The charm and warmth of Italian essence resonates with us through its mouthwatering cuisine. Brimming with taste, color, life, and freshness, it’s a favorite among Americans. Finding authentic, Italian cuisine can be a challenge, with limited access in greater Minnesota regions like Fillmore County. This month, that changes as Rushford welcomes a new restaurant, Il … [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 evaluates storm damages
The Village Council voted unanimously Tuesday, October 4 to resubmit a Homeland Security and Emergency Management damage and impact assessment report following torrential rains the week of September 21. Photos and detailed information of mudslides, washouts, and other losses was documented and the report was submitted. However, City Clerk Mary Miner noted that assessment for … [Read more...]
Rushford approves EDA recommendations
The Rushford Council approved three recommendations by the Economic Development Authority at the Monday, September 25 council meeting. Affecting all current and future EDA loans are changes to the loan Modification/Forbearance Policy. The policy amendments aimed at reducing considerable time and effort by city staff in ensuring loan reporting requirements are met, to authorize … [Read more...]
Frustrations mount for Rushford Village over road project
After hearing frustrations from the city council, project engineering firm, and residents (as noted by council members), it appears that Rushford Village’s frustrations with work in the south Rushford area of the city continue to mount. At the Tuesday, September 20 Rushford Village Council meeting Bolton & Menk Engineer Josh Pope gave the council an update and project progress … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson receives 1:1 update
The Monday, September 19 Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting wrapped up in just over an hour. Items garnering the majority of discussion covered a new school progress update and a program update for the 1:1 Chromebook Initiative. Back in June, the board had voted unanimously to approve a new 1:1 Initiative. The program is a cost-saving partnership with Best Buy and looks … [Read more...]
Rushford looks at budget and levy
As 2016 heads into the end of the year, cities are looking to finalize their budgets and levies for 2017. After a detailed summary at the Monday, September 12 Rushford Council meeting, the city is looking at a proposed 2017 levy of $867,000. This represents a 9.8%, or $77,000, increase over 2016 levy of $790,000. City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Zacher noted the percentage would … [Read more...]
Peterson hears citizen concerns
Several citizens packed into the council chambers for the Wednesday, September 14 Peterson Council meeting. Mayor Tim Hallum noted to those in attendance that no public comment would be allowed during the agenda portion of the meeting. Concerns ranged from city action on delinquent utility and zoning limitations to council pay scale and property problems Resident Deb Hoff … [Read more...]
Rushford Village hits at completion for south Rushford project
The Rushford Village council, and residents of South Rushford, are patiently awaiting completion of infrastructure upgrades that are part of a $878,000 improvement project. A long time coming, the project was aimed at continuing efforts to get the city’s paved roadways back to maintainable conditions and includes substantial roadwork in South Rushford. However, the project has … [Read more...]
Rushford to market city-owned land
At the Monday, August 22 Rushford City Council meeting, the council approved retention of services from Darr Realty to market a number of city-owned properties, mainly land and lots. At the Rushford Economic Development Authority (EDA) meeting, Darr Realty put forth a proposal for the city to market through the Multiple Listing Service system, increasing the visibility and … [Read more...]
Rushford Village to hold hearing; informational meeting
The Tuesday, August 16 Rushford Village meeting was a brisk 32 minutes and was continued, rather than adjourned, to the next meeting. At that time, the council will host a public broadband informational meeting at the request of AcenTek, as well as a hearing for the ordinance related to Tiny House family healthcare dwellings. Mayor Gordon Johnson indicated that AcenTek is … [Read more...]