SolonEconomist — 3.13.25

Solon's farming roots run deep

Eileen Hageman GFWC Solon Women’s

Kuennen said. “So I enjoy going to work, and I enjoy working with our customers.”

Costs are as follows:

Delivered after 8:30 pm, Saturday, April 19th

30 eggs for $30

50 eggs for $45

30 eggs for $25

50 eggs for $35

Egg My Yard fundraiser is back!

As large-scale farms decline, longtime businesses adapt to serve a new generation of small-scale farmers

Emma Jane For the Solon Economist

SOLON — For more than a century, agriculture has been at the heart of Solon evolving alongside the town

itself. From grain elevators to feed mills, family-run businesses like Solon Feed Mill and Krob F J & Co Elevator have adapted to shifting farming trends ensuring that agriculture remains a cornerstone of the community.

For Greg Kuennen, manager of Solon Feed Mill, his favorite part of agriculture is the people.

“I feel like people that are in and surround themselves with agriculture are typically pretty great people,”

Solon Feed Mill, Inc., purchased by Kuennen’s parents in 1978, has expanded to two locations in Solon and Fairfax. Known as the home of Acorn II Feeds the mill provides a range of products including feed for large and small animals, show and custom feeds, pet food, supplies, and its well-known

Spartan archers 2nd at State

Solon teams will compete in Nationals in May

Your child would love waking up Easter morning to a yard full of stuffed eggs! Members of the GFWC Solon Women’s Club will again be doing the “Egg My Yard” fundraiser. All profits raised will go toward the purchase of “digger” equipment for use at the new sand playground planned for the area currently occupied by the volleyball court (being moved).

Let our bunnies do the work for you! Eggs will be stuffed with individually wrapped candy unless otherwise requested. Toys are available for those children, age 3 and older recommended, that might have food allergies. You can choose to pick up a box of eggs from the Solon Community Center, Saturday, April 12th, 9 am to 10:30 am, or to have the eggs delivered to your yard after 8:30 pm on Saturday, April 19th. Deliveries will be done before daylight. Delivery is available in the Solon and Shueyville areas as well as associated housing developments. We will also do a limited number of deliveries to the Ely area. Deadline to sign up for pick up or delivery is Friday, April 11th.

This year to add additional excitement, random golden and extra fancy eggs, and a special surprise will be added for each delivery address.

Picked up at the Solon Community Center, April 12th

A personalized Easter Bunny letter is available for $5.

Please text 319-551-4353- for additional information or email eileen4gfwc@gmail.com. This will be a fun and economical way to add excitement to your Easter celebration, and to benefit the Solon Community for years to come.

You can also nominate a deserving family to receive a surprise “Egg my Yard” delivery at no cost. Online registration and form completion will also be available via Facebook.

DES MOINES — High school and middle school archers from across the state gathered at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Friday, Feb. 28 through Sunday, March 1, for the 2025 Iowa National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Tournament. Among over 2,000 competitors were the Solon High School and Solon Middle School teams with a second place finish for the High School squad in Bullseye (traditional target) and a new team record score of 3,377.

Archery is a highly disciplined sport where safety is paramount, and every move carefully orchestrated. Archers shoot one practice round at ten meters followed by three scoring rounds. Next

comes a practice round at 15 meters followed by three scoring rounds. Each round consists of five arrows with 50 as the highest possible score per round and a perfect game being 300. Solon’s archers qualified in bullseye and 3-D (aiming at a replica of a deer).

Gwen LaGrange scored 286 and was fourth in 12th grade girls. William McAtee also shot 286 making him fifth in 9th grade boys. Owen Rekers’ 286 placed him seventh in 11th grade boys while Andi Billerbeck shot 283, good for seventh place in 12th grade girls. Peyton Carlson scored 282 for eighth place in 10th grade girls. Out of 56 teams in the state 34 qualified for State.

LaGrange shot 282 in 3-D for sixth place among 12th grade girls and Ashley Farnsworth shot 278 for fifth among 11th

grade girls. 47 teams compete in 3-D with 29 qualifying for the State Tournament. Solon’s Middle School team was 19th in bullseye with Leila LaRoche leading the way for the Spartans with 261, good for eighth place among 7th grade girls. Out of 61 middle school teams in Iowa 27 qualified for the State Tournament.

Six Spartans shot a perfect round (all five arrows hit the bullseye) – Otto Gehrke and Raelynn Hamer for the Middle School, and Andi Billerbeck, Peyton Carlson, Ashley Farnsworth, and Trevin Wilcox for the high school.

The Spartans’ performances qualified the teams for Nationals, to be held in Louisville, KY the second weekend of May.

Solon HS Bullseye results - Gwen LaGrange (Academic Archer) 286 (personal best), Owen Rekers (Academic Archer) 286, William McAtee (Academic Archer) 286 (personal best), Justin Moore (Academic Archer) 284, Andi Billerbeck (Academic Archer) 283, Peyton Carlson (Academic Archer) 282 (personal best), Jaxon Davis 282 (personal best), Jayden Merrick (Academic Archer) 281, Kaden Recker 278 (personal best), Sophia Barry (Academic Archer) 277 (personal best), Trevin Wilcox (Academic Archer) 276, Ashley Farnsworth (Academic Archer) 276, Carly Schmelzer 274, Madelyn Elkins (Academic Archer) 273, Sophia Miles (Academic Archer) 270, Alina Steele (Academic Archer) 269 (personal best), Evann Freerks (Academic Archer) 268, Mackenzie Craig (Academic Archer) 268, Lincoln

Schwartz (Academic Archer) 268, Jadlyn Huynh (Academic Archer) 267), Miranda Simison (Academic Archer) 263, Michael Bigelow (Academic Archer) 257, Caden Brock (Academic Archer) 257, Haiden Breckner (Academic Archer) 249, Elaina ‘Philip’ Miller (Academic Archer) 244, and Carter Brock (Academic Archer) 230.

Solon MS Bullseye results – Layne Harden 276 (personal best), Leila LaRoche (Academic Archer) 273 (personal best), William Hohn 270, Raelynn Hamer (Academic Archer) 268 (personal best), Otto Gehrke 264 (personal best), Autumn Miller 262, Emmitt Hamer 260, Cai Brock (Academic Archer) 260, Jacob Pauba 257, Hudson Thirtyacre (Academic Archer) 257, Koleton Davis (Academic Archer) 256 (personal best),

Charles Ferin 254, Jack Bogard (Academic Archer) 252, Henry Tiedemann 251 (personal best), Tanner Miller (Academic Archer) 248, Lincoln DeWild 247, Chloe Madura (Academic Archer) 245, Carley Hopp (Academic Archer) 245, Sawyer Gerlits 242, Carson Ehlinger 240, Aaron Bleeker (Academic Archer) 238, Joseph Cecil (Academic Archer) 231, Samuel Miller 231, and Abigail Allen (Academic Archer) 217.

Solon HS 3-D results – Gwen LaGrange (Academic Archer) 282 (personal best), Ashley Farnsworth (Academic Archer) 278, William McAtee (Academic Archer) 278, Trevin Wilcox (Academic Archer) 277, Justin Moore (Academic Archer) 275, Andi Billerbeck (Academic Archer) 271, Jayden Merrick (Academic Archer) 261, Jaxon Davis 261, Miranda Simison

(Academic Archer) 261, Mackenzie Craig (Academic Archer) 258, Alina Steele (Academic Archer) 258, Carly Schmelzer 256, Owen Rekers (Academic Archer) 256, Lucy Miller (Academic Archer) 252, Braylen Kreps 249, and Jadlyn Huynh (Academic Archer) 246.

Solon MS 3-D results – Chloe Madura (Academic Archer) 265 (personal best), Otto Gehrke 263, Carley Hopp (Academic Archer) 261 (personal best), Leila LaRoche (Academic Archer) 261 (personal best), Lincoln DeWild 256 (personal best), Layne Harden 255, Autumn Miller 252, Sawyer Gerlits 245, Jacob Pauba 240 (personal best), Hudson Thirtyacre (Academic Archer) 233, Joseph Cecil (Academic Archer) 221, and Koleton Davis (Academic Archer) 207.

