Persons, Johnson County Auditor
On the 13th day of August, 2026 Recorded by Auditor’s Office: Marly Melsh, Executive Clerk to the Board These minutes were sent for formal approval and publication on August 13, 2026. Published in the Solon Economist August 20, 2026.
SOLON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 5, 2026 Mayor Dan O’Neil called to order the regular City Council meeting at 5:30 pm. Roll Call: Tim Gordon, Greg Morris, Andrew Kramer, Matt Macke and John Farlinger – Via Zoom. Also Present: Cami Rasmussen City Administrator, Kevin Olson City Attorney, Dave Schechinger City Engineer and Susie Siddell City Clerk. Motion by Gordon to approve the agenda. Seconded by Morris. Roll Call Vote: Gordon, Morris, Farlinger, Kramer and Macke. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 5-0. Citizen Speak: Tracy Overton – 932 Long Drive stated he has lived in his home since April 2025. He has been trying to sell his home stating he feels it has not sold because the development is set up as a condo division and would like council to consider changing the subdivision to deeded lots. Dave Richards representing the Solon Food Panty stated they are running out of space and would like council to consider an area for future space. Phil Kakacek was also present stating to the council they are running out of space for the food pantry. Consent Agenda: Motion by Kramer to approve the July 1, 2026 regular meeting minutes, approval of list of bills, treasurer’s report and transfers, building permits, liquor license renewal for Casey’s 1200 S Market LE0002498 and Sam’s Main Street Market Ownership Change LE0001557, and event application for Core4 Event August 15, 2026. Seconded by Gordon. Roll Call Vote: Kramer, Macke, Gordon, Morris and Farlinger. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 5-0. Fire Department Report: Morris stated they are staying busy, averaging three to four calls a day. Sheriff’s Report: None Public Works Superintendent Report: Kris Richardson state it was a good Beef Days, they will be starting before school work and Party At The Pad August 12th. Ryan Stebral stated the 1st Street Project is finished, the work will help with water issues, they’ve also been putting mulch at all the parks. Dave Richards stated the water tower project is completed, they will still have some seeding to finish. Library Report: None City Engineer Report: Schechinger stated the last waivers have been filed and approved by the DNR on the new WWTP, sixty percent of the plans are due at the end of the month and they have been working on a flood study from the June 11th. City Attorney: None LRS Report: Rupert Jemmott informed council they have hired twelve new drivers and new office staff Recognitions: Susie Siddell 20 Year Anniversary as Solon City Clerk: Mayo O’Neil congratulated Siddell on her 20 years. Old Business: Saddleback Estates Concept: Brian Boelk, 934 Long Drive stated since 2022 there have been eight houses built, what they are asking is defining the lots giving ownership of the lots to the homeowners. Steve Gordon stated they have talked with all the homeowners and they will sign a document. Tracy Overton, 932 Long Drive stated he has been trying to
sell his property and feels it would help if the homeowners owned their lots. Mayor O’Neil stated he is not in favor of changing the zoning from R1 to R3, this would make them none conforming lots and feels if the change was allowed it would set a precedent and the possibility of a future developer wanting smaller lots. Gordon stated he agreed with Mayor O’Neil. Macke questioned if homeowners knew what they were buying when purchasing their homes with Overton and Boelk stating they did. Kramer stated he agreed with the other council members with Morris stating he felt it would cause future problems. Denny Hansen stated he was previously on Planning & Zoning which they had many questions and was assured by developers all was good with what they were planning but now they are wanting changes. New Business: Resolution No. 26-32 Address Change Request: Rasmussen stated Vandeberg’s at 700 Cedar Bend Ct. contacted her in late January with the request for an address change, they stated there was confusion with deliveries and have concerns with emergency responses. Rasmussen stated it is fairly common with having confusion in new builds in developments with no markings on a house or in the yard. Vandeberg’s will need to change their titles and changing the address will create more confusion. Farlinger questioned if there is any liability for the city. Olson stated there would not be. Motion by Morris to approve Resolution No. 26-32 Address Change Request. Seconded by Macke. Roll Call Vote: Gordon, Kramer, Macke, Morris and Farlinger. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 5-0. Resolution No. 26-33 Solon School Administration Building Site Plan: Rasmussen stated this was for the new school administration building which is located on two separate lots which will need to become one lot. Rasmussen stated there were questions concerning second street on the side of the community center, this will need to be vacated by the city. Schechinger stated they will be requesting a parking variance and will look at landscaping and lighting on the building. Motion by Macke to approve Resolution No. 26-33 subject to vacating second street, subject of the changes and approval of the plat of survey. Seconded by Kramer. Roll Call Vote: Gordon, Morris, Farlinger, Macke and Kramer. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 5-0. Resolution No. 26-34 Set Public Hearing: Rasmussen stated this is to hold a public hearing on August 19th regarding vacating a portion of second street. Motion by Morris to approve Resolution No. 26-34. Seconded by Macke. Roll Call Vote: Kramer, Macke, Gordon, Morris and Farlinger. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 5-0. Resolution No. 26-35 Solon Community Housing Corporation Site Plan Amendment: Rasmussen stated this would change the original developer’s agreement. Schechinger stated they would change landscaping moving some trees and they are requesting adding one more unit and the parking variance will need to change. Representative Mark Takes stated they are also requesting connection and impact fees to be waived as they were for Meadowlark in the past. It was stated that was 2000-2008. Morris questioned if the churches and schools fees have been waived. Rasmussen stated they have not been. Council stated they were not in favor of forgiving connection-impact fees with the city having a big project such as the new WWTP. Motion to approve Resolution No. 26-34 without approving the connection – impact fee forgiveness request. Seconded by Macke. Roll Call Vote: Kramer, Macke, Morris, Gordon and Farlinger. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 5-0. Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling Services Fox Ridge Part 5 – Scope of Services: Schechinger stated he felt things should move quickly. The scope of the work will model the flows during the June rain events, assess the current storm drainage capacity and design effectiveness, and provide recommendations including cost estimates to improve stormwater management in three areas. It will take about six weeks the cost of the scope of services will be $33,69.00. Motion by Morris to move forward. Seconded by Kramer. Roll Call Vote: Macke – Abstain. Ayes. Kramer, Gordon, Morris and Farlinger. Motion Carried. 4 Ayes with 1 Abstain. Resolution No. 26-36 Public Meeting Agenda Notice: Olson stated a law has been passed, the city will only need to post the agenda on the website and at city hall. Motion by Macke to approve Resolution No. 26-36. Seconded by Gordon. Roll Call Vote: Gordon, Morris, Farlinger, Macke and Kramer. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 5-0. Other Business: Council Committees: Streets: Rasmussen stated there will be a possible meeting August 19th. Utilities: None Finance: A purchasing policy is being reviewed Personnel: Building Needs/Growth: Rasmussen stated RFP’s due at 2pm on August 7th Police: None City/School: There will be a meeting July 8th Community Center: None Fringe Area Agreement: City Clerk Report: None City Administrator Comments: Rasmussen went over the new rates stating council/finance committee changed the minimum usage from 1500 gallons to 1000 gallons, there is a letter on the website to explain fees. Rasmussen reminded all clean up day is Saturday 7-9am. Council Comments: None Mayor Comments: Mayor O’Neil stated it was a successful Beef Days and thanked all involved. Motion by Morris to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 pm. Seconded by Macke. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 5-0 ATTEST Susie Siddell, City Clerk Dan O’Neil, Mayor Published in the Solon Economist
SOLONECONOMIST.COM August 20, 2026.
