Citywide Clean Up Day is this Saturday
Solon’s annual Citywide Clean Up Day will be held Saturday, August 8, 7-9 a.m. at the Solon Recreation and Nature Area (SRNA).
This is a resident’s only (within Solon city limits) opportunity and an ID with address will be required.
Acceptable items for disposal include furniture, grills (NO propane tanks), bikes, and all other hard to get rid of items. Empty paint cans (dried out, no lid) will be accepted.
Tires will be accepted for $10 each.
Appliances accepted: microwaves, TVs, air conditioners, dishwashers, freezers, humidifiers, stoves, washers, and driers.
Also accepted: any electronics, lawn mowers, weed whackers, and other gas engines (must be emptied of gas) will be accepted at $20 each.
Items NOT accepted: yard waste, household trash, major home remodeling debris, construction debris, propane tanks, and batteries. Call City Hall, 319-624-3755 with any questions.
Iowa’s annual Sales Tax Holiday is this weekend
Iowa Department of Revenue
DES MOINES — Don’t forget Iowa’s Annual Sales Tax Holiday on Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8. This annual break from sales tax is the perfect time to save on clothes or shoes before the kids head back to school or even something special for the upcoming holiday season. Not interested in leaving your house? Online sales are included if they are ordered and paid for during the exemption period.
In general, select clothing and footwear are tax exempt, meaning no state sales tax will be collected, but there are restrictions. Visit the Sales Tax Holiday page, https:// revenue.iowa.gov/taxes/tax-guidance/sales-use-excise-tax/ iowas-annual-sales-tax-holiday, for full details.
King Bruce performs for the Solon mainstage, handing out scarves and teddy bears while singing Elvis’s classics for all to hear
John Charlson Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com
While the summer heat died down last Wednesday afternoon, music lovers flocked
‘You
Solon Fire Department hosts grain bin rescue training
John Charlson Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com
The Solon Fire Department hosted a free, multi-departmental training day on grain bin rescues Saturday. The training session
to Solon’s mainstage for the third to last Music on Main performance; a concert series dedicated to longtime Solon servant, Scott Kleppe.
“I’ve loved Elvis my whole life, so I just sang his songs in the car or just anywhere,” said Bruce Wright, an Elvis Presley impersonator from Swisher, and Wednesday night’s entertainment. His stage name is King Bruce, and he and his wife, Tammy Wright, have been performing their Elvis tribute show for about five years now, playing shows all across Eastern Iowa, “we’ve gone as far as Wisconsin,”
added Tammy.
The two work in sync on stage. Tammy sits at the computer, feeding the backing instrumentals through the speakers while Bruce stands front and center, dressed in a dark blue button-down, bedazzled belt, gold rimmed glasses, and a head of wavy black hair. Although it might not be the King’s signature outfit, Bruce has a good reason. “I don’t do the jumpsuits because it’s too hot.”
King Bruce started the night out with some
included firefighters from Ely, Mount Vernon, Iowa City, North Liberty, and Mechanicsville, as well as Solon. The session began inside the Solon Fire Station, and was led by Jerry Eslick, former firefighter and the owner of Professional Rescue Innovations (PRI), a training organization designed to teach firefighters rescue methods that adhere to the latest OSHA and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
Grain bin entrapments have been on the rise in Iowa, with 37 total related deaths recorded within the state just last year. This rise in cases means professional training is a necessity for rural stations like Solon.
“It increased 25% last year alone, the number of grain bin rescues in Iowa,” says Solon EMS Captain Doyle Spence. Spence says it
Volume 146 I Issue 32 Of a Little Weekly Miracle PO Box 249, Solon, IA 52333 Phone: 319-624-2233
news@soloneconomist.com
The Solon Economist strives for accuracy and fairness in reporting news. If we’ve made an error or a report is misleading, let us know about it: news@soloneconomist.com.
STAFF
Publisher Jason Brummond jason.brummond@dailyiowan.com
Editor Chris Umscheid chris.umscheid@ soloneconomist.com
was not only important that the Solon Fire Department obtain this training, but that it was also free and open to nearby fire departments to participate in as well.
“Sometimes it’s during the day, and only two people show up, and with a grain bin rescue, you can see we need eight, ten, fifteen people,” says Spence, who adds that being a volunteer fire department means coordination between nearby departments is key. “Anything that happens like this is gonna be interagency, we’re going to have to call for mutual aid, and that’s where it really helps having all these groups come together at the same time, and learn it together.”
Saturday’s training revolved around ropes and harness systems, to get firefighters and their equipment safely to the top, and inside of a grain bin so that they can begin the extrication process. Spence says it is the first step of a grain bin rescue, and builds off of a similar training exercise the department had in 2023.
“How do we get patients out? How do we get rescuers in? Just all that other side of things wasn’t part of that initial training three years
ago, and so it’s a pivotal piece.”
That initial training was also taught by PRI, and educated Solon firefighters how to safely extract a partially submerged patient inside a grain bin. The process incorporated thin metal panels that create a surrounding wall around the patient so that rescue personnel can use an auger to extract the grain surrounding them, relieving the patient of the pressure on their lower extremities created by the grain, and allowing the firefighters to safely harness them, and lift them out of the bin.
Spence says that many of the grain bins that farmers accidentally become trapped in are older styles of bins that lack the safety features and OSHA guidelines of modern, larger style bins. “But we never know what we’re going to have, so we train for both,” says Spence.
“This is just a different skill that I haven’t learned yet, and that’s what interested me,” said Jack Rogers, a volunteer firefighter with the Mount Vernon Fire Department. Rogers said he found out about the training session after Mount Vernon’s assistant chief sent out a notice to the station. Rogers adds
that the Mount Vernon Fire Department holds training nights every Monday, but specialty rescue operations like grain bin rescues is not something that has been covered yet this year.
Like Solon, many of the stations in rural Johnson County are entirely volunteer based, and their resources to spend on day long training exercises are limited.
“The volunteer training fund allows me to do these for the departments for free, so there’s no cost to the department for me to come in,” says Eslick, who adds that the grants he receives from the Fire Service Training Bureau allow him to travel to the stations, training firefighters in their own towns and with their own equipment, rather than having them travel to a remote training facility like with other training organizations.
Spence says with this training, not only his team, but also the surrounding teams now have a better idea on how to handle grain bin entrapments.
“A lot of farmers don’t follow OSHA guidelines; they don’t have to. They’re exempt, so you just never know when it’s going to happen and we just want to be ready.”
Above: Solon volunteer
Kara
with another firefighter to package a simulated patient under the watchful eyes of instructor from Professional Rescue Innovations during a grain bin rescue training session Saturday, August 1. The Solon Fire Department hosted members of several areal fire departments for the free session. Below: A simulated victim is prepared to be lowered from the top of a grain bin during a grain bin rescue training session provided by Professional Rescue Innovations and hosted by the Solon Fire Department at the Greazel family farm in Solon on Saturday, August 1.
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 Ella McEntaffer, reporter Cadence Dighton, reporter Grace Escritt, reporter John Charlson, photographer/ reporter
Abby Princehouse, digital/ social media, sports reporter Breck Goodman, 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.
soloneconomist.com
GRAIN BIN from 1
John Charlson | Solon Economist
Solon Fire Dept. EMS Captain Doyle Spence helps Solon firefighter Kara VeDepo with an eight on a bite knot during a grain bin rescue training session provided by Professional Rescue Innovations and hosted by the Solon Fire Department at the Solon Fire Station on Saturday, August 1.
John Charlson | Solon Economist
Instructor Jerry Eslick pulls a rope hitched to a firetruck during a grain bin rescue training session provided by Professional Rescue Innovations and hosted by the Solon Fire Department at the Solon Fire Station on Saturday, August 1.
Capt. Doyle Spence, Solon Fire Dept. contributed photos
firefighter
VeDepo works
Capt. Doyle Spence, Solon Fire Dept. contributed photos
Left: Firefighters practice raising a volunteer during a grain bin rescue training session provided by Professional Rescue Innovations and hosted by the Solon Fire Department at the Solon Fire Station on Saturday, August 1. Right: Firefighters raise equipment to the top of a grain bin during a grain bin rescue training session provided by Professional Rescue Innovations and hosted by the Solon Fire Department at the Greazel family farm in Solon on Saturday, August 1.
We’re excited to see all the new faces with the start of the school year just around the corner!
August is back-to-school month, which means it’s the perfect opportunity to get to know the Library!
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!
Library programs
With the start of August, expect to see less activities and events at the Library while we prepare for back-to-school programs beginning in September!
Looking to be more active and need a place to start? Join us for Chair Yoga, Mondays at 12:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. What is chair yoga? Chair yoga is a beneficial form of yoga for any fitness level, from active seniors to those recovering from an injury. Chair yoga has the following benefits for older adults: low impact on joints, improves flexibility, and stress reduction. Every Monday and Wednesday, certified instructor Julie Ellen will lead a FREE hour-long class for adults. Chair Yoga is provided in partnership with Solon Senior Support and thanks
Locke named to Augustana College’s spring semester Dean’s List
ROCK ISLAND, ILL — Alexandra Locke, a Data Science, Business Analytics and Accounting major from Solon, was named to Augustana College’s Dean’s List.
