Features - Hastings Journal

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 … more

5/13/26

Bob Rotty, center, visits with guests during his recent retirement celebration, where friends, family members, and Nininger Township residents came together to recognize his many years of dedication to the township.

After nearly 60 years of service to Nininger Township, Bob Rotty Retires

Bob Rotty still remembers the first time someone asked him to take on a township role. He was young, unsure, and not especially interested in stepping forward. “Well, I'm going to go back to … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/22/26

The Hastings Knights of Columbus (KoC) donated 2,800 dollars to Hastings Family Service (HFS) to help feed area residents. The donation was a welcome surprise during the Hastings Tastings event. (L to R) KoC member Gary Wynia, HFS Director Amy Sutton, KoC member and HFS Board Member Tony Jurgens.

29th Hastings Tastings another success

The 29th annual Hastings Tastings event brought hundreds of residents together for an evening of food, conversation, and community support, continuing a long running tradition that helps Hastings … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/1/26

On a cold winter day at Hockey Day Minnesota, a moment between games brought a different kind of spotlight to the rink. The Treasure Island ‘Island Impact’ program awarded Alayna Adamez a $5,000 scholarship for her work in school, in sports and in the community. Left to right: Alayna Adamez, Park High School Girls Hockey Varsity Head Coach Evan Ziegler and Grant Johnson Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Council President.

From sports to community: Adamez honored with Island Impact Scholarship

Hockey Day Minnesota 2026 may be remembered for the cold weather and fun hockey, but for Park of Cottage Grove’s Alayna Adamez, one memory stands out, even months after the game was played. After … more

By Bruce Karnick | 3/16/26

Hastings Resident and former City Councilor Joe Balsanek has been restoring the University of Minnesota’s model 221B Baker Street, the home of Sherlock Holmes, for the past three years due to water damage it received during the COVID-19 Pandemic. It is set to return to the University in 2026.

Elementary at one foot per inch: Model 221 B restored after years of work

Portraits of 19th century rulers line the walls of the drawing room, their faces no bigger than a fingernail. The letters “VR” have been shot into the wall, but the bullet holes are barely bigger … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 12/30/25

Pastor James “Jim” Bzoskie died last week. He founded Corner Bible Church and was involved in groups and programs across the community. He will be missed.

Pastor Jim Bzoskie remembered by community

Pastor James “Jim” Bzoskie, the founder of Corner Bible Church, died last week. Bzoskie was a pillar of the community, meeting regularly with Hastings police and fire departments and Dakota … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 12/24/25

The removal of snow piles downtown can take several hours and a plethora of dump trucks working in conjunction with a giant snowblower and a plow truck to clear the streets. This process is one of the last to take place once the 105 plus miles of Hastings streets are cleared to be as close to the curb as possible.

Winter is here, what should you know and what can you do to stay prepared?

Each year, the first snowfall throws Minnesota roads into chaos. Long time residents and new drivers alike forget how to drive in snow. Hastings residents forget to move their vehicles off the road … more

By Bruce Karnick | 12/3/25

Halestorm and Lindsey Stirling at Treasure Island Amphitheater

As a music lover and a DJ with nearly four decades of experience, I have been to my fair share of concerts. Metallica at Xcel Energy Center after the black album (my favorite band), Brooks and Dunn a … more

Editorial By Bruce Karnick | 10/8/25

This year for the Pink Patch Project, the Hastings Police Department is selling three patch designs along with a pint glass and color-changing plastic glass.

Pink Patch Project brings awareness to breast cancer

The Hastings Police Department is joining the Pink Patch Project for the eighth year to raise awareness for breast cancer and funds for the American Cancer Society. This year the Hastings Police … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 10/8/25

These two pups had to pose under the balloon arch like it was a wedding photo, a perfect shot with their bride and groom costumes.

Dogs, Costumes, and Music: A tail-wagging good time at Paws in the Park

It was a full house of furry friends and happy humans Thursday evening at Hastings Rivertown Dog Park, where the annual Paws in the Park event brought together dogs, their people, and more than 20 … more

By Bruce Karnick | 10/1/25

Pictured left to right: Dakota County SWCD Board of Supervisors Vice Chair, Laura Zanmiller, Jeannine Hayes, Jim Nayes, and Dakota County SWCD Board of Supervisors Chair, Kevin Chamberlain.

