Solon Economist — 10.22.26

PAGE 6 Solon dominant in showdown with highly ranked Mount Pleasant

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 • $1.50

Scouting for Food is this Saturday Scouting for Food is this Saturday, October 24, and Scout Pack 120 and Troop 120 will be out to pick up food from doorsteps between 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Please have your donation out by 8 a.m. so you aren’t missed on the Scouts’ routes. All food collected by the Scouts will be distributed by the Solon Food Pantry. If your donation is not picked up by noon, please consider dropping it off at the Solon Food Pantry’s drop box located at the Solon United Methodist Church (back side).

School Board hears options for bond sale to finish construction projects The bond, which has a remaining balance of $3.29 million, can’t be sold until property valuations grow 3.35% Lily Kopp For the Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com

The Solon School Board deliberated during its Thursday, October 15, meeting on whether it should sell the $3.29 million remaining from a bond to be able to finish district projects. Tim Oswald, the managing director and head of Iowa at the Piper Sandler investment bank and financial services company, gave a presentation on the options the board has if it decides to sell or if it kicks the can down the road. The bond, originally $25.5 million, was issued for several Solon Community School District (SCSD) projects. The remaining project is to tear down the current district central office in the former high school and construct a new one. However, the board can’t just use the money right away. “With that $3.29 million, to get it issued, you have to have it fall under your allowable tax issuance, so our tax levy rate has to fall under it,” said Brady Miller, board treasurer. “To do that, property valuations have to go up. It has to grow by a certain amount to then allow us to then sell the bond to receive the money to then fund the project.” To sell the remaining capacity of the bond, the board needs property valuations to rise 3.35% year over year. Oswald told the board he thinks the decision to sell can be pushed back to a later date, partially because tax valuations for next year's budgets haven’t been released. “In January, Linn and Johnson County will release SCHOOL BOARD | 2

INSIDE

Sounds of Fall

SMS choir students perform fall vocal concert

songs paying homage to the season with their Sounds of Fall concert Tuesday, October 13, in the Performing Arts Center. Courtney Deutmeyer, SMS vocal Chris Umscheid music teacher, with accompanist Solon Economist Kristi Cervantez, led the performances chris.umscheid@soloneconomist.com with solos by 6th graders Ella Andresen Mueller and Gavin Zenk, 7th 142 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choir grade percussionist Alex Bochman, students from the Solon Middle School and eighth grade percussionist Por(SMS) welcomed fall with an hour of ter Thirtyacre. 7th grader Landon

Branscomb and 8th grader Gidyon Kleinsmith had solo voice-overs as all three grades combined for the 1980s smash hit Thriller by Michael Jackson. 6th grade choir – Reuben Allgood, Uriah Altvater, Ella Andresen Mueller, Raelee Barquist, Charlotte Brugman, James Cannon, Harper Carney, Adison Cartmell, Griffin Cornally, CHOIR | 12

SUPERVISOR CANDIDATE SPOTLIGHT

Phil Hemingway, a Republican challenger, is running against Democratic incumbent Jon Green for the supervisor seat in Johnson County’s second district

Phil Hemingway

Jon Green

Grace Escritt Solon Economist

Grace Escritt Solon Economist

news@soloneconomist.com

When the flood of 2008 hit his repair shop in Coralville, Phil Hemingway’s response was to turn to local government for support and disaster management. Unbeknownst to him at the time, this event would constitute much more than a temporary crisis: it would also be a turning point in his career. “I started going to city council meetings over there, and I started seeing how local government can affect people’s lives,” he said.

Solon Public Library News - 3 | Opinions - 4

18 years after being drawn to local government and seeing its influence first-hand, Hemingway is now running for the District 2 Johnson County supervisor seat. He has been consistently running for the supervisor position since 2018. Part of Hemingway’s passion for local government stems from his near life-long residency within Johnson County. Following his graduation from West Branch High School in 1978, Hemingway briefly attended the University of Dubuque on an athletic scholarship,

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Jon Green was bitten by the politics bug at a very young age. His earliest political memories stem from when, at just age 11, he began having frequent debates with his uncle about tax and foreign policy: two topics most pre-teens know nothing about. However, these discussions were much more than dinner table debates to Green: they were foreshadowing to a future dedicated to public service. Decades later, he is now running

with the hopes of earning a second full term as the Johnson County District 2 supervisor. Although he has been working directly in politics for a little under a decade now, Green spent most of his career serving the public in another way. Upon graduating from Lone Tree High School in 2001, Green attended Morningside University, where he later graduated with a degree in journalism. During his college years, he also ran the Lone Tree Reporter. After college, Green then moved

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EC N MIST Focused on community.

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2 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | SOLON ECONOMIST

SCHOOL BOARD

If housing valuations increase enough to sell the remainder of the bonds, the board can move forward with its projects. In Oswald’s eyes, this the property values for the next budget year,” is the ideal scenario. Oswald said. “As soon as we have those, we'll If property valuations don’t grow at the know what we're working with in terms of how expected rate, Oswald said the board should much property goes through, what a bond take out a bond anticipation note, which would schedule can be, etc.” give the District a temporary (no more than After this information is gathered, Oswald three-year) loan to complete the remaining suggested there are several scenarios for moving projects. forward with the remaining projects. With this option, the groups would refinance First, the board can do nothing and wait for the loan to a long-term plan at an interest rate the property valuations to increase before mak- in the “low fours, high threes,” according to ing any decisions. Oswald. If the property valuations grow enough from 1

HEMINGWAY from 1

although his path led him back home to farm with his father and brother for four years. Through his work on the family farm, Hemingway crossed paths with Roy Carver Jr., an influential Iowa businessman and philanthropist. Through this connection, Hemingway was given the opportunity to manage the Carver family’s 36-square-mile cattle ranch in Belize for five years. Here, he said the importance of self-reliance was taken to the next level. “When you grow up on a farm, self-sufficiency is very important,” he said. “When I went down to the ranch in Belize…there was only one Caterpillar dealership in the country, and that was 70 miles away. What they had in stock was very little, so if you didn’t have it or couldn’t make it, you didn’t have it.” Following his time on the ranch, Hemingway briefly worked overseas unloading aid ships and doing agricultural consulting in the former Soviet Union. However, the birth of his daughter, Monica, and the desire to settle in one place with his family brought him back to Johnson County for good. “I haven’t seen, in all my travels, any place I’d rather be,” Hemingway said. Upon returning home, Hemingway became a full-time mechanic. He officially opened Phil’s Repair, LLC in 1997, which he owned and operated up until 2023, although he still works part-time as a small engine mechanic for Thiesen’s Home Farm Auto in Coralville. “[I] will work with my hands until I’m no longer here, when I no longer have the use of my hands,” Hemingway said. Although he first began consistently attending local government meetings after Phil’s Repair, LLC flooded in 2008, it was not until the mid2010s that Hemingway became interested in running for public office. He said the inspiration to run was sparked after the Iowa City Community School District cut its Student Build Program — which gave students the opportunity to hone their construction skills by building local homes — to save money. Upon reviewing the consent agenda, which was posted outside the boardroom door, Hemingway said he became concerned about how the district was spending money. From his observation, he believed there was a way to reduce unnecessary spending in other places so the program would not have to be cut. Nonetheless, the build program was cut, which resulted in Hemingway becoming inspired to make his desired changes

GREEN from 1

to Thermopolis, WY and worked at a weekly newspaper for around two years. “It [journalism] is an important public service, even when it’s commercial,” he said. Following his work with the weekly newspaper, Green moved to Cheyenne, WY and broadened his resume by working in a variety of different roles. For a while, he was employed under Wyoming’s governor before becoming a reporter for radio news. He later began working in information technology services before moving back to Lone Tree. Upon returning to Iowa around 2013, Green worked for Cambridge and Fairfield — a financial technology firm — as an IT infrastructure administrator. He held this position until being elected to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors in 2021. Prior to becoming a supervisor, Green served as the Mayor of Lone Tree from 2018-19. He said his call-to-action to run for public office stemmed from an incident between the former Lone Tree mayor and a group of older constituents.

a reality. The build program was re-implemented in 2022. Hemingway’s political career officially began upon being elected to the Iowa City school board in 2015. Here, he said his primary focuses were on scrutinizing all consent agendas, being a fiscal watchdog, holding administration accountable and increasing educational opportunities for students interested in industrial arts, career and tech education. He said he would carry over some of these focuses — such as being a fiscal watchdog — to the role of supervisor. Reflecting on the nine races for public office he has engaged in over the course of his political career, Hemingway said a lack of change is what continues encouraging him to run. “I’m just a mechanic who thinks things can work better, and I’ve spent a whole life making things work better, all over the world,” he said. One of Hemingway’s main focuses as a candidate for supervisor is encouraging the passage of the new Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Jail bond. “It’s one of the few things that the state mandates that the supervisors provide for the sheriff,” he said. “It’s something that can’t be kicked down the road any longer. It’s a ridiculous amount of money, but it’s one of the essential services that need to be provided for the community.” In addition to the bond, Hemingway said as supervisor, he would focus on the maintenance of adequate county roads and bridges: another essential service supervisors are required to provide. As someone who spent most of his 20s working in farming, Hemingway said he thinks the county could also benefit from having him oversee measures to improve water quality. As it was demonstrated during the District 2 debate on Sept. 29, one of the most prominent debates between Hemingway and Democratic incumbent Jon Green is in relation to current supervisor salaries. When Hemingway first ran for supervisor in 2018, the annual supervisor salary was a little over $70,000. Today, it lies around $102,000. “For nine years, and this being six cycles, I have been highlighting this salary, that it is obscene,” he said. “Now, when I first ran in 2018, I said that’s full-time pay for a part-time job, and I stated at that point that I wouldn’t seek or accept a raise in my term.” Hemingway said if he is elected on Nov. 3, he plans to donate $30,000 to Johnson County 4-H and FFA programs. He said he would only personally accept the equivalent of the 2018 salary as “the ceiling, not the floor.” “I was at a meeting, and the then-mayor, I was really disappointed in how she was treating a couple of constituents that were there: a very elderly couple that was having problems with their garage flooding and stuff,” Green said. “It isn’t necessarily that the city can do anything, but you can at least give respectful hearing to somebody.” Shortly after finishing his term as mayor, Green was elected to the county board of supervisors in 2021 to fill a vacancy. He was later re-elected for a full four-year term in 2022, and he is currently the chair of the board. During Green’s time as supervisor, the board notably received $29.3 million in federal funding as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, which was intended to help communities recover from the economic and health impacts of COVID-19. Green and the board were instrumental in determining how this money would be invested. After in-depth discussions about potential investment avenues to pursue, the board determined the ARPA funding would be allocated to serve five main purposes: to increase public health initiatives, address the virus’ negative impacts on the local economy, provide services to communities disproportionately

over those three years, the district would pay off the loan by selling the remainder of the bond. The board did not come to a formal decision during the Thursday meeting. The board hopes to make a decision in February after more information about property valuations for 2027 have been released. At that time, it can decide to implement either of the two options Oswald posed. Lily Kopp is a senior at the University of Iowa’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Lily is a student in the Iowa Community News Class.

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Volume 146 I Issue 43 Of a Little Weekly Miracle

PO Box 249, Solon, IA 52333 Phone: 319-624-2233 news@soloneconomist.com The Solon Economist strives for accuracy and fairness in reporting news. If we’ve made an error or a report is misleading, let us know about it: news@soloneconomist.com.

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Publisher Jason Brummond jason.brummond@dailyiowan.com Editor Chris Umscheid chris.umscheid@ soloneconomist.com Advertising Sales Catherine Bilskie catherine.bilskie@ soloneconomist.com Production Manager Heidi Owen heidi.owen@dailyiowan.com

Grace Escritt| Solon Economist

Anita and Phil Hemingway smile together inside their home in West Liberty on Oct. 14, 2026. In reference to having his photo taken, Hemingway pulled in his campaign and life partner, stating “it’s always better when I’m standing next to someone beautiful.” Throughout the campaigning process, Hemingway said two of his biggest supporters have been his wife, Anita, and his brother, David. He said along with being his life partner, Anita has been his most prominent campaign partner as he has attended local farmer’s markets, knocked on doors and responded to questions from constituents. Anita said along with helping her husband with communications, she has been the glue holding him upright and encouraging him to lead with his heart. “When he would be out there campaigning, he is opening up himself and his heart for everyone to see,” Anita said. “I’ve always tried to tell him: ‘hold back something. Don’t be that open about some things,’ but I haven’t seen him change that. He has been very honest throughout all the campaigns the same way.” Looking at the upcoming election, Hemingway said he encourages residents of District 2 to set partisanship aside and vote according to what each candidate stands for. “I would like them to look at the individuals that are running and not look at the consonant behind their name,” he said. Grace Escritt is a senior in the University of Iowa’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Grace is a student in the Iowa Community News course and a reporting intern with the Solon Economist.

Grace Escritt| Solon Economist

Jon Green, current chair of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, stands at the front doors of Encounter Cafe in Iowa City on Oct. 15, 2026. A Democratic incumbent, Green is facing off against Republican challenger Phil Hemingway for the district 2 seat. impacted, improve infrastructure, and advance public services. “That’s been transformational,” Green said.

Advertising Director Juli Krause juli.krause@dailyiowan.com Interns Grace Escritt, reporter Cadence Dighton, reporter Abby Princehouse, digital/ social media, sports reporter Official Newspaper: Solon, Johnson County, Solon Community School District, Solon Tri-Township Emergency Response The Solon Economist (USPS 500860), a division of The Daily Iowan, is published weekly on Thursdays by Student Publications, 100 Adler Journalism Building, Room El31 Iowa City, IA 52242. Periodicals Postage Paid at the Solon Post Office and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Solon Economist at PO Box 249, Solon, IA 52333. Subscriptions: Contact Catherine Bilskie at 319-624-2233 or catherine. bilskie@soloneconomist.com for additional information. Subscription rates: Johnson and adjoining counties – $55 annually; elsewhere In Iowa – $75 annually; out of state – $85 annually. Copyright 2026 Solon Economist, a division of The Daily Iowan and Student Publications, Inc. All articles, photographs and graphics, both in print and online editions, are the property of Student Publications, Inc., and may not be reproduced or republished without written permission.