CITY OF SOLON LIST OF BILLS
AUGUST 5, 2026 VENDOR DESC AMOUNT FREEMAN ALARM A TECH ALARM MONITORING.............................. $165.00 AERO RENTAL BALE CHOPPER. $203.50 AETNA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LEAGUE OF CITIES ................................... $109.50 AGVANTAGE FS FUEL.............. $4,036.67 ALLEN, JEFF MUSIC ON MAIN... $600.00 ALLIANT UTILITIES UTILITIES................ ................................................$25,627.70 AUSTIN, CRYSTAL UTILITY DEPOSIT REFUND...................................... $150.00 AUTO MEDIC NEW TIRES........... $340.00 BANWART, STEPHANIE UTILITY DEPOSIT REFUND........................... $150.00 BOHLEN, BRODIE CELL REIMB.... $60.00 BRUCE WRIGHT MUSIC ON MAIN........... .................................................... $600.00 BUSINESS RADIO RADIO SERVICE......... .................................................... $168.99 CARQUEST PARTS-SUPPLIES... $165.84 CAT FINANCIAL CONTRACT PAYMENT WHEEL LOADER...................... $2,071.35 CAT FINANCIAL CONTRACT PAYMENT... .................................................. $1,119.48 CHEMSEARCH SUPPLIES........$1,184.00 COMMERCIAL RECREATION SPEC. PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT.... $1,240.00 CONCRETE POLYFIX CONCRETE REPAIR......................................... $6,450.00 CORE & MAIN PARTS-SUPPLIES............ ................................................. $1,365.72 CORRIDOR ENERGY COOPERATIVE UTILITIES.................................... $785.73 COVE EQUIPMENT KUBATO REPAIR....... ..................................................$1,689.74 CYBRARIAN CORPORATION ANNUAL SUPSCRIPTION.......................... $699.00 DELTA DENTAL OF IOWA INSURANCE.... .....................................................$115.46 DISCOUNT CELL LLC SERVICE AGREEMENT........................................ $8,813.70 DREA ELECTRIC OUTSIDE LIGHTSCITY HALL.................................. $462.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SYSTEMS FLEX FEE................................................ $85.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SYSTEMS FLEX FEE................................................ $85.00 E'S FLORALS MEMORIAL STONESCOTT........................................... $58.00 ESGATE, ETHAN CELL REIMB...... $40.00 EUROFINS ENVIRONMENT TESTING TESTING....................................$1,757.43 EVER-GREEN LANDSCAPE NURSERY MULCH..................................... $8,320.00 F J KROB & CO BARN LIME.............$6.13 FEIGHTS, JASON MUSIC ON MAIN.......... .................................................... $800.00 FRERICHS, BRITTANY UTILITY DEPOSIT REFUND.................................. $150.00 GLODEK, DIANE UTILITY DEPOSIT REFUND........................................... $150.00 GORDON FLESCH COMPANY CONTRACT PAYMENT................ $196.43 GORDON FLESCH COMPANY CONTRACT PAYMENT- CITY HALL.......... .....................................................$227.03 HAWKINS INC CHEMICALS.......... $30.00 HAWKINS INC CHEMICALS........ $502.71 HI-LINE INC SHOP SUPPLIES...... $78.00 HI-LINE INC SHOP SUPPLIES.... $260.33 HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK CONTRACT PAYMENT............. $1,464.98 INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES BOOKS..... .................................................... $854.93 INSTALLED RITE CITY SHOP AC............. .................................................... $275.00 IOWA ASSM OF MUNICIPAL SAFETY TRAININGQT FEE..................... $2,771.66 IOWA COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK LIBRARY INTERNET................... $188.00 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL ANNUAL WATER SUPPLY FEE.... $324.87 IOWA ONE CALL LOCATES..........$112.80 IRT SERVICES & CLEARLY CLEAN WINDOW CLEANING.................... $90.00 IWORQ SYSTEMS PERMIT MANAGEMENT........................ $2,750.00 JOHNSON COUNTY RECORDER RECORDINGS................................ $56.00 JOHNSON COUNTY RECORDER RECORDINGS................................ $28.00 JOHNSON COUNTY SHERRIFF CONTRACT PAYMENT........... $12,423.67 KONICA MINOLTA BUS. SOLUTIONS IT SUPPORT..................................$1,871.60 KONICA MINOLTA BUS. SOLUTIONS IT SUPPORT..................................