Winona County Towards Zero Deaths

04/29/2026

Hear that call? The ding of a text message? A notification from your favorite social media app? If you respond while driving, you put yourself and everyone else on the road at risk. That call could cost you more than a ticket, so park the phone and focus on the road.

04/29/2026

An updated law in Minnesota now requires drivers to stop when a school bus's stop arm is out, closing a dangerous loophole. Previously, the law required drivers to stop for a bus when its red flashing lights were on and the stop arm was extended. This created a situation in which some drivers might pass the bus when the lights were flashing but the stop arm wasn't fully extended. Effective immediately, when red lights are flashing, a vehicle must stop 20 feet away from the school bus whether the stop arm is extended or not.

Law enforcement will address questions on the change during a press conference at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, at Burnsville High School. In addition, a livestream of this event will be available on the DPS YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/live/dHD5blngpikl.

03/15/2026

🚨 NO TRAVEL ADVISED – Southeast Minnesota 🚨

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has issued a No Travel Advisory for Southeast Minnesota, including Winona County, due to extremely hazardous winter weather conditions.

❄️ Current conditions:

* Heavy snow falling at rates that are covering roads faster than snowplows can clear them
* Snowplows are struggling to maintain driving lanes
* Dangerous travel conditions across the region

The advisory covers MnDOT District 6, which includes the following counties:
Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona.

Similar No Travel warnings have also been issued for state highways to the west in southern Minnesota.

⚠️ Please stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. Conditions are expected to remain hazardous during this storm.

📍 Check road conditions:
https://www.511mn.org/

You can also follow:
• MnDOT Southeast Minnesota on Facebook
• MnDOT Southeast on X (Twitter)

Winona County Emergency Management continues to monitor conditions and coordinate with our response partners.

Stay safe and stay home if possible. ❄️

12/28/2025

⚠️ Travel Advisory – Southeast Minnesota ⚠️

MnDOT has issued a No Travel Advised for state roads across southeast Minnesota, including Winona County, due to severe winter storm conditions. Snow, strong winds, and rapidly changing conditions are making travel hazardous to dangerous.

⚠️ Travel Advisory – Southeast Minnesota ⚠️

MnDOT has issued a No Travel Advised for state roads across southeast Minnesota, including Winona County, due to severe winter storm conditions. Snow, strong winds, and rapidly changing conditions are making travel hazardous to dangerous.

❄️ Please avoid travel if at all possible. Storms like this place heavy demands on emergency responders and snowplow operators, and response times may be significantly delayed.

🚗 If you must travel:
Bring a winter emergency kit (warm clothing, blankets, food, water, flashlight, phone charger, medications).

Ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas.

Check 511mn.org before you go for the latest road conditions.

Slow down and give snowplows plenty of space.

📍 Important reminder:
Your GPS may route you off closed or unsafe state roads, but this does NOT mean secondary or county roads are passable. Many local roads may be worse than state highways and are not continuously plowed.

✅ The safest choice is to stay put until conditions improve. Thank you for helping keep yourself, other drivers, and our responders safe.

08/31/2025

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the tragic passing of Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ted Foss. Cpl. Foss was conducting a routine traffic stop on the shoulder of I-90 in Winona County on Aug. 31, 2000, when he was hit and killed by a passing vehicle. His story is a powerful reminder of why we must move over and slow down for vehicles on the shoulder.

In his honor and to save lives on Minnesota roads, today, Sunday, August 31, law enforcement across the state will be actively enforcing the Ted Foss Move Over Law. Failing to change lanes or slow down endangers other drivers and emergency professionals and can leave you facing a fine of more than $100.

Drivers need to remember:
• Move Over. On a road with two or more lanes going the same direction, you must move over one full lane from stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles as well as any vehicle with its hazards on.
• Slow Down. If you can't move over safely, you must slow down.
• Watch for People. The law also applies to people who are outside their vehicles.

Let's all do our part to keep each other safe on the road. When you see flashing lights, stalled vehicles or people on the side of the road, slow down and move over a lane to keep travelers safe and to give roadway workers room to do their jobs safely. Working together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

08/26/2025

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the tragic passing of Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ted Foss. Cpl. Foss was conducting a routine traffic stop on the shoulder of I-90 in Winona County on Aug. 31, 2000, when he was hit and killed by a passing vehicle. His story is a powerful reminder of why we must move over and slow down for vehicles on the shoulder.
In his honor and to save lives on Minnesota roads, on Sunday, August 31, law enforcement across the state will be actively enforcing the Ted Foss Move Over Law. Failing to change lanes or slow down endangers other drivers and emergency professionals and can leave you facing a fine of more than $100.

Drivers need to remember:
-Move Over. On a road with two or more lanes going the same direction, you must move over one full lane from stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles as well as any vehicle with its hazards on.
- Slow Down. If you can't move over safely, you must slow down.
Watch for People. The law also applies to people who are outside their vehicles.

Let's all do our part to keep each other safe on the road. When you see flashing lights, stalled vehicles or people on the side of the road, slow down and move over a lane to keep travelers safe and to give roadway workers room to do their jobs safely.

08/25/2025

07/13/2025

Last day at the Winona County Fair. Stop by and say hello on your way to rides or delicious food.

07/02/2025

Lane splitting and lane filtering is now legal on Minnesota roads.

More information can be found here: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/safe-driving-information-and-laws/mn-motorcycle-safety-center

12/15/2024

Winterize Your Ride!
Don't let winter catch you off guard. Prepare your vehicle for the cold with these essential tips:
-Tire check: Ensure your tires have sufficient tread depth and are properly inflated.
-Fluid check: Ensure your antifreeze, oil, and windshield washer fluid are winter-ready.
-Battery check: A strong battery is crucial in cold weather.
-Emergency kit: Be prepared for unexpected situations.
-MN 511 app: Download and check road conditions before you go.