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“It’s allowed us to get a lot of stuff done that we wanted to get done…that’s winding down now.” In addition to helping to determine what ARPA funds would go toward, Green said his focus as supervisor has been to facilitate community growth and expansion through the purchase of land and property throughout the county. On Oct. 15, he said that afternoon, the board was going to execute a contract to spend $3 million to purchase property across from the Health and Human Services building in Iowa City. “We don’t have any immediate plans for it, but Johnson County is going to continue to grow, and at some point in the future, it’s going to be vitally important that we have room to grow as a county organization,” he said. “It’s something that was immediately adjacent to

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where our main campus is now. That just sounds like a no-brainer.” In his capacity as supervisor, Green said he has spent the past five years balancing the act of being fiscally responsible with fostering county growth. He said he would plan to continue doing so upon being re-elected. As a Johnson County supervisor, Green explained no two days look the same. Whereas he may be holding meetings with his fellow supervisors or other county officials one day, he may be meeting with the media and constituents another. Within the past year, Green said he has chaired anywhere between 80 and 100 public meetings. This does not include private interviews with media representatives, constituents, internal county workers or advocacy groups. Along

with working every weekday, Green said he finds himself spending most evenings and weekends working. “You have to be able to grapple with complicated concepts and to slow them down for a public that has limited time and attention,” he said. “You have to have the disposition to conduct a meeting. You have to have the bandwidth to balance, at the county, 24 different departments, each with their own unique needs, issues, opportunities and whatnot.” Reflecting on his past five years as supervisor, Green explained the role is a fulltime job. He said this in combination with the county’s larger size and the influx of county funds serve as justification for the supervisors’ increase in salary from around $70,000 in 2018 to around $102,000 today.

SOLON ECONOMIST | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | 3

“We have just asked an awful lot of county staff in the last three to four years, especially for execution, to take a step up,” he said. Looking ahead at the 2026 election, Green said his primary focus right now is on encouraging the passage of the new Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Jail bond, which is a goal he and Hemingway share. “It’s the right thing to do for the people who we employ there, the people we incarcerate there,” Green said. “It’s the financially prudent thing to do, because we’ve spent the last 20-something years paying the neighboring countries for them to build their needs with us.” Aside from the jail bond, Green said he is concerned about the prospect of hyperscale data centers. There are none at this level in the county currently, and this

is something Green said he would like to keep an eye on. In addition, Green said he feels wary that if the proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution — which would require a ⅔ vote in both chambers to increase or change income tax rates — were to pass, the county would take on costly additional responsibilities. “I think it’s important to have people in those [supervisor] seats that can offer a little bit of continuity that know how to address these challenges,” he said. Tom Carsner, Green’s campaign chair, said over the past few years, he has witnessed first-hand Green’s efforts to address Johnson County’s concerns by working to maintain water quality monitoring systems and collaborate with different county entities to negotiate jail bond language. He said right now,

this continuity is important to ensure plans are carried out. “We still have more things to do, and Jon’s leadership, I think, is valuable in bringing further issues before the county,” Carsner said. In addition to Carsner, Green mentioned he would like to thank the county’s residents and his partner for their support during his time on the campaign trail. “I hope that I have done a good job the last five years,” Green said. “I feel like I have, and I think in this moment, continuity is very important. This is an unsettled time.”

Marquess of Queensberry left his calling card at the Albemarle Club in February 1895, it bore only his name and five words: "For Oscar Wilde, posing sodomite." The most celebrated playwright of his day famously New in Fiction sued for libel, which led to Here’s what’s new in Fic- his arrest, criminal prostion at the Library! ecution, and ultimately prison. From then on, his Adam & Eve by Jeffrey gilded existence spiraled Archer. November 11th, into public disgrace, humil1918. As the guns of the iation, and an early death. Great War fall silent, two But what if he had simply babies draw their first ignored the insult? What breath. Eve is the daughter direction might his life have of an Earl. Adam, a shep- taken? herd's son. Yet from their first meeting they form an Truth to Power: a Luke extraordinary bond that Cage Mar vel C r ime neither privilege nor prej- Novel by S.A. Cosby. udice can break. Then on With advanced cybera single September night netics showing up in the in 1940, as Hitler prepares possession of low-level to invade the British Isles, criminals, Luke Cage their actions will change is hired to investigate a his mind. Determining not factory manufacturing just their own futures but medical devices in rural the fate of a nation. They Virginia. Leaving Jessica will show extraordinary Jones during a delicate courage. They will make moment in their relationunimaginable sacrifices. ship, he makes plans to And the story of what they travel south but is devasdid will stay with you long tated to learn that a cousin after you've turned the last who scoped out the plant for page. him has been found dead. The police report states it The Weight of Angels was an accident. But Luke by John Boyne. When the has long known that offi-

cial words are just that: words. Fueled by guilt and vengeance, Luke arrives in Virginia and promises his aunt he’ll get to the bottom of things. But danger lurks in every living room, barroom, and country road of Majestic, and the local sheriff’s barely concealed prejudices are ready to boil to the surface.

generate more revenue. But when one of the crew members is found dead, Annie and Fletcher know they're dealing with something much more alarming than an angry poltergeist. It's up to the Novel Detectives to track down the real culprit and put an end to any otherworldly rumors--before someone else gets hurt.

Grace Escritt is a senior in the University of Iowa’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Grace is a student in the Iowa Community News course and a reporting intern with the Solon Economist.

SOLON PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS Join the Solon United Methodist Church Saturday, October 24, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to celebrate Local Foods Week with an open house here at the library! There will be free samples of local foods, including ice cream! Learn the benefits of eating local food, meet local farmers and food producers from Local Harvest CSA and Dan & Debbie's Creamery, and enter a drawing for a chance to win a local foods basket. For additional information about this event please contact the Solon United Methodist Church.

a Movie Friday, October 30, at 11 a.m. The Solon Senior Advocates arrange for a meal with a small fee for registered participants. Please contact Sandy Hanson to reserve your meal, 319-430-8655 or email sandrahanson@southslope.net. There is no cost or registration to attend the movie. Friday, October 30, we’re having a Teen-only costume party and Nerf battle after-hours (6 p.m.) in the library! Wear a costume (if you feel like it!), enjoy snacks, hang out with friends, and battle in a dark library all to yourselves. We'll provide Nerf blasters. Library Programs Feel free to bring your own Join us for an evening of Nerf blaster, as long as it is paper crafts celebrating Día spring-powered. This prode Muertos Tuesday, Octo- gram is intended for teens ber 27, at 5:30 p.m. After (6th - 12th graders), no rega brief presentation on the istration required. traditions of Día de Muertos, we'll be using crepe Library Access paper to craft marigolds. Spend the evening making Regular Library hours bouquets, garlands, or sim- are Monday-Thursday, 9 ple decorations in a variety a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday-Satof festive colors! Intended urday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed for all ages. No registration Sundays. Please always required. refer to our website calenThe Solon Senior Advo- dar or call to check hours cates are proud to partner as weather may impact our with the Solon Public ability to be safely open. Library to provide Meal & Friday, October 23, the

Library will be closed for annual staff safety training. Everyone is welcome at the Library and our programs. Please contact us with access needs.

Iowa Brass to perform fall concert titled “Majesty of the Earth”

COLLEGE NEWS

Iowa Brass will be holding a free fall concert titled “Majesty of the Earth” at the Solon Community Center at 313 S Iowa Street in Solon Sunday, October 25, at 4:00. This free performance will move you from the waters beneath to the skies above to the wonders of the earth under our feet and even the elemental transformation brought by fire. This soaring program will leave you in awe at the world around us. Iowa Brass, Iowa’s only British-style brass band, blends tradition with a fresh, modern twist. Since 1986, this dynamic group has captivated audiences across Iowa and beyond with their exceptional artistry and thrilling performances. For more information, visit iowabrass.com.

Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) awards scholarship to Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine student ANKENY — Abigail Kaska originally of Solon, IA was recently awarded the IVMA Foundation Sustaining Involvement Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. Abilgail is in her fourth year at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating with her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, Abilgail is Kaska interested in returning to Eastern Iowa to practice veterinary medicine with a focus on surgery. Abigail is the daughter of David and Ann Kaska.

A Murder at Midnight by Ellie Alexander. It's autumn in Redwood Grove, and Annie and Fletcher have their hands full running the Secret Bookcase and handling their growing caseload at the Novel Detectives. To add to the excitement, a popular ghost hunter has set his sights on the old English estate to feature on his hit TV show-Sleeping with Spirits. He's going to record an episode overnight at the bookstore and will provide guests with special haunted tours. It seems like a great idea for publicity and a fun way to

OPINIONS

4 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | SOLON ECONOMIST

Honey, we're not Italian

Food for Thought Milli Gilbaugh In just a couple of days we can celebrate World Pasta Day. My husband would have insisted on one of his two favorites – Spaghetti and meatballs with marinara sauce or lasagna. Those were the two most tomato-laden Italian dishes he knew and, if it wasn't swimming in tomato sauce, it wasn't Italian. I could never get him interested in pasta with clam sauce, primavera sauce or alfredo sauce – it had to be red. No matter how rich, creamy and cheesy it was, to him it wasn't Italian. He was ambivalent when it came to pizza. It was okay as a snack or party dish, but when it came to being the main dish of a regulation meal, I could occasionally get by with a very deep-dish beef or sausage pie loaded with onions, garlic, Italian spices, lots of red sauce with a generous topping of mozzarella and parmesan cheese. The safest way to go, though, was the spaghetti and meatballs in marinara sauce – the way his mother had always made it and the only Italian dish she knew of. For some reason which eludes me, Thursday night supper became Spaghetti Night at our house and, with all the other luscious Italian specialties in my cookbooks, I despaired of having to cook the same meal so often. Our ancestors were German, English, Irish, Norwegian, and maybe a little Dutch or a trace of Spanish, but no Italians. Most people believe that Marco Polo brought the first pasta to Europe after his lengthy sojourn in the court of Mongol Emperor Kubla Kahn, but various forms of pasta were already in common use on the continent, likely introduced much earlier by Arab merchants. Most forms of pasta are made from the same dough and derive their names from their shapes. The shapes are not arbitrary, but designed to be cooked in different ways and served with different sauces and even for different occasions. To name just a few of the more than 350 different shapes; the word spaghetti comes from spago, meaning twine or string. Conchiglie means seashells, and there are variations of the word to indicate different sizes. Farfalle are butterflies, rotini are little wheels, vermicelli are little worms, and penne, because they are round and cut to have a sharp point, are quills or pens. Tortellini and tortellini are turtle shells and little turtle shells. Ziti is traditionally served at weddings and is known as bride's pasta. The pasta itself is only the beginning. Our enjoyment of it is largely dependent on the sauces, seasonings, toppings and fillings that go with it. It's not simply a matter of deciding on a sauce to serve over spaghetti or noodles; those 300+ shapes aren't simply some housewives' fanciful experiment with the dough, or to make the same old noodles appear more interesting. Different shapes evolved through devising shapes that would cook quickly, hold up on extra watery sauces, serve as wraps for cheeses, meats or vegetables. Some became popular for their textures or the way specific toppings cling to the dough. Others because their shapes resembled and identified other ingredients. Many of the shape names became names for the entire recipe – lasagna and ravioli to name just two of many. My earliest memories of pasta are of two specific dishes: one was plain cooked spaghetti coated with melted butter, lightly salted and sprinkled with a little grated Parmesan cheese. The other, though not thought of as being an Italian recipe, was macaroni and cheese. My mother used large elbow macaroni, cooked and combined with a rich sauce she made with rich cream, butter, a bit of flour, and copious amounts of finely shredded American cheese. After combining the cooked pasta with a generous amount of the cheese sauce, she let it set at room temperature for about a half hour. This resulted in the sauce being absorbed by the macaroni so that each morsel carried the buttery cheese flavors and the top surface of the baked dish developed a toasted cheese film. My dad often claimed that he had married Mother for her macaroni and cheese. Well, my husband once told a friend that he married me for my spaghetti. I think it had more to do with the fact that I made spaghetti that resembled that which his mother had always made. Never underestimate the power of Mom's cooking.

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POLITICAL VOICES: PERSPECTIVES FROM PARTY LEADERSHIP

Secure elections depend on informed, engaged voters Jeff Kaufmann Republican Party of Iowa Chairman As Iowa heads toward the November 3 general election, our priorities are clear: protect the integrity of our elections and ensure every eligible Iowan has the opportunity to vote. Voters deserve confidence that election laws are being followed, ballots are counted accurately, and the process is fair and transparent. They also deserve clear information about Kaufmann when, where, and how they can cast their ballots. Thanks to the work of election officials across the state, including Secretary of State Paul Pate, Iowa has established secure election procedures designed to produce accurate and timely results. We should continue strengthening that system through preparation, accountability, transparency, and public participation. That includes recruiting and training precinct election officials, poll watchers, and special monitors. The Republican Party of Iowa is working to ensure Republicans are represented throughout the process and that observers understand how to identify, document, and report potential irregularities through the proper channels. We have also established an election hotline and partnered with the Republican National Lawyers Association to provide legal support and respond to legitimate concerns. Election safeguards work best when trained people are watching the process, understand the law, and know what to do when questions arise. Election integrity must go hand in hand with informed voter participation. Iowans work hard, raise families, and balance countless responsibilities. They should know the options available to them and the deadlines

they need to meet. In Iowa, voters can cast an absentee ballot by mail, vote early in person at their county auditor’s office, or vote at their polling place on Election Day. To make a plan to vote, visit vote.iowagop.org. Absentee ballot request forms must be received by your county auditor by 5 p.m. on Monday, October 19. Completed absentee ballots must be received by the county auditor’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Voters returning ballots by mail should do so as early as possible. Those concerned that their ballots may not arrive in time can deliver them to their county auditor’s office. A completed absentee ballot cannot be turned in at an Election Day polling place. However, voters may surrender their absentee ballot at their polling place and receive a new ballot to vote. Early in-person voting begins Wednesday, October 14, at county auditors’ offices. The final day to vote early in person is Monday, November 2, although hours may vary by county. Contact information for every county auditor is available at sos.iowa.gov/auditors. On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone who suspects election fraud or other irregularities can submit a report at protectthevote.com/ report-fraud/iowa. Strong elections require both public confidence and public participation. Iowa must continue enforcing its election laws, training election workers and observers, providing legal resources to address concerns, and giving voters accurate information. The right to vote in a free and secure election is one of our most important rights as Americans. Protecting that right requires all of us to participate. My message to Iowa Republicans is simple: Make a plan and make your voice heard. Whether you vote absentee, early in person, or at the polls on November 3, vote Republican up and down the ballot.

