SOLON — The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) provides law enforcement to the city of Solon on a contracted basis and releases a monthly Town Time Report documenting the agency’s activities and time spent within the corporate limits of Solon.
December
Deputies conducted 45 traffic stops (213 total since July 1), responded to 13 9-1-1 hangups (the highest since July 1), 22 emergency medical incidents, and two fire responses among 171 total calls for service for the month. Also, deputies responded to three motor vehicle accidents, conducted 14 business checks, and responded to six domestic disturbances.
As a reminder the Sheriff’s substation is open at 223 S. Iowa St. in Solon. The facility is not staffed 24/7 but if a deputy is needed (non-emergency) call 319-3566800 to make a request to have one meet you. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
Hours in Solon
Council approves site plan for proposed senior housing complex
SOLON — The Solon City Council took action on two items related to a proposed senior housing (55+) complex during their regular meeting Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The Solon Community Housing Corporation is proposing to build two 20-unit residential structures on two lots located in the Fox Ridge development on the south side of Solon directly north of the Solon Pet Health Center on Windflower Lane. Solon Community Housing, a nonprofit organization, already oversees the Meadowlark Acres senior housing development located between the Solon Middle School and St. Mary Catholic Church and will be the owner and developer for the Fox Ridge complex as well.
Solon’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) reviewed the development’s site plan during their Thursday, Jan. 2 meeting and recommended approval while noting
Bridge Community Bank acquired
Orion Bancorporation, Inc. and Mechanicsville Bancshares, Inc. announce plans to merge
ORION, ILL — Orion Bancorporation, Inc., the parent company of BankORION, has announced its plan to acquire Mechanicsville Bancshares, Inc. the parent company of Bridge Community Bank. As part of this transaction, Mechanicsville Bancshares will be merged into Orion Bancorporation, with Orion Bancorporation, Inc. becoming the remaining entity. Under Orion Bancorporation, Inc., BankORION and Bridge Community Bank will both continue to operate as two separate independent community
some concerns related to parking and fire hydrants. 44 parking spaces are shown on the site plan (including a dozen garage spaces) per building (88 total) for two per unit. However city code specifies three parking spaces per unit (60 total), requiring a variance to be granted as requested by the developer.
P&Z’s concerns centered around a lack of on-street parking for overflow vehicles, the tendency for garage space to be used to store boats, golf carts, and other misc. items other than for parking cars; and a tendency for families to have more than two vehicles. A lack of visitor parking (four spaces) and a reluctance to set a precedent on parking variances were also noted, particularly if at some point in the future the complex would be owned by a for-profit entity and not specifically for 55+ seniors. To address this, City Attorney Kevin Olson inserted language into the agreement between the City and developer that if this were to occur
banks after the transaction is finalized. The transaction will bring together two community banks with a combined 257 years of servicing customers in six counties across two states. The two community banks will have total assets of approximately $770 million. Completion of the transaction is currently expected to occur by the end of Q2 of 2025 and is contingent upon regulatory approval.
Matt Bollinger, President and CEO of Orion Bancorporation, Inc. and BankORION, stated, “Expanding our footprint further into eastern Iowa has been a strategic initiative of our organization. Bridge Community Bank is a great community bank with values that mirror those of BankORION. Adding Bridge Community Bank to our family positions us excellently into the Cedar, Linn and Johnson counties and presents exciting growth opportunities. We are thrilled to bring our cultures and histories together while continuing to serve the financial needs of our communities.”
David Steen, President of Bridge Community Bank, stated, “All of us at Bridge Community Bank are excited about finding a partner who shares our culture, values and commitment to our customers, employees and the communities we serve. Orion Bancorporation, Inc. and
then the new owner would need to approach the Council to have the variance continued.
Councilwoman Lauren Whitehead supported approval of the plan, with the variance, saying, “It makes total sense to have the variance. I’ve seen other communities like this and in general retirees don’t have as many cars, they don’t need as many cars, so I think this makes a lot of sense.”
City Engineer Dave Schechinger has reached out to the Solon Tri-Township Fire Department to determine if the current fire hydrants will be sufficient to provide an adequate water supply for fire protection for 40 units, or if additional hydrants will be needed.
The Council unanimously approved a developer’s agreement with Senior Housing Corporation and unanimously passed the site plan (with parking variance).
A timeline for groundbreaking and construction has not yet been determined.
BankORION have a stellar reputation, and we look forward to a future with them.”
TruStar Advisors, LLC., and Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC., acted as the financial and legal advisors to BankORION, while Dickinson, Bradshaw, Fowler & Hagen, P.C., acted as the legal advisor to Bridge Community Bank.
About BankORION:
Since 1890, BankORION has been a locally owned, locally managed, independent community bank. BankORION is the oldest bank headquartered in the Quad Cities metropolitan area and has seven full-service branches including Orion, Cambridge, Moline, Aledo and Annawan, Illinois, as well as Bettendorf, Iowa with approximately $640 million in total assets.
About Bridge Community Bank:
Bridge Community Bank, founded in 1903, is an independent community bank with three branches in Mechanicsville, Mount Vernon and Solon, Iowa located in Cedar, Linn and Johnson Counties. The bank has approximately $130 million in total assets.
Solon Economist
These architect’s renderings show what a proposed senior (55+) apartment complex, to be built along Windflower Lane in the Fox Ridge development on the south side of Solon, will look like.
Hoover Presidential Foundation announces scholarship opportunity for Iowa High School juniors
David Ancelet Asst. Director of Marketing and Communications, Hooper Presidential Foundation
WEST BRANCH —
The Hoover Presidential Foundation will award over $60,000 in scholarships to Iowa students this year. This is the 28th year of the annual Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award, a scholarship program for Iowa high school juniors.
The deadline to submit an application is April 1, 2025. As many as 15 students will be chosen for the program with each receiving a $1,500 scholarship. In addition, four $10,000 scholarships are awarded for study at an accredited twoor four-year college or university anywhere in the United States. The award program seeks to identify uncommon students during their junior year in high school. Applicants submit a proposal for a project they want to accomplish, which relates to Herbert Hoover. Hoover was known as a great humanitarian, entrepreneur, engineer, and loved technology and the environment. Students are not evaluated on the basis of grades, test scores, essays, or financial need. Students are selected each year based on their stated project goal and detailed plans to reach that goal.
2025 Solon Senior of the Year Award nominations due March 19
Submitted by Pat Ikan
SOLON — The Solon Senior of the Year Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for the annual award. Nomination forms must be received by Wednesday, March 19, 2025. The Solon Senior Advocates established the award in 2006. The Solon Senior of the Year is a senior citizen from the Solon area who has shared their expertise, time, and effort as a volunteer in the community, including programs and activities that benefit the lives of our seniors.
The nominating committee will make recommendations to the Solon Senior Advocates Board, and the Board will
select the recipient. The recipient will be recognized at a meeting of the Solon City Council and during the annual Beef Days parade. Nomination forms are available Solon City Hall, Solon Public Library, and the Solon Post Office. Please contact Pat Ikan, Nomination Committee Chairperson for more information or a nomination form at P.O. Box 148, Solon, IA 52333, pikan@ southslope.net or (319) 624-2643.
Eligibility Criteria
1. The nominee must be at least 65 years of age, by May 1 of the year in which they are nominated. 2. The nominee must
be a resident of the Solon area, but not necessarily of the town itself. They must live within the Solon School District unless the bulk of their service has been done within the Solon area.
3. The nominee’s record of service to the community should be based on voluntary efforts and not for work done as a paid employee or an elected official.
Selection Criteria
1. The nomination form should describe the details of the nominee’s volunteer work: length of service, approximate number of people impacted by the service, and the variety of service activities in which
Finalists spend a required expense-paid weekend in West Branch (just east of Iowa City) during the summer between their junior and senior year on June 21-22. During the weekend, they receive mentoring and assistance developing their projects to aid in their success.
Time is also spent behind the scenes at the Hoover Presidential Library and Museum to help students become more familiar with President Hoover’s ideals regarding humanitarianism and public service. On November 8, 2025, finalists make presentations about their projects at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum. At that time, each student receives
they were involved. Special attention should be drawn to leadership roles the individual has taken on.
2. Monetary contributions to community projects by the nominee will not be considered.
3. Work done for pay as an employee will not be considered. The nominee need not be retired.
4. The nominee must still be living; the award will not be given posthumously.
5. The nominee should have been a resident of the Solon area for at least the last five years.
The Solon Senior Advocates recognized Jack Neuzil as the first Solon Senior of the Year in 2006. The next recipients were Wayne Croy 2007, Milt Hunt 2008, Pat Ikan 2009, Marie Kroul 2010, Bev Noska and Elaine Reynolds 2011, Anna McAtee 2012, Jean and
the $1,500 scholarship, and four are chosen to receive a $10,000 scholarship.
Herbert Hoover, Iowa native and the nation’s 31st president, is the inspiration for the award. He noted, “We believe in equal opportunity for all, but we know that this includes the opportunity to rise to leadership . . . to be uncommon.” The award, funded entirely by private donations, is sponsored by the Hoover Presidential Foundation, a nonprofit support group for the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum and Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch. Information and applications may be found at www.UncommonStudent. org.
Bob Stinocher 2013, Fred Bark and Rita Brannaman 2014, Don Erusha and Marv Stastny 2015, Larry and Marcy Olson 2016, Jeanne Erhart and Phyllis Fiala 2017, Dave Frisbee and Duane McAtee 2018, Sandy Hanson 2019, Judy Shulista 2020, Kris Brown 2021, Larry Meister 2022, Don Ellis 2023, and Marilyn and Denny Hansen in 2024.
In 2018 Solon Senior Advocates created the Solon Senior of the Year Nominating Committee made up of past Solon Senior of the Year recipients. The nominating committee first made recommendations for the 2019 annual award and, with the approval of the Senior Advocates, formalized the eligibility and selection criteria. Current committee members are Don Ellis, Jeanne Erhart, Phyllis Fiala, Dave Frisbie, Pat Ikan, Larry Meister and Marcy Olson.
Johnson County Poor Farm among six new sites to join Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area
Communications & Marketing Director Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area
WATERLOO — Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) has welcomed six new sites to its 37-county region in Northeast Iowa. “Silos & Smokestacks continually strives to enhance the telling of the story of American agriculture,” said Cara Miller, Executive Director of Silos & Smokestacks. “These new sites represent some of the unique untold agriculture stories that exist in the heritage area region. We are proud to add these diverse stories to our list of sites.”
