Merry MChristmas MCerryhristmas Cerryhristmas
Thomas Nast's most famous drawing, "Merry Old Santa Claus", from the January 1, 1881 edition of Harper's Weekly
Santa Claus
The North Pole
Because everybody deserves a chance to play
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist Hugh makes a slam dunk during an adaptive basketball session Wednesday, Dec. 11 at the Solon Community Center. Adaptive sports programming is becoming more popular in Solon and makes it possible for children with a variety of challenges to enjoy sports activities.
Adaptive sports programs gaining popularity in Solon
Chris Umscheid Solon Economist chris.umscheid@soloneconomist.com
SOLON — They dribbled, passed, and took shots at the basket just like their classmates do, but the pace was perhaps a bit slower. For the dozen or so kids enjoying basketball skills at the Solon Community Center last Wednesday, it was the final evening of four weeks of adaptive basketball play. However, it likely won’t be the last with more programs in the works.
Adaptive sports (also called para sports) is a general term for athletic activities with rules and equipment modifications that make it possible for anybody to participate regardless of any disability.
“No barriers is Can Play’s slogan,” said Brodie Bohlen, Recreation Director for the City of Solon. Bohlen’s department has partnered with Can Play, a non-profit organization based in West Des Moines, that provides adapted recreational opportunities for approximately 15,000 Iowa kids annually through several different programs.
“Ethan (Esgate, Recreation Coordinator) and I met with them a few months ago and they’ve been trying to advance adaptive sports into smaller communities, and they thought we would be a great hub being between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, and with kids here in Solon.”
Bohlen and Esgate offered adaptive soccer this past fall with a handful of kids participating. The number of participants grew when sign-up for basketball opened to around a dozen with most from Solon and a few from the surrounding area.
Adaptive basketball has three unique circuits (or stations) with a coach at each one and the participants broken down into age groups with kids ranging from age three-to-twelve.
“We’ve found that it works to keep the younger ones with the younger ones and the older ones with the older ones. It’s a slower pace than a regular basketball camp or practice. Some of the kids get into the game and they kind-of shut off so they like extra push or attention that we can give them with about a one-to-three ratio vs. one-to-twenty. They’re getting a lot more face-to-face time with us than if they were in a team-based setting.”
Edgar Haney
Edgar J. (Ed) Haney entered into eternal rest on December 4, 2024 at the age of 83 in Fremont, NE.
Ed was born March 20, 1941 in Fremont to James and Clara (Rix) Haney. He grew up on the family farm east of Fremont.
Ed attended a rural one room school house before entering Fremont High School as a Freshman. He graduated in 1958 and went on to attend Midland College with a music scholarship. Ed enlisted and honorably served in the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman and as a trumpet player in the Marine Corps Band.
Ed married his love at first sight, partner in life, Sharyl Sellers on September 12, 1960 in Santa Ana, CA. To this union three boys were born, Chad, Bret and Matt. Ed worked for Farmland Industries for nearly forty years starting out as an hourly laborer in the Fremont, NE facility. He also farmed the family farm and served as the Plant Manager until being transferred to Cedar Rapids, IA as the Regional Production Manager in 1980.
Volume 144 I Issue 51
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
Advertising Sales Catherine Bilskie catherine.bilskie@ soloneconomist.com
The disabilities range from mobility issues to the autism spectrum to cognitive issues.
“They’re things that would hinder them in a larger group environment. When we condense it and break things up, it makes it a lot easier for them to stay focused, stay engaged, and participate in general.”
Earlier this year the Rec. Department put out a survey to gauge the community’s interest in and need for adaptive programming.
“One of the parents in our program, Chris Bakker, helped lead the charge. We met with parents, we met with the Special Education Director for the school district to help us push out some of this, we got a lot of great feedback, and people thought it was a definite need in the community. We have a family where a mother brings in her son and volunteers to help us, so it’s been great as far as getting people to help and getting participants. It started slowly but it’s gaining some traction now. Maybe by our next program, we’ll double it. It only goes up from here.”
Bohlen said as the program continues to grow so too will the need for more volunteers.
“We’re a pretty small operation –myself, Ethan, and some part-timers and college kids. If it does keep growing, we’re going to need help with this, but that’s the goal – to keep it growing and keep offering opportunities to kids who might not get those opportunities elsewhere.”
Bohlen plans to offer a four week flag football program in a few months, after the winter rec programs have died down.
“The plan is to do all of our programs out of the Community Center, it’s a centralized location and if any kids have any mobility issues, you can get around on the gym floor here.”
A parent’s perspective
Chris Bakker approached Bohlen and Esgate a year ago last fall after discovering his son Hugh has a developmental delay.
“During football I noticed he was kind-of catching on to things a little slower, maybe he needed a little slower pace, which we had known based on his diagnosis. So, I went up to these guys just to say, ‘hey, I’ve done a little bit of research and I know that there’s some programs out there that’s really focused on adaptive and inclusive sports for kids like my son,’ and I asked them if they’d like to go on this journey to start this thing and they were
During his career he was promoted to District Production Manager overseeing eight facilities in seven states. Ed transferred back to Fremont, NE and managed the Fremont facility until his retirement. He was a past member of the American Management Association, BPOE 200, and the Omaha Sky Divers. He was a present member of the American Legion Post 71 in Arlington, NE and the Marine Corps Musicians Association. He loved his family and was very proud of all of them.
Survivors include wife Sharyl, Fremont, NE, sons Chad (Stacey) Haney, Lincoln, NE, Bret (Kim) Haney, Dwight, NE and Matt (Kelly) Haney, Pleasant Dale, NE. Six grandchildren, Lexis Haney, Camden Haney, Katie Haney, Olivia Hayek (Thunder) and Braden Haney.
Visitation was Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont. A Graveside service with military honors was held at Memorial Cemetery in Fremont. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude or Fremont Veterans Park.
Online guestbook at HYPERLINK "http://www. Ludvigsenmortuary.com" www.Ludvigsenmortuary. com
A Solon Christmas tradition
Santa Claus visits Solon State Bank
Solon Economist
William White sits with Santa Claus Friday, Dec. 3 at the Solon State Bank.
Jett Van Rees (at left) and William White spend a little time coloring a reindeer Friday, Dec. 13 at the Solon State Bank during the annual visit by Santa Claus.
Reporter Intern Joel Kellar
Production Manager Heidi Owen heidi.owen@dailyiowan.com
Business Manager Debbie Plath debra.plath@dailyiowan.com
Official Newspaper: Solon, Johnson County, Solon Community School District, Solon Tri-Township Emergency Response Solon Economist USPS #500860 Copyright © 2024 by Student Publications, Inc. is published weekly by Student Publications, 100 Adler Journalism Building, Room El31, Iowa City, IA 52242. Call 319-6242233 to subscribe. Periodicals postage is paid at Iowa City, IA, and additional mailing offices.
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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.
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Library Events
The Winter Library Challenge is for all-ages! 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 grand prize! You can track your progress on paper slips or using READsquared. Challenge yourself and win this WIN-
ter!
Join us for an all-ages celebration of the New Year Saturday, December 28, for Noon Year’s Eve! We’ll enjoy games, activities, crafts, and snacks starting at 11:30 a.m. with a countdown to Noon and the giant balloon drop, and more time to enjoy activities after. Please note the Noon Year’s Eve celebration takes place in the gym at the Solon United Methodist Church’s Family Life Center, 131 N. West Street, Solon.
Teens are invited to enjoy hot cocoa, board games and time with friends Monday, December 30, at 3:00 p.m. Get out of the house and relax before heading back to school! Teen programs are for 6th-12th graders.
Library Access
Regular Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays. As we approach the holiday season and winter weather, please always refer to our website calendar or call to check hours.
Winter 2024/2025 holiday hours for Johnson County departments and offices
Most Johnson County governmental departments and offices will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in observance of the Christmas holiday. Most State offices located in Johnson County buildings will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25, and Thursday, Dec. 26. Departments and offices will also be closed Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in observance of New Year’s Day.