Make your vote count by making a plan to vote today Rita Hart Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party The State of Iowa and our county auditors have a reputation for always holding a professionally conducted election process and I have every confidence that this year’s midterm election will be conducted as honestly, fairly, and efficiently as it has in the past. Iowans have an impressive tradition of high voter participation, with 74 percent of eligible voters casting Hart their ballots in 2024. Iowans understand that the best way we can maintain and preserve our right to vote is to actually cast a ballot. Iowans should have absolute confidence in the integrity of the Iowa system as they exercise their constitutional right to vote. Thankfully, iwillvote.com makes it easy for anyone to make a plan to vote and find individual polling places. Iowans have choices in their preferred way to vote as they can vote early in-person, on Election Day, or by mail. Auditor's offices are open for in-person absentee voting during regular business hours between October 14 and November 2, and on Saturday, October 31. Voting early only takes a few minutes, and for urban and suburban voters, it’s easy to get done between running errands and picking up groceries. It’s smart to vote early because one never knows what weather Election Day may bring our way. I know that it’s nice to see your friends and neighbors on Election Day, but a vote in your hand is worth going to the polling place

on a nice day instead of taking the chance that we could get a blizzard the first week of November! Go to iwillvote.com/IA to find your nearest early voting location and hours. You can also vote at your precinct polling location on Election Day – Tuesday November 3. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can find your polling location at iwillvote.com/IA If you’ve requested an absentee ballot, you can either return it in person at your county auditor’s office or put it in the mail. If you mail in your absentee ballot, please make sure it is in the mail by no later than October 24. To make sure your absentee ballot is returned in time to be counted, you can also return your completed ballot to the county auditor’s office in person before Election Day. Anyone who has questions about voting can call the Iowa Democratic Party’s voter protection hotline at (515) 207-9455. Voting is easy and is the only way to make your voice heard, which is why we at the Iowa Democratic Party are happy to help ensure you have what you’ll need at your polling place. If you are tired of the direction Iowa has been headed under Republican leadership for the last decade – with high prices, rising cancer rates and our public schools falling in national rankings – make sure you cast your ballot and vote for the change we all need. The ballot is filled with Democratic candidates who are running for office because they are ready to show up, listen to the voters, and turn our state around to lower costs, restore educational excellence, provide access to better health care, and improve opportunities for all Iowans — urban, suburban, and rural. Please exercise your right to vote for better representation and better results for Iowa’s future.

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SOLON ECONOMIST | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | 5

Kirkwood Community College bond on ballot Nov. 3 Nathan Countryman Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

One of the items that voters in Linn and Johnson Counties, as well as many of the counties in Kirkwood Community College’s district will see on the Nov. 3 ballot is a resolution looking for the passage of an $88 million bond for the college. “We’re looking at renovations for our high use, high demand classroom spaces, which are sprinkled around all of our facilities on top of the other buildings,” said Troy McQuillen, vice president of facilities and public safety at Kirkwood Community College. “We’re looking to renovate or improve the buildings that house our highest demand career fields.” The $88 million will go to a number of improvements to buildings on the Kirkwood Community College campus. Projects included in the bond are: $46 million of that goes to the Jones Hall remodel, which will make improvements to manufacturing and trades programs by modernizing instructional spaces, updating technology and infrastructure and improving flexible learning environments for Advanced Manufacturing and trades programs; $12 million to the Linn Hall remodel, which will update instructional laboratories, expand simulation spaces, update classroom technology, improve student support areas, and learning environments designed to reflect current healthcare practices and industry standards; $22 million to the Nielsen and Benton Hall remodel, which will make improvements to business and information technology classrooms, make more modern computer labs and more efficient learning environments; $4.5 million to flexible classroom spaces which will

include modern furniture, updated lighting, new classroom technology, accessibility improvements and safety enhancements; $3.5 million for the ag operations machinery shop, roadway and swine parking, which will provide a new agricultural machinery shop and animal feed storage space, roadway and parking improvements and better access for students, visitors and industry partners. Secondary funding will also address a library remodel to a learning hub ($7 million), auto collision relocation ($3 million), Johnson Hall improvements ($3 million), baseball and softball field upgrades ($1.8 million), horticulture refresh ($2.7 million), central campus green space ($3.5 million), electrical distribution infrastructure ($5 million), Jones Regional geothermal conversion ($8 million). Other construction initiatives in the project include Hotel Kirkwood refresh ($6.5 million) and baseball and softball field fan and support areas improvements ($1.5 million). The cost for property owners in the multi-county region is roughly $9.35 per $100,000 of valuation. If the bond fails in the 2026 election, there will be plans to bring it back to the table in Nov. 2027. “We hear all the time how amazing our students and faculty are,” McQuillen said. “But we’re limited to bring new equipment to the table because of our existing infrastructure. This bond will help modernize buildings to allow us to bring in new equipment that aligns with these majors on campus.” McQuillen said the goal was also to have this equipment in labs be able to be accessed outside of the traditional 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. work day, but when students need access in the off-hours as well. These projects account for roughly six years of improvements to Kirkwood Community College’s space. “We’ve already began programming for some of the spaces that will be remodeled as soon as we hear a yes

Solon CSD teachers complete special education compliance training under new state legislation Iowa educators are now required to undergo least restrictive environment, free appropriate public education and provisions of special education training Grace Escritt Solon Economist

news@soloneconomist.com

Solon CSD teachers complete special education compliance training under new state legislation Iowa educators are now required to undergo least restrictive environment, free appropriate public education and provisions of special education training. Due to a recent change in state legislation, K-12 educators at Iowa public schools are now required to undergo special education compliance training pertaining to least restrictive environment practices, free appropriate public education and provisions of special education. The law, Senate File 2428, was signed on June 1. This legislative change was discussed during the Solon Community School District’s Oct. 15 school board meeting. Josh Lyons, associate superintendent of teaching and learning with Solon Community School District, said SF 2428 primarily addresses disciplinary procedures and intervention approaches to violent and non-violent student behavior. A large piece of the legislation specifically addresses these procedures in relation to students who have individualized education plans. “One component is every teacher who engages with a particular student has to have read the important components in the IEP-related accommodations, modifications and understanding what their plan is,” Lyons said. “The other component of that was the training component.” The requirements associated with SF 2428 are additional components the district has incorporated into its revised special education delivery plan. Due to this plan — which emphasizes keeping students in the least restrictive environment possible — being in place before the legislation was signed, the district was already operating under most of the law’s guidelines. Lyons confirmed SF 2428 essentially just made

those guidelines clearer and instructed the district on how to communicate them. Therefore, the biggest noticeable change due to this legislation is the staff training. This year’s special education compliance training was on Oct. 12. Lyons said all K-12 teachers engaging with students who have IEPs were required to complete it. Initially, the Iowa Department of Education directed schools to train staff with policy and practice webinars that were about three hours. However, Lyons said he was able to summarize all important components of the training in 11 minutes. Following this summary, trainees were encouraged to ask questions. Lyons presented the outcome of the training session to the school board at its Oct. 15 meeting. Upon explaining the training’s requirements, board member Cassie Rochholz asked for examples of what constitutes a “least restrictive” learning environment. “It’s kind of an abstract concept, because it’s different for every kid,” Lyons said. Lyons explained all students are general education students first, so their least restrictive environment would be in the typical classroom setting. However, depending on their IEP accommodations and modifications, another student’s least restrictive environment may be in a special education classroom, special school placement outside the district, or even at home. Ultimately, the goal of the “least restrictive environment” is to ensure students with IEPs are placed in the environment most conducive to their learning and interaction with peers. “I think the [training’s] value really comes in being able to have a better understanding of what that means with some examples to be able to support conversations with special education teachers, parents and IEP teams,” Lyons said. Likewise, Solon superintendent Davis Eidahl said the value of this training to the district lies in its creation of a better understanding of the special education process and accommodation options that can help students see success. “Honestly, it was a great opportunity,” Lyons said. Grace Escritt is a senior in the University of Iowa’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Grace is a student in the Iowa Community News course and a reporting intern with the Solon Economist.

in the vote on Nov. 3,” McQuillen said. McQuillen said that as construction goes on in many of these spaces, temporary spaces will still be available for students to learn at as construction work continues. “Our goal is that students entering in for a program of study still have a great experience, meeting with faculty and engaging with cohorts,” McQuillen said. “It may look different as we’re making improvements that will benefit future students.” McQuillen said that the last bond that was passed for Kirkwood Community College accounted for $60 million and was passed in 2017, with improvements made at that time to the recreation center, student center and auto technology centers on campus. “We’re excited to be near the finish line with this project,” McQuillen said. “We know how much Kirkwood Community College means to folks and we’re excited for this next chapter. We owe it to our students to have the correct facilities for productive learning.”

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6 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | SOLON ECONOMIST

UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS

FOOTBALL Week Nine Friday, October 23 HOME vs. Fort Madison, 7:30 p.m. (Senior Night) Class 3A Playoffs Friday, October 30 Round of 16 Friday, Nov. 6 3A Quarterfinals Saturday, Nov. 14 3A Semifinals, UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls Friday, Nov. 20 3A Championship, UNIDome, Cedar Falls VOLLEYBALL Thursday, October 22 3A Regional Tournament HOME, 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 27 3A Regional Tournament 7 p.m., highest-ranked team’s site Monday, Nov. 2 State Tournament, Xtream Arena, Coralville CROSS COUNTRY Postseason Saturday, October 31 Class 3A State Meet (B&G), Fort Dodge GIRLS SWIMMING (with Iowa City High School)

Thursday, October 22 MVC Championship Diving Meet at IC West (Coralville Rec Center), 5 p.m. Saturday, October 24 MVC Championship Swimming Meet at IC West (Coralville Rec Center), 12 p.m. Postseason Thursday, Nov. 5 State Qualifying Diving Meet, Waukee Saturday, Nov. 7 Regional (State Qualifying) Swimming Meet, Waukee Thursday, Nov. 12 State Diving Meet, UI Recreation & Wellness Center, Iowa City State Swimming Meet Thursday, Nov. 12 Prelims, 12 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12 Finals, 12 p.m., UI Recreation & Wellness Center, Iowa City

Class 3A-4 scores Solon 38 Mount Pleasant 6 Fairfield 30 Keokuk 0 Washington 49 Fort Madison 6

Class 3A-4 standings

Season District Solon 8-0 4-0 Mt. Pleasant 7-1 3-1 Fairfield 5-3 3-1 Washington 4-4 1-3 Ft. Madison 3-5 1-3 Keokuk 1-7 0-4

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FOOTBALL

Solon dominant in showdown with highly ranked Mount Pleasant It was a hat trick plus one for Maddox Kelley in 38-6 victory Ryan Paris For the Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com

The only thing better than a hat trick of touchdowns? A quartet. That’s what Solon quarterback Maddox Kelley did, not with his arm, but with his legs, in the No. 1 Spartans’ 38-6 win against #3 Mount Pleasant on Friday night. In a matchup that was billed as the Spartans’ biggest test of the season, Kelley’s four touchdowns helped Solon exceed all expectations. “I can’t take credit for it,” Kelley said. “It’s just because of the line. I can’t do anything without that.” Kelley’s night began with adversity. Solon marched downfield on the first drive of the game and inside the 10-yard line. Then, Kelley dropped back to pass and threw a ball to the back corner of the endzone for wide receiver Kaden Hoeper, where it was intercepted by a Mount Pleasant defender. The Solon defense forced a three-and-out, aided by a Simon Einwalter sack, one of four on the night for the senior pass rusher. “You get stops on defense, just energize your offense and get points on the board and vice versa,” Einwalter said. Kelley and the offense were stifled in the red zone on their next possession for the final time, settling for a field goal from Collin McKie. In the late first quarter, already up 3-0, Kelley called his own number from the 10-yard line. Following a great push from the left side of the line, Kelley pinballed off a tackler into the end zone for his first score of the night. His second score came after another defensive stand that ended the first quarter with the score 10-0. This time, Kelley tucked the ball and surged through the Panther defense, breaking toward the

Emma Reiter | For the Solon Economist

Solon quarterback Maddox Kelley runs for a touchdown during a football game against Mount Pleasant at Solon High School on Friday, October 16th.

“A lot of our guys haven’t played four quarters this year. So I think it was really good for us to have this challenge late in the season and grind out some drives. Obviously, we always like a shutout but six points, we’ll take that.” Lucas Stanton, Head Coach sideline, then turned on the burners to glide past the last line of the defense for a 48-yard score. Leading 17-0, the Solon special teams unit made their mark, as Einwalter ran into the backfield unblocked to set up Solon with another goal-to-go opportunity. “Simon just has a motor like no other. He doesn’t get tired,” head coach Lucas Stanton said. The Spartans continued to keep the ball on the ground, allowing Kelley to cash in his third touchdown of the first half.

Stats Passing – Maddox Kelley 9-14, 95 yards, 1 TD Receiving – Kaden Hoeper 7-72, Cody Milliman 1-13, Owen Bock 1-10 Rushing – Kelley 12-112-4 TDs, Jackson Burk 15-70, Sawyer Hancox 3-15, Foster Owens 2-6, Hoeper 1-6, Grant Gordon 1-4 Defense – Lucas Feuerbach 6.5-5-1 sack, Simon Einwalter 5.54-4 sacks, James Thomsen 5.5-3-1 sack, Wyatt Young 4.5-4, Gordon 4.5-4, Owens 4.5-3, Bock 3.0-2, Hoeper 2.5-2, Bradyn Schnoor 2.0-1-1 sack, Michael Bigelow 1.5-1, AJ Haege 1.0-1, Caden Kilburg .5, Owen Heesch .5, Grant Milliman .5, Parker Beck .5 Fumble recoveries – C. Milliman 1, Kilburg 1 Forced fumble – Feuerbach 1 Interceptions – Kelley 1 Kick returns – Bock 1-48, Burk 1-17 Field goal – Collin McKie 1-1-35 yards PAT – McKie 5/5 Punting – Kelley 1-35

Emma Reiter | For the Solon Economist

Solon offensive lineman Lucas Feuerbach makes a tackle during a football game against Mount Pleasant at Solon High School on Friday, October 16th.

