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Solon Economist

Council to restrict "Citizen’s Speak"

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 6:54pm
Action expected on proposed guidelines for public input

SOLON– The Solon City Council is going to look at modifying the way it interacts with the public.
At a meeting June 7, council members and Mayor Steve Stange discussed a resolution establishing guidelines for the Citizen’s Speak portion of regular council agendas.
The changes unsettled two residents, both former council members.
No action was taken, but the resolution is expected to appear again on a future agenda.


Wigle named principal for new Solon Intermediate

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 6:57pm
School district begins process for merging fourth and fifth grades

SOLON– The name of the school district’s new fourth- and fifth-grade center will be Solon Intermediate and its principal will be current activities director Zach Wigle.
Solon Community School District Superintendent Davis Eidahl made the announcement to school staff and parents via email June 14.
Wigle came to the district at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year, succeeding Keith McSweeney, who stepped aside when the position was increased to full time.


Solon Lions to sponsor free vision screening at Beef Days

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 6:58pm

SOLON– The Solon Centennial Lions Club will sponsor free vision screenings for children 6 months to 6 years of age at Kids Corner during Beef Days Saturday, July 22, starting at noon.
“We encourage families to bring their children in for a free vision screening,” said Scott Kleppe, club president. “The actual screening takes less than a minute, but the benefits can last a lifetime.”


Finding his place

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 7:00pm
Mercy Family Medicine of Solon welcomes seasoned MD Acherkan

SOLON– Dmitriy Acherkan always knew he wanted to be a doctor.
“I don’t even recall the time when I made this decision. It was pretty obvious from, I don’t know, 4 or 5 years old, that I was going to be a doctor,” he said.
Dr. Acherkan joined Mercy Family Medicine of Solon a few months ago but has practiced medicine for over 30 years.
He reminisced on his early career as a surgical oncologist, which allowed him to care for patients from discovery of a tumor through surgery or chemotherapy.


Raptor Center Family Day, July 1

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 7:03pm

SOLON– Visit the Iowa Raptor Project on Saturday, July 1, for its monthly Family Day. Staff will be featuring the Eastern Screech-Owl, and there will be crafts about habitats, some tasty snacks and more.
Family Day is always free and open to the public. Stop by any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Iowa Raptor Project is located at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area at 2095 Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE, Solon.

Lady Spartans take two from Clippers

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 7:05pm
Solon wins 8-4 and 8-5

OXFORD– They welcomed an old friend back in Oxford.
Jim White and his Solon Lady Spartans traveled to McAreavy Field in Oxford Wednesday, June 14, for a varsity doubleheader with the Clear Creek Amana (CCA) Clippers.


Spartans win CCA pitching duel; 2-1

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 7:08pm
Walk-off single puts Solon ahead of CCA; second game postponed to July 10

SOLON– It was a pitchers’ duel June 15 as Solon hosted Clear Creek Amana (CCA) in a varsity baseball doubleheader.
But neither of the sterling performances was awarded with a win.
Spartan freshman Cam Miller struck out six and walked two, scattering four hits and allowing a single unearned run in Solon’s 2-1 eight-inning win.
Senior Kobey Schlotman fanned nine batters while walking three, and spent almost all eight innings on the mound for the Clippers. Junior Cody Ogden suffered the loss, giving up the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth.


Solon Archery qualifies for World Tournament

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 7:10pm

By Gary Mechtensimer,
Solon Archery Team head coach
Special to the Economist

Once again, I am so blessed and fortunate to be on a remarkable journey with the Solon Archery Team.


Spartans sweep Anamosa, drop close game to IC West

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 7:10pm

ANAMOSA– The Spartans racked up 32 runs and a doubleheader road sweep against winless Anamosa June 19.
Solon had 17 hits in a 21-9 win, and another healthy 11 hits in an 11-0 five-inning shutout.
The twin WaMaC East Division wins moved the Spartan baseball team to 15-8 on the season.
Solon had suffered a 19-0 lopsided loss, its third in a row, against Davenport Assumption June 14, before breaking the streak with a 2-1 win against Clear Creek Amana June 15.
The Spartans dropped a close 4-3 game with Iowa City West (in Iowa City) over the weekend before erupting offensively at Anamosa.


Lady Spartans split with Anamosa at Ft. Dodge tourney

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 7:12pm

ANAMOSA– Solon’s varsity softball team moved to 19-8 on the season June 19 with a doubleheader split at Anamosa.
The Lady Spartans lost 7-6 and won 11-4.
No statistics were available at press time.
Solon had picked up a pair of losses over the weekend while participating in a Fort Dodge tournament June 16-17, going 2-2 overall. The Lady Spartans downed Clear Creek Amana (CCA), 8-3, and shut out Harlan, 8-0. The losses came against No. 5 Class 4A Bishop Heelan, 5-3, and to Jesup, 8-7.


Joe Meder honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

Submitted by admin on Wed, 06/14/2017 - 7:08pm
Rural Solon resident presented with recognition at World Taxidermy Championships®

PEORIA, Ill.– May 19 was a special day for Solon’s Joseph Meder. One of the most esteemed honors that can be bestowed on a taxidermist was awarded to Joe during the award ceremonies of the World Taxidermy Championships® recently held in Peoria, Ill. Since the award’s inception in 2007, the World Taxidermy Championships® Lifetime Achievement Award has been awarded every two years. Meder is the fifth person to receive this special honor.


Lauren Whitehead takes seat on Solon council

Submitted by admin on Wed, 06/14/2017 - 7:13pm

Solon Mayor Steve Stange administers the oath of office to Lauren Whitehead at the beginning of a June 7 Solon City Council meeting. Whitehead was the winner of a May 30 special election to fill the unexpired term for former council member Mark Krall. The term runs through December. (photo by Doug Lindner)