The City of Fountain is rolling into a new year with both new wastewater management and engineering firms. Last May, the council approved the change from PeopleService to MMS Environmental, as wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) management, but due to previous contract stipulations, didn’t formally enter into an agreement with them until August. In October, the city opted two … [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 approves final levy; sees mayor off after ten years
At the brief Monday, December 23 meeting, the Rushford City Council voted unanimously to approve the $973,000 property tax levy for 2020. The amount represents a 3.95% increase over 2019. No comments were lodged at the Truth In Taxation meeting held December 9. “The overall tax rate went down and we’re staying within our goal,” noted Mayor-elect Terri Benson. The largest … [Read more...]
Lanesboro receives clean audit; preps for project work
The Lanesboro School Board receivaed favorable news from auditor Jason Boyton, Smith, Shafer & Associates, at the Thursday, December 19 meeting. The district has continued several positive financial strides forward, despite its small size and an in-progress building project. Only one area of concern was noted in the audit. The district has also seen a positive increase … [Read more...]
R-P approves early retirement incentive
The Rushford-Peterson School District has considered making their early retirement incentive program a policy item. However, following discussion at the Monday, December 16 school board meeting, it was determined to be more effective practice to keep the program a limited offering. Designed as a cost-savings measure for the district, the program currently allows teachers … [Read more...]
No tobacco under 21; Rushford approves Tobacco Ordinance
Leading the pack of communities looking to update long-standing tobacco ordinances amid the wave of electronic nicotine delivery services (ENDS) and increases in youth tobacco usage, Rushford Council passed modifications to its ordinance unanimously at a special meeting December 16. The council has been discussing the matter with Fillmore County Public Health for over a year … [Read more...]
Rushford Village holds solar hearings; waits on decision
The City of Rushford Village is considering the option of an extended land lease to MiEnergy/OneEnergy for the purpose of a large scale solar array project. The project has two options. One is to construct a ground-mount solar array entirely on existing MiEnergy land. The other is allowance of a 26-year land lease for 3.17 acres of Village property for the construction of a … [Read more...]
Rushford takes input on UTV/ATV usage
The City of Rushford is in the early stages of researching the potential benefits and ramifications of allowing the use of certain recreational vehicles within the city limits. Currently, Class 1 all-terrain vehicles and Class 2 utility task vehicles are not allowed on Minnesota State Highways, three of which converge in Rushford. Additionally, the state DNR law does not allow … [Read more...]
Rushford Village council vacancy again
The Rushford Village Council has once again found itself accepting a council resignation and declaring a vacancy for the seat. Councilor Chad Rasmussen submitted written resignation prior to the November 19 meeting, effective immediately. There is one year remaining on his term. Mayor Gordon Johnson suggested the council bypass a public request for interested persons and … [Read more...]
Peterson approves partial forgiveness on vehicle fines for 2019
It’s been a year-long learning curve for Peterson and its nuisance vehicle ordinance. Initially passed in November 2018, the ordinance went into effect in January in an effort to give residents time to comply with standards. At the October meeting, the council voted in favor of 50% fine forgiveness for previous cited properties, following complaints, but that forgiveness … [Read more...]
Rushford approves Clean Air Ordinance; flips for council seat
Rushford’s City Hall was packed November 12 as the council held a public hearing regarding the proposed repeal of its 1997 Tobacco Ordinance and consideration of adoption for a new ordinance. Bright red tee-shirts bearing the slogan, “I support a tobacco-free generation; Tobacco 21,” were all around the room. In all, more than 50 people crammed into council chambers to voice … [Read more...]
Community rallies around Cords family following fire
The devastating fire experienced by the Cords family, of Rushford, has brought a community to its feet in support of the family. The house fire at 1086 Dump Hill Road, two miles east of Rushford, resulted in a complete loss of the home and significant injuries to the family of six, despite fire response arriving in just minutes. Miraculously, the family was able to get out of … [Read more...]
Fountain halts permit request; preps for clerk’s retirement
Last month, the Fountain City Council discussed the request by the owners of Beaver Bottom Saloon for a Conditional Use Permit. The permit was required for proposed concert events to be held at the Main Street venue. At the time, it was determined the city would allow the proprietors to move forward with one, weekend concert event to guage public response and adherance to city … [Read more...]
Fire closes Rushford Airport until further notice
Saturday, October 26 a fire call came into Rushford Fire Department from the Rushford Municipal Airport. Pilot Dean Drews, of Huntertown, Ind., had been staying the night in the pilot’s lounge facility after having flown in the previous day after experiencing mechanical troubles. After contacting former Fixed Base Operator and hangar renter Mike Thern, the two had contacted … [Read more...]
Rushford rezones former school parcel
A public hearing regarding possible rezoning of the former Rushford-Peterson school was held Monday, October 28 just prior to the city council meeting. Several were in attendance to hear proposed plans for the former elementary and high school facilities which were purchased in June by Well House Ministry, a faith-based organization, co-founded by Sherryl and Bruce Brunner. The … [Read more...]
R-P approves maintenance contract; determines future of old trophies
At the Monday, October 21 meeting, the R-P School Board reviewed a proposal for HVAC (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) system preventative maintenance. In attendance to explain the details was Paul Kruckow, sales engineer for Winona Heating & Ventilating, Inc. “We do have a great deal of dollars invested in our system and we need to make sure it is running … [Read more...]