Detailed schedule changes and other department and office closures include:
Ambulance: Johnson County Ambulance Service (JCAS) will be available for routine and emergency response. The JCAS billing and administrative offices will be closed. Emergency services remain available 365 days a year. In an emergency, always dial 911. Conservation: The Conservation administrative office and Education Center will be closed. All conservation areas will remain open and park rangers will be on call.
Emergency Management: The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) administrative office will be closed, but emergency services remain available 365 days a year. In an emergency, always dial 911. For non-emergency matters, call 319-356-6700.
Medical Examiner: The Medical Examiner Department (JCME) will be available for emergency response. JCME administrative offices will be closed. JCME should be contacted via the 24-hour pager service by calling 563-244-0054.
SEATS: The SEATS administrative office will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024; and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. Rural or same-day on-demand service will not be provided. Paratransit service for Iowa City, University Heights, and Coralville will follow Iowa City Transit and Coralville Transit hours on Dec. 24.
Secondary Roads: The Secondary Roads admin-
Please take note of our December holiday hours. We’ll be closed Monday, Dec. 23 through Wednesday, December 25 for the Christmas holiday.
On Friday, December 27, we’ll be open 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. to allow time for our monthly staff in-service.
As we celebrate the New Year Tuesday, December 31, we are open 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and closed Wednesday, January 1st.
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.
Most Popular of 2024
Throughout the year you’ve been enjoying these titles the most.
Tied for most popular fiction The Women by Kristen Hannah and The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. These historical fiction novels have been consistently checked out throughout the year. If you’ve been waiting for your chance, be sure to place them on hold!
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez is the most popular romance book of the year. This Minnesotan author took a few of our top spots in romance and is known for her “cinnamon roll” male main characters. If you want a story that makes your heart sing, try something by Jimenez.
So many people were ready to dive into this ultra popular (and extra thick read) Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, our most popular Sci-Fi/Fantasy title. And if you’re ready for that big commitment, we also have book two of the series, The Iron Flame , and book three is expected in early 2025.
History buffs enjoyed Patton’s Prayer: A True Story of Courage, Faith, and Victory in World War II by Alex Kershaw this year more than any other biography. 2024 was a year of big movie releases with a threeway tie for the highest honors. It won’t be a surprise that “Barbenheimer” is two of the top movies of the year!
Barbie [PG-13], Oppenheimer [R], and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire [PG-13] are all available to check-out and enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
istrative offices will be closed. Road crews will be on standby and will respond to winter weather conditions on roadways if necessary.
Sheriff’s Office: The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Administrative, Civil and Records divisions will be closed. All other services will operate as normal and be available for routine and emergency response. In an emergency, always dial 911. For routine calls, contact the Joint Emergency Communications Center at 319356-6800.
State offices located in County buildings: The Clerk of Court and the Johnson County Courthouse, 417 S. Clinton Street in Iowa City, will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024; and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
The Department of Human Services, located in the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building, 855 S. Dubuque Street in Iowa City, will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25, and Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024; and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
Juvenile Court Services, located in the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building, 855 S. Dubuque Street in Iowa City, will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25, and Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024; and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
Local nursing student earns Nursing Pin at Mount Mercy University
CEDAR RAPIDS — Mount Mercy University pinned over 30 nursing graduates Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Nursing Pinning Ceremony. Among those pinned was Kayla Sawyer of Ely, IA. Graduate Tiffany Schnor ’24 was featured as the student speaker at the event. Congratulations nursing graduate!
Saturday, Dec. 21
St. Mary’s Catholic Church will host a live Nativity from 4-8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 28
The Solon Public Library will host their annual Noon Years Eve event at the Solon Methodist Church's Family Life Center, 131 N. West St.
OPINIONS
Little Elephant's Christmas Insurance problems won’t
Food for Thought
Milli Gilbaugh
I give my dad credit for turning me into a bookworm. And for all the activities, interests and accomplishments that my love of reading led to. It seems that, every Christmas and birthday, there was a wonderful new storybook from my dad. He couldn't wait to see my delight as I unwrapped the present and opened the new book he had carefully chosen for me. I can't remember that any of my three sisters ever received those special presents from Dad, or if they did, they contained not books but something that fit their favorite activity or pastime. I've mentioned the Pinocchio book and doll that came on the heels of my first movie, Disney's classic movie about the puppet who longed to be a real boy.
Another favorite book was “Little Elephant's Christmas” by Jean McConnell. I learned much later in life that she had written a number of other children's stories featuring the characters in my book, but the main appeal of this particular story was that Little Elephant and his family observed Christmas in much the same way as our family did. They decorated a tree with ornaments closely resembling the few blown-glass ones on our tree and artificial snow (ours had metallic “icicles.”) Mother Elephant made taffy – we had homemade fudge and Dad's favorite Apricot Candy Roll (rich white fudge loaded with chopped apricots and black walnuts.) On Christmas morning, Little Elephant unloaded his stocking of its treasures consisting of small toys, an orange, and at the very bottom, a shiny new wrist watch. There were presents for everyone; a beautiful lace collar for Mother Elephant, a set of special paints for Father Elephant to decorate his tusks, and a woolly trunk-warmer for Grandpa Elephant. Of course, little Elephant got the most presents, as in our family it was the children who were showered with gifts. There was a huge Christmas dinner including roasted turkey (Little Elephant, of course, had an enormous drumstick) after which everyone was too full to do much but nap and admire their new presents.
The book contained drawings of highlights; Little Elephant had tried to blow the artificial snow onto the tree with his trunk and suffered a sneezing fit; he got taffy stuck to his trunk while helping with the taffy-pulling, whirled it about in an effort to shake it loose and ultimately set it sailing through the air to stick in Grandpa Elephant's toupee and carry it away. In the end, Little Elephant went to bed early, wearing his new watch and murmuring that it had been “the best Christmas ever.”
The story paralleled our family Christmas in so many ways that I am sure my dad read every word before buying it. It didn't include so many of the things featured in other Christmas stories, such as swags of holly and mistletoe or hordes of carolers, things that were never part of our Christmas.
A great reader himself, Dad made sure there were abundant books intended for use by the whole family. We had reference books; World Book encyclopedia, Lands and People published by National Geographic, The John Martin Books for children were a wonderful collection of stories, poems, activities, puzzles, history, science experiments and general information. I returned to those books many times during my lifetime, even after I thought I had outgrown them. Dad brought home books from auction sales he attended, including such classics as Black Beauty, Heidi, and a complete set of the Bobbsey Twins stories. Published in 1934, the year I was born, the books reflected many attitudes that were offensive even at the time I first heard them read to me. Designed to appeal to children aged 5 to 8, they were likely written to be read to, not by, young children. My parents must have edited out much of the racial and separatist attitude that I came across years later when I read some of them to my own children who soon lost interest in the pointless plots. I gave the books to a neighbor. In second grade, our teacher took us on field trips that made up for the lack of what are today standard school facilities. Our first trip to the town's public library was better than a trip to Disneyland by one of today's children. All those books! I dreamed of reading them all.
go away by glorifying a murder
Stray Thoughts
When and why did the United States turn into such a cesspool of hatred?
Some people may disagree with that characterization. But events last week have or should put those questions front and center because the kind of cold-hearted reaction we have witnessed is disgusting.
See what you think:
About 6:45 a.m. on December 4, as sunrise drew near in New York City, a hooded man stepped from between two parked cars outside a Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan and gunned down the chief executive of United Healthcare as he walked to a company meeting.
Brian Thompson fell to the ground, mortally wounded. The killer fled down a pedestrian walkway and disappeared. Left behind on the sidewalk were bullet casings marked with the words “Delay” and “Deny.”
The death of Thompson, 50, the chief executive of the nation’s largest health insurance company, would be shocking by itself. But the morbid glee that a troubling number of Americans voiced on social media in the wake of the murder is disturbing on many levels.
