Features - Hastings Journal

Superintendent Report

This week's Raider Update is a celebration of our outstanding staff, highlighting those who were recognized at our recent staff appreciation event. Additionally, the usual calendar reminders are … more

By Dr. Tammy Champra | 4/25/24

A sign honoring former Dakota County sheriff’s deputy Luther Klug, who was killed by a drunken driver 28 years ago, was unveiled by friends and former colleagues during a ceremony April 12 on County Road 68 in Ravenna Township.

Luther Klug Memorial Highway a tribute to dedicated, fondly remembered deputy

A ceremony Thursday morning at the start of Dakota County Road 68 south of Hastings was a tribute to a fallen Dakota County Sheriff’s Deputy, who lost his life in service 28 years ago. County, … more

By John McLoone | 4/17/24

Leota Dillon celebrated her 106th birthday with a cake at Oakridge Assisted Living in Hastings.

At 106 years old, Leota Dillon is keeping busy!

Leota Dillon has seen a lot in her lifetime. She was born in South Dakota the same year that World War I ended. On April 3, Leota Dillon celebrated her 106th birthday with family and friends at … more

By John McLoone | 4/17/24

Wild Tree Wellness is located at 906 Vermillion Street

906 Vermillion lovingly updated, now home to mental health clinic

HASTINGS, March 27, 2024 — Aaron and Lauren Robbins, who fell in love with the preserved history of the building, purchased the property at 906 Vermillion Street with plans to open the fourth … more

4/4/24

ISD #200 Staff Spotlight

Visitors to our ISD200 buildings can expect a friendly welcome. Fannie Livaditis, the administrative assistant in the Human Resources department, manages the district office's welcome center and … more

4/3/24

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 … more

3/27/24

Amber Keller is pictured with Hastings School District representatives and her parents as she accepted the honor as Hastings High School Student of the Month for February at the Hastings Rotary Club meeting Thursday, March 21 at Second Street Depot.

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 … more

By John McLoone | 3/27/24

Author Lucky Rimpila believes he was blessed with an active, busy and lucky life, all thanks to God, family and jobs, in that order.

Growing up in Hastings is inspiration for Class of 1968 grad’s new book

Lucky Rimpila still gets together with about 20 Hastings High School Class of 1968 classmates every month. They reminisce about the good old days and the Hastings they remember. Rimpila put … more

By John McLoone | 2/21/24

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 … more

By John McLoone | 2/21/24

Hastings Reads event provides family fun

Hastings Reads’ family event provides annual fun for families with children in elementary school. This year’s elementary book, Looking for Happy by Ty Chapman, is a hopeful and beautiful … more

2/15/24

John Dewall: Horticulture Educator HHS

How many individuals do you know who accepted a job straight out of college and have remained in that position for 43 years? ISD200 is fortunate to have one of those remarkable educators in Mr. John … more

2/14/24

BR4R to present ‘Breaking the Silence: The Movements of Memory’

The Hastings organization Building Remembrance for Reconciliation (BR4R) is presenting a Black History Month Celebration from 2-4 p.m. on Feb. 25 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 615 Vermillion … more

By John McLoone | 2/7/24

ISD #200 Staff Spotlight

Our public school system enrolls, supports, and serves every family in our community. The variety of employees needed to ensure that every student is served is large. This includes staff and services … more

2/7/24

Larry Williams was honored Thursday, Jan. 25 at the Hastings Rotary Club meeting as the 2024 Student of the Month.

Williams honored as Rotary Student of the Month

The Hastings Rotary Club honored Larry Williams at its meeting Thursday, Jan. 25 as its December Student of the Month. The Hastings rotary Club recognizes Hastings High School seniors who exemplify … more

By John McLoone | 1/31/24

Jen Fox will run for House 41-B seat

HASTINGS, Minn.— Local business owner and lifelong Hastings resident Jen Fox recently announced her candidacy for the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 41B. District 41B … more

1/24/24

Hastings Rotarians Brian Schommer (left) and Steve Pedro of Hastings Chrysler at the Rivertown Live 2024 band reveal at Hastings Chrysler Friday morning. The event was held live on social media, with Schommer emceeing. The Rotary signed some big talent for the Saturday, Sept. 14 concert in Levee Park. Headliner is Diamond Rio, with Little Texas playing before them that evening on the main stage. On the Pavilion Stage will be Slamabama.

Big names headline Rotary’s Rivertown Live

Tickets are on sale for what’s going to be the hottest show of the summer in Hastings. The Eighth Annual Hastings Rotary Club’s Rivertown Live brings big names to the banks of the … more

By John McLoone | 1/24/24

Summer Tusberg and Harrison Haltvick sit on either side of Mayor Mary Fasbender on the Hastings City Council dais at the Tuesday, Jan. 16 council meeting. They were the winners of the Mayor for the Day essay contest.

Mayors for the Day preside over council meeting

Mayor Mary Fasbender was flanked by two junior assistants at the Tuesday, Jan. 16 meeting of the Hastings City Council. Hastings students Summer Tusberg and Harrison Haltvic were chosen as winners of … more

By John McLoone | 1/24/24

The Yeti that has been seen all over Hastings in the last few weeks spent the day downtown for the Hastings Downtown Business Association Yeti Ice Sculpture Celebration. The large Yeti invited visitors to downtown shops, bars and restaurants, many of which had special promotions on the day. The smaller, more agile Yeti took plenty of selfies with kids of all ages at the event. The Hastings Yeti will be around until March 17, when a prize will be awarded for the most Yeti sightings.

Yeti sighting all over downtown

By John McLoone | 1/24/24

ISD #200 Staff Spotlight

The 2023-24 school year brought a new face to McAuliffe students. Ms. McDonald is the new Physical Education teacher at McAuliffe Elementary. Being a PE teacher is unique in that you get a … more

1/24/24

Hastings Environmental Protectors receive grant to offer energy audits, find clean energy opportunities

The Hastings Environmental Protectors received a grant to help Hastings homeowners. It’s one of seven metro area projects to receive Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERT) Seed Grants for … more

Staff Report | 1/24/24