News
Montevideo Police Reports
*Editors note: Due to space issues all traffic stops of a regular nature, medical assists and assists with transporting inmates have been excluded from this report.
Spring testing underway at Montevideo Schools
At last week’s meeting of the Montevideo Schools Board of Education, High School Principal Tanya Maethner provided an update on Spring happenings in the high school, noting that, for “many reasons”, students’ education is interrupted during the 4th quarter of the school year. “Some days, oursuper talented students are heading off to State competitions - Boys Basketball, Knowledge Bowl, and FFA, while others are rocking the musical, solo, and ensemble contests and earning high accolades. Some days the weather creates havoc with roads and travel, some days the weather is so nice it creates a muddy mess, and some days are perfect for field trips, assessments, and end-of-year activities! Whatever the reason, this season is both fun and challenging for high school students and staff alike,” she said.
Zempel named historical society Hall of Fame Honoree for 2024
At last week’s annual Chippewa County Historical Society banquet, Arnold Zempel was named the 2024 Hall of Fame Honoree. Zempel was born in Montevideo and attended country school at District 74 for five years until it closed in 1960. He then attended Sanford School for sixth grade, before attending grades 7-10 at Montevideo High School. Zempel went to the “new” high school for grades 11-12, graduating in 1968.
Dr. Kathleen Jordan Project committee presents at Historical Society banquet
Last week, the Chippewa County Historical Society’s Annual Banquet included a presentation on the Riverside Sanatorium that housed tuberculosis patients in Granite Falls from around the area. The presentation was given by members of the Dr. Kathleen Jordan Project, including Mary Kelly, Peggy Kvam and Carol Heen, who have been working on the project since January of 2023. The committee has worked to create a public tribute to honor Dr. Kathleen Jordan’s dedication to human rights and humanitarian services including her medical testing of children throughout Minnesota to work towards eradicating Tuberculosis. In 2024, the committee held an event attended by over 930 people to honor Dr. Jordan’s legacy, and worked with area schools to include the work in lesson plans. At the Chippewa County Historical Society banquet, the committee highlighted some events for 2025, including a KFAI Broadcast in April, launch of a YouTube Channel, a display at Chippewa County Heritage Days in May, and Swensson Farm in September.
Above normal precipitation in the forecast
The Minnesota DNR fire danger map continues to show that the entire area is in a very high fire danger. Officials are reminding everyone that fires can start easily and spread at a very fast rate if they develop. As a result, no open burning is allowed for much of western into parts of northwest and north central Minnesota.
Montevideo McDonald’s raised funds for RMCH through fundraiser
In February and March, Montevideo’s McDonald’s restaurant participated in a campaign along with 259 other restaurants in Minnesota, western Wisconsin and in Michigan to raise funds in support of Minnesota’s Ronald McDonald Houses located in Minneapolis, Rochester, and Duluth, as well as the two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms located in St. Paul. The campaign raised nearly $160,000 through the sales of the seasonal Shamrock Shake.
Welding students travel to Lake Area Tech
Montevideo High School Welding students took a trip to Lake Area Tech in Watertown, South Dakota last week. Instructors at the school were impressed with how much the students knew and how well they welded only having two semesters of training with 50 minute class periods.
Montevideo students compete in Culinary Skills Challenge at SMSU
Over 200 area high school students participated in the annual Culinary Skills Challenge held at the SMSU campus, Marshall, last Tuesday to learn more about the food and hospitality industry. Students attended a variety of workshops presented by area chefs, entrepreneurs and food scientists. Students also had the opportunity to participate in seven different food and hospitality competitions. There were 17 students from Montevideo who attended this day long event.
American Red Cross Blood Drive held
The American Red Cross blood drive was held at the TACC in Montevideo on Thursday, January 23, 2025. There were 68 units of blood collected, which was two over the goal for January. The total number of power red units was 19 and whole blood units was 49. There were nine deferred donors and one not sufficient product.
Minnesota Ambulance Association releases their Star of Life recipients
The Minnesota Ambulance Association is proud to announce the 2025 Minnesota Stars of Life honorees, recognizing the exceptional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment, leadership, and excellence in serving their communities.