The lack of sympathy and the glorification of Thompson’s death is deeply concerning. The sympathy *for* the murder grows from the anger many people have toward Thompson’s employer.
UnitedHealthcare insures 49 million Americans through health plans sold to employers and individuals. Its annual revenues, about $280 billion, are 30 times larger than Iowa collects in state taxes each year.
The anger aimed at United Healthcare is so sharp because the company’s decisions to delay paying many claims and to deny coverage for many others have left countless families with enormous medical bills. But those are the company’s decisions. Brian Thompson did not have
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
An inconvenient truth
Cedar Rapids’ casino is a means to an end for operator Peninsula Pacific – it’s the legally required “front” for their access to both online sports and, eventually, online casino gambling.
Casinos nationally are moving online. Their goal is 24/7 real time access for every smart phone and wallet in the country. Their new market will target digitallyprimed young men (and women), not seniors playing slots in casinos. Recent initial studies of seven states found casino revenue declined as online sports betting increased.
Remember that.
Peninsula Pacific justifies Cedar Rapids’ casino because Iowa loses money to Nebraska’s casinos, saying…”we have a very big gap to fill.” We should look at the money Iowa loses to its own casinos first.
The state gets only 6/75% tax from online gambling – lowest in the entire country except for Nevada. National average is 19% , and New York gets 51%.
The Legislature should raise the online tax to 22% for a start (same as Iowa’s casino gambling tax). Casinos also need to pay taxes on their promotional bets instead of deducting them.
Casino donations to charities are essentially tax deductions, which buy community support and good will. There is, however, an inconvenient truth here not mentioned. Unfortunately, of the staggering amount of money that casinos make, 70% of it comes from problem or addicted gamblers.
Toni Russo Solon
unilateral authority to decide these matters himself.
Regardless of the reasons, the dark comments on social media have been repulsive. For example:
“When you shoot one man in the street it’s murder,” one person wrote. “When you kill thousands of people in hospitals by taking away their ability to get treatment you’re an entrepreneur.”
Another commenter wrote, “Thoughts and deductibles to the family.” Said another post, “Unfortunately, my condolences are out-of-network.”
One more post was especially blunt: “I’m an ER nurse and the things I’ve seen dying patients get denied for by insurance makes me physically sick. I just can’t feel sympathy for him because of all of those patients and their families.”
Lisa Jarvis, a health-care columnist for Bloomberg News, winced at the harsh comments, writing: “We can’t ignore the ferocity of the response — or the fact that no one’s gut told them to check it. If there’s one thing our fractured country seems to agree on, it’s that the health care system is tragically broken and the companies profiting from it are morally bankrupt.”
Stephan Meier, the management division chair at the Columbia Business School in New York City, told reporters, “The insurance industry is not the most loved, to put it mildly.” A Gallup Poll last week found that 54 percent of Americans believe health care coverage in the United States is fair or poor.
The hatred spewed through social media did not begin with Thompson’s killing. Such bile has become all too common. We have become inured when we hear people in positions of prominence or authority refer to those with whom they disagree as morons, deplorable, despicable, or low IQ.
We should not lose sight of this painful fact: The killer’s actions last week came at a terrible price for Thompson’s family, who have no say at all in United Healthcare’s corporate decisions.
This CEO is an Iowa farm boy. The 1993 graduate of South Hamilton High School grew up between Jewell and Stanhope. His wife is a Webster City native. They have two teenage sons.
Thompson’s path to the suburban Minneapolis headquarters of UnitedHealthcare began at the University of Iowa, where he received an accounting degree. He worked for the international accounting firm PwC before joining UnitedHealthcare 20 years ago.
Bloomberg News columnist Tobin Harshaw wrote last week, “We need better and cheaper and fairer health care. But not at the cost of CEOs’ lives.”
Can’t everyone in a civilized society agree on that?
Randy Evans can be reached at DMRevans2810@gmail.com.
Cooperation and hard work make the Christmas Tree Walk and Arts Festival a treasured success
A big shout out to the Solon community for its great support of the Solon Christmas Tree Walk and Arts Festival. The cooperation and hard work of many Solon individuals and groups is what makes this possible. It starts in October and November when planning meetings begin with representatives from the City of Solon, the SEDG, the Solon Economist and the Solon Methodist Church. Vendor sign up begins, cooks and bakers start planning, Christmas Tree themes are chosen and Helen Proffitt comes up with a new idea for the Scavenger Hunt, and...Santa declares his availability for the event.
The day before the event, Solon Fire Department volunteers deliver 32 tables (as the event long outgrew what the Methodist church had in stock!) and the craziness begins – decorated trees arrive, vendors set up tables, and decorations begin to appear, topped off by a beautifully decorated entrance by E’s Florals.
But the best part, of course, is what happens the day of the event, and my main reason for writing this. For the event to be a success is important, but even better is to watch the great fellowship that takes place as the day progresses. Workers take lunch breaks with family and friends, young parents find friends as their kids scope out the Christmas trees to earn a freshly baked cookie, you run into your neighbor from across the road. Extra tables have to be set up, because no one is quite ready to leave. This is COMMUNITY, my friends. And in these uncertain times, somehow crossing paths with friends and acquaintances gives us assurance, gets our hopes up, and one leaves feeling glad this is where you are from.
Barb Kalm Mount Vernon
Randy Evans Iowa Freedom of Information Council
Iowa City police and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office to potentially join forces
The two law enforcement units are in the early stages of discussing a potential joint facility.
Madison Schuler
The Daily Iowan
The Iowa City Police Department and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office may merge forces with a potential joint law enforcement facility. The discussion first arose due to separate space needs studies conducted by the Iowa City Police Department and the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office’s study found the jail, which houses the sheriff’s office, had several structural issues. Simultaneously, Iowa City conducted its own study for City Hall, including the fire department and police department.
Now, the Iowa City City Council is considering options that involve moving the police department to a new location. Discussion of the potential joint law
enforcement is still in the early stages but may become a possibility due to several of those factors.
Police Chief Dustin Liston of the Iowa City Police Department spoke more about the discussion of the potential joint law enforcement along with what benefits it could bring.
“We thought it would be at least wise to look at the feasibility of combining that facility to see if it’s even possible if there could be some cost savings with shared spaces because it would be a pretty big ask of the taxpayers to fund two separate law enforcement projects at the same time,” Liston said.
The combined unit would not only save costs, but it would unite the two units and create a more accessible and welcoming community facility.
“We both have agencies that have grown significantly since our current buildings were built, and we need to have a long-term solution for the community. I think there’s a lot of good reasons to go down this road, and I’m optimistic it’ll work out in the end.”
Brad Kunkel Johnson County Sheriff
Liston said each department would maintain its own mission, such as the sheriff’s office operating the jail, while the police department would focus on its jurisdiction within the city limits.
Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel echoed the need for a potential joint law enforcement initiative due to current buildings being aged, overcrowded, and in need of replacement.
“We need a new sheriff’s office and jail,” Kunkel said. “The current building is about 45 years old. It’s continuing to fall into a state of disrepair and perpetual problems like water pipes leaking and, obviously, we have structural issues that are now a concern, too.”
According to a report from the engineering firm Faithful and Gould, any building assessment percentage
Solon Middle School students receive musical honors
Chris Umscheid
Solon Economist
chris.umscheid@soloneconomist.com
SOLON — Two Solon Middle School students have been recognized for their musical talent.
Emma Olsem was chosen to perform in the 2024 Opus Honor Choir, which was held Thursday, Nov. 21 in the C.Y. Stephens Auditorium on the Iowa State University campus in Ames. The event,
sponsored by the Iowa Choral Directors Association, is for students in 5th-9th grades with four choirs of 180 voices selected for a total of 720 out of over 2,400 students statewide who were nominated by their vocal music directors.
Olsem, who said she started out singing in the bathtub when she was younger and joined the choir this year, was the only Solon student selected this year.
“I got to sing with lots of other really good singers from across the state,” she said. “I got an email after a long tryout process with lots of my friends, and they were really good, and I was really sad when they didn’t make it
One of the best
over 60 percent should be considered for demolition.