Now 117 heritage area sites strong, each SSNHA site and attraction is designated to interpret and preserve its own unique part of America’s agricultural story,
New heritage area sites include:
• Barn Quilts of Black Hawk County, Black Hawk County. Featuring two selfguided driving tours highlighting 25 quilts. The tour includes viewing a quilt on the historic round barn at the Western Home Communities, local businesses, and farms. Along the way view wetlands, the Cedar River, and rural communities within a short drive from Cedar Falls and Waterloo.
• Country View Dairy, Hawkeye. Established in 2011 by Mennonite family Dave & Carolee Rapson, Country View Dairy built a new creamery from the ground up and now process milk from 80 cows into award-winning yogurt, milk and frozen yogurt. Visitors can see an active farm, get close to a calf, tour the farm, and watch the yogurt-making process. The farm store and visitor center are open daily.
• Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center, Lansing. A 10,000 square foot nature center featuring exhibits on the flora and fauna of the Driftless Area as well as the history of the people from Native Americans to the present time and how they have used the natural resources to survive and make a living.
• Earth Moving Legacy Center, Elkader. A 38,000 square foot facility that showcases the rich history of earthmoving machinery. The collection spans from the 1880's to 1940, focusing primarily on the evolution of the Caterpillar Company, and features early track-type tractors from Caterpillar, Holt Manufacturing and C.L. Best Manufacturing.
• Johnson County Historic Poor Farm, Iowa City. Following its operational period from 1855 to 1988, the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm remained under county ownership but lay vacant. In 2017, the Board of Supervisors
adopted a 10-year Master Plan to revitalize the site while protecting its history. Today the site offers interpretive signage, local food production, trails, accessibility measures, native plantings, and event space rentals.
• Mississippi River Distilling Company, LeClaire. A family-owned distillery that crafts small-batch spirits from grains grown by local farmers, right on the banks of the mighty Mississippi. Tours and tastings are offered.
“We are excited to work with these six new sites, they all have unique agricultural stories that help define the region,” said Candy WelchStreed, SSNHA director of partnerships.
If you are interested in learning more about the process to become a heritage area site, please visit the www.silosandsmokestacks.org/partner/ site-designation/.
Through a network of sites, programs and events, Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area tells the story of farm life and agribusiness— past and present. Visitors can learn about and experience agriculture at a variety of museums, historic sites, and farms. One of 62 federally designated heritage areas in the nation, Silos & Smokestacks is a member of the National Park Service National Heritage Area System. The heritage area covers 37 counties in the northeast quadrant of Iowa. To plan your visit or to learn more, visit www.silosandsmokestacks.org.
Volume 145 I Issue 3 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
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 2024 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
Jori Wade-Booth
Vivian Rose (Meka) Mougin, 84, of Oxford, Iowa died peacefully on January 10, 2025, at the Bird House Hospice Home of Johnson County, surrounded by her family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at St. Peter Catholic Church, Cosgrove, Iowa. Fr. Francis Mensah will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Kirkwood Avenue location of Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, Iowa. The rosary will be recited at 3:30pm. Burial will be at St. Peter Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Vivian Mougin Memorial Fund, Iowa City Hospice or The Bird House of Johnson County Hospice Home.
Vivian Rose (Meka) Mougin was born September 4, 1940, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, to Jerry and Irma (Kasparek) Meka. On September 22, 1959, Vivian married Frank Mougin at St. Mary’s Church in Iowa City.
Vivian was a 1958 graduate of Solon High School. She participated in cheerleading, was a Good Citizenship Award winner, and a first-place winner of a statewide typing competition held at the University of Iowa –netting her a grand prize of her very own Royal manual typewriter! (yes….that was a big thing back in the day).
Immediately following graduation, Vivian became a lifelong employee at the Welt Insurance Agency (a/k/a Welt-Ambrisco and AW Welt Agency), as a bookkeeper, retiring in 2010 after 52 years. She was also an amazing farm wife, helping on the farm with whatever she could until her five children were old enough to take on some of the extra chores. Like her mom, Vivian inherited some pretty good cooking and baking habits, with many of those efforts being shared with family and friends. She was the well-known “Kolache Queen” in the Cosgrove area – always donating plenty to share at the annual Pork Days Celebration and raising many auction dollars for the church with her kolache creations. She always made sure that family and friends had a kolache in hand during good times and in bad.
Vivian was a proud and devoted member of St. Peter Church, Cosgrove, and the St. Peter Altar and Rosary Society
She and Frank loved their children and grandchildren and seldom missed an athletic, musical, church, or theatrical event. As Vivian mentioned recently, “I am so proud of all of my children and grandchildren and all of their accomplishments, dedication to family and to their communities.”
Vivian is survived by her children: Dee (Wayne) Simon, Pat (Brenda) Mougin, Denny (Denise) Mougin, Bryan (Pam) Mougin, and daughter-in-law Kelli Mougin; Grandchildren: Jaime Simon, Alex Mougin, Haley (Harrison Cooper) Mougin, Alyssa (Will) Stockman, Hannah (Cam) Gingerich, Bryce Mougin, Connor (Sabrina) Mougin, Drake Mougin, Logan Mougin, Grant (fiancé Liz Kuster) Mougin; Great Grandchildren: Cole and Bailey Stockman and Baby Gingerich on the way; In-laws: Mary Ann Walters, Chuck and Sandy Mougin; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband Frank, son Tom, and grandson Ryan Mougin; parents Jerry and Irma Meka, in-laws Raphael and Doliena Mougin, Ed and Jean Mougin, Vic and Leona Mougin, Frank and Darlene Kabela, Whitey Walters, Harold and Juanita Hunter; Aunts and Uncles Rudy Meka, Ruby and Bud Curry, Ted and Marie Colony, Alvin and Helen Kasparek; Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Kasparek, and extended family. The family wishes to express their appreciation for the kindness and care given to Vivian at Grand Living Bridgewater, Mercy Downtown, the Encompass Rehab Hospital, and Bird House of Johnson County. Online condolences at www.lensingfuneral.com
GFWC/Iowa
Apply by Feb 1
Eileen Hageman
GFWC/Iowa Solon Women’s Club
The GFWC/Iowa, General Federation of Women’s Clubs, sponsors several music campships for interested 8th-12th grade music students. Applicants must have completed 7th grade before attending the camp. These awards can
We’re pleased to announce our new catalog system, Apollo, has officially launched! We started the day Tuesday, January 14, with the new catalog.
If you haven’t already, visit our website, www.solon.lib. ia.us, and click on “Catalog Search” in the upper right hand corner.
Once on Apollo, you’ll see “Log in to your Account” in the upper right hand corner. In the top field you’ll enter your Library Card Number, and in the second field you’ll enter your password. To begin, your default password is your phone number associated with your Library account.
Once you’re logged in you’ll be able to click on the “My Account” button to see your personal details, update your password if desired, and of course browse for more materials. If you’d rather we assist you with this process, visit the Library and let us know. We’re thrilled to have this upgrade and we are sure you’ll enjoy it too.
Library Events
The Winter Library Challenge continues until Friday, January 31. All-ages can participate in activities and challenges at the Library in December and January to earn secret codes. It’s as simple as joining us for one of our events, checking out different types of materials, and enjoying activities around the Library. Redeem four secret codes for a small prize and a chance to win a
COLLEGE NEWS
grand prize! You can track your progress on paper slips or using READsquared. Be sure to turn in your completed slips by Friday, January 31. Challenge yourself and win this WIN-ter!
Our All-Ages Art Night is Monday, January 20, at 6:00 p.m. Everyone’s invited to get artsy and enjoy different stations with a variety of art supplies. No registration necessary, grab your friends and join us!
Teens and young adults are invited to Auto Repair 101 Saturday, February 1, at 12:30 p.m. We’ll learn from guest speaker Charlie Christie the basics of what’s under the hood, common car problems, and basic maintenance. Participants will leave with a better understanding of their car and gain confidence at the mechanics. Space is limited so head to our website calendar to register or call the library.
Early-out Thursdays at the Library are all about the kids! BAM POW activities begin at 1:45 for 1st through 8th graders. Walk over to the Library after school to Build and Make, Play or Watch with us! When the winter weather creates chaos with our Thursday schedule and school is canceled or isn’t an early-out, we will not have a BAM POW program for 1st-8th graders.
When the weather has you feeling cabin fever, get out and join us for Chair Yoga! Patrons have remarked about increased range of motion, improvements to quality of life, and everyone enjoys the social interac-
Carlie Robertson is one of 102 Coe College students named to the Fall 2024 Dean's List
CEDAR RAPIDS — Coe College is recognizing its highest performing students as members of the Dean's List, including Carlie Robertson, who is currently among this elite group.
Robertson, of Ely, has been named to the prestigious Fall 2024 Dean's List at Coe in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Past members of Coe's Dean's List have gone on to illustrious careers in both the private and public sectors.
The college recognized only 102 students for the Fall Term. To be named to the Dean's List, a student must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average for the term and rank in the top 10% of the student body.
"It's an honor to recognize these students because they exemplify the best of Coe," said Coe College President David Hayes '93. "Congratulations to Carlie and all the other honorees. We're proud of all of you."
Coe College offers superb academics and exciting extracurricular activities in a thriving urban setting that promotes student growth and success. The college has the #8 Career Services and #22 Most Accessible Professors in the country and is a Top 25 private school for internships across six of the last seven years according
tion. You can join us to see what the fuss is all about! Mondays at 12:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
Please note the class size is capped at 25 to allow adequate space and optimal instruction.
Join us at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday mornings for Coffee & Conversations and stick around for Chair Yoga at 10:00 a.m.
Library Access
Regular Library hours are Mon day-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays. Please always refer to our website calendar or call to check hours as winter weather may impact our ability to be safely open.
We’ll be open 9:00 a.m.4:00 p.m. Friday, January 24, to allow time for our monthly staff in-service.
Don’t forget, the digital library is always available! Find an eBook, eAudiobook, magazines and more with Bridges, or with the Libby app on your favorite smart device. You can even stream classic films, discover new favorites, and more with Kanopy on your favorite smart device.
Everyone is welcome at the Library and our programs. Please contact us with access needs.
