More local news

Hastings wastewater plant recognized for outstanding operations

The Hastings wastewater treatment plant was among 253 municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants recognized by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for outstanding operations in …

Superintendent Report

I hope your first full week back was a good one. This week’s update includes an acknowledgement about our Minneosta weather, testing, an overview of the recent coffee and conversation and …

Community Investment Fund again invests Hastings’ ‘hidden gem’

Bruce Karnick spoke on behalf of the Hastings Hawks at the March 18 Hastings City Council meeting. The organization is raising funds for park renovation and is seeking city assistance. …

Ice cover on the upper Mississippi River was fleeting this winter. Is this our future?

Anthony Larson describes himself as a hard-core ice fisher. Living in La Crosse, Wisconsin, right next to the Mississippi River, he has the luxury to fulfill that description. Once the river and its …

Dakota County Attorney’s Office Offers New Electronic Newsletter

Residents can register to receive information about Dakota County Attorney’s Office delivered right to their email inbox. Dakota County Attorney’s Office is offering a new way for …

Health officials update fish consumption guidance for Mississippi River’s Hastings pool

The Minnesota Department of Health has new and updated guidance on fish consumption for the Mississippi River from St. Paul to Wabasha, due to a mixture of pollutants — including per- and …
Amber Keller spoke to the Hastings Rotary Club at its meeting March 21. Keller was honored as the Rotary Student of the Month for February.

Keller honored as Rotary Student of the Month

Hastings High School senior Amber Keller was honored by the Hastings Rotary at its Thursday, March 21 meeting as the February Student of the Month. Keller was nominated for the honor by Language Arts …

ISD #200 Staff Spotlight

For most people, frustrations arise when they have to figure out how to pair Bluetooth headphones with their phone. Imagine organizing the sound and light aspects for every event in the entire school …

Legalize Marijuana Now Party not a major party status

Last month, Minnesota DFL Chairman Ken Martin filed a petition with the Minnesota Supreme Court seeking a declaration that the Legal Marijuana Now Party did not meet the requirements established in …

Sharks celebrate at annual banquet

The Hastings Sharks Special Olympics Team celebrated its athletes, unified partners, coaches and supporters at its annual banquet held on March 23. The banquet was held at the Hidden Greens Event …
On the calendar
Business
The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau welcomed the Radke & Mohrhauser Accounting firm to their new building at 1945 31st St. E. with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, …
Government
The March 18th Hastings Council meeting, a special night for promotions and introduction of employees, brought many visitors to the meeting hall. “Welcome, this is always one of our favorite …
Crime
Two people residing in Hastings were arrested by the South Metro SWAT Team Wednesday and charged with the New Year’s Eve shooting that left a boy critically wounded in St. Paul. Kelci …
Community

Hastings City Hall tours offer a peak into past as well as art and artifacts

The Pioneer Room at Hastings City Hall offers a treasure trove of local information and artifacts. It is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. and is staffed by volunteers.
The doors to historic Hastings City Hall were open for tours January 19 as part of the Downtown Business Association Yeti Ice Sculpture Celebration. It was a good opportunity to warm up after checking …

School board public comment procedures set

With the Hastings School Board expected this week to vote to return public comment to the agenda of their regular monthly board meetings, those intending to speak before the board will have to follow …

Hastings will receive share of Dakota County opioid settlement

The City of Hastings will receive some funding from Dakota County to help battle the opioid epidemic. The Hastings City Council on Monday night approved a Joint Powers Agreement with the county, …

Minnesotans with private wells urged to test their drinking water for five common contaminants

In conjunction with National Groundwater Awareness Week, now in its 25th year, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is reminding Minnesotans who rely on a private household well for their …
Obituaries
Holly Caroon
Holly Leigh (Holty) Caroon, age 53, of San Antonio, TX, passed away suddenly on February 24, 2024. She was born on August 6, 1970, in Albert Lea, MN, to Jerry and Linda Holty. In 1976, the family …
Paul Raasch
Paul B. Raasch, 76, of New Richmond, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly on February 21, 2024. He grew up in Prescott, Wisconsin and graduated from Prescott High School in 1965. He worked as a …
Thomas Keto
Thomas “Tom” Keto, age 81, of Hastings, MN was called home by his Heavenly Father on March 12 at Regina/Benedictine Community Living in Hastings, MN. Tom was born in Joliet, IL March 29, 1942, …
Better Roberts
Betterae Roberts married name Betterae Riekkoff born on January 23, 1933, passed away on February 2, 2024. She has a daughter Linda Cosgrove that lives in Hastings, MN. We will be cremating her on …
Kathleen Henry
Kathleen A. Henry, age 86, passed away Sunday, March 3, 2024 in Hastings, Minnesota. Kathleen Ann (Kasel) Henry was born in Hastings, MN on September 17th, 1937 to parents George Kasel and …
Local sports