However, the study conducted by Faithful and Gould in March 2023 rated the jail 104 percent.
Kunkel said if the two departments become housed in the same facility, the needs and duties of the entities would not change.
“We’re still going to be out there doing those in our respective communities, but we need to make sure we have a good understanding, good agreements in place, and good relationships amongst the agencies and administrators,” Kunkel said.
Despite the initiative still being in the early stages of discussion, Kunkel is hopeful for the future.
“We both have agencies that have grown significantly since our current buildings were built, and we need to have a long-term solution for the community,” Kunkel said. “I think there’s a lot of good reasons to go down this road, and I’m optimistic it’ll work out in the end.”
Iowa City City Councilor Megan Alter believes the potential facility is an opportunity for collaboration, cost-sharing, and improved community response time.
“I think it has some real potential, and I am excited to see what the final vision is for it and how the logistics will work,” Alter said. “I like to think that this could help with response time. It could help with better coverage for the community and for people in need.”
However, Alter also said the discussion needs to be open to the public during the process to avoid any confusion or negative connotations.
“I think that this potential effort needs to be very public in its process and very clearly stated to explain what the benefits [are] and why these entities would be joining,” Alter said.
Over the next months, both departments will continue to convene to discuss further details with the Iowa City City Council, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, and the community.
“We would need to have plenty of community meetings, a great deal of outreach to make sure that the public was well-informed on what was being asked of them, and certainly what they were going to be asked to vote on, and kind of what are the next steps going forward,” Liston said.
in and I made it in.” Olsem added, “My mom said she was in it when she was little so she said, ‘Emma, you should try out,’ and I said yes.”
When asked what she likes to sing, she said, “I like fun jazzy stuff and not sad stuff.”
Hudson Thirtyacre was accepted into the 2024 All-Iowa Middle School Jazz Band, which performed Saturday, Nov. 16 at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. The band consisted of 20 students from across the state with Thirtyacre selected as the singular vibraphonist. A vibraphone is similar in appearance to a xylophone but the tuned metal bars, which are struck with mallets, are suspended over a resonator tube containing a flat metal disc, which is connected to an axle that is spun by a motor to create a tremolo (“trembling”) or vibrato (a pulsating change of pitch) effect.
The eighth grader has performed with the Solon High School pep band and is looking forward to playing in the jazz band.
Economist
Chris Umscheid Solon
chris.umscheid@soloneconomist.com
SOLON — The Iowa Department of Education released performance ratings for the 2023-2024 school year last month marking the first time new state school performance ratings and federal designations have been determined using an updated state plan for school accountability and support.
“Our performance profiles provide critical, transparent information for families, educators, and communities on how our schools are serving all students,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “Built with the feedback of thousands of Iowans, our new, worldclass accountability system celebrates school success and supports continuous improvement, focusing resources on the classroom and what has the greatest impact on student achievement and growth.”
The Solon Middle School (SMS) earned the highest rating – “Exceptional,” placing the school firmly in the top-16 in the state (top 1.25% of all Iowa schools). Last Friday, the school started their day by celebrating that achievement
and Principal Mike Herdliska.
“What does it mean to be an Exceptional School?” asked School Counselor Heather Pentico to kick off the celebration. “They look at how well do in language arts, mathematics, science, and our composite scores. They rate us on our attendance and conditions for learning.” She reminded the students of a survey they took about their experiences as a student of the Solon Community School District including questions about safety and physical and mental wellness. The Dept. of Education also looked at the experience of the teaching staff, and retention of teachers, she said.
“I think you’ve heard me preach more than anybody that it’s important that you all know when you walk into this building that you are an important part of our family and you belong. If you weren’t here, the school would be different. It would not be the same. You (students) are the reason we (staff) come here. We believe that you are the future leaders of America and we need you to be exceptional. We need you to do the great things that you are going to do, and we as educators and staff, believe in you guys, and you will do it.”
Olsem
Thirtyacre
Solon Middle School celebrates state ranking and their principal
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist Solon Middle School Principal Mike Herdliska holds up a T-shirt presented to him by the staff and students in celebration of an “Exceptional” rating from the Iowa Department of Education for the 2023-2024 school year Friday, Dec. 13.
open to it.”
His son was in the fall soccer program and the just ended basketball program as well.
“He loves it,” said Bakker. “He leaves every week with a huge smile on his face and a sense of accomplishment so it’s been really great for him.”
Bakker added the adaptive programs are a great opportunity for kids with challenges to learn and play at a much slower and more individualized pace, and it’s a great opportunity for the parents as well.
“It affords them the opportunity to get involved with some great coaches and parents that help out. And it builds a network community for parents going through very similar circumstances. We’ve been able to bond together and form a little tight-knit community around Solon.”
Bakker said he’s seen changes in his son since joining the adaptive sports programs.
“What I’ve noticed is, he’s asking more and more, ‘Hey, help me. Can we go over it again? Can we slow this down a little bit more so I can take some time to just fully grasp
CELEBRATION from 5
Pentico turned her attention to the SMS staff and their longevity not just within the district, but in the middle school in particular. “I think it would shock you,” she told the students. Several current SMS teachers started as Solon students. Pentico had those teachers raise their hand to the amazement of the students. “Take a look. That’s pretty cool. These people not only were students here, they loved it so much they came back to teach. And I want you to know something about this staff,” she added. “I have no doubt there’s not one member of this staff that would not do anything in their possibility to ensure that you have an exceptional experience here.”
Pentico then turned to Herdliska, sitting in front of the students with balloons, a T-shirt, and a small replica of the leg lamp from the 1983 comedy movie “A Christmas Story,” which was presented to him on behalf of the students and staff by seventh grader RJ Smalley.
“We also have an exceptional principal,” she said. “We believe that Mr. Herdliska is the leader of our school and he provides an environment for all of us to become the best version of ourselves as educators and as students. He puts students first and he puts staff first, and that’s why people come here and stay here.”
“We’re honored, we’ve known for some time that we have something really special here,” Herdliska said. “You don’t go into this business for recognition and awards but it’s nice to be acknowledged and to be in the top 1.6% (of all schools) in the great state of Iowa. We think that’s pretty special.”
Herdliska has been an educator for 33 years and is in his 24th year at Solon. Looking at the number of SMS staff who were his students is “humbling and an honor,” he said. “It’s an honor and it’s nice to see them share the profession and work with them day-in-and-day-out.”
Herdliska looks at several factors for SMS’s exceptional rating beyond the data compiled by the Dept. of Education, including results on the yearly assessment exams (considered by many as a “snapshot” of one particular
it?’ Or ‘I want to be able to learn this but I might have to learn it at a little different pace or a different approach.’ That’s definitely been apparent in the classroom and at home.” The biggest change he’s seen however, has been Hugh’s determination level. “It’s so much higher. His determination and willingness to want to say, ‘I want to go do this’ on a weekly basis has gone up since we got things kicked off.”
For more information:
• Message the Solon Rec. Dept. on Facebook –www.facebook.com/SolonParksandRecreation
• Email – brodie.bohlen@solon-iowa.com
• Stop by the Community Center – 313 S. Iowa St. (former Solon Middle School)
• Phone – 319-624-2499
“We’re trying to offer something for everybody, and I think we’ve accomplished that,” said Bohlen.
Center.
ranking.
day’s performance during the academic year), such as staff retention.
“They choose to be here and they create an environment where the kids want to be here.
and student
attendance go hand-in-hand, in my eyes. Academically, Solon as a district has always performed quite well and we just happened to hit them at the right time when they’re improving and showing good scores.”
Staff retention
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Left: Solon Middle School 7th grade student RJ Smalley presents balloons, a T-shirt, and a small scale replica of the leg lamp from the 1983 comedy movie “A Christmas Story” to Principal Mike Herdliska as the students and staff celebrate an “Exceptional” rating from the Iowa Department of Education for the 2023-2024 school year Friday, Dec. 13.