Heading into the locker room up 24-0 and firmly in control, Solon dominated the second half with lengthy possessions that kept the ball away from Mount Pleasant. The Panthers began the second half by marching downfield on an eight minute touchdown drive that ended with a missed two-point conversion. Solon responded with a drive that stretched into the fourth quarter, capped off by a Kelley touchdown pass to Owen Bock. On the other side of the ball, Kelley iced the game with an

interception and a corresponding 15-yard touchdown run on offense, capping off a complete night for the Spartans on both sides of the ball. “We’re feeling really good. We’re playing better,” Kelley said. “That’s our message in practice. Just get better every day.” This Week: #1 Solon (8-0) hosts the Fort Madison Bloodhounds (3-5) on Friday, October 23rd, at 7:30 PM. It’s the final regular season game and senior night for the Spartans. Ryan Paris is a senior in the University of Iowa’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Ryan is a student in the Prep Sports Report class.

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SOLON ECONOMIST | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | 7

VOLLEYBALL

Lady Spartans take runner-up in conference tourney Ava Francois For the Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com

The 5th-ranked Solon volleyball team came up short in its quest to win the WaMaC Conference Tournament Thursday, October 15, falling to Clear Creek Amana in three sets, 25-19, 17-25, and 9-15. The Spartans faced West Delaware in their first match, dropping the first set 22-25 before winning the second 25-15. Solon secured the match, winning 15-12 in the third set to advance to the semifinals. Addison Walter had 16 kills. Scarlett Ferin and Ava Hohn contributed 17 and 12 assists, respectively. Macy Fuller had 10 digs. In the semifinal against Grinnell, Solon took control early, winning the first set 25-15. Grinnell responded with a 21-25 win in the second set, forcing a deciding third. The Spartans regained their momentum, building an early lead before finishing with a 15-5 win to earn a spot in the championship match. Senior libero Macy Fuller said the team wanted to build on how well they played together the week before. “Last week we really played well together as a team, and going into this tournament, we knew that we needed to play like that again,” Fuller said. Throughout the tournament, the Spartans encouraged and supported one another. During each timeout, the players linked pinkies together and stood in a circle, coming together as a team before

CROSS COUNTRY

WaMaC standings Conf. Overall Solon CCA Grinnell Mt. Vernon CPU S. Tama Williamsburg W. Delaware Marion Benton Independence Vinton-S’Burg

5-0 4-1 4-1 3-2 3-2 3-2 2-3 2-3 2-3 2-3 0-5 0-5

35-7 31-6 19-16 25-11 22-11 24-13 24-13 21-15 20-16 17-17 22-17 3-30

returning to the court. Fuller said the team used the time between sets to discuss adjustments and regain focus. “In between sets, it really helps us regroup because we talk about what we know and what we need to do, but most of the time we can just bounce back. It takes only a couple of points, and then we know that it’s our set,” Fuller said. In the championship match, Solon showed resilience as they battled through three sets. Charleigh Whitford had 10 kills. Ferin and Hohn added 14 and 12 assists, and Fuller finished with 13 digs. Despite facing strong competition, Fuller said they focused on what they could control on their side of the court. “These teams are really good, the whole WaMaC tournament is really good, but I think just taking control of our side rather than worrying about their side because we know that at the end of the day if we do our best then we’re going to leave it at the court,” Fuller said.

Emma Reiter | For the Solon Economist

Solon right side hitter Addison Walter celebrates with her team during a volleyball match in the WaMaC conference tournament at Solon High School on Friday, October 16th. Solon (35-7) finished as the tournament with a trip to the State Tournament on the runner-up and welcomed Central Lee line, is set for Tuesday, October 27, at 7 p.m. (7-18) Tuesday, October 20, in the Class Ava Francois is a junior at the 3A Region 5 quarterfinal. Solon will host a University of Iowa’s School of Liberal semifinal match Thursday, October 22, at Arts and Sciences. 7 p.m. against either West Liberty (23-17) Ava is a student in the Prep Sports or Washington (15-19). The Regional final, Report class.

Solon Cross Country: Heating Up at the Right Time Jonah Frey For the Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com

CEDAR RAPIDS — After a regular season full of rain and canceled meets, the Solon boys and girls cross country teams kicked off the postseason at the WaMaC Conference Championship meet on Wednesday at Seminole Valley Park in Cedar Rapids. The Spartan girls placed second as a team, while the boys placed seventh. The girls were led by junior Addison Seamans, who finished ninth overall. Seamans led the way for Solon the entirety of the race, crossing the line in 19:39.2, her season best. “We finally got everyone where we wanted to be and put all of our hearts together at the same moment,” Seamans said. Spartan senior Falyn Svalstad rounded out the top 10, finishing only one spot behind Seamans in 10th place with a time of 19:43.9 – her season best as well. Svalstad had to make up ground to finish second on the team, having been the Spartans’ fifth runner for the first two miles. The senior felt additional motivation knowing that it would be her last high school conference meet. “This was one of my last to show everyKate Blodig | For the Solon Economist body what I can do and run with this team,” Svalstad said. “That helps push me to give (From left) Layne Harden, James Dooley, and Colton Kolar compete in the varsity boys 5k it my all.” race in the WaMaC Conference cross country meet Wednesday, October 14, at Seminole Entering the meet, the Spartans had preValley Park in Cedar Rapids.

viously been beaten by three of the teams they’d be competing against. Head coach Emy Williams was proud of the team’s second-place finish. “It’s a great testament to how the girls competed today,” Coach Williams said. The boys were led by junior Anders Carlson. Carlson placed 11th overall finishing in 16:34.5, nearly a 20-second personal best, earning All-Conference honors as well. However, the junior’s excitement began before he crossed the finish line. “I did all of my celebrating in my mind with about 600 [meters] to go,” Carlson said. “Someone said I was at 15 minutes, and I knew that, no matter what, I was going to get a [personal best].” Solon junior Deacon Waddell placed second on the team, crossing the line in 31st place with a personal best time of 17:25.6. Waddell felt great about his race, especially after dealing with injuries throughout the season. “[Waddell] has continuously improved,” Coach Williams said. “That’s kind of what we’ve seen out of the boys team. We’ve had some injuries and some ups and downs, but they’re starting to put it together.” The Spartans traveled to Independence this week for the state qualifying meet at the Independence Mental Health Institute. The 2026 Class 3A State Meets will be held Saturday, October 31, at Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge with the girls running at 10:30 a.m. and boys to follow at 11:15 a.m. The 3A CROSS COUNTRY | 8

SPORTS/NEWS

8 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | SOLON ECONOMIST

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CROSS COUNTRY from 7

Awards Ceremony is set for noon. NOTE: Tickets must be purchased online through Bound (www.gobound.com/ia/ihsaa/boyscrosscountry/2026-27/tickets) at $12 per person, plus fees. There will be no on-site cash sales. Parking is at Kennedy park with the City of Fort Dodge charging $3 per person. The parking fee will be added to the ticket at time of purchase.

Donnenwerth and Solon JV girls win Freshman Joselyn Donnenwerth led the field, and the junior varsity Lady Spartans, as she won in 20:49.4. Sophomore Stella Beck was second across the line in 21:17.0. Jonah Frey is a senior in the University of Iowa’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Jonah is a student in the Prep Sports Report class. Photos by Kate Blodig | For the Solon Economist

Left: Solon's Falyn Svalstad (left) and Mount Vernon-Lisbon's Rose Pisarik (right) compete at the WaMaC Conference cross country meet on Wednesday, October 14. Right: Addison Seamans competes in the WaMaC Conference cross country meet at Seminole Valley Wednesday, October 14. Seamans finished ninth with a time of 19:39.2. WaMaC Conference Meet results, Wednesday, October 14 Results by Kauder Racing, LLC JV girls 5k Team scores – 1 Solon 24, 2 Williamsburg 35, 3 Mount Vernon-Lisbon 84, 4 Clear Creek Amana 93, 5 Benton Community 157, 6 West Delaware 162, 7 Marion 172, 8 Vinton-Shellsburg 235 Results – 1 Joselyn Donnenwerth 20:49.4, 2 Stella Beck 21:17.0, 6 Hannah Thomsen 21:54.0, 7 Mya Fordice 21:59.0, 8 Jillian Jansen 21:59.4, 14 Quinn Armentrout 22:40.9, 16 Alli Kallaus 22:53.5, 34 Madelyn McCandless 24:03.6, 36 Vivi Schmooke 24:15.3, 39 Seneca Terzano-Borovic 24:21.9,

50 Kendall Werner 25:33.3, 52 Beckitt Kabela 25:45.2, 54 Taylor Jett 25:52.8, 58 Miranda Simison 26:01.2, 60 Lily Zimmerman 26:16.5, 61 Maya Lord 26:19.4, 63 Isabelle Walter 26:22.5, 64 Ellie Durr 26:27.9, 65 Violet Houtakker 26:40.9, 66 Jorilyn Bell 26:41.6, 75 Scarlet Terzano-Borovic 28:05.2, 84 Gabby Jedlicka 29:37.2, 86 Lillian Burk 29:56.0, 88 Caidence Macke 31:17.3 Varsity girls 5k Team scores – 1 Williamsburg 42, 2 Solon 74, 3 Mount Vernon-Lisbon 81, 4 Clear Creek Amana 97, 5 Center Point-Urbana 121, 6 Marion 156, 7 Benton Community 168, 8 West Delaware 186, 9 VintonShellsburg 292, 10 South Tama County 312

Results – 9 Addison Seamans 19:39.2, 10 Falyn Svalstad 19:43.9, 11 Livya (Liv) Nelson 19:44.1, 21 Laeni Hinkle 20:12.8, 23 Mailee Schmidt 20:18.7, 29 Kinley Mai 20:37.2, 31 Ava Rolwes 20:39.2 JV boys 5k Team scores – 1 Mount Vernon-Lisbon 25, 2 Clear Creek Amana 41, 3 Benton Community 85, 4 Center Point-Urbana 122, 5 Williamsburg 142, 6 Marion 144, 7 Solon 195, 8 Vinton-Shellsburg 246, 9 Grinnell 251, 10 West Delaware 290 Results – 57 Preston Raasch 20:12.8, 60 Will McAtee 20:17.1, 61 Sawyer Gerlits 20:23.5, 63 Sam Ekroth 20:26.0, 64 Anthony Havlicek 20:26.7, 87 Beck Lary 21:52.2, 95 James Zimmerman 22:23.1,

102 Benjamin Fetzer 22:43.5, 111 Caden Brock 23:23.2, 115 Ian Stranberg 23:40.4, 118 Clayton Cooney 24:06.0 Varsity boys 5k Team scores – 1 Mount Vernon-Lisbon 44, 2 Clear Creek Amana 47, 3 Benton Community 63, 4 Marion 111, 5 Grinnell 148, 6 Williamsburg 158, 7 Solon 185, 8 Center Point-Urbana 198, 9 South Tama County 240, 10 West Delaware 284, 11 Vinton-Shellsburg 316, 12 Independence 361 Results – 11 Anders Holmes 16:34.5, 31 Deacon Waddell 17:25.6, 40 Colton Kolar 18:01.4, 51 James Dooley 18:17.8, 52 Layne Harden 18:19.9, 61 Asher Sutton 19:05.3, 69 Ben Yeomans 19:49.6

MIDDLE SCHOOL STATE CROSS COUNTRY

Lady Spartan middle schoolers win state cross country Mike Kabela For the Solon Economist

(13th), Beckette Buch (21st), Vayda Svalstad (22nd) and Briar Kabela (24th) rounded news@soloneconomist.com out the scoring spots, with Sumayya Ahmed (25th), Baylor Moeller (35th) and The Solon middle school cross country Eva Aldrich (63rd) also recording strong teams travelled to Ankeny Centennial High finishes for Solon. The 8th grade Lady SparSchool for the Washburn State Meet Satur- tans ended the season undefeated, including day, October 17. The Lady Spartans defeated the WaMaC title last week. Pella 60-74 to win their first Class 3A title Braxon Reed led all 7th grade boys with a since the 2023 8th grade girls title. WAMAC time of 11:39.8 in 3A race and finished 13th teams were well represented with Williams- overall, just behind Sebastian Holmes’ (8th burg placing third and Benton Community grade) 11:39.4 clocking, good for 12th place. finishing 4th. The Spartans placed 10th overall as DecMike Kabela | For the Solon Economist Emma Olsem led the way with a 12:30 orah ran away with boys division title. clocking, good for third place over the 2 The Washburn State meet combines 7th (From left) Briar Kabela, Ashlynn Schmidt, Vayda Svalstad, Beckett Buch, Emma Olsem, mile course as the top six Solon finishers and 8th grade runners into one team race Eva Aldrich, Sumayya Ahmed, Baylor Moeller, and Coach Steph Hoeper. set new personal bests. Ashlynn Schmidt for classes 1A, 2A and 3A.

Hwy. 1 Marching Band classic held Area bands fare well at state, other contests Nathan Countryman Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

The thing about the Hw y 1. Marching Band classic is it’s not a competition. It’s a night for four area schools to present their marching band presentations to an audience. This year was Mount Vernon High School’s year to host, which they did Tuesday, Oct. 13. Solon presented first, their Gatsby Party with music reminding of the 1920s including “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody,” “Who Could Ask For Anything More” and “Putting on the Ritz.” Anamosa’s theme for their show this year was “A Murder Mystery,” a story told in three acts including “A Killer Among Us” with music from the film “Psycho,” searching for clues and the chase with music

Libertine Tango. Lisbon featured the music of Abba this year, including “Winner Takes it All,” “Mamma Mia” and “Dancing Queen.” Lisbon band director Joseph Arch said the band was the only band of

their size to earn a Division 1 rating at the state marching band competition they attended this year ahead of the competition. The evening concluded with Mount Vernon Marching Mustangs presenting “After Hours.”