Soaring with the Eagles: A spotlight on Solon’s Eagle Scouts

Jayden Merrick throws shade, in a good way

Chris Umscheid Solon Economist chris.umscheid@soloneconomist.com

SOLON — Jayden Merrick, a senior at Solon High School, has joined the elite ranks of the Eagle Scouts with his board of review in October 2023 and Eagle Court of Honor last April.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank a Scout can achieve. It is an elite title, and one which stays with them for life. It also serves as a testament to their character, explained Tom Clingerman, Chartered Organization Representative for the Solon American Legion Post 460, and a Scout Leader for over 30 years, in a 2022 interview.

“The power of the Eagle Scout rank is in the reputation of those Scouts who have attained it.” Typically, Four-to-six years of work often go into these projects, and the individual skills learned are not as important as the demonstrated "perseverance" of the Scout. “Eagle Scouts have been recognized as people with great potential. They are people for whom hard work is not a problem. Because of their association with Scouting, for so many years, they tend to adopt its belief in the qualities promoted in its Oath and Law, predominated by a sense of Honor and truthfulness, loyalty to their

Jayden

contributed photos Left: Jayden Merrick earned the title of Eagle Scout last April. The Solon HS senior currently serves Scout Troop

as

Assistant Scoutmaster, is on the Solon HS archery team, a member of Solon Robotics, and does set construction for Solon’s drama and fine arts productions. Right and below: Jayden Merrick (front, center) led 41 people in his Eagle Scout Service Project to erect a sunshade canopy at the SRNA’s splash pad.

country and others, and a feeling that they ‘can’ make a difference,” Clingerman said.

Merrick started his Scout career by joining the Cub Scouts in first grade.

“I’ve been consistently active since then and transitioned to Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) when I was in fifth grade.”

Merrick served as the Senior Patrol Leader of Solon’s Troop 120 for six months and serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster until he leaves for college (Iowa State to study software engineering).

Key to the process of earning the rank of Eagle Scout is planning and conducting a service project, typically for a nonprofit entity. Thousands of hours of project service have been performed in the Solon area

benefiting the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Army Corps of Engineers, the Solon Community School District, Solon Recreation Dept., care centers, churches, and landscaping at the Veterans Memorial. The Eagle candidate must work with a sponsor organization, create a detailed plan, and get it approved before work begins. The Scout acts as the program manager scoping out the project, determining and acquiring the required materials and tools, creating a detailed schedule, and recruiting the manpower to execute the plan.

Merrick’s project was to build a sun shade at the splash pad and to replace the planter boxes around the Timber Dome, both at the Solon Recreation and Nature Area (SRNA).

“I had wanted to help

improve areas in the community. I had looked at other projects as well but eventually decided this this was the one I wanted to do the most,” he said.

“Volunteers made two 5’ by 5’ concrete pads near the splash pad and, across the parking lot, built seven wooden planter boxes. We had two groups of volunteers with one group mixing concrete and making the concrete pads and the other group making the planter boxes.”

Merrick had originally figured on two days to complete the work but with rain in the forecast he decided to press on.

“I lead the scouts in a police line (walking in a line picking up trash) of a nearby prairie as some adults set the sunshade posts. After the police line, we went back and set up the sun

shade canopy.”

Materials for the project were provided by the City of Solon leaving manpower needs to Merrick, who recruited family and members of Troop 120.

Additional help was provided by some City staff for a total of 41 people and 255 manhours of work, according to Merrick. Planning began late in November 2022 making it a four month process from start to completion. His efforts earned recognition as one of six finalists for the Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year for the Southern Prairie District.

In addition to Scouts, Merrick is also a member of the Solon HS Archery Team and Solon Robotics where he is the programmer for his team. He also does set construction for drama and fine arts.

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Kuennen, who has managed the business for 20 years, said the rapid growth of Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, along with increasing urbanization in the Corridor, has transformed the customer base, shifting demand from large-scale industrial farms to smaller hobby farms.

“A lot of what we've seen over the years is somebody that maybe was a big hog farmer 15 years ago, whether the market pushed them out or the cities pushed them out, a lot of them just aren't around anymore,” Kuennen said.

However, Kuennen said agriculture in the Corridor hasn’t disappeared but has evolved with smaller hobby farms becoming more common — prompting Solon Feed Mill to adapt alongside this shift.

“We're doing a lot more small batches,” Kuennen said. “We may have had a customer that would get 20 ton of pig feed. Now, instead of one big customer, I might replace that with five smaller customers.”

With this shift in customers, Kuennen said Solon Feed Mill has seen growing demand for non-GMO feed as a

Don’t miss your chance to own a special art piece! We have a large variety of pieces but these local artists and scenes are special to Solon! Visit the Library and browse the art, generously donated by local artists and collectors, “Put a Bid on It” and support the Foundation. Bidding closes at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 15th. All funds raised will be used to replace the meeting room dividing wall to allow a more flexible space for our community.

Library Events

Join us for Spring Break Fun at the Library, there’s something for everyone! Regular programs like Chair Yoga and Book Club will also be taking place during spring break.

Monday, March 17, at 2:30 p.m. it’s AllAges LEGO Day!

Tuesday, March 18, at 3:00 p.m. we’re having Hot Cocoa, Board Games, & Conversations for 6th-12th graders.

Wednesday, March 19, register to Read with Willa the Dog at 4:00 p.m. for 1st-8th graders, registration required.

Thursday, March 20, at 1:30 p.m. it’s AllAges Movie Day! Showing Garfield [PG]

This month participants in Solon Book Club are reading and discussing In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick. “In 1820, the whaleship Essex was rammed and sunk by an angry sperm whale, leaving the desperate crew to drift for more than ninety days in three tiny boats. Nathaniel Philbrick uses little-known documents and vivid details about the Nantucket whaling tradition to reveal the chilling facts of this infamous maritime disaster.” Join us Tuesday, March 18, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss this harrowing tale.

Spring Baby Time begins with a new twist Monday, March 24, at 9:15 a.m. Join us at the Solon Community Center for this six-week session of songs, rhymes, and

more natural option for hobby farmers raising goats, sheep, and occasionally cattle.

“On the nutrition standpoint, people are trying to find better ways to keep their animals healthy, and a lot of times in a more natural way,” Kuennen said.

The shift toward hobby farming isn’t unique to Solon Feed Mill.

Mark Krob, manager of Krob F J & Co Elevator, another agricultural business in Solon, said he has also seen an increase in local small-scale farmers.

Founded in 1910 by Krob’s great-grandfather, Frank Joseph Krob, in Ely, the company expanded to Solon in 1928 establishing a long-standing presence in the region’s agricultural industry.

“It's become part of who we are. We’re in our fourth generation,” Krob said. “It started out with just my greatgrandfather, and then he passed it down to his three sons and son in law, and then my father and my uncle after that, and then now it's myself and two cousins.”

In addition to urban growth, Krob said the local landscape naturally favors smaller farms as hills and rivers limit the average farm size to around 600 acres.

“They're able to do things a little more like grandpa did

fun for little ones 0-36 months and caregivers. Siblings welcome! Stick around after Baby Time to enjoy free entry to Tot Time from 10:00 a.m.-Noon.

Join us for an out-of-this-world adventure with our friends from the Iowa Children's Museum Monday, March 24, at 6:00 p.m. Kids will design their own spacecraft, build a moon base, and discover how telescopes like the James Webb capture stunning images of our universe. With interactive stations and plenty of creativity, this stellar adventure will bring the wonders of space to life! Designed for elementary-aged learners. All are welcome! No registration necessary.

We’ll begin our Spring Drawing Club sessions Wednesday, March 26, at 3:45 p.m.