Augustana College announced more than 1,100 students were named to the Dean's List for the 2025-2026 spring semester. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term.
to generous funding by Solon Beef Days. Visit the Library to pick up a waiver before participating in Chair Yoga, or download them by clicking on the Chair Yoga event on our online calendar at https://www.solon. lib.ia.us/calendar. Join one of our book clubs! Drop-in for KNITLIT, Wednesday, August 5, at 6:30 p.m., to talk about fiber-arts themed books. This month, KNIT-LIT has been reading Slow Knitting by Hanna Thiessen and its follow up Seasonal Slow Knitting. Cookbook Club returns on Saturday, August 15, at 11 a.m., as we discuss Mi Concina by Rick Martinez and share our favorite Mexican cuisine recipes. You can also join the Solon Book Club, Tuesday, August 18, at 6:30 p.m., as we discuss No Time Like the Future by Michael J. Fox. All materials for book clubs offered in the Library are available now, and can be picked up any time at the front desk.
Library access
Regular Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Sundays. Please always refer to our website calendar or call to check hours as weather may impact our ability to be safely open.
The Library will be open Friday, August 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Everyone is welcome at the Library and our programs. Please contact us with access needs.
New in fiction
Here’s what’s new in Fiction at the Library!
Names Have Been Changed by Yu-Mei Balasingamchow. Ophir's tale begins in Singapore, where a petty crime spins out of control, estranging her from home and family. Resorting to false identities and forged passports (being mixed-race helps), she crisscrosses the globe from a Paris-themed hostess bar in Tokyo, to a bustling Chinese restaurant in London, to a snowbound mountain town in Colorado and beyond. Broadcasting from an undisclosed location, Ophir is funny, prickly, tough, and vulnerable, entrancing her listeners with an irresistible, no-holds-barred recounting of not only her crimes (plural) but also her deepest secrets and regrets. Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan. After the sudden death of her husband, Ellen McKenna is doing everything she can to keep her Texas farm afloat. She and her family hope to expand their operation, but times are tough and making ends meet is more expensive than she imagined, much less trying to grow. Many of their neighbors in Cooke County have thrown in the towel and agreed to
sell their farms to a local businessman, but despite similar pressure, Ellen refuses to let her dreams die.
Carry Me to My Grave by Christoper Golden. Maggie Wise will take your eyes. When Malcolm was growing up, the local kids made up that chant about his mother, claiming she was a witch. He and his siblings did their best to ignore it. Now, Maggie is dying, and those same siblings have left Malcolm and his sisterin-law Violet to hold a vigil at her bedside. But they're not as alone as they think they are. A dark figure waits and watches from beneath the willow tree across the street. Hundreds of miles away, an ancient evil stirs in its burrow under a farmer's cornfield. Across the country, other buried things begin to dream in anticipation of Maggie's demise. On her deathbed, the old woman elicits a promise from Malcolm, her youngest child―when she dies, he and Violet must return her body to her birthplace in Shediac, Maine. It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell. Jane Trevally is walking her dogs on her country estate when a small white terrier appears, alone and with no sign of the teenaged girl he'd been staying with nearby. When the teenager is reported missing, Jane offers to return the dog to his registered owner, hours away
in London. Arriving at a run-down house called Thornwood in the deepest backwaters of Hampstead, she is immediately on alert-because Jane has a dark history with this house. Conjuring her memories from twenty-five years ago, Jane knows this unsettling house holds the key to the missing teenager, to her own traumatic story, and to the dark secrets of the past.
History of the Solon Public Library, Part 19
Virginia Kleis and her family established a trust fund to provide perpetual care of the gardens and landscaping around the new Library. Virginia is Jack Neuzil’s sister. Many volunteers have planted and maintained the Library’s flower beds over the years. Currently, the Friends of the Library supervise the use of the Library’s landscaping funds, and members of the Johnson County Master Gardeners program plant and maintain the Library gardens.
Solon Public Library contributed photo This memorial statue dedicated to Virginia Neuzil Kleis and her family stands on the Solon Public Library patio.
OPINIONS
Foolish ideas, questions, and answers
Food for Thought
Milli Gilbaugh
My Aunt Opal was noted for her wacky logic and unique interpretations of ordinary situations. I guess the most famous of her zany logic was her interpretation of directions on a pill bottle. The instructions on the prescription label said, “Avoid direct sunlight when taking this medication.” Aunt Opal obediently and unquestioningly stepped into a dark closet to take her pills every day, then went about her daily chores, working in the garden, hanging out laundry and feeding her flock of chickens – on sunny days as well as cloudy. Being a fair-skinned redhead, she was used to summer sunburn and refused to acknowledge that she burned a little faster than before even though many of her friends and relatives tried to convince her that she should avoid the summer sunshine.
“There are no foolish questions,” we've been told. That quote seems to have taken its time to dawn on the human race, since I have found no reference to it before the 20th century. Attributed to any number of people who may or may not have said it first, the only reference I've found to the existence of foolish questions refers to those asked by people who already know the answers, or who think they do. There may be no foolish questions but there certainly seem to be foolish people who have a lot of foolish answers.
My present foolish questions (if there is such a thing) refer to those popular hands-off shoe ads that tout the advantages of requiring no bending over or touching the shoes in putting them on or taking them off. What I want to know is this; What is the advantage, for normally able persons, in not having to bend over? And what's the objection to touching your shoes?
My first question stems from experience and addresses the issue of exercise; Isn't the ability to bend over, touch your toes or pick up something you dropped on the floor an asset? and won't you risk losing that ability over time if you stop making the effort? What if you lose that ability and drop your keys, a valuable ring or a twenty dollar bill in a windy, snowy parking lot when that long handled reacher is snug at home and there's nobody around to give you a hand?
At home, there's also a matter of simply getting those hands-off shoes placed at the proper angle in a handy place where you can simply slip your feet into them. Those commercials show people coming down stairs and stepping into shoes that are waiting at the bottom of the stairs. How did the shoes get in such a convenient location? Would you be able to fish them out from under the sofa without help? At first thought, it might seem such shoes would be ideal for the elderly or others with agility issues, but the questionable advantage of not having to bend over seems to be counteracted by its own result. Of lesser importance, but even more puzzling is the question of the objection to touching your shoes. The ads make it sound undesirable to have to touch your shoes putting them on and off, but offer no sensible reason to avoid touching them and I can think of no very logical reasons either, except the possibility of having stepped in something nasty or getting sprayed by a skunk. And unless you are addicted to stomping in rain puddles, I can't imagine needing the waterproof sneakers they think you should have.
We've been slipping into house-slippers for at least as long as I can remember (where do you think the word 'slippers' came from?) Aside from that, I suspect the whole thing is just a fad or some perverse plot to get us all stomping around in bulky, ugly shoes with thick soles and color combinations designed to appeal to four-yearolds. How soon will we see rainbows and unicorns?
Apparently some people have found that their slip-on shoes don't slip off as easily as claimed. I recently saw a commercial showing a special little loop attached to the back of the shoe. A loop just big enough to slip a finger into and give the shoe a tug in order to get your heel free. Now I wonder if that little loop is considered part of the shoe and if touching it is the same as touching the shoe. If so, are they going to have to furnish us with a special little hook so that we can get the shoe off without officially touching it? Well, that's another foolish question.
The law says explain, but Polk County didn’t
Novelist Charles Dickens poked his quill pen at government bureaucracy 175 years ago with his accounts about a fictionalized department he called the "Circumlocution Office.”
“Circumlocution” often is used with disdain to describe writing or speaking that is intentionally vague, evasive or overly wordy.
Sadly, the personnel departments in state and local governments in Iowa these days have become Circumlocution Offices of their own when officials describe why a highly paid public employee was fired.
The recent termination of a Polk County administrator illustrates the problem.
Stray Thoughts
Until a month ago, Tom Alessio Jr. was the deputy director of the Polk County general services division. The county compensated him handsomely, with a base salary of $155,000 per year. It also let him work a side gig as head football coach at Lincoln High School in Des Moines, for which the school paid him another $8,400.
On June 5, the county human resources director informed Alessio that he was fired on the spot. The director hand-delivered a letter to him that day in which she wrote, “This termination is the result of a workplace investigation which substantiated multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviors and conduct. All of these behaviors failed to meet the County’s reasonable expectations of conduct and leadership from someone in your position.”
The county has refused to elaborate beyond those statements. Taxpayers deservedly want to know what conduct led county officials in Des Moines to terminate such a highly compensated employee and to do so with such dispatch.
The Legislature anticipated exactly that question.
In 2017, prodded by then-Governor Terry Branstad, the Legislature amended the public records law with House File 291 to require government employers to make public specific information about why an employee is terminated, demoted or resigns in lieu of termination.
The Legislature did not ask government to explain. It required government to do so.
The language in the 2017 law says employers like Polk County shall disclose the “documented reasons and rationale” for the dismissal of people like Tom Alessio.
The Iowa Public Information Board, a state agency that referees disputes involving Iowa’s open records and open meetings laws, issued an advisory opinion in 2018 that detailed how far government officials must go to satisfy the new law.
The board stated, “In order to meet the new requirement … government bodies must say which law, rule, or policy, if any, they believe the employee violated and provide at least one sentence about the behavior or incident that triggered the action. The explanation should include details, such as
the date(s) of alleged behavior, location, and how it was discovered.”
In other words, a generic statement that an investigation substantiated multiple allegations of inappropriate behavior is insufficient under the requirements of the 2017 law and the IPIB’s 2018 guidance. Facts, not generalities, are required.
The amended language Governor Branstad secured grew out of his belief that Iowa taxpayers deserved to know, as part of Iowa’s broad public policy in favor of openness and accountability, why state and local governments demote, fire or force the resignation of certain workers.
That is not a trivial matter.
The Legislature has made abundantly clear in recent years that lawmakers believe governments officials need to be better stewards of the ample tax resources provided by Iowans.