SOLONECONOMIST.COM

CALENDAR & PUZZLES

SOLON ECONOMIST | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | 9

SOLON SENIORS DINING • • • • • • • • • • •

OCTOBER MENU • • • • • •

In-House Dining - Wednesdays only at 11:30 at the Solon Methodist Church.

Friday, October 23 Catch of the Day Baked Potato w/Sour Cream Seasonal Vegetable Banana Split Dessert

Call 319-624-2251 for reservations (required two days in advance) or information Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 10-11 a.m. Home Deliveries (within a five-mile radius and paved roads only) Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Meals cost $5.00 Call 319-624-2251 for reservations (required) two days in advance of meal. Cancellations Since meals are ordered in advance payment is required if a meal is cancelled on the same day it was to be received. No meals Tuesdays and Thursdays VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! -Transportation drivers -Visits -Yard work

Call 319-624-2773

SCHOOL BREAKFAST Prices: Adult/ Guest Breakfast: $2.00 Student Breakfast $1.70, Reduced $.30 Thursday, October 22 Breakfast Sandwich (LV/SIS) G&G Oatmeal Bar Egg Scramble w/Hash Brown or Mini Pancakes w/Sausage Links Fruit, Juice Crackers & Milk Friday, October 23 Mini CC French Toast (LV/SIS) G&G Donut Long John or Breakfast Egg Roll Fruit, Juice Crackers & Milk

Edited by Will Shortz No. 0917

Monday, October 26 Baked Spaghetti Pie Zucchini Parmesan Garlic Toast Seasonal Fresh Fruit Wednesday, October 28 City Rep Halloween Fun Roast Beef Mashed Potatoes Beef Gravy Roasted Carrots Cherry Pie Friday, October 30 Honey Butter Biscuit Pollack Macaroni & Cheese Broccoli Fresh Fruit

SCHOOL LUNCH Prices High School - $3.00 Middle School - $2.90 SIS/Lakeview - $2.85 Reduced - $.40 Adult/Guest lunch $5.25 Thursday, October 22 MS/HS Alt: Cheese Bites Chicken Tenders (LV/SIS) Chicken Wings & Sauce (MS/HS) Steamed Carrots, Celery Banana Pears (MS/HS) Biscuit w/Butter Patty Sunchips (HS)

Monday, October 26 Breakfast Pizza (LV/SIS) G&G Snack Bread Sausage & Gravy over Biscuit Tornadoes Carrots, Fruit, Juice Crackers & Milk

Friday, October 23 HS Alt: Cook’s Delight MS Alt: Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese & Little Smokies (LV/SIS) Piggy Mac (MS/HS) Garlic Toast Caesar Salad, Fava Crisps Green Beans (MS/HS) Fresh Strawberries Fruit (MS/HS)

Tuesday, October 27 Parfait/Smoothie (LV/SIS) G&G Muffin Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Fruit Oatmeal Waffles & Sausage Fruit, Juice Crackers & Milk

Monday, October 26 MS/HS Alt: Personal Pan Pizza Mandarin Chicken and Rice Broccoli, Sweet Potato Fries Apple Wedges Yo Caramel (HS) Pineapple (MS/HS) Garlic Knot

Wednesday, October 28 Egg Cheese Omelet (LV/SIS) G&G Sliced Bread Breakfast Pizza or Cinnamon Doughnuts Fruit, Juice Crackers & Milk

Tuesday, October 27 MS/HS Alt: BBQ Pork Sandwich Walking Tacos w/Fixings Mixed Vegetables Diced Pears Goldfish (SIS/MS/HS) Trail Mix (MS/HS)

Thursday, October 29 Mini Pancakes (LV/SIS) G&G Oatmeal Bar Muffin Top Mini Pancakes & Sausage Links Fruit, Juice Crackers & Milk

Wednesday, October 28 MS/HS Alt: Spicy Chicken Patty Chicken Patty on a Bun Cauliflower & Cheese Shredded Romaine Sweet Mandarin Oranges Brookee

The Solon Community School District is an equal opportunity provider. Menus will vary to accommodate the Federal Nutrition Guidelines. All grains are whole grain, local apples from Buffalo Ridge. 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 arobinsonvalley@solon.k12.ia.us. 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.

Across

1 Buds 5 Concealer for the face 9 Pre-K building blocks 13 Plant that thrives in a terra-cotta pot 14 Stick it to your rival! 15 Bring in 16 Twill-woven worsted wool garment 17 Fix, in a way 18 Purple bubble tea flavor 19 Annual e-sport fighting competition, in brief 20 Short sidekick? 21 Chocolatier with the tagline “Life is a ball” 22 Dub over? 24 Cuatro y dos 26 Business magnate Condé 28 Promising places? 32 Ferry or wherry 35 Start of an incantation 37 Pastoral sound 38 Web design feature that may cycle back to earlier sections ... or a hint to this puzzle’s theme 42 Inspired stuff 43 Pro device 44 ___ out a win 45 Bond alternatives 47 “... ___ no one ever” 50 Edge jump in figure skating 52 Scenes on Black Friday 56 Kaitlin of “Hacks” 59 Pawn 61 Addendum to the five W’s 62 Female antelopes 63 “’___’ is the thing with feathers” (Emily Dickinson poem) 64 Woodsy scent 65 Top of a mosque, often 66 Column in decimal notation 67 Central Plains people 68 Losing streak 69 Column in decimal notation 70 Cheeky

Down

1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 — 7 — 8 — 9 — 10 — 11 — 12 — 20 Reddit Q&A sesh 21 Purple shade 23 Prefix with body or bacterial 25 Side mirrors on a car, anthropo-morphically 27 “Toodle-oo!” 29 One way to run 30 Actors like biting into a juicy one 31 On board, say 32 Pollster’s concern 33 “Handling this as we speak” 34 Hairstyle that you’ve picked out? 36 Kings and queens, e.g. 39 Canon competitor 40 ___ facto 41 Makeover 46 Film production environment for an intimate scene, perhaps 48 Digital security credential 49 Get to 51 Telegram and Simple Dialer, for two 53 Cannellini, e.g. 54 Organ-related item in a wallet 55 Perfect place 56 Expert employed by a sportsbook 57 “Show me some real effort!” 58 It’s not a full stop 60 Room in the audience up for grabs 63 Absolute train wrecks 64 Andy Warhol, e.g.

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.

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 2

PUBLIC NOTICES

10 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | SOLON ECONOMIST IowaPublicNotices.com THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FORMAL MEETING MINUTES

OCTOBER 8, 2026 Proclamations, ordinances and resolutions adopted by the Board of Supervisors are only summarized in the published minutes; the full text may be inspected at the Office of the County Auditor, 913 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, Mon. thru Fri., between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and at www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov. Chairperson Green called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building Boardroom at 5:30 p.m. Members present: V Fixmer-Oraiz, Jon Green, Lisa Green-Douglass, Mandi Remington, and Rod Sullivan. Green sought and received unanimous consent for approval of the agenda as presented. Public Comment - No one from the public spoke. Motion by Sullivan, second by Remington, to approve the following consent agenda items: 1. Payroll authorizations submitted by department heads and elected officials. 2. The claims on the Johnson County Auditor’s Claim Register for October 8, 2026, in the amount of $ 1,158,448.75: 4 Cs Of Johnson County.........$25918.90 4Imprint .....................................$415.61 Abbe Ctr Cmty Mntl Hlth.............$425.00 Adams Multimedia IA.................. $161.77 Advantage Archival Solut............. $17.50 Amazon Capital Services..........$1286.08 Amelia Slaichert...........................$112.19 Apts In IC.................................... $800.00 Arc Of Southeast IA....................$831.59 Arnold Motor Supply Llp........... $486.04 AT&T Mobility..............................$813.71 Big Ten Real Estate ................... $483.00 Billion Of Iowa City................... $2747.24 Bound Tree Medical ................ $4909.66 Browns W Branch Ford ........... $7593.38 Cdw Government ...................... $435.53 Christoph Weismayer................. $850.00 City Laundering .......................... $159.41 City Of Iowa City-Acc Rec........ $3660.87 City Of North Liberty....................$59.38 CJ Cooper & Associates ........... $440.00 Cmty Crisis Svcs & Food........... $939.35 Concord Tech..............................$437.62 Cott Systems............................ $4200.00 Covenant Wrkplce Solut...........$1898.05 Custom Hose & Supplies............ $817.68 Dakota Schwebke......................$1700.00 Dash Medical Gloves .................$607.50 David Mellecker.......................... $590.00 Deborah Vandergaast................ $430.92 Deery Brothers Ford Loln.........$1344.42 Delta Dental IA..........................$7861.84 Des Moines Cnty Auditor..............$23.08 Dkc Real Estate ..........................$700.00 Don Franklin Auto................. $131010.00 Dream City..............................$17430.04 Eagle View Properties ............... $500.00 Eastern IA Tire ......................... $2620.13 EO Johnson Bus Tech................. $132.71 Evident........................................$100.00 Farmers Electric Coop................$296.71 FBI-LEEDA.................................$3180.00 FFF Enterprises ........................$1862.00 Fin & Feather Sports Ctr............ $344.94 Foreman Construction .........$233354.74 Foster Coach...............................$576.77 Foundation 2............................ $4338.45 Galls ........................................ $9778.62 Gannett IA Localiq..................... $366.36 Grainger........................................ $87.02 Guardian Alliance Tech...............$256.00 Guardian Rfid..........................$15045.00 Handicare .................................$1691.63 Hawk Area Cmty Act Prog..........$750.00 Hayley Abdo..............................$2428.08 Heartland Business Sys..............$735.00 Heartland Shredding ..................$123.60 Helping Hands Play Sch............$2938.16 Henry Schein .............................. $607.41 Hilltop Mobile Home Park...........$765.00 Hi Viz Safety..............................$5184.75 Hospers & Brother Printer......... $399.68 Hy-Vee ..........................................$48.48 Institute IA Cert Assessor............$10.00 Interstate All Battery................. $1241.75 IA Assn Ed Young Child............$1860.60 IA Audiology & Hearing Ctr..........$70.00 IA Dept Of Transport.................. $450.00 IA Law Enfore Acad...................$1500.00 IA Muni Worker Comp Assn.. $79564.00 Irish Reporting ...........................$280.75 Jason Peterson.......................... $850.00 Jefferson County........................$415.80 Jefferson Point Apts...................$700.00 Johnson Controls Build Sol .....$9324.00 Kempton Group Admin.............. $396.45 Kristen Silver................................. $11.25 Lexisnexis................................. $1134.00 Linde Gas & Equip.......................$264.47 Linder Tire Service .................. $5586.84 Little Angels Child Ctr.............. $2675.26 Little Clippers Child Dev Ctr.... $7256.38 Logan Contractors Sup.................$81.62 M&K Qty Truck Sales............... $2228.29 Mara Drew...................................$218.58 Medline Industries ................... $1172.66 Menards - Iowa City....................$267.39 Mgam Property ......................... $850.00 Michael David Madsen................$700.00 Midamerican Energy...................$123.07 Minnesota Hoist Inspect.......... $2983.96 Mt Vernon Ace Hardware..............$64.94 Mutual Wheel Comp.................... $196.11 Napa Auto Parts......................... $443.34 Neighborhood Ctrs Of JC........ $51512.52 One Source................................. $822.45 Origin Design Co.......................$1870.50 Ottsen Oil .................................$1609.98 Pet Health Center Of Tiffin....... $3933.25 Pfizer ........................................ $2611.52 Point And Pay............................$1522.75 Postmaster............................. $35769.47 Professional Office Svcs......... $5668.59 Pyramid Services ...........................$2.20 Rapids Reproductions..............$1833.91 RISE At Riverfront Cross............$700.00 Sameer Mugatsaheb Shivapur.. $800.00 Sanofi Pasteur ..........................$5987.77 Sarah M Marshall.......................... $57.00 Shive Hattery ........................ $62335.00 South Slope Coop...................... $996.86 Specialized Petrol Svc................$957.60 Staples Contract.........................$184.83 Stericycle .....................................$33.50 Storey Kenworthy Corp..............$286.02 Streichers..................................$1000.00 Stryker Medical......................... $1242.74 T-Mobile USA............................$1422.95 Tailwind IC /Quarters At IC........ $695.00 Teleflex .....................................$1750.00 Titan Machinery........................$1944.30

