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Repair work to result in overnight closure of Prescott lift bridge

The bascule (lift) bridge that carries US 10 over the St. Croix River from Prescott to Point Douglas Park in Denmark Township, Minn., will be closed overnight for up to three nights, so bridge …

Hastings VFW begins new effort to preserve historic veterans cemetery

By Bruce Karnick bruce@hastingsjournal.news A new flag is flying over Soldiers and Sailors Cemetery in Hastings after Hastings VFW Post 1210 replaced a deteriorating flagpole that could no longer be …

Hastings High School celebrates Homecoming with coronation, competition and Raider pride

Hastings High School students packed the gym Friday afternoon for a Homecoming Pep Fest that mixed school spirit, competition, recognition and a little bit of chaos as students wrapped up a week of …

Emotional Rescue Asks, “What Would You Do?”

Your dog goes missing! You come across a stray dog! What would you do? Being in the rescue and sanctuary business, Mama Shannon Tarr of Emotional Rescue would really like all of us to have a workable …

Council clears environmental review hurdle for Pleasant Valley Farms

The proposed Pleasant Valley Farms development took two significant steps forward Monday night, Sept. 21, as the Hastings City Council determined that a more extensive Environmental Impact Statement …

Hastings High School explores move to block scheduling

Hastings High School could eventually move from its traditional seven-period school day to a four-period block schedule as administrators look for ways to expand career pathways, electives, …

Hastings School Board selects School Perceptions for referendum survey

Hastings Public Schools will ask households throughout Independent School District 200 for their views on potentially increasing operating referendum funding, with the School Board selecting School …

School district, city continue talks over Hastings Civic Arena costs

The Hastings School Board and City of Hastings appear headed toward more discussion over who should pay for major improvements at the Hastings Civic Arena — and what the district should pay to use …

Parents, fans, coaches and students help establish online scoring app for reporting

Raider fans, especially parents, know just how much running is required each week of the sports season. They understand that on a personal level, so, when they recognize just how much running this …

Hastings woman faces new criminal sexual conduct charge

A 30-year-old Hastings woman already facing prosecution in an earlier child sexual abuse case has been charged with another felony following a separate investigation by the Hastings Police …
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Most read stories
Business
Cortney Janisch cuts the ribbon at Anytime Fitness in Hastings during a Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting celebration marking the gym’s recent remodel. Janisch was joined by family, friends, Anytime Fitness coaches and Chamber ambassadors for the event.
The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting at Anytime Fitness in Hastings to celebrate a substantial remodel of the gym at 1355 S. Frontage Road. Owners Cortney and Derek …
Government
Downtown Hastings has enough parking overall, but the spaces people most want to use can become crowded during busy periods and special events, according to a parking study presented to the Hastings …
Crime
Tara Ann Mauch
A woman arrested by Hastings police last week was booked into the Dakota County Jail on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic assault, according to jail records. Tara Ann Mauch was arrested by the …
Community

Hastings event brings families, law enforcement and advocates together against fentanyl

Dakota County Sheriff Joe Leko addresses those gathered for the fifth annual Hastings Overdose & Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day at Hastings Public House. Leko spoke about law enforcement’s role in enforcement, prevention, education and connecting people with treatment and recovery resources.
The photographs and names displayed inside Hastings Public House carried stories that families wished they never had to tell. They were sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, parents, friends and …
Chris Falteisek at Alvdal during his Nordic pilgrimage across Norway and Sweden.

Sons of Norway Valkyrien Lodge 53 presents ‘Norway 2026: A Concert Through the Eyes of a Photographer and Musician’

WOODVILLE — The Sons of Norway Valkyrien Lodge 53 invites the community to a special evening of music and storytelling featuring local musician and photographer Chris Falteisek. The event, …

Sorting fact from fiction in the debate over Flock cameras in Dakota County

Automated license plate readers have quietly become one of the most powerful investigative tools available to law enforcement, capable of spotting a wanted vehicle in seconds, providing a lead after …

Cream rises to the cop

Ice cream, police officers and plenty of family fun came together in downtown Hastings on Tuesday, Aug. 18, as Crème de la Crème hosted its Cones for Cops community celebration with members of the …
Hastings Area Rotary Club members Katy Lindberg and Scott Northard stand with Paul Harris Fellow recipients Chris Moore, Eric Dietz, Kristine Wehrkamp Herman and Scott Doran during the club’s July 30 meeting. The recipients were honored for their work and partnerships that helped make the Cycling Without Age shed project a reality. Tammy Champa was also honored but is not pictured.