Students in 4th-8th grades, come join us for a six-week session! Each week we will focus on learning about a different drawing skill or technique, followed by free-drawing time. Participants will enjoy a snack and artwork sharing circle at the end of each workshop. Registration is required. Participants are encouraged to attend all six sessions but may register for individual sessions as space allows. Supplies will be provided.

Library Access

Regular Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays. Please always refer to our website calendar or call to check hours as winter weather may impact our ability to be safely open.

Please note the upcoming special hours at the Library: The Library will be open Friday, March 28, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. to allow time for our regular monthly staff in-service after closing.

Everyone is welcome at the Library

Wartburg students accepted into the Teacher Education Program

WAVERLY – Nineteen Wartburg College students, including Kerrigan Lyons and Seamus Poynton, both of Solon, were accepted into the college’s Teacher Education Program.

Students had to demonstrate effective reflective components in teaching and complete several other requirements to be considered for the program. Admission to the Teacher Education Program allows students to begin professional education courses in their field.

Wartburg College, a four-year liberal arts college internationally recognized for community engagement, enrolls about 1,500 students. A college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Wartburg is dedicated to challenging and nurturing students for lives of leadership and service as a spirited expression of their faith and learning. The college is characterized by vigorous academic expectations and community engagement within an environment of strong personal support.

it around here than probably in some other areas of the state,” Krob said. “There's something nice about that.”

Krob said his family business primarily operates as a grain elevator, a facility that collects, stores, and markets grain from farmers, helping them manage their harvests and sell crops efficiently.

“We're mainly centered on the local farmers — the corn, soybean, and livestock farmers in the area,” Krob said.

However, Krob said that while farms have gotten smaller, advancements in equipment and automation have significantly changed how work gets done.

“It's become more and more mechanized,” Krob said. “My grandfather, when they loaded a truckload of corn, they would just throw it over the side of the truck with a scoop shovel. Now we use augers, conveyors, grain vacs, things of that nature.”

Many local hobby farmers have found success by tapping into niche markets, such as raising livestock for meat, to meet the growing demand from city customers seeking farm-to-table food, Krob said.

“It's risky. Takes effort,” Krob said. “Got to learn a whole new business. But, I will say, there are quite a few small farms around here that are doing just that.”

and our programs. Please contact us with access needs.

What’s new?

Ready for a movie night without the fuss? Pick up one of the latest releases or browse for an old favorite.

Gladiator II. Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honor needed to return the glory of Rome to its people. [Rated R]

Hitpig! A clever bounty-hunting pig must return a dancing elephant to a Las Vegas circus to collect $1 million. However, when the mission goes sideways, he soon realizes that no amount of money is worth

St. Ambrose announces Fall Dean’s List

DAVENPORT - At St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA, hard work always leads to recognition.

Nora Dibble and Ellyse Holubar, both of Solon, were named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2024 term. Students named to the Dean’s List have earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

South Dakota State announces summer, fall 2024 graduation list

BROOKINGS, S.D. — The following students graduated after the summer and fall 2024 semesters at South Dakota State University. Nearly 950 students completed all requirements for a degree and/or certificate program, and those requirements have been verified by the appropriate college.

Overall, students from 36 states and 23 nations graduated following the summer and fall 2024 semesters.

Nearly 40 students received two or more degrees or

losing his newfound friends. [Rated PG]

Miss Scarlet, season 5. As the allnew season kicks off, Eliza Scarlet is once again back at it with her own agency and this time around, it’s certainly thriving. But while her professional life may be on a successful path, on the personal side, the Duke has now been away in New York for several months, leaving Eliza to make a difficult decision. Meanwhile, a new Detective Inspector, Alexander Blake, comes to Scotland Yard and she must navigate building a relationship with him if she’s going to continue having access to police resources. All these changes and decisions beg the question: Can Eliza Scarlet really have it all?

Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot. Donna and Reverend Martin ignite a movement of compassion in their East Texas church for 22 families to adopt 77 of the most difficult-to-place kids in the foster system. [Rated PG-13]

certificates from a college.

Adam Bock, of Solon, graduated with a Master of Engineering from SDSU's Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering.

Carson Shive, of Solon, graduated with a Bachelor of Science from SDSU's College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

About South Dakota State University

Founded in 1881, South Dakota State University is the state's Morrill Act land-grant institution as well as its largest, most comprehensive school of higher education. SDSU confers degrees from seven different colleges representing more than 230 majors, minors and specializations. The institution also offers 38 master's degree programs, 16 Ph.D. and two professional programs.

The work of the university is carried out on a residential campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across the state. SDSU's research expenditures for the 2024 fiscal year were $84 million.

OPINIONS

I'm

finally old enough – so what's changed?

Food for Thought

Milli Gilbaugh

Do you remember how much of your childhood was spent waiting to get old enough?

No matter how many birthdays you'd had, there was always something you wanted to have, or longed to do, that was prohibited because you weren't old enough.

As a small child, I faced this almost daily. Crossing the street alone, riding my tricycle all the way around the block, staying up past eight-thirty. By the time I reached the magical age, those were replaced by a whole new set of wants that were permitted my older sister and other children in the neighborhood. The argument that other kids my age were allowed to do something forbidden to me never worked with my mother. She'd just say something like, “Well, Norma Jo isn't MY little girl,” and I'd end up feeling sorry for Norma Jo because her parents were overpermissive.

Today, the adolescent years still swarm with wants and want-to-dos, all necessary to becoming an adult and with all the rights and responsibilities that go with it. We all wish our children would slow down just a little and take their time—remain children just a bit longer—but they can't seem to get there fast enough. The rites of passage in my day, seem pretty tame compared to what our teens expect today. It was a major decision for my mother to declare that I was old enough to shave my legs, wear lipstick, earrings, or high-heeled shoes. I can't imagine what she would have to say about cell phones, credit cards, chat rooms and thousand-dollar concert tickets.

The two real biggies then were getting an after-school job and going on dates. Those were engraved in stone and were subjects not to be broached until we were sixteen. Dad was hard-working and proud that he could provide for his family. He was proud that his wife did not have to “hold down an outside job” and that his daughters did not need to work but only chose to. Even after we had part-time jobs in high school, we received a generous weekly allowance, plus five dollars for every A on our report cards. As for dating, I suspect that, because he had four daughters, Dad meant to delay the complexities of boy-girl relationships for as long as possible.

My first date was with a boy who endeared himself to my dad by phoning and asking his permission to invite me to go bowling with him - and his parents! Hardly the enchanting experience I'd been led to expect from all those Jane Withers and Mickey Rooney movies. My first job (aside from helping run my parents' miniature golf course) was for a few hours per week lettering signs and arranging display windows at the Penney's Store. Occasionally, I helped clerk during busy times. All for fifty cents an hour. And there was one mortifying episode in the men's department, when my boyfriend's mother came in to buy boxer shorts for him.

I don't know how I got to be ninety so soon, but maybe I am finally old enough to do anything I want to do, within legal and moral limits. Problem is – I no longer want to do most of them. For a good many years, I wanted to do such glamorous and exciting things as; learn to be a really good dancer, wear an exquisite evening gown, see a live ballet performance, hire someone else to paint the ceiling, brush up on my French, take a scenic train ride across Canada, read the Rubaiyat, take a luxurious cruise and spend months traveling to exotic places. I wanted to see the Mona Lisa in person, attend the New Year Day concert in Vienna and, oh, so many things that other people actually do.

Today, I have no such impossible ambitions. I don't sleep well in strange places, get stiff and restless after two hours in a car, bus, train or plane. I don't like the idea of giving up the comfort of familiar surroundings and proven routines. I prefer to do my traveling through the magic of television, books, and my own imagination. The discomforts of age rule out any desire to dance, ski, hike, para-sail, scubadive or ride a camel. As the song says, I can see “far-away places with strange-sounding names” with Rick Steves on my TV screen.