Hastings High School Spring Sports Schedules

Baseball All games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted March 18 – Start of season April 1 – Scrimmage at Red Wing, 4:30 p.m. April 5 – At Park, 4:30 p.m. April 10 – At North St. Paul. …
The surging Blackhawks rode a big night from junior Mason Gay along with a tough nosed defense to beat a high scoring Winter Warrior team from the Lakeland East Conference. The Blackhawks used their …
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota wrestling’s 2024 signing class grew to eight members Thursday with the addition of Blake Beissel, who has signed a letter of acceptance with the Golden Gophers. …
The Raiders swim and dive team sent two to state, Tristan Herbst for the 500 freestyle and Charlie Jensen for diving. Jensen performed on Thursday in the preliminary diving rounds where he finished …
On Thursday, February 29, the Raider Wrestlers took another trip to the X thanks to their section team win just two weeks prior. Additionally, 13 individuals, four girls and nine boys, stayed near …
Education

Superintendent Report

Welcome back! Regardless of how you spent spring break, I hope you enjoyed the week and are ready for the final stretch. As all of our spring activities and athletics get underway, time will …

Features
Abigail Englin was honored as the Hastings Rotary Club Student of the Month for January, being nominated by math teacher Paul Olson and National Honor Society advisor Jacquelyn Morrison. Pictured attending the presentation at the Hastings Rotary Club meeting on Thursday, Feb. 15 were Superintendent Dr. Tamara Champa, Hastings School Board Director Jenny Wiederholt Pine, Englin and her mother, Vicki, Olson and Morrison.

Rotary Student of the Month embodies putting community service first

Abigail Englin sets a high bar for leadership at Hastings High School. Englin was honored at the Thursday, Feb. 15 meeting of the Hastings Rotary Club as its January Student of the Month. The …

Opinion
Columns

The FDA doesn't test dietary supplements before they hit the shelves. Here's what you need to know.

Northwell Health partnered with Stacker to explain how the FDA regulates drugs and dietary supplements differently, and how to find safe and effective supplements.

Important facts about lupus: 4 ways to protect your kidney health

(BPT) - Living with lupus for over 15 years has meant dealing with some very uncomfortable moments for Grammy award-winning singer Toni Braxton. But according to Toni, the discomfort is worth it to …

These were the biggest sources of stress for Americans last year

Wysa looked at survey data from the American Psychological Association to see which issues are creating the most stress for Americans.

Op Ed: Should Joe Mauer actually be in the Hall of Fame?

When we’re talking about Hall of Fame catchers, we’re really talking about a select group of 10 players who form the (almost) uninterrupted top of every statistical category. These guys …

Spelling Bea Time June 4, 2023 Good Things In June! Writing Number 158

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you”. Anne Lamott   The gardening stores  are starting sales on their products. It …

Spelling Bea Time

“What falls but never gets hurt?”   ….........The rain!   The green color of our surroundings is really kicking my hormones to get outside and DO THINGS. I …
Letters
No more trapping
To the editor: Re: Dave Beck’s 2/22/24 article in the Hastings Journal. As an animal loving woman, I am appalled that trapping is still allowed in this state/country. It is cruel and barbaric. …
Zoning bill should be canned
To the editor: A bill is being formulated at the legislature that would restrict a city’s ability to control its zoning ordinances. The state law would even supersede any zoning ordinances …
Letter to the Editor: Postal dilemma
To the editor: John, A very nice job on the story about the postal dilemma that we are all facing today. All is forgiven about the "lion's share" comment. You've done your research and correctly …
Respect for end of life decisions
To the Editor: On behalf of the DFL Senior Caucus, I would like to extend our gratitude to Representative Tina Liebfling for hearing the Minnesota End-of-Life Options Act last week in the House …
Deal only with civic issues
To The Editor: I read with disappointment your January 18th article which stated the Hastings city council passed a resolution pertaining to the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and …
Web Extras
25 of the best places to see the solar eclipse across the US
Stacker compiled a list of ideal places to view the total solar eclipse using data from the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies.
Keep an eye on your vision. Regular eye exams can help reduce your risk of glaucoma.
African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye Disease
(NAPSI)—If you think you’d know if you were losing vision to an eye disease, you might want to think again. The symptoms of glaucoma can start so slowly that you may not notice them. That’s why …
Why most Americans who need substance use disorder treatment don't get it
Counseling Schools analyzed the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to highlight the most common barriers to care for adults seeking substance abuse treatment.
Expert ideas to take the grrr out of gardening
(BPT) - Gardening season is upon us, beckoning with the anticipation of flourishing plants, the vibrant hues of blooming flowers, and bountiful harvests. It’s an exhilarating journey for plant …
Unlock the latest tech trends with crowdfunding
(BPT) - How do you discover new tech? Social media advertisements? Recommendations from friends and family? If you're always searching for the latest and greatest tech, it's time to check out …