The October 12 Peterson Council saw new Mayor Dave Colbenson bring up several agenda additions. Colbenson had served as councilor and mayor pro tem until September 7. At that meeting, Mayor Tim Hallum resigned and accepted the new Public Works Director position. Colbenson will serve the city as mayor until the end of the year. “I hate to bring this up, but with good … [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 moves to purchase former Farmers Win Cooperative site
After a closed meeting session before the regular October 11 Rushford City Council meeting, the council approved proceeding with the submission of an agreement to Farmers Win. The motion indicated the city would stand with the offer, including all contingencies and that it would neither give nor accept any counteroffer. “Our offer is what it is,” noted Councilor Jim … [Read more...]
Fountain celebrates successful event; plans for next
The City of Fountain hosted the Relay for Life event on August 19 and will host the American Cancer Society fundraiser again in 2023. “It was a huge success. We were well over our goal,” enthused 2022 event coordinator and city councilor Colleen Foehrenbacher. The event raised $66,000 through walker donations and a silent auction. Cities agree to host the event for two years. … [Read more...]
Rushford Village talks road safety
At the October 4 meeting, the Rushford Village Council was made aware of a visit from a local farmer inquiring about the status of County Line Road. With harvest season already in swing, whether or not the road would be open was a concern. The middle section, leading from the blufftops to the valley below, is steep and winding. A portion of it eroded into the roadway this year. … [Read more...]
Rushford seeks airport engineering qualifications
The September 26 Rushford Council meeting held only one item of general business, which was unanimously approved. It provided authority to advertise a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for airport engineering and planning services. The process is required prior to the city entering into a master service agreement every five years. The current agreement with Mead & Hunt … [Read more...]
Rushford Village to hold extra budgetary meeting
The Rushford Village council opted to continue its September 20 meeting to September 26 for the purpose of discussing the 2023 budget further. Mayor Dennis Overland and Councilor Roger Knutson were absent for the regularly scheduled meeting, so Mayor Pro Tem Mike Ebner headed up the agenda. Councilor Bob Hart previously asked for additional information regarding funds, … [Read more...]
Peterson gets new mayor, Public Works director
An interesting turn of events at the September 14 Peterson City Council meeting saw the hiring of a new Public Works director, resignation of the mayor, and mayor pro tem stepping into the mayoral role through the end of the year. During new business, City Clerk Chris Grindland stated four applications for the position of Public Works director were received, reviewed, and all … [Read more...]
Rushford approves draft purchase agreement
At the September 12 meeting, the Rushford City Council unanimously approved a draft purchase agreement for the former Farmers Win Cooperative site in the heart of downtown. The council reviewed the proposed purchase agreement in a closed meeting before the start of the regular meeting. According to City Clerk Kathy Zacher and a draft provided at the meeting, the focus of the … [Read more...]
Rushford Village approves contract extension; digs into budget
At the September 6 meeting, the Rushford Village Council heard details of offers for garbage and recycling collection contract extensions. Jeff Holmquist, sales manager for Harter’s Quick Clean-Up, was on hand to discuss the options. As the current contract will expire in February 2023, the village wanted to explore the option of no longer owning the rolling carts as a way to … [Read more...]
Fountain council approves preliminary levy
The Fountain Council approved the preliminary tax levy for 2023 at the September 7 meeting. While the final levy can ultimately be less than the amount approved, it cannot be higher. The final levy will be approved in December. The total preliminary levy was $231,142. The represents $123,142 for general tax levy, $65,000 for the sewer fund $35,000 for Capital Improvement, and … [Read more...]