What’s New?
Whether you’re in the mood for a sequel to a childhood favorite, an inspirational tale, or an animated story for the whole
family…there’s something for you at the Library! Check out a DVD to enjoy movie night at home.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice . Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life gets turned upside down when her daughter discovers a portal to the afterlife. When someone says Beetlejuice's name three times, the mischievous demon soon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem. [PG13]
The Forge. A year out of high school with no plans for his future, a boy is challenged by his single mom and a successful businessman to start charting a better course for his life. Through the prayers of his mother and biblical discipleship from his new mentor, he begins discovering God's purpose for his life is so much more than he could hope for or imagine. [PG]
Joker: Folie à Deux. Struggling with his dual identity, failed comedian Arthur Fleck stumbles upon true love while incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital. Awaiting trial for the murder of five people, Fleck soon discovers the music that's always been inside him. [R]
Transformers One Once upon a time, Optimus Prime and Megatron were friends bonded like brothers who managed to change the fate of the Cybertron planet forever. This is their untold original story, before they end up being bitter opponents. [PG]
to The Princeton Review. It is consistently ranked as a top college by national publications and offers more than 60 areas of study for its 1,300 students. Post-graduation, nearly 100 percent of reporting graduates are employed or in grad school within nine months.
Mount Mercy University congratulates December 2024 graduates
CEDAR RAPIDS — The following students graduated from Mount Mercy University in December. Kayla Sawyer (Ely) – Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Summa Cum Laude Gracie Chapman (Solon) – Bachelor of Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude
Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mount Mercy University is the regional Catholic, Mercy University that promises students of diverse backgrounds, ages and faiths a challenging, practical education that inspires them to discover knowledge, build community and live their values. Mount Mercy provides a forward-thinking, future-focused education, offering baccalaureate and graduate education to 1,500+ enrolled students and uniquely blending a quality liberal arts education with career-focused professional preparation.
letters, are to submitted electronically by February 1st, 2025.
be applied toward tuition and room and board, or individual music lessons at a summer music camp within Iowa. Campships are awarded in the amount of the cost of the camp, up to $400. Applicants are responsible for the balance of their cost. Applications can be obtained at the Solon High School Guidance Counselor’s Office, or from your music teacher. This year’s applications have been distributed by the AEA to high school principals, guidance counselors and music teachers. Completed applications with attached reference
Campships are awarded through a generous gift to GFWC/Iowa by the E. Lucille Miller estate, as well as yearly contributions from local GFWC/Iowa clubs.
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is an international organization that is dedicated to strengthening communities and enhancing the lives of others through community service. The GFWC/Iowa Solon Women’s Club is a member of this international organization and is the local sponsor of the music campships.
For additional information , please contact Bette Kuboushek, GFWC/Iowa State Scholarship Chairman, at 563-599-4312 or gfwciaschol@gmail.com.
Vivian Mougin
OPINIONS
My mind and body are out of sync
Food for Thought
Milli Gilbaugh
As the years whiz by, I've begun to understand some things about age. Mainly that it exists more in the perceptions of others than it does in oneself. I don't feel “old” even though most people would define reaching ninety as definitely old. Most of the time I feel somewhere between sixteen and sixty, depending on a number of things including the weather, the news of the world, what's in the mail, what I have scheduled for the next 24 to 48 hours or if I am trying to put my socks on.
I had a relative who told me that, when she was a child, everyone she knew who died had been sixty-five years old, so she expected to die at that age too. When she reached that predicted milestone, she was still in good health and likely to stay around for quite a few more years, but she had no plans for those bonus years and sat in front of her television set, living vicariously through talk shows and soap operas, waiting for her turn to come.
Others I have known try to hold time at arm's length by disguising themselves to appear younger than they are. They seem to believe the Fates won't know they are getting on in years if they dye their hair to cover all vestiges of gray, hide wrinkles and sagging chins with make-up and drape their stooping shoulders and flabby bellies under clothes designed for teenagers. Bunions and in-grown toenails are gladly suffered as the price of glamorous high heels and trendy boots instead of comfortable shoes meant for walking. When I consider the time, effort, and money some people spend on this deception, I also question their priorities and judgment. I suspect the cause springs from wishful thinking and outside forces taking advantage of that vulnerability. I doubt very much if any of us would pursue this ideal image on our own if it weren't for the guy who wants our money. He tells us that this is the way we want to look and we let him convince us that we think so too.
A lot of this self-deception comes directly from the snake-oil salesmen – that race of one-time carnival pitchmen who have migrated to the more lucrative realm of TV commercials. Instead of touting the benefits of their Magic Elixir to a small crowd of passers-by at the county fair, this generation can tell thousands, even millions of viewers about their amazing discovery derived from some exotic fern, fish or fungus that will bring perfect health, instant beauty and unbelievable riches for the mere price of $29.99 a bottle. If you order today, they will send a second bottle absolutely free. Which means they will still make a profit at $15.00 a bottle for something you can buy at any health food store for $2.99. Do a little research before spending your money on those products that seem too good to be true. Find out what the active ingredients are, check with your doctor or pharmacist to learn if the product might be of benefit and if it is safe for you (it may affect prescribed medicines you are already taking.) And find out if there's a cheaper equivalent locally available.
I also wonder how many people truly believe that using the right denture adhesive or having the latest cell phone will make your grandchildren love you more, or that wearing a designer's signature on your hip pocket will revive a sagging romance. Do men really want to shave their heads in the shower and ream the hair from nostrils and ears? Does a dollop of sour cream actually make everything taste better? Everything? Advertisers must think we are all gullible, for they spend an awful lot of money on the premise that snake oil can bring happiness, success, love, power, security, and physical beauty.
One has to have arrived at the late stage in life to be honest with himself and laugh at the infirmities and their consequences. Aging is inevitable and unalterable, and pretending it isn't only makes us appear ridiculous. Okay, so it takes longer to get dressed in the morning, and I sometimes fall asleep watching the news. I'm smarter than I used to be, even if I am slower. I know that gray hair, creaky knees and false teeth don't lead to failure, lack of respect, loss of love, or discouragement with life in general. There are way too many good things to keep me going – without the snake oil.
Never put off what you might later regret
I have been kicking myself since being reminded that procrastination comes with a price.
This lesson arrived the week before Christmas when I spotted a small obituary in the Bloomfield Democrat. Seven succinct paragraphs informed readers of the death of Titus Wagler, 66, a longtime Davis County business owner.
In 1997, Wagler and relatives began Midwest Truss Co., a small manufacturing operation whose employees produce wooden trusses for builders in southern Iowa and northern Missouri.
For several years, I had been promising myself, and Titus, that I would drop by “soon” for coffee and conversation. Unfortunately, “soon” kept getting delayed — because of work, because of the weather, because of other distractions … because … because … because.
Stray Thoughts
Titus could not easily come to see me. It was not easy to orchestrate a coffee klatch in Des Moines for two unlikely acquaintances. Titus spent 42 of his 66 years in a wheelchair, and there are no drivers in his closest circle of friends.
Titus was a member of the Old Order Amish Church, a religious denomination known for its members’ distinctive style of dress, with wide-brimmed hats and bonnets, for their use of horse-drawn transportation, and for shunning conveniences many people would not want to live without today — cars and trucks, electricity, television, computers, the internet. And most telephones.
I say “most,” because I came to know Titus during extended phone conversations that grew out of his reading my columns in the Bloomfield Democrat for the past 10 years. I could not dial him up, dash off an email or send him a text message. But there is a telephone at Midwest Truss, and Titus would call me when time allowed.
Our conversations typically were about subjects I wrote on, some book or article he read, or some trend he observed in American society that concerned him. Titus was an avid reader. He often would politely but firmly point out flaws he saw in some of my columns’ logic.
Other times we might talk about some aspect of the Amish way of life that struck a chord with me — such as the inspiring compassion and forgiveness shown by Amish families in the Nickel Mines village of Pennsylvania toward the family of an “English” man who massacred six Amish girls there in their one-room school.
Such conversations only whetted our desire for more time to talk, especially face to face. He promised his wife Ruth would have a fresh pot of coffee waiting if I stopped by their home west of Bloomfield.
I sometimes wondered whether Titus was drawn to our conversations by his innate curiosity or by his extended family’s ties to writing and the news. I never broached the subject and figured that was best left for in-person discussion.
Titus’ father, David Wagler, was among the earliest Amish to arrive in Davis County, in the 1970s. He already was a prolific writer with a wide following among the Amish across the United States and Canada because
Private equity’s harmful impact on patient care
With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Q: What’s new on your plate in the U.S. Senate in the 119th Congress?
Q: What prompted your bipartisan investigation into private equity’s stake in hospital ownership?
A: In the last Congress, I launched a bipartisan inquiry to dig into the impact that private equity ownership of hospitals has had on patient care and rural health care. Specifically, my concerns were prompted following a tragic incident at Ottumwa Regional Health Center, the general acute care hospital in Iowa under private equity (PE) ownership. A male nurse practitioner assaulted incapacitated female patients in 2021 and 2022, before he died from an overdose in the hospital. Evidence of the
of the books he wrote, the magazines his published, and the written materials his Pathway publishing company produced for “the plain people,” as Amish and some Mennonite audiences are known within.
(An interesting tidbit: Fittingly, when David Wagler died in December 2018 at age 97, he was buried with a pen in his hand.)
My conversations with Titus never got around to one of his father’s books, “Through Deep Waters,” which deals with the swimming accident in 1982 in Davis County in which Titus was paralyzed when he broke his neck diving with buddies into a farm pond.
Regrettably, my conversations with Titus never got around to talking about the devotion of Ruth Yutzy, his girlfriend at the time of the accident and for the past 40 years, his dear wife and the mother of their two sons.
We talked only briefly about Titus’ brother, Ira, whose memoir, “Growing Up Amish,” tells of Ira’s decision to leave home, and the Old Order Amish culture, as a young man.
There never seemed to be time in our phone calls to delve much into the connections between Titus’ extended family and perhaps the most famous photograph ever made by a Des Moines Register photographer, the 1965 image of Amish boys and girls running into a cornfield near Hazleton to get away from sheriff’s deputies. The officers were there to round up the children and take them to a public school.
The scurrying children included some grandchildren of Gideon Yutzy, a patriarch of Davis County’s Amish settlement and the grandfather of Titus’ wife.
