CHIPPEWA COUNTY

Cool Whip remains a holiday favorite for topping desserts. Its inventor, William A. Mitchell, was born in Raymond, Minnesota in 1911. Cool Whip is shown on display in a Cash Wise freezer in Willmar, Minnesota on Dec. 23, 2024.

The Vault

Food scientist with Minnesota roots created Cool Whip, Pop Rocks and Tang

Cool Whip on your favorite dessert? Thank William A. Mitchell, born in Raymond, Minnesota, for his prolific career inventing convenience foods we enjoy

Joseph Mark Rongstad threats 011124 010.jpg

Breaking News

Minnesota

Charges filed, $1M bail set for man in standoff following U of M threat

Joseph Rongstad, 41, of Watson, remains in custody following a hearing Thursday

Jan 18, 2024

Minnesota

University of Minnesota issues alert for Watson man after alleged threat

A search is underway for Joseph Rongstad for an alleged social media threat aimed at the Twin Cities campus

Jan 11, 2024

Chase Mortenson of Madison shot this three-antlered deer dubbed the "unicorn" while hunting on his uncle Scott Mortenson's land west of Granite Falls on Sunday, Nov. 26, the second day of the muzzleloader season.

Subscribers Only

Northland Outdoors

Muzzleloader hunter made second shot count to drop three-antlered trophy buck

Chase Mortenson showed up when it counted on the second day of the Minnesota muzzleloader hunt. He was hunting in the blind his brother would have been using, had he not declined the opportunity.

Nov 29, 2023

Latest Headlines

Dante Perez, 6, of Willmar takes a bite out of a corn dog while attending the Kandiyohi County Fair on Saturday, August 13, 2022.

Community

Summer in Minnesota also means it's county fair season

Before going to the Twin Cities for deep-fried treats and fun rides this summer, consider stopping at these west central county fairs in the area. Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Swift and Yellow Medicine counties are all hosting their county fairs before "the great Minnesota get-together" is set to begin.

Jul 1, 2023

Arts and Entertainment

Regional historical societies and museums tell the history of the area

There are multiple county historical societies and museums for people to visit, where they will learn all about the varied history of the region.

May 27, 2023

By West Central Tribune staff report

Montevideo Mayor Erich Winter (left) and Uruguayan Ambassador to the U.S. Andres Augusto Duan Hareau exchanged gifts at a dinner held March 23, 2023 in Montevideo. The mayor is holding a jersey of Uruguay's national soccer team.

Minnesota

Uruguayan ambassador's trade visit strengthens relationship

The ambassador visited Montevideo as part of a trip to promote trade, cultural exchange between Minnesota and Uruguay

Mar 29, 2023

By Tom Cherveny

Minnesota

Man who calls himself a 'freeborn Sovereign' accused in central Minnesota of possessing pound of meth

A St. Cloud man is facing aggravated first-degree drug sale and drug possession charges after Chippewa County law enforcement authorities allegedly found a pound of methamphetamine, a handgun and a wad of cash during a traffic stop.

Feb 23, 2022

By Linda Vanderwerf

Minnesota

West-central Minnesota bridge project's complete

The project to replace the Milan Bridge began in May 2019 but high water conditions pushed the project into a second year. Replacing the historic riprap at the site proven challenging as well, and that work continued until now.

Sep 2, 2021

Northland Outdoors

In a land of many lakes, a rare and unique resource now protected

Calcareous fens are a unique type of wetland, according to the University of Minnesota-Duluth Natural Resources Research Institute. One of the best now will be protected thanks to landowners who realized its value to our natural heritage

Dec 6, 2020

By Tom Cherveny

Business

Hinterland Wines evolves on the western Minnesota prairie

Hinterland Wines marks its 10th anniversary on the prairie in Chippewa County. It snowed on the day the first acre of vineyard was planted. There was no way to know at the time how the University of Minnesota's cold-hardy grapes would do on the open prairie landscape, or whether they could produce quality wines. Aric and Aftan Koenen rely on the same attributes that characterize their farmer neighbors to prove that it can be done.

Nov 9, 2019

By Tom Cherveny / Forum News Service

News

Deaths of two people near Montevideo investigated

Officers respond to family members worried about suicidal person, possibly with a girlfriend

Aug 12, 2019

By Forum News Service

News

One killed, three injured in southwest Minnesota crash

WATSON, Minn. 鈥� One person was killed and three others were injured in a two-vehicle crash that happened just before 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, in Chippewa County.

Aug 8, 2019

By Carolyn Lange / Forum News Service

News

Other charges dismissed against Paynesville man convicted of killing grandparents

WILLMAR, Minn.-- Gregory Allen Scheel will not be making road trips to Willmar or Montevideo for court appearances while serving two consecutive life sentences for the murder of his grandparents.

Oct 22, 2018

By Tom Cherveny

News

Charges: Minnesota nursing home administrator stole nearly $39,000 for gambling

MONTEVIDEO, Minn. -- The former administrator of the Luther Haven nursing home in Montevideo in western Minnesota faces a charge of felony theft. Tamara Noel Borstad, 46, of Appleton, is accused of using the nursing home's credit card and taking ...

Sep 26, 2018

By Tom Cherveny

歪歪漫画

CHIPPEWA COUNTY