The long-awaited decision on the fate of a lawsuit against the Rushford-Peterson School District is in. August 14, Fillmore County District Judge Matthew Opat handed down his findings in favor of the district. “It is a relief to have the ruling behind us and to be able to have this matter resolved. The district is looking forward to cooperating with the scope of the access … [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 Village citizens question road project
The headache that was the 2016 south Rushford Village road project continues to hamper city efforts to conclude the project. The $643,000 project has been discussed by the council at length, with the final pay application to McHugh Excavating approved earlier this month. At the Tuesday, August 15 Village council meeting, three citizens brought forth information and frustrations … [Read more...]
Peterson councilor resigns; council to appoint replacement
Peterson Councilor Jake Sandeno turned in a letter of resignation to the Peterson Council at the Wednesday, August 9 meeting. The resignation was due to a newly accepted job and subsequent move out of Peterson for Sandeno. Sandeno had run for a seat on the council last November, but did not win. When then-Councilor Chris Grindland resigned the seat to take the open city … [Read more...]
New business gives vibrant life to old storehouse
The perfect wine, brew, or cup of coffee takes time, patience, and skill to create. The vision for Lanesboro’s newest business was as thoughtfully put into motion. Tucked into the former 1932 Lanesboro Granary is The Granary, Coffee, Wine & Beer, where an inviting atmosphere, rustic industrial interior, and mouthwatering aromas beckon. Owners Kristen Asleson and Kimberly … [Read more...]
Rushford Village pays contractor amid remaining frustrations
A sizeable 2016 road project in Rushford Village is finally at an end. City Engineer Josh Pope, of Bolton & Menk, was on hand at the Tuesday, August 1 council meeting to cover details of the final pay application to contractor McHugh Excavating, of La Crescent. Pope indicated follow-up punch list items are now completed and suggested a May meeting with the contractor and … [Read more...]
Fountain contends with treatment plant timeline
The proposed timeline for Fountain’s wastewater treatment plant project has hit another roadblock. After the plant was designated out of compliance by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) compliance since October 2016, a corrective action plan was submitted and approved. The city was unable to meet the timeline laid out by the plan due to unsecured funding options. … [Read more...]
Root River Fest set to make big impact for Fillmore County
Later this summer, eager crowds will pack into the Fillmore County Fairgrounds in Preston for the first annual Root River Fest. Created by the Fillmore County Agriculture Society, the two-day weekend festival is the county’s first full-scale music festival and proceeds will benefit the Fillmore County Fair, including grounds and programs. It is “Founded on the roots of the true … [Read more...]
Rushford addresses hilltop subdivision problems
At the Monday, July 24 meeting, the Rushford City Council reviewed a preliminary analysis for possible acquisition of two residential properties on Lamplighter’s Lane. The steeply sloped road was initially designed in the late ‘70s to lead to a four-home subdivision overlooking the city on the bluff east of Rushford. Two homes were built at the site in 1976 and 1977. The road … [Read more...]
R-P School Board hosts last meeting in old school; split on basketball coaching
Monday, July 17 the Rushford-Peterson School Board held their last board meeting in what will soon be a vacant building. The new preK-12 school facility is nearing completion and the keys will be turned over to the school August 15. Six of the seven members on the board were present for the meeting and posed for a photo in the nearly empty biology room to mark the occasion. … [Read more...]
Lanesboro signs new agreement on dam project
The city has been working to find a solution to the repair of the dam for more than a decade, but has been hampered by federal historic preservation guidelines. A 2014 Department of Natural Resources inspection of the dam revealed the 1868 hydroelectric structure was degrading more quickly than anticipated. National Inventory of Dams designates it as a Class 1 High-Hazard dam, … [Read more...]