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...]
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 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...]
Rushford moving forward on project; nears end on timeline for CARES Act funding
The Rushford City Council held a public hearing October 13 in regards to the Highway 30 Reconstruction Improvement Hearing. City Engineer Derek Olinger, of Bolton & Menk, was on hand to answer questions from those in attendance. Four citizens were present at the meeting regarding the project, with two others attending virtually. The project area is roughly 300-feet west … [Read more...]
Rushford Village awards project bid; surprised by resignation
The October 6 Rushford Council meeting was led by Councilor Mike Ebner, serving as acting mayor in the absence of Mayor Dennis Overland. In attendance was City Engineer Derek Olinger, of Bolton & Menk, to discuss the final details of the first phase of the South Rushford Drainage Project. In this phase, the city will be aiming to address outfall grading in two areas. … [Read more...]
Fountain approves relief for businesses
With just three of the five council members in attendance, and Councilor Dave Gundundson serving as acting mayor, the Fountain’s City Council worked through a short agenda at the October 7 meeting. Two items were tabled for consideration next month with a full council. The council did unanimously approve the applications for utility relief for local businesses via federal … [Read more...]
Rushford approves first round of Cares Act Grants
In August, the Rushford City Council approved the acceptance of roughly $133,000 in funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act with the intention of helping Rushford businesses and nonprofits. At the time it was noted the distribution of the funds needed to satisfy three criteria: they must be necessary expenditures due to the public health emergency, … [Read more...]
R-P gets update from new school nurse
The idea of acquiring a school nurse on staff at Rushford-Peterson has been kicked around since before the district built its new facility. The new school officially opened in August 2017 and that year, the school board made the decision to proceed with a health assessment in lieu of hiring a nurse. Fast forward to the pandemic, the school board unanimously approved moving … [Read more...]