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...]
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 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...]
Rushford pool operation good amid precautions
The Rushford Aquatic Center got the green light to open for the season June 22. At the time, city staff cautioned the public, eager for summer fun, that opening could take 30 days. The city’s public works department and aquatic center staff had it open in 28, welcoming patrons July 6. Phase III modifications of the governor’s reopening plan put several restrictions in place … [Read more...]
Peterson continues to hammer out nuisance ordinance issues
The July 8 Peterson City Council meeting included positive news on long-running ordinance violations. At least five property owners who’d received letters from the city have contacted city hall, made some sort of viable plan to address the issues, and made efforts to comply. Some even received multiple mentions of praise from the council. However, the remaining 14 cited have … [Read more...]
New Village Public Works Supervisor hits the ground running
New Rushford Village Public Works Supervisor Kyle Chiglo isn’t wasting any time digging into the workload. His hire was approved at the last meeting prior to the employment end-date of June 30 for resigning supervisor Travis Scheck. The council approved a water/wastewater retainer and on-call agreement for Scheck, to cover water and wastewater licensing requirements until … [Read more...]
Fountain mulls over lingering issues
The Fountain City Council bounded through their brief July 1 meeting with a number of issues that have seen previous discussion. Amid these were zoning items and public works personnel. The Zoning Board met June 29 to discuss an application by Jody Wiza, co-owner of Beaver Bottoms Saloon, for a Conditional Use Permit. Wiza has done a number of improvements at the site and last … [Read more...]
Rushford finds saving in refinance
Under the tutelage of financial consultant Mike Bubany, of David Drown Associates, the Rushford City Council approved a refinance that should net them $58,090. The note review is a $594,000 2012 General Obligation Tax Abatement. The note is now callable and the first opportunity for the city to refinance through the Minnesota Rural Water Association’s Midi-Loan Program. The new … [Read more...]