I can do as I please because I'm finally old enough.

Q&A: President’s address to Congress

With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Q: Why did President Trump address a joint session of Congress?

A: Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution says the president “shall from time to time” give Congress information about the state of the union. George Washington set the precedent by fulfilling this duty in person. Although his successors from 1801 to 1913 sent their messages to Congress in writing, President Woodrow Wilson resumed the tradition of delivering the address in person that’s continued through the 47th president. While President Harry Truman’s 1947 address was the first televised to the nation, LBJ’s address in 1965 started the tradition of delivering the televised address in the evening.

Since then, the nation’s chief executive has used the annual opportunity to speak directly to the American people, outline the priorities and achievements of the administration and offer legislative proposals for Congress in the coming year. Although it looks and sounds like a State of the Union address, that title refers to the annual speech after a president’s first year in office. So, while March 4th was the fifth time for President Trump to give an annual address before a joint session of Congress, this update covered the first 43 days of his second term. And that six-week timeline is notable for the remarkable breadth of executive actions – and achievements – since inauguration day on January 20. Since Iowans first sent me to Congress, I’ve represented the people of Iowa under nine administrations. That adds up to a half-century of annual presidential addresses. In all that time, this is the first presidency that has dramatically upended business-as-usual since day one. I compare Trump’s first month in office of his second term as a hurricane uprooting the status quo. He wasted no time delivering on his promises to secure the border, bring manufacturing jobs back to America and reverse the disastrous policies of the previous administration that led to historic inflation and high cost of living.

Q: What were the highlights of President Trump’s message?

A: This president understands the power of the bully pulpit. Throughout his speech – the longest annual address in modern history, surpassing President Bill Clinton’s 85-minute State of the Union address in 1995 by 15 minutes –Trump grabbed the bull by the horns and charged full steam ahead, declaring “America is back.” His critics need to come to grips with reality. Trump won the popular vote and America witnessed a historical electoral shift that delivered Republican majority control in both houses of Congress and the White House. In our system of self-government,

elections are intended to have consequences. The victories in November are a mandate for Trump’s agenda: the American people rejected the reckless policies of the previous administration that fostered historic inflation and open borders that allowed a wave of an estimated 10 million illegal immigrants to enter the country, empowering dangerous cartels to infiltrate communities with drug and human trafficking networks.

As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I recently held a hearing on my bipartisan HALT Act that would give law enforcement better tools to put an end to our nation’s deadly opioid crisis. Chinese fentanyl poured into the U.S. under the Biden-Harris administration’s open border. The bill I got passed out of committee in February is now one step closer to the president’s desk. Families grieving the loss of a loved one from deadly fentanyl are leading a grassroots effort to prevent other families from experiencing the crushing loss of an overdose death. During his address, Trump explained one of the reasons for the tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China were partly a response to their inaction toward the flow of fentanyl into the United States, which kills 200 Americans every day in our country.

Trump also doubled down on his work to scrutinize federal spending and curb the cost of living. By cutting costly regulations and unleashing the power of American energy, the Trump administration seeks to lower energy costs by investments in natural gas pipelines and expanding the production of rare earth minerals. With unapologetic pride and hope for America, the president highlighted a handful of Americans in attendance who captured the spirit of America for their sacrifice, heroism and pursuit of the American Dream. During the speech he made a 13-year-old cancer survivor an honorary Secret Service agent; told an aspiring candidate to the U.S. military academy he was admitted into West Point; and shined a spotlight on grieving families of crime. Notably, the first bill Trump signed into law was the Laken Riley Act, which included Sarah’s Law, named after a young Iowan killed nine years ago by an illegal migrant while driving drunk. It was an honor to be at the White House signing ceremony in her memory, alongside Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Randy Feenstra who I worked with to get this legislation passed. The president presented a strong agenda to strengthen American sovereignty, uphold freedom and liberty and bring prosperity to households, farms and businesses across the country. As always, I’m committed to represent the views and concerns of Iowans as Congress continues work on the people’s business.

Attorney General Bird urges FDA to crackdown on dangerous, counterfeit weight loss

Alyssa Brouillet

Communications Director, Office of the Iowa Attorney General

DES MOINES — Last Friday, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced a multistate letter urging the Food and Drug Administration to take immediate action to stop the surge in dangerous, counterfeit weight loss drugs.

Bad actors have taken advantage of the skyrocketing demand for weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro. Unsafe and unregulated counterfeit drugs from countries including China, Turkey, and India are now flooding the U.S. These fake drugs are nearly indistinguishable from real ones and may contain dangerous contaminants or unknown substances. There are even examples of injectable insulin being repackaged and falsely sold as Ozempic. Injecting these fake medications can have serious consequences, including hospitalization.

Matters are made worse when online retailers sell people active ingredients without a prescription. Someone’s health could be jeopardized if they are forced to formulate the medication themselves—especially if they do not have the proper supplies or knowledge of how to safely combine ingredients or inject medication.

drugs

Leaving patients to self-dose has deadly consequences and contributes to the rise in overdose deaths. Iowans may also be at risk if they do not properly store ingredients or sterilize equipment.

“No one should be at risk for trying to improve their health,” said Attorney General Bird. “But bad actors are selling people fake treatments and unknown substances to mix at home. It’s a recipe for disaster. And these fake drugs hurt real lives. If left unchecked, these unsafe and unregulated drugs could lead to hospitalization, and even overdose. I am urging the FDA to take action to stop the counterfeit drug epidemic and keep Americans safe.”

The States are urging the FDA to take immediate action to intercept dangerous counterfeit drugs and hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for any illegal conduct.

Iowa joined the letter with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, District of Columbia, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Proposed legislation prompts concerns for libraries

Public libraries have long stood as pillars of education, access to information, and community enrichment. In Iowa, our libraries not only provide resources for lifelong learning but also serve as inclusive spaces where individuals from all walks of life can gather, explore, and grow. However, recent legislative proposals—specifically HF521 and SF235—pose significant threats to the ability of public libraries to continue fulfilling these vital roles.

The essential role of public libraries

Public libraries are more than just buildings full of books; they are vibrant community hubs. They offer free access to a wealth of information, support digital literacy, and provide programs that cater to diverse interests and age groups. From early childhood storytimes that foster a love for reading to workshops that enhance job-seeking skills, libraries adapt to the evolving needs of their communities. In rural areas and underserved populations, libraries often serve as the primary, if not sole, access point to critical information and services.

Potential impact of HF521 and SF235

House File 521 and Senate File 235 aim to modify existing obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions. While the intent behind these bills may be to protect community standards, the broad language used could lead to unintended consequences. By altering obscenity exemptions, these bills could subject libraries and educational institutions to increased legal scrutiny and potential penalties for materials deemed inappropriate by subjective standards. This shift could result in self-censorship among librarians and educators, limiting the diversity of materials available and hindering the open exchange of ideas that is fundamental to educational growth.

THE DRISCOLL DISPATCH

State Senator Dawn Driscoll

Last week was “funnel week” in the legislature, which means we had our first deadline for Senate bills to be passed through their respective committees (with a few exceptions). Any bills that were not passed through committee are now deemed “dead,” which means they won’t be considered for the rest of the legislative session. At the beginning of the legislative session, we start with the hundreds of bills that are introduced. What remains at the end of the "funnel" are the bills we will continue to consider the rest of the year. This helps us narrow our focus during the session to prioritize the most important pieces of legislation.

Agriculture Committee

In committee this week, we discussed three bills: Senate File 432, Senate Study Bill 1158, and Senate Study Bill 1160. SF 432 dealt with “partition fences,” which are fences that separate two properties. Currently, the law states that if a landowner builds or maintains a partition fence, the neighboring landowner must share the cost of such. SF 432 states that these rules for private landowners also apply to government agencies (like the DNR), which means agencies must share the costs of partition fences.

