It’s been a year-long learning curve for Peterson and its nuisance vehicle ordinance. Initially passed in November 2018, the ordinance went into effect in January in an effort to give residents time to comply with standards. At the October meeting, the council voted in favor of 50% fine forgiveness for previous cited properties, following complaints, but that forgiveness … [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 approves Clean Air Ordinance; flips for council seat
Rushford’s City Hall was packed November 12 as the council held a public hearing regarding the proposed repeal of its 1997 Tobacco Ordinance and consideration of adoption for a new ordinance. Bright red tee-shirts bearing the slogan, “I support a tobacco-free generation; Tobacco 21,” were all around the room. In all, more than 50 people crammed into council chambers to voice … [Read more...]
Community rallies around Cords family following fire
The devastating fire experienced by the Cords family, of Rushford, has brought a community to its feet in support of the family. The house fire at 1086 Dump Hill Road, two miles east of Rushford, resulted in a complete loss of the home and significant injuries to the family of six, despite fire response arriving in just minutes. Miraculously, the family was able to get out of … [Read more...]
Fountain halts permit request; preps for clerk’s retirement
Last month, the Fountain City Council discussed the request by the owners of Beaver Bottom Saloon for a Conditional Use Permit. The permit was required for proposed concert events to be held at the Main Street venue. At the time, it was determined the city would allow the proprietors to move forward with one, weekend concert event to guage public response and adherance to city … [Read more...]
Fire closes Rushford Airport until further notice
Saturday, October 26 a fire call came into Rushford Fire Department from the Rushford Municipal Airport. Pilot Dean Drews, of Huntertown, Ind., had been staying the night in the pilot’s lounge facility after having flown in the previous day after experiencing mechanical troubles. After contacting former Fixed Base Operator and hangar renter Mike Thern, the two had contacted … [Read more...]
Rushford rezones former school parcel
A public hearing regarding possible rezoning of the former Rushford-Peterson school was held Monday, October 28 just prior to the city council meeting. Several were in attendance to hear proposed plans for the former elementary and high school facilities which were purchased in June by Well House Ministry, a faith-based organization, co-founded by Sherryl and Bruce Brunner. The … [Read more...]
R-P approves maintenance contract; determines future of old trophies
At the Monday, October 21 meeting, the R-P School Board reviewed a proposal for HVAC (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) system preventative maintenance. In attendance to explain the details was Paul Kruckow, sales engineer for Winona Heating & Ventilating, Inc. “We do have a great deal of dollars invested in our system and we need to make sure it is running … [Read more...]
Rushford recaps financial planning
The City of Rushford has spent more than a decade cracking away at infrastructure needs accelerated by 2007 flooding. Utilizing financial planning tools, in partnership with Mike Bubany, of David Drown & Associates, the city has been able to continue a steady pace forward while maintaining a self-imposed debt per capita threshold. Bubany was on hand at the October 15 … [Read more...]
Peterson approves fine forgiveness option
The City of Peterson approved a vehicle ordinance in November 2018 after debating the issue for months. It went into effect January 1 after repeated notice to city residents. The goal of the ordinance was to reduce nuisance vehicles within city limits, specifically including those that are not operating and registered. The ordinance was reviewed by legal counsel to be concise … [Read more...]
Rushford Village considers road issues
A number of items pertaining to roads and zoning were up for discussion at the Tuesday, October 1 Rushford Village meeting. While no formal decision was made at this time, a decision will need to made on most relatively soon. Of particular interest was an item brought to the table by Mayor Gordon Johnson. The bridge crossing at Aspen Road has been noted by county inspections … [Read more...]