An interesting turn of events at the September 14 Peterson City Council meeting saw the hiring of a new Public Works director, resignation of the mayor, and mayor pro tem stepping into the mayoral role through the end of the year. During new business, City Clerk Chris Grindland stated four applications for the position of Public Works director were received, reviewed, and all … [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 approves draft purchase agreement
At the September 12 meeting, the Rushford City Council unanimously approved a draft purchase agreement for the former Farmers Win Cooperative site in the heart of downtown. The council reviewed the proposed purchase agreement in a closed meeting before the start of the regular meeting. According to City Clerk Kathy Zacher and a draft provided at the meeting, the focus of the … [Read more...]
Rushford Village approves contract extension; digs into budget
At the September 6 meeting, the Rushford Village Council heard details of offers for garbage and recycling collection contract extensions. Jeff Holmquist, sales manager for Harter’s Quick Clean-Up, was on hand to discuss the options. As the current contract will expire in February 2023, the village wanted to explore the option of no longer owning the rolling carts as a way to … [Read more...]
Fountain council approves preliminary levy
The Fountain Council approved the preliminary tax levy for 2023 at the September 7 meeting. While the final levy can ultimately be less than the amount approved, it cannot be higher. The final levy will be approved in December. The total preliminary levy was $231,142. The represents $123,142 for general tax levy, $65,000 for the sewer fund $35,000 for Capital Improvement, and … [Read more...]
Rushford clears up deferment process
The Rushford City Council took steps at the August 22 meeting to clarify the process for deferred assessment applications. The city’s assessment policies have been in place since the start of reconstruction projects in 2009. Eligibility requirements to gain deferment are in the policy. To date, there have been no applications for an assessment deferral with a city project. … [Read more...]
Rushford Village feedback on bridge closure option
The future of a bridge connecting Aspen Road and Village Road in Rushford Village is uncertain. However, following the recent city meeting, at least the council has some idea of what property owners on the seven-residence stretch may want to see. At the August 16 meeting, residents Tyler Eide, 30239 Village Road, and Michelle Kahoun, 23895 Village Road, discussed options with … [Read more...]
Peterson approves new Park & Recreation Board
At the August 10 meeting, the Peterson City Council discussed a memo regarding a Park & Recreation Board. Drafted by Councilors Tracy Seelbinder and Gail Boyum, City Clerk Chris Grindland, and resident Scott Smith it detailed a vision for the board to act in an advisory role to the city. Goals for the board include: maintaining existing parks, a focus on providing positive … [Read more...]
Rushford road project hits bump
The Rushford City Council held a closed session on August 8, before the start of their regular meeting. The purpose was to discuss the potential purchase of the Farmers Win Coop properties downtown. The cooperative merged with Farmers Co-op Elevator in 2018 and began selling equipment on the downtown Rushford site in 2019. The company had already consolidated its workforce at … [Read more...]
Rushford Village to close road for work
At the August 2 meeting, the Rushford Village council learned of a one-day road closure on County Line Road. The purpose of the approximately 60-foot closure section is for engineers from Bolton & Menk to conduct soil borings. The road has been the topic of many recent discussions as deep erosion from the watershed has left the section with a steep embankment and deep … [Read more...]
Fountain to grow sinkhole capital tourism
At the August 3 meeting, Fountain’s city council received an update from Councilor Colleen Fohrenbacher regarding a plan to make the city’s claim to fame as the ‘sinkhole capital of the U.S.’ a tangible tourism aspect. The US Geological Survey has mapped roughly 60 percent of sinkholes in Fillmore County and so it’s estimated that there may be more than 10,000 sinkholes, … [Read more...]
Rushford hears SMIF and legislative updates
The July 25 Rushford City Council meeting brought a positive outlook on economic development and frustration over an ongoing push for a special legislative session with impacts on small cities. Alissa Oeltjenbruns, of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), apprised the council of ongoing programs, work within communities, and future partnerships. Also in attendance … [Read more...]
Rushford Village approves engineering proposal
At the July 19 meeting, the Rushford Village Council heard a proposal from City Engineer Derek Olinger, of Bolton & Menk, for addressing road deterioration on County Line Road. Like many rural roadways, it’s gravel, winding, steep in sections, and prone to the bombarding erosion of watersheds. Traveling east on the road, erosion has dug into 50-60 feet of the north side of … [Read more...]
Peterson approves ordinance change to enforce zoning violations
The City of Peterson has made strides since enacting regulated zoning ordinances several years ago, but it is still dealing with problems. Frustrations noted by the council at the July 13 council meeting detail the issues. “One of the common issues we have is junk and clutter outside of people’s houses. We send letters with no real recourse,” said City Clerk Chris Grindland. … [Read more...]
Rushford adds full-time police officer to department
At the July 11 meeting, the Rushford City Council unanimously approved the hiring of Cale Stensgard for the open full-time officer position, replacing former officer Davin Daveau, who resigned in June. Stensgard has served the city as a part-time officer since September 2019. “It is my recommendation to hire Stensgard as he has proven to be a good employee and I believe he … [Read more...]
Rushford project moving right along
At the swift June 27 meeting, the Rushford council approved a number of items in the consent agenda including a new update regarding the Highway 30 Street & Utility Improvement Project. Phase One, downtown construction, began May 9 and was scheduled to preliminarily wrap up early July. At that point, Phase Two, from the West Stevens Avenue and West Jessie Street … [Read more...]