Next, SSB 1158 is what I like to call the “food pyramid” bill. This bill modifies Iowa’s K-12 curriculum to include instruction on the nutritional benefits of animal-based protein and the role of real meat, dairy, vegetables and fruit in a balanced diet. This bill is another example of the legislature investing in the long-term success of Iowa students—physically and academically.

Finally, SSB 1160 updates and strengthens agricultural regulations regarding crop production and fertilizers, livestock care, animal health, and meat processing. Each of these bills passed through committee last Tuesday.

Bills sponsored

I also want to highlight the bills I’ve sponsored this session, several of which passed through their committees to remain “alive” in the legislature.

• Senate File 22: A bill for an act relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while driving, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.

• Senate File 111: A bill for an act relating to school personnel training, emergency care planning, authorizations for assisting, and limitations of liability concerning students with epilepsy or a seizure disorder.

• Senate File 114: A bill for an act relating to the baiting of deer on public or private property and providing

Consequences for community access and education

If enacted, HF521 and SF235 could force libraries to remove or restrict access to a wide array of materials, including classic literature, educational content, and resources that reflect the experiences of marginalized communities. Such actions would not only diminish the richness of our library collections but also impede the ability of individuals to seek information that broadens their perspectives and fosters critical thinking. Moreover, these restrictions could disproportionately affect those who rely on public libraries for access to uncensored information, including students, researchers, and individuals without internet access at home.

Advocating for our libraries

It is imperative that we recognize and preserve the autonomy of public libraries to curate collections that reflect the diverse interests and needs of our communities. Rather than imposing restrictive measures, we should trust the expertise of librarians and educators to make informed decisions about the materials they provide. By doing so, we uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and ensure that libraries remain spaces where curiosity is encouraged, knowledge is accessible, and community bonds are strengthened.

Sincerely,

Sandy Lawrence, President of Solon Public Library Board of Trustees

Bob King, President of Solon Public Library Foundation

Susan Scott, President of The Friends of Solon Public Library

penalties.

• Senate File 140: A bill for an act relating to the establishment of satellite absentee voting stations on school property.

• Senate File 321: A bill for an act prohibiting the expenditure of certain public moneys for dues or membership fees to high school organizations that do not use required enrollment calculations when determining school classifications for extracurricular interscholastic activities.

• Senate File 451: A bill for an act relating to the duties of fire officials and reports of fires and emergency responses.

Gender identity

Finally, I briefly want to mention a topic of conversation from the previous week. Senate File 418, which removes the phrase “gender identity” from Iowa’s Civil Rights Act, passed both the Senate and House last week, and Governor Reynolds signed this bill into law on February 28. I ultimately voted for this piece of legislation because I believe it offers necessary protections for all girls and women in Iowa, especially in places like locker rooms, bathrooms, and athletics. Without removing “gender identity” from Iowa Code, courts could overturn existing laws that currently keep biological males out of these spaces, thus compromising spaces designated for biological females. The rationale behind my vote was shared by many of my constituents, too - almost all the individuals who called, emailed, and left messages overwhelmingly supported this measure.

Day in the District

The past few weeks have made for busy Days in the District. Over these weeks, Representatives Lawler and Hora and I made several trips to hospitals around the district, including Washington County Hospital and Compass Memorial Hospital. We spent time touring these facilities and speaking with hospital faculty about present issues in rural health care. These conversations reinforced how grateful I am for all our medical and health care workers and the critical services they provide in our communities.

Additionally, Representative Lawler and I recently visited Kinze Manufacturing, which is a leading manufacturer of innovative and easy-to-use agricultural equipment for our communities. We toured the Kinze facilities and spent time with several members at Kinze discussing their plans to expand production. I want to commend the products that they provide for our communities and for the agriculture industry.

As always, it is an honor to serve District 46. It was an especially busy week at the legislature, so if you have any questions about specific bills, please reach out to me 319-356-6004.

PFI welcomes new cohort of beginning farmers to Savings Incentive Program

The two-year program helps beginning farmers create successful farm businesses

Elizabeth Wilhelm

Senior Media Relations Coordinator, Practical Farmers of Iowa

AMES — Seventeen beginning farmers have been accepted into Practical Farmers of Iowa’s Savings Incentive Program (SIP) Class of 2026. Since 2010, the two-year program has helped over 200 beginning farmers create successful farm businesses through mentorship, business support and financial support.

“As a small, specialty crop farm focused on building an agritourism destination, we think this program can provide us with the resources, guidance and community support needed to grow our farm’s impact and efficiency,” says Ryan Madison, a member of the SIP Class of 2026. “By participating, we hope to enhance our sustainability efforts, strengthen our market strategies and contribute to Iowa’s thriving agricultural community.”

From production to business management, there’s a lot to manage

when starting a farm. This program helps farmers stay accountable to their goals and to creating a business plan. Throughout the twoyear program, participants get business support from PFI staff, make valuable connections with other farmers and grow their savings. PFI matches their savings when they complete the program requirements.

“Starting a farm is a huge undertaking, so having a strong support system can make all the difference,” says Savanah Laur, PFI’s business viability manager. “We’re excited to welcome this year’s cohort and support them in building resilient, successful farm businesses.”

Introducing the SIP Class of 2026:

Chie Awumah (Johnston, IA)Specialty vegetables

Tyler & Beth Bird (Solon, IA) - Vegetables, flowers, poultry, alpacas and sheep

Tyler & Morgan Bruck (Audubon, IA)Strawberries, sweet corn and pumpkins

April Clark & Parker Grimes (Des Moines, IA)Ducks, bees, vegetables and foraged crops

Justin Jackson (Hartford, IA) - Corn,

soybeans, forages, cattle and poultry

Leah & Curtis Maeder (Indianola, IA) - Vegetables, fruits and flowers

Ryan Madison (Gladbrook, IA)Specialty crops

Catherine Schut (Prairie City, IA) - Flowers, chickens and bees

Hannah Scates Kettler (State Center, IA) - Flowers, herbs, pumpkins and vegetables

Ross Steinbronn (Waterloo, IA) - Vegetables, fruits, cattle, sheep, chickens and ducks

Shad Swanson (Essex, IA) - Fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices

Daniela Williams & Wes Hepker (Mount Carroll, IL) - Chickens, ducks, pigs, vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers

To date, SIP participants have saved over $318,000 – and after receiving their match dollars, have been able to purchase more than $571,000 in long-term assets to further their farming operations.

Applications for the next round of the Savings Incentive Program will open in the fall. Sign up for Beginning Farmer News or Practical News (https:// practicalfarmers.org/get-

involved/connect-with-pfi/ email-newsletters/) to receive announcements about this program in your email inbox.

For questions about the program, contact Savanah Laur at (515) 2325661 or savanah.laur@ practicalfarmers.org.

About Practical Farmers: Practical Farmers of Iowa is a nonprofit with more than 9,000 members that equips farmers to build resilient farms and communities. We create learning opportunities via farmer-led events, on-farm research and educational content through our robust network of farmers. We also provide funding and technical assistance to help farmers adopt regenerative farming practices and grow farm businesses. Our vision is an Iowa with healthy soil, healthy food, clean air, clean water, resilient farms and vibrant communities. To learn more, visit http:// practicalfarmers.org.

The new Solon High School Future Farmers of America program: Year One

An in-depth look into the new program, and the ways it has been a rousing success thus far

Ella E. McEntaffer For the Solon Economist

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Solon High School National Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA) has a new partnership this year with Cedar Rapids Prairie High School. Previously, Solon FFA was combined with the West Branch FFA.

“The partnership with Prairie has gone well this school year, and we will continue to work on the logistics and schedule to reduce class time missed at SHS for those students attending Prairie for their ag courses,” said Solon Principal Drew Bunkers.

In his first year as principal at Solon High School, Bunkers said the community has been largely supportive of the new collaboration and is focused on providing students with the best possible opportunities to explore their interests.