$1,871.60 LAWSON PRODUCTS SHOP SUPPLIES... .................................................... $218.06 LED LIGHTING CREW FLASHING SIGNS SUPPLIES................................. $1,642.72 LIBERTY DOORS COMMUNITY CENTER OFFICE LOCK............................... $383.00 LINDSEY'S STITCHINS VBALL-TENNIS CAMP SHIRTS............................. $392.00 LRS- JOHNSON COUNTY REFUSE TRASH/RECYCLE...................$20,563.00 LRS- JOHNSON COUNTY REFUSE TRASH/RECYCLE...................$20,563.00 MCCLOUD PEST SOLUTIONS PEST CONTROL.......................................$89.10 MICHAEL, DJ OR RACHEL UTILITY DEPOSIT REFUND....................... $150.00 MIDAMERICA BOOKS BOOKS.....$427.40 MIDAMERICAN ENERGY UTILITIES......... .................................................... $313.08 MIDAMERICAN ENERGY UTILITIES......... .......................................................$14.76 MIDWEST TAPE VIDEOS............ $223.90 MT VERNON ACE HARDWARE SUPPLIES- WEED EATER........... $425.95 MT VERNON ACE HARDWARE PARTS.... .................................................... $123.83 MTI DISTRIBUTING INC TORO MOWER.. ............................................... $16,372.28 NATHAN SVEC CELL REIMB......... $60.00 NEWKIRK, ALEX MUSIC ON MAIN.......... .................................................... $800.00 NORTH LIBERTY LIBRARY DUESMEMBERSHIP................................$87.60 NORTHLAND SECURITIES ANNUAL AGENT FEE.................................. $550.00 NOST, MATT CELL REIMB............ $40.00 OFFICE EXPRESS SUPPLIES.......$175.54 OLSON, KEVIN ATTORNEY FEES............. ................................................. $2,252.33 OTTING, BOB MUSIC ON MAIN.. $600.00 OVERDRIVE AUDIOS................$1,947.36 RASSMUSSEN, CAMI CELL REIMB......... ...................................................... $60.00 RESENDIZ, VICTOR MILEAGE REIMB...... .........................................................$9.10 RICHARDS, DAVE CELL REIMB.... $60.00 RICHARDSON, KATHY SHERRI'S ANNIVERSARY............................ $150.00 RICHARDSON, KRIS CELL REIMB........... ...................................................... $60.00 RJZ EXPRESS FUEL................. $1,539.29 RJZ EXPRESS FUEL................. $1,466.65 ROBERTSON, BRADY CELL REIMB......... ...................................................... $40.00 SAM'S MAIN STREET MARKET SUP-
SOLONECONOMIST.COM PLIES..............................................$95.11 SCHIMBERG CO ROADWAY MAINTENANCE...................................... $2,988.56 SCIENCE CENTER OF DES MOINES MEMBERSHIP............................. $250.00 SCOTT, AUSTINA LIBRARY PROGRAM... .....................................................$397.00 SOLON FEED MILL INC COPPER SULFATE...............................................$11.50 SOLON FEED MILL INC CONTRACTOR MIXTURE.....................................$211.00 SOLON HARDWARE SUPPLIES... $90.96 SOLON SENIOR DINING SITE COORDINATOR.................................... $15,000.00 SOUTHSLOPE COOPERATIVE PHONE-INTERNET................... $1,692.04 STATE HYGIENIC LABORATORY TESTING.......................................... $8.50 STEBRAL, RYAN CELL REIMB..... $60.00 STUDENT PUBLICATIONS PUBLICATIONS........................................$1,183.26 SUSIE SIDDELL CELL REIMB....... $60.00 TYLER TECHNOLOGIES ERP PRO 10 SOFTWARE.............................. $2,066.25 ULINE SUPPLIES........................ $579.67 UMB BANK, N.A. BOND FEE....... $600.00 UNITYPOINT CLINIC-OCCUPATION DRUG TESTING............................. $42.00 US POSTMASTER WATER BILL MAILIN.. ................................................. $1,019.85 USA BLUEBOOK PARTS-CHEMICALS..... ..................................................$2,792.14 VEENSTRA & KIMM ENGINEER FEE WWTP DESIGN.....................$286,517.88 VEENSTRA & KIMM ENGINEER FEE EL SOL SERVICE INVESTIGATION................ ............................................. $498,790.13 VIKING INDUSTRIAL PAINTING WATER TOWER CONTRACT............... $79,818.00 WELLMARK BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD INSURANCE............................. $9,456.33 WILMER, ADDI TUMBLING INSTRUCTOR............................................. $140.00 ZIMMERMAN, BRAXTON CREDIT-WATER BILL....................................... $69.54 TOTAL................................ $1,071,942.22 Published in the Solon Economist August 20, 2026.
