At a special meeting, held June 11, the Rushford Village Council formally accepted the resignation of Public Works Supervisor Trenten Chiglo, who’s served the village since January 2021. Chiglo presented the letter of resignation May 28 to City Clerk Mary Miner, with his resignation effective June 13. The council received a second letter, with requests by Chiglo, ahead of 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 May See Added Parking
The Peterson Council gave a verbal blessing to Councilor Gail Boyum to seek cost estimates for a proposed project. At the June 11 meeting, Boyum indicated she is entertaining the idea of putting in diagonal parking on the north end of Centennial Street. Boyum owns two lots west of the intersection of Centennial Street and Mill Street as of January this year. Behind them lies … [Read more...]
Pickleball May Come to Fountain
At the June 4 meeting, Mayor Ron Reisner brought up a suggestion from resident Jason Sethre to convert the old volleyball courts to a pickleball court. The game is quickly increasing in popularity with courts and teams springing up in nearly every small town, many of them being funded according to Reisner. “It’s gotten to be a big thing,” said Councilor Jordan Kearns to the … [Read more...]
Village Public Works Supervisor Resigns
At the June 3 meeting, the Rushford Council briefly discussed the resignation of Public Works Supervisor Trenten Chiglo, effective June 13. Chiglo presented the letter of resignation May 28 to City Clerk Mary Miner. The council received a second letter, with requests by Chiglo, ahead of the council meeting on June 3. “I would like to see if we could table this resignation for … [Read more...]
Rushford Clarifies CEDA Program
The May 26 Rushford council meeting lacked a lot of regular agenda business, but what was discussed heavily during reports was the Business Growth Support Plan. The program is offered through the Rushford Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Community Economic Development Associates. The city has changed how it worked with CEDA in the past and is instead now utilizing them … [Read more...]
Village to Set Hearing on Ordinances
The quick May 20 Rushford Village Council meeting saw no official council action, beyond approval of minutes and financials. What was discussed again was the proposed alcohol and gambling ordinances. There are currently no ordinances for either in the Village. While this hasn’t caused significant problems in the past, with no bars or restaurants within village limits, Clerk … [Read more...]
Highland Cattle Flourish at Flatland Farm
According to 2023 USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service data, the Minnesota beef cattle inventory was 360,000 head, including 15,800 head in Fillmore County and just 2,900 across the ‘border’ in Mower County. Just how many of these cattle are the more popular breeds - Black or Red Angus, Hereford, Simmental, or Charolais - doesn’t appear to be published widely, but … [Read more...]
Peterson Ponders Poultry
The issue of whether or not to amend a city ordinance to allow an expansion of allowable poultry was discussed once again at the May 14 Peterson City Council meeting. A resident request for the city to consider modifying the existing ordinance was first discussed at the April council meeting. At the time, the council wasn’t aware how broad the definition could expand and … [Read more...]
Rushford Reving up Awareness on Motorized Bikes
At the May 12 meeting, the Rushford Council reviewed a memo from the Wieser Law Office to the Rushford Police Chief regarding motorbikes on streets or highways. The question posed was whether electric motorbikes are street-legal. After researching a 60-volt motorcycle and Minnesota statutes, the conclusion is that they are not street legal. “A motorcycle is defined as ‘every … [Read more...]
Fountain Ponders Compliance at Park
At the May 7 meeting, the Fountain Council welcomed Kent Skaar, Natural Resources Program Consultant, and Louise Thompson, from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), State Parks and Trails Division. The discussion centered on making Americans with Disabilities Act access at the city park, at the Fountain trail head for the Root River State Trail, particularly creating … [Read more...]
Rushford Plans Council Work Session
At the April 28 meeting, the Rushford Council nailed down a date and protocol for an upcoming work session. The goal is for the council to discuss specific topics in-depth. Built off the original session in January and further discussion at the last meeting, the work session will be incorporated as an item of business rather than replace one regularly scheduled meeting all … [Read more...]
Village May See Development
At the May 15 council meeting, Rushford Village Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit indicated the Planning and Zoning Board had met with village landowner Vern Bunke regarding his plans for development of land south of Highway 16 near Oakwood Sherwood Cemetery. “Most of you are aware of the development that he’s been bringing around for quite some time,” said Pettit. “Tonight, … [Read more...]
Rushford Will See Ordinances Published Digitally
At the April 14 meeting, the Rushford Council tackled a number of agenda items including the ongoing discussion of the codification and publishing of all city ordinances digitally. While five full copies of the ordinances will also be printed for usage at city hall, the hope is that having all ordinances readily available for citizens will end confusion The agreement with … [Read more...]
Peterson Considering Expanding Poultry Ordinance
At the April 9 Peterson council meeting, Mayor Chris Stenzel brought up the city’s chicken ordinance and indicated he’d been contacted by residents about what’s defined in the ordinance. “I’ve had some people contact me about the word chicken and they wondered if we could amend it to the word poultry instead because some of them would like to have maybe a pair of ducks or … [Read more...]
Fountain Fact Finding on Land Parcel
At the April 2 meeting, the Fountain City Council received questions regarding February’s council discussion of potential development. The area in question is 2.69 acres west of Westside Lane, which is currently open green space and park. Kery Erickson, who resides at 118 Westside Lane, didn’t speak in direct opposition to developing the area. Instead, she made it known to … [Read more...]