“We have a student population interested in ag courses, yet not enough to employ a full-time ag teacher here at Solon High School,” Bunkers said. “This partnership still allows students to have quality classroom experiences related to agriculture within a reasonable distance of our high school.”

18 students at Solon High School are enrolled in FFA and are taking an introduction to agriculture course, a yearlong class that meets every other day, according to Bunkers. He emphasized the benefits of FFA involvement, saying the district has seen substantial positive impacts.

“I believe student involvement in FFA helps

build leadership skills that are essential to their development as both students and individuals,” Bunkers said. “This benefits the community as well because students take those skills and bring them into their employment.”

Kristy Thomann, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Cedar Rapids Prairie High School, agrees. “FFA is a national organization that promotes premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education,” Thomann said. “FFA provides numerous opportunities for students to become leaders in their school and community.”

Beyond the classroom, Prairie and Solon students also have access to the Prairie Agricultural Facility, which opened in fall 2022. The 6,400-square-foot building sits on more than 150 acres of farmland, offering students a hands-on learning environment in a variety of agricultural topics. Many students say the facility is a highlight of the program, and Solon students Kaden Recker and Jack Steinbrech cited the opportunity to visit the building as their favorite part of the new partnership. Other Solon students have embraced the new connections they’ve made through the program.

“One major highlight is being able to meet new people and connect our school districts,” said Alannah Mahoney. “Before doing FFA, I didn’t know anyone from Prairie other than some family members. Now, I have friends and peers that I know through school.”

Students also said they enjoyed workshops, attending conventions, the jacket ceremony, and learning fundamental FFA values.

“The organization is extremely hands-on, and it offers multiple contests, training, and workshops for students to strive for success and build on their personal and careerrelated skills,” Thomann said. She added that the benefits of the program extend beyond skills and career development. “The goal of the program is to always help students find their place in agriculture, regardless of their previous

knowledge or background,” Thomann said.

Overall, the program has been well received in both communities.

“The students involved in the ag program have had a very positive experience, and I believe having the ag partnership with Prairie has provided them opportunities that otherwise would not be available,” Bunkers said.

Passed by the Council the 5th day of February, and approved this 5th day of February, 2025.

Dan O’Neil, Mayor

ATTEST:

Susie Siddell, City Clerk Published in the Solon Economist March 13, 2025.

NEWS RELEASE

Kronlage & Olson, P.C., Certified Public Accountants, today released an audit report on the City of Solon for the year ended June 30, 2024.

The City's governmental receipts totaled

$5,056,908, for the year ended June 30, 2024, a 10% decrease from the prior year. The governmental receipts included $1,686,852 of property tax, $675,086 of tax increment financing, $387,531 of charges for service, $631,589 of operating grants, contributions and restricted interest, $840,524 of local option sales tax, $142,253 of unrestricted interest on investments, and $693,073 of other general receipts.

Disbursements for the year ended June 3D, 2022, totaled

$6,041,888, a 13% decrease from the prior year and included $1,193,413 for public works, $1,040,465 for debt service, $2,147,312 for general government, $874,484 for culture and recreation, and $5412332 for capital projects. In addition, other financing uses were $558,527. Also disbursements for business type activities totaled $1,412,833. Kron I age & Olson, P .C. reported 4 findings which can be found on pages 45-48 of the report. The findings address improvements needed related to segregation of duties, financial statement preparation, disbursements exceeding budgeted amounts, and information reported on the City's Annual Urban Renewal Report. Kronlage & Olson provided the City with recommendations to address each of the findings. The City Council has a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of the City's operations and financial transactions. Oversight is typically defined as the "watchful and responsibility care" a governing body exercises in its fiduciary capacity.

A copy of the audit report is available for review in the City Clerk's Office, in the Office of Auditor of State and on the Auditor of State's web site at https://auditor. iowa.gov/audit-reports. Published in the Solon Economist March 13, 2025.

SOLON TRI-TOWNSHIP EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCY

SOLON TRI-TOWNSHIP FIREHOUSE

400 WINDFLOWER LANE

SOLON, IA

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Vice Chairman Jim Sedlacek called the February 20, 2025 agency meeting to order at 6 pm, of the Solon Tri-Township Agency, with a Roll Call: Dan O’Neil, Jim Sedlacek, Jerry Serbousek and Bob Upmeyer for Ryan Hajek. Also Present: Fire Chief Bob Siddell, Clerk Susie Siddell, Trustee John Tiffany. Motion by Upmeyer to approve the

Auditor’s Office to mail property tax notification statements on or by March 15

The Johnson County Auditor’s Office will mail property taxpayer notification statements to Johnson County property owners containing statespecified information about proposed local government budgets and property tax rates on or by March 15, 2025. This is following the recent legislative change outlined in Iowa Code 24.2A.

These mailings are not property tax bills but rather informative documents containing proposed city, school district, and county budgets. They do not include proposed budgets for smaller taxing entities, such as the community college, assessor’s office, townships, and agricultural extension service. The information is for taxes payable in September 2025 and March 2026. The purpose of the statement is to provide taxpayers with information about the proposed city, school district, and county budgets in time for the taxpayers to address the proposals at public hearings held before the budgets are approved. The date, time and location of the hearings are included in the

February 20, 2025 Agenda. Seconded by Serbousek. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. Citizen Speak: None Clerk Report: Motion by Serbousek to approve the November 11, 2024 meeting minutes. Seconded by O’Neil. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. Motion by Serbousek to approve the list of bills. Seconded by O’Neil. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. Treasurer’s Report: Serbousek went over bank and CD totals with board. Serbousek there would be two CD’s maturing in October 2025 and one is 2026. Fire Chief’s Report: Last year they had 537 calls, November there were 42, December 50, January 53 and so far in February as of the 20th there have been 28 calls. Siddell stated at the next meeting they will have the yearend report. Siddell stated in January they had a motor vehicle accident with entrapment at the intersection of Ely road and 140th street by 600 acres, the same night they had a structure fire in Twin View Heights development, they had the fire under control in 18 minutes. In February they had a water rescue at Lake McBride State Park and another structure fire in Cottage Reserve. Siddell informed the board they are working on the new Johnson County 28E agreement. They received a new grass fighting slide unit for the 2019 ranger. The 2004 ranger went back to Johnson County Emergency Management. There were repairs to engine 311 installing new batteries. Also, the tanker 316 had one way valves installed on the direct tank water fills to keep the valves from freezing up. Siddell informed the board they had submitted and received that grant from Firehouse Subs, the money they received will purchase a new boat that will be totally equipped.

Serbousek questioned the old boat, Siddell stated that it is Johnson County EMA’s boat, and it will return to EMA. The equipment on the boat they have now will transfer to the new boat. Siddell informed the board they have put five new members on the department, Braden Miller, Alex Dickman, Luke Roose, Logan Wolfe and Brianna Roose, they now have 34 members to the roster. Serbousek questioned the station, if all has been fixed and working. Siddell stated there are some minor fixes that still need to be done. Firefighter Tyler Mallicoat was working on some electrical for the propane tank and the eyes for the east doors have been fixed. New Business: Discussion on new engine purchase: Siddell stated they had reached out to three different vendors. If the chassis would be ordered now it would be here next March – April 2026, the completion of the truck would be around 825 days from signing the contract putting it completed late in 2027 early 2028. The cost would be $1,078,841.61, that cost includes $20,000 amount for contingencies. Motion by Serbousek to approve the ordering and purchase of the new engine. Seconded by O’Neil. Roll Call Vote: Serbousek, O’Neil, Upmeyer and Sedlacek. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. Next regular Agency Meeting will be March 25, 2025 at 6pm.

statements. The budgets may be lowered after the public hearings but not raised.

Included in the document is the impact of the proposed city, school and county property tax rates on both residential and commercial properties valued at $100,000 and $300,000.