This is especially important with personnel matters because employment disputes often become expensive for taxpayers. Transparency promotes accountability before these fights turn into prolonged litigation.
Polk County appears ripe for some accountability.
Alessio’s boss, general services director Scott Ourth, a former state representative, is a defendant in two workplace sexual harassment lawsuits filed by female Polk County employees. Ourth is accused of engaging in unwanted hugging and touching and making inappropriate comments to women working for him.
Although Alessio is gone, Ourth is still on the job.
Governor Branstad and the Legislature decided nearly a decade ago that taxpayers deserve more than vague assurances and cryptic details when government fires a public employee.
They deserve documented reasons. That remains the law today. And Polk County does not get to decide whether that law is convenient. It has a duty to obey the law.
This isn’t about Tom Alessio. Nor is it about Scott Ourth, who, when he was in the Legislature, voted against the 2017 legislation being discussed here. This isn't even primarily about Polk County.
Instead, this is about whether governments in Iowa will comply with a transparency law the Legislature intentionally strengthened so taxpayers could expect and would receive meaningful explanations — not vague statements — when public employees are fired.
Considering that plain statutory command, it makes you wonder why in the dickens we continue to tolerate circumlocution experts like those in Polk County.
Randy Evans can be reached at DMRevans2810@gmail.com.
Q&A: Tackling fraud & fighting for whistleblowers
With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Q: How can the federal government claw back taxpayer money lost to fraud?
A: Iowans work hard for their money and don’t want to see fraudsters enriching themselves at their expense. The U.S. Treasury is not a piggy bank for fraudsters to exploit and drain public assistance programs for profit. Iowans expect their elected representatives to fight fraud and I’ve teamed up with Sen. Joni Ernst to do just that. According to the Government Accountability Office, the federal government loses up to $521 billion every year to sticky fingers swindling Uncle Sam. Their crimes rip off taxpayers and deprive services from people in need. Our comprehensive bipartisan package tackles fraud across the federal bureaucracy and holds wrongdoers accountable.
The Protecting American Taxpayers Act takes aim at fraud in government with more than a dozen tools that would:
• Claw back more than $65 billion in unspent pandemic dollars
• Distribute federal payments as reimbursements only after a service has been provided
• Ban criminals convicted of defrauding the Small Business Administration from receiving future assistance
•Allow Inspectors General to pay bonuses to employees who uncover fraud and waste in government programs
• improve reporting requirements in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to root out improper payments
• Prohibit funds distributed to countries covered by travel bans or arms embargoes
• Disclose cash assistance in Afghanistan to restrict Taliban access
• Extend statute of limitations to ensure pandemic fraudsters are caught and held accountable
• Curb international transfers of government benefits by requiring individuals who make foreign wire transfers to certify they don’t receive public assistance
• Close existing loopholes in whistleblower protection laws to protect employees of federal contractors for
Randy Evans Iowa Freedom of Information Council
reporting wrongdoing
Q: Why are whistleblowers essential to rooting out government fraud?
A: From the earliest day of our republic, whistleblowers established a legacy of patriotic service for generations to come. In 1777, 10 brave sailors reported wrongdoing by the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Navy. They exposed he was violating orders to treat British prisoners humanely. History has a way of repeating itself, i.e., their superior retaliated against the truthtellers. He filed a criminal libel suit against them. The Continental Congress stood by the patriots and agreed to defray litigation costs for the whistleblower defendants with legislation unanimously enacted on July 30, 1778. The nation’s founders recognized transparency brings accountability. This set an invaluable precedent for the new republic, one that I’ve continued through my advocacy on behalf of whistleblowers throughout my time in the U.S. Senate. As co-founder and co-chair of the Whistleblower Protection Caucus, I lead an annual bipartisan resolution to recognize July 30 as National Whistleblower Appreciation Day to honor the contributions of the brave men and women who stand up for truth. Celebrating their service and sacrifice may inspire others to come forward. I’ll continue working to curb anti-gag provisions and illegal non-disclosure policies that muzzle would-be whistleblowers from reporting wrongdoing and saving taxpayer money.
A Lincoln-era law I updated in 1986 empowers whis -
What parents need to know before helping with education loans
Julie Pingel Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation board member
As the first bills for next year’s college expenses arrive, you may be searching for ways to pay anything not covered by financial aid, savings or earnings. If you are considering private education loans, you should understand the pros and cons of taking out student loans.
As a board member for Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation, which provides education loans under the name ISL Education Lending, I support ISL’s efforts to educate students and families on planning and paying for college. These tips from ISL’s experts are useful for any family using education loans.
Parents are often borrowers too.
A traditional-age student generally needs parents to help with the private loan process. Your student may need cosigners to qualify for a loan because they don’t have a long credit history. Or you may opt to take out a loan in your own names to help pay a student’s college expenses.
Loans are a financial, not emotional, decision.
As a parent, you want to see your student attend the institution of their choice, regardless of cost. But education loans are a financial commitment that could affect your and your student’s credit for years to come.
The total repayment amount will be more than the original loan amount.
In addition to any origination, late or other loan fees, the principal balance will accrue interest throughout the loan term. At times, unpaid accrued interest may be capitalized, or added to the balance. If you or your student are not able to pay, using assistance may not stop the accrual of interest. Smaller payments may not be enough to significantly pay down principal. With rising interest rates, the terms offered by the government and private lenders are an important consideration. Federal PLUS loans for parents taken out July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, have a fixed interest rate of 9.07%, with an upfront loan fee of 4.228%. ISL Education Lending offers the College Family Loan with lower fixed annual percentage rates and no fees. Visit www.IowaStudentLoan.org for current rates on this loan.
Federal loans offer different features than private loans.
The federal parent PLUS loan is available only to biological and adoptive parents and, in some cases, stepparents. Borrowers may choose from repayment plans and may qualify for repayment assistance options. Approval for a PLUS loan does not consider an applicant’s income, outstanding debt, assets or years to retirement, so the borrower needs to predict whether they can afford to repay the debt.
tleblowers to shine a light on wrongdoing. It continues to be the government’s single greatest tool to fight fraud. To date, my amendments to the False Claims Act have recovered more than $85 billion for taxpayers, and saved countless more by deterring would be fraudsters. Most of that is thanks to patriotic whistleblowers. Most recently, I introduced bipartisan legislation with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania to strengthen the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) whistleblower program that I helped create in 2010. Our bill would boost protections for whistleblowers who safeguard the commodities trading industry, a critical marketplace for farmers to manage risk and lock in prices for their products. Since making its first award in 2014, the CFTC has made $430 million in whistleblower awards and issued over $3.7 billion in monetary sanctions.
As America celebrates 250 years of self-government, we owe a debt of gratitude to those who’ve summoned the courage to stick their necks out and put their livelihoods on the line to expose corruption. From securities and commodities fraud to tax evasion and grifters siphoning public dollars from Uncle Sam’s spigot, I’m proud my fraud-fighting laws have recovered more than 90 billion dollars to the federal treasury, and counting. On Whistleblower Appreciation Day and throughout the year, I’ll continue championing those who report abuse of government authority and threats to public safety and national security.
Patriotic truthtellers should not be treated like skunks at a picnic.
Private loans for parents, like the College Family Loan offered by ISL Education Lending, may be available to parents or legal guardians. You may also be able to pre-qualify to see your rate, based on underwriting criteria, before you apply. Different repayment options to suit your situation may be available.
You may be liable for the debt.
A federal parent PLUS loan or a private loan that you take out for the benefit of your student is your debt, regardless of any understanding you have with your student on who will pay it back.
When you cosign a student loan, you and the student are equally liable for the debt. That means if your student fails to make payments or makes late payments, that delinquency and default affect your credit too and the lender will attempt to contact you for payment. If the lender allows the borrower to release the cosigner from the debt obligation, pay careful attention to the requirements to obtain that benefit.
You may face changing circumstances.
Student loan repayment may take 10 or more years after your student leaves college. Consider what your circumstances will be during that time. Retirement, health issues and other factors may change your financial situation.
You can take steps to help ensure successful repayment.
Do your research to understand interest rates, terms and fees, available assistance options and how they affect repayment, and borrower benefits for available loan options. Estimate a realistic starting salary for your student and how student loan payments will affect their budget. Encourage your student to make good decisions throughout college to graduate on time, reduce overall borrowing and achieve a well-paying job.
Tools to help you and your student with the above steps are available free at www.IowaStudentLoan.org.
GUEST COLUMN
Putting the spotlight on the Clover Kids
Graham Champions’ K-3rd grade kids are the future of 4-H and agriculture
Photos by Emily Logan
Top left: Willow Logan of Solon Clover Kids hangs out with her bottle calf Spot before the bucket/bottle calf show on Tuesday, July 28. Top right: Willow Logan with her calf Spot at the conclusion of the Clover Kids bucket bottle calf show. Center left: Mallory Poduska receiving a ribbon in the Clover Kids bucket bottle calf show Tuesday, July 28. Clover Kids are mentored by older 4-H club members, including how to show livestock in the ring. Center right: Willow Logan, Maeve Takes, and Barrett Logan in the Clover Kids Bucket/Bottle calf show on Tuesday, July 28. Clover Kids are mentored by older 4-H club members, including how to show livestock in the ring.
Photo by Janeen Moses
Grant Moses Clover Kids bottle calf show showing Bamboo which is Maeve Takes’ Graham Champions calf, with her assistance.
Maeve Takes of Graham Champions and Barrett Logan of Solon Clover Kids prepare to show Maeve’s calf in the clover kids bucket/bottle calf show on Tuesday, July 28. Clover Kids are mentored by older 4-H club members, including how to show livestock in the ring.