Rotary celebrates collaboration behind Cycling Without Age shed

The Hastings Area Rotary Club recently recognized five community partners whose work helped transform an idea into a permanent home for the club’s Cycling Without Age program. Chris Moore, Eric …
Obituaries
Phyllis Reilly
Phyllis Reilly passed away on September 26, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in River Falls, Wisconsin, on March 2, 1959, to Alice and Orval Biel. Phyllis grew up on a farm in …
Avard 'Andy' Anderson
Avard “Andy” Robert Anderson passed away peacefully September 25, 2026, at the age of 82, surrounded by his family. A lifelong resident of Hastings, Minnesota, Andy was born on December 9, …
Scott Most
**CELEBRATION OF LIFE TIME CORRECTION: 2 p.m.-6 p.m.** Scott Allen Most, age 54, of Hermosa Beach, California, formerly of Hastings, Minnesota, passed away suddenly on August 17, 2026. Scott …
Sally Barrow
Sally Barrow passed away peacefully on September 14, 2026 in her home at Timber Hills, a Presbyterian Home in Inver Grove Heights, MN. She was 94 years old. She was born Dec. 19, 1931, in Saint …
Steven Malm
Steven P. Malm, age 76 of Hastings, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Steve was born on March 7, 1950, in Red Wing, Minnesota, to Raulo and Lois …

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Local sports

Hastings boys soccer closes week with back-to-back victories

In the game against Two Rivers at Todd Field, it seemed like, no matter what the Raiders did, nothing went their way. This image really sums up the sheer simplicity of the struggles the Raiders had on the field. A simple, easy stop gets lightly poked past Michael Wenisch for a goal. Odd penalties, a red card and other basic miscues led to a long day for Hastings before they rebounded with two straight hard fought wins.
Hastings boys soccer bounced back from a conference loss with two straight victories last week, including a three-goal second half against Chanhassen on Saturday. The Raiders opened the week Tuesday, …

UWRF AD earns Nike Executive of the Year by Women Leaders in Sports

RIVER FALLS — University of Wisconsin-River Falls Athletic Director Crystal Lanning received a massive honor over the summer, being named the Nike Executive of the Year by Women Leaders in Sports. …
Hastings junior Benjamin Schwanke competes during the Metro East Conference Preview on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. Schwanke was the Raiders’ second finisher, placing 29th overall in 19:06.6.
Hastings cross country runners faced two very different tests during the week, racing against Metro East Conference competition Tuesday before joining large fields at the Roy Griak Invitational …
The Hastings defense swarms a Bloomington Jefferson ball carrier, with No. 2 wrapping up his legs while Marlowe Strain, No. 89, winds up trying to knock the ball loose. The fumble did not come on this play, but the Raiders later recovered two Jefferson fumbles in the 35-7 victory.
The Hastings Raiders took control early and carried a four-touchdown lead into halftime Friday, rolling to a 35-7 varsity football victory over Bloomington Jefferson at McNamara Stadium/Todd Field. …
Hastings took control early, then held off a second-half Chaska rally to remain unbeaten with a 24-20 road victory Friday, Sept. 18. The Raiders scored on three of their first four meaningful …
Hastings senior Siena Sanchez scores her second goal of the game early in the second half against Tartan Thursday, Sept. 10. Sanchez scored three times in the Raiders’ 4-2 victory, including two goals less than two minutes apart to open the second half.
Hastings girls soccer picked up its first Metro East Conference victory of the season Thursday, then faced one of its toughest tests of the year two days later as the Raiders split a pair of games …
Education

