Features - Hastings Journal

Matching funds in July address hunger

The Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge aims to boost donations to MN food shelves when they need it most. Participating food shelves, including Hastings Family Service, … more

7/21/23

Dakota County to form Opiod Response Advisory Committee

Dakota County is encouraging individuals to apply to serve on the new Opioid Response Advisory Committee, which will recommend funding for community efforts to respond to the opioid crisis. Residents … more

7/21/23

Second Hastings Hawk joins the Northwood League

Former Hastings Raider and current Hastings Hawks pitcher, Will Lavin, joined the ranks of the Northwoods League at the start of the summer. His work on the mound as a Raider and a Hawk led him to … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/21/23

Roadside Tennis / Pickle Ball Courts update

The graphic above shows the planned layout of the tennis and pickle ball courts at Roadside Park. A typo in last week’s parks update incorrectly listed the layout as having six pickle ball … more

7/21/23

The Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority has purchased several in the 400 block of Vermillion Street and has plans to buy two more in coming years.

HEDRA seeks $500,000 to continue purchasing buildings in 400 block of Vermillon

The Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority is seeking a $500,000 allocation from the 2024 city budget to continue purchasing property in what’s referred to as block 28. That … more

By John McLoone | 7/20/23

Both the upstream side of the Mississippi River boat launch (left) and the entire Lake Isabel boat launch (right) are closed due to damaged driving surfaces in need of repair. The city is working with the MN DNR to establish a plan to get them reopened.

Parks and Rec update

Hastings Parks & Recreation Director Chris Jenkins gave the Journal a quick update for the happenings around Hastings related to projects in the parks around town. The update started with the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/13/23

The Hastings Trap and Skeet team had a total of 103 trap shooters, 76 male and 27 female and 20 skeet shooters, 17 male and three female. The team is coached by all volunteer coaches. The Trap head coach is Early Robinson and the Skeet head coach is Darin Berg. Trap and Skeet teams across the state of Minnesota are the safest sports teams in the state with zero documented injuries reported.

2023 Trap and Skeet team does well at State, sends six to Nationals

The 2023 Spring Trap and Skeet League season was a little different this year and as always it went by fast. We saw a lot of rough weather but that never stops our kids or coaches from showing … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/13/23

The historic Thorwood Estate has sat in deteriorating condition at 315 Pine St. since a 2017 fire. The current owner has plans to rebuild it as event and vacation rental space, with a third-floor private residence.

Plans would return Thorwood estate to splendor

The Hastings Plan Commission reviewed plans Monday night to return the historic Thorwood Estate, gutted by fire in 2017, to its previous splendor. Property owner Pavel Zakharov is seeking a … more

7/13/23

Journal photographer Bruce Karnick was out taking pictures of both the Fourth of July Parade organized by the Hastings Golf Club and Events and the fireworks presented by Vermillion State Bank.

Hastings Celebrates the Fourth of July!

Hastings was out for the Fourth of July, and they were ready to enjoy the day. Thousands of residents lined 15th Street West and Westview Drive for the 7 p.m. parade hosted by the Hastings Golf Club … more

7/13/23

In 2022, the Hawks worked with the City of Hastings and HYAA to purchase batting cages for the entire community to use. Unfortunately, manufacturing and shipping delays have pushed back the timeline for completion, which hinges on a lot of hope for “soon.”

Hastings Hawks board: for all of Hastings baseball

The Hastings Hawks amateur baseball team is part of the Classic Cannon Valley League (CCVL) which includes smaller towns to the south. They play around 30-40 games per season with roughly half of … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/7/23

The Confluence features 77 hotel rooms, indoor and outdoor event space, a restaurant that will serve three meals a day and Missi’s Sip and Savor, its bar.

The Confluence is taking reservations

Hastings residents and officials have long-awaited what is considered to be the new cornerstone of the downtown area. The Confluence Hotel is now accepting reservations for visitors booking … more

By John McLoone | 7/7/23

HKGI chosen for Lake Rebecca Park redevelopment project management

At the June 26 Hastings City Council meeting, Community Development Director Dan Wietecha reviewed the request to accept the proposal from HKGI to provide project management services for the Lake … more

By Nicole Rogers | 7/7/23

The Dakota County Law Enforcement Center will see an expansion to buildings and parking lot.

Law Enforcement Center and Regina Assisted Living expansion plans approved

At the June 26 Hastings City Council meeting, Community Development Director John Hinzman provided an overview of Dakota County’s request to build a 13,235-square-foot public institution … more

By Nicole Rogers | 7/7/23

Winners of the Party Cart Raffle at the St. Croix Valley Golf Scramble.

CNC St. Croix Valley Scramble Fundraiser

Time to set the tee, strike the ball and watch it soar, all for a good cause at the 15 th Annual St. Croix Valley Scramble, Monday, July 17 at the Hastings Golf Club. Check-in and lunch begins at … more

By Nerissa Solovitz | 7/6/23

Tori Jurgens Huebsch published her first book, 'The Silly Goose', a short children's book about a silly goose that loses his way and the adventures he has on his way to find his way back."

Local author urges children to stay true to themselves, even if they're a little 'silly'

“I have a niece and nephew who are twins, they are about 2 years old. I've always been a writer, I've always wanted to write a book and after they were born, I just kind of thought, you know, … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/6/23

Hastings School Board Chair Lisa Hedin presented outgoing Superintendent Dr. Robert McDowell with a gift at his final school board meeting.

McDowell thanked for service to school district

Dr. Robert McDowell’s last school board meeting as superintendent of the Hastings School District was Wednesday night. He resigned in the spring at the close of the school year after three … more

By John McLoone | 7/6/23

Illicit Fentanyl: As Easy As Ordering a Pizza

United Way of Hastings (UWH) continues to offer public awareness events to build awareness of fentanyl poisoning, reduce the stigma of overdoses, and provide resources. The next event is … more

6/29/23

Nathan Griner, a local acoustic folk/rock performer was a hit at the Oliver’s Grove portion of Make Music Day 2023. Griner has shared his passion for music in Hastings for years and is a long-term performer for Make Music Day.

Make Music Day 2023 another success

Make Music Day is an annual worldwide celebration of music on June 21. The event started in 1982 in France and made its way across the pond to New York City in 2018. Now, cities in over 120 countries … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/29/23

Boat shrink wrap collection begins April 1

Dakota County is offering boat shrink wrap recycling at no charge through June 30 at Lighthouse Motorsports and Marine, 3316 151st St. W., in Rosemount during regular business hours. The large … more

4/20/23

These items were illegally dumped in the ditch just on Hogan Avenue just off of County Road 46. The property owner is now responsible for the illegal dump, they need to pick it up, transport it to the proper place to be taken care of and pay any fees associated with the disposal of the items. Please do not do this.

Spring Cleaning means. . . illegal dumping?

Warmer weather brings about the urge to get out and clean. We hyper focus on cleaning our vehicles, garages, houses, recreational vehicles and more. Why not? It is beautiful outside, and we have been … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/7/23