– Autumn Miller, GC, Blue ribbon, 5th Place
Sheep/Market Sheep/Individual Market Ewe –Autumn Miller, GC, Reserve Champion Individual Market Ewe, Purple ribbon, 2nd Place
Sheep/Market Sheep/Individual Market Wether – Madelyn Moses, GC, Blue ribbon, 5th PlaceScience, Engineering, and
Dairy Goats
Dairy Goat/Dairy Junior Doe-Junior Kid born April 1, 2026-May 14, 2026 – Olivia Divoky, Graham Champions (GC), Blue ribbon, 2nd Place
1st Place. Jack Steinbrech, Purple ribbon, 2nd Place. Emily Pence, MP, Champion Hereford Steer, Purple ribbon, 1st Place. Reece Meyer, MP, Champion Carcass Steer, Reserve Champion Simmental Steer, Purple ribbon, 2nd Place
Beef/Market Beef/Crossbred Steer – William McAtee, GC, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place. Emily Pence, MP, Purple ribbon, 1st Place. Reece Meyer, MP, Blue ribbon, 3rd Place
Bucket Bottle Calves/Junior Members-1st Year Calf –Maeve Takes, GC, Reserve Champion Jr. Bucket Bottle Calf, Blue ribbon
Poultry
Dairy Goat/Dairy Junior Doe-Senior kid born Jan. 1, 2026-March 31, 2026 – Olivia Divoky, GC, Blue ribbon, 1st Place
2026 Johnson County Fair results
Swine
Swine/Breeding Swine/Breeding Gilt – Piper Zamastil, CR Prairie FFA, Purple ribbon, 2nd Place. Tessa Brown, CR Prairie FFA, Reserve Champion Senior Swine Showmanship, Purple ribbon, 5th Place
Swine/Breeding Swine/Purebred Breeding Gilt – Wyatt Bistricky, CR Prairie FFA, Blue ribbon, 6th Place
Swine/Market Swine/Market Individual Crossbred Barrow – Piper Zamastil, CR Prairie FFA, Reserve Champion Market Individual Crossbred Barrow, Reserve Grand Champion Overall Swine, Purple ribbon, 1st Place
Swine/Market Swine/Market Individual Purebred Hog – Connor Bistricky, CR Prairie FFA, Purple ribbon, 2nd Place. Swine/Single Source/Single Source Gilt - William McAtee, Graham Champions (GC), Blue ribbon, 4th Place. William McAtee, GC, Reserve Champion Carcass Gilt, Blue ribbon, 4th Place
Sheep
Sheep/Breeding Sheep/Registered Purebred Breeding Ewe Classes – Madelyn Moses, Graham Champions (GC), Purple ribbon, 1st Place. Madelyn Moses, Blue ribbon, 3rd Place
Sheep/Breeding Sheep/Registered Purebred Breeding Ewe AOB Class – Autumn Miller, GC, Reserve Champion Purebred Ewe, Purple ribbon, 2nd Place
Sheep/Breeding Sheep/Non-Papered Breeding Ewe WBI Class – Autumn Miller, GC, Champion White Breed Influence Ewe, Purple ribbon, 1st Place. Autumn Miller, Blue ribbon, 3rd Place
Sheep/Breeding Sheep/Breeding Ewe Lamb, Black Face
– Madelyn Moses, GC, Blue ribbon, 5th Place
Sheep/Johnson County Bred/Johnson County Bred Market Lamb – Autumn Miller, GC, Blue ribbon, 5th Place. Autumn Miller, Blue ribbon. Autumn Miller, Purple ribbon, 2nd Place
Sheep/Johnson County Bred/Johnson County Bred Breeding Lamb – Madelyn Moses, GC, Blue ribbon, 7th Place. Madelyn Moses, Purple ribbon, 3rd Place. Autumn Miller, GC, Blue ribbon, 6th Place
Sheep/Market Sheep/Individual Speckle/White Faced
Dairy Goat/Dairy Junior Doe-Dry Yearling under two years-born July 1, year before last through Dec. 31, 2025 – Olivia Divoky, GC, Reserve Champion Junior Doe Dairy Goat, Reserve Champion Premier Dairy Goat Showmanship, Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Doe, Blue ribbon, 1st Place. Olivia Divoky, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place
Dairy Goat/Dairy Senior Doe-Milker two years and under three years – Olivia Divoky, GC, Blue ribbon, 1st Place
Dairy Goat/Dam and Daughter – Olivia Divoky, GC, Reserve Champion Dairy Goat Dam & Daughter, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place
Dairy Goat/Dairy Wether – Dairy Wether born on or after Nov. 1, 2025 – Brooke Cavanh, GC, Champion Intermediate Dairy Goat Showmanship, Blue ribbon, 3rd Place. Taylor Cavanh, GC, Champion Dairy Wether, Champion Premier Dairy Goat Showmanship, Blue ribbon, 1st Place. Tyson Cavanh, GC, Champion Junior Dairy Goat Showmanship, Reserve Champion Dairy Wether, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place
Dairy Goat/Pygmy Goats – Junior Kid under 6 months – Madely Moses, GC, Reserve Champion Pygmy Goat, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place. Madelyn Moses, Blue ribbon, 1st Place
Dairy Goat/Pygmy Goats – Junior Doe, under 2 years, but not over 1 year of age, not in milk – Madelyn Moses, GC, Champion Pygmy Goat, Reserve Champion Junior Dairy Goat Showmanship, Blue ribbon, 1st Place. Madelyn Moses, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place
Meat Goats
Meat Goat/Breeding Meat Goat – Junior Does under 1 year – Charlei Havlik, CR Prairie FFA, Purple ribbon, 2nd Place. Aven Fisher, CR Prairie FFA, Reserve Champion Premier Meat Goat Showmanship, Purple ribbon, 2nd Place. Adelyn Tomas, CR Prairie FFA, Purple ribbon 3rd Place
Meat Goat/Breeding Meat Goat – Dam & Daughter –Adelyn Tomas, CR Prairie FFA, Champion Dam & Daughter Meat Goat, Purple ribbon, 1st Place
Meat Goat/Meat Wether or Doe born on or after Nov. 1, 2025 – Aven Fisher, CR Prairie FFA, Blue ribbon, 4th Place. Ronan Egly, CR Prairie FFA, Purple ribbon, 2nd Place
Dairy Cattle
Dairy Cattle/ Guernsey Senior Calf – Peyton Recker, Graham Champions (GC), Champion Guernsey, Reserve Champions Master Dairy Showmanship, Supreme Dairy Champion, Blue Ribbon, 1st Place. Rylee Recker (GC), Champion Junior Dairy Showmanship, Blue Ribbon, 2nd Place
Dairy Cattle/Guernsey Cows – Kaden Recker, CR Prairie FFA, Champion Master Dairy Showmanship, Reserve Champion Guernsey, Reserve Supreme Dairy, Blue ribbon,1st Place. Kaden Recker, Blue Ribbon, 2nd Place
Beef
Beef/Breeding Beef/Registered Heifer – Emily Pence, Macbride’s Pride (MP), Reserve Champion Angus Heifer, Purple ribbon, 2nd Place
Beef/Breeding Beef/Commercial Heifer – William McAtee, Graham Champions (GC), Purple ribbon, 2nd Place
Beef/Market Beef/2nd Year Bucket Bottle Calf – Emily Pence, CR Prairie FFA (CRP), Purple ribbon, 1st Place. Raleigh Bennett, CRP, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place
Beef/Market Beef/Breed Steer – Lane Steinbrech, GC, 4th Place Grand Champion Market Beef, Champion Maine-Anjou Steer, Reserve Champion Junior Beef Showmanship, Purple ribbon, 1st Place. Lane Steinbrech, Purple ribbon, 3rd Place. Jack Steinbrech, GC, Champion Chianina Steer, Purple ribbon,
Poultry/Bantam/Non-Commercial Bantam Pair, 1 male-1 female of fancy fowl, same breed – Mackenna Craig, Macbride’s Pride (MB), Red ribbon. Mackenna Craig, Blue ribbon
Poultry/Bantam/Non-Commercial Bantam, Individual male or female of fancy fowl – Mackenna Craig, MP, Champion Non-Commercial Bantam Individual, Blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, Reserve Champion Non-Commercial Bantam Individual, Blue ribbon
Poultry/Chickens/Standardized Egg Production Pullets, Pen of 3 – Mackenna Craig, MP, Blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, Blue ribbon
Poultry/Chickens/Egg Production, Pen of 3 under 24 weeks of age – Mackenna Craig, MP, Reserve Champion Egg Production-Pen of 3 under 24 weeks of age, Purple ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, Champion Egg Production-Pen of 3 under 24 weeks of age, Grand Champion Egg Production, Reserve Champion Best of Show, Purple ribbon. Endi Klein, Graham Champions (GC), Blue ribbon. Leonidas Klein, GC, Blue ribbon
Poultry/Chickens/Egg Production, Pen of 3 Hens 1 year or older – Mackenna Craig, MP, Red ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, Red ribbon
Poultry/Chickens/Meat Production, Pen of 3 chickens under 3 months of age – Mackenna Craig, MP, Red ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, Reserve Champion Meat Production, Pen of 3 Chickens under 3 months of age, Blue ribbon
