At the November 27 meeting, City Engineer Derek Olinger of Bolton & Menk spoke to the council regarding the state’s Local Road Improvement Program Funding. The three-part program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, provides up to $1.5 million towards local road projects for regionally significant roads, resulting in safety improvements or addressing … [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.
Rushford Hangar Up in the Air
A main topic at the November 13 Rushford City Council meeting was possible positive traction forward with the construction of the new Rushford Municipal Airport Hangar. The new hangar, a replacement for a six-unit hangar lost to fire in 2019, was scheduled to be completed last month. At the previous meeting, the Rushford Council learned that engineer Mead & Hunt would … [Read more...]
Peterson Water Inspections Nearly Complete
During a Public Works update at the November 7 meeting, the Peterson Council learned that more than 80% of the water connection inspections are complete. The inspections were part of the Lead and Copper Rule regulation. Originally published by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1991, the agency revised the rule, and the state put it into effect in 2021 to support actions to … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Considers Contracts
At the November 7 meeting, the Rushford Village Council discussed whether or not to renew the contract with Community Economic Development Associates for the coming year. They aim to work with cities and other entities “to help them be proactive and strategic about their development aspirations.” Over the last few years, some on the council expressed concern about whether the … [Read more...]
Fountain Forced to Make Repairs
At the November 1 meeting, the Fountain Council learned from Public Works Director John Hanson that the city must replace a part at the north lift station repair, located near the intersection of Highway 52 and County Road 11. “This past weekend, we noticed one pump was running almost 24 hours a day,” said Hanson. After inspection with Dan Shimota of W.W. Geotsch & … [Read more...]
Rushford Engineer Pressuring Builder
With the clock ticking, Rushford is putting pressure on airport hangar contractor Olympic Builders for a project to begin this past spring. At the October 23 council meeting, Acting Mayor Jim O’Donnell, filling in for Mayor Terri Benson, noted that City Engineer Matt Wagner of Mead & Hunt is pressuring the contractor after attempts to get a response went unanswered. The … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Completes Water Inspections
At the October 17 meeting, the Rushford Village Council received an update on water system inspections. The inspections were part of the Lead and Copper Rule regulation. Originally published by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1991, the agency revised the rule, and the state put it into effect in 2021 to support actions to reduce lead in drinking water. The Minnesota … [Read more...]
Rushford Looks at TIF District for Redevelopment
On October 10, the Rushford City Council voted unanimously to approve the terms of an internal loan in connection with a possible future redevelopment Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District within Municipal Development District No. 1. This move aims to assist with costs associated with the Rushford Redevelopment Project – COOP site (the former Farmers Win Cooperative site) … [Read more...]
Fountain Appoints New Councilor
At the September meeting, the Fountain Councilor Colleen Fohrenbacher tendered her resignation due to a move out of city limits. The city sought interest from any citizens wanting to finish the remainder of her term. At the October 4 meeting, the council learned city hall had only received one letter. The interested person was former Councilor Ron Reisner, who took the oath of … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Hears Update
A quick October 4 Rushford Village Council meeting highlighted a report from Public Works Supervisor Trenten Chiglo, read by Mayor Dennis Overland. Work on the Public Works’ maintenance shed continues. After a discussion with concrete contractor Robin Rislov of R&R Construction, Rushford, Chiglo determined the village could postpone constructing an apron outside the shed … [Read more...]
Rushford Gets Good News From Legislative Update
At the September 25 meeting, the Rushford, Minn., council learned from the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) legislative attorney and lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel that more funding will be in the cities’ coffers. While not quite to the extent hoped, Wefel said state legislators approved a Local Government Aid (LGA) increase. “We were pushing for a lot this time,” she … [Read more...]
Drought Reaches Restrictive Phase
At the September 19 council meeting, Rushford Village Clerk Mary Miner said a notice will go out to all properties in the newsletter and on billing statements, in addition to being posted on the village website. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has implemented a drought-restrictive response phase. Of six drought levels listed by the National Drought Mitigation Center, … [Read more...]
Council Discusses Rushford Properties
The Rushford City Council has unanimously approved the purchase of the Farmers Win property downtown. Last month, the council voted 4:1 to make a new offer to purchase the site for $225,000 without contingency on environmental issues. The city will proceed with all environmental studies after the sale. Utilizing the purchase agreement originally drafted by Farmers Win, City … [Read more...]
Peterson Gets Policing Update
At the invitation of the Peterson, Minn., council, Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge attended the September 13 meeting. He discussed services provided for contracted and non-contracted cities and county jail progress. The council also discussed a policing contract with DeGeorge in June 2021. Within Fillmore County, only Rushford Village, Whalan and Peterson have no city … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Pours Over Budget
At the September 5 meeting, the Rushford Village Council once again reviewed expected expenditures for 2024. Also discussed were additional projects and needs. The council needs to set the preliminary budget and levy by the end of this month. City Clerk Mary Miner noted many communities automatically set the preliminary levy at 10% higher than the previous year, even though … [Read more...]
