Features - Hastings Journal

Hastings working with MDH and EPA on new PFAS guidelines

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provided health-based guidance levels for PFOS and PFOA that are lower than the previous health-based values for these chemicals on Tuesday. The City of … more

Staff Report | 1/24/24

Hearts for Hastings: Sharing love and giving back

Edina Realty of Hastings invites the community to a heartwarming event that combines the spirit of Valentine’s Day with a meaningful cause. “Hearts for Hastings” is set to make a … more

1/17/24

Hastings Reads events set

Hastings Reads 2024 is set to kick off this February, with a month filled with fantastic and free activities for all ages. This year’s theme is “It’s Going to be Okay,” and … more

1/17/24

Kristy Barse, president of the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau (pictured at right) surprised Kyle Kreuser in his Hastings Middle School classroom with his family last week to let him know he is being honored as the 2023 Educator of the Year.

Chamber award winners to be honored at annual dinner

The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau is excited to announce the 2023 community award winners! Members of the community had the opportunity to nominate one business, volunteer … more

1/10/24

Hastings Journal named official newspaper of Dakota County

The Hastings Journal was named the official newspaper of Dakota County by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners Tuesday morning. The Journal will have the contract for publishing of legal notices … more

Staff Report | 1/3/24

Work continued in the summer toward completion of The Confluence.

Hello to The Confluence, farewell to the Hastings Creamery

2023 was a year of some really big things in Hastings. Several things could be considered the top story in the community. First, there was the opening of The Confluence in downtown Hastings. … more

Compiled by John McLoone | 1/3/24

Keagan McVicker scored 54 points over two games in the Hastings Holiday Tournament. She went to the basket for two against Northfield Thursday.

McVicker has hot hand at holiday tournament

The Hastings girls basketball team advanced to the title game of its own holiday tournament but fell in the finals to Farmington by a 61-42 score on Friday evening. On Thursday, in game one of the … more

Staff Report | 1/3/24

MPCA’s Smart Salting program aims to cut chloride pollution from excess road salt use while keeping roads safe in winter.

To protect lakes and fish, snowplows go on a low-salt diet

Even in summer, the effects of road salt use are easy to spot. Rusted fenders on cars and trucks, corroded bridges and infrastructure, and brown strips of grass along the edges of highways all serve … more

12/27/23

River Blades Skating School figure skaters competed in competitions at the M Health Sports Center and White Bear Lake recently.

River Blades Skating School skaters earn medals

The River Blades Skating School figure skaters representing the Hastings Civic Arena earned gold and silver medals in recent competitions. The River Blades skaters competed at the M Health Sports … more

12/27/23

Check out the Hastings Holiday Lights Tour

Throughout Hastings, residents seem to have gone all out this year in helping light the community for the Christmas season. Make sure to take some time to tour the beautiful sights in the days … more

Staff Report | 12/13/23

Hastings entrepreneur finding worldwide solutions to fight climate change

An innovative Twin Cities entrepreneur is literally working hard to make the world a better place. Ray Menard of Hastings is CEO and founder of Minneapolis-based Spades, which describes its … more

12/13/23

Schuster named Student of the Month

Mikayla was recognized at the Hastings Rotary Club's Student of the Month for October 2023. The Hastings Rotary Club recognizes Hastings High School seniors who exemplify Rotary’s motto of … more

12/13/23

511-unit Walden of Hastings development environmental review to open

The Hastings City Council approved distribution of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the proposed development of Walden at Hastings, which would include 511 housing units off Hwy. 316 at … more

By John McLoone | 12/6/23

Fire alarm went off about a minute into the half time intermission of the Girls basketball game. The alarm was not a false alarm so the building was evacuated until the fire department can give the all clear. There was no smoke inside near the field house or seen coming from the building.

Fire alarm disrupts girls basketball game

The Hastings High School girls basketball season-opener on Tuesday, Nov. 28 had an extended halftime break because of a fire alarm at the school. An active fire in a trash can in the metals shop … more

Staff Report | 12/6/23

The Hastings Fire Department does a little fundraising on its own to donate to Gobble Gait. Here is the group that made it to the event on Thanksgiving morning.

26th Annual Gobble Gait a huge success

Hastings Family Service (HFS) has been the benefactor of the Gobble Gait race for 26 years. Think about that for a moment, Gobble Gait has been around for 26 years, incredible. Each year, it seems … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/30/23

Autumn Burt picked up her first goal of the season against Rochester Mayo.

Girls Hockey rebounds nicely in Mayo win

As the sports saying goes, ‘have a short memory’ when it comes to the next game, and that is exactly what the Raiders (2-1) did. After falling to Owatonna 5-1, the girls bounced back … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/23/23

Planning commission will look at zoning change that would allow cannabis products in on and off sale liquor establishments

A zoning ordinance change that would allow products containing cannabis to be sold at on and off sale liquor establishments will be reviewed again on Monday night by the Hastings Planning Commission. … more

By John McLoone | 11/22/23

The 25th running of the Hastings Gobble Gait is off! More than 3000 runners plus fans lined Second Street East to kick of the Thanksgiving Day celebrations by raising money for Hastings Family Service. A keen eye should be able to spot the top three male finishers.

Gobble Gait, Holiday Hoopla kick off holiday fun in Hastings

A fun Thanksgiving Day run has turned into a dream come true for Hastings Family Service and the community. Thursday morning is the 26 th annual Hastings Gobble Gait. Through last year, the … more

Staff Report | 11/22/23

Erik Mossberg lost part of his leg in active duty. He had never skated with his son Ragnar until Saturday at United Heroes League. A team of people worked for over a year to build him a custom prosthetic with a Bauer skate so that he could surprise his son on Veterans Day.

United Heroes League celebrates grand opening of outdoor rink

Shane Hudella, Founder and President of United Heroes League (UHL) and his staff have worked hard for 15 years to bring sports equipment and amazing experiences to military kids and their families. … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/17/23

New book by best-selling Hastings author set close to home

Longtime Hastings resident MaryJanice Davidson’s new book hits close to home. MaryJanice Davidson is a New York Times best-selling author. She likes to set her fiction where her heart is, in the … more

Staff Report | 11/16/23