Poultry/Chickens/Standardized Meat Production, Pen of 3 Broilers – Mackenna Craig, MP, Blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, Blue ribbon
Poultry/Ducks/Meat Production, Pen of 3 under 4 months of age – Mackenzie Craig, MP, Champion Meat Production-Pen of 3 under 4 months of age, Blue ribbon
Poultry/Ducks/Indian Runner Ducks, Individual –Mackenna Craig, MP, Blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, Blue ribbon
Poultry/Game Birds/Pair, 1 male, 1 female of same breed (Pheasants, Quail, or Partridge only) – Mackenzie Craig, MP, Reserve Champion Game Bird Pair-1 male, 1 female of same breed, Blue ribbon
Poultry/Game Birds/Individual – Mackenna Craig, MP, Blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, Champion Game Bird Individual, Blue ribbon
Poultry/Non-Commercial/Non-Commercial Standard (Large Fowl) Pair (1 male/female) of same breed – Mackenna Craig, MP, Reserve Champion Non-Commercial Standard Pair, Blue ribbon
Poultry/Non-Commercial/Non-Commercial Standard (Large Fowl) Individual – Mackenna Craig, MP, Blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, Blue ribbon
Poultry/Surprise Class – Mackenna Craig, MP, Red ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, Red ribbon
Rabbits
Rabbit/Commercial Breeds/American Senior Buck –Madelyn Moses, Graham Champions (GC), Blue ribbon, 1st Place
Rabbit/Commercial Breeds/American, 6-8 Doe – Madelyn Moses, GC, Best of Breed, Purple ribbon
Rabbit/Commercial Breeds/Flemish Giant Senior Doe –Mackenna Craig, Macbride’s Pride (MP) Blue ribbon, 1st Place
Rabbit/Commercial Breeds/Flemish Giant Senior Buck –Abraham Singbeil, Sharp Shooters (SS), Best of Breed, Reserve Champion Commercial Breed Rabbit, Purple ribbon
Rabbit/Commercial Breeds/New Zealand Senior Buck –Mackenna Craig, MP, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place. Mackenzie Craig, MP, Blue ribbon, 3rd Place
Rabbit/Commercial Breeds/New Zealand Senior Doe –Mackenna Craig, MP, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place
Rabbit/Fancy Breeds/Individual Lilac, Junior Doe –Madelyn Moses, GC, Best of Breed, Purple ribbon
Rabbit/Fancy Breeds/Individual Mini Satin, Senior Buck – Mackenzie Craig, MP, Blue ribbon, 1st Place
Rabbit/Fancy Breeds/Individual Netherland Dwarf, Senior Buck – Madison Singbeil, MP, Champion Fancy Breed
Rabbit, Grand Champion, Purple ribbon Rabbit/Fur Classes/Normal Colored Breed Fur (Havana, Silver Marten, Holland Lop, etc.) – Madelyn Moses, GC, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place. Madison Singbeil, MP, Champion Normal Colored Breed Fur, 1st Place. Abraham Singbeil, SS, Blue ribbon, 8th Place
Rabbit/Production Classes/ Single Fryer under 3 months and not weighing over 5-1/2 lbs
– Mackenzie Craig, MP, Blue ribbon, 3rd Place
Horse & Pony
Horse & Pony/Halter & Performance Day Classes/ Halter Mare – Addison Schultes, Graham Champions (GC), Blue ribbon, 4th Place. Endi Klein, GC, Blue Ribbon, 5th Place
Horse & Pony/Halter & Performance Day Classes/Showmanship: Senior (9th-12th Grade)
Addison Schultes, GC, Champion Horse & Pony Senior Showmanship, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place
Horse & Pony/Halter & Performance Day Classes/ Showmanship: Junior (4th-6th Grade)
– Endi Klein, GC, Blue ribbon, 5th Place
Horse & Pony/Halter & Performance Day Classes/ Advanced English Pleasure
Champion Advanced English Pleasure, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place Horse & Pony/Halter & Performance Day Classes/ Advanced English Equitation – Addison Schultes, GC, Blue ribbon, 3rd Place
Horse & Pony/Halter & Performance Day Classes/ Advanced Walk-Trot (OT) – Addison Schultes, GC, Champion Horse & Pony Walk-Trot (OT) Advanced, Purple ribbon, 1st Place Horse & Pony/Halter & Performance Day Classes/Novice Walk-Trot (OT) – Endi Kelin, GC, Blue ribbon Horse & Pony/Halter & Performance Day Classes/ Advanced Western Horsemanship – Addison Schultes, GC, Reserve Champion Advanced Western Horsemanship, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place
Horse & Pony/Halter & Performance Day Classes/ Advance Ranch Pleasure – Addison Schultes, GC, Champion Horse & Pony Ranch Pleasure Advanced, Purple ribbon, 1st Place
Horse & Pony/Halter & Performance Day Classes/Novice Ranch Pleasure – Endi Klein, GC, Red ribbon Horse & Pony/Halter & Performance Day Classes/ Advanced Ranch Riding – Addison Schultes, GC, Blue ribbon, 5th Place
Horse & Pony/Halter & Performance Day Classes/Novice Ranch Riding – Endi Klein, GC, Blue ribbon, 3rd Place Horse & Pony/Halter & Performance Day Classes/ Advanced Western Disciplined Rail – Addison Schultes, GC, Champion Advanced Western Disciplined Rail, Purple ribbon, 1st Place
Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Trail (OT) – Addison Schultes, GC, Blue ribbon Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Egg & Spoon – Addison Schultes, GC, Blue ribbon, 4th Place
Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Speed Race – Addison Schultes, GC, Blue ribbon, 3rd Place
Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Hurry Scurry – Addison Schultes, GC, Champion Advanced Hurry Scurry, Purple ribbon, 1st Place Horse &Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Handy Horse – Addison Schultes, GC, Blue ribbon, 3rd Place
Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Clover Leaf Barrels – Addison Schultes, GC, Reserve Champion Performance Advanced Clover Leaf Barrels, Blue ribbon, 2nd Place
Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Keyhole – Addison Schultes, GC, Champion Advanced Keyhole Race, Purple ribbon, 1st Place Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Pole Bending – Addison Schultes, GC, Champion Horse Trail Games Events Advanced Pole Bending, Purple ribbon, 1st Place
Pets
Pets/Pocket Pets – Auggie Rogers, Graham Champions (GC), Champion Pocket Pet, Purple ribbon. Endi Klein, GC, Blue ribbon
Pets/Reptiles & Aquatics – Benjamin Lorenzen, Macbride’s Pride (MP), Champion Reptiles & Aquatics, Most Unique Pet, Purple ribbon
Pets/Showmanship – Junior Showmanship Pet – Benjamin Lorenzen, MP, Reserve Champion Junior Pet Showmanship
Dog Show
Dog/Agility & Rally/Rally Advanced – Addison Schultes, Graham Champions, Reserve Champion, Purple ribbon Dog/Agility & Rally/Open Agility Large dog over 24” – Off leash – Addison Schultes, GC, Purple ribbon Dog/Agility & Rally/Open Class – Addison Schultes, GC, Reserve Open Class, Purple ribbon Dog/Showmanship/Senior Dog Showmanship – Addison Schultes, GC, Reserve Champion Senior Dog Showmanship
Educational Presentations
Communication/Educational Presentations/Senior –Mackenzie Craig, Macbride’s Pride, Selected for State Fair, Yellow ribbon, Excellence Award.
Communication/Educational Presentations/Junior –Madelyn Moses, Graham Champions, State Fair Alternate, Yellow ribbon, Excellence Award.
Emma Fencl, Graham Champions, Yellow ribbon, Excellence Award.
Extemporaneous Speaking
Communications/Extemporaneous Speaking – Madison Singbeil, Macbride’s Pride, Yellow ribbon, Excellence Award.
Fashion Revue
Clothing Event/Fashion Revue/Junior – Madelyn Moses, Graham Champions (GC), Blue ribbon.
Clothing Selection
Clothing Event/Clothing Selection/Junior – Madelyn Moses, Graham Champions (GC), Blue ribbon.
$20 Challenge
Clothing Event/$20 Challenge/Junior – Madelyn Moses, Graham Champions (GC), Blue ribbon
Clothing Event/$20 Challenge/Senior – Madison Singbeil, MacBride’s Pride (MP), Purple, State Fair
Photos by Beth Craig, MacBride’s Pride 4-H club
Top: Raleigh Bennett, with MacBride’s Pride 4-H club, is ready to fill his plate during a club meal at the 2026 Johnson County Fair. Above: Mackenzie Craig, Emily Pence, and Mackenna Craig enjoy a little down time during the 2026 Johnson County Fair.
