$67.3 million. That’s the amount that the Minnesota Department of Revenue sent to 3,891 Minnesota businesses through it’s initial round of COVID-19 Business Relief Payments. Part of bi-partisan legislation, the program provides direct financial relief to qualified restaurants, gyms, bars, and bowling centers who saw impact to revenue due to the pandemic. This was just one item … [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 Village extends clerk’s hours; approves Public Works employees
Last year proved to be a difficult year for municipalities, dealing with ongoing duties as well as a number of additional tasks and paperwork brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. While Rushford Village Clerk Mary Miner admitted to the extra workload at the January 19 council meeting, she also noted it needed to be done and that she was willing to. For Miner, whose position is … [Read more...]
Peterson council brings new councilors on board
The January 13 Peterson City Council meeting began with the taking of oaths from returning Mayor Tim Hallum and new Councilors Tracy Seelbinder and Chris Stenzel. In addition to the council, Clerk Chris Grindland, and Public Works Director Rick Lee, six citizens also attended the meeting. Resident Pete Erickson addressed the council regarding the recent sale of the side lot … [Read more...]
Rushford approves police department purchases
The first meeting of the year, January 11, brought both annual housekeeping and several updates. Up first, the council received a review from Rushford Police Department Chief Adam Eide regarding the proposed purchase of a new vehicle and equipment. The purchases were planned and budgeted for five years prior. Plans include trading the current 2015 Chevy Tahoe for a 2021 … [Read more...]
Fountain brings in new council
New Councilor Colleen Foehrenbacher, returning Councilors David Gudmundson and Terry Hanson, and Mayor Jim Schott were all sworn in at the January 6 meeting. Annual designations will remain the same with First State Bank as official depository, Frederick Suhler as attorney, and Fillmore County Journal as official newspaper. Mayor Jim Schott will move off his position with the … [Read more...]
Rushford receives update on flood insurance properties
The City of Rushford has received an update on an ongoing flood insurance study for certain properties located on Nannestad Lane and Green Street. Several properties were identified following the new Department of Natural Resources (DNR) flood mapping last year. Initially, it appeared several would be required to secure federal flood insurance for their properties, but that … [Read more...]
Village remains without Public Works candidate as storms on the horizon
While it’s been a fair fall and the snow has been minimal, this is Minnesota and the snow will come. The City of Rushford Village is still scrambling to find someone to fill immediate needs in their Public Works Department before the streets need plowing. Previous Public Works Supervisor Travis Scheck is still working on a contracted basis with the city to maintain all water … [Read more...]
Rushford Village approves final tax levy
The Rushford Village Council unanimously approved setting the final tax levy at $475,000 for 2021. The amount represents a 5.5% increase over the $450,000 levied for 2020. The largest increases are for engineering needed for ongoing maintenance of public streets, particularly in South Rushford, and other Public Works needs, including road rock for the city’s extensive miles … [Read more...]
Rushford ties up year-end items
The Rushford City Council met December 14, via online platform, to finalize the property tax levy payable in 2021. While the deadline to approve was not until the next meeting, concern over possible weather issues and pandemic restrictions saw Councilor Sally Ryman motion to approve it at this time. The preliminary levy was set in September at $1,017,000, which represented a … [Read more...]
Peterson Museum project pushes forward
Despite the challenging year, the Peterson Museum expansion project is continuing a steady push forward. The project entails a 720-square-foot addition to an annex on the 1877 former railroad station, now a museum and visitor’s center. The main purpose of the addition is to house recently acquired items from the former Peterson School District. The entire project is expected … [Read more...]