Treasurer State IA 6th Jud........ $1218.75 Tri-City Electric Comp IA.......... $1710.00 Tricon General Construct....... $70505.72 Tristar....................................... $6223.77 Tyler Schneider.......................... $342.00 Verizon Wireless.........................$428.46 Visa.......................................... $6403.20 Wellmark BCBS IA................ $247000.00 West Liberty Telephone............. $658.48 Youth And Shelter Svcs............ $1446.15 Youth Shelter Care NCI...............$931.40 4 Cs Of Johnson County.........$25918.90 4Imprint .....................................$415.61 Abbe Ctr Cmty Mntl Hlth.............$425.00 Adams Multimedia IA.................. $161.77 Advantage Archival Solut............. $17.50 Amazon Capital Services..........$1286.08 Amelia Slaichert...........................$112.19 Apts In IC.................................... $800.00 Arc Of Southeast IA....................$831.59 Arnold Motor Supply Llp........... $486.04 AT&T Mobility..............................$813.71 Big Ten Real Estate ................... $483.00 Billion Of Iowa City................... $2747.24 Bound Tree Medical ................ $4909.66 Browns W Branch Ford ........... $7593.38 Cdw Government ...................... $435.53 Christoph Weismayer................. $850.00 City Laundering .......................... $159.41 City Of Iowa City-Acc Rec........ $3660.87 City Of North Liberty....................$59.38 CJ Cooper & Associates ........... $440.00 Cmty Crisis Svcs & Food........... $939.35 Concord Tech..............................$437.62 Cott Systems............................ $4200.00 Covenant Wrkplce Solut...........$1898.05 Custom Hose & Supplies............ $817.68 Dakota Schwebke......................$1700.00 Dash Medical Gloves .................$607.50 David Mellecker.......................... $590.00 Deborah Vandergaast................ $430.92 Deery Brothers Ford Loln.........$1344.42 Delta Dental IA..........................$7861.84 Des Moines Cnty Auditor..............$23.08 Dkc Real Estate ..........................$700.00 Don Franklin Auto................. $131010.00 Dream City..............................$17430.04 Eagle View Properties ............... $500.00 Eastern IA Tire ......................... $2620.13 EO Johnson Bus Tech................. $132.71 Evident........................................$100.00 Farmers Electric Coop................$296.71 FBI-LEEDA.................................$3180.00 FFF Enterprises ........................$1862.00 Fin & Feather Sports Ctr............ $344.94 Foreman Construction .........$233354.74 Foster Coach...............................$576.77 Foundation 2............................ $4338.45 Galls ........................................ $9778.62 Gannett IA Localiq..................... $366.36 Grainger........................................ $87.02 Guardian Alliance Tech...............$256.00 Guardian Rfid..........................$15045.00 Handicare .................................$1691.63 Hawk Area Cmty Act Prog..........$750.00 Hayley Abdo..............................$2428.08 Heartland Business Sys..............$735.00 Heartland Shredding ..................$123.60 Helping Hands Play Sch............$2938.16 Henry Schein .............................. $607.41 Hilltop Mobile Home Park...........$765.00 Hi Viz Safety..............................$5184.75 Hospers & Brother Printer......... $399.68 Hy-Vee ..........................................$48.48 Institute IA Cert Assessor............$10.00 Interstate All Battery................. $1241.75 IA Assn Ed Young Child............$1860.60 IA Audiology & Hearing Ctr..........$70.00 IA Dept Of Transport.................. $450.00 IA Law Enfore Acad...................$1500.00 IA Muni Worker Comp Assn.. $79564.00 Irish Reporting ...........................$280.75 Jason Peterson.......................... $850.00 Jefferson County........................$415.80 Jefferson Point Apts...................$700.00 Johnson Controls Build Sol .....$9324.00 Kempton Group Admin.............. $396.45 Kristen Silver................................. $11.25 Lexisnexis................................. $1134.00 Linde Gas & Equip.......................$264.47 Linder Tire Service .................. $5586.84 Little Angels Child Ctr.............. $2675.26 Little Clippers Child Dev Ctr.... $7256.38 Logan Contractors Sup.................$81.62 M&K Qty Truck Sales............... $2228.29 Mara Drew...................................$218.58 Medline Industries ................... $1172.66 Menards - Iowa City....................$267.39 Mgam Property ......................... $850.00 Michael David Madsen................$700.00 Midamerican Energy...................$123.07 Minnesota Hoist Inspect.......... $2983.96 Mt Vernon Ace Hardware..............$64.94 Mutual Wheel Comp.................... $196.11 Napa Auto Parts......................... $443.34 Neighborhood Ctrs Of JC........ $51512.52 One Source................................. $822.45 Origin Design Co.......................$1870.50 Ottsen Oil .................................$1609.98 Pet Health Center Of Tiffin....... $3933.25 Pfizer ........................................ $2611.52 Point And Pay............................$1522.75 Postmaster............................. $35769.47 Professional Office Svcs......... $5668.59 Pyramid Services ...........................$2.20 Rapids Reproductions..............$1833.91 RISE At Riverfront Cross............$700.00 Sameer Mugatsaheb Shivapur.. $800.00 Sanofi Pasteur ..........................$5987.77 Sarah M Marshall.......................... $57.00 Shive Hattery ........................ $62335.00 South Slope Coop...................... $996.86 Specialized Petrol Svc................$957.60 Staples Contract.........................$184.83 Stericycle .....................................$33.50 Storey Kenworthy Corp..............$286.02 Streichers..................................$1000.00 Stryker Medical......................... $1242.74 T-Mobile USA............................$1422.95 Tailwind IC /Quarters At IC........ $695.00 Teleflex .....................................$1750.00 Titan Machinery........................$1944.30 Treasurer State IA 6th Jud........ $1218.75 Tri-City Electric Comp IA.......... $1710.00 Tricon General Construct....... $70505.72 Tristar....................................... $6223.77 Tyler Schneider.......................... $342.00 Verizon Wireless.........................$428.46 Visa.......................................... $6403.20 Wellmark BCBS IA................ $247000.00 West Liberty Telephone............. $658.48 Youth And Shelter Svcs............ $1446.15 Youth Shelter Care NCI...............$931.40 3. The minutes of the Formal Meetings for October 1 and October 2, 2026. 4. Make the following appointments to the County Juvenile Justice and Youth Development Policy Board: appoint Jason Dong to a partial term expiring September 30, 2027; appoint Michael Hamelton to a three-year term expiring September 30, 2029; reappoint Justin Montgomery to a three-year term expiring September 30, 2029. Approved unanimously. PROCLAMATION NO. 10-08-26-01 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY OCTOBER 12, 2026 Summary: Indigenous Peoples’ Day began in 1977 at the United Na-

tions-sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas and Johnson County while observing the day it seeks to strengthen relationships with Native communities, promote cultural awareness, and advance justice and equity for all. Board action: Proclaim October 12, 2026, to be Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Johnson County, Iowa, and encourage residents to reflect on the histories and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples and to take part in activities that foster understanding, reconciliation, and respect. Motion by Remington, second by Fixmer-Oraiz, to approve Proclamation No. 10-08-26-01. Approved unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 10-08-26-01 RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE USE OF UPDATED TRAFFIC COUNTS FOR SANDY BEACH RD NE WHEN DETERMINING CONFORMANCE WITH ADOPTED POLICIES AND STANDARDS, INCLUDING ROAD PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Summary: Johnson County Road Performance Standards set stipulations for determining current traffic on road segments and the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County (MPOJC) conducted a traffic count study on Sandy Beach Rd NE between Curtis Bridge Rd NE and Lake Manor Rd NE over the summer of 2026, and provided the results of said study to the Johnson County Engineer in August of 2026. Board action: Utilize the MPOJC study for that segment of road replacing the Iowa DOT study of 2022, but development applications accepted prior to this resolution may still use the Iowa DOT 2022 study. Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Remington, to approve Resolution No. 10-08-26-01. County Planning, Development, and Sustainability (PDS) Planner Joseph Wilensky reviewed the resolution. Approved unanimously. Convened a public hearing at 5:37 p.m. on Zoning Application REZ26000007 of Luke Mayhew, requesting rezoning of 3.17 acres from A - Agricultural and R - Residential to R3 - Residential. The property is located at 1275 Yellow Pine Ave NE, in the SE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 12, Township 81 North, Range 5 West of the 5th P.M. in Cedar Township, Johnson County, Iowa. County PDS Assistant Planner Jess Brooks reviewed the application. No one from the public spoke. Public hearing closed at 5:40 p.m. Motion by Remington, second by Sullivan, to waive the requirement of three considerations before approving an ordinance amending the Johnson County Unified Development Ordinance, Zoning Application REZ26-000007 of Luke Mayhew. Roll call: Aye: Fixmer-Oraiz, Green, Green-Douglass, Remington, Sullivan. Motion by Remington, second by Sullivan, to approve the proposed ordinance associated with Zoning Application REZ26-000007 of Luke Mayhew on first and second consideration. Roll call: Aye: Fixmer-Oraiz, Green, Green-Douglass, Remington, Sullivan. Convened a public hearing at 5:41 p.m. on Zoning Application PZC-2528747 of Mark Slabaugh requesting preliminary & final plat approval of Frytown Trailers Subdivision. The property is located at 2119 500th St SW, in the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 13, Township 78 North, Range 8 West of the 5th P.M. in Washington Township, Johnson County, Iowa. County PDS Planner Joseph Wilensky reviewed the application. Scott Ritter of Hart-Frederick Consultants P.C. was present to answer questions. No one from the public spoke. Public hearing closed at 5:44 p.m. RESOLUTION NO. 10-08-26-02 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT AND SUBDIVIDER'S AGREEMENT OF FRYTOWN TRAILERS SUBDIVISION, JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA Summary: Application PZC-2528747 was filed for approval of the preliminary and final plat of Frytown Trailers Subdivision and the County Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval of the plat. Board action: Approve the plat; direct the Board Chairperson to sign said plat and associated documents; and record the following documents: A. Resolution & Documents: Owner’s Certificate, Attorney’s Title Opinion, Certificate of County Auditor, Certificate of County Treasurer, Subdivider’s Agreement, Fence Agreement, Easement for Public Highway, Mortgagee Consent to Subdivision, Declaration of Easements, Agreement for Improvements in the Right Of Way, Resolution Affirming the Stability of the Road System; B. Subdivision Plat (5). Motion by Sullivan, second by Green-Douglass, to approve Resolution No. 10-08-26-02. Approved unanimously. Motion by Fixmer-Oraiz, second by Green-Douglass, to delegate authority to County PDS Director Josh Busard to approve a Corrective Action Plan for proposed Natural Gas Pipeline in Johnson County, Iowa; Iowa Utilities Commission Docket No. P-0877. Approved unanimously. Motion by Remington, second by Green-Douglass, to approve drafting a letter regarding copper landline retirement and the termination of landline service. Approved unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 10-08-26-03 TRANSFERRING FROM THE GENERAL BASIC FUND TO THE CONSERVATION TRUST FUND IN THE FY27 BUDGET Summary: The Johnson County Board of Supervisors may periodically credit monies to the Conservation Trust Fund pursuant to section 350.6, Code of Iowa. Board action: Authorize the Johnson County Finance Director to make periodic transfers from the General Basic Fund to the Conservation Trust Fund during the 2027 Fiscal Year as funds are needed and available, not to exceed the sum of $176,638. Motion by Green-Douglass, second by Sullivan, to approve Resolution No. 10-08-26-03. Approved unanimously. Adjourned at 5:59 p.m. /s/Jon Green, Chair, Johnson County Board of Supervisors Attest: /s/Julie Persons, Johnson

County Auditor

On the 15th day of October, 2026 Recorded by Auditor’s Office: Marly Melsh, Executive Clerk to the Board These minutes were sent for formal approval and publication on October 15, 2026. Published in the Solon Economist October 22, 2026.

SOLON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

OCTOBER 7, 2026 Mayor Dan O’Neil called to order the regular City Council meeting at 5:30 pm. Roll Call: Tim Gordon, Greg Morris, John Farlinger and Matt Macke. Absent: Andrew Kramer. Also Present: Cami Rasmussen City Administrator, Kevin Olson City Attorney, Dave Schechinger City Engineer, Susie Siddell City Clerk and Megan Richardson Library Director. Civility Pledge Motion by Morris to approve the agenda. Seconded by Farlinger. Roll Call Vote: Gordon, Morris, Farlinger and Macke. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. Citizen Speak: A resident was present to question city on a sidewalk she received a letter on, stating a portion of the sidewalk belongs to the neighbor and questioned if it could be a shared cost. Rasmussen stated staff would look into it. Ed Michels, 707 Plum Street, was present stating the past a snowplow and broken the sidewalk and curb by his property, there had been a temporary fix, but he would like a permanent repair. Mayor O’Neil stated it would be discussed with the streets committee. Consent Agenda: Motion by Farlinger to approve the September 16, 2026 regular meeting minutes, Correction to the August 5, 2026 Minutes – Hydrologic & Hydraulic Scope of Services cost $33,694.00, approval of list of bills, treasurer’s report and transfers and building permits. Seconded by Macke. Roll Call Vote: Gordon, Morris, Macke and Farlinger. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. Fire Department Report: Fire Chief Bob Siddell was present, he stated they have been busy with 486 calls for the year so far, they are averaging two calls a day. Siddell stated they would be receiving a new fire engine next year, they have 28 members on the department and are able to have 35 members, they are hoping to increase. Sheriff’s Office Report: None Public Works Superintendent Reports: Kris Richardson stated leaf pickup will begin Monday October 19th, they have been catching up on projects. Ryan Stebral stated Friday-Monday they should be finishing up work on Elm Street curb and gutter and they had fixed three storm boxes. Dave Richards stated the cell company at the water tower had pushed back the time to put their antenna back on the tower, he had talked with Viking and they will start reseeding. Richards stated there is a lot going on with the new WWTP and they are getting things ready for winter. Library Report: Richardson stated they are now fully staffed at the library and they will be closed tomorrow as they will be taking some classes. City Engineer Report: Schechinger stated they had met with the core of engineers and are working on permits for the new WWTP, they are also working on the draft report for Wood Lily having cost estimates at the next meeting. City Attorney Report: Olson stated he had sent a draft agreement to Upmeyer’s. LRS Report: Chris Dohrer stated he had been promoted to Operational Manager and introduced JB Baptiste the new manager. Dohrer stated he felt things were going much better and questioned Siddell on issues, there had been just one issue where a vehicle was parked in front of a cart and the truck was not able to get to it, they had gone back to empty the cart. Proclamation: Proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month October 2026: Mayor O’Neil read and proclaimed October 2026 to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Presentation: Telecom Construction Right of Way Project: Matt Graham was present – Kinetic – he stated they were a new fiber network and part of Telecom. There will be no cost to the city and are proposing to install hundred percent buried conduit in the right away. If someone has a sprinkler system or an invisible fence they are asking to be contacted before work begins. Graham stated he has let staff know a peddlers permit would be needed with the city. Schechinger questioned the hours of work. Graham stated they would begin 8am till 5pm. If allowed they will work some Saturday’s and only on Sunday if something is requested. Graham stated they would be responsible for any damage if any occurs. Brad Kunkel – Vote Yes: Kunkel discussed the new proposed jail and discussed issues with the current jail stating the jail should be designed for safety of inmates and staff. Supervisor John Greene was present stating they should be responsible leaders and build what is needed. Old Business: Core4 Event Request: Alex Buhmeyer returned to discuss with council the Core4 event for August 2027, they will begin set up Thursday with the event Friday – Saturday and clean up on Sunday. They will be reaching out to the local businesses and stated there will be no outside food trucks. Gordon questioned security, Buhmeyer stated they will have conversations with the Johnson County Sherriff’s Office. Mayor O’Neil questioned money coming back to the city, Buhmeyer stated they could pay for city staff hours. Mayor O’Neil stated the beer tent would need to be enclosed and there will need to be extra restrooms. Macke recommended having an emergency plan especially for the evenings. New Business: Change of Use – 130 S Dubuque Street Unit 103: Rasmussen stated this was for a change of use, Britt Tompkins