Taxpayers should be aware that the actual impact of these tax rates on their properties could vary significantly from the examples provided, which do not factor in potential changes in assessed values. If the property value was recently reassessed to a higher amount, the example on the statement will not accurately reflect the effect of the valuation increase on the property taxes.

Taxpayers owning more than one property may receive multiple letters if those properties are in different tax districts. For more information, contact the Auditor’s Office at 319-356-6004.

Public hearing for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 proposed property tax asking to take place Wednesday, March 26

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 proposed

Published in the Solon Economist March 13, 2025.

Motion to adjourn by Serbousek at 6pm. Seconded by O’Neil. All Ayes. Motion Carried. 4-0. ATTEST

Susie Siddell, Clerk Dan O’Neil, Secretary Published in the Solon Economist March 13, 2025.

NOTICE OF

DISSOLUTION

of KROB PROPERTIES, L.L.C.

TO: All Creditors and Claimants, if any, against Krob Propetties, L.L.C., and all other persons concerned

All the Creditors and Claimants, if any, against Krob Propetties, L.L.C., an Iowa limited liability company ("Company"), are hereby notified that a Statement of Dissolution was filed with the Iowa Secretary of State on March 4, 2025, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 489.701 and 490.702 of the

property tax asking at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The meeting will take place in conference room 203 on the second floor of the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building, 855 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City. All budget work sessions will be livestreamed via the Johnson County website and Zoom.

During the public hearing,

Iowa Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (tbe "Act"). The Company was dissolved effective with such filing. The principal office of the Company was 2903 Blue Ridge Court NE, Swisher, IA 52338.

If anyone has a claim against the Company, a written Notice of Claim should be provided to the Company in accordance with this Notice of Dissolution. The Notice of Claim should include the following information:

1. A brief statement explaining the nature and basis of the claim, including any other facts, documents, or events on which the claim is based;

2. The date or dates on which the claim arose; 3. The amount or other relief claimed from the Company; and

4. The names, addresses and telephone numbers of all persons or entities that have any legal

any resident or taxpayer may present objections to, or arguments in favor of the proposed tax asking. After the adoption of the proposed tax asking, the Board will set the time and date for a public hearing on the proposed FY2026 county budget and authorize the County Auditor to publish the notice for that public hearing.

Each year, the Johnson

right or interest in the claim. The Notice of Claim should be mailed or delivered to the Company as soon as possible at the following address: Krob Properties, L.L.C.

Attn: Terry Krob 2903 Blue Ridge Court NE Swisher, IA 52338 Please be advised that any claim against the Company will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce the claim is commenced within three (3) years after the date of publication of this Notice of Dissolution. This Notice of Dissolution is given in accordance with the provisions of Section 489.705 of the Act.

Shuttlewmth & Ingersoll, P.L.C.

Attn: Gary J. Streit 235 6th Street SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

Attorneys for Krob Properties, L.L.C. Published in the Solon Economist March 13, 2025.

County Board of Supervisors, coordinating with other County elected officials and department heads, conducts a thorough budgeting process to create the County’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The public is invited to attend all meetings. More information about the FY2026 budget is available at https://www. johnsoncountyiowa.gov/ finance/budget-documents.

CLASSIFIEDS

Pets For Sale

Shih Tzu's & Chishi Puppies. Fluffy, healthy. Parents on site. Vet checked & vaccinated. $900 & up. 563-210-5843

Wanted To Rent Young, growing & hardworking family searching for acreage with home & building(s) for 4-H animals to rent, maybe buy. Fixer upper is fine. Prefer Mt Vernon/Lisbon area. References available. Thank you. 563-210-5843.

Wanted

WANTED: JUNK APPLIANCES. Will pick up for free. Farm clean-up, batteries. Will buy junk cars. 319-331-8122

Class Action Lawsuit

IF YOU HAD KNEE OR HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY and suffered an infection between2020 and the present time, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Attorney Charles H. Johnson1-800-535-5727

Miscellaneous

Does your basement or crawl space need some attention? Call Thrasher Foundation Repair! A permanent solution for waterproofing, failing foundations, sinking concrete and nasty crawl spaces. FREE Inspection & Same Day Estimate. $250 off ANY project with code GET250. Call 1-866-5541730

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-855-954-5087 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-844376-4154.

SOLON SENIORS

A Big Thank You to our sponsors and donors for their support in Senior Dining’s mission to serve the Solon Community, and especially to those who support Senior Dining by attending the lunches or receive home deliveries.

Reminders

Bad weather closings – Senior Dining will notify our clients by phone of cancellations.

MARCH HAPPENINGS •••••••

Wednesday, March 19 – Larry Olson, Purple Martin program

Graceful in flight, musical in its pre-dawn singing, this big swallow is one of our most popular birds. Almost all Purple Martins in the east now nest in birdhouses put up especially for them.

Wednesday, March 26 – City Representative

DINING ••••••••••••••••••••• Home Deliveries

Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call 319-6242251 for information.

In-House Dining

Solon Methodist Church, Wednesdays only at 11:30 a.m. Meals cost $5.00, call 319-624-2251 for reservations (required) Monday between 10-11:00 a.m.

Bingo – Wednesdays AM/PM

Cards – Wednesdays PM

MARCH MENU

Friday, March 14

Pub Battered Fish

Macaroni & Cheese

Buttered Peas

Cherry Poke Cake

Monday, March 17

Corn Beef

Boiled Potatoes

Cabbage & Carrots

Rye Bread

Fudge Mint Brownie

Wednesday, March 19

Larry Olson, Purple Martin program

Stuffed Chicken Breast

Herbed Rice

Green Beans

Chocolate Cherry Dessert

Friday, March 21

Catch of the Day

Mini Baker Potatoes

Vegetable Blend

Sherbet

Thank you Solon Senior Dining volunteers!

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.”

SCHOOL BREAKFAST

The Solon Community School District is an equal opportunity provider. Menus will vary to accommodate the Federal Nutrition Guidelines. Please understand that menus are subject to change as needed. Please check your lunch account balances, purchases, and deposits online at solon.total.k12.com.

Nutrition office: 319-624-3401, Ext. 1120 or bwest@solon.k12.ia.us.

Student breakfast is FREE again this year

The Solon Community School District (SCSD) is once again able to offer free breakfast to students for the academic year. Becky West, Nutrition Director, explained the Nutritional Department’s financial situation, based on standard practice and guidance from the state, makes it possible to offer this important service to the students. “I believe that eating breakfast fuels the kids and teaches them how to eat a healthy breakfast to start your day,” said West.

Adult/Guest breakfast: $1.75

Friday, March 14 - Friday, March 21 Spring Break

Monday, March 24

Muffin (LV/SIS)

G&G Bag (LV) Muffin

SCHOOL LUNCH

For information on the free and reduced program, and an application, go to www.solon.k12.ia.us/ page/nutrition-program and scroll down to Nutrition Documents & Links.

