Mayor Jim Schott remembers when the city first entered into an agreement with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for cost-sharing related to the trailhead facilities, in particular the restroom. The city’s been vocal about having not received any supplies or funding for them and just recently the council suggested the seeking of reimbursement for some of the costs. At … [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 runs into parcel snag with Highway 30 project
Rushford’s reconstruction project of Highway 30 isn’t slated to begin until 2022, but preliminary plans for the project are underway. The Minnesota Department of Transportation-led project is in its initial layout phase and includes West Jessie Street and West Stevens Avenue portions of Highway 30. Once layout alternatives are reviewed, preliminary design will commence. City … [Read more...]
Rushford Village to push on continuing maintenance
As the time for 2021 budgeting and setting of public tax levies draws near, cities are buckling down on goals and priorities for the year. At the August 18 Rushford Village Council meeting, getting a grasp on the budget to determine those plans was key. “At some point and time we need to try to get together to talk about what we want and need to find a better understanding. … [Read more...]
R-P adopts return to school plan
After determinations for procedures and guidelines by the state, districts are beginning to roll out plans for the return to school for the 2020-2021 school year. Rushford-Peterson School District has been discussing the options for months and clear, concise state recommendations were expected, but are leaving the outlook, as Superintendent Jon Thompson noted, “Clear as … [Read more...]
Peterson to implement fines for ordinance violations
The City of Peterson has spent the past three years building up its zoning ordinances, particularly when it comes to non-compliant properties and nuisance vehicles. In that time, the council has set fines which can be applied to property owners. With long-standing issues continuing and several properties either not communicating with the city or not bringing their properties … [Read more...]
Rushford preps for CARES Act funds
Like every municipality in the state, the City of Rushford is in the midst of determining needs for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds and how best to apply them. “It’s less solid and factual, but more of a moving target about where and when it can be used,” explained Mayor Terri Benson at the August 10 council meeting. The city received more than … [Read more...]
Fountain Council hears new complaints on old issues
The August 5 Fountain Council meeting was well attended, as several residents voiced their concerns over continued and increasing speeding on Cedar Street. The roughly quarter mile road has become a cut-through, particularly during commuting hours, for drivers between County Road 8 and Highway 52. Cedar Street resident Dan Byer presented the council with a petition of … [Read more...]
Rushford receives update on legislative action
Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability of the Minnesota legislature to pass a bonding bill for 2020, determining the assistance for non-metro areas of the state is challenging. That was the sentiment shared by Elizabeth Wefel, attorney and lobbyist for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, at the July 27 Rushford Council meeting. Wefel summarized a … [Read more...]
Fountain works through restrictions with concert events
The fate of concert events in the City of Fountain appears to have gained some forward momentum. A local establishment, on the recommendation of several entities, will be working to develop their plans for events to be held through the remainder of the year. Beaver Bottoms Saloon co-owner Jody Wiza has been undertaking creative events for the last year in effort to bring … [Read more...]
Rushford Village mulls old issues
The July 21 Rushford Village Council meeting was largely follow-up on previous issues, but the council did act on several related items. Zoning Superintendent Jon Pettit presented information at the July 7 meeting regarding two potential zoning violations at the Lind property, located at 29705 Highway 43 South. According to Pettit at the time, it was his belief that property … [Read more...]