Seven years after the Iowa cornfield confrontation, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the landmark Amish schools case, Wisconsin v. Yoder. The court held that the right of Amish parents to freely exercise their religion by educating their children in their own schools outweighs the state’s interest in requiring all children to be educated in state-approved schools. One of Gideon’s sons, Adin, was among the three fathers who were the respondents in the history-making case.
All of this may help you understand why a journalist was interested in Titus’ views and experiences — as a business owner, as someone whose life was forever changed by a diving accident in a farm pond near Bloomfield, and as a person whose religious faith guided him through life’s ups and downs.
That was why I was drawn to Titus Wagler, one of my readers. I never asked why he gravitated to our telephone time together.
Whatever the reasons, there are a couple of things everyone can take from those connections Titus and I shared: We all can learn from those who may be different from us. And as important, never put off what you someday might regret.
Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, can be reached at IowaFOICouncil@gmail.com.
horrible crimes came to light following an investigation of his death by local law enforcement. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, then-chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, teamed up with me to conduct a 13-month investigation of private equity ownership of hospitals.
As Iowa’s senior U.S. Senator, I wanted to get to the bottom of the shocking events that undermined confidence in the delivery of care at the local rural hospital in this Iowa community and find out the extent to which adverse impacts stemming from private equity ownership were occurring across the country. Our inquiry sought to collect the facts and shine a light on the often-complex financial arrangements surrounding private equity’s ownership of local hospitals. Transparency brings accountability. For nearly two decades, I’ve leveraged my leadership platforms in the U.S. Senate to push for accountability from large private equity firms and their investments in the U.S. health care system, including the nation’s nursing homes. Stemming from my oversight of long-term care facilities when I chaired the Senate Special Committee on Aging, I pushed bipartisan legislative reforms to empower consumers with better information and require public reporting on nursing home ownership and performance, as well as and stiffer penalties to encourage compliance with federal quality standards. Since Nursing Home Compare
Randy Evans Iowa Freedom of Information Council
launched in 1998, I’ve continued pushing the federal bureaucracy to improve the effectiveness and utility of the website. In 2023, I also urged the Biden administration to implement long overdue rules requiring transparency at long-term care facilities. Foot-dragging by the federal bureaucracy allows private equity stakeholders to continue weaving tangled webs of financial arrangements. And that allows them to evade accountability.
Q: What did your investigation expose?
A: For starters, my investigation thoroughly scrutinized the fall-out and broken promises the Ottumwa community has felt by the impact of private equity ownership on its local health care system. For example, wait times at Ottumwa Regional Health Center went up as patient
experience went down. The quality and availability of care dropped significantly, pushing patients to travel longer distances to access health care when they have a hospital in their backyard. Our 162-page report details the harmful impact private equity has had on patients, providers and the entire community. For instance, Apolloowned Lifepoint Health and its PE-owned predecessors failed to fulfill seven promises first made to the Ottumwa community when the hospital was acquired by private equity owners in 2010, including hospital growth, physician recruitment, charity care, patient satisfaction and more. Our investigation revealed Apollo has made millions in profits while patients and the community have suffered. Lifepoint Health pays Apollo $9.2 million annually to cover management fees while Ottumwa suffers
State of Iowa gets final approval from federal government to extend postpartum coverage
DES MOINES — Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa HHS announce the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the State’s extension of postpartum coverage for new mothers.
“Last year, I was proud to sign this bipartisan bill which expands postpartum coverage for thousands of
new Iowa mothers,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Maternal health care remains a central focus for me and my team. I will continue to fight for life and provide families with the support they need to raise their children and build strong, thriving families.”
The current coverage for mothers is just 60 days, but the new law expands coverage for twelve months post-birth for families within the 215% federal poverty level.
Grassley, Cornyn, Senate GOP seek to strengthen concealed carry rights
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and 42 Senate Republicans in introducing the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. The bill would allow individuals with concealed carry privileges to exercise those rights in any state that allows con-
cealed carry, within the limits of each states’ laws.
“Responsible gun owners shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to exercise their constitutional right when visiting other concealed carry states. This bill would reduce confusion and legal inconsistencies for law-abiding Americans, while also respecting states’ rights to set their own
“By extending this coverage, we will be able to provide eligible Iowa mothers with insurance coverage and access to necessary and critical health care,” said Kelly Garcia, director of Iowa HHS. “Our hope remains that this extension of coverage will bridge the gaps and create new pathways for families to thrive and be successful. Healthy moms mean healthy families.”
Implementation of the postpartum coverage was set to begin this month, but due to delays in approval from the federal government, the implementation date is still forthcoming. Iowa HHS will announce the new effective date once further information is provided from CMS. Iowa joins 46 other states that have expanded postpartum coverage.
laws,” Grassley said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this commonsense law.”
“The Lone Star State has long championed our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms and gun owners in Texas and across the country should not have that fundamental right violated when they cross state lines,” Cornyn said. “This legislation would reduce unnecessary burdens for law-abiding citizens and allow them to carry a concealed firearm in every state that permits it, and I’m grateful for the overwhelming support from my fellow Republican colleagues on
Attorney General Bird announces bill to heighten penalties for assaults on law enforcement
Alyssa Brouillet Communications Director, Office of the Iowa Attorney General
DES MOINES—Iowa
Attorney General Brenna Bird announced that she is proposing a law change to heighten penalties for assaults against law enforcement officers and first responders. Assaults
against law enforcement reached a national 10-year high in 2023.
“No one should be attacked for doing their job, especially when their job is to keep us safe,” said Attorney General Bird. “Our law enforcement and first responders heroes deserve our respect and appreciation. But instead, we have seen an increase in assaults
on our law enforcement, like violent attacks or spitting on an officer. This bill ensures that any criminal who assaults a law enforcement hero gets the penalty they deserve.”
The bill will raise penalties for assaults on law enforcement and first responders:
• From a “D” felony to a “C” felony when the
GFWC/Iowa Scholarships Available
Application Deadline
February 1
Eileen Hageman
GFWC/Iowa Solon Women’s Club
fall-out from operational mismanagement at the hospital, such as inadequate staffing, poor patient experience, lack of specialty services, insufficient care capacity, poor building maintenance and insufficient investment. Throughout my public service, I’ve found sunshine is the best disinfectant. I’ll continue pushing for transparency and needed reforms to ensure our health care system, including in communities like Ottumwa, serves the needs of Iowans and all Americans.
this commonsense bill.”
The legislation is endorsed by the National Rifle Association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Gun Owners of America.
Background: The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act would allow individuals with a concealed carry permit to exercise those rights in any other state with concealed carry laws, much like driving between states with a drivers’ license. The bill does not establish a national standard for concealed carry, in order to protect states’ sovereignty.
assault involves a dangerous weapon or is meant to inflict a serious injury.
• From an aggravated misdemeanor to a “D” felony when the assault causes bodily injury.
• From a serious misdemeanor to an aggravated misdemeanor for all other assaults, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 days in jail.
• The bill also adds spitting on law enforcement, first responders, or corrections officers as a punishable assault.
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) in Iowa is the proud sponsor of a scholarship program unique to Iowa. Each year, thousands of dollars are awarded to graduating high school seniors who will be attending post-secondary schools. Scholarship awards are based primarily on volunteerism, achievement, and financial need. Both males and females are eligible to apply.
Students planning to attend a two-year community college and vocational schools are competing for $500 scholarships. Those students attending a four-year school are
competing for $1000 scholarships. Additional designated scholarships are available for those studying music. Two $1000 music scholarships will be awarded through a generous donation made by the estate of E Lucille Miller. Interested students should ask their guidance counselors for the application. All applications must be emailed by February 1, 2025, and applicants need to be Iowa residents. For more information, please contact Bette Kuboushek, GFWC/Iowa Scholarship Chairman, at 563-5994312 or gfwciaschol@gmail.com.
Mason Mauro
Office of the Governor of Iowa
A popular option for weight loss has come to Solon
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide available at Sashy Aesthetic Boutique
Chris Umscheid Solon Economist chris.umscheid@soloneconomist.com
SOLON — People struggling with weight loss have been presented with many different options over the years ranging from a plethora of diet and exercise regimens to various dietary supplements (so-called “fatburners”), to drugs, and even surgical intervention. In recent years, a family of medications known as GLP-1 agonists, or glucagonlike peptide 1 agonists, have become popular under the generic names Semaglutide (Ozempic®) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro ®). Zepbound ® and Wegovy® are other popular trade names.
GLP-1 agonist medications are often prescribed for weight loss but may also be prescribed for controlling Type 2 diabetes. The medications mimic GLP-1, a hormone produced in the small intestine that triggers the release of insulin (which converts food into energy and lowers the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood), blocks glucagon (a hormone the body produces to raise the blood sugar levels), slows digestion leaving the stomach fuller longer (which also leads to less glucose entering the bloodstream), and reduces hunger by promoting a full feeling in the brain.
By triggering the pancreas to release more insulin, Type 2 diabetics are able to control their blood sugar levels while the slower digestion helps to decrease the occurrence of blood sugar spikes.
Michele Haege, PA-C (Physicians AssistantCertified), has undergone specialized training to administer GLP-1 medications, and with Ann Leland, MSN CRNA ARNP (Master’s degree in Nursing, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) provides GLP-1 injections at Sashy Aesthetic Boutique in Solon.
Semaglutide was the first GLP-1 medication developed and is significantly cheaper than Tirzepatide, she said.
“Tirzepatide was developed because people had comorbidities (other factors impacting their health such as hypertension and/or diabetes). Tirzepatide is stronger and was also developed because some people will have side effects to Semaglutide such as severe nausea and vomiting, and they couldn’t get over it.” Tirzepatide is believed to have less side effects than Semaglutide.
“What we see is that some people were started on Tirzepatide because insurance would cover that, but now a lot of insurance companies who were covering it are saying they’re not anymore, which is just crazy to me. These meds could help so many people with other stuff going on. Weight is such a compounding factor in so many things.”
Haege said when a client comes in to start Tirzepatide, but insurance won’t cover it, she suggests starting on Semaglutide. “It’s a third of the cost for you and you weren’t necessarily started on Tirzepatide because of something.” Almost all of her clients have switched to Semaglutide, Haege noted, and of the few on Tirzepatide, one wasn’t seeing the desired effects with Semaglutide.
