SPORTS | 6 Softball: A rough week for the Lady Spartans
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2025 • $1.50
Two separate water issues spur discussion but no action at July 2 Council meeting Ella McEntaffer Solon Economist SOLON — The 5:30 p.m. meeting kicked off with resident Toni Russo addressing the City Council and city officials during the allotted public comments time. Russo voiced her disagreement about the new subdivision being built within Solon, particularly with the water and sewer lines for the 50 homes at city expense. “I think we’re underestimating how important this is to the city,” Russo said, and added that she thinks a public meeting needs to be held. Russo was the only citizen to speak before the meeting moved to discuss items on the agenda, such as an update on what different city departments have been up to. Although school’s out for the summer, the Solon Public Works Department has been hard at work all of June and into July. “As usual things have been very busy for public works,” said City Administrator Cami Rasmussen. Rasmussen addressed the fixing of blown fuses and other electric issues as a result of the storm in late June. She also added that Kris Richardson, public works superintendent, has spent lots of time mowing and making sure the splash pad at the Solon Recreation and Nature Center is functioning properly, which is much appreciated by the council and residents alike. Furthermore, trees have been trimmed, the Solon Beef Days banners hung up, and the stormwater drainage issue across from the library handled. Rasmussen and the Public Works Department also were hard at work addressing paperwork that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sent the city regarding lead copper in the water. Rasmussen wants to make it clear that there is no threat to the health of the water in the Solon community, and that this was just a paperwork issue. “It was a surprise to me, it was a surprise to all of us [city officials],” Rasmussen said. “What was unclear was that there was additional reporting compliance.” Around 60 letters describing the issue were mailed out to Solon properties by the DNR, although Rasmussen believes
INSIDE
CITY COUNCIL | 2
SOLONECONOMIST.COM
Sweet corn, sweeter tradition Stahle’s Peaches and Cream Sweet Corn is all about family and pride Natalia Scales Solon Economist
help and for residents to enjoy. “It all started as something to keep the kids busy,” Stahle said. “I don’t make SOLON — Every summer, a famil- a penny on it — it’s all for them.” iar sight pops up just off Highway 1 in Stahle’s sweet corn patch spans about Solon. A truck filled with freshly picked three acres of land that he rotates annuears of peaches and cream sweet corn, ally near his family’s farm, where he and and a group of residents ready to sell it. his relatives also grow field corn and Behind the seasonal staple is sixth-gen- soybeans. The peaches and cream varieration farmer Kurt Stahle, who grows ety, known for their bicolor kernels and corn not just for its taste, but to create a candy-like sweetness, is hand-picked meaningful experience for local kids to early in the morning, when mois-
ture levels are highest, and flavor is at its peak. “My son and his friends will show up around 6:30 in the morning,” Stahle explained. “We pick it with a loader tractor and dump it in an old truck. Then they head up to the Dairy Queen lot to sell.” The corn stand, parked near E's Florals and Dairy Queen corner, has STAHLE | 12
It's almost time for Beef Days again! Solon Beef Days returns next Friday and Saturday, July 18-19
Joel Kellar | Solon Economist file photo
Ali Dorn tosses a bale over the bar in the 2024 Solon Beef Days Hay Bale Toss. This year’s competition is set for Friday, July 18 on Main Street.
Solon Public Library News - 3
The festival lineup for Friday the 18th will include live performances from bands Sugar & Spice (5:00 p.m.) and Slap ‘N Tickle (9:00 p.m.), bingo on main street (6-10:00 p.m.), the kids tractor pull AJ Dolan (registration at 5:00 p.m., pulling starts Solon Economist at 6:00 p.m.), and the Hay Bale Toss (registration at 6:00 p.m., throwing starts at SOLON — After over 50 years of tra- 7:00 p.m.). dition, the beloved Beef Days returns to On Saturday, the fun continues with downtown Solon on Friday, July 18, and the 7:30 a.m. Beef Days run (pre-regisSaturday, July 19, bringing fun for all. tration online), the parade at 10:00 a.m., Starting in 1971 as a smaller festival, a bags tournament, horseshoe tournaSolon Beef Days continues to grow and ment, archery tournament, Kid’s Corner attract a large number of people year in big wheel race, and more live perforand year out. This year, the communi- mances from artists like Spirit Awake, ty-driven affair looks to take the cake of Molly Shannon, Frank Martin Busch and festivals again with food, live music, and the Names, and Tyler Richton & the High more exciting activities, new and old. Bank Boys. “I love how the Solon community “Our events have always been very pulls together to make Beef Days such popular, from the parade to the hay bale an amazing festival year after year,” said toss, people love them,” said Bruck Denise Bruck, co-president of the Beef It is clear to see that Solon Beef Days is Days committee. BEEF DAYS | 2
| Opinions - 4 & 5 | Sports - 6-8 |
9 | Public Notices - 11