Preparations for the selection of a new Rushford-Peterson School District Superintendent continue. At the Monday, December 17 school board meeting, Superintendent Chuck Ehler provided a chart for the interview process which he said was based on feedback from the teachers and board members requesting a process of involving others in the interview process. Ehler’s suggestions … [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 EDA goals; revisits pedestrian traffic along highway corridor
At the Monday, December 17 meeting, the Rushford Council approved a four goal plan submitted by the Economic Development Authority. The goals had been discussed and approved by the EDA December 12. The goals are to improve downtown vitality, increase local workforce 50 jobs by 2025, fill housing demand by 2025, and to more effectively market the community. The objective of the … [Read more...]
Rushford Village approves final budget
At the Tuesday, December 18 meeting, the council formally approved the 2019 budget and levy in the amount of $435,000. The preliminary levy had been certified at $450,000 in September. This was $25,000 more than the 2018 levy. There were no comments at the Truth-In-Taxation hearing and the Village is banking for some major equipment upgrades in the coming years. “I don’t see … [Read more...]
Worrisome situation growing as drivers continue to pass stopped school buses
School buses; the bright yellow, metal behemoths are designed to stand out. We expect that there are children aboard and hope drivers anticipate stops. A frightening rise in the number of reported violations, close calls, and even deaths, however, has law enforcement, transportation directors, and bus companies on high alert. On October 30, three young siblings were struck … [Read more...]
Peterson makes a plan for upgraded electrical metering
The City of Peterson has made at least a partial move towards possibly upgrading electric meters. MiEnergy had previously supplied city staff with an estimate of roughly $28,000 to upgrade all meters to electronic reading capabilities. On several instances the council has previously discussed the issue, but hesitated to make any sort of decision, trying to weigh potential … [Read more...]
Rushford approves final levy; considers depot change, city limitations
At the Monday, December 10 meeting, the Rushford City Council unanimously approved setting the 2019 property tax levy at $936,000. This represents a 2.52% increase over 2018 levy of $913,000. The 2.52% is a net increase, representing a 5.43% decrease in debt service, but a 2.91% increase in operating costs. The $23,000 increase will provide an additional $6,500 to the General … [Read more...]
Rushford Village preps for final budget; puts end stamp on project
At the Tuesday, December 4 meeting, the Rushford Village Council conducted the annual Truth in Taxation meeting. No citizens were present with comments. The council has noted there were funding shortfalls in 2018. “We need to take serious consideration of what our budget is, as well as where we are with some of the things we may need,” said Mayor Gordon Johnson. “We did have … [Read more...]
R-P waits on school purchase agreement
At the Monday, November 19 Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting, Superintendent Chuck Ehler brought the board up to speed on the status of a potential sale for the former middle school in Peterson. According to Ehler, there was some misunderstanding regarding the title work, which prevented a purchase agreement from being secured. “As a board, you’ve been patient,” began … [Read more...]
Drury’s owner receives award for sales tax advocacy
Drury’s Furniture co-owner Mike Drury was recently named Minnesota Retailers Association Advocate of the Year. He accepted the award October 9, but even amid the accolades, his focus remains on the work that was done and why it was needed. The award comes after two decades pushing for sales tax fairness for retailers, specifically as it relates to purchases made via mail order … [Read more...]
Rushford discusses improvement project; school site
The Rushford City Council held a public hearing Tuesday, November 13, during the regularly scheduled council meeting, for the purpose of providing details and hearing resident feedback for a proposed street and utility improvement project. The project is tentatively scheduled for spring 2019. City Engineer Derek Olinger, of Bolton & Menk, was present at the meeting to … [Read more...]
Peterson approves nuisance ordinance
The City of Peterson has officially approved an ordinance regulating public nuisances after months of deliberation. At the Wednesday, November 14 meeting the council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance with changes made by City Attorney Greg Schieber, of Nethercut Schieber Attorneys. As noted last month, it includes clear definition of the term “vehicle” as trailers, … [Read more...]
Fountain nears IPP agreement for wastewater
With a three-man council, including Mayor Richard Kujath, Mayor-Elect Jim Schott, and Councilor Dave Gudmundson, the City of Fountain drew nearer to signage of an Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) with Valley Design at the Wednesday, November 7 meeting. Councilors Chad Wangen and Brian Ostby were absent. Discussing the matter at length with the council was Rick Whitney of … [Read more...]
Rushford reaps donation benefits
The Monday, October 22 Rushford Council meeting was notably shorter in business discussions that most meetings, but covered a multitude of recent donations that are helping the city thrive. Up first for council consideration was a summary by Rushford’s Merrill Schroeder regarding his Eagle Scout project, an ice rink warming house for the Creekside Park rink. Seeing a number … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson considers superintendent hiring process
Last month, the R-P School Board briefly discussed the process and timeline for the hiring of a new superintendent. Chuck Ehler, who has served as superintendent since July 2007, will not seek a new contract to renew his contract for the 2019-2020 school year. At the Monday, October 15 meeting, Ehler brought forth consideration of added services from the Minnesota School Board … [Read more...]
Rushford Village discusses Featherstone watershed
A quick-paced Village meeting, Tuesday, October 16, saw the council touch briefly on eight public works-related items and only one other item. Councilor Dennis Overland was absent from the meeting. First up, Mayor Gordon Johnson detailed plans for protection of the Featherstone Farms watershed. According to Johnson, the organic vegetable and fruit farm has a large well and … [Read more...]