Right: Solon Middle School Principal Mike Herdliska stands with his grandchildren Kolly (at left) and Krew after a celebration to start the day Friday, Dec. 13. The Middle School earned an “Exceptional” rating from the Iowa Department of Education for the 2023-2024 school year making it one of only 16 schools across the state to receive such a high
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Above: Rowan dribbles around some cones during an adaptive basketball session Wednesday, Dec. 11 at the Solon Community Center. Adaptive sports programming is becoming more popular in Solon and makes it possible for children with a variety of challenges to enjoy sports activities. Left: Coach Ethan directs Abner and Declan during an adaptive basketball session Wednesday, Dec. 11 at the Solon Community Center. Below: A young boy dribbles around some cones during an adaptive basketball session Wednesday, Dec. 11 at the Solon Community
Above: Coach Kate talks with Rowan during an adaptive basketball session Wednesday, Dec. 11 at the Solon Community Center. Right: Coach Ethan speaks with Coach Kate’s kids
A request Santa Claus couldn’t refuse
SHS seniors bring Santa to the Solon Fire Dept. and help the Pantry
Chris Umscheid Solon Economist chris.umscheid@soloneconomist.com
SOLON — Things are understandably busy at the North Pole, headquarters for Santa Claus and his elves, as they work feverishly to produce toys for all of the good boys and girls to be delivered on Christmas Eve. Part of Santa’s seasonal duties includes going through many, many letters. This year, one in particular caught his eye and prompted a trip to Solon.
“I got a letter from young Miss (Rose) McAtee and she asked me if I could help her out with her food drive, and I had a little extra time so I decided to fly on down here,” said Mr. Kris Kringle, AKA: Santa Claus. Santa landed in Solon late Friday afternoon at the Solon Fire Department where McAtee and Ella Havlicek were busy collecting donations for the Solon Community Food Pantry.
“We’re in NHS and we wanted to come up with a (community service) project to give back to the community,” said McAtee, “and the Fire Department has been a huge part of my life. We have three generations of firemen in the family, so we wanted to give
back and so I came to the Fire Department with the idea and they’re like one family –they just all pitched in to help and make it happen.”
The volunteer firefighters transformed their meeting and training room into a reception room for Santa to meet with Solon’s children.
“We’re just hoping to bring the community together,” McAtee said. “My goal was to have people be able to see the family that the Fire Department is and hopefully experience a small part of that and give back to the people that are in need by donating food.”
“It’s Christmas time, everybody loves Christmas time so we just want to share the magic,” said Havlicek. “Christmas is all about giving gifts so the Food Pantry was a perfect thing to give to.”
When asked about how preparations for the big night were going up at the North Pole, Santa smiled and said, “Oh, they’re good. I’ve got the elves working extra hard this year, there’s a lot of good children this year.”
And, a lot of good adults too, who through their donations will help to fill the shelves of the Pantry and make the holidays a little brighter for those in need.
Left: Lennon Brimeyer appears to be in awe of Santa Claus as she (with encouragement and support from dad Travis Brimeyer) asks the Jolly Old Elf for Christmas goodies during a Friday, Dec. 13 visit to the Solon Fire Department.
Right: Loretta Basten visits with Santa Claus at the Solon Fire Department Friday, Dec. 13. The Jolly Old Elf visited at the request of Solon High School seniors Rose McAtee and Ella Havlicek as a way to benefit the Solon Community Food Pantry. Loretta’s request of St. Nick? A steak supper every Saturday night.
Above left: Tru Donovan talks with Santa Claus as Dulce (left) and Dante look on. The Donovan family was among the many who came to see Jolly old St. Nick at the Solon Fire Department last Friday evening. Mr. Kringle set aside his duties at the North Pole to help SHS seniors Rose McAtee and Ella Havlicek in their quest to raise food donations for the Solon Community Food Pantry. Above right: Presley Wood sizes up Santa Claus from a safe distance and in the arms of her dad, Spencer. Right: Rose McAtee (left) and Ella Havlicek pose with Santa Claus during a Friday, Dec. 13 visit to the Solon Fire Department.
The two Solon HS seniors asked St. Nick to stop by and visit with the good children of Solon as a National Honor Society project to gather donations for the Solon Community Food Pantry.
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist Marlee Slocum claims her exceptionally good behavior over the past year with great enthusiasm as sister Millie looks on during a visit by Santa Claus to the Solon Fire Department Friday, Dec. 13.
CLASSIFIEDS
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SOLON SENIORS
Happy Holidays From Solon Senior Dining, a non-profit organization serving the Solon Community for over 40 years at the Solon Methodist Church.
DECEMBER HAPPENINGS
••••••••
CLOSED Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Friday, Dec. 27, Merry Christmas!
CLOSED Wednesday, Jan. 1, Happy New Year’s!
DINING •••••••••••••
Home Deliveries
Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call 319-624-2251 for information.
In-House Dining
Solon Methodist Church, Wednesdays only at 11:30 a.m. Meals cost $5.00, call 319-6242251 for reservations (required) Monday between 10-11:00 a.m.
Bingo – Wednesdays AM/PM
Cards – Wednesdays PM
CALENDAR & PUZZLES
DECEMBER
MENU
Friday, Dec. 20
Honey Biscuit Flounder
Cheesy Broccoli
Rice Casserole
Beets in Orange Sauce
Butterscotch Apple Cake
Monday, Dec. 23
BBQ Turkey Platter
Cheesy Corn
Creamy Coleslaw
Cornbread
Pudding Tart
Wednesday, Dec. 25
MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
CLOSED
Friday, Dec. 27
CLOSED for Holiday
Monday, Dec. 30
Creamy Sausage Gnocchi
Green & Gold Beans
Garlic Toast
Hot Chocolate Mousse
Wednesday, Jan. 1
CLOSED – Happy New Year!
Thank you Solon Senior Dining volunteers! “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.”
—
Elizabeth Andrew
SCHOOL BREAKFAST
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, Dec. 19
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
Friday, Dec. 20
Mini CC French Toast (LV/SIS)
G&G Bag (LV) Donut Long John or Cinnamon Roll Fruit, Juice Crackers & Milk
Monday, Dec. 23 –
Wednesday, Jan. 1 Winter Break
Thursday, Jan. 2 School Resumes
Down
1 ___ Posadas (annual Latin American celebration)
4 Care
8 Quickly throw (together)
12 Iron-rich molecule in blood
13 “That makes sense”
14 Literally, “bean curd”
15 Fail to mention
16 Car freshener scent
17 Doner ___ (meat dish)
18 Uninhabited wilderness
19 Motor coaches?
21 Element between bromine and rubidium
23 Blocks in a bar
24 Blanquette de ___ (French stew)
25 Drop precipitously, as a stock price
27 Bird with a harsh cry
30 Went all out
32 Trait of a courageous person
33 Soup go-with
34 Before, in classic poetry
35 Former N.F.L. quarterback Tim
36 Position in soccer and football
37 Red carpet attire
39 Award first given by King George V, in brief
40 Classic dog name
41 Election campaign
42 ___-mo
43 Blade seen on the Angolan flag
46 Hit rock album of 1980 depicted three times by this puzzle
51 Levels in a ring, for short
52 Consumed gladly
53 Nowadays it’s often accessed via QR code
54 Call at a bakery
55 Big Ben, e.g.
56 Sob
57 Member of a “Great” quintet
58 Make some noise
59 Pet welfare org.
60 Key above ~
1 King Julien of “Madagascar,” for one
2 Titular horror movie town
3 Temporary defeat
4 Game show billed as the “world’s largest obstacle course”
5 Like the majority of products sold at H Mart
6 Check for a flat?
7 Feat
8 ___ Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America
9 Region of the brain
10 A ways away
11 Brits may refer to them as “boozers”
12 Captivate
17 Certain bribe
19 “Out of my way!”
