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...]
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.
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...]
Village Nears Program Revamping
After months of discussion, the Rushford Village Council is nearing the end of plans to update its longtime revolving loan program. Initially developed in 2012 after substantial flooding damage in the valley, the program sat stagnant for years. Admittedly different from other cities, with no downtown business district, the demand for the business loans has been slow to … [Read more...]
Peterson Discusses Resort Development; Revival
At the February 11 meeting, the Peterson Council heard from the developers of the proposed River Valley Resort. Area residents Matt and Jenny Helgemoe, who own a piece of agricultural land adjacent to the city, are in the process of developing a phased campground resort. According to City Clerk Chris Grindland, the plans currently include 25-50 campsites with the potential for … [Read more...]
Rushford Offers Administrator Position to Candidate
The Rushford City Council opted to interview its city administrator candidate in an open setting at the February 9 meeting. Rushford native Hayden Stensgard sat in the hot seat while Mayor Leigh Volkman asked a series of questions submitted by the council and reviewed for legality by the city attorney. Having grown up in the community, graduating from Rushford-Peterson … [Read more...]
Immediate Needs for Fountain Plant and Well House
At the February 4 meeting, the Fountain council received an update from contracted water treatment plant consultant Rick Whitney. Whitney and City Public Works Director John Hanson are methodically going through the plant to make sure it’s fully functional, maintained, and that it continues compliance. In January, there were additional items discovered needing immediate … [Read more...]
Rushford Reviews Security Proposals
The council welcomed a proposal request from Rushford Police Chief Adam Eide at their January 26 meeting. Every three years, the department undergoes an audit of its internet security system by the BCA. Specific rules are in place for the Criminal Justice Information System, which Eide called “a direct line to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.” The first quote from the … [Read more...]
Village Starts New Year
The January 21 meeting of the Rushford Village council began with the approval of annual designations, committees, and contracts. Councilor Mike Ebner was chosen once again as Acting Mayor, in the event of the mayor’s absence. Acting Clerk is treasurer Judy Graham and Acting Treasurer will be Mary Miner. 2026 Committee appointments include Councilors Bob Hart and Rick Ruberg … [Read more...]
Rushford Begins New Year
The new year kicked off for the Rushford Council on January 12 with the swearing in of new council including new mayor Leigh Volkman and Councilors Nick Smith and Judi Pronk. Also sworn in was new Library Board Director Jessica Sherlock. Several designations and appointments were also made including council members to various boards and commissions. Councilor Jim O’Donnell … [Read more...]
Peterson Signs Agreement with County
At the first meeting of the year, January 13, the Peterson City Council officially approved a cooperative agreement with Fillmore County for the 2026 bridge reconstruction project. The agreement comes after discussion last month and a presentation from Fillmore County Engineer Ron Gregg. The 60s-era bridge is the main thoroughfare into the city and intersects Highway 16. The … [Read more...]