City councils are wrapping up their year, tying up loose ends on old items and getting a jump on 2021. The Rushford Village council took their December 1 meeting to work towards finalizing a few items, but most will warrant future discussion. While the search for a new Public Works supervisor was listed on the agenda, there was no discussion during the public portion of the … [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.
R-P sets guidelines for determining learning model
The Rushford-Peterson School District notified families of students that they would be moving to full-time distance learning November 7 following an increase in COVID-19 cases within Fillmore County, particularly in Rushford. Now, the district is setting guidelines for determining which learning model to use going forward. The guidelines are flexible, based on a specific set of … [Read more...]
Rushford considers potential land purchase
While the November 23 council meeting agenda was shorter than usual, it did comprise two items requiring a move to a closed meeting that likely garnered quite a bit of discussion. Up first was the potential purchase of the Farmers Win Cooperative properties in downtown Rushford. The cooperative merged with Farmers Co-op Elevator in 2018 and began selling equipment on the … [Read more...]
Peterson looking into traffic issues
Though it be little, it too has traffic issues. At the November 12 meeting, complaints of traffic issues garnered the majority of city council discussion with Councillors Loren Rue and Dave Colbenson adding the item to the agenda. Rue indicated complaints were received from a resident in the area of Park Street and River Street. The concern was mainly speeding. Park Street is … [Read more...]
R-P School Board election results
Rushford-Peterson School Board will see at least three new faces beginning January. While many districts saw far more than the number of candidates running for positions on their various boards, R-P ballots had only one name for four positions. After the candidacy deadline to be on ballots ran out, at least five additional candidates ran write-in campaigns. With write-ins … [Read more...]
Rushford utilizes all CARES Act funds
While all area municipalities received Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Safety Grant recipients, some struggled early on how to utilize the full funds, anticipating having to send unused funds to Fillmore County November 15. For the City of Rushford, who received $133,352, the funds were put to good use helping purchase supplies, fund hazard pay and benefits, … [Read more...]
R-P holds emergency meeting on activities
Families of the Rushford-Peterson School District were notified November 7 via email that the district will be moving to distance learning for all grades following a rise in COVID-19 cases. The district discussed the issues with Fillmore County Public Health November 6. An emergency meeting was held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 9 to discuss both the changes in learning … [Read more...]
Fountain tables discussion on land detachment
Fountain City Council has received notice that Steve Eickhoff, executor of property formerly owned by his father Donald Eickhoff, along with the joint-property owner, is seeking detachment from the city. The issue was brought forth at the November 4 council meeting by Mayor Jim Schott. The 111.22 parcel acres is entirely farmland, with the exception of one pole building on the … [Read more...]
Rushford Village scrambles for public works coverage
At last month’s meeting, Public Works Supervisor Kyle Chiglo dropped what he called a “bombshell,” tendering his resignation. It came after just five months in the position. Chiglo informed the council he had accepted a position with Fillmore County, effective November 2, as a means of providing benefits for his family. At the time, he noted he’d spoken with Mayor Dennis … [Read more...]
Peterson targets end of year items
The City of Peterson, like all other municipalities, is in the midst of approving end of year items including the 2021 budget and levy. The city council has been working at the budget for several months and the subcommittee, including Clerk Chris Grindland and Councilors Gail Boyum and Loren Rue, were able to locate areas for cost savings. This allowed for just a proposed 2% … [Read more...]