20 Feature of many an aged cheese
22 Recant an opinion
25 “___ of Adele” (Rodin sculpture)
26 Offerings from 11-Down
27 Those who apply themselves?
28 Years, in Uruguay
29 Tree mentioned in the witches’ brew rhyme in “Macbeth”
30 Blot
31 Pay attention to
32 Smooth-barked shade tree
33 W. Coast hub for United Airlines
35 Retrace one’s steps
37 Heraldic animal
38 Whom Count von Count is a parody of
40 Move famously performed by figure skater Surya Bonaly at the 1998 Winter Olympics
42 Bit of Halloween decor
43 Hyperactive
44 2004 Britney Spears hit
45 Dirección from Cancún to Cuba
46 What to expect when you’re expecting
47 Exactly, after “to”
48 Word with division or number
49 X1, X3, X5 and X7
50 Increase dramatically
54 Name tag?
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.
STUDENT LUNCH PRICES
Thursday, Dec. 19
- $.40
MS/HS Alt: Creamed Turkey, Mashed Potatoes & Dinner Roll
Cheese Pizza
Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries
Tasty Peas
Mango Cubes
Ice Cream Treat
Friday, Dec. 20
MS/HS Alt: Cook’s Delight
Sloppy Joe Sandwich
Delicious Baked Beans, Carrots
Spears, Watermelon Chunks
Baked Lays Chips
Monday, Dec. 23 –Wednesday, Jan. 1
Winter Break
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.
Raiders dominate Spartan wrestlers
Williamsburg 47, Solon 15
Solon Economist
WILLIAMSBURG – The varsity Spartan wrestlers suffered their first dual meet loss of the ’24-’25 season last Thursday at Williamsburg as the Raiders took ten of 14 matches for a 47-15 win over Solon.
106 lbs. – Anderson Osgood took an 11-4 decision from Williamsburg’s Charlie Foster.
113 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Riker DeWitt pinned Evan Gleason in 57 seconds.
120 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Hayden Albaugh won a 9-0 major decision over Jayden Steapp.
126 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Lincoln Schropp pinned Michael Bigelow in 1:51.
132 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Bowen Stratton pinned Justin Moore in 2:27.
138 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Tyler McMullin pinned Wyatt Cronan in 27 seconds.
144 lbs. – Charlie Karam took a 4-1 decision from Williamsburg’s Peyton Thede.
150 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Sawyer Kirby won an 11-8 decision over Evan Burg.
157 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Nile Sinn pinned Jadyn Bevans in 34 seconds.
165 lbs. – Carson Kidwell took a 14-13 decision from the Raiders’ Brady Grier.
175 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Ethan Prior won 5-0 against Jackson Feuerbach.
190 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Cael Moore won a 13-4 major decision against Kyler Jensen.
215 lbs. – Lucas Feuerbach pinned Wyatt Wolter in 13 seconds.
285 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Trenton Davies won in a
Tigers take a bite out of the Spartans
Link and Seagren put up 9 apiece but Grinnell wins 54-43
Solon Economist
GRINNELL – Jackson Link and Nolan Seagren put up nine points each Tuesday, Dec. 10 against Grinnell but the Tigers defended their den and defeated the Spartans 54-43.
Grinnell led 13-9 at the end of the first period and held a 29-25 halftime lead after a 16-point Spartan effort in the second. The Tigers led 39-36 going into the final period.
Scoring – Nolan Seagren 9, Jackson Link 9, Maddox Kelley 6, Isaiah Zoske 5, Karsyn Regennitter 5, Simon Einwalter 4, Grant Gordon 3, Tanner Heims 2 3-point baskets – Link 3/9, Seagren 2/3, Kelley 2/6, Regennitter 1/3, Zoske 1/8 Rebounds – Kelley 5, Gordon 4, Kaden Hoeper 4, Seagren 3, Einwalter 3, Zoske 2, Link 2, Heims 2, Regennitter 1 Assists – Seagren 3, Kelley 3, Hoeper 2, Zoske 1, Link 1, Gordon 1 Steals – Zoske 2, Einwalter 1 Blocks –Link 1 Individual
tiebreaker, 2-1 over Grant Wilson.
Extra (junior varsity) Matches
190 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Wes Stoner pinned Reece Rochholz in 47 seconds.
190 lbs. – Solon’s Colby Myers pinned Stoner in 52 seconds.
215 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Dylan Portwood pinned Tripp Johnson in 3:44.
215 lbs. – Solon’s Jamie Calef pinned Portwood in 1:34.
285 lbs. – Dylan Branscomb pinned Williamsburg’s Jaime Sanchez in 3:04.
113 lbs. – Quinten Henning pinned Williamsburg’s Anthony Noriega in 5:26.
120 lbs. – Henning pinned Williamsburg’s Corbin Deitrick in 1:54.
126 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Nolan Kent pinned Carter Brock in 3;14.
132 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Keegan Grobe pinned Jason Calef in 56 seconds.
132 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Sam Parsons pinned Jason Calef in 3:57.
132 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Jon Eschen pinned Carter Brock in 3:12.
132 lbs. – Jackson Burk won an 8-5 decision over Williamsburg’s Quincy Klingner.
144 lbs. – Swyer Hancox won by technical fall 16-1 in 5:47 over Williamsburg’s Andrew DeJamatt.
144 lbs. – Klingner pinned Tate Rudish in 3:02.
157 lbs. – Connor Dunn won a 15-4 major decision against Williamsburg’s Sawyer Greiner.
157 lbs. – Greiner took a 10-3 decision from Solon’s Eli Cash.
165 lbs. – Drew O’Neill won by technical fall 18-2 in 4:30 against Williamsburg’s Connor Finnegan.
165 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Kyler Wade pinned Logan Rudish in 1:25.
165 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Dominic Fisher pinned Owen Ulch
Little Hawks splash the Wahawks, fall to the Warriors and Rams
Solon Economist
IOWA CITY — The City High varsity boys swim team opened the 2024-25 season with a home win Tuesday, Dec. 3 as they splashed the Wahawks of Waterloo West 93-76. Solon freshmen Elliott Hamm and William Thomsen are swimming for the Little Hawks this season with Hamm finishing third in the varsity 50-yard freestyle (27.19) and fourth in the 100-yard butterfly (1:13.73).
The Little Hawks visited Cedar Rapids Washington Thursday, Dec. 5 and fell to 1-1 on the season as the Warriors reigned 105-65. Hamm took fourth in the 50-freestyle (27.27) and fifth in the 100 butterfly (1:13.23).
Dubuque Senior defended their pool with a 113-55 win over the Little Hawks Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Hamm finished fourth in the varsity 200-yard freestyle in 2:22.58 and sixth in the 100-yard butterfly while Thomsen finished seventh in the 100-yard backstroke in 1:26.18.
in 23 seconds.
175 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Evan Stohlmann won a 10-0 major decision over Parker Beck.
175 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Elias Schanz pinned Jackson Bell in 3:13.
175 lbs. – Bell pinned Williamsburg’s Coltyn Troyer in 4:23.
Although the meet didn’t go as well as had been hoped for, Coach Aaron Hadenfeldt found some positives for his squad.
“What a great opening dual to wake us up. Williamsburg is a tough team, and we are capable of showing better than that. They gave us a good look at what a team is that fights in all positions - We'll get there and it was not a fun night, but we'll be better because of it.”
The Spartans host Center Point-Urbana and Independence Thursday evening.
“We don't get any breaks in our schedule, as Indee comes to town. They're a tough team, but we are a tough team too. I'm hoping the boys will use last week as a learning lesson and come out fighting this Thursday. I'm looking forward to seeing a good crowd - home duals are fun, come support us.”
Upcoming schedule
Thursday, Dec. 19 – Home double dual vs. CPU and Independence, 5:00 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 20 – Fort Madison Invitational, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 21 – Fort Madison Invitational, 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, Jan. 4 – Solon Duals, 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 9 – Double dual vs. Marion and S. Tama at Marion HS, 5:30 p.m.
State Baseball Tournament sites set for 2025-2028
Chris Cuellar Communications Director, IHSAA
BOONE — Locations for the next four years of the IHSAA State Baseball Tournament are set following extensive planning for the upcoming 2025 postseason and beyond.