CLASSIFIEDS Wanted WANTED: JUNK APPLIANCES. Will pick up for free. Farm clean-up, batteries. Will buy junk cars. 319-331-8122.
Miscellaneous
PUBLIC NOTICES/NEWS
SOLON ECONOMIST | THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026 | 11
School Board drafts potential approach to new athletic law Since their last meeting on July 16, the board has been discussing how to address the new state law allowing eighth graders to participate in high school sports during academic year 2026-27 Grace Escritt Solon Economist
news@soloneconomist.com
In preparation for tonight’s meeting (Thursday, August 20), the Solon Community School District’s Board of Education has spent the past month trying to determine how it will address House File 2591, a new state law allowing eighth graders to participate in high school sports, during academic year 2026-27. Board members Cassie Rochholz and Megan Laing — who serve on the Governance Committee — are the two individuals primarily responsible for drafting this academic year’s updated policy regarding student activity programs. Rochholz said after receiving nuanced feedback on their first draft at the board’s July 16 meeting,
she and Laing conducted thorough research regarding what the most beneficial, equitable approach would be. Rochholz said in conducting their research, she and Laing spoke with surrounding districts — such as other schools in the WaMaC Conference — about what approach they plan to take. The two board members also spoke with Solon superintendent Davis Eidahl and activities director Casey Hack about their views as well as how to properly address this new law in line with the district’s strategic plans and goals. Counselor, teacher and parent input was considered as well. Rounding out each of these individual discussions, one of the greatest deciding factors in the district’s current desired approach was a two-hour meeting between Solon middle and high school coaches about how allowing eighth graders would look in each program. “In every one of those scenarios, the number one person we thought of — or was at the heart of it — was the student and the student’s wellbeing in the physical sense, in the academic sense, in the social and mental capacity sense, as well as even the skill ability sense,” Rochholz said. “It’s a multifaceted approach.” As confirmed by Eidahl, if the
board’s current desired approach were passed, an eighth grader may be allowed to participate in high school athletics if it is believed that student would contribute meaningfully at the high school level. However, a prospect of meaningful contribution is only the first requirement a student would have to meet. Eidahl said that in addition to assessing an eighth grader’s athletic skill and ability, that student would also be evaluated in terms of academic performance and attendance. The student would also be required to meet a standard of physical preparedness as well as mental, emotional and social maturity to ensure they would be able to meet the demands of high school athletics. Finally, three main levels of approval would need to be gained. “It would start there with the coaches,” Eidahl said. “The coaches would bring in administration, and we’d look at more than just their accolades in the sports arena, but we’d look at how they are currently handling…all the important factors of school. If all those boxes were checked from that group…then they would approach the parent.” In the case an eighth grader were pulled up, they would not be allowed to play that sport at the middle school level at the same time. Eidahl also clarified that if a
2026 Iowa State Fair 4-H Horse Show results
Audien Hearing. The world’s first hearing aid with touchscreen controls. No tiny buttons, apps or prescriptions. 45-day risk free trial. Showmanship Horse/Ranch Horse/Walk/Trot (Horse only), Free shipping. Lifetime Horse/Showmanship/Exhibitor Grade 10 – Grades 11-12 – Bella Krieger, JoCo H&P, Red ribsupport. More than 1.5 milElsie Thiel, Johnson County Horse and Pony Club bon. Addison Schultes, Graham Champions (GC), lion happy customers. Call (JoCo H&P), Red ribbon Blue ribbon. Kendall Jones, JoCo H&P, Purple ribAudien 1-855-304-1545 bon. Brylee Miller, JoCo H&P, Blue ribbon
