Features - Hastings Journal

Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and City of Hastings staff joined Chad Smurawa of Simply Secure Storage for their ribbon cutting at their new MEGA storage facility at 2489 Spiral Blvd. The storage facility features large storage spaces that will fit even some of the largest RVs. Pictured (from left) are Abby Meyers, Jessica Dodge, Todd Seeman, Chad Smurawa, Jeff Carter, Alex Menke and Kelly Carter.

Simply Secure Storage opens second location on Spiral Blvd

Storage centers have been popping up all around the area, but none quite like the second location for Simply Secure Storage at 2489 Spiral Blvd. The newest location of storage in Hastings boasts a … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/26/24

ISD 200 Staff Spotlight- Serina Stokke

From a young age, Serina Stokke discovered a deep passion for working with individuals with disabilities, a passion that has only grown stronger over the years. This year marks Ms. Stokke’s … more

Staff Report | 9/12/24

Hastings Band Director honored with a lifetime achievement award

Hastings Marching Band Director Emily Chandler was recently awarded a lifetime achievement award from the Youth in Music group. Here is the press release. Congratulations to Emily Chandler, the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/4/24

Pub 55 re-opens under new ownership

Pub 55 has a new owner, new menu and a new look at the corner of Bahls Drive and South Frontage Road. Photo by Bruce Karnick Randy Cooper of Eagan is not new to restaurant ownership, having … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/29/24

The view from above as the Spin Doctors were finishing their portion of the Rivertown Days concerts in downtown Hastings. The riverfront provides the perfect backdrop for the carnival rides and midway games.

Days to remember!

The 45th annual Hastings Rivertown Days took place last weekend featuring carnival rides, craft fairs, events across the community and live music with Saturday headliner the Spin Doctors. While the … more

By Graham P. Johnson and Bruce Karnick | 7/25/24

Eva Opseth playing Ella and Zach Opseth playing Topher star in Black Dirt's “Cinderella.” The pair are married in real life.

Black Dirt Theater to present ‘Cinderella’ at HMS

HASTINGS – Black Dirt Theater opens its summer musical Cinderella at Hastings Middle School with performances on July 26, 27, and 31 and Aug. 1-3. When watching the play however, viewers, … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 7/25/24

Hastings Veteran - ‘Concertinaguy’ - chosen to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival

Hastings Air Force Veteran Gary Erickson has been selected as a first-place winner in the 2023 National Veterans Creative Arts Competition. Erickson will be playing the Concertina at the 43rd … more

By John McLoone | 5/16/24

Hampton, Vermillion and New Trier Catholic churches will host national pilgrimage

The Catholic Church of the United States is hosting a National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis this summer, and pilgrims from across America will converge on Indianapolis for the event. Four … more

By John McLoone | 5/9/24

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. Tamara Champa | 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