Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability of the Minnesota legislature to pass a bonding bill for 2020, determining the assistance for non-metro areas of the state is challenging. That was the sentiment shared by Elizabeth Wefel, attorney and lobbyist for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, at the July 27 Rushford Council meeting. Wefel summarized a … [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 works through restrictions with concert events
The fate of concert events in the City of Fountain appears to have gained some forward momentum. A local establishment, on the recommendation of several entities, will be working to develop their plans for events to be held through the remainder of the year. Beaver Bottoms Saloon co-owner Jody Wiza has been undertaking creative events for the last year in effort to bring … [Read more...]
Rushford Village mulls old issues
The July 21 Rushford Village Council meeting was largely follow-up on previous issues, but the council did act on several related items. Zoning Superintendent Jon Pettit presented information at the July 7 meeting regarding two potential zoning violations at the Lind property, located at 29705 Highway 43 South. According to Pettit at the time, it was his belief that property … [Read more...]
Rushford pool operation good amid precautions
The Rushford Aquatic Center got the green light to open for the season June 22. At the time, city staff cautioned the public, eager for summer fun, that opening could take 30 days. The city’s public works department and aquatic center staff had it open in 28, welcoming patrons July 6. Phase III modifications of the governor’s reopening plan put several restrictions in place … [Read more...]
Peterson continues to hammer out nuisance ordinance issues
The July 8 Peterson City Council meeting included positive news on long-running ordinance violations. At least five property owners who’d received letters from the city have contacted city hall, made some sort of viable plan to address the issues, and made efforts to comply. Some even received multiple mentions of praise from the council. However, the remaining 14 cited have … [Read more...]
New Village Public Works Supervisor hits the ground running
New Rushford Village Public Works Supervisor Kyle Chiglo isn’t wasting any time digging into the workload. His hire was approved at the last meeting prior to the employment end-date of June 30 for resigning supervisor Travis Scheck. The council approved a water/wastewater retainer and on-call agreement for Scheck, to cover water and wastewater licensing requirements until … [Read more...]
Fountain mulls over lingering issues
The Fountain City Council bounded through their brief July 1 meeting with a number of issues that have seen previous discussion. Amid these were zoning items and public works personnel. The Zoning Board met June 29 to discuss an application by Jody Wiza, co-owner of Beaver Bottoms Saloon, for a Conditional Use Permit. Wiza has done a number of improvements at the site and last … [Read more...]
Rushford finds saving in refinance
Under the tutelage of financial consultant Mike Bubany, of David Drown Associates, the Rushford City Council approved a refinance that should net them $58,090. The note review is a $594,000 2012 General Obligation Tax Abatement. The note is now callable and the first opportunity for the city to refinance through the Minnesota Rural Water Association’s Midi-Loan Program. The new … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson begins reopening process, adopts COVID plan
It’s been a rough few months for R-P students and staff, as the school year was modified to crisis distance learning and facilities closed to in-person instruction for the coronavirus pandemic. While district administrator Jon Thompson previously praised the state for giving districts eight days to switch gears, unknowns remain as the district attempts to follow new and … [Read more...]
Village hires new public works supervisor
After months of discussion, the City of Rushford Village has officially hired Kyle Chiglo as the new Public Works/Maintenance Supervisor. Following an interview with the Personnel Committee, comprised of Councilors Robert Hart and Roger Knutson, Clerk Mary Miner, and Scheck, it was recommended that the hire be approved by the council. Chiglo was an applicant five years ago when … [Read more...]
Rushford pool to open with restrictions
It’s been a months-long unknown, but the Rushford council decided, in a 4:1 vote June 8, to open the pool later this summer. Until now, COVID-19 restrictions put in place under Governor Tim Walz’s orders had prevented it. The big questions now are when will opening day be and how will the city manage the new Stay Safe MN restrictions put in place by the governor. As of June … [Read more...]
Peterson looking to work with property owners
Business is just starting to get back to normal for the City of Peterson. As temperatures have warmed, members of the council have completed a walkabout of city properties to access for any ordinance violations. It’s an effort the city has been keen on the last several years. Letters were sent to 19 property owners and detailed the city’s desire for a positive community … [Read more...]
Rushford Village looks to staffing changes
Business for the Rushford Village Council is slower than usual and the most recent meeting, just under 10 minutes reflected that. A few agenda items received additional discussion, mainly in relation to Public Works. The hunt for the new Public Works Maintenance Supervisor is on and moving forward. The position will be resigned by current supervisor Travis Scheck effective … [Read more...]
Rushford preps for Phase II of COVID-19 response
As Minnesota prepares to shift from Phase I of the state’s COVID-19 response plan, businesses are working to find ways to achieve requirements while getting local economies humming again. Per Governor Tim Walz’s Stay Safe Plan, Phase II begins June 1 with the guided reopening of restaurants and bars, personal care services/salons, retail, outdoor spaces, youth sports and … [Read more...]
Rushford gets good news on funds front
The City of Rushford’s financial position is looking healthy overall. Auditor Jason Boyton, of Smith Schafer & Associates, dialed in to the virtual meeting May 11 to present the detailed findings. While a bit of a challenge, but all pertinent information between city hall and auditors was done remotely this year. The city’s tax levy was $936,000 in 2019, up $23,000 from … [Read more...]