The June 8 Rushford Council meeting was brief, but several items of note were discussed. The city will ring in the nation’s 250th anniversary of adoption of the Declaration of Independence by kicking off events on July 3. Live music, historical speakers, historical movies, food, and vendors will be part of the celebrations. Donations are being sought to fund 250 American flags … [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 Says Yes to Variance Request
The Peterson Council unanimously approved a zoning variance at their June 10 meeting. The decicion came after a public hearing with the Planning Commission an hour prior. The Jenkins house project sought approval for a new residential construction at 121 Prospect Street, but needed a variance from floodplain fill requirements within the Floodplain Overlay District and variances … [Read more...]
Fountain Donates Center Use for Event
At the June 3 meeting, the Fountain Council heard from area resident Denise Pagel, a volunteer with Fillmore County Relay for Life. The event is a well-known Cancer Awareness Fundraiser now in its 11th year. Pagel cited a breakdown in communication with this year’s team, which inadvertantly left organizers without a location. Ideally, she noted organizers envision a permanent … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Gets Updates
At the June 2 metting, the Rushford Village Council heard various financial, planning and zoning, and public works updates, in addition to approving two items. During financials, City Treasurer pointed out that when talking about financial balances, the money that’s in the bank is $114,000 currently, while Fund 100 currently appears as $81,859 in the red. As she described it, … [Read more...]
Rushford Approves Project
The May 26 Rushford Council meeting was notably shorter in nature, but the council and staff discussed several previous items and did take action on a few resolutions and one project. Street maintenance continues based upon priority recommendations from Public Works Director Roger Knutson. They unanimously approved a bid from Asphalt Armor Sealcoating & Paving for a crack … [Read more...]
Village Considers New Zoning Fees
The May 19 Rushford Village meeting included further discussion of a new zoning fee schedule, as proposed by its Planning & Zoning Board. The draft proposal is not a final draft, but intended to serve as a starting point. The draft will be the basis for a public hearing on the fees. That hearing is slated for 6:45 pm on June 16. The most notable changes proposed include … [Read more...]
Peterson Averages Rate; Considers Citizen Complaint
There were several agenda items on the agenda of the May 13 Peterson Council meeting and several in attendance. Tracy Seelbinder was absent. One item of consideration, approved unanimously, was the adjustment of the electric rates in effort to minimize rate swings. The rates vary depending on time of year, type of fuel, and type of meter. The city currently had eight electric … [Read more...]
Rushford Celebrates History
Dubbed the “first stop on our journey,” Rushford Area Historical Society (RAHS) and the city of Rushford will celebrate the grand reopening of the historic depot on Tuesday, June 9, from 5-9 p.m. Located at 401 S Elm Street, the depot sits on the Root River State Trail and serves as the home of the Rushford Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce and official visitor’s center. … [Read more...]
Village Talks Zoning Issues
At the May 5 meeting, the Rushford Village Council’s longest discussion was with Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit regarding projects in the works, inquiries about properties, and one permit application that stumped the administrator. First, in regards to plans from Farmers Win Cooperative, Pettit indicated he’d spoken to City Engineer Derek Olinger regarding septic engineering … [Read more...]
Fountain Looks at Personnel and Contract Changes
The May 6 Fountain Council meeting started a few minutes behind schedule as they waited for quorum. All members of the council – Mayor Ron Reisner, Councilors Tammy Danielson, Jordan Kearns, Cory Spratte, and Dave Stockton – were in attendance. During new business, the council briefly discussed several possible personnel and contract changes. City Clerk Mary Tjepkes brought up … [Read more...]