The Fountain City Council started things in 2017 in similar discussion to those last year. The city is working cooperatively with WSB & Associates and Rick Whitney, of PeopleService, to determine a solution to waste water treatment plant issues and to assist the city in regaining compliance with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Things at the plant are progressing, … [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.
R-P School Board holds annual meeting
The Monday, January 9 Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting saw a host of annual housekeeping issues, in addition to the welcoming of new Board Director Bonnie Prinsen. First up for the board, was election of officers. It was determined that John Linder remain board chairman, Joyce Iverson remain vice-chair, and Valerie Howe remain board treasurer. The board clerk for 2017 … [Read more...]
Peterson reviews annual items; prepares to hire new clerk
The first meeting of 2017 for the Peterson City Council, Wednesday, January 11, held several organizational items, including several items of old business. Additionally, acting clerk and Councilor Gail Boyum swore in reelected Mayor Tim Hallum and Councilor Loren Rue, as well as newly elected Councilor Chris Grindland. Following the oath of office, the council got right to … [Read more...]
Rushford reviews Wellhead Protection Plan
Determination of a Wellhead Protection Plan is underway in Rushford. The process was started prior to 2007, but was suspended after massive flooding that year. Part 1 calls for delineation of a wellhead protection area, determination of a drinking water supply management area, and a well and drinking water supply management area vulnerability assessment. The process is required … [Read more...]
Rushford grateful for project donations
After months of discussion regarding the 2017 budget and levy, the Rushford City Council has approved the originally proposed levy of $867,000. The amount represents a 9.75% or $77,000, increase from the previous year’s levy of $790,000. As explained, it would largely be used in continuing to both maintain and build fund balances. “There’s nothing hidden in there,” said … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson considers tech improvement for school board
The Monday, December 19 Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting was bumped a half hour earlier than the normally scheduled 5:30 p.m. to accommodate the annual Truth in Taxation hearing. The meeting agenda encompassed eight regular business items, as well as the monthly consent agenda and administrative reports. There was no change order for the month in relation to … [Read more...]
Rushford Village continues to dig into road projects
It’s been a long few years for Rushford Village when it comes to road maintenance and needs. The city has begun to wrap up work on an $878,000 bid street improvement project, centered largely on needs in the South Rushford area. The project has been something of a frustration for the city, with communication and timeline issues with the contractor, McHugh Excavating of … [Read more...]
Rushford reviews work; looks to future
The Monday, December 12 Rushford council meeting focused heavily on a recap of 2016 city projects as the city preps for setting the property tax levy for 2017. Nearly a full hour of the relatively short agenda hit at the projects, as well as proposed projects for the next year. Public Works Director Roger Knutson presented the information and noted that improvements, … [Read more...]
Rushford Village looks to wrap up road project
Rushford Village is nearing the end of its 2016 road improvement project and there is hope it could end with cooperation from contractor McHugh Excavating. At the council’s December 6 meeting, discussion centered largely on wrapping up the $878,000 plus project and the best path to doing so. The council has been forthcoming with frustrations, but is looking to offer a … [Read more...]
Chronic Wasting Disease identified in Fillmore County
Sixteen years after being first identified in captive Minnesota elk herds and five years after the state’s only case involving a wild herd, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been identified in Fillmore County. Two bucks were harvested approximately four miles west of Lanesboro in permit area 348. While not a complete surprise, the result is certainly devastating to the ongoing … [Read more...]