Features - Hastings Journal

The younger kids sat on the floor to be close to the action of the books being read while adults and older kids sat in the chairs at the Dakota County Library for the BRAVE books ‘See You at the Library’ event organized by the Dakota County branch of Moms for Liberty.

Moms for Liberty Dakota County hosts BRAVE event at library

Moms for Liberty of Dakota County held the first annual “See You at the Library’ day, a book reading event at the Hastings library on Saturday, August 5. The event was created by actor … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/25/23

Raiders Swim and Dive showing off their signs before hittings the streets to drum up business. Both weekend days, athletes stood on the corners of Highway 55 or South Frontage Road and Pleasant Dr or Westview Dr with signs directing folks to the car wash: a tactic that is easily seen and provides results.

School groups use car washes as an opportunity to raise funds

High school sports teams and activities groups often have financial needs for things occurring during their season. It may be uniforms, other equipment, transportation, officials and a plethora of … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/24/23

Community partners united to Commemorate 3rd Overdose Awareness Day in Hastings with event at The Confluence

The Devin J. Norring Foundation, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, in collaboration with Dakota County Drug Task Force, Hastings Police Department, Dale Riley & Family, Victims of Illicit … more

8/20/23

Rachel (Latuff) Betterly is no stranger to winning pageants having been a former Miss Minnesota winner. She is the current 2023 Mrs. Petite USA winner and will compete in the Universal Petite competition June 6-10 on a cruise from the US to Mexico.

Hastings native wins Mrs. Petite USA crown

Hastings native Rachel (Latuff) Betterley has been a part of the pageant industry since 2012 when she competed in her first pageant at the age of 21. She competed in several pageants between 2012 and … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/20/23

Community Development Director John Hinzman talked about the transformation of The Confluence site from the purchase of the Hudson Manufacturing Building to what he terms as one of downtown Hastings' "bookends" that will open in coming weeks.

Community dreams turning to reality, as The Confluence prepares to open

Hastings Community Development Director John Hinzman led the Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority on a trip down memory lane at its meeting Thursday night, Aug. 10 on … more

By John McLoone | 8/18/23

Hastings Community Band Begins Another Season

Do you know Hastings has a community band? It’s called the River Valley Band and it’s been in existence for over twelve years. From a small group of 10 founding members to its … more

8/11/23

Roadside Tennis Court reconstruction underway

Frequent drivers along Highway 55 in Hastings should have noticed by now that the rebuilding of the roadside tennis courts is well underway. The destruction phase of the work began the morning of … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/4/23

City Council workshop focuses on PFAS

The Hastings City Council will talk about problems with removing PFAS “forever chemicals” from the city water supply. The city has received a consultant’s report pegging the … more

Staff Report | 8/4/23

State updates fish consumption guidance for two local water bodies

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), with support from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), is recommending that certain people … more

8/4/23

County seeks input on Vermillion River Greenway-Hastings Segment Plan

Dakota County is seeking community input on its Vermillion River Greenway – Hastings Segment Management Plan. The plan can be reviewed, and comments can be made on the Dakota County website at: … more

Staff Report | 8/4/23

VFW and Quality One donate second flag retirement box

Early in 2023, Mark Gelhar from the Hastings Veterans of Foreign Wars Lyle Russel Post 1210 (VFW) was shopping with Fleet Farm manager Marcie Jay for fishing poles to give away at the City of … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/4/23

Tanner Anselment turned a bunt into a hit with a two-base error in the third inning against Duluth. Anselment scored on a Johnny Teigland sacrifice fly as part of the win over Duluth.

Legion baseball season ends at state tournament

The American Legion Post 47 baseball team was very busy last week, starting with a huge sendoff for the state tournament on Wednesday followed by the state banquet for all the teams and culminating … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/4/23

Lawrence to take seat on city council

Lifelong Hastings resident Timothy A. Lawrence was selected from seven candidates to fill the Ward 4 seat on the Hastings City Council. The city council held two nights of interviews and … more

By John McLoone | 8/4/23

Legion baseball state bound

After a wild weekend at sub-state, the Hastings Raiders Legion Post 47 baseball team is headed to the state tournament. Hastings went 4-1 over a five-day qualifying tournament to punch their ticket … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/27/23

State Bound!

The Hastings Raiders Legion Post 47 baseball team is headed to the Legion Baseball State Tournament this weekend after a 4-1 showing in the regional tournament. This team has been extremely … more

7/27/23

The crowd quickly filled Sibley Street Saturday night for the Wicked Garden performance. Wicked Garden covers 90’s grunge and metal and they do it superbly. The crowd loved it, and as you can see, it was packed. The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Rivertown Days featured a weekend of big events and was a huge success.

Fest draws huge crowd

By Bruce Karnick and DavidYoungren | 7/27/23

The taproom takeover by the Hastings Community TV crew was held Wednesday night at Spiral Brewery. The four main hosts of the event, left to right: Kurt Radke, former City of Hastings Communications Director Lee Stoffel, HCTV director Mike Bremer and HCTV Sports Director Hunter Pinke.

The latest fundraising trend: Taproom Takeovers

I went to Spiral Brewery to support some friends and learn what the latest trend in fundraising was all about. With the brew pub concept booming around the state, including the building of … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/27/23

Construction is completed of the Pool 2 wing dam modification project, a first-of-its-kind endeavor in the nation that will improve navigation on the Mississippi River while enhancing the environment. At left, construction is surveyed. At right is a picture of Pool 2.

Innovative dam project will help river navigation and make for better fish habitat

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, celebrated the completion of the Pool 2 Wing Dam Modification Project with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 25, at Lock and Dam 2 in … more

Staff Report | 7/27/23

The Hastings Hawks versus Cannon Falls Bears game was a fun one to attend. It was a drama-filled affair with edge-of-your-seat-moments. Two of those moments were provided by Cole Benson. Benson had the only two Hawks RBIs in the game, both sacrifice flies giving the Hawks the win.

Hawks secure second place

The Hastings Hawks had another busy week scheduled with a visit from the Burnsville Bobcats on July 19, a battle for second place with Cannon Falls scheduled for July 21, an exhibition game scheduled … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/27/23

The food truck area located in the Levee Park parking lot is always hopping during Rivertown Days. It is close to the carnival and the street stages making it accessible for everyone.

Ready for Rivertown Days 2023!

The Medallion clues are out, food trucks are being prepped, the carnival is being setup and stages will be put in place on Friday, that must mean it is Rivertown Days (RTD) 2023! Rivertown Days … more

By Bruce Karnik | 7/21/23