Peterson City Attorney Greg Schieber, of Nethercut Schieber Attorneys, was present at the October 10 council meeting to discuss a draft ordinance for the regulation of public nuisances within the city. The goal of the ordinance has been to provide in-depth definition of city guidelines and to give the city a wider array of options for dealing with non-compliance. The city has … [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.
Fountain adjusts past due utility guidelines
In a council meeting just topping 15 minutes, the Fountain Council briefly hit at a few items including the community center and past due utility issues, a contract, police department status, the final adoption a wastewater plan, and annual renewals. In new business, City Clerk Rhonda Flattum noted that a number of accounts are past due and Public Works had posted seven shut … [Read more...]
Rushford Village approves maintenance agreement
The Tuesday, October 2 Rushford Village Council meeting was business as usual with a short agenda and brisk meeting. Other than approvals for minutes and financials, the council reviewed just one agenda item. The council unanimously approved a maintenance agreement with Minnesota Pump Works, of Dundas, Minn., for annual maintenance of the lift station. The contract included a … [Read more...]
Rushford approves AcenTek agreement and fee
At the Monday, September 24 Rushford Council meeting, the council unanimously agreed upon a new franchise agreement with AcenTek, including the implementation of related fees. Doing so will require amendments to the city’s ordinance granting the franchise to Ace Telephone Association/AcenTek for the operation and maintenance of the cable televising system. A public hearing will … [Read more...]
Rushford farm upgrades to solar
With the costs related to farming on the rise, Rushford resident and farmer Jon Peterson is always on the lookout for ways to increase efficiencies and maintain sustainability efforts. This May, Peterson and his family installed a 37.5 kilowatt-generating solar array at Hill Vue Farm, their 800-acre organic farm. “This was really the only option we considered,” says Peterson. … [Read more...]
R-P receives bussing complaints; preps for new superintendent
The Monday, September 17 Rushford-Peterson School Board received several complaints from local childcare providers. During the time for public comment, Heidi Halvorson and Chellsey Olson brought forth a number of safety concerns for the children under their care utilizing the district’s bussing service. According to Halvorson, this year, Bernard Bus Service has begun to drop … [Read more...]
Reducing electrical hazards on the farm
With the onset of electrical service to farms throughout the mid-century, rural families and businesses were aided in efficiency, hygienic practices, food storage/handling, and some impressive mechanical equipment upgrades. However, a whole new series of potential hazards were added and even today, are worth noting as the harvest season looms. The obvious hazards, shock to … [Read more...]
Peterson Council meets prospective school buyer
Near the conclusion of the Wednesday, September 12 meeting, the Peterson Council had the opportunity to meet Roger Anderson, representing the Anderson Maplewood Group. The group is in the final stages of a sale with Rushford-Peterson School District to purchase the former R-P Middle School in Peterson. “The idea is to go ahead and reinvent the school; to make it a school for … [Read more...]
Rushford continues contract for lot sales
Rod Darr, representing Darr Realty, was present at the Monday, September 10 Rushford Council meeting to seek a one-year renewal on the city’s contract, aimed at selling of city-owned lots, specifically in Himlie Park. The current contract expires October 15. The partnership has been successful in securing two closings and one pending sale on three of the nine lots. Created in … [Read more...]
Preston native earns prestigious award
Ryan Quanrud recalls always wanting to serve in law enforcement. “It was always something I wanted to do; since I was a little kid. I just knew I was going to be a police officer,” he says. Growing up, Quanrud saw the life of emergency services first hand. Both his father and grandfather served with the Preston Fire Department. His grandfather also worked as a probation … [Read more...]
Preston’s JailHouse Inn – A Bed & Breakfast worth going to jail for
Preston’s only and longtime bed & breakfast, the JailHouse Inn, has new owners and they’re a perfect match for each other. Dorle Kaase, along with husband, Tom, who is the Fillmore County Sheriff, purchased the historic 1869 gem July 31. “Running a Bed & Breakfast has been a dream of mine off and on for many years,” says Dorle Kaase. “ I never thought it would become a … [Read more...]
Rushford Village looking ahead to system data collection
The Rushford Village Council met Tuesday, September 4. Of the few agenda items, the one that garnered the most conversation was with guest Tom Kopperud, of NES (Norman’s Electric Service). The topic was the possible installation of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for the city well and lift station. Kopperud discussed options related to a 2012 quote … [Read more...]
Future of Fountain’s chicken ordinance heads back to zoning board
In August, the Fountain Council voted to place the hotly debated issue over the keeping of chickens within city limits on the November ballot. At the time, City Attorney Dwight Luhmann recommended against the decision, instead recommending the issue go back to Planning and Zoning for review. He suggested the board put together a potential Chicken Ordinance and bring a … [Read more...]
Rushford Council approves lot sale
The last remaining lot in Rush Creek Business Park, 900 Enterprise Drive, will be the future home of Volkman Auto Body. The City of Rushford received an offer, through Darr Realty, from Leigh and Kayla Volkman, and the council approved it unanimously at the August 27 meeting. The amount is comparable to other per acre values in the industrial area, due to a number of easements … [Read more...]
Rushford Village discusses land sales; road work
At the Tuesday, August 21 meeting, the Rushford Village Council was joined by a number of individuals including Bryce Lange, of Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA). On hand to discuss the recent Southeast Minnesota Regional Economic Study, Lange noted the goal is to locate trends and narrow the scope of some 600 variables, as they relate to tourism, … [Read more...]