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...]
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.
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...]
Fountain considers revamping ordinance code
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...]
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...]