The City of Peterson has debated the need for policing several times over the last six years, each time determining that there isn’t enough public demand or concern for it. At the June 9 council meeting, the issue was discussed once again with Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge in attendance. Within Fillmore County, only Rushford Village, Whalan, and Peterson have no city … [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 looking at service providers
At the June 2 Fountain Council meeting, Clerk Mary Tjepkes and Mayor Jim Schott noted the rapidly approaching end of the city contract with Frontier Communications. The contract, which provides phone, fax, and internet, is set to expire July 21. Tjepkes has frequently indicated several problems with the service and now the city is considering other options. Kyle Moorhead, of … [Read more...]
Rushford Village refinances under suggestion of planner
It’s been several years since Rushford Village has had financial planner Mike Bubany, of David Drown Associates, at a meeting. Typically, he’s brought on board to discuss cost impacts for project planning. This time, it was Bubany who approached the city with a cost savings proposal. “We’ve got a possibility of refinancing debt for the sole purpose of lowering payments. We can … [Read more...]
Fountain looks to city hall security
Fountain’s special council meeting May 24 was initially scheduled to discuss road maintenance needs, but the recent break-in of city hall garnered the bulk of the conversation. According to Mayor Jim Schott, the break-in occurred late Monday May 17 or early Tuesday May 18. At this time, it is unclear who was responsible. City Clerk Mary Tjepkes confirmed items taken, which … [Read more...]
Rushford receives clean audit
Despite technical difficulties at the start, the Rushford Council meeting held May 10 yielded a clean audit for the city. Auditor Jason Boynton and Kali Lentz, of Smith Schafer & Associates joined the meeting virtually to present the findings, which highlighted healthy funds in an unusual year. The city’s tax levy for 2020 was $973,000, up from $936,000 in 2019. The … [Read more...]
Peterson approves welcome sign, community garden
After several months of discussion, the Peterson City Council has approved the order of a new welcome sign to be placed on the Root River State Trail. The 2x4-foot composite sign will taut a three-dimensional design and the city’s former school colors through a gold background and maroon lettering. Produced by Art Sign Works, of Murrieta, Calif., the sign will also have the … [Read more...]
Rushford Village ponders trail study, reopens parks
The City of Rushford Village is working with Community and Economic Development Associates’ (CEDA) representative Rebecca Charles to determine if a proposed trail study would benefit the Village. The study is the work of University of La Crosse students under the tutelage of Dr. Daniel Plunkett, Assistant Professor of Recreation Management & Therapeutic Recreation. The … [Read more...]
Fountain sticks with wastewater management contract for now
The May 5 Fountain Council meeting was largely presentations from persons in attendance. Craig Britton, City Engineer from Widseth Smith Nolting & Associates, was in attendance to discuss the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and ongoing investigation into a bypassed component. Seven months ago, it was discovered that a sand filtration component had been bypassed, however … [Read more...]
Rushford holds hearing on preliminary project layout
The City of Rushford is drawing closer to its next big project – the complete reconstruction of Highway 30. The highway is one of three that intersect within the city. The proposed $5.32 million project is being led by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). City Engineer Derek Olinger, of Bolton & Menk, was on hand at the April 26 council meeting and public … [Read more...]
Peterson property walkabout completed
With the influx of warmer weather, the Peterson spring walkabout was conducted recently by Councilors Gail Boyum and Chris Stenzel on behalf of the council. The two independently surveyed both residential and commercial properties, with Boyum additionally taking photos. Boyum noted several concerns with corn chaff and dust coming from Chuck’s Feed & Grain, an agricultural … [Read more...]