Chippewa County MN Sheriff's Office

09/09/2026

We welcome you to join us with the Montevideo Police Department at the Montevideo Veterans Home.

Thank you,

Derek Olson
Chippewa County Sheriff

09/01/2026

MnDOT news release received for Chippewa County;

Improvements to Highway 7 and Highway 23 intersection begin Sept. 8 in Clara City

CLARA CITY, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation will begin improvements at the Highway 7 and Highway 23 intersection in Clara City on September 8. The project will install new LED stop signs with flashing beacons and make additional changes to enhance visibility and safety.
On Highway 23, MnDOT will remove the existing left-turn lanes to improve traffic flow at the all-way stop. The median stop sign will be repositioned closer to the through lane. New LED stop signs will provide brighter, energy-efficient lighting to help drivers see the signs more clearly, especially at night or during adverse weather conditions. Improvements on Highway 7 will include updated signage, rumble strips and new LED stop signs.
The improvements are the result of a safety study and recommendations from a partnership of MnDOT, the city of Clara City, Chippewa County, and the Highway 23 Coalition.
Landwehr Construction is the contractor for the $627,000 project.

Stay connected
• Learn more about this project at Hwy 23 and Hwy 7 - MnDOT
• Join the Southwest Minnesota Facebook group for news, events, and updates
• For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store

Safety in work zones

Motorists should always be prepared to encounter traffic changes when approaching work zones including lane closures, lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, slow-moving heavy equipment and slow or stopped traffic. To keep everyone safe, drivers must:
• Obey posted speed limits. The fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
• Drive undistracted. Avoid using cell phones, mobile devices, adjusting the radio – even eating –while in work zones.
• Move over. Give workers room to safely complete their work.
• Be patient. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.

Respectfully,

Derek Olson
Chippewa County Sheriff

08/14/2026

MN DOT news release,

Minor delays are expected for resurfacing project on Hwy. 29 from Montevideo to Mn Hwy. 40.

Motorists traveling on Highway 29 between Montevideo and Highway 40 can expect minor delays beginning Monday, Aug. 17, as construction crews start resurfacing the roadway. The project runs just north of Highway 7 to Highway 40 in Chippewa County. Crews will resurface and stripe the pavement.
Motorists will encounter temporary lane closures, and traffic will be directed with flaggers and pilot cars. No detour is planned. Drive slowly and watch for construction crews.
The improvements are designed to extend the life of the pavement and provide a smoother driving surface. Duininck Construction is the contractor for the $3.1 million project, which will run through late September or early October – depending on weather conditions.

Stay connected
• Updates will also be shared on the MnDOT Southwest Minnesota Facebook group.
• For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.

Respectfully,

Derek Olson
Chippewa County Sheriff

08/06/2026

08/04/2026

We hope to see you TONIGHT in Milan for National Night Out!

07/21/2026

For Immediate Release,

On 7/21/26 at approximately 4:45pm, Chippewa County Dispatch received a 911 call to report a UTV accident at a rural farm residence, 3060 120th AVE SE, Rheiderland Township. It was reported that a UTV had ran over an adult female and infant child at the residence. The Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, Clara City Ambulance, Montevideo Ambulance, Raymond Ambulance, Clara City Fire Department, and Two Life Link Air Care Helicopters were dispatched to the scene. The victims at the scene were flown in stable condition from the scene.

Respectfully,

Derek Olson
Chippewa County Sheriff

07/20/2026

Mark your calendars for National Night Out - Tuesday, August 4. We look forward to teaming up with the City of Milan this year and hope you can join us for a fun evening!

07/13/2026

For Immediate Release,

On 7/12/26 at approximately 7am, the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a single vehicle roll-over in rural Chippewa County. The vehicle was discovered near the intersection of 50th Avenue SE and Chippewa County Road 36 in Havelock Township. A female, Selina Castro(32 years of age) of Maynard, was found deceased outside of the vehicle. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Montevideo Police Department, CCM Health Ambulance, Mn State Patrol, Mn State Patrol Aviation unit, and Lac Qui Parle County Sheriff’s Office. This incident is actively under investigation.

Respectfully,

Derek Olson
Chippewa County Sheriff

04/24/2026

***For immediate release***

Events on 4-23-2026 have led to several drug arrests and a search warrant requiring the assistance of our area SWAT Team. See Commander Ardoff's release of information below:

"Date: 04-23-26

RE: Search Warrants (Drugs and a Fi***rm Seized)

A 50-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man from Clara City, MN are in custody in the Kandiyohi County Jail facing 1st Degree Controlled Substance charges and fi****ms related charges stemming from search warrants executed on their vehicle and residence by the CEE-VI Drug and Gang Task Force during the afternoon and evening of 04-22-26.

During the search warrant ex*****on on the vehicle, the parties were driving in Kandiyohi County and agents located over a quarter pound of methamphetamine. An additional search warrant was executed on their residence which is in the 400 Block of 3rd Ave NE in Clara City, MN where agents located additional methamphetamine as well as a fi***rm and am******on inside that residence. An additional occupant of the residence, a 21-year-old Willmar woman, was also arrested on controlled substance charges and is being held in the Yellow Medicine County Jail.

The CEE-VI Task Force was assisted on this case by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office and the WEST Central SWAT Team.

Sgt. Ross Ardoff
Commander
CEE-VI Drug and Gang Task Force"

Thank you,

Derek Olson
Chippewa County Sheriff