At the April 13 meeting, Public Works Director Roger Knutston spoke in details to the city council about both current and future department projects and goals for 2026. While many of the Public Works items, including are routine maintenance, there were areas that saw more discussion. The Rushford Area Historical Society has undertaken a large renovation project at the … [Read more...]
Kirsten Zoellner
Reporter
kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Kirsten has been a reporter for Fillmore County Journal since 2008. No awards to date, but her mother finds her articles riveting. She enjoys shining a light on the great people and events in the county and has aspirations to someday write a novel about them. A native of Rushford, she is a member of Root River Community Church, co-founder of Odyssey Homeschool Association, and was the founder for the Rushford-Peterson Valley Farmers' Market.
When not writing, Kirsten happily spends her time raising a family alongside Joel, her husband of 18 years. She homeschools their six children (Evin, Lauren, Logan, Ada, Kathleen, and Emelia) and does her best to ensure domestic bliss. Kirsten is an advocate for conservation and homesteading and operates Liten Dal Farm, where the family raises dairy goats, pastured poultry and hogs, alpacas, a few steers, and horses. Hobbies other than juggling include the outdoors, reading, vegetable gardening, cheesemaking, fermenting various things in Ball jars, and making everything from scratch despite the fact that it probably costs more.
Kirsten and her family proudly reside in rural Fountain on her great-great-grandfather's farm.
You can follow more about Kirsten on the family's Facebook page, Liten Dal Farm, or their blog: ourprairienest.wordpress.com.
Peterson Road Plans To Be Determined
At the April 8 meeting, the Peterson City Council learned from Public Works Director Jeff Rein that the city could possibly be put at the start of the season for Dunn Blacktopping. A potential time frame is before May 15. “We have some things that we want to discuss. It could be a good thing or a bad thing,” said Rein. The county is has moved back its bridge … [Read more...]
Village Hears Public Works Updates
At the April 7 meeting, the Rushford Village Council ran through a quick agenda. The bulk of discussion came during a report from Adam Johnson, Public Works Maintenance Assistant in lieu of Public Works Supervisor Darrin Dessner. Johnson let the council know time was spent recently working on a rock slide on Aspen Road and a large tree down. Public Works is trying to fill … [Read more...]
Fountain Cleans Up Issues
At the April 1 meeting, the Fountain City Council received an update from wastewater/water consultant Rick Whitney that the well house has been cleaned up. A fire was reported and extinguished at the well house behind city hall on March 26. Estimates to replace two heaters and lights are being sought. For now, temporary heating and lights are in the well house. During daily … [Read more...]
Fountain Terminates Public Works Director
The Fountain City Council held a special meeting on March 12 to discuss the unpaid suspension of Public Works Director John Hanson. In attendance at the meeting was the full council, City Attorney Frederick Suhler, and Preston Police Chief Blaise Sass. Also in attendance at the meeting was Rick Whitney, Laurie Ann Bellinger, and Jason Sethre, Fillmore County Journal. Absent … [Read more...]
Village Battles Through Blizzard
Truck issues continue to frustrate the Rushford Village Council and the situation is frustrating residents as well. At the March 17 council meeting, Councilor Mike Ebner provided an update on the status of the Freightliner truck. A truck that the village has had since just May 2022, but that has seen two front-end failures and one rear differential failure and cost the village … [Read more...]
Rushford Approves HazMat Survey
At the March 9 meeting, the Rushford Council zipped through the agenda, which included upcoming asbestos testing, the attempted sale of the former ambulance rig, and a permit for The Mill on Rush Creek (the former Hoiland Mill). Added to the agenda was approval of a lease agreement for the historic depot building. First up, the council unanimously approved a proposal for the … [Read more...]
Peterson Authorizes Application or Funding
The March 11 Peterson meeting, the city council was noticeably smaller than normal, just meeting quorum. Councilors Gail Boyum and Tracy Seelbinder, in a planned absence, were representing the city at the state capitol. The council unanimously authorized application or Lead Replacement Funding. This follows as part of the federal Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. Peterson … [Read more...]
Fountain Public Works Director Placed on Leave
At the March 4 meeting, it was made known that the city of Fountain placed Public Works Director John Hanson on unpaid suspension February 20. In attendance at the meeting, in addition to the full council, were Hanson, City Attorney Frederick Suhler and Preston Police Chief Blaise Sass, at the request of the city, and Public Works employee Jordan Amunrud joining via telephone. … [Read more...]
Village Hits Another Truck Roadblock
At the March 3 meeting, the Rushford Village Council Public Works Supervisor Darrin Dessner and Councilor Mike Enber informed the council of yet more continued problems with its Freightliner truck. The village experienced front-end issues with its previous truck and ordered a new truck in 2021. The build was completed in May 2022. It was sent to Syverson Truck Center to … [Read more...]