At the October 15 meeting, the Village Council again hashed out details of items that will determine the 2025 budget. The council needs to set the final budget and levy by the last meeting in December. City Engineer Derek Olinger of Bolton & Menk was present at the meeting to discuss a field review of paved roads. He recommends the village seal coat or chip seal on … [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 Council Discusses Voting, Hears of Memorial Garden Dedication
At a quick October 9 meeting, the Peterson Council covered two annual items in addition to discussing membership, voting, and the recent dedication of the John T. Erickson Memorial Garden. Councilor Kristina Grindland was absent from the meeting. First up, the council tackled the final budget and tax levy for 2025. The final amount was set at $111,436. This represents a 4% … [Read more...]
Fountain Adjusts Utility Charges
The Fountain Council unanimously approved prorating utility bills at the October 2 meeting. This applies to bills for property sales only. The change will calculate bills based on the percentage of services used, charging property owners only for the time they actually utilize the utility rather than a full cycle. Mayor Tammy Danielson stated she and City Clerk Mary Tjepkes … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Considers Zoning Fine
At the October 1 meeting, the Rushford Village Council discussed an inquiry brought forth by Zoning Administrator Jon Pettit. According to him, it was brought to the attention of the zoning board that a building was moved onto residential property without a permit, in violation of the ordinances. Pettit contacted the landowner, whom he stated was new to the area. “How do you … [Read more...]
Greater Minnesota Updates for Rushford
At the September 23 meeting of the Rushford City Countil, Elizabeth Wefel, attorney and lobbyist with Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC), provided the council with a summary of the coalition’s work in the last legislative session. Rushford is a longtime member of the coalition, made up of more than 100 cities across the state. The group works on various issues … [Read more...]
Village Sets Preliminary Levy
With the proposed 2025 budget expecting a $32,814 deficit, the Rushford Village Council reviewed the details at the September 17 meeting. Mayor Dennis Overland and Councilor Rick Ruberg were absent, so Acting Mayor Mike Ebner led the meeting. In the area, cities have approved preliminary tax levies based on various factors, with percentages ranging from 2% to 9.9%. Cities … [Read more...]
Peterson Starts Ordinance Reviews
At the September 11 meeting, the Peterson council began its review of city ordinances. Up first were those covering nuisance vehicles and junk/clutter. The council first adopted its ordinance regulating public vehicle nuisances in November 2018 after property owners struggled with city requests regarding safety concerns and some refused any communication with the city. In … [Read more...]
Fountain Pushes Ordinance Awareness
The city of Fountain has worked to address ordinance non-compliance in recent years and is making a push for citizens to be more aware. While the ordinances are listed on the city website (fountainmn.org), many issues are still falling by the wayside. City Clerk Mary Tjepkes notified the council at the September 4 meeting that the ordinances will put the reminder on … [Read more...]
Village Digs Into Budget
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...]
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...]