is wanting to put a two chair salon in Unit 103. Schechinger stated they will be installing a shampoo bowl and changing a light. Schechinger questioned the hours of business. Tompkins stated they would not be having a set schedule but would be no later than 7pm and would not have more than six people in the unit at a time. Motion by Gordon to approve the change of us for 130 S Dubuque Unit 103. Seconded by Morris. Roll Call Vote: Macke, Farlinger, Morris and Gordon. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. Solon Fire House Projects: Fire Chief Bob Siddell was present, he stated the fire station was built 2021-2022. The glass bay doors are not UV protected and the sun was deteriorating firefighter gear. To replace gear it is a $4000.00 cost. They now have had two doors on each side installed with UV protection they would like to finish the six final doors. The department would also like to do some landscaping and put in a gravel path. Mayor O’Neil stated he felt the cost should be split with the fire agency with Farlinger and Macke agreeing. Motion by Farlinger to approve request with the agency paying a third of the cost. Seconded by Macke. Roll Call Vote: Gordon, Morris, Macke and Farlinger. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. Senior Housing Developer’s Agreement Amendment: Olson stated this would reflect an amended site plan and timeline. Motion by Farlinger. Seconded by Gordon. Roll Call Vote: Gordon, Farlinger, Macke and Morris. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. Senior Housing – Conditional Zoning Agreement Amendment: Olson stated this was in reference to an amended project timeline. Motion by Gordon. Seconded by Macke. Roll Call Vote: Macke, Morris, Gordon and Farlinger. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. 2-Mile Fringe Area – Jordon Creek Church Site Plan: Rasmussen stated she received the site plan from Johnson County, herself and staff have reviewed the site plan and suggested it go before Planning & Zoning. Schechinger stated there were quite a few discussions needed and went over some of the issues. Motion by Morris to approve submitting the site plan to Planning & Zoning. Seconded by Farlinger. Roll Call Vote: Macke, Morris, Farlinger and Gordon. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. Main Street Sewer Project – El Sol Sewer Connection: Rasmussen stated it was recently approved to do an investigation by North Market Square, there is a separation in the sewer line that is needed to be repaired. Schechinger stated he felt the sewer line should be relocated. Previously the businesses paid $2800 each of the cost of replacing a sewer line and suggested El Sol pay the same amount. Schechinger stated Maxwell will be working at North Market Square so the quote they submitted reflects that they will already be there with their equipment. Motion by Farlinger to approve the El Sol sewer connection project. Seconded by Gordon. Roll Call Vote: Farlinger, Morris, Macke and Gordon. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. FY26 Year End Financial Update: Rasmussen went over with council projects the city had and reviewed end of the year financials up to June 30, 2026. Resolution No. 26-39 FY26 Year End Transfers: Motion by Farlinger to approve the fiscal year end transfers. Seconded by Macke. Roll Call Vote: Farlinger, Macke, Morris and Gordon. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. FY26 Audit Engagement: Motion by Macke to approve the FY26 Audit Engagement with Kronlage & Olson, PC. Seconded by Gordon. Roll Call Vote: Morris, Macke, Farlinger and Gordon. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. City Hall Remodel Project – Phase Two: Richardson stated he had reached out to Rabe Hardware and Install Rite for quotes. Council discussed warranties with Install Rite. Mayor O’Neil stated this would be on the next meeting in November after receiving revised quotes. Driveway discussion – Stebral stated he received two quotes for the same work and stated there would be some inhouse work. Morris questioned why the work was needed. Mayor O’Neil stated this was the original phase two plan for the new city hall. Morris questioned the priority of the initial plan and the second entrance. Mayor O’Neil stated the phase would include closing off the north entrance which would add more parking spaces and would avoid driving on the hill in the winter. Gordon stated people have been driving on it for years and felt they should wait until some of their properties have sold. All council stated they felt that should wait till properties were sold. Resolution No. 26-40 Authorizing City Staff to pay invoices: Mayor O’Neil stated there will be no quorum for the meeting on October 21st so this resolution would allow staff to pay bills before the first meeting in November. Motion by Gordon to approve Resolution No. 2640. Seconded by Macke. Roll Call Vote: Morris, Gordon, Farlinger and Macke. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0 Other Business: Council Committees: Rasmussen stated the community center committee had viewed the family life center for the possibility of future use. City Clerk Report: None. City Administrator Comments: Rasmussen stated at the SRNA there have been new business signs installed and thanked Rickard Signs. Thanked SEDG and the Area Community Foundation. Council Comments: None Mayor Comments: Mayor O’Neil stated staff was working on the software conversion. Closed Session: Motion by Farlinger to go into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 21.5 (j) allowing for closed session regarding a real estate transaction. Seconded by Macke. Roll Call Vote: Farlinger, Gordon, Macke and Morris. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. Motion by Morris to go out of closed session. Seconded by Gordon. Roll Call Vote: Macke, Morris, Gordon and Farlinger. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0 Motion by Gordon to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 pm. Seconded by Morris All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0 ATTEST

SOLONECONOMIST.COM Susie Siddell, City Clerk Dan O’Neil, Mayor Published in the Solon Economist October 22, 2026.

CITY OF SOLON LIST OF BILLS

OCTOBER 7, 2026 VENDOR DESC AMOUNT ALLIANT UTILITIES.............. $19,563.66 ATECH ALARM MONITORING....$272.00 BERNACKI, DUSTIN UTILITY DEPOSIT REFUND.......................................$150.00 BOHLEN, BRODIE CELL REIMB....$60.00 CORE & MAIN SUPPLIES.......... 3,043.95 CY'S TREE SERVICE TREE REMOVAL..... ................................................ $9,300.00 DREA ELECTRIC EXTERIOR LIGHT REPAIR........................................ $237.00 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FLEX FEE............. ......................................................$85.00 ESGATE, ETHAN CELL REIMB......$40.00 EASTERN IOWA TIRE TIRE REPAIR........ ....................................................$231.35 EUROFINS ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING.. .................................................$1,502.77 FOLDING PARTITION SERVICES MAINTENANCE - LIBRARY........ $390.00 GOOD GUYS AUTO PARTS PARTS.......... ................................................... $342.00 GORDON FLESCH CONTRACT PAYMENT ....................................................$475.55 GREATER IOWA CITY PUBLIC INVESTMENT...........................$1,545.00 GRAINGER SUPPLIES...................$55.92 HILINE SUPPLIES.........................$73.80 IOWA ONE CALL LOCATING.........$78.40 INGRAM LIBRARAY BOOKS....$1,026.04 INTECONNEX ACCESS POINTS............... .................................................$4,977.41 HAWKINS CHEMICALS............ $1,227.04 HOTXY CLEANING SYSTEMS ANNUAL MAINTENANCE........................... $245.15 HYDROTEX CHEMICALS............$726.45 IOWA DEPT. NATURAL RESOURCES PERMIT FEE................................$120.00 JOHNSON COUNTY RECORDER RECORDINGS................................$42.00 JOHNSON COUNTY SHERIFF CONTRACT PAYMENT...........$12,423.67 KONICA SYSTEMS IT SUPPORT............. .................................................$1,951.44 LL PELLING RESTRIPING........$3,010.00 LINDSEY'S STITCHINS REC PROGRAM SHIRTS.................................... $3,594.00 LRS-JOHNSON COUNTY TRASH/ RECYCLING........................... $20,563.00 LRS-JOHNSON COUNTY STICKERS....... ....................................................$570.00 MCCLOUD PEST CONTROL PEST CONTROL.................................... $211.57 MIENE GRINDING................... $9,685.00 METAL CULVERTS SUPPLIES................. ................................................ $6,240.90 MIDAMERIC BOOKS BOOKS...... $640.80 MIDAMERICAN ENERGY UTILITIES........ ......................................................$15.33 MIDWEST TAPE VIDEOS............. $270.14 NOST, MATT CELL REIMB............$40.00 OFFICE EXPRESS SUPPLIES......$216.80 OLSON, KEVIN ATTORNEY FEE............... ................................................ $2,252.33 OVERDRIVE AUDIOS................. $626.58 PIRKL, BRITTNEY TIMBER DOME REFUND...................................... $300.00 RASMUSSEN, CAMI CELL REIMB........... ......................................................$60.00 RICHARDS, DAVE CLOTHING REIMBURSEMENT......................$179.99 RICHARDS, DAVE CELL REIMB....$60.00 RICHARDSON, KRIS CELL REIMB........... ......................................................$60.00 RJZ EXPRESS FUEL.................$1,013.90 ROBERTSON, BRADY CELL REIMB......... ......................................................$40.00 SCHIMBERG SUPPLIES..............$312.81 SHERWIN WILLIAMS PAINT ..$1,499.29 SIDDELL, MIKAYLA VOLLEYKIDZ PROGRAM................................$1,070.00 SIDDELL, SUSIE CELL REIMB......$60.00 SOLON HARDWARE SUPPLIES....$20.48 SOLON SENIOR SUPPORT CHAIR YOGA ......................................................$75.00 SOLON TRITOWNSHIP AGENCY CONTRACT PAYMENT.......... $33,640.00 SPACE WALK BOUNCY HOUSESMONSTER MASH.................... $2,220.00 STEBRAL, RYAN CELL REIMB......$60.00 SVEC, NATE CELL REIMB.............$60.00 TOWN CLOUD ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION ....................................................$570.00 TRUCK COUNTRY TRUCK PARTS........... ....................................................$146.22 TYLER TECHNOLOGIES TRAINING......... ................................................... $362.50 UMB FIRE BOND INTEREST...$19,002.50 UNITYPOINT HEALTH ANNUAL FEE........ .................................................... $115.00 USA BLUEBOOK DISPENCERS.....$82.96 VEENSTRA & KIMM ENGINEER FEES..... .............................................$203,178.01 WELLMARK INSURANCE......$11,000.90 WORLD TRADE PRESS DATA BASES...... ....................................................$413.92 TOTAL ............................... $383,725.53 Published in the Solon Economist October 22, 2026.

SOLON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES

10/15/2026 05:45 PM Attendance Voting Members Dan Coons, School Board President Dr. Tim Brown, School Board Vice President Adam Haluska, School Board Member Cassie Rochholz, School Board Member Megan Laing, School Board Member Non-Voting Members Dr. Davis Eidahl, Superintendent Natalie Johnson, Business Services Manager & Board Secretary Brady Miller, School Business Official/Board Treasurer Piper Johnson, Student Board Representative • Call to Order and Roll Call • Pledge of Allegiance • Welcome of Visitors and Representatives of the Press • Information Items • Piper Sandler Tim Oswald from Piper Sandler, presented the district bond rating. • IASB Conference The Iowa Association of School Board Conference in Des Moines, will happen on November 18th and 19th with the board in attendance. • New Student Board Member Interview Timeline Applications are due on October 30th with interviews happening on Monday,

SOLONECONOMIST.COM November 9th or Tuesday, November 10th. Interview committee, Board President, Board Vice-President, Superintendent, Board Treasurer, and Board Secretary. Mr Bunkers has sent the application and information out to the Class of 2028. • Celebrations of Achievement Middle School Opus Honor Choir participants, Evie Haugland, Libbie Stahle, Emma Olsem. • District Reports • Focus On Learning Dr. Lyons presented a Recap of October 12 Professional Development day with staff. • Admin Report(s) Dr. Eidahl discussed district enrollment, Kirkwood participation and SEF grant funding for projects at the high school and Blake Williams induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. • Board Committee Update • Strategic Plan (Rochholz, Coons) The strategic plan committee met and went over data and the biggest opportunities for improvement. • Capital Projects (Brown, Haluska) We need to explore our options and make the best financial decision to meet our needs. Field House has arrived to start construction. Lakeview renovations and parking lot are moving along. • Financial Services (Haluska, Laing) Started monthly meetings with SBO and Superintendent. ESPSS dollars will be discussed and how that will be distributed to support staff this year. • Governance (Rochholz, Laing) • Consent Agenda Items Motion to approve the consent agenda items as presented. Motion made by: Cassie Rochholz Motion seconded by: Adam Haluska Voting results: Unanimously Approved • Approval of Minutes • Approval of Claims • Financial Report • Overnight Field Trip(s): • Contracts • Action Items • SIAC Membership 2026-2027 Motion to approve the SIAC membership for 2026-2027, as presented Motion made by: Dr. Tim Brown Motion seconded by: Cassie Rochholz Voting results: Unanimously Approved • English Learner (EL) Excess Cost of $3,287 Motion to approve the district administration's authorization to submit a request to the SBRC for a modified supplemental amount of $3,287 due to excess costs of providing the English Learner program in the prior year, as presented Motion made by: Adam Haluska Motion seconded by: Megan Laing Voting results: Unanimously Approved • 1st Reading of board policies 804.07 & 804.07 R(1) Motion to approve the first reading of board policies 804.07 & 804.07 R(1), as presented Motion made by: Megan Laing Motion seconded by: Cassie Rochholz Voting results: Unanimously Approved • Talking Points Student Rep Piper Johnson was impressed with the number of Kirkwood classes high school students took, and the amount of money saved by parents. Director Laing appreciates Josh and all of his admin paperwork. Director Rochholz appreciated her understanding of the financial discussion Vice President Brown celebrates the progress with the projects in the district. Director Haluska celebrates Opus Choir and Blake Williams induction into

NEWS

the National Wrestling Hall of Fame President Coons appreciated the time with the Strategic planning committee. • Next Regular Board Meeting The next regular board meeting is Tuesday, November 17, 2026, in the Central Office Board Room • Adjournment A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Time 7:04 p.m. Motion made by: Adam Haluska Motion seconded by: Cassie Rochholz Voting results: Unanimously Approved Published in the Solon Economist October 22, 2026.

