While a city of less than 800 people may not seem like an obvious target for a cybersecurity strike, with these types of attacks hitting entities with more frequency, League of Minnesota Cities’ Chief Information Officer, Technology Services, Melissa Reeder, urges small cities to put protective measures in place. Spurred by league warnings, the Rushford Village Council … [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 Finalizes Lot Sale Paperwork
At the May 28 meeting, the Rushford council approved the official resolutions of two lot sales in the Himlie Business Park and dispensing with a review of the sale by the Planning Commission. City Clerk Kathy Zacher noted this step is typically done prior, but caused no effects having it done after council approval of the sale and she stressed the importance of it in the … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Employee Resigns
At the May 21 meeting, the Rushford Village Council was led by Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Ebner in the absence of Mayor Dennis Overland. Also attending were James Woxland, John Linder and Andrew Linder. According to Ebner, part-time Public Works employee Jeff Michel submitted his resignation to City Clerk Mary Miner, effective May 23. The council accepted the … [Read more...]
Rushford Gets Financial Report
At the May 13 meeting, the Rushford Council received and approved the comprehensive annual financial report. Kali Lentz of Smith Schafer & Associates presented the report. There were no surprises or issues with the audit. General property tax revenue stability has continued with minimal upticks over the last few years. The 2023 levy of $1,082,255 was up about $65,000 from … [Read more...]
Peterson Reviews Spring Clean-up
At the May 8 meeting, the Peterson council, led by Mayor Chris Stenzel, discussed the results of the annual walkabout. Each councilor reviewed properties within city limits to determine non-compliance with the Junk Ordinance. The ordinance was enacted in 2022 to curb the accumulation of visible junk or clutter on properties after years of dealing with no response from several … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Sitting Within Budget
2024 budgeting for the city of Rushford Village is sitting comfortably. At least much better than last year, according to City Clerk Mary Miner. At the May 7 meeting, Councilor Rick Ruberg asked about the current standing after Miner presented the month’s financial report. Last year, as the village waited for the tax payment from the first half of the year from Fillmore … [Read more...]
Fountain Sets Up Shop
At the May 1 meeting, the Fountain Council unanimously approved the purchase of electronics to effectively set up office for Public Works Director John Hanson at the wastewater treatment plant. Having recently earned his Class B wastewater operator certification, Hanson will now fully take over management of the plant. “Since John is taking over all the test reports that he … [Read more...]
Rushford Rejects Survey Request
At the Monday, April 22 meeting, the Rushford Council discussed at length a request from the Department of Natural Resources to sign off on survey results they conducted. The land, now held privately, is being sold to a land conservancy which will transfer the ownership and management of the land to the State of Minnesota/DNR. The land abuts the Rushford Municipal … [Read more...]
Village Rewriting Entire Ordinance
At the April 16 meeting, the Rushford Village Council the council heard from Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit about a change in the push to modify the animal control ordinance. After a complaint of dogs running at large, including one deemed potentially dangerous by the state, the council had urged adding running at large to the ordinance to give substance to enforcement options … [Read more...]
Is Peterson Minnesota’s Gnome Capital?
At the April 10 meeting, the Peterson Council discussed the proposed purchase of new light pole banners. The current 10 banners are worn and several have been taken down already. Councilor Gail Boyum suggested the city replace the banners with two new sets – one for late spring through fall and the other in the winter. “We’re seeming to become the gnome capital of … [Read more...]