At the September 3 meeting, the Rushford Village council learned that the current budget is sitting surprisingly well. However, having unexpected expenses crop up the last few years, there’s some palpable uncertainty. City Clerk Mary Miner presented an updated 2025 budget for the council to review. It includes health insurance costs, $24,000 for the follow-up 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.
Rushford to Host Latina Festival
At the August 12 meeting, the Rushford Council learned that local business El Barco Mexican Restaurant would hold a Latina festival over Labor Day weekend. Celebrating culture, music, and food, the two-day festival will be held outside the restaurant on August 31 and September 1. The city has approved the closure of Elm Street near the restaurant, which sits at the … [Read more...]
Peterson Memorial Dedication
At the August 14 meeting, the Peterson Council learned of the upcoming dedication of the Peterson Station Museum’s memorial garden. Friends of Peterson, who is leading the work, officially named it the John T. Erickson Veterans Memorial Garden. Erickson was the longtime, volunteer curator at the museum. He passed away in May of last year. “We would like that to be very … [Read more...]
Fountain Council Needs Candidates
At a rapid meeting on Wednesday, August 7, the Fountain Council approved just one item of business, in addition to the consent agenda items of last month’s minutes and financials. It was to approve legal gambling for the Fountain Fire Department’s gun raffle fundraiser. The event is scheduled for October 12 at the community center. Other items that were discussed included an … [Read more...]
Village Budget Sees Cost Increases
As the Rushford Village Council begins pondering the 2025 budget and levy, service costs are increasing, some at unexpected rates. City Clerk Mary Miner presented a new Rushford Ambulance Service contract to the council at the August 6 meeting. The annual service was $4,100 last time, according to Miner. The new rate is $7,900. While the increase may have come with some … [Read more...]
Rushford Airport Hangar Nearing Completion
A fire destroyed one of the two hangars at the Rushford Airport in October 2019. Now, almost five years, one pandemic, and many hoops to jump through later, the estimated $1.3 million replacement hangar is nearly completed. The project was funded by a payout from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust for the fire, the Airport Improvement Project - an Airport Rescue … [Read more...]
Village Wades Through Flood Damage
At the July 2 Rushford Village meeting, the council learned the extent of the flooding from three days of flooding that began June 21. “There’s definitely been plenty of excitement there,” said Public Works Supervisor Trenten Chiglo. Issues began with the lift station where one float was non-functioning and the station saw high water over the weekend. As of the meeting, … [Read more...]
Village Hires Out
With the onslaught of seasonal work to be done and just one employee in the Rushford Village Public Works Department, the village council has unanimously approved the hiring of Cory Baker as general contractor to complete several items of work on the Public Works maintenance shed update. Underway for some time now, the council has moved forward with work in stages. While it’s … [Read more...]
Peterson Cleans Up
At the June 13 meeting, the Peterson Council again discussed properties out of compliance with the 2022 Junk Ordinance. Citizens in attendance included Desirae Halvorson, Heidi Halvorson, Mike Halvorson, Pete Erickson, and Zoning Board member Loren Rue. Council members conducted their annual walkabout individually, identifying properties violating city ordinances. Those … [Read more...]
Fountain Finishes Out Contract
With Public Works Director John Hanson now completely licensed, the city of Fountain has ended its longtime contract with MMS Environmental. At the June 5 meeting, City Clerk Mary Tjepkes detailed the final bill. “It’s a mess,” she said. According to Tjepkes, Mayor Tammy Danielson sent MMS an email stating terminating the contract on May 2. On May 7, the city received a bill … [Read more...]