The December 3 Rushford Village City Council meeting started with a discussion with Community Economic Development Authority (CEDA) Community and Business Development Specialist Rebecca Charles. She stated she and city engineer Derek Olinger of Bolton & Menk met regarding the potential Safe Routes to School Project and grant. At the last meeting, Olinger expressed … [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.
Fountain Looking for Smoke Solution
At the December 4 meeting, the Fountain City Council heard from citizen Kaye Unnasch during the time for public comments. Unnasch resides at 603 Birch Street. In recent discussion regarding external wood stoves/boilers within the city, it was noted that Unnasch’s wood boiler is not up to code. Having received a letter from the city regarding the non-compliance, Unnasch stressed … [Read more...]
Rushford Opens New Grant for Businesses
The Rushford Economic Development Authority (EDA) has worked double time in recent years to promote new and existing businesses through a number of grant opportunities. At the November 25 Rushford Council meeting, City Administrator Tony Chladek detailed the premise while Councilors and EDA members Sally Ryman and Leigh Volkman further clarified details. Dubbed the Rushford … [Read more...]
Peterson Resignation Turns Into Changed Role
A special meeting of the Peterson Council was held November 25 to discuss the resignation of Public Works Director Tim Hallum and formal hiring timeline for the position. Hallum had tendered his resignation with City Clerk Chris Grindland effective December 15, agreeing to stay on part time and train a new employee. However, the council had not yet approved any resignation … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Undecided on Grant
At the November 19 meeting, the Rushford Village Council welcomed Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Senior Engineer Mitchell Kiecker. Attending virtually, he provided a final Safe Routes to School report. Community Economic Development Associates (CEDA) Community and Business Development Specialist Rebecca Charles applied for the grant on behalf of the … [Read more...]
Peterson Addresses Water Line Issues
As part of the Minnesota Lead and Copper Rule, the city of Peterson diligently completed its required mapping ahead of the October 16 deadline. The federal regulation passed in 2021 in effort to support actions to reduce lead in drinking water. Now, the city is looking ahead to the next deadline. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, “All public water systems with … [Read more...]
Rushford Gets Emergency Services Funds
A swift November 12 Rushford Council meeting saw just two general business agenda items and both will bolster the city’s emergency services. The first item is a $15,000 donation from the Rushford Fire Relief Association to the Rushford Fire Department. The department will utilize the funds to purchase equipment. Specifically, this includes two portable radios with … [Read more...]
Fountain Street Change in Future
At the November 6 meeting, MnDOT’s Paul Zager notified the council that the department will be looking to modify the intersection of Highway 52, Third Street, and County Road 8. Currently, the city street and county road both intersect the highway at angles with limited visibility. MnDOT says safety is the primary concern. The department is considering various options, but … [Read more...]
Rushford Transitions GIS
At the October 28 meeting, the Rushford Council welcomed City Engineer Derek Olinger of Bolton & Menk. Onlinger discussed the mandatory migration of the city’s Global Information System (GIS). The proposal transitions Rushford’s current web GIS platform to ESRI’s ArcGIS cloud-based server. According to Olinger, the city currently has a corporate subscription through … [Read more...]
Rushford Survey Results Compiled
After months of being out for consideration, responses to an Economic Development Authority (EDA) survey for the future of a large vacant area in the heart of Rushford are compiled. Conducted in partnership with Kansas State University, Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Regional Director Kristin Prososki and Leslie Vanelli, Research Project Manager for TAB and Tribal … [Read more...]
Rushford Village Talks Budget
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...]
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...]