Case studies
*Editor’s note – A public request for subjects willing to be interviewed was made on social media with four respondents. To provide confidentiality, they will only be identified by initial, age, and sex.
M, 55-year-old female – “ I had heard about these via social media, TV ads, etc. and brought it up with my doctor after gaining weight after being sick in 2023.” Her doctor suggested Zepbound®, which she started last June. Since then she has lost 60 pounds. “The drug is life changing,” she said pointing to other benefits such as inflammation reduction, reduced anxiety, and an overall sense of well-being.
“I no longer feel like I need to wait for my body to warm up each morning like an old car.”
She said she plans to continue to take it after her desired weight loss for the other benefits, and side effects have been minimal.
“I get a little nauseous and tired sometimes but nothing worse than how I feel without it.” But she cautioned, “You do have to really ensure you are hydrated and getting enough
of the right calories or the side effects can be much worse.”
One effect of the GLP-1 medications is cancelling out the so-called “food noise,” that creates a desire in the mind for food.
“Food noise is something I didn’t even know I had until it was gone,” she said. “People who don’t struggle could never understand. It’s this constant inner discussion about what to eat next and when. It is berating yourself for eating all the wrong things. It is justifying eating the bad stuff anyway because you are fat and nothing changes it.”
M said the first dose calmed her mind significantly. “I no longer think about pizza or CocaCola. I don’t want those things anymore and if I do have it, I can eat like a ‘normal person’ because my body and mind now tell me when to quit.”
To get the results takes more than just the shot however. “There is a lot of judgement around these drugs because people think it is the easy way out. It is not. You still have to put in the work, but now your body is working with you instead of against you. It is almost magic.”
M added her insurance does not cover weight loss meds so she uses a coupon provided by the pharmaceutical company that cuts the cost to $550/ month, which she pays through Health Savings Account (HAS) funds. “That helps, but it definitely hurts the wallet. There are cheaper ways to get it but none of them have been approved by the FDA, so I haven’t looked into them. That’s not to say I won’t in the future.”
C, 54-year old female –
“I have been on Ozempic® and am now on Mounjaro®.” She has Type 2 diabetes and her healthcare provider thought it would help her to have better control over her diabetes with the added benefit of weight loss.
“When she put me on it, she probably had the idea of the weight loss also assisting with my diabetes, however
at that point (2018), I really didn’t think that it would help specifically with weight loss. At the time C weighed 213-217 and now is 163 and still losing and maintaining weight loss.
Like M, some nausea was experienced. She also had a sense of sadness in the beginning, but they alleviated themselves. “I noticed I physically felt better after I started taking it, but it was assisting and controlling my A1c until about eight months ago after a bout with Covid.”
She agreed losing weight is a struggle requiring commitment. “You do have to do the dietary changes, but what I found is when I started taking the drug I wasn’t as hungry. I was able to make better choices with what I was eating. It also has some conditioning type behavior if you eat foods that you should not eat for your body and your body type, you will throw them up.”
C’s advice – “Do the drug. If you let it, it will train you to eat better because you don’t like to be sick. When you resist the drug’s persuasion, meaning you’re eating food you shouldn’t, you will pay the consequences. I believe it does work for me. I am not always hungry.”
Between her insurance
and a coupon from the pharmaceutical company, her cost is only $25.00.
“I buy higher quality food that doesn’t make me sick and I spend more money on things that have higher nutrition and recently started on a nutritional supplement called Relenza. It is a GLP.-1 support product they have the daily replenisher and also has the daily nutritional supplements because I do not get enough of the daily intake of vitamins and minerals and probiotics that I need because I simply just do not eat enough to do that.”
She added she thinks the drug gave her an opportunity to live a healthier lifestyle. C echoed the need for hydration. “I would say stay hydrated like force yourself to hydrate. Along with your lack of desire to eat, you also have a lack of desire to drink water. I can tell you that’s probably been my biggest hurdle. Eat lots of roughage, squashes, cabbage, kale. Eat good healthy proteins. And look for good quality supplements and take them daily. If you take these drugs and you don’t do it appropriately, you can cause all kinds of health problems that are related more to starvation which, as we know, isn’t really any
better for your body than being overweight or having diabetes.”
J, 48-year-old female – “I’ve been taking Mounjaro ® for nearly a year now. I scheduled my annual physical with my doctor early Jan 2024. I had a few health concerns I wanted to talk to her about - one being my weight as I'd gained about 50 lbs. since March 2020 when my job went remote due to Covid (it's remained remote since). My doctor suggested those types of meds as an option as she had other patients successfully using them.” J described her experience as, “Great and successful,” and added she started taking the Mounjaro® in order to see if her insurance would cover it. “I did a fasting A1C test as it was suspected I could be type 2 diabetic. My test results came back that I was just .2 from being diabetic so definitely pre-diabetic. Ultimately, my insurance approved coverage so we started with the lowest does - 2.5mg weekly injection. My doctor has recommended a slow & steady approach so after starting on Mounjaro® in late January 2024 at the lowest does, I'll just started (last week) the highest dose
WEIGHT LOSS | 8
Time for New Year’s financial resolutions
Now that the calendar has flipped, it’s time for some New Year’s resolutions. You could decide you’re going to exercise more, lose weight, learn a new skill, reconnect with old friends — the possibilities are almost limitless. This year, why not add a few financial resolutions to your list?
Here are a few to consider:
• Reduce your debts It may be easier said than done, but if you can cut down on your debt load, you’ll increase your cash flow and have more money available to invest for your future. So, look for ways to lower your expenses and spending. You might find it helpful to use one of the budgeting apps available online.
• Boost your retirement savings. Try to put in as much as you can afford to your IRA and your 401(k) or other employersponsored retirement plan. If your salary goes up this year, you’ve got a good opportunity to increase your contributions to these retirement accounts. And once you turn 50, you can make pre-tax catch-up contributions for your 401(k) and traditional IRA. You might also want
to review the investment mix within your 401(k) or similar plan to determine whether it’s still providing the growth potential you need, given your risk tolerance and time horizon.
• Build an emergency fund . It’s generally a good idea to maintain an emergency fund containing up to six months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account. Without such a fund, you might be forced to dip into your longterm investments to pay for short-term needs, such as an expensive auto or home repair.
• Keep funding your non-retirement goals. Your traditional IRA and 401(k) are good ways to save for retirement — but you likely have other goals, too, and you’ll need to save and invest for them. So, for
example, if you want your children to go to college or receive some other type of post-secondary training, you might want to invest in a tax-advantaged 529 education savings plan. And if you have short-term goals, such as saving for a wedding or taking an overseas vacation, you might want to put some money away in a liquid account. For a short-term goal, you don’t necessarily need to invest aggressively for growth — you just want the money to be there for you when you need it.
• Review your estate plans. If you haven’t already created your estate plans, you may want to do so in 2025. Of course, if you’re relatively young, you might not think you need to have estate plans in place just yet, but life is unpredictable, and the future is not ours to see.
If you have already drawn up estate plans, you may want to review them, especially if you’ve recently experienced changes in your life and family situation, such as marriage, remarriage or the addition of a new child. Because estate planning can be complex, you’ll want to work with a qualified legal professional. You may not be able to tackle all these resolutions in 2025. But by addressing as many of them as you can, you may find that, by the end of the year, you have made progress toward your goals and set yourself on a positive course for all the years to come.
This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Kelly Barta, your Edward Jones financial advisor at 702 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, 319-351-6095.
Opening spring of 2025
With over 50 years experience
of 15mg injection per week. I've lost 60 lbs. as of (last week).”
J said she hasn’t experienced any negative side effects but also has had quieting of the ‘food noise.’
“I'd say the biggest win for me is it disrupting the 'need' or 'thoughts' of food. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy good food but snacking or meals aren't a nagging thought like they used to be. I've cut down on portion size too during meals and don't feel wasteful when doing so. With the weight loss it's been easier to be more active, so more (moderate) exercise. No other benefits I can specifically think of other than the general better health you feel when not carrying so much extra weight - I've still got a ways to go. I started at 296 lbs. - am currently at 236. Would like to get to under 200. I appreciate the slow & steady approach my doctor recommended. As an example, I was on some doses of Mounjaro for 3 months vs just dosing up fast each week. I'm guessing that's how some experience the drastic losses and changes to appearance.”
As with any medication, not everybody will experience the same results as evidenced by H, a 51-year-old female – “I took Semaglutide. I got weekly shots at a ‘health clinic’ that did Botox and stuff like that for three months, and I lost eight pounds.”
As the dose increased for H, not only did the weight not come off, but the side effects worsened. “Once they got to the biggest dose, it made me super sick, like I couldn’t get out of bed because of the stomach ache, so I quit. I wasn’t losing much weight, if any, and I couldn’t function.”
She first heard of the meds through commercials and tried to get Wegovy® or Ozempic ®, but the $1,300 cost was prohibitive. “So I went to a clinic and it was $300/month. Everybody said it was a miracle. Nope.” H said it did decrease her appetite, “…and made my beloved Coke Zero ® taste awful, but then the stomach aches started.” She now takes another medication to promote weight loss.
If GLP-1 meds are right for you…
“They’re a weekly injection,” said Haege. “It’s subcutaneous (injected just under the skin), and it’s a very tiny needle. We have people come here and we’ll do the first one to show you how to do it, I would say 80% of people are fine taking them for the month and doing them (themselves) at home and we have a good 10-20% that just come here and have them done.”
Sashy has been providing these meds to Solonites for about a year, and Haege said she and Leland were initially hesitant. “If you had asked me four years ago I would
have discouraged it.” She spoke of patients she had seen in local emergency rooms suffering from extreme side effects ranging from stomach issues (such as H’s experience), pancreatitis, and more. “But then, we received education on the medications and administration, and I decided to try them because I didn’t want to put somebody on them and not know what they’ll feel like. So, I tried them and, they are amazing.” Now, she added, ER visits from GLP-1 users are rare.
“The only thing I can corelate it is, these drugs have been approved by the FDA for 14 years, went big in the last seven years for diabetes, and then went mainstream for weight loss four years ago. Now there’s hundreds of thousands more people on them than four years ago and we’re hardly seeing anyone (in the ER).” Her theory is back then people were unintentionally overdosing, which has led to much lower starting doses.