SOLON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

BILLS THROUGH 10/15/2026 Ace Hardware hardware for wall.... 13.10 Acme, Tools Cartridge for tablesaw....... ......................................................660.00 Ahlers and Cooney, PC Professional Services........................................284.00 Alphagraphics Vehicle Decals......140.06 Amazon Capital Services Supplies.......... .................................................. 3,644.60 Apple Inc SEF Grant-Farnsworth............. .................................................. 9,440.00 Ascendance Truck Centers waste basket and mount....................................... 75.70 Assurity Life Insurance Company accident and critical health........4,679.28 Auto Glass Guys reseal front windshield ......................................................200.00 Baker Paper Co Inc Misc custodial supplies.........................................260.50 BioRad Biology Lab Materials......365.25 Boogerd, Jill Gas for Van...............15.25 Booksource SEFBrimeyer LV Decodables................................. 2,190.12 Central Iowa Distributing Inc Misc custodial supplies.........................178.00 Cervantez, Kristi ICA MS concert........... ......................................................175.00 City of Solon Utilities................. 5,109.64 CJ Cooper & Associates Inc Onsite Drug Testing...........................................446.28 Coe College Music Dept. Entry Fee Jazz Summit..........................................200.00 Covenant Workplace Solutions, LLC Employee Assistance Program..... 412.68 D&R Pest Control Monthly pest control-MS................................................453.60 Department Of Education Vehicle Inspections................................1,750.00 Dick Blick Art Materials Supplies............ ......................................................696.32 E&J Geothermal, Inc. HVAC repairs at HS..................................................292.50 Edmentum, Inc EdOptions............790.00 Electronic Engineering New batteries for radios............................................ 267.00 Follett Content Solutions Spanish Books for ELL........................................1,726.40 Garland Company, The Material to seal roof................................................498.30 Gazette Communications, Inc Digital Advertising................................. 1,166.67 Grant Wood AEA Consultant FY26.......... ...................................................5,692.85 Greenwood Cleaning Systems Misc custodial supplies.........................294.70 Hack, Casey Phone Reimbursement...... ........................................................65.00 Heartland Area Education Agency Workshop: Building thinking classrooms ...................................................2,788.80 Heinsius, Bryan Phone Reimbursement ........................................................65.00 Hello Literacy Brimeyer- SEF LV Decodables.................................1,795.20 Hillyard Des Moines Misc custodial supplies......................................3,882.06 HMH Education Compant Math License.. ...................................................2,725.00 Home Depot Pro, The Misc custodial supplies...................................... 1,413.48 HWZ LLC/RJ'Z Express Fuel.... 2,255.21 Intek Manufacturing 2nd order................ ...................................................5,692.50 Iowa Communications Network Network

Services........................................775.00 Iowa Dept. Of Human Services Non Federal Share Medicaid................ 722.19 J.W. Pepper & Sons, Inc. Treble Fest Music.............................................138.94 Jay Proffitt Construction Inc Black mulch for landscaping...............1,004.65 Jostens Inc. Commencement.... 1,146.95 Kessler, Randall Mowing at Stone Academy........................................200.00 Kirkwood CC STOP Class.......... 1,120.00 Krob F J & Co Ground maintenance supplies...........................................22.05 La Porte Motor Supply oil, filters............ ...................................................... 286.74 Laprea Education Brimeyer- SEF Decodables................................. 1,176.81 Little Lions Literacy SEF- Brimeyer LV Decodables................................. 1,102.64 Marco Technologies, LLC Copier/Printer Lease..........................................1,254.55 Mcgraw-Hill LLC Everyday Math grade 2 ......................................................680.00 Midwest Wheel Companies stock, John Deere Gator................................... 874.43 Mizaur, Russell Phone Reimbursement. ........................................................65.00 North Liberty True Value Misc maintenance supplies.....................28.99 Office Express Supplies for SIS...103.38 Optimist Club Of Solon Membership dues...............................................805.00 OVR Performance accessories and measurement for velocity..........9,327.00 Pipe Pro Inc HVAC repairs ISF................. ................................................. 15,197.84 Plumbers Supply Company Misc maintenance supplies...................868.06 Prull Group, Inc, The HVAC repairs--LV. ...................................................1,363.30 Really Great Reading Company SEFBrimeyer LV Decodables...............654.08 Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company LifeLTD...................... 3,300.30 Republic Services #897 Monthly waste/ recycle pick up...........................2,690.47 RevTrak Merchant Services.......1,443.35 Riser Incorporated Annual gym equipment inspections.................600.00 Riverside Assessments, LLC Cognitive Abilities Test............................... 1,818.00 Rogue Fitness Rower, Bike, Belts............ .................................................. 3,380.00 Sam's Main Street Market Water....23.94 Scholastic Inc, Education SEF- Brimeyer LV Decodables..............................323.45 School Bus Sales lights................281.57 ShopSabre SEF Grant Equipment............ .................................................22,163.86 Sigwarth, Noah Fuel Reimbursement..... ........................................................59.01 Sled Shed, Inc., The Belts for mowers... ......................................................489.93 Solon Hardware Misc maintenance supplies...........................................86.31 Sonova USA Inc Sonova Service Plan..... ......................................................145.00 South East Iowa Band Association Seiba Dues................................................20.00 South Slope Coop Telephone Co Phone Services.....................................1,329.28 T-Mobile Data Hot Spots................. 67.85 Technology Associates MBA Battery Service..........................................376.54 ULINE PAES Lab equipment SEF grant... ...................................................1,608.31 University of Iowa Tuition.............250.00 Visa Supplies............................ 3,853.55 West Music Co 2026 Fall Concert Music ...................................................1,046.64 General Fund.......................... 147,075.01 Doors Inc. New doors to locker rooms at HS.............................................14,220.00 PPEL ........................................14,220.00 Ace Electric Scoreboard project... 447.50 Ace Hardware Hardware.................80.64 Amazon Capital Services supplies.......... ................................................... 1,277.87 Anamosa Community School District 9/26 XC entry fee - Anamosa........120.00 Atlantic Bottling Company Concessions Drinks............................................261.55 Barnyard Screenprinting Robotics Shirts.............................................780.50 Boogerd, Jill Cheer Pants and Socks..... ...................................................... 183.74

Cedar Rapids Corvette Club, Inc Corvettes for HOCO parade..........130.00 Center Point Urbana School District Entry fee........................................150.00 Clinton CSD Entry fee...................135.00 College Community School Dist Entry fee..................................................135.00 Copyworks Musical Poster Printing........ ........................................................58.80 Corridor Photo Booths photo booth........ ......................................................450.00 Davenport Community School District Refund of Cross Country Fees......150.00 Dewitt Central High School Entry fee...... ........................................................40.00 E's Florals homecoming flowers..341.00 Elite Awards Wrestling plaques & medals...........................................146.80 Elite Sports Powder puff shirts............... ...................................................2,423.00 First Robotics registration............350.00 Gold Medal Products Concessions ICEEs.............................................344.95 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Des Moines Downtown Volleyball hotel rooms............................................946.40 HWZ LLC/RJ'Z Express Concessions pizza..............................................280.00 Iowa City West Dance Team IC West Dance competition fee....................50.00 Iowa State Dance Team Assn State & Annual Membership Fee............1,008.00 Iowa State University Lego League registration...................................150.00 Kauder Racing 9/21 cancelled XC meet charge...........................................100.00 M&M Elite Athletics, LLC Cheer Stunt Clinic.............................................550.00 Marion Iron Trailer parts...............220.21 McCormicks Group marching band back drop............................................... 418.44 Menards Musical Supplies........1,271.32 Mixam Inc Yearbooks................3,231.28 North Linn School District 10/10 XC entry fee - North Linn...................150.00 Rebel Athletic Dance Uniforms.....998.98 RevTrak Merchant Services..........205.87 Riddell 3 new Helmets...............1,299.95 Sam's Club Concessions snacks............. .................................................. 2,500.67 Sam's Main Street Market Snacks for press box.........................................22.37 Sports Imports Volleyball Cart.....839.50 Union High School Entry fee.........125.00 Varsity Athletic Apparel Inc Archery award supplies..............................484.50 Varsity Spirit Fashions Football cheer skirt and backpacks...................... 752.10 Visa supplies..............................2,602.67 West Delaware CSD Entry fee.......200.00 West Liberty CSD Entry fee............80.00 West Music Co Rittersing Honor Choir Repertoire.......................................66.64 Williamsburg CSD Entry fee.........225.00 Woolverton Printing Archery Banner...... ......................................................140.00 Student Activity Fund............. 26,925.25 City of Tipton City of Tipton, BASP swim trip 7/6/26.....................................630.00 Feaker, Amber Cell Phone Reimb..65.00 Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company LifeLTD............................ 15.10 US Foods, Inc Iowa Snack........ 2,496.85 BASP......................................... 3,206.95 Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company LifeLTD............................28.07 Preschool........................................28.07 Anderson Erickson Dairy Co Milk............ ...................................................4,549.32 Dan and Debbie's Creamery, Inc Dairy.... ......................................................135.00 EMS Detergent Services Chemicals........ ......................................................461.57 Harp, Suzanne Clothing Allowance........ ........................................................75.00 Hy Vee Accounts Receivable Gluten Free Items.............................................182.60 Martin Brothers Distributing Food.......... .................................................41,790.40 Pipe Pro Inc Service Call...........1,900.51 Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company LifeLTD............................66.58 School Nutrition Fund..............49,160.98 Published in the Solon Economist October 22, 2026.

SOLON ECONOMIST | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | 11

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Miscellaneous

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Windflower Commons to break ground November 11th, bringing new senior living option to Solon New independent living community will serve adults age 62 and older

that support independent living. Stebral Construction is the general contractor for the project, and is anticipated to be completed in the summer of 2027. The community is designed for older Allison Phillips adults who want to remain in Solon, as Executive Vice President well as for families hoping to bring aging Senior Housing Consultants, Inc. parents closer to their home. Residents will be close to local businesses and serSolon Community Housing Corpo- vices, with healthcare, shopping and ration (SCHC) will break ground on recreation a short drive away in Iowa City, Windflower Commons, a new indepen- Coralville, and Cedar Rapids. dent living community for adults age 62 “We hear from Solon families all the and older, on Wednesday, November 11, time who want their parents nearby but 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony will haven’t had the right housing option. take place at the development site at 505 Windflower Commons gives them that, Windflower Lane. with apartments designed for indepenBecause the groundbreaking falls on dence today and accessibility for the years Veterans Day, the ceremony will include ahead,” said Allison Phillips, executive a moment to honor local veterans and vice president of Senior Housing Consulthank them for their service. tants. Windflower Commons will offer stuProspective residents can learn more dio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom about apartment options and reservations apartments with accessible floor plans, at www.liveinsolon.com or by contacting professional management and amenities Allison Phillips at 319-321-0880.

SUBSCRIBE OR ADVERTISE • 319.624.2233

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12 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | SOLON ECONOMIST

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CHOIR from 1

Ellie Costello, Aria Deeds, Dottie Deeney, Dulce Donovan, Harper Ellers, Ewan Enz, Jovie Felton, Emma Cencl, Peyton Fordice, Blake Grafft, Frankie Hamilton, Chyler Harrison, Judah Haugland, Elsie Hayek, Kolson highly, Kaleb Holmes, Zane Hopp, Levi Humston, Maddox Jensen, Enzo Johnson, Winnie Kopet, Connor Kraxner, Natalie Kreinbring, Thea Kuennen, Addie Limoges, Addie Marquez, ivy Marquez, Hannah Matlock, Tommy Miller, Madelyn Moses, JJ Munson, Jery Munson, June Munson, Lucy Murphy-Robb, Rowan Nicholson, Zeke Nitcher, Dawson Ohloff, Nico Olsem, Bowen Rebal, Charlie Reedy, Livian Richarson, Auggie Rogers, Victoria Rolwes, Darien Rubio, Emma Sabers, Lacey Scheib, Finley Schmooke, Blake Seamans, Greyson Sedlacek, Riley Sharp, Isla Singsank, Jude Smalley, Julien Terzano-Borovic, Kate Tiedemann, Avery Volkert, Ellaria Weary, Bryer Wildrick, August Wilmer, Layla Woods, Gavin Zenk, and Ada Zimmerman. 7th grade choir – Jack Abbuhl, Amelia Arp, Liam Benninghoven, Alex Bochman, Gabe Bonnema, Landon Branscomb, Beckette Buch, Evelyn Cronan, Kamryn Deike, Matthias Elkins, Elena Findlay, Sawyer Frazier, Eva Gibson, Marlowe Goyette, Ruby Gruber, Eli Guinn, Ezra Harris, Harper Hemann, Josie Howell, Sophia Jedlicka, My Kolar, Veda Kramer, Landon Kunkel, Graeme Laing, Ava LaRoche, Olivia Latarte, Grace McCollum, Jennings McGowan, Kaiah Meyer, Tinley Mullikin, Calvin Nelson, Robby O’Neill, Josie Oestreich, Hazel Peterson, Jackson Powers, Peyton Recker, Braxon Reed, Max Rogers, Hunter Rutkowski, Raegan Scott, Vic Stull, Vayda Svalstad, Levi Swancutt, and Cora Thomsen. 8th grade choir – Sumayya Ahmed, David Allen, Edward Arthur, Jack Bogard, Cai Brock, Julian Cornally, Grace Ehlinger, Kinsley Ehmsen, Miles Einwalter, Moriah Gilroy, Gabby Gordon, Ellis Hagerty, Charlie Hamilton, Makenna Handley, Evie Haugland, Logan Hendrickson, JoJo Henke, Gidyon Kleinsmith, Mayley Levin, Kate Moore, Mabel Munson, Ainsley Nicholson, Willa Nitcher, Emma Olsem, Adrienne Randall, Libbie Stahle, Paityn Sullivan, and Porter Thirtyacre.

Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist

Front page: SMS vocal music director Courtney Deutmeyer (with accompanist Kristi Cervantez) conducts all 142 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choir students during the fall middle school vocal concert Tuesday, October 13, in the Performing Arts Center. Above left: SMS vocal music director Courtney Deutmeyer and 7th grader Robby O'Neil make the best of a malfunctioning microphone during O’Neil’s speaking part for the song The Wish Two Witches Wished during the fall middle school vocal music concert Tuesday, October 13, in the Performing Arts Center. Above: 7th grader Landon Branscomb performs a voice over solo for the 80s hit Michael Jackson song Thriller with the combined 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choir students during the fall middle school vocal concert Tuesday, October 13, in the Performing Arts Center. Left: SMS vocal music director Courtney Deutmeyer applauds 8th grader Porter Thirtyacre for nailing the vibraphone solo in the song Some One during the fall middle school vocal music concert Tuesday, October 13, in the Performing Arts Center.