PAGES 6 & 7 Lady Spartans champs at Mt. Mercy’s Seminole Valley Classic, boys take fifth place THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 • $1.50
Armed Forces Night is this Friday at Spartan Stadium Volleyball to honor our military Thursday, Sept. 10 Solon Economist Solon High School is proud to invite all active-duty personnel and veterans to attend “Armed Forces Night” Friday, September 5, at the Williamsburg Raiders vs. Solon Spartans football game. This special event is a tribute to the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our nation. All active-duty personnel and veterans will be admitted free of charge with proof of service. The evening will feature a series of pre-game festivities, including the Presentation of our nation’s colors by the Solon American Legion’s Color Guard, the Mt. Vernon American Legion’s Color Guard, the sophomore football team, and the Iowa National Guard. Also, the “Honored Veteran” of the night will be introduced, and all active-duty personnel and veterans will be honored on the field during a special halftime ceremony. The frosh-soph game kicks off at 5:00 p.m. with varsity to follow at 7:30 p.m. The Lady Spartans will honor our military Thursday, Sept. 10 on Military Night. Veterans and active duty members will be admitted for free and will be recognized for their service after the first varsity set. Freshman ‘A’ and JV matches start at 5 p.m. with Freshman ‘B’ and sophomores playing at 6 p.m. ahead of the 7:30 p.m. varsity start. Fans are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue for a special night of volleyball, community, and gratitude with the theme of One team, One community, and One nation.
Solon man critically injured in hit and run accident Brian Vincent, age 40, of Solon, was seriously injured in a hit and run accident Thursday, August 27. At 8:05 p.m. the Johnson County Sheriff's Office and Solon Fire Department were dispatched to a single vehicle versus pedestrian collision in the 4200 block of 180th St. NE, Solon. Witnesses reported a vehicle had struck a pedestrian walking alongside the road. The vehicle did not stop and left the accident scene. Vincent was transported by AirCare helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics with life-threatening injuries. According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office Friday, August 28, the driver had been identified, however the investigation was ongoing. The Iowa State Patrol, North Liberty Fire Department, Johnson County Ambulance Service, and the University of Iowa’s Med 1 also responded to the incident.
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A mission of hope American Legion Riders stop in Solon during their 20th annual Legacy Run cross country motorcycle ride Chris Umscheid Solon Economist
chris.umscheid@soloneconomist. com
Last Monday the downtown area was filled with the motorcycles of 239 members of the American Legion Riders as they stopped in Solon for lunch stop at American Legion Stinocher Post 460 on the way from Lincoln, Nebraska to Louisville, Ken- Chairman for the American weren’t just traveling from for others. tucky. Legion Riders and Road Cap- Point ‘A’ to Point ‘B,’ but were David Heredia, National tain, explained the riders’ on a mission to provide hope LEGION RIDERS | 10
Go ‘Cycling with Gabe’ next Saturday
Gabe Heefner was a 21 year old Marine Corps Lance Cpl. in 2021 when he was shot in the head by a .22 caliber pellet fired from an air rifle at a squirrel in Iowa City. He sustained a traumatic brain injury, memory loss, and impaired mobility. Last year, Heefner and his dad, Nile, partnered with IVOE to start a series of bike rides bringing family, friends, fellow veterans, and supporters together for a casual excursion. The rides are open to all, veterans and non-veterans alike. For more information go to www.iowaveteransoutdoorexperience.com or call Natalia Scales | Solon Economist file photo 319-631-0334. Thanks to a generous donation by the (From left) Lindy and Adam Hopp, Scott Storck (President of Volesky family, IVOE has two IVOE), Denny Hansen, Paula, Nile Heefner, and Gabe Heefner TerraTrike® recumbent bikes gather together with the IVOE flag before taking off on their available for those with balride to Ely Saturday, August 9, 2025. Gabe and Nile worked ance issues. with the Iowa Veterans Outdoor Experience to support and The final ride this year will connect local veterans through outdoor activities including be held Saturday, October 3, leisurely Saturday morning bike rides. at Tiffin City Park. Solon Economist
of veteran suicide will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, at 9 a.m. The ‘ruck’ is a 2.2-mile walk starting and ending at the Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 (222 E. Main St.). The entrance fee remains at $22 per person with T-shirts also priced at $22. All proceeds from the event will go to IVOE to fund activities including a fishing trip in Missouri, bow hunting in Iowa, and a fishing trip exclusively for female veterans coming up next April. Participants in the ruck are encouraged (but not required) to wear a 22-pound vest (as Thompson does), or a weighted rucksack. The weight is symbolic of carrying veterans who are struggling. Also, non-veterans are welcome and encouraged to participate as well. Morning of registration is available starting at 8 a.m., however preregistration is strongly encouraged through IVOE’s Facebook page, www. facebook.com/IowaVeteransOutdoorExperience, using Venmo® or PayPal®.
Registration is open
is set for Saturday, Sept. 12, for RUCK 2.2 Iowa Veterans Outdoor at 8 a.m. at the Solon RecExperience (IVOE)’s next reation and Nature Area The fourth annual RUCK ‘Cycling with Gabe’ bike ride (SRNA). 2.2 walk to raise awareness
Solon Public Library News - 2 | Opinions - 4 | Sports - 6 & 7 | Public Notices - 8 & 9 |
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