Jeannine and James Nayes receive Outstanding Conservationist Award

The Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is proud to announce Jeannine and James “Jim” Nayes as their 2025 Outstanding Conservationist. The Dakota SWCD Board selected … more

9/24/25

“This bill would hold social media companies accountable for the role they play in this crisis and believe me they play a huge role,” said Bridgette Norring, Founder of the Devin J. Norring Foundation about the Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act.

‘Together we can make a difference:’ Fifth Annual Overdose and Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day

For a fifth year, members of the Hastings community ranging from nonprofits to city, county, state and federal officials came together to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, for the fifth … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 8/27/25

Three of the four members of Ashland are Hastings Parochial School (now St. Elizabeth Ann Seton) and Hastings High graduates. Their friendship and love of music began in parochial school, and they have been playing together ever since. Their setlist covered a wide variety of music over several decades. L to R: Brian Schommer, Mike Borash, Andy McClure and Rob Wuam. Photo by Bruce Karnick

First Rotary Festival on the River in the books

The Hastings Area Rotary Club held their Festival on the River event at Levee Park on Saturday August 16th. The festival ran from noon until about 9:00 PM with a variety of musical acts, a mad … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/20/25

A boat that was at the Miss-Croix Yacht Harbor to refuel exploded and immediately burst into flames at the dock. The fire grew so quickly that both the dock and other boats were suddenly in danger of being engulfed themselves until a good Samaritan stepped up to help douse the flames with water.

Boat explosion rocks Prescott’s Miss-Croix Yacht Harbor

PRESCOTT, Wis. — A quiet afternoon on the water turned chaotic Saturday when a boat exploded at the fuel dock at Miss-Croix Yacht Harbor, sending all eleven people on board into the Mississippi … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/30/25

The Rivertown Days Sunday car show brought crowds to downtown along with their antique cars.

Rivertown Days hosts 46th annual celebration

For 46 years Hastings residents have been going to the banks of the Mississippi to celebrate Rivertown Days. From carnivals to live music to car shows, the weekend has long been an excuse to get out … more

By Graham P. Johnson and Bruce Karnick | 7/23/25

Barrels of wine can age for up to 6 years, stacked in the basement of winery.

Bottling up a new vintage: A look into the bottling process of Minnesota’s oldest vineyard

There is much that can be taken for granted in wine in the age of liquor stores and global shipping. From labels to capsules to the type of cork, for buyers, these details are often completely … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 7/23/25

The Luxury Hillbilly Hideaway Podcast Hosts Bullet (L) and Lux (R) were invited to Hastings Golf Club as Celebrity Beverage Cart Boys for the clubs Thursday night group called “Gals on the Greens”. The two will be donating the tips earned during their time on the beverage cart to a local charity.

The Luxury Hillbilly Hideaway Podcast gives back

What started as two friends hanging out in a garage has turned into a successful podcast featuring humor, emotion and local Hastings businesses. The Luxury Hillbilly Hideaway Podcast is a great blend … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/16/25

Chuck and Don’s is currently renovating the corner suite of the Midtown Shopping Center at 1100 Vermillion Street for their 34th store in Minnesota. The store will include the same great holistic products available at their nearby stores plus full- and self-service grooming options.

Pets, people, and community

Pet lovers in Hastings will soon have a new go-to destination for everything from premium food and grooming services to expert advice and community connections, as Chuck & Don’s prepares to … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/10/25

For yet another year, Hastings Police Department raised more donations for United Way of Hastings, meaning Sheriff Joe Leko got a pie to the face at the end of the fifth annual Sound the Siren food drive.

Fifth annual Sound the Siren food drive raises over $3,800 for Hastings United Way

“I’d gladly take a pie to the face for this cause,” said Dakota County Sherrif Joe Leko at the launch of the fifth annual Sound the Siren food drive in April. On Wednesday, … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 7/3/25

The muralists have been working to paint top-to-bottom in order to avoid streaking due to recent heavy rains.

‘There is a real sense of home here;’ New Hastings mural takes shape

The weight of replacing the 26-year-old mural that has welcomed visitors downtown for a generation was not lost on muralists Dena Young and Kada Groalen. The final design that passersby can see … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 6/25/25