Ranch Horse
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Horse/Ranch Horse/Ranch Rail Pleasure – Exhibitor Grades 7-8 – Lilly Neuzil, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon. Bristol Bernhard, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon Horse/Ranch Horse/Ranch Rail Pleasure – Exhibitor Grades 9-10 – Elsie Thiel, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon. Aubrey Keeler-Wilson, JoCo H&P – Red ribbon Horse/Ranch Horse/Ranch Rail Pleasure – Exhibitor Grades 11-12 – Bella Krieger, JoCo H&P – Blue ribbon. Kendall Jones, JoCo H&P – Blue ribbon. Brylee Miller, JoCo H&P – Red ribbon Horse/Ranch Horse/Conformation Mares (3-7 years) – Kendall Jones, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon. Brylee Miller, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon Horse/Ranch Horse/Conformation Mares (8 years & over) – Bella Krieger, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon Horse/Ranch Horse/Conformation Geldings (8 years & over) – Piper Smith, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon. Quincey Smith, JoCo H&P, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place, Reserve Champion Horse/Ranch Horse/Walk/Trot (Horse only, Grades 5-6) – Quincey Smith, JoCo H&P, Purple ribbon, 2nd Place, Reserve Champion Horse/Ranch Horse/Walk/Trot (Horse only, Grades 7-8) – Bristol Bernhard, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon. Lilly Neuzil, JoCo H&P, Blue ribbon. Piper Smith, JoCo H&P, Blue ribbon Horse/Ranch Horse/Walk/Trot (Horse only), Grades 9-10 – Elsie Thiel, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon. Aubrey Keeler-Wilson, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon
English
Horse/English/Hunter Under Saddle (Horse only), Grades 9-10 – Elsie Thiel JoCo H&P, Blue ribbon Horse/English/Hunter Under Saddle (Horse only), Grades 11-12 – Kendall Jones, JoCo H&P, Senior Reserve Champion, Hunter Under Saddle Champion, Purple ribbon, 1st place Horse/English/English Walk/Trot (Horse only), Grades 9-10 – Elsie Thiel, JoCo H&P, Purple ribbon Horse/English/English Walk/Trot (Horse only), Grades 11-12 – Kendall Jones, JoCo H&P, Blue ribbon
Timed Events and Games
Horse/Timed Events and Games/Barrel Racing-Exhibitor Grades 5-6 – Quincey Smith, JoCo H&P, Blue ribbon Horse/Timed Events and Games/Barrel Racing-Exhibitor Grades 7-8 – Piper Smith, JoCo H&P, Blue ribbon Horse/Timed Events and Games/Barrel Racing-Exhibitor Grades 9-10 – Aubrey Keeler-Wilson, JoCo H&P, White ribbon Horse/Timed Events and Games/Barrel Racing-Exhibitor Grades 11-12 – Brylee Miller, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon Horse/Timed Events and Games/Flags (modified pattern)-Exhibitor grades 5-6 – Quincey Smith, JoCo H&P, Blue ribbon
student were pulled up, that does not mean they would be guaranteed a varsity spot. Although the board anticipates this plan will be put into effect during academic year 2026-27, Rochholz and Eidahl emphasized an eighth grader being pulled up would be the rare exception, not the rule. As superintendent, Eidahl would want to see this allowance roll out slowly and intentionally. “We are very mindful and not opening it up too broadly, because we need to go slow,” Rochholz said. “We need to really surface the data, evaluate, give feedback and continue to move through the process — while we don’t necessarily prohibit the opportunity should it present further down the road.” The board’s policy regarding student activity programs for the 2026-27 academic year currently remains in draft state; that is, the ideas mentioned above are not yet set in stone and have not yet passed. The board plans to conduct its second (of three) reading and make more concrete decisions at tonight’s meeting. As the board’s meetings are always public, Rochholz encourages constituents to attend as well as to voice any comments or questions to the board. Tonight’s meeting will commence at 5:45 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room, 301 S. Iowa St.
