The city of Peterson will see a change in January with election results placing resident Christopher Grindland in one of two council seats up for grabs. Grindland will replace current Councilor Dave Colbenson who opted to vie for the mayoral seat, but lost to incumbent Mayor Tim Hallum in an 85 to 38 vote. Only 123 votes were cast for the mayoral race. The second council … [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-Peterson sends naming rights policy back to foundation
The votes are in the for the Rushford-Peterson School Board election. Incumbents Valerie Howe, Julie Koop, and John Linder earned 1323, 1343 and 1401 votes respectively and will retain their seats. Newcomer Bonnie Prinsen won 1475 votes, the largest portion by any one candidate, and will replace Board Director Taylor Peterson. There were a significant number of write-in … [Read more...]
Fountain revisits plant issues; plans for 150 year celebration
The Fountain City Council has been plagued with lingering issues at the Wastewater Treatment Plant for several years. The plant is not in compliance and according to WSB & Associates Project Manager Richard Parr, “The clock is ticking.” At the Thursday, November 3 council meeting, Parr outlined the timeline for figuring out a solution. The plant has been out of Minnesota … [Read more...]
Rushford Village meets in closed session to discuss litigation
In closed meeting, following the Tuesday, November 1 open meeting, the Rushford Village Council met with City Attorney Tom Manion to discuss “pending or threatened litigation.” The issue pertains to a contract dispute with McHugh Excavating of Onalaska, Wis. May 3 of this year, the council awarded a $665,000 bid, part of a larger $878,000 project to the 40-year company. The … [Read more...]
Rushford Trees, Trails, and Parks Commission gaining ground
The Monday, October 24 Rushford Council meeting was the shortest in recent memory, taking just over 20 minutes, start to finish. The agenda contained a visibly reduced consent agenda and just four items of council business. Council attendance was also reduced with Councilors Terri Benson and Vern Bunke, along with Mayor Chris Hallum present. City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Zacher … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson Schools hosts Meet the Candidates Forum
By Kirsten Zoellner There are five candidates running for four seats on the Rushford-Peterson School Board November 8. Incumbents Valerie Howe, John Linder, and Julie Koop are all seeking reelection. Challengers for the seats are Curtis Fox and Bonnie Prinsen. Monday, October 24, R-P Schools hosted a Meet the Candidates Forum. Four of the five candidates were present to … [Read more...]
Rushford Village looks to continued roadwork
The south Rushford street improvement project is still underway and is under the gun from the approaching weather. At the Tuesday, October 18 Rushford Village council meeting, two residents of the area were on hand to question whether or not problematic areas will be addressed and when. Mayor Gordon Johnson admitted he was not in a position to answer when project issues … [Read more...]
Farmers Co-op Elevator in Houston earns impressive HACCP certification
In recent years, sweeping food safety reform has led to monumental changes in the food system, including how livestock feeds are manufactured. In 2011, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FMSA) was put into law. This mandated science-based preventative controls across the food supply chain for all food and feed facilities by the Food and Drug Administration. The biggest reform … [Read more...]
R-P looks at naming rights at new school
The Monday, October 17 Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting was held at the R-P Middle School in Peterson and encompassed just three new items of agenda business. The board also met in closed session to review pending litigation against the district. In new business, the board approved the notice of general election for the November 8 school board election. Five candidates … [Read more...]
Peterson moves forward with electric plans
At the Wednesday, October 12 Peterson meeting, the council voted unanimously to move a three-year work schedule, developed in coordination with Tri-County Electric, forward. The city has already completed a $1,300 portion of the plan, which includes pole and transformer replacement, and will likely do another $850 more before the end of the year. In 2017, the work is expected … [Read more...]