The City of Rushford has spent more than a decade cracking away at infrastructure needs accelerated by 2007 flooding. Utilizing financial planning tools, in partnership with Mike Bubany, of David Drown & Associates, the city has been able to continue a steady pace forward while maintaining a self-imposed debt per capita threshold. Bubany was on hand at the October 15 … [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.
Peterson approves fine forgiveness option
The City of Peterson approved a vehicle ordinance in November 2018 after debating the issue for months. It went into effect January 1 after repeated notice to city residents. The goal of the ordinance was to reduce nuisance vehicles within city limits, specifically including those that are not operating and registered. The ordinance was reviewed by legal counsel to be concise … [Read more...]
Rushford Village considers road issues
A number of items pertaining to roads and zoning were up for discussion at the Tuesday, October 1 Rushford Village meeting. While no formal decision was made at this time, a decision will need to made on most relatively soon. Of particular interest was an item brought to the table by Mayor Gordon Johnson. The bridge crossing at Aspen Road has been noted by county inspections … [Read more...]
Fountain weighs city engineer proposals, concert events
While initially indicating it was unlikely a decision would be made that night, the City of Fountain approved the hiring of engineering firm Widseth Smith Nolting at the Wednesday, October 2 meeting. Engineering firm WSB & Associates is currently working with the city, particularly on zoning projects, the comprehensive plan, and mapping. However, City Clerk Rhonda … [Read more...]
Rushford Village back on road projects
At the Tuesday, September 17 council meeting, Bolton & Menk Engineer Derek Olinger provided several updates to the city regarding ongoing street and utility improvement projects. Included were further information on the South Rushford Drainage Analysis, work on Benson Lane, bridge inspection, and an Aspen Road update. Preliminary planning for work in south Rushford … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson approves wage increase for routes
New R-P Superintendent Jon Thompson, at the helm just a few months, is making some changes with the way school board meetings are conducted and detailed them at the Monday, September 16 meeting. In the past, the board agenda has included statements from Principals Angela Shepard and Jake Timm, Community Education Director Lisa Lawston, and former Athletic Director Dan … [Read more...]
Peterson trudges through city issues
The Peterson Council buckled down on a number of recent issues at the Wednesday, September 11 meeting, as well as a handful of new concerns. Topics included ordinances and zoning, recent water concerns, budgets, and projects, including the newly approved road work. At the August meeting, the council unanimously approved putting a hold on replacing Park and River Street. The … [Read more...]
Fountain Council rescinds vote on city truck route
The Fountain Council rescinded an August vote to remove all truck routes within the city at the Wednesday, September 4 meeting. The move came after citizen complaints and concerns over the action. The earlier decision came following discussion of a Rochester City Lines bus stop. Plans to address the municipal parking lot to better accommodate bus pick ups for those … [Read more...]
Rushford Village appoints new councilor
Rushford Village Council has appointed resident Roger Knutson to the council seat left vacant by the resignation of Councilor Rich Smith earlier this summer. Smith resigned his position due to a move. Letters from three interested applicants were opened and read at the Tuesday, September 3 council meeting. The applicants included two former councilors, Todd Baker and Hamilton … [Read more...]
Rushford approves agreement for Highway 30 project
Highway 30 is easily known by its poor condition and while the project has been pushed back in recent years by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), preliminary work for the 2022 project is getting underway. At the Monday, August 26 meeting, the Rushford Council approved a formal request to participate in a MnDOT municipal agreement program. A Letter of Intent … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson buckles down enrollment policy, discipline matrix
With new R-P Superintendent Jon Thompson at the helm, the school board appears to be making steady progress on getting any needed modifications and updates in place prior to the start of the 2019-2020 school year. At the Monday, August 19 meeting, Thompson asked the board to consider open enrollment policy revision. “I’m asking the board to do this a little differently,” … [Read more...]
Rushford Village moves forward with mutual aid agreements
With the onslaught of heavy rains this spring and summer, the City of Rushford Village found a need for outside help. Emergency situations, such as pumping stormwater, cleanup efforts, and road washouts, while managed well by public works, suggested a need for mutual aid between the city and willing townships and municipalities. At the August 6 meeting, Mayor Gordon Johnson … [Read more...]
Rushford leads the pack with the state’s first parklet
Rushford is in a unique position when it comes to downtown beautification and must abide by often binding restrictions on a tree-lined downtown, added plantscapes, and business signage. “Rushford is different than other towns. Their main street isn’t a state highway and their second main street isn’t a state highway…” said Mayor Chris Hallum at the August 12 council … [Read more...]
Peterson puts hold on street considerations
The Peterson City Council met Wednesday, August 14 and the biggest topic of discussion continues to be what to do with city streets. Several areas are badly in need of repair and the city is still getting a handle on what condition underground utilities are in. In trying to make a determination of the financial impact a street project would have on the city, proposals were … [Read more...]
Fountain under new wastewater contract
At the Wednesday, August 7 meeting, the Fountain City Council approved rescinding a decision made at the July meeting to utilize a PointWatch system as of August 1. The system, a remote monitoring system, is provided by MMS Environmental isn’t yet installed and running at the wastewater treatment plant. Instead, the council made a new motion to move forward with … [Read more...]