Horse/Timed Events and Games/Flags (modified pattern)-Exhibitor grades 7-8 – Bristol Bernhard, JoCo H&P, Blue ribbon. Piper Smith, JoCo H&P, Blue ribbon Horse/Timed Events and Games/Flags (modified pattern)-Exhibitor grades 9-10 Aubrey Keeler-Wilson, JoCo H&P, Blue ribbon Horse/Timed Events and Games/Flags (modified pattern)-Exhibitor grades 11-12 – Addison Schultes, GC, 3rd Place, Purple ribbon. Brylee Miller, JoCo H&P, White ribbon Horse/Timed Events and Games/Pole Bending-Exhibitor grades 5-6 – Quincey Smith, JoCo H&P, 3rd Place, purple ribbon Horse/Timed Events and Games/Pole Bending-Exhibitor grades 7-8 – Bristol Bernhard, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon. Lilly Neuzil, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon. Piper Smith, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon Horse/Timed Events and Games/Pole Bending-Exhibitor grades 9-10 – Aubrey Keeler-Wilson, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon Horse/Timed Events and Games/Pole Bending-Exhibitor grades 11-12 – Addison Schultes, GC, Blue ribbon. Brylee Miller, JoCo H&P, Red ribbon
Guided Ranch Riding
Horse/Guided Ranch Riding/Grades 5-6 – Quincey Smith, JoCo H&P, White ribbon Horse/Guided Ranch Riding/Grade 7 – Piper Smith, JoCo. H &P, 3rd Place, Red ribbon Horse/Guided Ranch Riding/Grade 9 – Lilly Neuzil, JoCo. H & P, 2nd Place, Red ribbon, Reserve Champion Horse/Guided Ranch Riding/Grade 10 – Elsie Thiel, JoCo. H & P, White ribbon Horse/Guided Ranch Riding/Grade 11 – Bella Krieger, JoCo. H&P, Red ribbon. Kendall Jones, JoCo H&P, Blue ribbon Horse/Guided Ranch Riding/Grade 11 – Addison Schultes, GC, Blue ribbon, 3rd Place
2026 Iowa State Fair 4-H Static Display results Static/Creative Arts/Photography – Emma Fencl, Graham Champions (GC), 8x10 matted photo of swallowtail butterfly on purple flowers, Blue ribbon Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/Child Development – Madison Singbeil, Macbride’s Pride (MP), Plastic bin with title page on it with pink paper and three sensory jars inside with prompt cards, White ribbon
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/Consumer Management – Mackenna Craig , MP, Red tri-fold poster entitled “Beyond the Blanket” with four constructed red fleece items: pillow, pull dog toy, scarf, and pet bed, Blue ribbon Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/Home Improvement – Mackenna Craig, MP, Fall silk flower arrangement in white Ball jar in light green folder, Blue ribbon
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/Sewing & Needle Arts: Constructed Item – Mackenzie Craig, MP, University of Northern Iowa Jelly Roll Rug, Blue ribbon Static/Personal Development/Leadership – Madison Singbeil, MP, Large tri-fold poster with picture and colorful paper on the “Importance of Youth Leadership in Communities,” and black binder. Blue ribbon
NEWS
12 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026 | SOLON ECONOMIST
Solon musician makes it home for Music on Main
Jake Rebman and The Waitin’ Rounders play original songs, and classic country covers with steel guitarist Chase Samek
performance for Music on Main, a concert series dedicated this year in memory of Scott Kleppe. “I started writing poems when I was 15, and then my dad would help me put them to chords on the guitar,” said Jake Rebman, the lead singer and songwriter for his group: The Waitin’ Rounders. Eventually Rebman began to learn guitar John Charlson on his own, also playing Solon Economist bass for his father’s country news@soloneconomist.com cover bands. That experience exposed Rebman to It was a clear night last the music of country legends Wednesday as families and like Merle Haggard, Waylon friends made it to the main- Jennings, and Willie Nelson. stage to hear Jake Rebman “I think the other guys in the and The Waitin’ Rounders in band have a broader music the final regularly scheduled taste than I do, but that’s