The split site tournament will head west this summer to Sioux City and Carroll, then return to Cedar Rapids and Carroll from 2026 through at least 2028.
“Thanks to a great team effort, our state baseball tournament will continue to be showcased at first-class facilities with outstanding hosts,” IHSAA executive director Tom Keating said.
Sioux City’s Lewis & Clark Park will host Class 4A and Class 3A for the 2025 tournament (July 21-25). The 3,800-seat stadium is home to the minor league Sioux City Explorers and will host the IHSAA event on a one-year agreement.
Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids became a state baseball site in 2024 for the first time since the 1970s and will host Class 4A and Class 3A again as part of a threeyear arrangement starting in 2026. MLB scheduling has the Cedar Rapids Kernels playing at home during the IHSAA tournament week in 2025.
Carroll will remain home for Class 2A and Class 1A as part of a four-year agreement, running from 2025-28. Merchants Park resumed hosting in 2021 and is spending this offseason upgrading lighting, dugouts, bleacher seating, and the press box.
“Our sincere appreciation goes out to these communities and ballparks for hosting these tournaments,” IHSAA baseball administrator Andy Umthun said.
“We’re excited state baseball will visit Sioux City for the first time, and we know returning to Carroll and Cedar Rapids will also provide great experiences for our schools and student-athletes.”
The 2025 tournament will mark the first IHSAA team championship to ever be played in Sioux City.
Upcoming schedule
Saturday, Dec. 21 – Little Hawk Invitational, Mercer Park Aquatic Center, 11:00 a.m.
Friday, Jan. 3 – HOME vs. Dubuque Hempstead, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 4 – Dubuque/Iowa City Quad at Dubuque CSD Aquatic Center, 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 7 – AT Cedar Falls, Holmes Jr. High School, 6:00 p.m.
The IHSAA’s Board of Control approved the four-year proposal in November, pending coordination with the American Rivers Conference to utilize their MiLB reserved dates in Cedar Rapids. The ARC Presidents Council confirmed the agreement Monday, shifting rights for the 2026 dates from the NCAA Division III conference to the IHSAA.
Tournament dates beyond 2025 pending Unified Calendar approval include: July 20-24, 2026; July 19-23, 2027; July 17-21, 2028.
GIRLS' BASKETBALL
“Sometimes offensively, it might not be a good night,” said Smith, “but we can always play a good defense.”
A strong defense has been a Solon specialty for the past couple of years. Smith brought in an offensive minded attack during his first years at the helm of the program but has shifted the emphasis to the defense.
“When I first got here, we sold them on the offense,” said Smith, “Then tricked them into playing defense. Now defense is kind of the staple for us.”
The offense was able to get going just enough thanks to Lietz’ ability to move the ball in transition and find freshman Beckett Kruse in the post to let her go to work. Lietz had 19 points and never missed a shot, going 8/8 on the night. Kruse supplemented the attack from the guard with an interior game that seemed almost unstoppable. Kruse used spin moves, fadeaways, and step throughs to attack from the post and finished with ten points.
“I really try to look at her a lot,” grinned Lietz. “Just because I know a lot of times, she’s going to make them.”
The Lady Spartans put themselves above .500 for the first time this season with the win, as they continue their gauntlet of a schedule to start the season.
Individual Stats
Scoring – Kobi Lietz 19, Delainey Durr 13, Beckett Kruse 10, Laeni Hinkle 5, Jerzey Haluska 5, Quinn Armentrout 5, Laney Johnson 4
3-point baskets – Durr 3/9, Armentrout ¼, Johnson 1/6
Rebounds – Lietz 9, Kruse 5, Haluska 4, Durr 3, Hinkle 3, Johnson 2, Jillian Janssen 2, Armentrout 1
Assists – Durr 4, Lietz 3, Johnson 3, Hinkle 3, Armentrout 1, Kruse 1 Steals – Johnson 3, Lietz 2, Durr 2, Armentrout 1, Kruse 1 Blocks – Durr 1
GIRLS' BASKETBALL
Lady Spartans roll the Tigers
Delainey Durr leads all with 24 points in 71-26 rout of Grinnell
Solon Economist
GRINNELL — Delainey Durr led all with 24 points (including six three-point baskets) Tuesday, Dec. 10 as the Lady Spartans improved to 2-2 on the season with a 71-26 pounding of the Grinnell Tigers in the Tigers’ den. Solon took an 18-6 lead at the end of the first period and were up 31-15 at halftime. A 26-point effort in the third extended the lead to 57-22.
In addition to Durr, Laeni Hinkle and Kobi Lietz were also in double digits with 14 and 13 points respectively.
Individual Stats
Scoring –Delainey Durr 24, Laeni Hinkle 14, Kobi Lietz 13, Laney Johnson 9, Beckett Kruse 4, Quinn Armentrout 4, Jerzey Haluska 3
3-point baskets – Durr 6/12, Johnson 3/9, Haluska 1/1, Hinkle 1/1, Armentrout 1/2
Rebounds – Lietz 10, Kruse 9, Durr 3, Haluska 2, Kalynn Timmons 2, Jillian Janssen 2, Johnson 1, Armentrout 1, Hinkle 1 Assists – Lietz 9, Johnson 3, Armentrout 2, Timmons 2, Durr 1, Haluska 1, Kruse 1 Steals – Lietz 4, Johnson 3, Durr 2, Kruse 2, Armentrout 2, Janssen 1 Blocks – Durr 2, Sophia Link 1
GIRLS' WRESTLING
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Above: Delainey Durr (2) attempts to relieve a Benton Community Bobcat of the ball in the second half of the varsity game Friday, Dec. 13. The Lady Spartans powered past the Bobcats for a 61-24 win with 13 points from Durr.
Right: Jerzey Haluska (24) puts up a two-point shot in varsity action Friday, Dec. 13 against Benton Community. The Lady Spartans powered past the Bobcats for a 61-24 win with five points from Haluska.
WaMaC East Standings (12-15-24)
Upcoming Schedule
Friday, Dec. 20 - AT Center Point-Urbana, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 4 - AT Mid-Prairie, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 7 - AT Williamsburg, 6:00 p.m.
GIRLS' WRESTLING
Lady Spartans top the wrestling Raiders
Solon 42, Williamsburg 33
Solon Economist
WILLIAMSBURG – The Lady Spartan wrestlers picked up a dual meet win last Thursday as they defeated WaMaC West foe Williamsburg on the Raiders’ mats 42-33.
100 lbs. – Double forfeit
105 lbs. – Kara VeDepo pinned the Raiders’ Ryleigh Jones in 3:36.
110 lbs. – McKenna Rogers pinned Anya Rivera in 3:08.
115 lbs. – Tess Richards pinned Kiara Gates in 11 seconds.
120 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Hayden Wade pinned Jadlyn Huynh in 42 seconds.
130 lbs. – Alannah Mahoney pinned Kaylin Becker in 1:29.
135 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Cecelia Gryp won a 10-3 decision against Makayla Keller.
140 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Valerie Altenhofen pinned Alexis Anderson in 3:45.
145 lbs. – Lucianna Miller pinned Kimora Owens in 1:33.
155 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Lilly Ness pinned Olivia Bonnema in 2:28.
170 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Pauline Dufour won by forfeit.
190 lbs. – Adlie Miller won by forfeit.
235 lbs. – Haiden Wolfe won by forfeit.
Extra Matches
120 lbs. – Rylee Worrell pinned Grace Weldon in 1:01.
120 lbs. - Peyton Gordon pinned Jaiden Geels in 2:50.
130 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Emerson Demody pinned Ella Sheeley in 2:56.
130 lbs. – Demody pinned Sophia Barry in 2:28.
145 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Emily Bayer pinned Evie Gasser in 3:52.
145 lbs. – Williamsburg’s Brooklyn Grimm pinned Gasser in 1:05.
