With just three of the five council members in attendance, and Councilor Dave Gundundson serving as acting mayor, the Fountain’s City Council worked through a short agenda at the October 7 meeting. Two items were tabled for consideration next month with a full council. The council did unanimously approve the applications for utility relief for local businesses via federal … [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 first round of Cares Act Grants
In August, the Rushford City Council approved the acceptance of roughly $133,000 in funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act with the intention of helping Rushford businesses and nonprofits. At the time it was noted the distribution of the funds needed to satisfy three criteria: they must be necessary expenditures due to the public health emergency, … [Read more...]
R-P gets update from new school nurse
The idea of acquiring a school nurse on staff at Rushford-Peterson has been kicked around since before the district built its new facility. The new school officially opened in August 2017 and that year, the school board made the decision to proceed with a health assessment in lieu of hiring a nurse. Fast forward to the pandemic, the school board unanimously approved moving … [Read more...]
Rushford approves feasibility report on 2022 project
The City of Rushford received a Preliminary Engineering Report for Highway 30 Reconstruction Project at the September 14 council meeting. City Engineer Derek Olinger, from Bolton & Menk, was present to discuss the report, one of many steps to getting the 2022 project underway. Despite being more than 18 months until the proposed start of construction, there are countless … [Read more...]
Rushford Village continues discussions on zoning issue
The Village Council sought clarification from Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit at the September 15 meeting regarding recent discussion of zoning issues at 29705 Highway 43 South. At the August meeting the council voted to approve a fine to property owner Dave Lind regarding the construction of a building without a permit. At the time, the council also approved seeking … [Read more...]
Peterson picks new contract
The City of Peterson is changing hands with garbage service. At the September 9 meeting, the council gave unanimous approval for a new provider. The decision was based on cost and service options. Jason Nielson, representative for Waste Management, and Jeff Holmquist, Harter’s Quick Clean Up Service Sales Manager, were both on hand to discuss any questions the council had … [Read more...]
Rushford closer to South Rushford drainage projects
The September 1 Rushford Village meeting saw the council unanimously approve proceeding with securing of quotes for the first step in easing water woes in South Rushford. The area has historically seen issues, largely due to its placement at the base of the bluffs and poor culvert and ditch water flows. The area’s streets are “rural” with no, or very little curb, and no storm … [Read more...]
Rushford Village to push on continuing maintenance
As the time for 2021 budgeting and setting of public tax levies draws near, cities are buckling down on goals and priorities for the year. At the August 18 Rushford Village Council meeting, getting a grasp on the budget to determine those plans was key. “At some point and time we need to try to get together to talk about what we want and need to find a better understanding. … [Read more...]
Fountain seeks reimbursement from DNR; hits roadblock
Mayor Jim Schott remembers when the city first entered into an agreement with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for cost-sharing related to the trailhead facilities, in particular the restroom. The city’s been vocal about having not received any supplies or funding for them and just recently the council suggested the seeking of reimbursement for some of the costs. At … [Read more...]
Rushford runs into parcel snag with Highway 30 project
Rushford’s reconstruction project of Highway 30 isn’t slated to begin until 2022, but preliminary plans for the project are underway. The Minnesota Department of Transportation-led project is in its initial layout phase and includes West Jessie Street and West Stevens Avenue portions of Highway 30. Once layout alternatives are reviewed, preliminary design will commence. City … [Read more...]
Rushford Village to push on continuing maintenance
As the time for 2021 budgeting and setting of public tax levies draws near, cities are buckling down on goals and priorities for the year. At the August 18 Rushford Village Council meeting, getting a grasp on the budget to determine those plans was key. “At some point and time we need to try to get together to talk about what we want and need to find a better understanding. … [Read more...]
R-P adopts return to school plan
After determinations for procedures and guidelines by the state, districts are beginning to roll out plans for the return to school for the 2020-2021 school year. Rushford-Peterson School District has been discussing the options for months and clear, concise state recommendations were expected, but are leaving the outlook, as Superintendent Jon Thompson noted, “Clear as … [Read more...]
Peterson to implement fines for ordinance violations
The City of Peterson has spent the past three years building up its zoning ordinances, particularly when it comes to non-compliant properties and nuisance vehicles. In that time, the council has set fines which can be applied to property owners. With long-standing issues continuing and several properties either not communicating with the city or not bringing their properties … [Read more...]
Rushford preps for CARES Act funds
Like every municipality in the state, the City of Rushford is in the midst of determining needs for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds and how best to apply them. “It’s less solid and factual, but more of a moving target about where and when it can be used,” explained Mayor Terri Benson at the August 10 council meeting. The city received more than … [Read more...]
Fountain Council hears new complaints on old issues
The August 5 Fountain Council meeting was well attended, as several residents voiced their concerns over continued and increasing speeding on Cedar Street. The roughly quarter mile road has become a cut-through, particularly during commuting hours, for drivers between County Road 8 and Highway 52. Cedar Street resident Dan Byer presented the council with a petition of … [Read more...]