Solon Economist

SOLON- The Tri-Township (Solon) Fire Department’s fleet expanded recently with the addition of a new medical response truck.
Solon 139, a 2019 Ford F-350 pickup with modular service body, entered service roughly one month ago, and has already gotten a workout as EMS (Emergency Medical Services) runs make up the majority of the calls for service for the 35-member department.
“It’s been nice with the call volume,” Captain Rick Childs said, noting at least 85 percent of the all-volunteer departments calls for service are medical emergencies.

SOLON– Sarah Prineas created a world where cities run on magic.
Now she’s made another where dragons hoard teacups.
“Dragonfell,” her 11th book for HarperCollins, was released in hardcover in March.
It takes place in an otherworld, on the cusp of industrial revolution, with less room for magic and dragons.
Rafi Bywater, accused by a factory owner of being “dragon-touched,” is cast out of his village, and begins a journey to discover the truth, befriended along the way by Maud, a wanna-be dragon scientist.

SOLON– The Old Gold Diner hosts a fourth grade class on Wednesday, April 17.
There are usually 23 students who visit. The Old Gold Diner would like to have at least one senior citizen for each student. Non-seniors are also welcome with a reservation and a payment of $4, same as seniors, for the meal. Try to join this fun occasion and visit with the young Solon School students. Call 319-624-2251, by noon the day before, to make reservations. Lunch is served promptly at 11:30 a.m., so arrive by 11:15 a.m. The class scheduled to visit this month is section 4D, teacher Mr. Bogard’s class.

SOLON– “We’re the Solon speech and debate program,” Jesse Miller announced.
Miller and teacher/coach LeeAnn Gilroy stood in front of the Solon school board members at a March 11 meeting.
“We used to be the program,” the Solon senior clarified. “It’s grown. I guess you could say it’s doubled over the course of a year.”
The two were there to spotlight the young debate program as part of a regular agenda slot for celebrating achievements.
Miller qualified for the National Speech and Debate Association National Championships each of the last two years.

SOLON/NORTH LIBERTY– Blasting bottle rockets outside, making ice cream in a bag, and roasting marshmallows over a campfire are just a few of the fun, hands-on activities youths have experienced during the 4-H/Big Brother Big Sisters (BBBS) after-school club at North Central Junior High in North Liberty. After four years of growth and refinement, this youth development program partnership is expanding to Solon Middle School this fall, beginning Thursday, Sept. 27.