The Tuesday, February 5 Rushford Village Council meeting was brief, but the council in attendance hit at a number of minor items as well as several issues brought on by the recent weather. Mayor Gordon Johnson and Councilor Chad Rasmussen were absent. Acting Mayor Dennis Overland conducted the meeting. The recent thaw of snow in city culverts in south Rushford saw a … [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 considers tobacco ordinance changes
In an age of ever-changing products and concerns, the City of Rushford is considering revamping its 1997 tobacco ordinance to include Electronic Nicotine Systems (ENS), or e-devices. The changes would clarify definitions and regulations pertaining to use and sale. A public hearing on the issue was held at the Monday, January 28 meeting, with Rushford-Peterson Middle/High School … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson talks trimester successes and challenges
At the Monday, January 28 R-P School Board meeting, Middle School/High School Principal Jake Timm conducted a presentation regarding the current school schedule and feedback regarding how well its worked for the district. According to Timm, the majority of schools within the state utilize a 7-8 period day schedule. Overwhelmingly, however, the majority of teachers in the state … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson narrows superintendent field; goes for grants
At a special meeting of the R-P School Board, held Tuesday, January 22, the list of candidates for new superintendent were narrowed to five, plus two alternates. A significant number of applications were received for the position that’s been held by Chuck Ehler since July 2007. The board has reviewed the applications and background information of the candidates and board … [Read more...]
Rushford Village holds annual meeting
As with most annual municipal meetings, the first meeting of the year for Rushford Village was largely annual housekeeping, determining meeting schedule, designations, committees, contracts, zoning, and financials. Rushford Village Council approved all with no change. Meetings will continue to be held the first and third Tuesday of each month, at 7 p.m., at the Village Hall. … [Read more...]
Rushford gets engineering updates; looks to development, old school potential
The bulk of the Monday, January 14 council meeting was items within notices or reports and updates, but there was a number of agenda items, as well, including a number of annual designations, committees, and renewals. The item garnering the most attention was consideration of action on a engineering studies discussed at previous meetings. First up was an update on a Minnesota … [Read more...]
Peterson preps ordinance for utility shut offs
At the Wednesday, January 9 Peterson Council meeting, a number of annual designations and items were discussed. Designations for 2019 will remain the same as last year. Loren Rue was appointed as acting mayor, Councilors Dave Colbenson and Lisa Price will serve as the Finance Committee, and Councilor Gail Boyum will serve as treasurer. Regular meeting times will remain the … [Read more...]
R-P Superintendent met with some pushback on hiring process suggestions
Preparations for the selection of a new Rushford-Peterson School District Superintendent continue. At the Monday, December 17 school board meeting, Superintendent Chuck Ehler provided a chart for the interview process which he said was based on feedback from the teachers and board members requesting a process of involving others in the interview process. Ehler’s suggestions … [Read more...]
Rushford approves EDA goals; revisits pedestrian traffic along highway corridor
At the Monday, December 17 meeting, the Rushford Council approved a four goal plan submitted by the Economic Development Authority. The goals had been discussed and approved by the EDA December 12. The goals are to improve downtown vitality, increase local workforce 50 jobs by 2025, fill housing demand by 2025, and to more effectively market the community. The objective of the … [Read more...]
Rushford Village approves final budget
At the Tuesday, December 18 meeting, the council formally approved the 2019 budget and levy in the amount of $435,000. The preliminary levy had been certified at $450,000 in September. This was $25,000 more than the 2018 levy. There were no comments at the Truth-In-Taxation hearing and the Village is banking for some major equipment upgrades in the coming years. “I don’t see … [Read more...]