“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...]
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.
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...]
Rushford Village gives green light to solar project land lease
Having approved the required permitting at the January 28 council meeting, the City of Rushford Village formally consented to a 26-year land lease with OneEnergy Resources. The lease of up to three acres of city-owned land is expressly for the purpose of housing a portion of a $3.3 million, one-megawatt solar array system. The project is in partnership with MiEnergy. For … [Read more...]
Fountain approves 3-year wastewater management contract
In a brisk 10-minute meeting, the Fountain Council approved a few lingering items, as well as a hefty fee schedule modification, and a contract extension. Likely the biggest item from the meeting was the three-year contract extension with MMS Environmental. The city ended its previous agreement with PeopleService, with whom it contracted since 2017, in favor of MMS … [Read more...]
Rushford approves sewer rate increase
The City of Rushford held a public hearing Monday, January 27, for the purpose of reviewing comments related to proposed changes in the sewer rate. The 2% increase, which equates to just $.94 per month for 2020 and $.96 per month for 2021, was suggested by Financial Planner Mike Bubany, of David Drown Associates, as part of a larger financial review and planning. The increase … [Read more...]
Rushford Village approves solar array permitting; deal negotiations still to come
In a discussion now months long, the City of Rushford Village is cautiously considering options related to a proposed solar array. The request for the $3.3 million, one megawatt array is being put forward by OneEnergy Renewables in partnership with MiEnergy. The council officially approved the permitting request January 27. “Our membership has been demanding more … [Read more...]
AcenTek brings facility up to date with its service
By Kirsten Zoellner In the 1950s, the cusp of new technology in Fillmore and Houston Counties was telephone service. While available, it was limited, until Fillmore County Telephone Cooperative began acquiring small companies in each city and building service through access lines stretching across the countryside. Fast forward 70 years and that company, now AcenTek, is once … [Read more...]