“It’s a big, big thing for your system. It’s affecting insulin, it’s affecting noise in your head, it’s affecting how soon you get full, there’s just a lot going on. We start everyone at the lowest dose, and everyone should do that, no matter what.”
Patient education is important, as is the source
There are many avenues for accessing GLP-1 medications, including online pharmacies. While convenient, critical patient education in the use, dosing, administration, side effects, and precautions may not be communicated. And that concerns Haege greatly, who has seen what can happen.
“I had a lady (recently) who ordered online, which is a very scary avenue and I do not understand how they’re doing that (purchasing online without a prescription). It’s crazy to me and I’m hoping this year some of those regulations will start coming down (on them), not because we’re dying for their business but people are getting a product that’s not 100% Semaglutide, God only knows what’s in them. And, you’re getting a vial of medicine and instructions how to draw it up (fill the syringe to the desired level). I think it’s crazy we’re giving people vials of medicine with no medical background.”
Her ER patient was profoundly constipated with a perforated bowel. As it turned out, she had ordered online and in an effort to drop weight quickly and figured higher doses would do the trick. Major surgery and two weeks in the hospital taught her otherwise.
“We order directly from the pharmacy so we know it’s 100%, we do not compound it with anything, we do not put anything else in it.”
The bottom line
“These meds are amazing,
they’re not going anywhere, they’re getting used for more and more conditions (including alcoholics, gamblers, and opioid abusers to quiet the noise of their addiction). People who take it for weight loss are finding their blood pressure has gone down, their lipids are much better, their cholesterol has improved. Their skin looks better, they just look better and they feel better overall.
For more information
All bookings (for appointments) are available at www.sashy.com (or by phone at 319-855-1915).
“You can come in or we can do a phone consultation. Obviously if you’re in-person and you want to get started, we can do the first injection at that time.”
Sashy is located in the lower level of the Literary Hotel at 130 S. Dubuque St. in Suite 106.
Final thoughts
“It is very fun to watch people lose weight,” said Haege. “They’re just happy and it works. I’m just so happy that it’s not the next gimmick or some pill or shake. It works. It really works.”
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THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FORMAL MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 2, 2025
Chairperson Green called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building Boardroom at 9:35 a.m.
Members present: V Fixmer-Oraiz, Jon Green, Lisa Green-Douglass, Mandi Remington, and Rod Sullivan. All actions were taken unanimously. Motion by Sullivan, second by Fixmer-Oraiz, to approve the agenda as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT: No one from the public spoke.
Motion by Green-Douglass, second by Sullivan, to approve the following four consent agenda items:: 1. To approve the claims on the Auditor’s Claim Register for January 2, 2025: Abbe Center For Com 116563.85 Abbehealth Inc
Adam M Gebhart
2. To approve the minutes of the Formal Meeting Minutes of December 26, 2024.
3. To approve payroll authorizations submitted by department heads and elected officials
4. To receive and place on file the Clerk’s Report of Fees Collected for the month of December 2024, in the amount of $49,862.01, as submitted by Clerk of District Court Alison Meade.
5. To Acknowledge correspondence from public- no correspondence to consider.
Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Green-Douglass, to reappoint Ashley Platz to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a five-year term ending December 31, 2025.
Adjourned at 9:37 a.m. /s/ Jon Green, Chair, Board of Supervisors Attest: /s/ Julie Persons, Auditor
On the 9th day of January, 2025
Recorded by Auditor’s Office: Marly Melsh, Executive Clerk to the Board
These minutes were sent for formal approval and publication on January 9, 2025 Published in the Solon Economist January 16, 2025.
THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FORMAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 2, 2025
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 Sullivan 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. Unless otherwise noted, all actions were taken unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT: No one from the public spoke. Motion by Remington, second by Fixmer-Oraiz, to appoint Jon Green as Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors for a term ending December 31, 2025. Motion by Green, second by Remington, to appoint V. Fixmer-Oraiz as Vice Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors for a term ending December 31, 2025. Aye: Fixmer-Oraiz, Green, Remington, Sullivan; Nay: Green-Douglass. Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Remington, to designate 2025 Board of Supervisors meeting days and times, and official County holidays, as contained in the agenda packet of this meeting, with the exception of changing the Floating Christmas Holiday date to Wednesday December 24, 2025. Sullivan said the Board is scheduled to discuss the floating Christmas holiday date during today’s Work Session
meeting. Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Green-Douglass, to amend the motion by striking the exception of changing the Floating Christmas Holiday date. Determination of Contest for Third Official Newspaper, in accordance with Section 349.6 of Iowa Code County Auditor Julie Persons outlined the process for selecting official newspapers for Johnson County, highlighting requirements from Iowa Code Chapters 349 and 618 and the rationale for this year's contest, as outlined in the executive summary included in the meeting's agenda packet. Assistant County Attorney Nathan Peters contributed further insights. On the direction of the Board, Persons opened the sealed envelopes from The Gazette and Iowa City Press Citizen The Gazette reported 4,280 bona fide yearly subscribers living in Johnson County, while Iowa City Press Citizen confirmed 2,512. The Board considered the evidence.
Motion by Green, second by Fixmer-Oraiz, to determine The Gazette as the winner of the contest for the third official newspaper for Johnson County. Motion by Green, second by Green-Douglass, to designate The Gazette, The News, and Solon Economist as 2025 official newspapers for Johnson County.
Motion by Green, second by Fixmer-Oraiz, to approve the 2025 Board of Supervisors Committee, Board, and Liaison Assignments, including alternates, to various boards, committees, and commissions, as contained in the agenda packet of this meeting.
Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Green-Douglass, to authorize the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson to sign letters of support, letters or certificates of appreciation, and letters of sympathy.
Motion by Green-Douglass, second by Green, to authorize, during 2025, when the Board of Supervisors has duly approved a contract, agreement, ordinance, resolution, conveyance, proclamation, fireworks permit, or other instrument constituting enact by the Board of Supervisors on behalf of Johnson County, the Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors, or the substitute presiding Chairperson in the event of the Chairperson's absence or incapacity, is authorized and directed to execute such contract, agreement or other document so approved.
Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Green-Douglass, to designate a Chairperson or, in the event of the Chairperson's absence or incapacity, Vice Chairperson to authorize election recounts.
Motion by Green, second by Green-Douglass, to authorize the Board Office Grants Manager, Board Office Grants Specialist, Chairperson, or Vice Chairperson to sign grant applications.
Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Green-Douglass, to authorize the County Engineer, on behalf of the Board, as agent to electronically sign Iowa Department of Transportation and United States Department of Transportation contract documents on behalf of Johnson County. Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Green, to authorize the Chairperson, Board Office Executive Director, and Social Services Director as signatory to the 2025 Community Foundation of Johnson County accounts for the Livable Community for Successful Aging Charitable Giving Fund and Endowment Fund. Motion by Green, second by Green-Douglass, to authorize the Chairperson, Board Office Executive Director, and Veterans Affairs Director as signatory to the 2025 Community Foundation of Johnson County account for the Armory and Veterans Memorial Fund. Motion by Green-Douglass, second by Fixmer-Oraiz, to authorize the Chairperson or, in the event of the Chairperson's absence or incapacity, Vice Chairperson to issue Orders of Mandatory Evacuations and Mandatory Curfews in cases where the Governor of the State of Iowa has proclaimed a state of disaster emergency in and for any portion of unincorporated Johnson County.
RESOLUTION NO. 01-02-25-01 CONSTRUCTION EVALUATION RESOLUTION Summary: Counties that have adopted a construction evaluation resolution can submit a recommendation to, and contest the decision of, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for construction permit applications regarding proposed confinement feeding operation structures. Board Action: Agrees to evaluate these construction permit applications for proposed confinement feeding operation structures received between February 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026 and submit an adopted recommendation to the DNR; adopt the construction evaluation resolution pursuant to Iowa Code Section 459.304(3). Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Green, to approve Resolution No. 01-02-25-01, effective January 2, 2025.
Motion by Green, second by Green-Douglass, to approve the Title VI Non-Discrimination Agreement with Iowa Department of Transportation, as contained in the agenda packet of this meeting. Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Green, to approve the United States Department of Transportation Standard Title VI / Non-Discrimination Assurances DOT Order No. 1050.2A, as contained in the agenda packet of this meeting. Motion by Green-Douglass, second by Green, to approve the 2025 Pre-Approved Proclamations list, as contained in the agenda packet of this meeting. Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Green-Douglass, to authorize the Chairperson or, in the event of the absence or incapacity of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson or Executive Director as available, to designate flag protocols for Johnson County buildings and grounds. Adjourned at 9:29 a.m. /s/ Jon Green, Chair, Board of Supervisors
SOLON SENIORS
A Big Thank You to our sponsors and donors for their support in Senior Dining’s mission to serve the Solon Community, and especially to those who support Senior Dining by attending the lunches or receive home deliveries.
Reminders
Bad weather closings – Senior Dining will notify our clients by phone of cancellations.
Senior Dining will be closed Monday, Jan. 20 in recognition of Martin Luther King Day.
JANUARY HAPPENINGS •••••••
Wednesday, Jan. 29 – City Representative DINING ••••••••••••••••••••• Home Deliveries
Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call 319-6242251 for information.
In-House Dining
Solon Methodist Church, Wednesdays only at 11:30 a.m. Meals cost $5.00, call 319-624-2251 for reservations (required) Monday between 10-11:00 a.m.
Bingo – Wednesdays AM/PM Cards – Wednesdays PM
CALENDAR & PUZZLES
JANUARY MENU •
Friday, Jan. 17
Sauteed Shrimp
Buttered Noodles
Broccoli
Raspberry Gelatin w/Marshmallow Topping
Monday, Jan. 20
CLOSED in recognition of Martin Luther King Day
Wednesday, Jan. 22
Chicken Parm Alfredo
Chalet Buttered Vegetables
Garlic Toast
Frosted Peanut Butter Bars
Friday, Jan. 24
Honey Biscuit Flounder
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Beets in Orange Sauce
Butterscotch Apple Cake
Thank you Solon Senior Dining volunteers!
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.”
The Solon Community School District is an equal opportunity provider.
Menus will vary to accommodate the Federal Nutrition Guidelines. Please understand that menus are subject to change as needed. Please check your lunch account balances, purchases, and deposits online at solon.total.k12.com.