STUDENT LUNCH PRICES

Friday, March 14 - Friday, March 21 Spring Break

Monday, March 24

MS/HS Alt: Crispitos

Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Croissant Cheesy Vegetable Medley, Carrots Cubed Peaches

Chocolate Chip Snack (SIS/MS/HS)

Tuesday, March 25

MS/HS Alt: Egg Rolls Popcorn Chicken Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Gravy

Mini Breakfast Corndogs or

— Elizabeth Andrew

French Toast & Sausage Links

Fruit, Juice, Crackers & Milk

Tuesday, March 25

Mini Doughnuts (LV/SIS)

G&G Bag (LV) Mini Doughnuts

Breakfast Bagel or Bubble Cake

Fruit, Juice, Crackers & Milk

Wednesday, March 26

French Toast Sticks & Sausage (LV/SIS)

G&G Bag (LV) Waffle Crackers

Breakfast Sandwich or Tornadoes

Fruit, Juice, Crackers & Milk

Thursday, March 27

Breakfast Sandwich (LV/SIS)

G&G Bag (LV) Cereal Bar

Egg Scramble w/Hash Brown or Mini Pancakes w/Sausage Links

Fruit, Juice, Crackers & Milk

Friday, March 28

Mini CC French Toast (LV/SIS)

G&G Bag (LV) Donut

Long John or Cinnamon Roll Fruit, Juice, Crackers & Milk

Strawberries & Blueberries Strawberry Yogurt (SIS/MS/HS) Dinner Roll (MS/HS)

Wednesday, March 26

MS/HS Alt: Stuffed Pepperoni Pizza Spartan Cheesy Bread Orange Carrots, Fava Crisps Pineapple, Cottage Cheese (MS/HS) Apple Crisp

Thursday, March 27

MS/HS Alt: Cook’s Delight Chicken Alfredo & Noodles

Mixed Vegetables, Radishes Garlic Toast Banana

Friday, March 28

MS/HS Alt: Cook’s Delight

Potato Bar, Bright Broccoli Cheese Sauce, Diced Ham

Garlic Knot (SIS/MS/HS), Mandarin Oranges Gold Fish Crackers

Across

1 Damsel in distress in Donkey Kong

8 Preschool timeouts

12 Lawn covering

15 Sources of fine wool

16 Ijeoma ___, author of 2018’s “So You Want to Talk About Race”

17 Air quality org.

18 Identity?

20 Mingle

21 Strikes down

22 Catherine ___, surviving wife of King Henry VIII

23 Platform that might update while you sleep

24 Closure

25 Deport?

28 Eschew carbs, maybe

30 NASA probe named for a Roman goddess

31 “No problemo”

32 Balance

34 Drags (in)

35 Arrange?

37 Canine?

39 Diminish, as trust

40 Sense of foreboding

42 Self-obsession

44 Darth Sidious, e.g., in the “Star Wars” universe

45 Machine learning fodder

49 Hiking?

51 Abraham Van Helsing and John Seward in “Dracula”: Abbr.

52 Zelda console, in brief

53 ___ Lum a.k.a. Awkwafina

54 Sources of soft wool

57 Purge

58 Fledge?

60 Tire inflation abbr.

61 Leave a review of, as an Airbnb

62 Banquet hiree

63 Fuji, e.g.: Abbr.

64 “What ___?”

65 Most hip

Down

1 Deconstructed, in a way

2 Kamala Harris and Thurgood Marshall vis-à-vis Howard University

3 Benefit

4 Stick it out

5 Drink with a Frosted Lemonade variety

6 Capital ball club, familiarly

7 Medium strength?

8 “What’s cookin’?” response

9 Clock radio feature

10 Rotten-smelling

11 “Your point being …?”

12 Submission to a record executive 13 Parts of a season 14 Become fuller, in a way 19 Serve hot takes

23 Paid no heed to

25 Fail to do something out of fear, with “out”

26 Wonks ... or a candy once owned by the Willy Wonka Candy Company

27 “Street Dreams” rapper

29 Obsequious sorts

30 #35

33 Smart-alecky

35 Ballpark player not wearing a uniform

36 Got a closer look

37 Org. that sells “Go Vegan and Nobody Gets Hurt” T-shirts

38 “Ni-i-ice!”

39 “Mice!”

40 Cost of doing business, maybe

41 Chinese “hello”

43 Rare type of rental car

46 ___ from afar 47 Remnants

48 Classify

50 Comes out of one’s skin

54 “OMG, I’m dying over here”

55 Mother to Apollo and Artemis

56 One-footed jump

57 Record player speed, for short

58 Test for an M.B.A. seeker

59 Air quality org.?

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.

SPORTS

GIRL'S TRACK

Solon graduate Callie Levin calls for a pass during the Iowa-Wisconsin game in the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on March 5. The freshman played nine minutes and tallied three assists and a rebound in the Hawkeyes' 8154 win. Last year as a senior at Solon, Levin was named Miss Iowa Basketball and led the Lady Spartans to a state championship. The Hawkeyes will receive their seeding and assignment for the NCAA Tournament on March 16.

Lady Spartans ready to set the track on fire in 2025

Growth, development, and improvement in the crosshairs this season

Solon Economist

SOLON — The Solon varsity girls track and field team finished ninth in last year’s State Co-Ed Meet and were second in the WaMaC Championships.

Coach Jess Hotek, in her third year as head coach and sixth year overall with the program, faces a roster minus graduated seniors Mia Duckett, Britt Elijah, Gracie Federspiel, Abigail Felton, Bella Jedlicka, Hailey Miller, Anna Quillin, Mia Stahle, Lilly Towne, and Ashlyn Williams. Duckett, Felton, Quillin, Stahle, and Towne were among the 16 events qualifying for the State Meet last year.

Aly Stahle, a senior this year, won the 100meter hurdles at the State Meet, earning All-State honors in the process. Returning with Aly are Trea Eidahl (junior), Zoey Grimm (senior), Sydney “Syd” Dee (senior), Ava Rowles (sophomore), Grace Hoeper (senior), Falyn Svalstad (sophomore), Marin Ashbacker (junior), Kobi Lietz (senior), Piper Stahle (junior), Avery Kellen (sophomore), and Jerzey Haluska (sophomore).

Dee qualified for State last year in the 1,500 and 3,000 run while Eidahl, Grimm, and Aly Stahle ran the shuttle hurdle relay (with Mia Stahle). Aly, Mia, and Piper Stahle, with Duckett, made up the State qualifying 4x100 with Piper Stahle, Ashbacker, Lietz, and Duckett on the 4x200.

2025/2026

Haluska, Quillin, Hoeper, and Lietz ran the 4x400, Rolwes, Hoeper, Svalstad, and Quillin ran the 4x800, and Piper Stahle, Kellen, Duckett, and Lietz ran the 800meter sprint medley while Mia Stahle, Aly Stahle, Quillin, and Rolwes ran the distance medley.

The Lady Spartans welcome freshmen Kinley Mai, Addi Seamans, and Liv Nelson to the roster this season. All three were all members of the cross-country team that finished 4th at the 2024 state meet.

“We have a large number of underclassmen on the team,” said Hotek. “I'm excited to see them grow and develop throughout the season. I'm expecting to see a lot of really exciting improvements as the season progresses.”

The 2025 season opened Tuesday with the Girls A.D. Dickinson Relays at the UNIDome in Cedar Falls. The short indoor season continues Friday, March 14, with a trip to Iowa State University and the Lied Recreation Athletic Facility for the 2025 IATC Indoor Championships starting at 3:15 p.m. Indoor competition wraps up Tuesday, March 25 with the WaMaC Conference Indoor Meet in the Grinnell College Fieldhouse starting at 2:00 p.m.

The outdoor season kicks off in Mount Vernon Thursday, April 3 at 4:00 p.m.

Solon’s annual Denny Gruber Relays is set for Tuesday, April 22 at 4:30 p.m.

“There are several really solid teams within the WaMaC so we will see great competition all throughout the season,” said Hotek.

U of I Prep sports journalism student Aj J Dolan contributed to this story

Class 3A Football Districts announced

BOONE — The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) announced the football districts for the 2025 and 2026 seasons last week. The organization realigns districts in two-year cycles with classifications determined by enrollment numbers provided by the Iowa Department of Education through their Basic Educational Data Survey (BEDS). These BEDS numbers

breakdown into seven classes – 5A (largest 36 schools), 4A (next 36 largest schools), 3A (next largest 36 schools), 2A (next largest 48 schools), 1A (next largest 48 schools), A (remaining 11-player schools), and 8P (eight-player teams in schools with classification numbers under 105).

The Spartans (8-3 last season) are in Class 3A District

No. 4 this season with Fairfield (2-7 last season), Fort Madison (0-9), Keokuk (3-6), Mount Pleasant (4-5), and Washington (6-3). Solon and Fairfield have been in 3A-5 for the past two seasons. Schedules for the 2025/26 seasons had not been released by deadline. Week 1 of the 2025/26 season is set to begin Thursday, August 28.