“The girls wrestled well against a solid Williamsburg team and earned the dual victory,” said Coach Jake Munson. “An area of focus this week will be the referee’s position as we struggled to score points from underneath in several of our matches. Unfortunately, Saturday’s weather prevented us from being able to travel back to Williamsburg for a dual tournament. We are home this Thursday for a double dual against Mid-Prairie and Iowa City West before closing out 2024 with a tournament Saturday at Prairie High School.”
Upcoming schedule
Thursday, Dec. 19 – Home double dual vs. Iowa ' City West and Mid-Prairie, 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 21 – John Randles Invitational at Prairie HS, 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 9 – Double dual vs. Marion and S. Tama at Marion HS, 5:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 10 – Saber Duals at Central DeWitt, 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 11 – Anamosa Girls Tourney, 9:30 a.m.
Three Lady Spartans triumphant in Williamsburg’s JV Girls Tournament
WILLIAMSBURG — 32 teams were represented last Monday in Williamsburg’s junior varsity (JV) girls wrestling tournament with seven Lady Spartans competing. Freshmen Rylee Worrell (JV-4) Peyton Gordon (JV8), and Alexis Anderson (JV-18) won their classes while
freshmen Jadlyn Huynh (JV-7) and Harlow Meade (JV-9) took second place. Sophomore Evie Gasser was third in JV-25 while eighth grader Sophie Barry placed fourth in JV-15. Worrell went 3-0 pinning Wapello’s Zarahy Espinoza (2:21), Vinton-Shellsburg’s Zyla Mullinex (0:47), and South Tama’s Alyssa Kriegel (1:53). Gordon went 3-0 pinning
Williamsburg’s Grace Weldon (1:42), winning a 6-3 decision over Washington’s Allison Reed, and pinning Ottumwa’s Samantha Cordova in 21 seconds. Anderson went 3-0 taking an 8-1 decision from Williamsburg’s Emerson Dermody, pinning Ottumwa’s Kaydance Hancock (1:34), and winning by medical forfeit over Benton Community’s Marissa Nolte.
Solon Economist
SPORTS
Individual Stats
Scoring – Isaiah Zoske 22, Tanner Heims 11, Karsyn Regennitter 11, Nolan Seagren 9, Grant Gordon 9, Maddox Kelley 2, Beau Mullen 2 3-point baskets – Zoske 4/7, Heims 2/2, Regennitter 1/1, Gordon 1/1, Seagren 1/2 Rebounds – Bock 6, Heims 6, Kelley 4, Gordon 3, Zoske 2, Simon Einwalter 2, Seagren 1, Regennitter 1, Mullen 1 Assists – Kelley 5, Bock 4, Zoske 3, Seagren 2, Regennitter 1 Steals – Kelley 4, Gordon 4, Zoske 3 Blocks – Mullen 2
Lady Spartans dominate Benton in statement victory
Kobi Lietz’s 19 points set
Kellar For the Solon Economist
Spartans roll past the Bobcats
22 points from Isiah Zoske leads Solon against Benton Community
Kyle Prondzinki For the Solon Economist
SOLON — A quarter into the 2024-2025 season, the Solon Spartans (3-1) are demonstrating steady growth, using each game to improve their progress. Head coach Jared Galpin has emphasized the importance of seniors adapting to new roles and sophomores stepping up to play significant minutes. Reflecting on the team's development, Galpin noted, “There are going to be nights where things don’t look so good, and there are going to be nights where we bring it all together.” Solon managed to bring it all together against the Benton Bobcats (0-5), especially in the second half, to secure a convincing 66-46 win.
The game started with both teams feeling each other out. The first quarter ended in a 9-9 deadlock as neither side could pull ahead. Solon's defense and offense began clicking more consistently in the second quarter. The Spartans outscored Benton 20-15 in the frame, giving them a narrow but essential 29-24 lead heading into halftime.
“We just had to slow down; we were rushing shots.” Coach Galpin’s message to the team in the locker room at the halftime break.
The defining moment of the game came immediately after the break. Solon emerged from the locker room with renewed energy and intensity on the defensive end. The Spartans’ defense suffocated Benton’s offense, not allowing the Bobcats to score for the first 2.5 minutes of the third quarter. During this stretch, Solon went on a relentless 13-0 run, extending their lead to 42-26 with 3:52 left in the quarter. The Spartans’ combination of ball pressure, active hands, and fast-break opportunities overwhelmed the Bobcats, who struggled to regain their footing. By the end of the third, Solon had widened their advantage to 49-31, putting the game out of reach.
The largest crowd pop came when senior Beau Mullen entered the game late in the fourth quarter and denied not one but two shots from Tiger shooters. The crowd’s roar echoed off the walls, and the solon bench jumped out of their seats.
The offensive charge for the Spartans was led by senior guard Isaiah Zoske, who delivered an outstanding performance. Zoske finished with 22 points, shooting 7/12 from the field and an impressive 4/7 from three-point range. His ability to knock down shots both inside and beyond the arc provided a consistent spark for the Spartans. Zoske also contributed three assists, demonstrating his versatility and leadership on the floor.
Junior Tanner Heims added 11 points on efficient shooting, going 4/5 from the field, including 2/2 from
three-point range. Heims also contributed six rebounds, providing crucial support on the boards. Senior Karsyn Regennitter chipped in 11 points as well, showing poise and confidence by making 4/4 free throws to help maintain Solon’s lead.
Defensively, Solon’s effort was a collective one. Heims, Caleb Bock, and Maddox Kelley each made their presence felt on the glass and in disrupting Benton’s offense. Bock and Heims pulled down six rebounds each, while Kelley recorded four steals and five assists, highlighting his ability to impact multiple aspects of the game.
Upcoming Schedule
Friday, Dec. 20 - AT Center Point-Urbana, 8:00 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 30 - Home scrimmage vs. Liberty High, 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, Jan. 4 - AT Mid-Prairie, 5:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 7 - AT Williamsburg, 7:15 p.m.
sprinted down the court veering in and out of the traffic of the Bobcats’ defense and some of Lietz’s
own teammates. She seemed to be moving twice as fast as anyone on the court.
Lietz had her sights set on the basket and nothing was going to stop her from getting there. Even a slap on the arm as Lietz went up for the fast break layup had no effect. As the whistle blew for a foul, the ball kissed off the backboard and fell through the bottom of the net.
The crowd exploded for the impressive show of athleticism that ended with the basket and a foul for a chance to complete the old-school three-point play.
“She’s athletic, a good ball handler, but she’s also just fast,” said Solon girls basketball head coach Jamie Smith.
With the basket, the Lady Spartans had extended their lead to 34-11 with just under two minutes remaining in the first half. They had full control of the game from the tipoff and would beat the winless Benton Bobcats 61-24 to improve to 3-2 on the season.
The Solon defense only allowed four points in the first quarter and continued their suffocating defense throughout the game. They forced Benton to go on scoring droughts of four minutes, five minutes, and six minutes at various points in the game.
While the defense put on a show, it needed to in a game where Solon struggled to get things going on offense. The team went 5/22 from beyond the arc and was held to only 40% from the field. They struggled in their set offense to find the open shot and to maintain good ball control as they were forced into 12 turnovers.
GIRLS' BASKETBALL | 23
SOLON — Kobie Lietz grabbed the Benton missed shot and started moving in transition. Usually, the senior guard would find an outlet pass to get the offense going, but this time Lietz took it upon herself. Her blonde braids gliding in the wind as Lietz
Joel
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Karsyn Regennitter (1) puts up two of his 11 points at home against Benton Community Friday, Dec. 13. The Spartans dominated the Bobcats 66-46.
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist Nolan Seagren (10) guards a Bobcat in varsity action Friday, Dec. 13 at home against Benton Community. The Spartans dominated the Bobcats 66-46.
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Kobi Lietz (1) puts up a two-point shot in varsity action Friday, Dec. 13 against Benton Community. The Lady Spartans powered past the Bobcats for a 61-24 win with a game-high 19 points from Lietz.