Nutrition office: 319-624-3401, Ext. 1120 or bwest@solon.k12.ia.us.
Student breakfast is FREE again this year
The Solon Community School District (SCSD) is once again able to offer free breakfast to students for the academic year. Becky West, Nutrition Director, explained the Nutritional Department’s financial situation, based on standard practice and guidance from the state, makes it possible to offer this important service to the students. “I believe that eating breakfast fuels the kids and teaches them how to eat a healthy breakfast to start your day,” said West.
Adult/Guest breakfast: $1.75
Thursday, Jan. 16
Breakfast Sandwich (LV/SIS)
G&G Bag (LV) Cereal Bar
Egg Scramble w/Hash Brown or Mini Pancakes w/ Sausage Links
Fruit, Juice Crackers & Milk
SCHOOL LUNCH
For information on the free and reduced program, and an application, go to www.solon.k12.ia.us/ page/nutrition-program and scroll down to Nutrition Documents & Links.
10 Language from which we get “Manitoba” and “Saskatchewan”
11 Motorist’s warning
12 The “40” in a malt liquor 40: Abbr.
18 x, y or z
20 The world at your feet?
23 Order to an attack dog
24 Plant used in xeriscaping because of its tolerance to drought
26 Hogwarts exam after the O.W.L.
28 Nonexpert
29 “While we’re discussing it ...”
30 Novice gamers, informally
31 Word after one fell?
34 Extend, as a contract
37 Show with a “Cyber” spinoff
38 Suns that shine?
39 Roger B. ___, justice who infamously authored the Dred Scott decision (1857)
44 Sign of impact
45 Deets
49 Begat
51 Writes in C or R, say
52 Kazakhstan’s ___ Sea
53 Quoted figure
54 Pioneering blues guitarist Baker
55 Unyielding
56 ___ Tour, pop culture phenomenon of 2023-24
57 Pampering, for short
59 Tree with so-called helicopter seeds
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.
Lady Spartans fall to Williamsburg, get past Monticello, and roll over S. Tama
Solon Economist
SOLON — The first full week back from the ChristmasNew Year break was a busy one for the Lady Spartans with three games on the schedule including two home contests and two ranked opponents.
Williamsburg 50 Solon 34
Solon visited No. 7-ranked Williamsburg Tuesday, Jan. 7 and led 13-10 at the end of the first period and were ahead 24-21 at the half. Thoughts of upsetting the Raiders faded in the third as Williamsburg outscored Solon 16-2 to take a 40-23 lead going into the final period.
Freshman Beckett Kruse led Solon with a dozen points and was the only Lady Spartan in double digits.
The No. 15-ranked Panthers visited for a non-conference game Thursday, Jan. 9 and were upset by the un-ranked Lady Spartans. Monticello led 17-11 at the end of the first and was ahead 30-24 at halftime. Solon surged with 18 points in the third for a slim 42-41 lead ahead of a 24-point barrage in the final period.
Junior Delainey Durr led with 24 points with 13 from freshman Quinn Armentrout and 11 from senior Kobi Lietz.
Spartans
edge past
Williamsburg, roll South Tama
Solon Economist
SOLON — The varsity Spartans improved to 5-4 and a two-game winning streak with wins last week over WaMaC West foes Williamsburg and South Tama.
Solon 51 Williamsburg 48
Solon visited Williamsburg Tuesday, Jan. 7 and took a slim one-point lead, 15-14, at the end of the first period and were ahead 29-23 at the half. The Spartans again had a one-point lead, 38-37, at the end of the third before outlasting the Raiders for the win.
Williamsburg’s Dylan Weisskopf led all with 20 points while senior Caleb Bock led the Spartans with 14.
Individual Stats
Scoring – Caleb Bock 14, Maddox Kelley 9, Grant Gordon 8, Isaiah Zoske 5, Simon Einwalter 5, Tanner Heims 4, Nolan Seagren 3, Jackson Link 3
3-point baskets – Kelley 3/5, Heims 1/2, Einwalter 1/2, Link 1/2, Gordon 1/3
Rebounds – Bock 6, Zoske 4, Kelley 4, Link 4, Gordon 2, Seagren 1, Heims 1, Karsyn Regennitter 1
Steals – Gordon 2, Zoske 1, Bock 1, Seagren 1, Kelley 1 Blocks – Zoske 1, Link 1
Solon 92 South Tama 23
South Tama’s Trojans invaded the Spartan Gym Friday, Jan. 10 and remained winless at 10-0 after a 92-23 pounding by the Spartans. Solon led 21-9 at the end of the first period and held a commanding 55-17 halftime advantage. The second half was played under the 35-point
After a slow start that saw the game stalemated at 2-2 for the first half of the first period Friday, Jan. 10 at home, the Lady Spartans exploded for 19 points with three-point baskets by Laney Johnson, Kobi Lietz, Quinn Armentrout and Jerzey Haluska for a 21-2 lead.
Solon never looked back as they shelled the Trojans 32-8 in the second for a commanding 53-10 halftime lead. The second half was played under the 35-point continuous clock with Solon continuing to hammer South Tama 24-11 in the third to lead 77-21 going into the final period.
Unofficially Lietz led with 16 points followed by Haluska’s and Johnson’s 11 point efforts. Durr produced ten points, Laeni Hinkle put up nine points (all from three-point range) with Kruse adding eight points each with seven from Armentrout, three points from Kalynn Timmons, and two apiece by Sophia Link and Jillian Janssen.
WaMaC East Standings (1/12/25)
Upcoming schedule
Friday, Jan. 17 – At West Delaware, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 21 – At Independence, 6:00 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 24 – HOME vs. Mount Vernon, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 28 – HOME vs. CPU, 6:00 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 31 – At Marion, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 1 – At Regina Catholic, Iowa City, 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 4 – HOME vs. West Delaware, 6:00 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 7 – HOME vs. Independence, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 11 – At Vinton-Shellsburg, 6:00 p.m. Postseason
Saturday, Feb. 15 – 3A Regional Quarterfinals
Tuesday, Feb. 19 – 3A Regional Semifinals
Saturday, Feb. 22 – 3A Reginal Championships
Monday, March 3-Saturday, March 8 – 2025 State Tournament, Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
continuous clock with the Spartans outscoring the Trojans 22-2 in the third and 15-4 in the final period.
Senior Caleb Bock led with 13 points as 15 Spartans scored in the contest.
Individual Stats
Scoring –Caleb Bock 13, Maddox Kelley 9, Jackson Link 9, Tanner Heims 9, Isaiah Zoske 8, Beu Mullen 8, Nolan Seagren 7, Kaden Hoeper 7, Karsyn Regennitter 5, Grant Gordon 4, Simon Einwalter 4, Camden Lyons 3, Tyler Greazel 2, Ethan Ulch 2, Eddie Johnson 2 3-point baskets – Link 3/5, Seagren 1/1, Kelley 1/1, Hoeper 1/2, Zoske 1/3
Friday, Jan. 24 – HOME vs. Mount Vernon, 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 28 – HOME vs. CPU, 7:15 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 31 – At Marion, 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 1 – At Regina Catholic, Iowa City, 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 4 – HOME vs. West Delaware, 7:15 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 7 – HOME vs. Independence, 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 11 – At Vinton-Shellsburg, 7:15 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 13 – At West Branch, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 20 – HOME vs. Washington, 7:00 p.m. Postseason
Monday, Feb. 24 – 3A Substate First Round
Thursday, Feb. 27 – 3A Substate
Monday, March 3 – 3A Substate Finals
Monday, March 10-Friday, March 14 – 2025 State Tournament, Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist Quinn Armentrout (10) and Laney Johnson (4) trap a South Tama Trojan Friday, Jan. 10 at home. The Lady Spartans cruised past the Trojans for an 88-32 win with 11 points from sophomore Johnson and seven from freshman Armentrout.
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Left: Simon Einwalter battles South Tama’s Cyrell Etzen (2) for a rebound Friday, Jan. 10 at home against South Tama. The Spartans shelled the Trojans 92-23 with 15 Solon players scoring.
Caleb Bock powers in for two of his team high 13 points Friday, Jan. 10 at home against South Tama. 15 Spartans put up points in the 92-23 pounding of the Trojans.
Lady Spartans drop two on Marion's mats
Chris Umscheid Solon Economist chris.umscheid@soloneconomist.com
MARION — The Lady Spartans returned to the mats after the Christmas-New Year break Thursday, Jan. 9 with a double dual meet against the Marion Wolves and South Tama Trojans at Marion High School, falling to both.
South Tama 60 Solon 21
Kara VeDepo (105 pounds) pinned Jayva Gomez in 1:01, McKenna Rogers (110) pinned Taylor Johannsen in 35 seconds, Alexis Anderson (130) took a 7-2 decision from Brooklyn Mitchell, and Olivia Bonnema (140)
pinned Maylee Rucker in 1:45. Rylee Worrell (115) pinned Alyssa Kriegel in 1:41 and Ella Sheeley (130) took a 14-2 major decision from Kyla Bessman in extra matches.
Marion 37 Solon 32
VeDepo (105) won by technical fall (17-1) against Wynter Morgan, Rogers (110) pinned Natalie Hedlund in 1:31, Makayla Keller (130) won in sudden victory (11-0) against Kenadee Batey, Anderson (135) pinned Zoey Carter in 31 seconds, and Bonnema (145) pinned Kaelynne Blood in 30 seconds.
Peyton Gordon (120) won a 13-1 major decision against Charlee McCurdy in an extra match.
Upcoming Schedule
Thursday, Jan. 16 – Double dual with Benton Community and West Delaware t Benton Community HS, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 23 – Home dual meet vs. Mount Vernon, 6:00 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 24 – WaMaC Conference Meet at Mount Vernon HS, 4:00 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 31 – State Qualifying meet at Solon HS, 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 6 – State Tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville
Friday, Feb. 7 – State Tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Top & bottom left: Olivia Bonnema looks for the pin in a 145 pound match against Marion’s Kaelynne Blood Thursday, Jan. 9 at Marion HS. Bonnema pinned Blood in 30 seconds to go 2-0 on the night. McKenna Rogers takes down Marion’s Natalie Hedlund in a 110 pound match Thursday, Jan. 9 at Marion HS. Rogers went 2-0 on the night as she pinned Hedlund in 1:31.