Photos above
Madison Singbeil, with Macbride’s Pride 4-H club, was awarded Champion Fancy Breed Rabbit, Grand Champion, and a Purple ribbon. - Photo by Beth Craig Mackenzie and Mackenna Craig, with MacBride’s Pride 4-H club, visit with the poultry judge during the duck competition at the 2026 Johnson County Fair. - Photo by Beth Craig
Anthony Havlicek was captured in a proud moment with his pigs. Havlicek, with the Graham Champions 4-H club, won 2nd and 3rd place in single source barrow competition at the 2026 Johnson County Fair. - Photo courtesy of Lisa Havlicek
Madelyn Moses, a member of Graham Champions 4-H club, poses with her 1st Place registered purebred breeding ewe and 3rd Place JoCo bred breeding ewe at the 2026 Johnson County Fair. - Photo by Janeen Moses
Photos previous page
Emma Fencl, a member of the Graham Champions 4H club, poses with her Best of Show bucket of flowers at the 2026 Johnson County Fair. - Photo by Holly Fencl
Ben Lorenzen, with Macbride’s Pride 4-H club, poses with his albino corn snake, Persephone, in the Pet Show at the 2026 Johnson County Fair. Lorenzen and Persephone won Champion Reptiles & Aquatics, Most Unique Pet, and a Purple ribbon. - Photo by Beth Craig
Peyton Recker, a member of the Graham Champions 4-H Club, poses with her fall calf. She won Grand Champion Gurnsey, Supreme Champion Dairy, and Reserve Champion Master Showman in competition at the 2026 Johnson County Fair. - Photo courtesy of Kera Recker Grant Moses, a member of Solon Clover Kids, shows off his painted tractor as he stands under a photo of his pet rabbit Jerry during the 2026 Johnson County Fair. - Photo by Janeen Moses
Static Exhibits
Static/Ag & Natural Resources/Fish & Wildlife – Abraham Singbeil, Sharp Shooters (SS), All about fishing lures poster, Blue ribbon
Static/Ag & Natural Resources/Outdoor Adventures – Abraham Singbeil, SS, Dirt bike safety poster, Blue ribbon
Static/Animals/Animal Science – Madison Singbeil, Macbride’s Pride (MP), “How the rabbit digestive system works,” 3rd Place Wildlife Exhibit, Lavender ribbon. Madelyn Moses, Graham Champions (GC), “rabbit carrier,” Blue ribbon. Abraham Singbeil, SS, “All about turkeys,” Blue ribbon
Static/Animals/Veterinary Science –Madison Singbeil, MP, “Ruminant animals,” Lavender ribbon
Static/Creative Arts/Photography – Madison Singbeil, MP, “Washington Monument,” Blue ribbon. Madison Singbeil, MP, “Washington, D.C.’s Capital,” Lavender ribbon. Madelyn Moses, GC, “Sheep,” Blue ribbon. Auggie Rogers, GC, “Pictures in the outdoors,” Red ribbon. Madelyn Moses, GC, “Tractor,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, GC, “Sky,” Lavender ribbon. Emma Fencl, GC, “Butterfly on flowers,” Purple ribbon. Emma Fencl, GC, “Grandpa raking hay,” Blue ribbon. Emma Fencl, GC, “Mill Creek Bridge,” Lavender ribbon. Emma Fencl, “Lounging squirrel,” Lavender ribbon. Autumn Miller, GC, “Black and white photograph captures dramatic clouds,” Blue ribbon. Autumn Miller, GC, “Sunset, with wispy clouds reflected in the side of a trailer,” Blue ribbon. Autumn Miller, GC, “Black and white photo highlights the curved handle of a trailer,” Lavender ribbon. Autumn Miller, GC, “Sheep wearing a festive red, white, and blue headband,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, GC, “Goats,” Blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, “Sunset outside of a plane window,” Red ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, “Goldfish swimming,” Red ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, “Mexico resort,” Blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, “Mexico resort at night,” Blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig, MP, “Water picture,” Red ribbon. Mackenna Craig, MP, “Monkey picture,” Red ribbon. Mackenna Craig, MP, “Palm trees,” Blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig, MP, “Leaf,” blue ribbon. Anthony Havlicek, GC, “Raymond Palmer, the Ferocious Cat,” Blue ribbon. Anthony Havlicek, GC, “My crazy sister being herself,” Blue ribbon. Emily Pence, MP, “Sunset,” Blue ribbon. Emily Pence, MP, “Truck,” Lavender ribbon. Emily Pence, MP, “Horse,” Lavender ribbon. Addison Schultes, GC, “Horse sunset,”
JOHNSON COUNTY FAIR
Blue ribbon. Elsie Tomash, GC, “Butterfly on flower,” Blue ribbon. Elsie Tomash, GC, “Evening on the farm,” Blue ribbon. Elsie Tomash, GC, “Fun with pets,” Blue ribbon. Auggie Rogers, GC, “Clover photo,” Blue ribbon. Auggie Rogers, GC, “Sunset photo,” Blue ribbon. Abraham Singbeil, SS, Blue ribbon. Abraham Singbeil, SS, Blue ribbon
Static/Creative Arts/Creative Photography – Anthony Havlicek, GC, “Guess what these are! Dino tracks!,” Lavender ribbon
Static/Creative Arts/Visual Arts-Original Art – Madelyn Moses, GC, Concrete turtle sculpture, Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, GC, flower painting, Blue ribbon. Alyson Bulechek, MP, “A one of a kind piece of home décor (made of wood) that will reflect where I will be going to school, Blue ribbon
Static/Creative Arts/Visual Arts-Design, Process, or Technique Exploration – Autumn Miller, GC, “Colorful hummingbird against a blue background,” Lavender ribbon
Static/Creative Arts/Visual Arts-Other
Visual Art Ideas/Topics – Elsie Tomash, GC, “Flower Pot People,” Blue ribbon
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/ Child Development – Madison Singbeil, MP, “Sensory Jars,” Selected for State Fair-Child Development, Outstanding Child Development Exhibit, Purple ribbon
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/ Clothing and Fashion-Constructed/Sewn Garments and Accessories – Madelyn Moses, GC, “Pajama pants,” Blue ribbon. Emma Fencl, GC, “Reversible bucket hat,” Lavender ribbon
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/ Clothing and Fashion-Purchased Garments and Accessories – Madelyn Moses, GC, “Navy dress,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, GC, “Floral dress,” Blue ribbon
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/ Consumer Management – Mackenna Craig, MP, “Fleece blanket repurposed!,” Selected for State Fair-Consumer Management, Purple ribbon
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/ Food and Nutrition-Prepared Product –Madison Singbeil, MP, “Kringla,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, GC, “brownies,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, GC, “wacky cake,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, GC, “seasoned oyster crackers,” blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, “Donuts,” Lavender ribbon. Abraham Singbeil, SS, “Snickerdoodle cookies,” Blue ribbon
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/
Food and Nutrition – Preserved Product
– Mackenzie Craig, MP, “strawberry jam,” Lavender ribbon
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/ Home Improvement – Reece Meyer, MP, “Shadow box to be hung on the wall,” Lavender ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, “Flower arrangement,” Lavender ribbon. Mackenna Craig, MP, “Ironing board to go!,” Blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig, MP, “Silk floral arrangement,” Selected for State Fair-Home Improvement, Purple ribbon. Elsie Tomash, GC, “Ribbon & gift paper organization,” Blue ribbon Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/ Sewing and Needle Arts-Constructed Items – Madelyn Moses, GC, “Christmas stocking,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, “Fabric basket,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, “Bubble pillow case,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, “Halloween pillowcase,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, “Table runner,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, “Flower zipper bag,” Lavender ribbon. Madelyn Moses, “Purple zipped bag,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, “Halloween treat bag,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, “Drawstring bag,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, “Scrappy pillow,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, “Quilt,” Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, “Rag quilt,” Red ribbon. Addison Schultes, GC, “Rag quilt,”
Senior Quilting Exhibit, Lavender ribbon. Emma Fencl, GC, “Fabric basket,” Blue ribbon. Emma Fencl, “Paper pieced quilt,” Junior Quilting Exhibit, Lavender ribbon. Emma Fencl, “Tibet quilt,” Blue ribbon. Emma Fencl, “Green layer cake quilt,” Blue ribbon. Emma Fencl, “Paper pieced pillow,” Lavender ribbon. Emma Fencl, “Scrappy pillow,” Blue ribbon. Emma Fencl, “Iowa State Cyclone bag,” Lavender ribbon. Emma Fencl, “Zipper pouch,” Blue ribbon. Emma Fencl, “Needle felted butterfly hairclip,” Blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, “UNI rug,” Selected for State Fair-Textiles & Clothing/ Sewing, Purple ribbon
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/ Special Exhibition-Thrifty Meal Challenge – Madison Singbeil, MP, “Breakfast,” Lavender ribbon
Static/Garden/Cucumbers for slicing, 3 specimens – Autumn Miller, GC, Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, GC, Red ribbon. Anthony Havlicek, GC, Blue ribbon
Static/Graden/Any other kind of vegetable-1 specimen – Autumn Miller, GC, Purple ribbon
Static/Garden/Peppers (Sweet, bell, blocky, & other specimens), 3 specimens
– Anthony Havlicek, GC, “Peppers of 3,” Blue ribbon
Static/Garden/Peppers (Hot cayenne), 3 specimens – Anthony Havlicek, GC, “Hot peppers,” Blue ribbon
Static/Garden/Basil – Autumn Miller, GC, Blue ribbon
Static/Garden/Dill – Autumn Miller, GC, Blue ribbon
Static/Garden/Flower Arrangement –Madison Singbeil, MP, “Flower arrangement in a vase,” Outstanding Flower Arranger, Purple ribbon. Madison Singbeil, “Flower bouquet,” Purple ribbon
Static/Garden/Succulent Dish – Madelyn Moses, GC, “Flamingo,” Purple ribbon. Madelyn Moses, “Planter,” Blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig, MP, “Succulent Dish,” Purple ribbon
Static/Garden/Single Flower Specimen – Madelyn Moses, GC, “Zinnia,” Purple ribbon. Madelyn Moses, Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, Blue ribbon. Madelyn Moses, Blue ribbon, Madelyn Moses, Blue ribbon. Autumn Miller, GC, “Tiger Lily,” Blue ribbon. Autumn Miller, “Zinnia,” Blue ribbon. Autumn Miller, “Hibiscus,” Purple ribbon. Autumn Miller, “Coneflower,” Blue ribbon. Autumn Miller, “Daisy,” Blue ribbon
Static/Garden/Other Garden Exhibit –Madelyn Moses, GC, “Plant,” Blue ribbon
Static/Personal Development/ Citizenship & Civic Engagement – Madison Singbeil, MP, “The importance of youth leadership in communities,” Selected for State Fair-Personal Development, Purple ribbon. Madelyn Moses, GC, “Girl Scouts,” Blue ribbon. Madison Singbeil, MP, “Making Port Pillows with my brother for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Infusion Center,” Blue ribbon. Abraham Singbeil, SS, “Making Port Pillows with my sister for the University of Iowa hospitals and Clinics Infusion Center,” Blue ribbon
Static/Personal Development/4-H Poster Communication Exhibit – Madison Singbeil, MP, “4-H is where memories are made,” Lavender ribbon. Madelyn Moses, GC, “4-H Poster,” Blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, “4-H is. . .,” Blue ribbon
Static/Personal Development/ Leadership – Madison Singbeil, MP, “Leadership looks different on everyone,” Lavender ribbon
Static/Science, Engineering, & Technology – Woodworking – Madelyn Moses, GC, “Derby car,” Red ribbon. Abraham Singbeil, SS, “Corn hole set,” Blue ribbon
Not
Photo by Beth Craig, MacBride’s Pride 4-H club
Johnson County 4-H graduating seniors
Back Row: Brock Fisher, Logan Vittetoe, Sayle Gingrich, Raleigh Bennett, Conner Bistricky, and Carter Schott
Front row (from left): Taylor Vittetoe, Addie Schultes, Aly Bulechek, Madison Singbeil, and Mackenzie Craig
pictured: Kasey Craig
Photo by Beth Craig, MacBride’s Pride 4-H club
Johnson County 4-H Senior Scholarship recipients
Back row (from left): Madison Singbeil, Sayle Gingrich, Olivia Divoky, Logan Vittetoe, and Carter Schott
Front row (from left): Brock Fisher, Aly Bulechek, Taylor Cavanh, Addison Schultes, Mackenzie Craig, and Taylor Vittetoe
Proposed golf course sparks debate in rural Johnson County
The course would be placed near — and slightly within — Morse’s north end
Grace Escritt Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com
MORSE — In mid-May, Nate Kaeding, a former Iowa Hawkeyes football player, proposed to place an 18-hole golf course near and slightly within the village of Morse in Johnson County. As a result, numerous debates and questions arose among locals regarding the Morse Golf Club development team’s plan as well as how that plan interacts with Morse’s values as a small rural community.
