Before she ran for City Council in River Falls, Diane Odeen actually had aspirations of holding office at the state level of government in Wisconsin. While that didn’t ultimately work out, that experience eventually helped her land a spot on the City Council – a role she’s held for more than a decade. 

On this episode of the Kinni Cast, Diane takes us behind the scenes of what it’s like to be a City Council member in River Falls, discusses some of the projects she and other council members have helped bring to life over the years, and shares how River Falls residents can get involved in local government and connect with their City Council representatives.

Learn more about the City of River Falls at www.rfcity.org. Follow the City of River Falls on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Growth in a city like River Falls doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a balance of planning, partnerships, and community values. Tying all of those together is part of Emily Shively’s role as the Assistant Director of Community Development for the City of River Falls. 

On this episode of the Kinni Cast, Emily joins to share more about how development works in the city, examines the current housing market in River Falls, and discusses how the City plans for growth while preserving what makes the community special.

Learn more about the City of River Falls at www.rfcity.org. Follow the City of River Falls on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Since he was a kid, Gordon Young knew he wanted to be in law enforcement. He saw his dad and grandfather in the profession and seemed destined to follow in their footsteps. After getting his start in his home state of Michigan, he eventually found his way to River Falls in 2015 as the City’s new Police Chief. 

On this episode of the Kinni Cast, Chief Young talks about his introduction to River Falls a decade ago, shares how the new police station has been a major upgrade for the department, discusses why he’s passionate about mental health, and much more.  

Learn more about the City of River Falls at www.rfcity.org. Follow the City of River Falls on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The Kinnickinnic River is an important part of River Falls’ history, its present, and its future. Once the Kinni Corridor plan is complete and both dams are removed to restore the river to its natural state, some aspects of the river will look quite different than they do today. 

To dive into that topic, we’re joined on this episode of the Kinni Cast by Amy Peterson, the Community Development Director with the City. Amy has been very involved with the Kinni Corridor plan during her tenure and provides some insight on what residents can expect from the project when it’s completed -- and what it will mean for River Falls’ future.

Learn more about the City of River Falls at www.rfcity.org. Follow the City of River Falls on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Justin Wilson went to college with the goal of becoming a firefighter. But plans changed, and he eventually got a job in the corporate world. Several years after he moved to River Falls, he decided to join the River Falls Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter. Twelve years later, Justin is now leading the department as its new fire chief. Among the biggest challenges he faces early on is helping lead the department through a major renovation of the fire station. 

Chief Wilson joins the Kinni Cast to talk more about what those renovations will entail, why the volunteer firefighter model works so well in River Falls, and dives into the camaraderie and the bond that those in the department have built over the years. All of that and more on an all new Kinni Cast.

Learn more about the City of River Falls at www.rfcity.org. Follow the City of River Falls on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The River Falls Public Library opened at its current location in 1997. And while the library still does so many great things for the local community, it’s in need of some upgrades. Last year, the library received a $4 million grant for renovations, and the much-anticipated construction is underway. 

Library Director Tanya Misselt joins this episode of the Kinni Cast to share more about the work being done to help set up the River Falls Public Library for the future. Tanya also discusses her early career as a police officer and shares why she thinks public libraries are so important for a community like River Falls.

Learn more about the City of River Falls at www.rfcity.org. Follow the City of River Falls on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

In November of 1900, the City of River Falls experienced electricity for the first time as the downtown lights along Main Street were illuminated. This year marks the 125th anniversary of public power in River Falls, which is one of several essential services that River Falls Municipal Utilities provides to residents.

Kevin Westhuis is the Utility Directory for the City, and he joins this episode of the Kinni Cast to talk about the benefits -- and value -- of public power. He also discusses the challenging job of RFMU's lineworkers, talks about the nearly completed biosolids dryer building, and also shares about his passion for broadcasting high school sports right here in River Falls.

Learn more about the City of River Falls at www.rfcity.org. Follow the City of River Falls on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Since Abraham D. Andrews became River Falls’ first mayor in 1885, 34 different people have served as mayor in the City's history. None has served longer than the current mayor, Dan Toland. After assuming the role in April of 2012, Mayor Toland has now served the city for 13 years — surpassing the run of Maynard E. Hoffman in the 1950s and 1960s. 

Despite growing up in River Falls, Mayor Toland never dreamed of becoming mayor of his hometown. It wasn't until someone suggested his wife run for mayor that he ever considered the possibility. On this episode of the Kinni Cast, Mayor Toland reminisces about his first election, talks about how he balances a full-time job with his duties as mayor, and of course sneaks in some opinions about his beloved Green Bay Packers.

Learn more about the City of River Falls at www.rfcity.org. Follow the City of River Falls on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

People get into local government for various reasons. For Scot Simpson, government was not his initial career path. But after shifting course on his original plan, he found himself gravitating toward city government – and he never looked back. 

He’s spent his entire career in that field, including the past 16 years as the City Administrator for the City of River Falls. In that role, Scot has led the organization and the city through many changes, projects, and growth. He’s also the first guest on the brand-new Kinni Cast, a podcast from the City of River Falls that tells the stories of our employees and the work being done to make River Falls a better place. 

In this episode, you’ll hear why Scot was drawn to local government, why he believes organizational culture is so important, and what he sees as the future of River Falls in the next decade and beyond.

Learn more about the City of River Falls at www.rfcity.org. Follow the City of River Falls on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Welcome to Kinni Cast, an all-new podcast from the City of River Falls featuring real people with a real purpose. In each episode, you’ll hear from City employees about the work being done to make River Falls a better place. Learn about what projects they’re working on and what drives them to make a positive impact on the River Falls community. 

So if you’re curious about what’s next for River Falls and want a peek behind the scenes of City Hall, you’re in the right place. Subscribe to the Kinni Cast wherever you get your podcasts and join us for conversations that connect all of us in the River Falls community.

Learn more about the City of River Falls at www.rfcity.org. Follow the City of River Falls on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.