Hastings school board filing period opens July 14

Hastings residents interested in serving on the Hastings Public Schools Board of Education will have a two-week window to file for candidacy this summer, with three seats on the ballot in the …

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Features

Wentworth Library reopens with community celebration

Wentworth Library in West St. Paul reopened after a year-long renovation Wednesday, May 6 with a celebration showcasing the building’s updated features and new gathering spaces. Dakota County …

Opinion
Columns

Approved Summary of Proceedings Dakota County Board of Commissioners September 1, 2026

Approved Summary of Proceedings Dakota County Board of Commissioners September 1, 2026 The Dakota County Board of Commissioners met on September 1, 2026 and took action with respect to …

Jennifer Lynn Tran arrested in Hastings on financial card fraud allegation

Jennifer Lynn Tran was arrested by Hastings police Wednesday, Sept. 16, and booked into the Dakota County Jail on a probable-cause allegation of financial transaction card fraud. Tran was arrested at …

Sep 24, 2026

Walz highlights launch of Office of Public Service

Governor Tim Walz visited Open Cupboard in Maplewood last week to highlight the launch of the Office of Public Service and announce the office's eight inaugural Service to Success grantees. The new …

Delay Does Not Pay

Delay is not always the best plan but you can’t do everything today. You can delay paying your utility bills a few days but you can’t delay for very long because the utility company will …

Independence Day - A Day To Celebrate July 3rd Should Be The Day!

It is a custom to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th with cookouts, family get togethers, boating and fireworks. The national holiday holds such great significance because of what it represents: …

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Letters
Letter to the Editor: The message is clear: ISD 200 needs a change
To the editor: ISD 200's perception survey from 2025 shows that staff confidence in the school board has fallen dramatically. When asked whether “The school board is doing what it takes to make our …
Letter to the Editor: School boards matter!
To the editor: Until recently our school board has gone largely unnoticed because they understood their role and did it well. Our schools were considered very attractive to both students and …
Letter to the Editor: Should nature take its course
To the editor I listened to many candidates before the primary claim that they are "Pro-Life: From conception to natural death". I wonder what the definition for "natural death" is. Nevaeh Crain …
Letter to the Editor: It’s time for a change on the ISD 200 School Board
To the editor: The message from our district’s own perception surveys is hard to ignore: ISD 200 needs new school board leadership. Carrie Tate and Jessica Dressley, our current school board chair …
Letter to the Editor: Extremely Qualified School Board Candidates
To the editor: There are five candidates who have filed to run for Hastings School Board. Three of these candidates stand out as extremely well qualified. Mark Zuzek - has dedicated his career to …

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Web Extras
How to stay healthier this year: Schedule your flu shot
(BPT) - It's that time of year again: Temperatures are dropping, kids are heading back to school — and cold and flu season isn't far behind. To help you and your family stay healthier this fall …
Running a small business means making sacrifices. Are they permanent?
Rocket Lawyer reports that small business owners often sacrifice time and income for flexibility and control, but these sacrifices can become permanent if not reassessed.
Sequoia Grove Winery’s playbook for elevating game day entertaining
(BPT) - For decades, hosting a football game meant the same thing: buffalo wings, a bowl of dip and a cooler of canned beer. But as the sport has evolved over the past 30 years, your Sunday spreads …
Unwrapping Holiday Shopping: What 44 Billion Emails Reveal About When Consumers Really Buy
Unwrapping Holiday Shopping: What 44 Billion Emails Reveal About When Consumers Really Buy
(NewsUSA) - Analysis of more than 44 billion emails and 83 million text messages uncovers surprising patterns in when holiday shoppers buy, and what brings them backBlack Friday and Cyber Monday …
Protect Yourself and Others This Flu Season
Protect Yourself and Others This Flu Season
(NewsUSA) - Several seasonal celebrations are nearly upon us, but an unwelcome time of year also awaits—flu season.The “flu,” short for influenza, is a viral respiratory illness that often …
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