At the Wednesday, February 12 meeting, the Peterson Council discussed plans for a spring walking tour to review property compliance. The issue has been one plaguing several properties in the city for some time. As currently planned, the council will hold their regular 6 p.m. March meeting, proceeding to take the tour first, by foot or side by side vehicle. The council will … [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 reviews permitting procedures
A lengthy Rushford Council meeting February 10 gave the council much to think about. First up was an informational discussion with City Attorney Mike Flaherty regarding conditional use permitting, specifically the procedure by which they’re granted and the legal standards applicable to them. Flaherty is working with the city to review the city’s code as it relates to … [Read more...]
Emergency! Shrinking number of EMS volunteers
Emergency Medical Services — those professionals responding to crisis calls and both treating and transporting patients — are a vital part of our communities. So integral, we assume they’re just always there, willing and waiting in the wings when we need them. What happens though when there aren’t enough workers to do the job? In Fillmore County, these are volunteer-staffed … [Read more...]
Rushford Village gives green light to solar project land lease
Having approved the required permitting at the January 28 council meeting, the City of Rushford Village formally consented to a 26-year land lease with OneEnergy Resources. The lease of up to three acres of city-owned land is expressly for the purpose of housing a portion of a $3.3 million, one-megawatt solar array system. The project is in partnership with MiEnergy. For … [Read more...]
Fountain approves 3-year wastewater management contract
In a brisk 10-minute meeting, the Fountain Council approved a few lingering items, as well as a hefty fee schedule modification, and a contract extension. Likely the biggest item from the meeting was the three-year contract extension with MMS Environmental. The city ended its previous agreement with PeopleService, with whom it contracted since 2017, in favor of MMS … [Read more...]
Rushford approves sewer rate increase
The City of Rushford held a public hearing Monday, January 27, for the purpose of reviewing comments related to proposed changes in the sewer rate. The 2% increase, which equates to just $.94 per month for 2020 and $.96 per month for 2021, was suggested by Financial Planner Mike Bubany, of David Drown Associates, as part of a larger financial review and planning. The increase … [Read more...]
Rushford Village approves solar array permitting; deal negotiations still to come
In a discussion now months long, the City of Rushford Village is cautiously considering options related to a proposed solar array. The request for the $3.3 million, one megawatt array is being put forward by OneEnergy Renewables in partnership with MiEnergy. The council officially approved the permitting request January 27. “Our membership has been demanding more … [Read more...]
AcenTek brings facility up to date with its service
By Kirsten Zoellner In the 1950s, the cusp of new technology in Fillmore and Houston Counties was telephone service. While available, it was limited, until Fillmore County Telephone Cooperative began acquiring small companies in each city and building service through access lines stretching across the countryside. Fast forward 70 years and that company, now AcenTek, is once … [Read more...]
Whalan resort opens Rustic Hearth Event Center
Cedar Valley Resort is easily one of the most well-rounded, breathtaking resorts in the county. Situated in the valley beneath the Root River bluffs, the family-owned resort is nearing the end of its second decade of business. Operated by Larry and Sheryl Johson and their daughter and son-in-law, Brittany and John Smith, it sits nestled into the original 40 acres owned by … [Read more...]
Frame it up: custom shop opens in Rushford
Hanging a piece of art or portrait of a loved involves the right colors, lines, location, and overall aesthetic. Why would you give any less consideration to what goes in to having it displayed? The popularity of custom framing is increasing as art lovers and do-it-yourself home decorators have learned that it’s not just enhancing the artwork, but really making it their own. … [Read more...]
Canton opens a wave of new businesses
In our small county towns, the opening of a new business is a boon for the whole community. Imagine the result for a town opening several in just one year. Canton, the community of roughly 350, has proved itself more than welcoming to economic development with more than seven new businesses opening in one year. On the west side of town, smack dab along the busy Highway 52 … [Read more...]
Peterson Museum – Preserving the past for future generations
Too often, we lament the loss of historic sites once ruin has set in. How sad it was that there was no one to save it because of cost, time, or other barriers. Small country communities, limited in more means than others, witness their share of historical losses. Sometimes though, it just takes motivated people and the right set of circumstances. Peterson resident John … [Read more...]
Rushford Village reviews solar land lease
The January 21 Rushford Village Council meeting was the first with new Mayor Dennis Overland at the helm. Longtime mayor Gordon Johnson resigned the position December 17. While the meeting served as the annual organizational meeting for the city, it also included more details on a proposed municipal land lease for a solar array. The land lease is being proposed by solar … [Read more...]
Rushford approves partnership with Edward Lowe Foundation
The Economic Development Authority (EDA) recommended the Rushford City Council approve a contract with System for Integrated Growth - Edward Lowe Foundation at the January 13 meeting. The recommendation came following EDA discussion on the matter earlier in the month. The contract will allow the EDA to sponsor businesses to work with the foundation to provide best practices and … [Read more...]
Peterson continues to hear vehicle compliance woes
The City of Peterson enacted an ordinance regulating public vehicle nuisances in January 2019 after months of extensive discussion and formally approving the ordinance in November 2018. Despite notification to citizens, the city continues to hear from residents regarding the fines. Per ordinance, inoperable vehicles unless properly licensed or registered. In regards to nuisance … [Read more...]