It’s been a year of shifting council seats for the City of Rushford Village. Last summer, Councilor Rich Smith resigned due to a move out of the Village. In September, Roger Knutson was appointed to take his spot. Then, in November, Councilor Chad Rasmussen resigned. At the time, Mayor Gordon Johnson suggested the city bypass a public request for interested persons and look 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 hashes out design for highway project
While the actual construction is still two years out, the City of Rushford is working diligently to determine the scope of the Highway 30 project. The clock is ticking on the Minnesota Department of Transportation-led (MnDOT) project and design elements to determine geometric layout must be decided now. Engineer Derek Olinger, of Bolton & Menk, presented numerous options … [Read more...]
Fountain wastewater plant runs into pH problems
Discouraging news for the City of Fountain, as low pH numbers continue to show up during wastewater treatment plant testing. Having worked for several years to establish and implement a plan to bring its plant back into compliance with the state, the news is discouraging. Public Works, working with Mike Morris, of MMS Environmental, has been able to maintain compliance, but its … [Read more...]
Rushford reviews report, airport hangar sale
A number of positive details were shared with the Rushford City Council via an annual water report at the February 24 meeting. City Clerk Kathy Zacher noted the city continues to tighten up unaccounted water usage, meeting the Department of Natural Resources goal of 10% or less. In 2018 and 2019, the city had 9.1% and 9.5% of all water unaccounted. Water that is not metered … [Read more...]
Rushford Village reaches solar array agreement
After several months of debate, the City of Rushford Village has reached an agreement with OneEnergy Renewables, in partnership with MiEnergy, for a $3.3 million, one-megawatt solar array. Permitting was approved January 27, but the council halted a decision on a request for a 26-year land lease from the Village. Of particular concern to the council were the length of the land … [Read more...]
Morem Electric celebrates major milestone
“Honest day’s work for an honest day’s dollar.” Harmony businessman Arnold Morem was known to say this. The principle remains a fundamental part of the business Morem began back in 1945. When the Rural Electrification Act came through in 1936, it paved the way for electricity to reach the rural areas of the country. Arnold found himself installing electrical service to farms … [Read more...]
Oral health plays a big role in overall health
When you think of staying healthy, chances are proper nutrition, regular exercise, and annual checkups with our physician spring to mind. But what of your dental health? It’s more important than you think and the medical establishment is now pushing the importance of oral systemic health more than ever. “Oral systemic health is the connection between oral health and overall … [Read more...]
Peterson plans walkabout
At the Wednesday, February 12 meeting, the Peterson Council discussed plans for a spring walking tour to review property compliance. The issue has been one plaguing several properties in the city for some time. As currently planned, the council will hold their regular 6 p.m. March meeting, proceeding to take the tour first, by foot or side by side vehicle. The council will … [Read more...]
Rushford reviews permitting procedures
A lengthy Rushford Council meeting February 10 gave the council much to think about. First up was an informational discussion with City Attorney Mike Flaherty regarding conditional use permitting, specifically the procedure by which they’re granted and the legal standards applicable to them. Flaherty is working with the city to review the city’s code as it relates to … [Read more...]
Emergency! Shrinking number of EMS volunteers
Emergency Medical Services — those professionals responding to crisis calls and both treating and transporting patients — are a vital part of our communities. So integral, we assume they’re just always there, willing and waiting in the wings when we need them. What happens though when there aren’t enough workers to do the job? In Fillmore County, these are volunteer-staffed … [Read more...]