Chippewa County MN Sheriff's Office

Chippewa County MN Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Agency promoting community relations, alerts, and information sharing.

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 Firearm 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 firearm and ammunition 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

⚠️ CLARA CITY WEATHER SIREN UPDATE ⚠️The City of Clara City’s outdoor warning sirens are currently down for repair. We w...
04/23/2026

⚠️ CLARA CITY WEATHER SIREN UPDATE ⚠️

The City of Clara City’s outdoor warning sirens are currently down for repair. We will notify the public as soon as they are back in service.

🚨 Important Reminder: Outdoor sirens are designed to be heard outside only—do not rely on them as your primary alert system.

Stay informed by using multiple alert methods:
✔️ Download: mobile.weather.gov
✔️ Sign up for Chippewa County CODE RED - TEXT CHIPPEWA to 24639 to enroll
✔️ Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone

📱 WEA alerts are sent automatically by the National Weather Service during emergencies—no app needed.

Being prepared means having more than one way to receive warnings.

04/17/2026

On June 28, 2025, numerous tornadoes touched down in Deuel County, South Dakota, making their way across the border into Minnesota.

Thankfully, Chippewa County was not impacted—but many others were not so lucky. The photo shared shows the Gary, SD tornado and two farmsteads that were directly affected, a powerful reminder of how quickly severe weather can change lives.

Tornadoes can form with little warning and leave devastating damage in minutes. Being prepared is key:

🌪️ Have a plan and know where to take shelter (basement or lowest level, away from windows)
🌪️ Stay weather-aware and have multiple ways to receive alerts
🌪️ Practice drills with your family so everyone knows what to do
🌪️ Never try to outrun a tornado—seek shelter immediately

Severe weather doesn’t always hit home—but it’s always close enough to take seriously.

Stay safe and stay prepared.

04/17/2026

TEXT: CHIPPEWA to 24639 to enroll for county alerts for
* Severe Weather warnings
* Missing Children
* Utility outages
* Various Threats to people, property or the environment
* And more

***Friendly Lab seeking its owner***This morning, The Sheriff’s Office was informed that this female lab had wondered to...
03/16/2026

***Friendly Lab seeking its owner***

This morning, The Sheriff’s Office was informed that this female lab had wondered to a rural residence east of Montevideo(Hwy 7 and County Road 7), Sparta Township, during the winter storm yesterday. The dog is obedient, friendly, and wearing an orange collar. Please let us know if you are missing your dog.

Respectfully,

Derek Olson
Chippewa County Sheriff

***Update***

Thank you for all of your shares and networking. The dog was picked up and returned home the same day.

Per our Chippewa County Emergency Management page:We are expecting dangerous weather and rapidly deteriorating road cond...
03/14/2026

Per our Chippewa County Emergency Management page:

We are expecting dangerous weather and rapidly deteriorating road conditions later today. If travel is not absolutely necessary, please stay home.

Due to the expected conditions, law enforcement and emergency responders may not be able to reach you immediately if you become stranded or need assistance.

Chippewa County snowplow crews will be out working, but visibility and road conditions may limit how quickly roads can be cleared.

Please use good judgment, avoid unnecessary travel, and help keep everyone safe.

UPDATE 3:30 p.m.: The road is now open!!3/10/2026 - 10:30 a.m. County Road 4 at the RR Crossing in Maynard, MN will be c...
03/10/2026

UPDATE 3:30 p.m.: The road is now open!!

3/10/2026 - 10:30 a.m.
County Road 4 at the RR Crossing in Maynard, MN will be closed for a few hours. We will update this post when it is back open.

Thank you.

I am always proud to represent Chippewa County. Last week, was our Sheriff’s day at the capitol. Team MSA does a great j...
03/09/2026

I am always proud to represent Chippewa County. Last week, was our Sheriff’s day at the capitol. Team MSA does a great job helping us coordinate our efforts for a safer Minnesota.

Respectfully,

Derek Olson
Chippewa County Sheriff

***UPDATE*** Verizon has restored services in our area! CELL PHONE OUTAGE IN CHIPPEWA COUNTY 2/27/2026: It is being repo...
02/27/2026

***UPDATE***
Verizon has restored services in our area!

CELL PHONE OUTAGE IN CHIPPEWA COUNTY
2/27/2026: It is being reported that there is a Verizon Wireless phone outage in the Clara City and Milan areas. The repair timeframe is still unknown but it is currently being worked on.

12/18/2025

Arrest Activity Update,

On 12/16/2025 at 2:51pm, a search warrant was executed at 4075 77th Ave. SW, Montevideo. During the search of the home, a loaded firearm was located. Albert Hughes(Age 26) was arrested and is currently housed in the Chippewa County Jail. A criminal complaint was filed today, 12/18/25, in Chippewa County Court for the following charges: Ineligible possession of a firearm, 4th Degree Assault-Peace Officer, Obstructing Legal Process, and Negligent Storage of a Firearm-Child Can Access. The CEE-VI Drug and Gang Task Force, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, and Montevideo Police Department were involved in the ex*****on of the search warrant and arrest of Hughes.

Derek Olson
Chippewa County Sheriff

Address

629 N 11th Street
Montevideo, MN
56265

Telephone

+13202692121

Website

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