Drury’s Furniture co-owner Mike Drury was recently named Minnesota Retailers Association Advocate of the Year. He accepted the award October 9, but even amid the accolades, his focus remains on the work that was done and why it was needed. The award comes after two decades pushing for sales tax fairness for retailers, specifically as it relates to purchases made via mail order … [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 discusses improvement project; school site
The Rushford City Council held a public hearing Tuesday, November 13, during the regularly scheduled council meeting, for the purpose of providing details and hearing resident feedback for a proposed street and utility improvement project. The project is tentatively scheduled for spring 2019. City Engineer Derek Olinger, of Bolton & Menk, was present at the meeting to … [Read more...]
Peterson approves nuisance ordinance
The City of Peterson has officially approved an ordinance regulating public nuisances after months of deliberation. At the Wednesday, November 14 meeting the council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance with changes made by City Attorney Greg Schieber, of Nethercut Schieber Attorneys. As noted last month, it includes clear definition of the term “vehicle” as trailers, … [Read more...]
Fountain nears IPP agreement for wastewater
With a three-man council, including Mayor Richard Kujath, Mayor-Elect Jim Schott, and Councilor Dave Gudmundson, the City of Fountain drew nearer to signage of an Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) with Valley Design at the Wednesday, November 7 meeting. Councilors Chad Wangen and Brian Ostby were absent. Discussing the matter at length with the council was Rick Whitney of … [Read more...]
Rushford reaps donation benefits
The Monday, October 22 Rushford Council meeting was notably shorter in business discussions that most meetings, but covered a multitude of recent donations that are helping the city thrive. Up first for council consideration was a summary by Rushford’s Merrill Schroeder regarding his Eagle Scout project, an ice rink warming house for the Creekside Park rink. Seeing a number … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson considers superintendent hiring process
Last month, the R-P School Board briefly discussed the process and timeline for the hiring of a new superintendent. Chuck Ehler, who has served as superintendent since July 2007, will not seek a new contract to renew his contract for the 2019-2020 school year. At the Monday, October 15 meeting, Ehler brought forth consideration of added services from the Minnesota School Board … [Read more...]
Rushford Village discusses Featherstone watershed
A quick-paced Village meeting, Tuesday, October 16, saw the council touch briefly on eight public works-related items and only one other item. Councilor Dennis Overland was absent from the meeting. First up, Mayor Gordon Johnson detailed plans for protection of the Featherstone Farms watershed. According to Johnson, the organic vegetable and fruit farm has a large well and … [Read more...]
Peterson preps for action on non-compliant properties
Peterson City Attorney Greg Schieber, of Nethercut Schieber Attorneys, was present at the October 10 council meeting to discuss a draft ordinance for the regulation of public nuisances within the city. The goal of the ordinance has been to provide in-depth definition of city guidelines and to give the city a wider array of options for dealing with non-compliance. The city has … [Read more...]
Fountain adjusts past due utility guidelines
In a council meeting just topping 15 minutes, the Fountain Council briefly hit at a few items including the community center and past due utility issues, a contract, police department status, the final adoption a wastewater plan, and annual renewals. In new business, City Clerk Rhonda Flattum noted that a number of accounts are past due and Public Works had posted seven shut … [Read more...]
Rushford Village approves maintenance agreement
The Tuesday, October 2 Rushford Village Council meeting was business as usual with a short agenda and brisk meeting. Other than approvals for minutes and financials, the council reviewed just one agenda item. The council unanimously approved a maintenance agreement with Minnesota Pump Works, of Dundas, Minn., for annual maintenance of the lift station. The contract included a … [Read more...]