Right top to bottom: Lucianna Miller tangles with Marion’s Tarriel White in a 140 pound match Thursday, Jan. 9 at Marion HS. Miller battled White to a tie-breaker, where White prevailed 6-3. Makayla Keller tangles with Marion’s Kenadee Baty in a 130 pound match Thursday, Jan. 9 at Marion HS. Keller won in sudden victory, 11-8, over Baty. Kara VeDepo works on South Tama’s Jayva Gomez in a double dual meet Thursday, Jan. 9 at Marion HS. VeDepo pinned Gomez in 1:01 in the 105 pound match.
Lady Spartans top Geneseo (IL), fall to Bettendorf and DeWitt in DeWitt’s duals
(by tiebreaker) and the host Sabers.
DE WITT — The Lady Spartans competed in Central DeWitt’s duals Friday, Jan. 10 going 1-3 on the day with a win over Geneseo, Illinois but falling to Bettendorf
Solon 54 Geneseo (IL) 30
Makayla Keller (130) pinned Ayla Schultz in 3:31, Alexis Anderson (135) pinned
Wilson and Johnson to represent Solon in 2025 Shrine Bowl
CEDAR FALLS — Two Solon seniors, Eddie Johnson and Grant Wilson, have been selected to play in the 2025 Iowa Shrine Bowl in July in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
The Shrine Bowl, in its 53rd year, is played each July featuring 92 of the best football players in the state and has raised nearly $3.8 million for Shriners’ Children.
Johnson, the 2024 Homecoming
King, led the Spartans offense with 182 carries for 1,257 yards and 18 touchdowns including a 95-yard dash. Wilson, a varsity wrestler at 285 lbs., flattened opponents for 18.5 total tackles with ten solos.
Previous Solon participants include Blake Timmons (2023), Cayden Knipper (2022), and Colton Hoffman (2021).
For more information on the Shrine Bowl go to https://iowashrinebowl.org/ event/2023-iowa-shrine-bowl-all-starclassic/.
Rachel Roodhouse in 2:56, Lucianna Miller pinned Lily Roodhouse in 1:07, Olivia Bonnema pinned Lauren Piquard in 2:26, Kara VeDepo pinned Molly Snyder in 5:15, and McKenna Rogers pinned Makayla Bros in 32 seconds. Peyton Gordon (115) Adlie Miller (190), and Haiden Wolfe (235) won by forfeit. Evie Gasser (145) won an extra match by pinning Geneseo’s Bella Kelley in 5:53.
Bettendorf 42 Solon 42
VeDepo (105) pinned Kaitlynn Crump in 46 seconds, Alannah Mahoney (125) pinned Selah Solis in 1:07, Miller (135)
Cedar Falls soaks swimming
Little Hawks
137-30
Solon Economist CEDAR FALLS — City High’s boys swim team traveled to Holmes Jr. High School in Cedar Falls Tuesday, Jan. 7 to face the
pinned Keira Cewe in 4:46, Adlie Miller (190) pinned Natavia Hobert in 2:26, and Wolfe (235) pinned Shannon Derby in 36 seconds.
Rogers (110) won by forfeit.
Extra matches - Layla Knazze (105) pinned Jezebel Flagg in 3:13 and Gasser (140) pinned Adysn Slack in 1:33.
Central DeWitt 45 Solon 33
Anderson (135) won 4-0 against Nora McAvan, Miller (140) pinned Ashle Oronzio in 3:08. Bonnema (145) pinned Ella Bloom in 1:18, Wolfe (235) pinned Blaire Kueter in 1:50, VeDepo (110) pinned Delaney Barber in 47 seconds.
Cedar Falls Tigers and fell 137-30. Solon’s Elliot Hamm and William Thomsen are swimming with City High this season. Thomsen was 12th in the 50-yard freestyle (33.65) and ninth in the 100-yard backstroke (1:22.84).
Hamm took seventh in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:32.64) and seventh in the 200-yard individual medley (2:42.43.
Upcoming schedule
Saturday, Jan. 18, Grayhound Invite at Burlington High School, 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, Dual meet at CR Jefferson, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 25, MVC Meet at CR Jefferson High School,12:00 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 8, District (State Qualifying) Meet at Dubuque Senior, 9:00 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 14-Saturday, Feb. 15 – 2025 State Meet at U of I Campus Rec. & Wellness Center, Iowa City
Solon Economist
Solon Economist
Spartans sweep Trojans and Wolves in Marion double dual
Chris Umscheid Solon Economist
chris.umscheid@soloneconomist.com
MARION — The Spartans returned to the mats after the Christmas-New Year break Thursday, Jan. 9 with a double dual meet against the Marion Wolves and South Tama Trojans at Marion High School, sweeping both.
Solon 54 South Tama 18
Lucas Feuerbach (215 pounds) pinned Manuel Cervantes in 34 seconds, Grant Wilson (285) pinned Lakyr Peska in 3:07, Jayden Steapp (120) pinned Henri Martinez-Alvarado in 40 seconds, Michael Bigelow (132) won a 9-1 major decision over Eli Cruikshank, Jordan Schmidt (144) pinned Cody Blocker in 3:12, Evan Burg (150) won by technical fall (18-0 in 5:34) against Garrett Surman, Carson Kidwell (157) pinned Anthony Thompson in 59 seconds, Teague Williams won 10-5 over Kinzer Jaennette, and Jackson Feuerbach (175) pinned Marcus Bear in 5:55.
Extra matches – Colby Myers (215) pinned Alvaro Castro in 1:50, Dylan Branscomb (215) pinned Logan Graff in 2:34, Myers (215) pinned Chance Ryan in 2:54, Jamie Calef (285) pinned Samuel Garcia in 1:28, Deacon Waddell (120) pinned Marcos Tomas-Mejia in 4:34, Carter Brock (126) pinned Logan Richards in 3:47, Owen Ulch (157) took an 8-7 decision from James Cowles, and Logan Rudish (157) pinned Wyatt Silhanek in 3:20.
Solon 64 Marion 15
Anderson Osgood (106) pinned Ari Groothuis in 4:08, Steapp (120) pinned Kaehl Gassmann in 55 seconds, Schmidt (144) pinned JT Malcom in 1:38, Burg (150), pinned Landon DeSotel in 3:05, Kidwell (157), won by 11-3 major decision over Ty Mull, Jackson Feuerbach (175), pinned Brandon Hatfield in 4:54, and Kyler Jensen (190) pinned Cael Schultz in 1:26. Extra matches - Branscomb (215) only needed 13 seconds to pin Jacob Ahmann and Waddell (132) pinned Andrew Begley in 1:18.
Upcoming Schedule
Thursday, Jan. 16 – Double dual with Benton Community and West Delaware at Benton Community HS, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 23 – Home dual meet vs. Mount Vernon, 6:00 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 24 – Herb Irgens Invitational at Ida Grove High School, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 25 – Herb Irgens Invitational at Ida Grove High School, 9:30 a.m.
Monday, Jan. 27 – WaMaC JV Boys Tournament
Thursday, Jan. 30 – Home vs. Beckman, Midland, and Maquoketa, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 1 – WaMaC Conference Boys Tournament at Benton Community, 10:00 a.m.
the pin in 40 seconds. Jackson Feuerbach works at rolling South Tama’s
over for the pin in a 175 pound match Thursday, Jan. 9 at Marion HS. Feuerbach pinned Bear in 5:55. Right top to
goes for the pin against South Tama’s Anthony Thompson in a 157 pound match Thursday, Jan. 9 at
got the pin in 59 seconds. Carson Kidwell manhandles Marion’s Ty Mull in a 157 pound match Thursday, Jan. 9 at
Kidwell took an 11-3 major decision from Mull. Charlie Karam tries to bring South Tama’s Clayton Babinat down in a 138 pound match Thursday, Jan. 9 at Marion HS. Babinat took an 8-6 decision from Karam. Charlie Karam takes down Marion’s Kavin Marble in a 138 pound match Thursday, Jan. 9 at Marion HS. Marble won by a 9-3 decision.
Spartans reign at N. Mahaska Invitational
Carson Kidwell, Lucas Feuerbach, and Grant Wilson crowned champions
Solon Economist
NEW SHARON — The varsity Spartan grapplers, fresh off a double-dual meet win at Marion, reigned supreme at North Mahaska’s invitational tournament Saturday, Jan. 11 with 245.5 team points to lead the 12-team field.
Carson Kidwell, Lucas Feuerbach, and Grant Wilson were crowned champions at 157, 215, and 285 pounds.
Kidwell improved to 24-3 on the season and went 4-0 on the day winning by technical fall (3:30 (18-0)) against Pella JV’s Davion Lampkin in the first round, taking a 15-10
decision from Oskaloosa’s Matthew Phillips, winning by tech. fall (4:22 15-0)) over Mahaska’s Chris Long, and winning a 9-0 major decision over teammate Connor Dunn in the 1st Place Match.
Lucas Feuerbach improved to 24-2 going 5-0. Feuerbach pinned Grinnell’s Tyler Kostow in 44 seconds, Mahaska’s Nolan Schock in 21 seconds, and Pella JV’s Jacob Warner in 19 seconds before taking a 4-2 decision from Oskaloosa’s Parker Jordan in the fourth round and pinning EddyvilleBlakesburg-Fremont’s Stryker Lettington in 1:38 in the fifth round.
Wilson improved to 22-5 and went 4-0 on the tournament. Wilson took a 10-2 major decision from Oskaloosa’s Kyron Smith in round 1, pinned Pekin’s Jonnah Breon in 55 seconds in the quarterfinals, pinned Grinnell’s Drake Goughner in 38 seconds in the semifinals, and won in the ultimate tie breaker 11-10 over Montezuma’s Braxton
Plants.
2nd Place – Jordan Schmidt (144 pounds), Connor Dunn (157), and Jackson Feuerbach (175)
3rd Place – Anderson Osgood (106), Jayden Steapp (120), Charlie Karam (138), and Teague Williams (165), Kyler Jensen (190)
4th Place – Justin Moore (126) and Evan Burg (150)
5th Place – Quinten Henning (113)
Team Scores
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Above left and right: Jayden Steapp pins South Tama’s Henri Martinez-Alvarado in a 120 pound match Thursday, Jan. 9 at Marion HS. Steapp got