who I listen to.” The other guys in the band consist of Jameson Mundy on bass, electric guitarist Dusty Cawley, Chase Samek on steel guitar, and drummer Linc Stephens. “I grew up with jazz band in high school, playing the trumpet, and then listened to Dave Matthews a lot, got into heavy metal, and then there was a good EDM stage,” said Mundy, with Stephens adding that he listened to mostly punk and indie rock growing up. The Waitin’ Rounders’ diverse musical background might put off some classic country purists, but once the band begins to play, it’s clear that each member has a passion for the music they have all grown to love. The Waitin’ Rounders are based around Rebman’s hometown of Peoria, IL. It was in 2022 that Rebman released his debut album, Songwriting Competition, and soon after began looking for a band to play with. “Oddly enough, I didn’t listen to country music until I was 21. I despised it,” said Chase Samek, who plays steel guitar, and was the first musician to join Rebman for The Waitin’ Rounders. Born and raised in Solon, Samek graduated from Solon High before joining the army, and getting stationed at Fort Riley in Kansas. “I grew up in the ‘90s, so it was Vince Gill and that sort of thing,” said Samek, who adds that it wasn’t until he
CORE4 from 1
Photos by John Charlson | Solon Economist
Front page: Riders sporting Briar Ridge Bikes jerseys maneuver through the Lake Macbride Spillway during the fifth annual core4 gravel cycling race at Macbride Nature Recreation Area in Johnson County on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Top: A rider maneuver sthrough the Lake Macbride Spillway during the fifth annual core4 gravel cycling race at Macbride Nature Recreation Area in Johnson County on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Above: Brian Fitzpatrick from the Solon Centennial Lions Club helps guide riders down the Lake Macbride Spillway.
was going through the radio stations at Fort Riley, that he discovered the classic country station, “and then I kind of dug it, and realized, ‘oh, that’s what country music is.’” Now, Samek is responsible for the signature country sound that The Waitin’ Rounders provide. Between original songs by Rebman and covers from artists like Merle Haggard, Tyler Childers, and Kris Kristofferson, Samek performed a solo set on the mainstage. “I moved to Illinois and I play all the time, but I never
SOLONECONOMIST.COM
get to play for my family, so it’s nice to be able to play for some familiar faces,” said Samek, who sang some Lefty Frizzell and Roger Miller songs while playing acoustic guitar for his mom, brother, and nephew in attendance Wednesday night; he even dedicated his rendition of “Dang Me” by Roger Miller to his grandmother who passed away in May. Wednesday’s crowd was as big and welcoming as ever, however it won’t be the last time Solon gathers for a Music on Main performance
this year. After being cancelled due to high heat, the accordion wielding, polka artist Barefoot Becky will be performing on the mainstage Saturday, September 5th, at 10 a.m. Until then, Solon will be left with the energetic country and folk music of Jake Rebman, who says playing in Solon is something he and his band have begun to look forward to. “This is our third town square gig we’ve played this summer. We like it a lot, Chase likes getting back here.”
Photos by John Charlson | Solon Economist
Above left: Chase Samek performs a solo set during Jake Rebman and The Waitin’ Rounders’ performance at Music on Main in Solon Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Above: Ryan Burr (left) plays with daughter Harper while Alivia Bieber (right) watches during Jake Rebman and The Waitin’ Rounders’ performance at Music on Main in Solon Wednesday, August 12, 2026.