The plan
According to an informational document prepared by the Johnson County Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) Department, the club’s development team aspires to build the course on private land currently owned by River Products Company: a producer of sand, gravel and limestone products.
Brian Nigg — a member of the club’s development team — said in a Facebook comment that the course would cover around 300 acres. Though most of this land falls outside of Morse, an aerial photo attached within the PDS department’s document shows a small portion of it lies inside the village’s northern boundary line.
Both Nigg’s comment and the PDS department’s document state the course would be 18-hole as well as include a driving range, area for practicing, clubhouse, and on-site cottages for stays overnight. It should be noted the cottages would be part of the golf club, not any sort of housing development, as no housing development of any kind is included in this project.
In addition, Nigg’s post said the course would also provide foods and beverages through partnerships with local food producers and farmers.
“We want the club to reflect and support the region’s agricultural heritage — highlighting local partners such as orchards, breweries, distilleries, and other area producers whenever possible,” his comment said.
Likewise, Nigg’s in-depth post said another one of the development team’s visions is to follow a “naturalist and minimalist” design approach. He
explained doing so would help to preserve the site’s natural qualities — like grasses, trees, creeks and more — while simultaneously providing a place for locals to spend a leisurely day outdoors.
Although the club would be placed on private land and privately owned, Nigg emphasized the club would welcome members, guests and the general public. The club also plans to support amateur golf.
“The Club intends to host amateur golf events and have a youth scholarship program where each Johnson County high school can elect a boy or girl from their high school team to have an honorary membership for the golf season,” Nigg’s comment said.
The progress
Nigg said in an email sent Monday, August 3, that at this point, the club is still working to assess the feasibility of implementing a course. Therefore, no official work— that is, aside from conceptual discussions — has been completed at this point.
Before course construction can begin, the club’s development team must submit an application to rezone the site as RR (Rural Recreation). Josh Busard, director of the PDS department, confirmed the county has not yet received said application. However, Nigg’s comment mentioned the development team will begin the pre-application process at some point in 2026, though no specific timeline was provided.
When the project was first introduced, the PDS department had two meetings with the club’s development group, although all ideas discussed were merely conceptual. All explanations about this project will remain conceptual until the rezoning application is provided, which will outline a more concrete plan.
Once the rezoning application is received, the Johnson County Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing. Later, a second public hearing will be held by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, which has the authority to approve — potentially under certain conditions — or deny the development team’s rezoning request.
Jon Green, chair of the board of supervisors, said most of the supervisors have discussed the plan conceptually with Kaeding.
“I understand that he’s trying to develop some -
thing that would be…less transformative to the landscape as it exists today, but still a big development that would potentially drive a lot of traffic out there,” Green said.
According to Nigg’s Facebook comment, during the club’s peak season, it may be able to provide upwards of 75 job opportunities to the region. However, Green said he believes it would be difficult for the development team to align its plan with Morse’s village plan.
“I just can’t see how those two things could co-exist,” he said.
The debate
According to Green, Morse village is home to “idyllic countryside tranquility,” which many residents have voiced wanting to maintain. Being a quiet, rural area of Johnson County, Morse is also home to many who value local farmland, which the proposed course site is currently being used for; that is, particularly for pastureland and row crops, according to Nigg’s comment. However, Green said he foresees the biggest future concerns being in relation to the club’s water source, which remains unclear.
“I have some pretty significant concerns about water issues, whether that be water quantity or water quality,” he said. “When I expressed that to Mr. Kaeding, he said he was mindful of that…so I’ll be curious to see what he has there, but the water thing is really going to be a difficult concern to overcome, I think.”
The future
Ultimately, the golf club’s goal is to be open for business in 2029. Once the development team submits a rezoning application, it can be found on the PDS department’s website. The team has also expressed that the public can follow the Morse Golf Club’s Facebook page for updates. Lastly, Green encourages Johnson County residents to reach out to the board of supervisors with questions and comments.
IowaPublicNotices.com
THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FORMAL MEETING MINUTES
JULY 23, 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, and Rod Sullivan. Members absent: Mandi Remington. Green sought and received unanimous consent for approval of the agenda as presented, except by correcting a scrivener’s error on item D.4 changing ‘Clerk of Court’ to read ‘County Recorder’.
Public Comment – Dr. Shawn
CLASSIFIEDS
House for Rent
4 Bedroom house 1.5 bathroom $2900/month + utilities. On 1 acre private lot, available September 1st or sooner. No pets. Call for details 319-361-9872.
Wanted
WANTED: JUNK APPLIANCES. Will pick up for free. Farm clean-up, batteries. Will buy junk cars. 319-331-8122.
Miscellaneous
Audien Hearing. The world’s first hearing aid with touchscreen controls. No tiny buttons, apps or prescriptions. 45-day risk free trial. Free shipping. Lifetime support. More than 1.5 million happy customers. Call Audien 1-855-304-1545
Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-855-954-5087 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waiving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. (Offer ends 12/31/25.) Call 1-866456-3917.
Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-844-376-4154.
Does your basement or crawl space need some attention? Call Thrasher Foundation Repair! A permanent solution for waterproofing, failing foundations, sinking concrete and nasty crawl spaces. FREE Inspection & Same Day Estimate. $250 off ANY project with code GET250. Call 1-866-554-1730
Datchuk of Iowa City, Professor of Special Education at the University of Iowa, spoke about an initiative to connect researchers with county policymakers across the United States to address child and family policy issues. Motion by Sullivan, second by Fixmer-Oraiz, to approve the following consent agenda items:
1. The claims on the County Auditor’s Claim Register for July 23, 2026, in the amount of $938,231.25:
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AWARENESS DAY - JULY 26, 2026
Summary: WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990, is landmark civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and promotes equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency; and Johnson County is committed to fostering a community where all people, regardless of ability, can access government services, public spaces, employment opportunities, transportation, information, and community life with dignity and respect. Board action: Proclaim July 26, 2026, as Americans with Disabilities Act Awareness Day in Johnson County and encourage residents to recognize the importance of accessibility, celebrate the achievements of people with disabilities, and work together to build a community where everyone can participate fully.
