At the Wednesday, July 5 meeting, Fountain City Clerk Ronda Flattum proposed the idea of the city utilizing the Minnesota Livable City Code (LCC). Established just this year, the code is especially suited to cities with a population under 500. Based on the Minnesota Basic Code, utilized by hundreds of Minnesota municipalities, this new code includes provisions specifically … [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 loan modification for GForce, Ink
Last March, the Rushford City Council unanimously approved a recommendation by the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to enter into an agreement with GForce, Ink. The agreement was drawn up with the intent of addressing notes and lines of credit due to the city. Details of that agreement included payment on Revolving Loan Funds, including accrued interest, no later than July … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson looks at finishing touches for new school
The new school is just two months or less from completion and several in attendance at the Monday, June 19 R-P School Board meeting were noticeably eager to see it done. “Things are moving along; you can trust that they are,” said District Superintendent Chuck Ehler. An administration walk through of the lower classrooms was held last week, June 15, and a tour of the progress … [Read more...]
Rushford Village getting nearer to 2016 road project completion
It’s been a long year, or longer, for the Rushford Village Council when it comes to road projects, specifically, the 2016 improvement projects. It was stated at the Tuesday, June 20 council meeting that a formal letter had gone out previously to McHugh Excavating, the contractor on the project. In the letter, the city indicated that should remaining punch list items from the … [Read more...]
Fountain policing options continue
The Fountain City Council meeting, Wednesday, June 7, hit at several old and new agenda items, some which have been kicked around for some time. At the forefront, Police Chief Tom Mosher is preparing for retirement later this year and the city is looking to get a head of the curve by wading through a number of available options. Currently on the table are options for … [Read more...]
Local dairy finds its “bread and butter”
Dairy farmers Bob and Jeanette Kappers can tell you where nearly each ounce of milk and hour of each day on their farm has gone. They are down-to-earth, welcoming, and eager to share their love for an industry and a way of life. While Bob grew up ona dairy farm in Spring Valley, Jeanette was a townie, raised in Chatfield. After getting married, they stumbled upon a … [Read more...]
Karst Brewing gears up to serve the perfect pint
Craft breweries have exploded all over the region as connoisseurs try their hand at creating their ideal tastes while riding the rejuvenated local foods movement. According to data, craft breweries in Minnesota have increased from 19 in 2010 to over 100 in 2017. In Rochester, a city known for its foodie culture, Kinney Creek, LTS, Grand Rounds, and Forager have all put their … [Read more...]
Rushford audit; what will be done with fund, facility
The 2016 audit, by Smith Schafer & Associates, is completed and Rushford has received good news regarding several efforts. General fund reserves, as a percentage of general fund expenditures are now sitting at 67%, a marked improvement since 2011 when the figure had dropped to just 11%. The city had been cautioned previously that reserves had dropped too low and in the five … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson in the home stretch on new school
“They are tracking a little ahead of schedule.” Those were the words of Tim Robertson of ICS Consulting at the Monday, May 22 school board meeting. “Thing are clipping along nice.” The project is now estimated at 75-78 days until completion and it’s slated to be move-in ready after the 4th of July and by contract is turnkey by August 15. Superintendent Ehler asked Roberston … [Read more...]
Rushford Village looking to wrap up project
The May 16 Rushford Village meeting was brisk; just 14 minutes. In that time though, the Village made it known that they want to wrap up their 2016 utility and road improvement project, with or without the contractor. The frustrations felt by the Village have been stated on numerous occasions by Mayor Gordon Johnson, members of the council, and Public Works Supervisor Travis … [Read more...]