Solon Economist

06/25/2025

IN YOUR SOLON ECONOMIST THIS WEEK!!!

06/11/2025

Breaking news from the Johnson County Public Health Department...

Confirmed Case of Measles in Johnson County – Public Exposure Notice
Johnson County Public Health and Iowa Health and Human Services has confirmed a case of measles in Johnson County in an unvaccinated child who was exposed during international travel. To date, this is the third case reported in the state of Iowa. During the infectious period, the individual visited the following locations:

• Costco - 2900 Heartland Dr, Coralville, IA 52241
o June 4th between 11:30 AM and 4:15 PM
• Walmart - 919 Hwy 1 W, Iowa City, IA 52246
o June 4th between 2:30 PM and 5:30 PM
• Marshalls - 1451 Coral Ridge Ave, Coralville, IA 52241
o June 5th between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM

If you were at any of these locations during the specified times, you may have been exposed to measles and could be at risk of becoming ill.

Next Steps:
We are asking all individuals who were present at these locations during the times listed to complete a short survey so we can assess your risk and provide appropriate public health guidance.

https://johnsoncountyiowa.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dpuuPT74KgoyycC

Important:
It is very important to fill out a separate survey for each person who was at these locations (e.g. one form for each parent and each child in your family who was shopping).

If You Develop Symptoms:
If you were exposed and begin to have symptoms of measles (such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a rash), please call your medical provider and let them know you may have been exposed to measles and are sick.

If you need to go to an urgent care clinic or emergency department, please call before arriving to tell the facility about your possible exposure so they can make special arrangements. This helps protect other patients and staff from being exposed.

Symptoms of Measles:
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness. Symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and may include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Small white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots)
• A red rash that typically starts on the face and spreads downward

Get Protected:
The best way to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe is to make sure everyone is up to date with their vaccinations. If you're not sure if you have been vaccinated for measles, or if you have questions, call your medical provider or local pharmacy. “We’re concerned for anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated, but especially infants under one year who have not had a chance to be vaccinated yet. This is why it is important everyone else who can be vaccinated does so,” said Jennifer Miller, Disease Prevention Specialist.

It is allowable to vaccinate a child with their second dose of the MMR vaccine earlier than the routine schedule so long as it is 28 days since their first dose. If they were vaccinated with MMRV, the spacing is 3 months, so if your child received the first dose of MMRV vaccine, the second dose should be administered at least 3 months after. At this time, we are encouraging parents and providers to discuss this option.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Johnson County Public Health at 319-356-6040 and ask to speak to a Disease Prevention Specialist.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us protect the health of our community.

PDF
06112025 Press release - Public Exposure Notice - Johnson County.pdf

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06/06/2025

Gov. Reynolds signs bill to expand firefighter cancer coverage

DES MOINES— Today, Governor Kim Reynolds signed HF 969, a bill that expands the definition of cancer for the Peace Officers’ Retirement System and 411 Retirement System to include all types of cancer.
“The selflessness of our first responders is inspiring and deserves our deepest gratitude. This means thanking them for their service, but it also means ensuring they receive the care they need,” Gov. Reynolds said. “Today, gaps in coverage threaten to force some of our first responders to choose between getting the treatment they need and providing for their families. This bill will change that by expanding the definition of cancer for the Peace Officers’ and 411 Retirement Systems to cover all forms of the disease. I'm grateful to our legislators and key stakeholders for getting this much-needed reform across the finish line.”

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06/04/2025

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Governor Kim Reynolds ★ Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer

Gov. Reynolds orders flags at half-staff to honor WWII soldier killed on D-Day

DES MOINES– Governor Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, June 6, 2025, to honor a fallen soldier from Cincinnati, Iowa, who was killed on D-Day during World War II in Normandy, France.

U. S. Army Pvt. James Lee Harrington of Cincinnati, Iowa, was killed in action when the landing craft he and 200 others were on hit an underwater mine as they approached Omaha Beach at Normandy. He will be buried in Iowa next to his mother and grandparents 81 years to the day of his death. Harrington’s remains were identified in 2023. He had previously been buried as “Unknown” at the Normandy American Cemetery. Harrington was 21 years old.

Friday, June 6
Graveside services and interment
11:00 a.m.
Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Cincinnati, Iowa

Harrington will be buried with full military honors. Residents and patriotic organizations are encouraged to line the procession route from Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville, IA, to Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Flags will be flown at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be flown at half-staff on all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state.

Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

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06/03/2025

Grassley Recognizes National Cancer Survivors Day
Floor Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa

Senate President Pro Tempore
“National Cancer Survivors Day”
Tuesday, June 3, 2025

"The first Sunday in June is National Cancer Survivors Day.
According to the National Cancer Institute, there are 18.1 million cancer survivors in the United States.
We’ve made great strides in recent decades to prevent and battle cancer. The disease is the second leading cause of death in our country.
I know how a cancer diagnosis impacts a family as a result of my wife, Barbara's, own diagnosis and victory over breast cancer 38 years ago.
For sure, early detection and access to treatment saved Barbara's life.
Now, Iowa is a rural state. A majority of our states are rural states and every state in the United States has rural areas in it.
And of course, it’s difficult to deliver quality health care in rural America, but it is being delivered.
To accomplish that, I’ve championed policies to keep the delivery of health care services accessible in rural America.
Access to [high] quality health care should not be determined by your zip code.
Keeping rural and community clinics open and telehealth services available is a lifeline for cancer patients.
This day, National Cancer Survivors Day, is dedicated to celebrating cancer survivors and acknowledging the struggle and strength it took to overcome the disease.

We stand with you."

06/01/2025

05/30/2025

JCSO Responds to Fatal Water Emergency in Rural Johnson County

JOHNSON COUNTY, IA, May 30, 2025 – On May 29, 2025, at 6:51pm, Johnson County Sheriff deputies responded
to a report of a person in the water at a residence on Deborah Drive NE in rural Solon. Upon arrival, an
unresponsive male was found floating in a small neighborhood pond behind the residence. The male was
identified as Douglas Johnson, 85, of Solon. Life-saving measures were performed by deputies, Swisher Fire
Department, North Liberty Fire Department, and Area Ambulance. Johnson was transported to Mercy Medical
Center in Cedar Rapids by Area Ambulance and later pronounced deceased.
An investigation revealed that Johnson went out to trim weeds in the backyard around 3:00pm. When Johnson’s
wife had not seen him after the usual amount of time, she called a neighbor to check on Johnson. The neighbor
found Johnson face down in the pond and immediately called 911.
The incident remains under investigation by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and the Linn County Medical
Examiner, and no further information is available for release.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Swisher Fire Department, North Liberty Fire
Department, Area Ambulance, and the LifeFlight team for their response efforts. No foul play is suspected at
this time.

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05/29/2025

Izzy Frees is having a busy week - softball Tuesday, competing in the 3A State Golf Tournament today, and softball again tonight.

05/29/2025

Hinkle in a pickle!

05/25/2025

05/24/2025