Motion by Sullivan, second by Green-Douglass, to approve Proclamation No. 07-26-26-01. Approved unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 07-23-26-01
RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING ON VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS
Summary: The Johnson County Planning and Zoning Commission filed its report and recommendations for certain actions. Board action: Set a public hearing for August 13, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in Boardroom 301, Johnson County Health & Human Services Building, 855 South Dubuque Street, Iowa City for the following applications: Zoning application filed by Brandon Pratt (REZ26-000003) & Platting application filed by Robert W Howe (SD26000008); and authorize the County Auditor to publish the official notice for the public hearing. Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Green-Douglass, to approve Resolution No. 07-23-26-01. Approved unanimously. Motion by Sullivan, second by Green-Douglass, to approve the Municipal Advisory Services Agreement with Piper Sandler & Co., Des Moine, for financial advisory services related to the planning, financing, and construction of a new County Sheriff's Office and Jail Facility in the amount of $141,750. Motion approved 3-1 with Fixmer-Oraiz voting Nay. Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Green-Douglass, to approve the Fiscal Year 2027 Social Services Hunger Relief Grant Funding Agreements with the following organizations: CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank, Iowa City, in an
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 7
Shrimp Scampi
Parmesan Orzo Pasta Lemon Broccoli Breadstick Fresh Fruit
Monday, August 10
Baked Caesar Chicken
Buttered Noodles
Carrots
Chocolate PB Cake Roll
Wednesday, August 12
Sponsored meal – Sam’s Mainstreet Market
Roast Beef
Mashed Potatoes
Beef Gravy
Roasted Carrots
CALENDAR & PUZZLES
Cherry Pie
Friday, August 14
Catch of the Day
Baked Potato
Sour Cream Seasonal Vegetable Banana Split Dessert
Monday, August 17
Baked Spaghetti Pie
Zucchini Parmesan Garlic Toast Seasonal Fresh Fruit
Wednesday, August 19
***Consultants from Solon Community Housing to share information on future Solon project*** Roast Beef
Mashed Potatoes
Beef Gravy
Roasted Carrots Cherry Pie
Friday, August 21
Honey Butter Biscuit 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
August Solon Senior Support news
Senior Support launches Safe at Home: Helping older adults liv safely and independently
Join Solon Senior Support for the launch of our new Safe at Home program! This free service helps older adults identify simple ways to reduce fall risks and improve safety throughout their homes. During a friendly, non-judgmental home visit, trained volunteers will provide a personalized safety assessment, helpful education, and practical recommendations to make everyday living safer. Participants will also receive a Vial of Life emergency information packet and other valuable safety resources. Our goal is simple: help older adults remain safe, independent, and confident in the homes they love.
An informational program will be held Thursday, August 13 at the Solon Public Library from 1-2 p.m.
Solon Food Pantry needs
The Pantry currently needs pancake mix, hamburger and tuna helper, toilet paper, Suddenly Salad ® , and apple juice.
Location: Lower level of the Solon United Methodist Church, 122 N. West St.
Hours: Donations 8:30-10 a.m. Mondays (a drop box is available outside the pantry door for after-hours donations), Clients 2-6 p.m. Mondays
Solon Senior Transportation
Let our volunteer drivers transport you to and from medically related appointments. An enrollment form and detailed brochure will be sent upon request. Once enrolled, the client may call for a ride to a specific appointment. All volunteer
drivers are self-insured. Call Cindy Jensen @ 319-360-3279. Volunteers are always needed!
Johnson County Pickleball Club (JCPC)
Interested in Pickleball? Want to learn more about it? The Solon United Methodist ChurchFamily Life Center (131 N. West St.) has 3 indoor courts used by the JCPC from 8:30-11am on Mon/Wed/Fri, 9-11am on Tues/Thurs, and 930-11am on Sundays. Walk-in fee is $5, JCPC membership is $15/year, and the church’s yearly court fee is $100. The courts may be rented for private groups- call the church at 319-624-2288 for rates and scheduling. Contact Doug Tuetken at 563-608-4483 for more information. Newcomers and walk-ins are always welcome, and lessons are on Sunday mornings.
The Solon Public Library can come to you
Solon Senior Support volunteers will deliver Library books/materials to your home and pick them up when you are done using them? Call the Library at 319-624-2678 for more information or to set up a delivery.
Weekly activities
Chair Yoga – Mondays 12:30-1:30 p.m., Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. at the Solon Public Library
Coffee & Conversation – Wednesdays 9-10 a.m. at the Solon Public Library
Euchre – Fridays 12:30-3 p.m. at the Solon Methodist Church
Pickleball – Daily at the Solon United Methodist Church Family Life Center
Zumba – Tuesdays & Fridays 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Solon Community Center, cost is $1
6 Romulus and Remus, e.g., for short
15 “There is nothing on earth so powerful as an ___ whose time has come” (proverb)
16 Bird related to the 46-Down
17 City center, often
18 Groups at the First Continental Congress in 1774
20 “Les ___”
21 Open mic performer, often
22 Setting of “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”
23 10 Hamiltons
25 American Revolution heroes
27 Fig. at a bus depot
28 Defeats convincingly
31 Fancy Dan
32 Daiquiri flavor
34 Bit of lore
35 Overdo it at the beach, say
36 George Washington’s presidential status on February 4, 1789
37 Chrome alternative
39 Simple wooden shoes
42 Last full year of John Adams’s presidency
46 Heart chart, for short
49 Fail to engage
50 Jewish mysticism
52 “Nixon in China” tenor
53 Periodic survey started under Secy. of State Thomas Jefferson
55 Trunk part
56 Disunites
58 “Father of the Constitution” and his family
60 Like the Revolutionary War battles led by John Paul Jones
61 Apple Store offerings
63 Show of friendliness
64 First signer of the Declaration of Independence
66 “The Divine ___” (showbiz nickname)
68 Conglomeration
69 Regarding, on a memo
70 Soul singer Adams
71 Angler’s hope
72 TV programmer’s slate, in brief
73 American settlement until 1776 … or a hint to 13 squares in this puzzle
Down
1 Word with bar or bunny
2 Unadulterated by plastic, say
3 Ordinary
4 You knead dough to make it
5 A word of support
6 Location of “Sloop John B” on the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds” album
7 Just chillaxing
8 Salad ingredient often paired with goat cheese
9 Long account
10 A ___
11 Hot dog on a roll?
12 One whose qualifications are enumerated in Article I, Section 3, of the Constitution 13 Some coll. instructors 19 Uneasy giggle 21 Printing size
23 Two-time Tony winner Neuwirth 24 “Yowza!” 25 Comedian Poundstone 26 Bug exterminator? 29 ___ Island 30 Graceless ones
Gets going
Ticked off
Website that added podcast info in 2021
Granada grandma
Pears used for cooking 43 Musical with the song “What’s the Use of Wond’rin’?” 44 Doesn’t let go of
Street fleet
World’s second-tallest bird
Trattoria treat in a shell
Doubled, say
Things to chew on
Start to live and breathe?
Kissed or whacked
Rowena’s love, in fiction
1970 Neil Diamond song about an imaginary childhood friend
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.
KING BRUCE from 1
tried and true hits, “Burning Love” and “Treat Me Nice”. For some of his other classics, Tammy brought out a box of goodies; scarves and teddy bears for Bruce to hand out during renditions of “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” and of course, “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear”.
“He interacts with the crowd really nice,” said longtime Solon resident Jim Leland. Leland and the Wrights have been friends for years, and part of their success has been thanks to Leland introducing them to the people of Solon; helping arrange for them to play shows at Solon Retirement Village.
Now, Bruce and Tammy
perform at a number of assisted living and retirement homes.
“Some of them, I give them a teddy bear, and they just start crying.” Bruce says that when he performs for people who grew up with Elvis’s music, the songs take on a deeper meaning.
“It’s very heartfelt,” said Tammy.
“It gives people a reason to get out, spend some money at the local businesses here. We’re centered on some of the busy streets in Solon which are very beautiful, so now everybody gets to enjoy it,” said James Rowe, who says he likes to watch Bruce and Tammy perform at different venues around the state.
While listening to Bruce perform, it’s not uncommon
Above
to see audience members close their eyes and transport themselves to a time long passed. Bruce says he’s 63 years old, 21 years older than Elvis was when he passed away at the age of 42. That limits his ability to do as many hip swings as some of the younger impersonators out there, but Bruce says the outfits and mannerisms aren’t his primary concern.
“A lot of these youngsters are coming up, just doing it for a career,” Bruce says about other impersonators, “a lot of them don’t sound like Elvis, but that doesn’t mean a lot of people don’t like it.” King Bruce says he puts the most effort into singing just how the original Elvis recordings sound.
“There are so many people
August Solon Senior Advocates news
Advocates 2026 trips
Thursday, October 8
Breitbach’s/Gays Mills, bus charge and buffet: $50
Breitbach’s is a generational family owned restaurant since 1852. A hilltop location overlooking the Mississippi River makes it a popular destination. Breitbach’s is known for their family style and comfort food and offers an all you can eat buffet made fresh daily, and completely homemade.
Gays Mill, WI – Sunrise Orchards, on the bluffs of SW Wisconsin since 1913, offering 25 apple varieties with numerous apple products.
Restaurant run
Thursday, August 20 – Charley Rae’s, 211 E. 1st. St., Mechanicsville. Noon, personal cars
Meal and Movie
Friday, August 28 – Movie TBA, 11 a.m., Solon Public Library
Solon Senior Transport
Providing volunteer transportation for seniors to medical appointments. For information and to enroll please call Cindy Jensen, 319-360-3279.
Please consider signing up as a volunteer driver!
Senior Advocates Board
Barry Byrne 319-354-8757, Larry Brecht 319-624-2925, Mark Hollinrake 319-551-2811, Cindy Jensen 319-3603279, Phyllis Fiala 319-331-7447, Joyce Cook 319-541-6527, Penny Tompkins 319471-3662, Lou Wolfe 319-321-3113, and Sandy Hanson 319-430-8655
that do listen to the music, they want to hear it the right way,” says Bruce, who adds that besides trying to sound as much like Elvis as possible, he really just wants to keep the King’s memory alive.
Photos by John Charlson | Solon Economist
Front page: Terri Jedlicka and John Donovan from Solon dance while Bruce Wright performs his King Bruce tribute show to Elvis Presley during Music on Main in downtown Solon Wednesday, July 29.
Above left: Bruce Wright offers Marilyn Hansen from Solon a teddy bear during his rendition of “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” during Music on Main in downtown Solon.
center: Bruce Wright sings during his King Bruce tribute show to Elvis Presley during Music on Main.
Above right: Bruce Wright serenades an audience member during his King Bruce tribute show to Elvis Presley.
Left: Bruce Wright sings “Rock-A-Hula Baby” with the help of volunteer hula dancers..